Hey You Guys! I am SOOO sorry this one took so long. It's just I wasn't sure where I wanted this to go and I finally found it. :)

So TADA! Here this is, and I hope you guys like. Please read and feel free to comment. Comments make me happy.

Oh, and so we know, a few days, maybe a week, has passed since the last chapter. :) Yep. Lots of fluff and Ivan wanting a baby. Haha YAY!


Ivan had woken to a crisp somber sun and bustling breeze at his door step. June was threatening to be a hot fly by, and its welcome was warm as the Russia smiled, eyes twinkling at the thought of the summer coming.

But he had a job to attend to today, one that had been sitting on his mind since Alfred had come to him a few days before.

'He's not wearing his promise band. It's time for to start anew.' Nothing ever escaped Ivan's keen eye, and the cool stroke of the metal of Japan's old ring was one of them.

-VV-

Alfred had fallen asleep in his arms, aching, breathing, a hot wire of nerves, and awaking to the sleeping blonde nation aroused a new thought to Russia.

'He's too young to be on his own, though he believes otherwise. And without being tethered to something, to someone, well...he just can't function now can he?' He carefully stroked Alfred's hair, so slow and baited as if to not pull one curl out of place.

The lighter winced in his dream, biting his bottom lip softly and releasing a sigh. Ivan grinned and stifled a chuckle as he shifted to his side, looking over his guest with loving eyes and sweet smile. 'It can always be like this. He could live here and I would take care of him and our...'

The idea trailed with his amethyst gaze as he eyed the bare body beside him, skin braised and freckled, tight muscles still deliciously heated from last night's play. But there was a suppleness to him as he moved in his sleep, leg stretching slowly, lazing over onto his back with little effort.

'...our baby.' Russia leaned precariously, every movement so fluid with a cautious manner as he kissed right above his bellybutton, Alfred sighing as he felt a cool breath on his skin, hand moving to catch silvering locks in his grasp in a dreary dream.

'I need to show him that I'm serious. That I believe this is going to work out just fine.'

-VV-

The rattling of the leaves in the oak shifted Ivan in an excited pace as he strode forth on the sidewalk, toward a trusty pawn shop owner and dealer who was still indebted to him.

"Toris!" he called as the bell on the creaking door rang, greeting him with a vague familiarity.

"Oh, master," the Lithuania man immediately stopped his sweeping and propped his broom against a grandfather clock which was more for show than purchase. He greeted his visitor with wide emerald eyes which shined with gratitude. "What brings you here, and during the day no less? Vodka, you would like some, no? Or maybe you need to send letters back to your sisters?" he was trying to make himself busy around Ivan, bustling about the taller Russian who just stood stark still, only his eyes ardently following Toris as he tied his apron around his waist and found his way behind the counter, hands eagerly grabbing for a bottle. Ivan held out a patient hand and greeted him with a welcoming smile as well.

"No, no, I'm actually here on other business today." The Russian chuckled as he looked around the old pawn shop, refreshing his memory with every glance at knick knacks and shady items, the Lithuanian putting the bottle back in its place with a gentle 'clink'.

"A ring, if you'd please." Russia wasted no more time with his surroundings and leaned onto the checkout counter, and though his eyes did not meet Toris', he knew the message was clear as crystal.

With a swift nod, Toris took to work, and after a few brief moments of shuffling things around, he unveiled a velvet, cushioned board, various sizes and colors of rings glittering back in the low lamp light.

Ivan knew that Toris had taken out the best ones first, something many pawn owners never did without a 'special request', but when it came to Russia, Lithuania never tried to cheat him, or hold up his time.

The gems were generously sized and opulent, pure diamond and garnet, with emeralds and rubies decorating the golden bands, yet the Russian shook his head in a slow, disapproving manner. These were trashy, just too big, nothing catching his eye.

"Simpler Tory,"

"Sorry Sir," he apologized with a slight flush at the nickname the older man had said with such a sudden, quipped lilt. Lithuania set the stand back beneath the glass cover and took out another. They were almost all women's rings, with dainty bands and smaller cut stones.

"That one." So sudden Toris flinched at the answer, quickly picking it up from the others, Ivan nodding in agreement. Under the yellowing bulb, white gold band glinted beautifully, a soft inscription on the inside, still visible after wear. 'I will always love you.' Russia smiled at the script letters and turned it over in his light grasp. The gems were a small studded ruby, diamond and sapphire forming a clean tear drop shape. Simple. Elegant.

"Perfect." Toris gave a relieved smirk, as if it was the one he had known all along, and set the case beside the other.

"It's expensive though, Boss." he whispered almost gravely, Ivan merely laughing.

"Name your price," he replied loftily, giving Toris a chance to maybe make a good sale.

"I'll take $2,200."

The musty quite shifted as Russia's mood ebbed, eyes purely looking back at the owner.

"Ok," Lithuania broke, "I'll take $1,500."

"You can take it back." The Russia held the ring out in his palm, his friend sighing almost exasperatedly.

"Sorry, but times are tight. I haven't had a new customer since April. And just selling drugs like pot and meth out the back door only get you so far." The hospitality in his voice and gestures dried up as he took an almost defensive stance, though he never rose his tone from a spiteful whisper.

He was bristling as Ivan looked back at him with stony expression. Toris knew he could pay for it, he'd seen Ivan drive up in many luxurious cars and buy expensive items like watches, old paintings, and a good deal of liquor. And Lithuania had always given Ivan the lowest possible price, being good to him since he had saved him from the streets. How dare he walk in here with tailored made clothes and look down upon him and his merchandise. "I have a family too you know, and I can't afford to go back to giving my body just-" he cut off his string of hate, words stolen from his lips as money passed from Ivan's wallet and his hands slid it across the counter.

"$2,200 right?" he slipped the ring into his coat pocket, raising an eyebrow as Lithuania's features melted with guilt. "Tory, I saved you from the streets, I'm not going to put you back." His message was heavy and heartfelt as Russia turned to leave, raw remembrance stifling the air between the two, old friends.

There was a short pause as Ivan opened the door, the bell ringing again, announcing his depart as he turned his gaze, pinpointing Toris with a cruel smile and parting words.

"Even though those stripper heels suited you well."


Toris...in...stripper heels...

Raise your hand if you'd pay for that. ;)

So my thought was a loose basic idea that Toris was a prostitute before he met Ivan, who in turn buys crap loads of stuff from the pawn shop so Tory never has to sell himself.

I won't answer the question, "Did they have sexual connections?" and "Who on Earth does Toris have a family with?" I'll leave that to you guys. lol.

Hope you enjoyed and would like to stay tuned for the next chapter. Whats coming next you might ask?

A new pregancy, a doctor's visit, some crying, comforting, and a few shocking details.

And Japan. Yes, he's in the next few chapters. SO GET READY!