Chapter 5 - Rochu

China's POV

I was fixing up my breakfast like I do every morning, except this one was different. I will tell you why:
Last night
I was sat on the sofa watching TV when I heard a knock at the door, who could that be at this time of night? I got up from the sofa and made my way to the front door. When I opened it I was surprised and delighted at the sight of my Russian lover standing there. "Hello Yao-Yao" Russia said in a rather sing-song voice. I opened the door wider and hugged him, catching him by surprise. "Vanya! What are you doing here aru?" He wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer, "I came to see you da?" Stepping back from his embrace and taking his hand instead leading him into my house, closing the door behind him. We walk to the sofa where I sit on his lap, leaning into his chest and pleased to find his arms back around my waist. We sit in silence for a while just enjoying each others company, until Ivan speaks "When are we going to tell them Yao-Yao?" I knew this question was coming but still it caught me of guard. "I... I just don't know how Ivan, what would my siblings say or the other countries for that matter?" I look down at my hands embarrassed by how weak I sounded until I feel the ghost of a kiss placed gently on my cheek. "I don't care what the others say about use Yao because I love you and nothing is going to change that." I feel a small smile tug at my lips and find myself feeling a bit better; "I don't care either but I am still scared Vanya. What if they separate us and I never see you again?" Ivan is silent for a minute before reply "I will never leave you Yao-yao, that is a promise. I would like to see someone try to keep me from you!" We return to the silence and enjoy the show on TV before making our way up to my bedroom and falling asleep in each others arms.

Back to present
When I woke up this morning Ivan was gone much to my disappointment so I carried on with my usual routine. As I said before I was making my breakfast when I looked in the fridge to pour a glass of orange juice for myself and I saw it; a small piece of paper cello taped to the carton. I reached into the fridge and pulled out the note careful not to rip it. Upon looking inside I find a strange message 'go to the bakers and ask for an order for Yao Wang' I read the note several times not believing what I have seen. Until I finally walk up the stairs and get dressed, leaving the house I walk Down the street to the bakers.

- Time skip -

When I open the door to the bakers I take a deep breath; breathing in the scent of freshly baked pastries. Walking over to the counter, where a bubbly teenager is waiting, I ask "I am here to collect an order for Yao Wang?" The girl smiles at me before running out to the back of the shop, when she returns she is carrying's a small white box. "A handsome man came in here around half an hour ago and asked me to give you this note as well." I take the note and the box and found a seat in the corner of the shop before reading what had been written. 'I ordered something for you that I think you are going to love. When you are finished head over to the toy store down the road' I re fold the note and place it in my pocket before opening the white box in front of me. Gasping at the small sponge cake decorated with an image of me and Russia. I am so touched that I take out my phone and snap a picture before eating it. After eating I walk out of the store being told that it had already been paid for by a Mister Ivan Braginski. What is he up to? I walk down the street towards the toy store wondering what awaited me there, I stepped through the door notifying the shop owner from the jingle of the bell atop the door. Making my way over to the counter to have the man ask "Are you mister Yao Wang?" I nod my head confused as to why I am in the toy store in the first place. He ducks under the counter and pops back up just seconds later with a paper bag and a note in his other hand. "I was informed to give this to you." He smiles at me handing over the note and the bag; just like in the bakery I read the note to find another message from Ivan. 'I hope you like your second present my dearest Yao-Yao but next I would like for you to go to the Chinese restaurant we went to on our first date' I fold the note putting it with the others before looking in the bag, smiling to myself when I find a giant panda bear teddy sitting within it, it has a red traditional Chinese shirt and black silk trousers. Thanking the man I walk out of the shop and make my way towards the restaurant. What the hell is Russia planning aru? Is he just making me go on a wild goose chase? Where is he anyway? I continue down the road hugging my new panda to my chest.

After a five minute walk I end up outside the restaurant where me and Ivan spent our first date, I walk over to the podium and ask for anything under my name, to which the waitress just replies with a happy "follow me!" I walk after her trying to find a certain Russian but am disappointed when I realise he is not here. Sitting down at the table with the waitress asking me for my order "Is there no one else coming?" I ask hope inevitably clear I my voice, again she smiles at me "no I am afraid not but I was told to give you something after you had finished eating" I sighed. I guess I am not meeting Ivan here after all, " I will have the Chinese Chow Main then please" she scurried of into the kitchen. As I wait I pull all of the notes out of my pocket and read them over again trying to work out what Ivan is planning. First he sends me to a bakery, then to a toy store and now to a restaurant. Where in the world am I going to end up next aru? The waitress comes back over with a bottle if sake and my order so I put the notes back into my pocket and begin to eat, all alone...
I finish my meal and ask for the bill only to be told that it has been paid for, but instead the perky waitress brings me a small folded note. I open the note to find a new message inside. 'Hello Yao-Yao did you enjoy you lunch? Next I would like for you to go to the tailors and ask for something specially made under your name' I sigh again and leave the restaurant and head to the tailors just across the street. I go through the same process to then find myself in a dressing room with a freshly tailored suit hung up. I have a look at the suit taking in the black jacket and trousers paired with a red silk shirt with matching handkerchief and a pair of dress shoes on the floor. I put on the suit and step out of the changing room, I get nods of approval from the assistants when one walks up to me handing me yet another note. 'Hello Yao-Yao I bet you are wondering what I am up to da? Well if you want to find out meet me at your house at 1515. I will be waiting' I look at my watch to see that the time is 1500, he has kept me busy all day with his trail.

-Time skip-

I arrive back at home still wearing the suit, as I was informed to by one of the assistants, and make my way into the house. "Vanya? I am home." Taking off my shoes in the entrance I walk my way into the living room only to find it empty "Vanya? What are you planning?" I place my panda on the sofa and find another note placed on the coffee table, picking up the note, reading the note 'Come to the kitchen' I place the note with the others and walk to the kitchen, as I round the corner I stand in the doorway completely shocked at what I find. Ivan was stood by the table in a full suit, matching to mine, the table has been draped in a white cloth with candles lit and the lights dimmed. "Vanya, what is all this?" instead of answering me Ivan just walks towards me pulling me close and hugging me, "I wanted to surprise you my love, I wanted to show you that I love you and will never leave you." He leads me over to the table where we both sit down, pouring the wine into glasses and smiling at me "I hope you enjoy the dinner Yao-Yao" I look down at the plate in front of me and realise that it is homemade Piroshky, "Oh Ivan, did you make this?" I look back up and notice a small blush on the Russians face along with a small nod of his head, "Thank you!" We tuck in talking about anything and everything until we had had our fill, after washing and drying the dishes Ivan walks up to me and hands me another note, "I have one more surprise for you my dearest Yao." Confused I unfold the paper and read what is written 'You have been with me when no one else could stand it, loved me when no one else would. I will stay with you forever and pray that you will never leave me because you are all that I have and all that I need' I feel tears forming in the corners of my eyes and look up from the paper to Ivan. I notice that he is down on one knee with a small smile on his lips, a genuine smile one so rare which makes it that much more special. "Vanya, Wha.." I try to find the right words but cannot; I watch Ivan reach into his pocket and pull out a box, opening it and turning it so I can see its content. "Yao-Yao, I am asking you if you would stay with me forever. Will you marry me Yao?" I start to cry as so many emotions crowd my mind happiness, fear, excitement... "What will happen to my country?" I ask causing the Russian to rise to his feet and his smile to grow, "That is why I asked Yao and not China." He takes the ring carefully out of the box and holds it up to me as if asking for my permission. I hug him hard wrapping my hands around his neck, holding him as close as I can "Of course I will marry you Vanya! I am so happy." I pull back so Ivan can slip the beautiful ring onto my finger, and as I take a closer look I notice that it is a silver ring decorated with small blue and red flowers on and in the centre is our star. Ivan takes hold of my hand and pulls me back to him, where he leans down and kisses me slowly at first but then I move my head to the side deepening it, I feel his tongue drag across my lip as his hands slip under my dress shirt. My hands tangle in his hair as I open my mouth allowing him entrance, we fight for dominance until I win and explore his mouth with my tongue. we stay like that until I pull away for some much needed oxygen before I am picked up and carried up the stairs towards my bedroom.
The door gets shut behind us as we fall deeper into a world that consists of just me and my Vanya!