Author's Note: All right... So... Sorry about taking forever with this. A lot has happened that I just don't want to explain to a bunch of people I don't know over the internet.

Just know I'm sorry, 'kay?

Also, I finally changed the summary for this thing! Yay!

Old: Time for some RusPan! (Yeah, that's right- Russia X Japan) Read the interesting story of how two VERY unlikely people came into a strange, but nice friendship! And maybe even more than 'Just Friends'. Not to mention, how their other friends will react!

New:As their awkward, budding bromance turns into something more than just friends, how will Russia deal with Japan's overprotective pals? Will he be able to tell the other how he feels, even when Belarus and England threaten to get in his way?

Much better, don'tcha think?

Disclaimer (Dark Side of the Moon): Does PanDa look canon to you? 'Nough said.

Kiku looked down to his meal at their table-for-two. Arthur was just across the table, eyeing him. "How did this happen…?" Kiku mentally groaned. And then he remembered:

Kiku blinked; the other's silence was as good as a yes. "Ah… Gomenasai, Arthur-san, but I don't think I… eto… I don't like you the same way…"

Arthur deflated slightly. "Oh… Well, I see…" he shook his head, obviously trying to clear his thoughts. "Wait, um, just once! Just one date, please…" Halfway through his outburst, he started turning a dark red, shaking slightly at his own words. "Uh, well, you don't, you don't know if you like me that way… So, I mean, why not give… it… a shot?"

Of course he couldn't turn down his long-time friend, but to do something so- so different…! It was highly embarrassing. He looked at Arthur, who had just started to dig into his meal, and Kiku mirrored him, starting to cut into his fish.

"So… Kiku…" England began, trying to think of something to talk about. "Well, thank you for doing this, even if you don't feel the same way…"

"Why bring that up?!" Kiku jolted slightly at his words. Shaken, he replied, "It's fine… I'm sorry that this probably isn't the way you hoped it would be…" He gave a weak smile. "I hope this doesn't change anything between us..."

They fell into silence again.

Russia walked into his hotel room, immediately going to the mini fridge and pulling out a bottle of his favorite drink, vodka. He took a swig from the bottle, debating whether or not to visit his Baltic friends… They were so funny, how they kept shaking like kittens…

In the middle of his musings, there was a knocking at his door. "Guests?" Ivan smiled. "Maybe it's Japan~ Ufufufu~" He opened the door, surprised when he was greeted by his big sister. "Katyusha! How nice it is to see you!"

"Vanya!" she smiled. "I know it's been a while! I was wondering if you wanted to go out to eat with me. I asked Natalia, but she didn't want to…" A frown was on her face for a moment. "She must still be upset about whatever happened at the meeting today…"

Russia rose a brow, even though he couldn't honestly say he wasn't happy about being able to go out to eat with his big sister in peace. "We should let her be," he suggested. He quickly added on "She needs to have some alone time."

Ukraine was hesitant to agree, arguing that maybe they should talk to her. Ivan brushed this aside. "No, no- I'm sure she just wants to be alone!" He grabbed his sister's arm, grateful that he hadn't taken off his coat so he still had his wallet on him. "So where is this restaurant you wanted to go to?"

Ivan and his sister walked into the restaurant and were led to the back. The waiter gave them a wink as he left for other tables, probably thinking they were on a date instead of siblings. Ivan sighed; he really wasn't interested in his sisters that way! He wondered why everyone kept thinking that…

"Oh, Vanya, look! It's Mr. England and Mr. Japan!" Ukraine pointed over to the area across the room. "Should we say hello?"

"Katyusha, I don't think that is a good ide-"

"Oh! You're right; it'd be rude to interrupt them."

Russia frowned, opening up his menu as his sister continued chattering. He couldn't help but peer over the top of his menu, trying to figure something out. It was certainly England sitting there- he could see the man's eyebrows from where he sat- but was that really Japan? He couldn't tell from here. It didn't help things that Japan's back was facing him. But as he looked closer, it soon became clear that it was Japan.

"What are they doing?" Ivan wondered, a twisting feeling in his stomach. "Are they… on a date? Are they really together?" England caught his eye and sent him a smirk once the Englishman got over his initial shock. Russia glared.

"Vanya, are you feeling well?" Katyusha inquired worriedly. "You seem to be off…"

Russia turned his attention to his sister. "Da," he said, stretching a smile across his face. "I'm just thinking about the meeting, that's all."

Ukraine sighed. "… Okay," she finally let the subject drop when the waiter came back to take their orders. While his sister was asking about the soup of the day, he looked back to England and Japan, scowling when he saw England eyeing his little sunflower.

England grinned, the wheels in his head turning. "Maybe if I do something, Russia will leave Japan alone…"

He focused back on the Japanese in front of him. "Is your arm feeling better?" he asked, deciding to try and get a conversation going that wouldn't leave them in an awkward silence.

Kiku nodded. "Hai, Russia-chan did a good job wrapping it…" he mumbled, a blush coming up on his face.

England almost slammed his face into the table. "Damn, he's blushing…" It was cute, but it hurt that Kiku was blushing about the Russian instead of him. Arthur felt his own face turn red, and he looked to the side. "Well, it only makes sense that he'd do well. I mean, it's his fault that you got hurt."

"I… I suppose…"

England sighed. "Whatever, at least you're all right. I swear if he'd hurt you, I'd start another war!" Arthur declared, but once he realized what he said, he backed down. "No-Not for you of course! B-But for me! I mean, it's bad that he hurt you and… Bollocks…" he looked down, cursing himself.

Kiku chuckled lightly, and Arthur stared at him in confusion. "Hai, England-san, I understand," Kiku sent him a small smile; didn't he know what that did to him? "I'm glad that I have such a good friend."

And there was that word, England thought. Friend.

He made up his mind. "Kiku, please, call me Arthur," he said. "This is our one and only date, so we should… at least try and act like a couple… please?"

Seeing the hesitation in the other's eyes, England waited for the response, hoping it'd be positive. Soon enough, the other came around. "Well… I suppose so… Arthur-san…"

England smiled, taking hold of the smaller man's hand from across the small table. "I'm glad. Thank you, Kiku." He grabbed the other's chin in his free hand, quickly tilting it up as he leaned forwards and kissed Japan.

Blah. Blah blah-blah.

I'm evil: Cliffies.

I regret nothing.

~Dark Side of the Moon