/ Hello guys.! I updated fast as recompense for my long absence. Here's your chapter 10. Enjoy.! :) /

CHAPTER TEN

A New Love

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Ivan asked the smaller man in front of him. Arthur's tears cascaded down his pale cheeks, and the Russian noticed the changes in his beloved's exterior. The Brit looked dead tired, dark circles adorned his once bright eyes, which were then dull and wet with tears. He was also trembling, Ivan noticed, and he didn't know if it was because of the cold or something else.

"Bloody git..." Arthur began, his voice trembling. "Why... Why were you asleep for so long? I was really worried, you bloody idiot."

Ivan couldn't believe his ears. Arthur was worried? About him?

"Why did you get yourself into a fight anyway? Why did you have to..." Arthur trailed off, trying to choke back his sobs. He wiped the tears from his eyes but more kept on falling. For a while, he just kept rubbing his eyes but when he saw that they weren't stopping, he flung himself at Ivan and hugged the Russian tightly.

"I'm sorry," Ivan said, patting the Brit on the back. And he meant it. He had made Arthur cry, and he couldn't forgive himself.

"Idiot," Arthur said, his voice muffled. "That's not it..."

"But it's my fault you are crying, da? I should be sorry. I am sorry."

"I'm telling you, that's not it!" Arthur snapped, releasing himself from the hug. "I... What was that fight about anyway? Why did you suddenly attack them?"

Ivan ducked his head. "They thought it was wrong to love another man." He looked up at Arthur and stared at his emerald eyes, amethyst orbs shining in determination. "But I love you Arthur, and I know it. And I will defend it to anyone who dares to tell me I'm wrong. Even you. I love you, Arthur."

Arthur hugged Ivan again, a faint blush on his cheeks. "Thank you then."

Ivan stiffened in surprise. "Why are you thanking me?"

"You said you fought for your love for me, right? So, thank you." A few moments of silence passed. "I... I have something to tell you."

Ivan smiled even though Arthur couldn't see it.

"I..." Arthur once again released himself from the hug and looked Ivan in the eyes. "I... I lo... L-lo..."

Ivan tilted his head in confusion. Lo? And why was Arthur blushing? Could it be the answer to his...

He never got to finish the thought as he felt soft lips pressed against his own. Arthur... Arthur was kissing him!

He felt the Brit pull away, but he didn't want the kiss to end yet. He put his hands on the other man's neck and pulled him closer. He gave a satisfied smile when he heard a muffled yelp. He nibbled on the other's bottom lip teasingly before finally pulling away and smiling upon seeing the red hue on Arthur's cheeks.

"I love you, Arthur!" Ivan said cheerfully and wrapped the smaller man in his arms. The said Briton shrunk and hugged back, all the while keeping the bush on his face.

~.;*;.~

Lukas suddenly wrinkled his nose. He had a feeling that somewhere, Arthur... He smiled. Should he tell Alfred? No, he decided, he should not. Whatever it was, or rather whoever it was, he should find out by himself. He was hoping that nobody would notice his earlier surprise, but of course, nothing gets past Lovino.

"What happened, Lukas?" he asked with a don't-even-dare-lie-to-me look.

"I'll tell you later," Lukas replied with a wave of his hand. Lovino raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. Then both of them looked at Alfred trying his hardest to draw a magic circle perfectly, pity evident in their eyes.

~.;*;.~

Ivan and Arthur spent the rest of the week cuddling and talking. Arthur was not used to all the affection Ivan was showing him; Alfred was clingy, but they never had hearty talks for long before they started fighting. It feels nice, he mused as he buried his face on the crook of Ivan's neck.

He wondered what Alfred was doing at the time. Was he looking for the Brit? Did he miss his lover? Is Arthur still considered his lover if the Brit already loved someone else?

"What are you thinking?" Ivan suddenly asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"N-nothing. It's nothing!" Arthur lied, and he knew Ivan didn't buy it.

The Russian kissed Arthur's forehead and smiled warmly. "You know you can tell me when something's bothering you, da?"

Arthur sighed. He shouldn't keep secrets from his lover. "I was just thinking about Alfred..."

"You mean your previous lover? The one who wished you gone?" Ivan stiffened, but his eyes still held the same warmth from before. "What about him?"

"I... I'm just wondering how he reacted when he found out that I was gone," Arthur admitted.

"Do you... Still love him?" The question struck Arthur's heart.

/Whoo. It's really fun to write this story; screw writer's block. It's not going to stop me from finishing this.! I felt so happy when I received the reviews from last chapter, thanks pastaaddict and SomethingSimsy.! I do hope you guys enjoy this chapter as well! My thanks also to everybody who made it this far. :) Please review.! /