Hello everyone, I bring you the fourth chapter of Meeting on a Snowy Evening! Thank you to the people who reviewed, subscribed, and/or favorited! I really appreciate your support!

DISCLAIMER: Yes, of course I own Hetalia. That's why China/Japan and Russia/Lithuania are both canon. I'm just kidding, I still don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 4

Toris trudged through the snow, trying to navigate his way through the thick white blanket covering the ground. He didn't understand how anyone could grow accustomed to this wintry hell. Sure, his house also had freezing winters, but they were never this bad.

'No wonder Ivan wants to live in a warm place surrounded by sunflowers...'

The Lithuanian man sighed, remembering Ivan's last words before he embarked on his journey to Ukraine's house. He honestly thought that the taller man would confess.

Toris only sighed again and shook his head. What was he thinking? Ivan didn't like him. He probably liked Yao. Why else would Ivan say he desired Yao?

The brunette continued to make his way across the snowy landscape until he saw a small cottage in the distance. Quickly, he walked to the cottage, knocking on the door a couple of times.

No one answered.

Toris knocked again, pressing his ear to the door to check if he had the right house. Sure enough, he heard the sound of Ukraine's breasts bouncing. Sighing, Toris knocked again.

"Mrs. Ukraine, please open the door. I have to collect some payment." the Lithuanian man said. He really didn't feel like dealing with this right now.

"Um...she is not here, please come again later." a faux voice called from the other side of the door.

"Mrs. Ukraine, I know that's you. I'm just here to collect some money, your brother asked me to come here."

"You're not Ivan?" a feminine voice questioned from the other side of the door.

"No, I'm Lithuania." Toris answered, sighing once again.

"Oh, come right on in then!"

Before Toris could reply, the door burst open as Ukraine snatched him from the doorstep.

"Dammit!" Ivan cursed, throwing away another failed attempt at making chocolates. This was his third attempt at trying to make something editable, and he failed again. Who knew cooking would be so difficult?

Growling, the Russian man paced about the kitchen, which was now covered with various ingredients. The walls were splattered with a strange, melted concoction that resembled chocolate, flour coated the floor, and sugar was all over the counters. The kitchen looked like World War three had taken place in it, except the weapons were food based instead of explosives.

When he couldn't find the recipe for any traditional Lithuanian foods for Valentines Day, he thought that he would be able to make chocolate, but he was wrong. Every time he tried to make some chocolates, something would go amiss.

He tried to follow the recipe, he honestly did. The problem was that he didn't have all of the ingredients, so he was forced to compromise. Ivan didn't think it would affect the recipe much if he replaced strawberries with cheese, but apparently the switched ingredient made a huge difference.

He sighed, turning to look at the scenery outside. Just once, why couldn't something go right for him? He was already tortured all the way through his childhood thanks to various wars with plenty of bloodshed. Why did he have to suffer through his adulthood as well?

Continuing to stare out the window, Ivan noticed that General Winter was having a field day. Every speck of land was covered in a thick blanket of snow, as well as the landmarks. Frosty flakes were pouring down from the sky and it didn't look like the weather would cease anytime soon.

Ivan looked at the clock, noticing it had been a little while since Toris left. The Lithuanian man was usually quick and diligent with his work.

He should've been back by now.

Now beginning to worry, Ivan began to pace more frantically. What if something happened to Toris? Sure, he was raised in a cold environment, similar to Ivan, but could he stand up to General Winter himself?

Deciding not to take any chances, Ivan snatched his coat and bolted out the door, locking it behind him.

He promised himself that he would bring Toris home safe and sound.

"So, what brings you to my home?" Ukraine asked Toris, who was nervously sipping a cup of tea. Currently, the two nations were sitting in Ukraine's living room, chatting.

"Well, Mr. Braginski told me I had to collect some payment from you, Mrs. Ukraine."

"Oh Toris, you're too formal. Just call me Irunya."

"Irunya?"

"Yes, that is the name I was given."

"Alright then Mrs- uh...Irunya, do you have the payment?" Toris questioned.

"No, I do not. My current financial situation makes it hard for me to put money aside." Irunya confessed.

"B-but, you must have part of the payment by now! Mr. Braginski said that-"

"What is your relation to my brother?" Irunya suddenly asked, catching Toris off guard.

"Huh? My relation to your brother? Well, I uh...I'm his subordinate. I work for him."

"How does my brother treat you?" Irunya continued to interrogate the poor man across from her.

"Um...he treats me...okay."

"Toris, please tell me the truth. You seem terrified when you're sitting next to my brother at the world meetings. I promise that I will not be angry if you tell me the truth." Irunya vowed.

At that moment, Toris didn't know why, but his thoughts just poured out of his mouth.

"He's very intimidating. He says I'm his favorite, but he always beats me. I'm always scared that he'll kill me. However, that's only on some days. On other days, he's so kind and gentle. He's like a child. It's like your brother is two different people." Toris babbled, taking a deep breath after he was finished.

"Hm..I see." Irunya replied. "You know, my brother wasn't always like that."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Toris questioned.

"I mean he wasn't always that cruel. There was a point in time where my brother didn't have that...darker side to him." Irunya clarified, placing her chin in her palm and staring off into space.

"Believe it or not, Ivan was once very shy. All he wanted was a friend. However, for some reason he kept getting rejected. He tried talking with the other countries, but they would either get frightened because of my brother's past or they would bully him." Irunya continued.

"O-oh...I see..." Toris stammered.

"Throughout his childhood, Ivan was constantly bullied by other nations. He was living in fear, and he didn't have one friend in the world. He tried to make friends with anyone and everyone, even a hamster, which rejected him."

"That sounds...rough." Toris said. Now he was starting to feel bad for Ivan. He knew his boss had a rough childhood, but he didn't imagine it was this bad.

"After Belarus and I were forced to leave, Ivan only had General Winter to talk to. However, even though General Winter was Ivan's companion, he constantly plagued my brother's house with snow and ice, which isolated my brother further. Because of his isolation, he just...doesn't know how to deal with people. He thinks by...marking you, he's showing he cares for you. I am sorry that he hurts you, but he's just...confused, I suppose. Please do not think bad of my brother." Irunya whispered the last part, her eyes drifting toward the ground.

"Wait...what do you mean by that last part?" Toris asked, confused.

"I mean that my brother cares for you. I am not exactly sure about the extent of his feelings, but I am sure they are deeper then the relationship between a boss and his employee."

"Do you mean he might...love me?"

"He might. You'll never know unless you ask him, Toris."

"But I-" Toris was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Sister, please let me in! I need to see Toris!" an all too familiar Russian voice called from the other side of the door.

"Oh? Toris, my brother has come to pick you up." Irunya said, showing a small smile.

"Wait, but how do I get through to your brother?" Toris hissed, trying to keep his voice down.

"You might have already broken through, Toris." Irunya replied, walking over to the door and opening it. "Toris is right over there, brother." she calmly stated, ignoring her boss's orders not to see her brother.

Ivan rushed in, grabbing Toris's arm and pulling him up. He dragged the smaller man to the door, turning to look at his older sister.

"Thank you, Irunya." Ivan said, nodding once in acknowledgment.

"It is my pleasure, brother. Have a safe journey back." Irunya replied, showing a warm smile.

After those few words, Ivan walked outside into the fury of General Winter once more, dragging Toris behind him. As the door closed, Irunya only smiled, locking the door behind them.

She now knew the extent of her brother's feelings for Toris.

About Ukraine's name: I know that she doesn't have a canon name, but according to Hetalia wiki, Himaruya said Irunya could be a possible name for her. So, I decided to call Ukraine Irunya.

Also, I tried to look up what Lithuanian people give each other for Valentine's day, but I kept getting chocolates or...links to weird sites. So I used chocolates as the special food for this story.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and tell me any constructive criticism you have! Any support is always loved and appreciated!

Also, if you have a question for me and you don't have an account, I put up one of my emails for you all to message me. It should be under 'More General Stuff About Me'.