Author's Note: I should have an excuse for this delay. But I don't. Not one you haven't heard before.

I'll make it up to you.

Sometimes workaholics were funny.

Nothing short of a Russian blockade would stop Ludwig from when he knew he had work to do.

But every once and a great while, he could enjoy sleeping in. He could lay back and relax, content with what he has done. He was capable of being just as lazy as everyone else on their day off. Especially if he just flew in the night before from his country to spend the weekend with his Russian boyfriend.

It just figures...Ivan thought irritably as he shut down his alarm clock before it woke the German, he would be all nice and cuddly when he doesn't have to get up and do anything, and I do. It was probably cosmic revenge for all the times he purposely prevented Ludwig from going to work just because he didn't want him to.

Now Ivan was exceptionally sneaky when he wanted to be; size be damned. He took particular pride in startling Arthur and Alfred at world conferences. One or both would curse him and threaten to put a bell on him.

A bell.

Honestly.

As if it were his fault they just didn't pay attention to their surroundings.

Unfortunately, no matter how stealthy he thought he was being this morning, Ludwig proved himself to be an exception once again. The only Incarnate that wasn't afraid of him also happened to be the only one that could catch him when he was trying to be quiet.

And God knows how hard it was to make himself disentangle from the smaller, cuddly German body when the other was sleeping. Now he was awake and the arms around his one were twice as determined.

" Lyubov, I have to get up."

Ludwig didn't even open his eyes. " ...Warum?"

" I have things I must do today." It wasn't cute if he didn't look at him. Just don't look at him.

" You were doing one of them until you started moving around so much."

Ivan wanted to be irritated. After all, he was Russia. He didn't answer to anyone. If he wanted to get up out of bed, then that's what he would do. But then he turned his head to say so. And in doing that, he looked. All that budding annoyance dissolved at the sight of Ludwig with his hair adorably ruffled and pillowing his head on his captured arm. Chert. " Unfortunately, I do. I am not happy about them either, believe me."

Ludwig said nothing else. The older nation took this to mean that was all he needed to gain his freedom. The blond just needed to be reassured he wasn't leaving just to be leaving. And it certainly wasn't because he wanted to.

That's what Ivan thought.

Until powerful legs locked around his middle. " Verboten."

For a moment, all the Russian could do was blink and look down. Yes. This was really a situation he was in. Ludwig was trying to keep him from working. He might have thought he was dreaming if his dreams were ever anywhere near that good. " ...Chto. I am serious."

" So am I."

Ivan tested the hold he was in and squirmed around. Arms went around him next for all the trouble and good it did him.

" Lyubov," he sighed and sat still, " I have to get up and do things."

" Verboten."

Ivan grunted and palmed his chin. Had it been anyone else, absolutely anyone else in the wide world, this wouldn't even be an issue. He would have gotten outright annoyed. Both at their actions, and the consequences of such actions that would lead to blood spatter all over his bed.

But since this was Ludwig, his usually reserved, painfully shy lover, he couldn't hold onto anything but adoration. It wasn't as if he were uncomfortable either. Being between Ludwig's legs was always a pleasant experience. Even if the German was using a modified submission hold to keep him in bed so they could go back to sleep. If that wasn't endearing, he didn't know what was.

Ivan turned sightly in the hold to look at him. One of his hands slid free to brace on the blond's stomach. " Lyudya...if I do not get these things done–"

Suddenly, there was a squeak.

A squeak, and Ludwig wiggled.

Ivan paused. " What was that?"

" Was?"

" That squeak." Ivan shifted, and brushed Ludwig's stomach a second time.

A second time there was a squeak and Ludwig completely released him in favor of wrapping his arms around his stomach protectively.

Oh...how very interesting...~ The smile on Ivan's face started slow, and sharpened to a full grin. " Lyubov? Are you ticklish?"

" Nein."

" Then let me touch your stomach, da?"

" Nein."

" Why?" Now Ivan was scooting closer, like a shark smelling blood in the water.

Ludwig scooted back to maintain their distance, without removing his arms from his middle. " Because you touch me enough as it is. You don't need to touch my stomach. Stay away."

" But I thought you were cold?"

" I have blankets."

" Nonsense," he started to reach for the younger nation. " You should just let me touch your stomach."

Ludwig batted that hand away. " Verdammt nein!"

" Then you admit you are ticklish there." Grinning smugly, Ivan folded his arms over his chest.

" Nein!" The blond looked absolutely annoyed by the very notion. " I am not. I never have been."

" Then move your arms."

" I will do no such thing. Weren't you leaving? Don't you have something to do that isn't harassing me?"

" Harassing you is always more important, da? And your phone is ringing."

` Ludwig automatically looked on his night stand; expecting to see his cell phone lit up. It was not. What he saw instead was a quiet phone and the reflection of Ivan pouncing on him in the mirror.

" Auch! Ivan! Get off!"

Russian hands got around his arms to attack his stomach.

Laughter filled the whole bedroom.

" Bozhe moi, you are very ticklish there, aren't you?"

" Nein!" Ludwig protested around his laughter, trying to throw back off or get away from the older nation. " Stop touching me there!"

" Nyet," was Ivan's cheerful response as he continued to dig his fingers in.

The German yelped and switched tactics, trying to push him off with one arm and protect his stomach with the other. " Bastard! I'm going to kill you, I swear!"

" Well now I really don't have any incentive to let you up, do I?. It's far safer for me to keep doing this!" Ivan continued to torment him until Ludwig was breathless and panting. Then he leaned over his exhausted lover with that smug smile again. " What was that about not being ticklish there?"

" Go to hell," he panted, trying to catch his breath. He would have liked to punch that smile right off his face if he had the energy. " How did that happen? That's never happened before when anyone touched my stomach."

" ...and who else has touched your stomach?"

Ludwig didn't catch the dark tone of that question and answered innocently. " Doctors, nurses. Feliciano used to try and tickle me. All it did was irritate me because he kept trying when I would never laugh. I had to threaten to break his hands off at the wrist, thus severely impeding his pasta making ability, to get him to stop."

Ivan grunted and muttered under his breath. Something that sounded suspiciously like 'I might have known.' But before the German could ask him to repeat himself, he distracted him by trailing his fingers down his arm; dangerously close to his stomach. " So your body is more vulnerable to me than to anyone else?"

" That's terrible phrasing, Ivan."

" Is true though, da?" As if to prove his point, Ivan went for his stomach again.

But this time Ludwig was ready. He caught those menacing hands and shoved them away firmly. " Nein. Hands to yourself!"

Ivan allowed himself to be held at bay. " You'll have to forgive me, lyubov. I just like to hear you laugh. You don't smile enough. Always so serious. I don't think you know how beautiful you are." He kept his arms loose and non-threatening as he leaned down to plant a kiss on the blond's forehead. " And I am very selfish. If I can make you smile and laugh just for me, how am I supposed to resist?"

Ludwig averted his eyes as red took over his face. " You...You make too much of something so simple."

" Nyet." The Russian broke his hold easily, only to wrap his arms around his middle securely. Too quick to be intercepted this time. But he waited until Ludwig realized he wasn't in danger and relaxed against him before speaking again. " There is nothing simple about you."

" As you say, Ivan."

" Da. I do say." Just that fast, the German was rolled onto his back under Ivan. " And I don't intend to stop until you do too."

Ludwig only had time to let out a confused 'was' before he was under attack all over again. " Gott verdammt! Th-That's not fair!"

" Welcome to Russia. Nothing ever is."

Translations:

Warum - German. Why.

Lyubov - Russian. Term of endearment.

Verdammt - German. Dammit.

Chert - Russian. Also meaning dammit.

Verboten - German. Forbidden. Prohibited. Not allowed, essentially.