Ok, there's gonna be some action in this chappie.
all right.
LET'S DO THIS!
EDIT: Sorry! BLAME THE LITTLE BIRD WREN. All my story was deleted, and i had emailed it to her, but she was grounded, so neither of us could get to it. she just got it back...T.T
Not my fault you deleted your story.
not MY fault your an idiot and get into fights.
They deserved it. And it's *your.
It's YOUR fecking job to edit these, don't leave my lame remarks unedited. sheesh, you frickin' grammar nazi. anyways, let's get going. :D
Chap. 4: Liars
Yao awoke to sunshine streaming through his eyelids. He yawned and stretched, gazing at the sky. It was a clear blue, little fluffy white clouds darting across it's vast expanse. The sun shone down upon a field of sunflowers. Yao gazed at Ivan. "Ivan, look out the window."
Ivan looked at Yao, then back at the road. He smiled. "Good, you're awake. And yes, I see them. We've been passing them for a while, now."
Yao nodded and sat up straight, adjusting his seatbelt a bit. "How long have I been out?" He glanced at Ivan.
"About ten hours."
Yao gaped. "Ten hours?"
Ivan chucked. "It's not that long, Yao."
"But why didn't you wake me?"
"You needed the rest."
Indeed, Yao felt much more awake. He shrugged that off. "You must be tired. Pull over."
Ivan gave him a quizzical look. "Hm?"
"So we can switch who's driving."
"I am not tired, Yao."
Yao glared at him. "Look at yourself in the mirror and then tell me again.
Ivan rolled his eyes but glanced in the rearview mirror. His pale skin looked ashen, even in the glowing sunlight. His eyes were a dulled violet. He looked back at Yao.
Yao was the exact opposite. His brown hair blew slightly from the air conditioner. His eyes glowed like little golden-brown embers, and his lips were set in a pout. He sighed and patted Ivan's shoulder. "You look terrible, aru."
"Thanks." Ivan slowed the car down and pulled over.
"N-No! I didn't mean it as an insult..." Yao bit his lip and unbuckled. "Sorry, aru."
Ivan smiled. "No, I didn't take it that way. I know I look terrible." Ivan opened the door and stood, inhaling the sweet scent of the flowers.
"You weren't wearing a seat belt?" Yao exclaimed, stepping out of the car and closing the door. He gazed at Ivan.
Ivan's eyes were closed and a small smile played at his lips. The warm wind ruffled his white-blonde hair. He looked utterly at peace. Yao smiled slightly and neared Ivan, tapping him on the shoulder.
Ivan looked down at Yao and beamed. "You look so lovely, da."
Yao turned a bright red. "W-Wha...?" He asked, eyes wide.
Ivan leaned over to the nearest sunflower and easily plucked it from it's stem. "They remind me of you." He handed the flower to Yao, his hand lingering too long. Smiling some more, he walked over to the passenger's side and took a seat.
Yao was frozen, sunflower in hand. He tentatively sniffed it.
"Lovely..." He murmured. "Huh."
"Yao?" Yao jumped. "R-Right! Sorry, aru..." He got into the car and started it, pulling back onto the road. The sunflower lay in his lap.
Ivan watched Yao, purple eyes loving. Yao didn't see the look. He was too concentrated on the road ahead. Ivan sighed internally. If only I could touch you, my lovely sunflower, with your consent. I want to love you. Do you love me?
The sky had begun to darken. Yao drove through weaving trees and occasional houses. He pulled out his cell phone(1) and glanced at Ivan.
Ivan was fast asleep. He was smiling slightly, and his chest rose and fell with his deep, easy breaths. Yao sometimes thought he wasn't breathing, and indeed, sometimes the smile had faded off of Ivan's face and his chest ceased to move. Those moments had terrified Yao, and every time it happened, he was forced to pull over and shake Ivan awake.
Ivan would always smile and pass it off as a nightmare. Yao was thoroughly shaken, though. He dialed the number Elizabeta had given him and held the phone to his ear.
It was picked up on the second ring. "Xin chào?"
"Nǐ hǎo, Hiea(2)-chan." Yao greeted quietly.
"Oh! Aniki-san! We got Miss Hungary's message! When will you be here? I made pho(3)!"
Yao tried to smile but failed. "...Xiexie. We will be there soon."
"Ok! Tạm biệt, Aniki-san!"
Yao hung up, putting the phone down and turning down a dark street.
"Who was that?"
"You're awake."
Ivan sat up, yawning and stretching a lot like a contented cat. "Yes. I had a nice nap. Who was that?"
"It was Hiea."
"Ah." Ivan trailed off. "...Do they know?"
"Of course they know." Yao sighed, looking downcast. "Yong Soo...was their brother. They'd be some of the first people to know."
"Hiea sounded so happy-"
"Hiea always sounds happy." Yao scoffed, pulling into a long, winding driveway. The gravel crunched underneath the tires. "It's just the way she is. She always wants to make others smile, no matter how she's feeling."
"She sounds very nice."
Yao shrugged, pulling into a huge mansion. It looked Chinese oriented, with red and gold archways leading up to the front door. Yao parked the Porche next to a black shiny car.
Ivan gaped, practically jumping out of the Porche and examining the car. "Wow...who's car is this?"
"I believe it is Kaoru's(4). Why?"
Ivan shook his head and smiled, chuckling. "I'm turning into Alfred..." He sighed, staring at the car. "It's a Bugatti Veyron...a super sport."
Yao blinked blankly.
Ivan turned to him, chuckling more at the look on his face. "Confused, da? Well, Alfred got me into cars one day. Now, unfortunately, I know almost every type of car out there."
Yao inspected the car. "It doesn't look like much to me." He glanced at the car they arrived in. "But it's certainly shinier than this one."
"You mean the Porche 911."
"Sure, aru."
Ivan groaned, and took Yao's arm. "Let's go inside." He led Yao up the walkway, through a magnificent hanging garden.
Yao flushed slightly, but didn't pull away from Ivan's gentle grip. Ivan rang the doorbell.
The door was answered almost immediately by a thin, petite girl. Hiea's green kimono was replaced by a black kimono with gold threading along the hems. Her hair was pulled down into a braid, and her straw hat was in place. "Aniki!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around Yao's neck. "We were wondering if you were ever going to show your face."
Yao felt terrible. His brother had died, and he neglected to even wear his mourning clothes. He hugged Hie back.
Hiea glanced at Ivan and backed up a little. "Who are you, ne?" She asked, a little frightened.
Ivan smiled warmly (as warmly as he could manage) and held out his hand. "I am Ivan Braginsky. Please to meet you, da?"
Hiea paused for a second, then beamed and shook his hand eagerly. "Ah, are you Yao-san's lover, vâng?"
"Yes." Ivan replied immediately before Yao could open his mouth. He turned a bright scarlet color, almost as bright as his shirt. He glared mutely at Ivan, who smirked back, a wickedly evil look in his eyes.
"Okay! You two can share a room!" Hiea grabbed both their hands and pulled them into the oriental styled house. Ivan closed the door behind them politely.
Hiea dragged the two through a long hallway filled with pictures. A lot of them were of Yao, Meimei(5), and Yong Soo. Candles lined all the little desks, lit in memory of their fallen sibling. Yao choked back a sob.
A cold hand on his back made him jump. He looked up at Ivan, who had put his hand on his back. Ivan's purple eyes were locked onto his, filled with encouragement...and something more. He closed his eyes and sighed, glad for Ivan being with him.
The two were dragged into the kitchen. It was small, but reminded Yao of home. There were warm yellow lights on, underneath cabinets that hung on the walls. It was complete with a table, stove, dishwashed, fridge, and a big window over a sink. "Kaoru!" Hiea sang, releasing Ivan and Yao and rushing over to the solemn boy sitting at the table.
Kaoru stood and bowed. He too was in mourning clothes. "Hello, Aniki-san."
"Ni hao, Kaoru..." Yao bowed back. He was so much like Kiku...
Kaoru bowed to Hiea. "Hiea-chan, I will show Ivan and Yao to their room, okay?"
"Alright. I will heat dinner back up!" Hiea rushed to the stove while Kaoru led the duo up a steep set of stairs and down a narrow hallway. He opened the door to a spacious bedroom with a wide window leading out onto a balcony. The room's ceiling was a dark blue, like the sky, with little dimly glowing lights studded here and there, like stars. A huge bed dominated the space, and a small door was off to the left.
"Here. It is our guest room." Kaoru bowed. "I will let you have time to relax and...'take a load off', I suppose." Before leaving, he walked up to Yao and wrapped his arms around him lightly, burrowing his face into Yao's chest.
Yao gaped. "Kaoru?"
"Thank you, Aniki. For everything." Kaoru pressed a small kiss to Yao's cheek, earning a blush from Yao and a glare from the Russian man. With that, Kaoru left.
Yao rubbed his cheeks, trying to get rid of the blush. "He's never done that before..."
"He must be frightened." Ivan murmured, and Yao jumped when he realized Ivan was standing right behind him. His cold yet gentle hands trailed lightly down Yao's shoulders, and Yao bit his lip.
"F-frigtened of what?" Yao attempted to keep a grip on his thoughts. He...he has so much power over me...the slightest touch...
Ivan removed his hands, leaving Yao gasping for air. He headed over to the bed and sat down. "Scared of losing someone else." He turned towards his suitcase, opening it and beginning to unload his things. "I will take the bottom drawer, da?"
"H-Huh? Oh, okay." Yao hit himself mentally over the head with his wok. Stupid, stupid Yao. He picked up his own suitcase and began unloading it, folding his clothes meticulously and placing them in the drawer.
I don't understand Ivan at ALL. I mean, one second he's terrifying, the next he's kind, and the next his hands are all over me! THEN he's back to being terrifying! Yao sighed internally. I wish Eliza were here to tell me what to do. Maybe I should write to her...write to...the letter Francis gave me! I'll ask Ivan about it at dinner. Then we can all read it.
Ivan glanced over at Yao, immersed in his work and thoughts. He smiled and stood, coming up behind Yao and wrapped his arms around his waist.
Yao dropped the shirt he was holding. "Ivan?" He asked.
Ivan pressed his lips to Yao's pulse point. A delicious shiver wracked it's way through Yao's body. "Mm...you smell so good..." Ivan murmured, his tounge darting out and licking Yao's pale, creamy skin.
Yao's eyes went wide. Was this really happening? Was Ivan...? "Ivan?" He asked again, in a whisper.
"Yao...you're just so enticing, and beautiful, and delicious..." Ivan murmured, kissing and nibbling along Yao's neck, leaving small pink marks along it's expanse.
Yao blinked, blood rushing to his face. This really WAS happening. "I-Ivan, what are you doing?" He spun around.
Ivan pressed his lips to Yao's. The kiss was delicious, and Yao felt his head grow clouded and dizzy. S...soft lips...Yao's thought's were going insane. He was so stunned he just stood there, arms at his sides, brown eyes wide. What do I do?
Ivan's arms wrapped around Yao's thin figure.
It took Yao a second to brace his hands against Ivan's chest, but he yanked himself out of the kiss. "W-What the HELL was that, aru?"
Ivan tilted his head, his violet eyes confused. "Well, I kissed you."
"That was not a kiss. That w-was a sneak attack, aru!" Yao shot back, his back pressed flat against the wall. "Why did you do that?"
Ivan looked down, clearly embarassed. "I'm very sorry. I couldn't resist. You are just so tantalizing, Yao..." He cleared his throat.
Yao flushed. Ivan thinks I am tantalizing? That's...ah... "P-Please...don't."
Ivan bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Yao."
"I-I forgive you." Yao said quickly, straightening up and turning back towards his suitcase, a mortified blush creeping across his cheeks. "P-Please...give me a little...WARNING before you do that again, okay...aru?"
Hmm...so he's not denying me. At least I didn't harm anything between us... Ivan nodded, his childish smile spreading across his face. "Da."
Yao nodded, still blushing. He began tossing the clothes more haphazardly into the drawer than before, and Ivan watched, a smile on his face.
Yao turned around, glaring half-heartedly. "S-So you're gonna stand there and watch, not help?"
"...Da!" Ivan nodded entheusiastically.
Yao sighed. He closed his suitcase and set it down next to the dresser. "We should go down to dinner."
Ivan looked at Yao sadly. "I'm sorry I came."
"No, don't be!" Yao exclaimed, looking up at him worriedly. "You've been...you ARE...a really good friend, Ivan." He smiled lightly, the first time since Yong Soo's death. And it took Ivan's breath away.
The taller man bit his lip. "You think so?"
"You sound surprised."
"..." Ivan looked away. "No one...has...ever told me that before. I honestly am surprised." He turned back to Yao, violet eyes wary. "You aren't lying, are you?"
"No!" Yao protested. His own eyes were wide. "I swear, I'd never lie to you."
Ivan suddenly beamed. "...Thank you." He kissed the top of Yao's head and headed out of the room. Yao followed him close behind, smiling slightly to himself.
Dinner was rather quiet, despite Hiea's awkward attempts to start conversation. Kaoru and Ivan were staring at each other rather coldly. Hiea and Yao exchanged awkward glances.
"So, Yao..." Hiea began. "...What's in the letter?"
Ivan and Kaoru glanced at Yao.
"What letter?" Kaoru inquired, quirking an eyebrow.
"The letter he got from France." Ivan murmured, making Yao shudder. Ivan rubbed his back encouragingly. "Shh, it's okay."
Yao pulled out the letter and set it on the table. He looked afraid that it might jump up and bite him. "I'm...hesitant..." He looked up at Hiea, eyes worried. "What if it's something about Kiku being...or...what if..." He felt tears pool into his eyes.
"No." Kaoru said firmly. "Kiku is a fighter. Besides, if he were dead, it would have so much impact on the world." He took a bite of his dinner. "My assumption is that he's being either held for ransom, or maybe he actually is a little late."
"Who was he meeting with?" Hiea asked curiously.
"Turkey." Kaoru glanced at Yao. "Would you like me to open it?"
Yao nodded. Kaoru picked up the letter and stared at it, examining the outside of the enevelope. "We should keep the envelope and get fingerprints off of it. It could give us an idea of the culprit."
"But the only people who have touched it are Yao and France..." Ivan trailed off thoughtfully. "Oh...someone could've given it to France."
Kaoru nodded. "Precisely. If they have, we can question them. If no one except Yao and France have, then we question France."
"Good plan, Kao!" Hiea beamed and clapped for her sibling, who rolled his eyes. Gingerly, he slid open the envelope and removed a crisp, clean folded piece of paper.
Yao shivered, looking down. With Hiea's and Ivan's gaze burning into his, Kaoru unfolded it, glanced at it, then dropped it on the table.
"Well?" Hiea inquired, picking it up. Yao looked at Kaoru cautiously.
"'Well' nothing." Kaoru's eyes seemed to pierce into Yao. "It's blank."
Xin chào-Hello? (Vietnamese)
Nǐ hǎo- Hello (Chinese)
Tạm biệt -Goodbye (Vietnamese)
vâng-yeah (Vietnamese. It's like Russia's 'da'.)
(1)Yeah, yao really shouldn't use the phone whilst driving.
(2)Vietnam has no human name. I gave her one! Hie is flower in Vietnamese, but i added the 'a' at the end because whenever i looked at this documant, I kept thinking Hie was He, so I changed it.
(3)Pho: A Vietnamese noodle dish.
(4)Kaoru is Hong kong, if anyone was wonderin'.
(5)Meimei/Mei/Mimi is ALL Taiwan and herpetnames.
ANSWERING REVIEWS! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and (hopefully) favorited!
YOU GUYS I'm changing up the Description, so if it's different, dont bust my ass.
STOP FUCKING CHANGING THINGS ABOUT OUR ACCOUNT-
HOLY CHEESUS YOU SWORED
You change EVERYTHING without my consent! I'M GO NINJA ON YOUR ASS IF YOU CONTINUE
OH MY FUCKING GOSH PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW *runs for the fucking hills* -lilli
I will have my revenge. IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. Somehow. -Wren