Kiku wondered the halls, wondering where Alfred was at that moment. He had heard that the other nation was sick and had come on a quest to make him feel better. After asking where Alfred's room was, he hurried on gazing around.

He knocked when he reached the door and blinked as no one answered. "Alfred-Sama?" He called out softly.

Ivan's amethyst eyes slid open half-way. He looked blearily up at the door. "Кто там?" He asked, not even thinking of using English in his sleepy state of mind.

Japan frowned as a Russian voice came from the room and his eyes narrowed. "I'm coming in..." He muttered to herself and pushed the door open cautiously. He gasped as he spotted Ivan and Alfred. "W-W-What's going on here!?"

Ivan blinked sleepily at him. "Japan?"

Kiku stood, frozen in his spot. "W-W-What are you doing here!?" He demanded.

Ivan raised a curious, innocent eyebrow. "I am keeping Alfred company. Vat are you doing here?"

"I'm here to wish him a swift recovery! It is my duty as his ally!" Kiku said quickly, tripping over his words slightly.

"Vell, spasiba, Japan. However, he is asleep at ze moment..." Ivan looked down at the slumbering Alfred, whom was cuddled up next to him and snoring softly, some of his shirt clenched in the American's hand.

"Why are you sleeping with him, Russia!" Kiku gasped, his body shaking with anger.

Ivan tilted his head slightly, looking back up at Kiku. "He vanted me to stay, zat is all."

Kiku flinched, feeling betrayed in a way. He shook it off and watched as Alfred started stirring, moving to sit up. "Wassgoinon?"

Ivan looked at Alfred, smiling softly. "You have a visitor, Alfred." He purred.

"Issit a pretty girl?" Alfred asked, his sleep clearing slightly. "Maybe Taiwan or Ireland...or Brazil...Brazilian women are hot..."

Ivan chuckled. "Nyet. Japan is here to see if you are alright."

Alfred rubbed his eyes a bit, turning to look at Kiku. The island nation blushed with embarrassment. "F-Forgive me for interrupting you, America-Sama." He said bowing.

"Don't apologize. it's nice that you came." Alfred smiled.

Ivan smiled innocently at them, ever so slightly protective. Really, he wasn't that jealous...

Then again, perhaps he was. But no matter. As long as Alfred didn't return Kiku's obvious infatuation, there was no need for him to act selfishly.

Yet.

Alfred smiled and motioned Kiku over to him, gazing at the box the other nation held in his hands. "What did you bring?" He asked eagerly.

"Just some food..." Kiku muttered softly, looking away.

Ivan tilted his head, his amethyst eyes glancing down at the bento box that the short Japanese man held. All, or at least most Asian people were short, he noted.

Alfred smiled, "Cool! I'll have that for dinner!" He said smiling as he ruffled Kiku's hair. "You're such an awesome friend! Isn't he awesome, Ivan?"

Ivan chuckled. "Da. He is a good friend."

Alfred smiled brightly, "I'm happy you came to visit. It's makes me feel so much better to know that someone else cares." He leaned backwards on Ivan's chest, "Other than Ivan of course."

Ivan grinned possessively and wrapped his arms around Alfred.

Kiku frowned slightly, "Of course other people care about you." He said softly, trying to keep his voice quiet as it usually ways.

"Yeah, I know they do...but still!" Alfred smiled weakly.

"You are more loved than you think, lyubov'." Ivan said gently, smiling.

Kiku narrowed his eyes, glaring at Ivan. Alfred on the other hand, blinked and shrugged, gazing at Ivan for a minute. "What do you mean by that?"

Ivan shrugged. "Everyone has at least some affection for you." He glanced at Kiku, "Some more than others."

Alfred blinked, "Well what do you mean by some more than others?"

Ivan only chuckled and patted Alfred's head fondly. "Never mind, lyubov'."

Kiku frowned at Ivan, "Why are you calling him that?" He demanded.

Ivan smirked. "Vhy do you think? Vat purpose vould it serve if it vere not true?"

Alfred took a deep breath, blinking as he looked from Kiku to Ivan. Kiku blinked, looking heartbroken, wondering if Alfred knew what Ivan was saying. Kiku didn't speak.

"Hey, hey!" Alfred gasped, "What's wrong?"

Ivan merely shrugged. "Ask him."

"I was asking him!" Alfred said looking at Ivan for a minute.

Kiku leaned back, "You two, that's what's wrong." He muttered softly and turned to leave.

"Hey wait! I didn't hear what you said!"

"He does not quite know yet, if that makes you feel better." Ivan said, knowing Alfred wanted Kiku to stay. "He does not know vat it means."

Kiku glanced over his shoulder at Alfred who smiled, "Stay with me for a little bit." He said grinning slightly.

Kiku nodded and Alfred rested his hands on Ivan's thighs.

Ivan smiled pleasantly, leaning against the headboard casually. He would allow Kiku to stay as long as Alfred wanted him to.

And as long as the shorter nation didn't try anything on his Alfred. As long as Kiku did nothing, all was well.

Kiku smiled slightly, bowing to Alfred a bit. "Don't bow!" Alfred laughed, "It makes me nervous. Go ahead and sit down on the bed." He said patting the spot in front of him.

Kiku smiled and sat down on the bed in front of Alfred, who leaned back against Ivan. "Why are you sick, anyway?"

Ivan started idly playing with Alfred's hair, running his now ungloved fingers through the blonde strands contentedly, listening to the conversation semi-interestedly. Nothing too interesting about two friends...what did they call it in America? "Catching up" right?

"Over worked myself..." Alfred muttered weakly, looking at Kiku weakly. "Ivan and Arthur pulled me home and wouldn't let me do anything until I get better."

"So...Ivan is staying with you here...alone..."

Alfred blushed heavily, "Yes." He smiled.

Ivan smiled almost — /almost/ — evilly. He didn't want Kiku to get the wrong idea. Instead of commenting on the matter, he merely continued messing with Alfred's hair. This, he thought, could become one of his favorite activities.

"Do you...I mean are you..." Kiku started but looked away, "No, it's not my business."

"What is it?" Alfred smiled. "Go on, ask!"

"Are you two...like...how do you Americans say it...into each other?" Kiku asked.

Ivan raised an eyebrow, waiting for Alfred's answer. He wanted to know what he would say.

Alfred's face turned an even brighter shade of red, this time it was noticeable. "Well!" he gasped, covering his face in his hands for a minute before smiling at Kiku, "I don't know about Ivan...but I think there's a connection..."

Ivan smirked, not pausing in his petting. So Alfred felt a "connection", eh? And judging by the smaller nation's voice, he was blushing. How cute...

Kiku leaned back, looking away from Ivan and Alfred. "Right..." He muttered.

"What about you?" Alfred smiled, "Do you like anyone?"

"W-Well yes..." Kiku smiled, "But they don't feel the same way."

Ivan raised an eyebrow at Kiku, knowing exactly of whom he was speaking. Though his invisibility act wasn't nearly as effective as Matthew's (poor little Canada, no one ever remembered him) he still chose to remain out of the conversation, at least for the time being.

Alfred smiled, "You're a good looking guy, I'm sure they'll come around some time."

Kiku blushed heavily, "You really think so?" He asked slowly.

Ivan frowned slightly. "Are you feeling any better, Alfred?" He asked, bringing the other nation's attention back to him.

Kiku's face fell again as Alfred turned to look at Ivan and smiled, leaning back against him again. He fit himself in the larger nation's lap and closed his eyes. "I feel a little bit better."

Ivan smiled. "That is good to hear. You are no longer dizzy?"

Alfred grinned, "Still a bit dizzy." He admitted. He was happy to have a moment to close his eyes as he rested his head on Ivan's chest.

Ivan grinned and looked up at Kiku. "Is something wrong, Japan?" He asked, knowing full-well what the problem was, but asking nonetheless. He had gotten his attention. He did not want to appear rude.

Kiku held his feelings back, "Nothing's wrong at all." He said sharply, "My friend has found someone he likes and I am happy for him."

"You are?" Alfred smiled, opening his eyes again. "Really?!"

Kiku bit his lip, "Y-Yes, I am."

"And, who is this friend of yours, if you do not mind my asking?" Ivan inquired amiably.

Kiku blinked at Ivan, wondering if he knew. "No one you know..."

"Nonsense! Tell me who she is? Taiwan? Brazil? Philippines? Hungary? Liechtenstein? Ireland maybe?" Alfred smiled.

"It's not...a girl..." Kiku sighed.

Ivan continued smiling amiably, knowing exactly who Kiku was infatuated with and finding it terribly amusing.

At least, for now. Later he would probably come to greatly dislike the fact and see Kiku as merely competition. But for now...

For now, he did not mind.

"It's not!" Alfred gasped, "Who is it then!?"

"Y-Y-You..." Kiku said slowly, looking away.

"WHAAAATT!?"

Ivan chuckled at Alfred's reaction, wrapping his arms around him once more and resting his chin on the other's head. Mine, his eyes said.

Alfred blinked, "You and me and what?"

"It's nothing..." Kiku sighed, "I'll leave you two alone and visit more later." He bowed and left.

"I suppose it is just you an me again, da?" Ivan said happily, kissing Alfred's head and nuzzling him slightly. Smells good... he thought.

Alfred sighed heavily, shrugging against Ivan. "I guess it is..." He said slowly.

Ivan tilted his head curiously. "You are not happy. Do you not enjoy it?"

Alfred took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "I don't know...I feel bad..." He said slowly.

"Vhy is that?" Ivan asked, not understanding. Was it because Kiku had left?

"Because I can't make him happy." Alfred muttered, shrinking against Ivan's chest.

"But he said he vas happy for you, did he not?" Ivan questioned, hugging Alfred close to him possessively.

"But he wasn't happy for himself..." Alfred muttered softly. "I don't know...I guess it's just always how I've thought...I wish he could be happier than that..."

Ivan shrugged. "The only vay to make him happy is to be in love vith him, lyubov'"

Alfred looked up at Ivan, "And I can't do that..." He smiled weakly.

Ivan smiled and kissed Alfred gently. "Be his friend. That is the most you can do, I suppose."

Alfred closed his eyes, kissing back. "Can we go on a walk today?" He asked slowly.

Ivan pondered the question carefully. "Stand up." He ordered, wanting to test Alfred's balance. If he could stand well enough, he supposed a short walk wouldn't do too much damage.

Alfred frowned, slowly rising to his feet. He stood up nicely for a bit and started walking, only to fall forward.

Ivan caught him quickly and efficiently before the American could fall to the ground. He looked him over worriedly before chuckling. "Nyet. Not today, lyubov'. Perhaps ven you can valk." He said authoritatively, setting Alfred back on the bed gently.

Alfred frowned, "I can't stand being inside like this!" He gasped and squirmed around.

Ivan thought for a moment, then picked Alfred up bridal style and walked out the door without a word. He ventured down the stairs and out to the yard, looking for something.

Alfred blinked up at Ivan, "What are you doing?" He asked, smiling softly.

"Do you have a car?" Ivan asked, looking down at Alfred's smiling face.

Alfred nodded with a small smile and nodded towards the garage. "I do." He said smiling weakly, his smile fading as he remembered it was a car that Kiku had given to him.

Ivan strode toward the garage and grabbed the keys from the table, unlocking the car and setting Alfred down in the passenger seat before closing the door and walking over to the driver's side. Calmly starting it up, he reached over to roll down Alfred's window.

Alfred smiled brightly, looking around with joy. "You're amazing!" He said, his eyes sparkling. "Arthur would never take me out when I'm sick!"

Ivan chuckled, keeping his eyes on the dirt road ahead of them, cruising through part of the countryside. Very nice. Very peaceful. Very warm. He liked it. "I can see vhy he vould not. He vould vant you to stay indoors."

Alfred grinned brightly. "Yeah, he would." He said closing his eyes and lying back. "I'm used to staying outside...so...I like it out here more."

"I normally stay indoors because of the cold and blizzards and such." Ivan said conversationally, "Though I think I vill enjoy my stay here. It is very varm. I like that."

Alfred smiled, "You must hate living somewhere where it's so cold. I know I would."

Ivan smiled. "You do not mind it so much ven you have lived there for a long time. It is something you get...used to. I do not mind the cold."

Alfred nodded, "Turn right up a head." He said with a small smile. "I want you to see something."

Ivan glanced briefly at his companion curiously before doing as he was instructed. "Vat exactly vould you like to show me?" He asked.

"You'll see when you reach the end of this road!" Alfred smiled.

Ivan pouted ever so slightly, almost unnoticeably, and continued on the path.

Once they reached the end of the road, he stopped the car and gazed forward, first with surprise and then with happiness. "Sunflowers." He said with a smile.

Alfred smiled brightly, "You like it?" He asked gazing out over the field of yellow flowers.

Ivan chuckled, almost a giggle. "Da, I do. Very much."

An idea struck him and he pulled himself out of the car, walking over and picking Alfred up again before carrying him over to the sunflower field. He walked a ways into it, then settled down on the ground with Alfred in his lap.

Alfred blushed slightly and looked up at Ivan as he carried him through the flowers. He closed his eyes and rested his head against Ivan's chest. "I'm happy you like it." He said softly.

The Russian merely nodded, lying down and closing his eyes contentedly. "Perhaps ve could...stay out for a vhile?"

"If it makes you happy..." Alfred smiled, resting himself against Ivan. "I don't mind." He crawled up so he was laying on top of the other nation, curled up on his chest.

Ivan smiled, amethyst still hidden under his eyelids. The sunlight fell on his pale, sun-deprived face, appearing to light it up. "Spasiba, Alfred."

Alfred rested his head against Ivan with. "You're welcome, Ivan..." He said softly.


WARM PLACE
SUNFLOWERS
AND ALFRED.
Really, that's all Ivan has ever wanted. XD

Awww, poor little Kiku. He's so cute though.

Now xxTaintedPurityxx and I shall finish chapter five, then post chapter four. So the next chapter should be around...either sometime tonight or tomorrow. You won't have to wait long!!!
I hope.