What Yao wanted, he got.

Why would the hot Russian be an exception?

"How silly of me to forget my documents," he said, scooting a little bit closer to Ivan. "You're so kind for letting me read along with yours." He moved even closer, just to read the text properly. He wondered what it would take to break his chair. Then, he'd have no other choice but to sit on Ivan's lap.

"It's okay, I forget mine too sometimes. They make the meetings a lot easier to follow."

The meetings. Why did Ivan have to pay attention to those boring meetings instead of Yao? Maybe he had to step up his game.

As soon as the lunch break started, Yao got up and laid his hand on Ivan's shoulder. If words didn't work, maybe he had to try getting up and close instead. To that big bicep and that broad chest and… "I'm starving." He leaned in closer. "I know a great place. If you want to come along…"

"Oh, sorry, I actually promised Gilbert I'd meet up with him."

Gilbert? Since when are you two close? Calm down, it's probably nothing. "Oh, that's okay."

"Wait, do you have anyone to eat with?" He looked up with worried eyes, melting Yao's heart. "I don't want you to eat alone."

"Nonsense. You know I never eat alone. I wish I could eat alone for once!" He tried to add in a convincing chuckle, but he knew how stupid his own words sounded.

"Yao-Yao does make the best food."

Was that a compliment? Was Ivan complimenting him? Stay calm, it doesn't have to mean anything yet. "The best food for the best people." Could he move in even closer?

Ivan gathered his things and got up. "I should be going."

"A-Alright, see you later!"

Ivan smiled and waved at him as he walked away.

Yao leaned against the table, blowing a lock of hair from his face. That went well…

"Quickly, move him before he turns into stone. Perished fossils are of no use."

Yao rolled his eyes as Lixiao pushed him towards the exit of the meeting room. "Coming, coming…"

"How did the courting go?" Mei asked as they walked. "Still convinced that old people know better?"

"I'm working on it. The trick is to take it slow."

"Like fossilization," Lixiao said.

"I'm not…" But he decided not to bother. He had more important things to worry about. It was just a matter of time before Ivan would fall for him. Probably.

Hopefully.

As soon as the lunch hour ended, Yao was back in his seat, waiting for Ivan. He perked up when he saw him enter the room. He was indeed with Gilbert. The latter whispered something in Ivan's ear with a grin, slapped his back and then moved away. Yao raised a brow but was determined not to let anything show. He tried his best to act nonchalant as Ivan sat down next to him. "How was your lunch?"

"Very good," Ivan said. "And yours?"

"The same." He fidgeted with his pen.

"There's actually something I would like your help with." His cheeks had the faintest shade of pink on them.

"Of course." Was it something at his house? With just the two of them? Maybe something they wouldn't need clothes for…

"The thing is, Yao-Yao's so smart and kind… I thought you might be the right person to help me."

"Whatever you need."

"Well, you see…" He fidgeted with his sleeves. "I'm trying to ask someone out."

Aha. Yao had read about this. Sometimes youngsters pretended to ask their crush for dating advice, only to surprise their crush by using it on them. How clever. "Oh, really? What is this mysterious person like?" He couldn't help but twirl his hair a bit. Things were finally moving forward.

"Well, she's tough but kind… She has lots of energy…And she's a bit wild…"

Yao's finger froze in his hair. That… was not him. Ivan was trying to ask someone out who wasn't him.

Ivan had a crush on someone else.

Yao took a deep breath to stop himself from detonating on the spot. A crush wasn't a relationship yet. It didn't have to mean anything. There was still time for Yao to turn things around. But if Ivan did fall in love with this… nice lady… then Yao had to let him go. He wouldn't get in between his… or her bear and his happiness.

He had competition now. No big deal.

"Yao?"

"Yes?"

"You looked like you zoned out for a bit there."

"Nonsense. Now, as for advice…" He had to be sincere about this. If he tried to sabotage Ivan's love live and Ivan found out, he'd never have a chance again. "Have you tried flowers?"

"I considered it, but I was worried about it being too cliche." He sunk away in that big coat of his. The sight was so endearing that Yao had to stop himself from grabbing and squishing him.

"It's cliche for a reason. Try it out."

"Alright, I will."

"I can help you pick them out."

"Oh, no, it's okay. I'll ask the people working there."

Yao leaned away from him. "Well, I'm sure she'll love whatever you end up giving her." I know I would.

"That's very kind of you, Yao-Yao."

He shot Ivan a friendly smiled before turning to his notepad.

"What flowers does Yao-Yao like?"

He perked up. "Me? Well…"

Flowers. From Ivan. Flowers given to him by Ivan. Maybe it could still happen...

It's not like Yao was waiting for Ivan to show up the next day. It's not like he had convinced himself that those flowers were really meant for him. It was a much nicer thought than the one of Ivan asking out someone else. And even if those flowers were meant for someone else, maybe Yao could swoon Ivan into giving them to him instead.

From where he was waiting by the entrance of the meeting room, he could see Ivan approaching, a bouquet in his hand. Yao's heart started beating faster when he recognized the individual flowers. All of them were the ones Yao had mentioned as his favorites. Could it be, then? Finally, after all these years…

"Good morning," he said, trying to suppress his smile until the moment he'd receive his gift—and Ivan's affection.

"Good morning, Yao-Yao." He was glowing, the sweet thing.

"I see you got the flowers."

"I did. I had to go through a lot of trouble to get them."

"You are about to make someone very happy, then."

"I hope I am."

Yao bit his lip. Any second now…

"Oh, there she is. If you'll excuse me…" In a second, Ivan brushed past him.

Yao stood frozen for a moment. He turned around to see who Ivan could possibly be wooing that wasn't him. But he had disappeared, and there was no sign of the competition either.

The rest of the meeting passed by in a blur for Yao. He didn't sit anywhere near Ivan, and he gave up trying to figure out which of the female nations had won Ivan's heart. Whoever it was, surely they'd be glowing with joy?

As soon as the meeting ended, Yao made his way out. He ignored his siblings, and, most of all, Ivan. He was determined to leave with his head held high and his dignity intact.

He was okay, really. Absolutely perfect.