10. Shooting star.
During their time together in the space program that they calculated together, Russia wondered what was going on in South Korea's head. He seemed to be a dreamer with his head constantly in the clouds, with an overly cheerful personality that could be considered obnoxious by some and endearing towards others along with a good head on his shoulders when it came to calculations, science, and inventions but sometimes lacking common sense at times. He supposed that part of South Korea was the dreamer side of him, which he probably inherited a bit from America as well. Chasing after dreams, thinking about the future and the possibilities it might hold. He could see Alfred's influence in South Korea for sure, along with some of his brilliance and loving to put the wind out of people's sails by pretending to know less than he actually does to see how they would react. Sounded like America all right. But of course, South Korea was his own person as well, and Ivan admired South Korea's tenacity when it comes to rebuilding his economy and persistence when it comes to working with numbers and inventions that might not work out the best. But while Korea was looking through a telescope, dreaming about the space program that he and Russia were doing together, no doubt, Korea jumped up and down excitedly, looking towards a shooting star streaking through the sky.
"Ivan! Ivan! Look, it's a shooting star!"
"I saw," Russia said, smiling as the shooting star arced overhead.
"Did you make a wish?"
Russia closed his eyes.
"I don't know what wish I would care to make. But it is something that is supposed to be secret, da?"
South Korea pouted as he batted Ivan playfully. "Come on! You're no fun!"
"Well, in exchange for providing you with such information," Ivan said with a giggle, feeling a little buoyant at Korea's mock pouting face. "Tell me what you would do with it. Russia has to have it's mysteries and intrigue, da?"
"Well," Korea said with a slight huff, before he smiled brightly at Ivan when he spotted a planet through the telescope. "Oh wow, that is so cool! You gotta check this out, Ivan, this is like the coolest thing ever! I always wanted to stargaze with someone like this!"
"It's a pleasant feeling," Ivan said, before putting a hand on South Korea's shoulder. "What do you wish for, Korea?"
"Well, I could easily say that Korea should have it's mystery and intrigues as well, but 'cause I'm a nice guy, I'm going to tell you! I wish for a lot of things, actually. Like my people to be strong, healthy, and kind. To go into space and explore worlds beyond this one. To make the coolest invention ever that will definitely rock the socks off of everyone! Just you wait, I'm going to create nanomachines and the best robotics in the world~ Oh, and...my wish…"
Korea looked solemn and thoughtful for a moment.
"Even if I were to reincarnate into five different people in five different lifetimes, I think my wish would be the same. I wish to be reunited with my sister again. I'm not sure if it's possible at the moment, but maybe one day…"
Russia wondered. Korea sometimes looked forlorn about his sister and not being able to be together with her. Ivan knew the importance of family, after all, because he had his own beloved sisters to take care of, even though he wasn't the best at expressing his emotions and his gratitude for his sisters being there for him. Even Belarus, though Belarus,was...Russia shuddered. Perhaps she was a little overbearing at times, but she was still family after all, but still. He would think about Belarus later, because thinking about her only made him terrified to be honest. Though...South Korea had such a good relationship with his sister before, and it's understandable that he wants that bond with his sibling again. That was something that Ivan could relate to with Ukraine, actually, rather than Belarus, but Belarus was his sister as well Ties with your family was bonds that couldn't be broken, Ivan felt. Even if sometimes being with his sisters caused him great pain. Russia started to think of other things, like how he could've made his relationships better. Like how he lo—or cared, really. Yes, care sounds like a better word. He couldn't bring himself to say the 'l' word. Not with his sister, not with South and North Korea, and certainly not with America. Definitely not America. America would probably laugh in his face while splurting soda in his face if Ivan confessed an inkling of anything positive towards the American. No, I van didn't think he would be able to handle that rejection. But didn't he hope to coax South Korea over to his place to get information on America? Not to spy on him or anything. But it was something else. Something that felt more comfortable and not as suspicious as 'spying' and 'stalking'. But talking with South Korea about the space program was fascinating in itself, and Russia had a fondness towards North Korea and her brother, he wanted to know—is it possible to still have a bond even after doing atrocious things? Was there a point where one was beyond redemption?
"I want to dye the world my colors," Ivan said thoughtfully. "I wish for a world where all are equal. There are constant smiles and everyone is happy. That's...not too much to ask for, right? I think that...if people were under my care...came to my house...they would be very happy. And maybe they will...will…"
That 'L" word again. He couldn't bring himself to say it again. Why couldn't say it?
"Ah," South Korea said. "I want you to know, Ivan, that even though I love and appreciate you, that you should really learn how to open up to people. Sometimes you're closed off or come across as, er...intimidating at times, but I'm sure that your heart is in the right place. But really, don't you think space and the stars and ships are the coolest things ever!"
Korea gushed on about the technology to fuel and propel rockets, and Russia listened, humming a bit in satisfaction. Maybe he could get used to this, being in South Korea's company. And maybe he could press Korea about learning more about America, but not to spy on him, of course. It was only to...know the other nation better. As a human. Not as a country to country, but as a human. A heart to heart talk, so to speak.
Korea looked sly for a moment.
"Ah, you're thinking of America, aren't you?"
Ivan huddled under his scarf to suppress a smile. "That is a secret~"
Korea leaned closer, a shit eating grin spreading wider and wider on his face. "Oh, come on, it's written all over your face. You're thinking of him!"
Ivan giggled nervously.
"America is...very interesting," Ivan said, his voice muffled underneath his scarf. "As a country, I find him a filthy capitalist pig, but...as a human...he's…"
Korea grinned. "Even though I question the 'filthy capitalist pig' part, I'm sure that you and America would be a good match for one another. If things were to, you know, get to that point. You just need to work out a lot of issues first."
Ivan listened.
Korea then held up a finger. "First, you serenade him with a song! Then you give him flowers and secret love letters and chocolates and ooh, I'm getting giddy thinking about it! Korea loves playing matchmaker with people!"
"Wouldn't he be suspicious if I do those things though?" Ivan said in a small voice.
"Maybe he'll react with initial resistance at first, but America will settle for a good homecooked meal," Korea lectured. "He can be very strongheaded about his hero principles and all, but he softens up when you give him good food."
Russia made a future note for making homecooked meals for America, then.
"Then you should show him the stars through this telescope," Korea said. "you can do that while serenading him, too. And make sure you have a lovely dinner outside with a picnic basket where you can watch the stars and morning and sunrise as the night starts to fade away while you're watching the stars. Ooh, I get chills thinking about it! Absolute chills, I tell you!"
"Yong Soo, you're quite the romantic, da?" Russia said with a quiet chuckle.
"I'm here to help a bro out," South Korea said excitedly. "But really, thanks for watching the stars with me and everything, Ivan. I'm really excited about our space program and I think that we've made great progress! I'm sure that, in time, you will eventually win America's heart, da ze!"
Russia felt his cheeks warm.
"Do you think...that America would...let me call him Alfred?"
Korea leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered. "I bet he'll let you call him Daddy."
Russia giggled.
"Not a chance."
"in all seriousness though," South Korea said as his ahoge began to assert and express itself. "I want you to be happy, Ivan. You need to consider what happiness means to you. Are you going to stay holed up in a cold lonely place all by yourself, or are you going to reach out and make friends? The proper way to do it, after all, is showing everyone your smile. And winning hearts...Alfred loves sci fi and anything about space."
Russia took more mental notes. He then looked towards the sky, feeling content and warm. His heart felt like it would burst.
"South Korea...you are a good friend. Thank you."
South Korea made the peace sign. "Watch the stars with me, Ivan?"
South Korea then unexpectedly snuggled close to Russia, his lithe form cuddled close against the overcoat he wore. Russia tentatively lifted an arm and wrapped it around Korea's shoulder, before looking towards the sky as as hooting star shot past overhead.
He didn't know whether he wished for America or South Korea to fall in love with him.