"Well, why don't you just ask him?"
One damn sentence, which has not left Ivans mind since he heard it a few days ago in the cafeteria of the hotel they were staying in currently. Fuck meetings.
It was, to put it lightly, such an easy task worded that way. Way too easy, for his taste. It was one of those In and out things that you just get over in the blink of an eye, a thing you shrugged of with your shoulders. That one task where you go and be like "meh" about it - only that it wasn't as easy as it seemed.
Ivan Braginsky, representation had a big fat crush on his southern neighbour, Yao Wang, representative of China. Not a lovey dovey Highschool girl kind of crush nor the ones you have in Kindergarten during recess - no. It was one of those painful, heart wrenching ones that for whatever god awful reason won't go away. A type of crush that was taking away all your energy, that will fill your head with all the what if scenarios and hypothetical stories that might happen.
And this exact Personification, the one with the fucking crush that hurt like little paper cuts whenever he looked at China, was sitting just across him at the meeting conference right now. Ivan would`ve lied if he said that he was paying attention. Half of his mind was busy swooning over China's silhouette on the other side of the room, the other half was busy repeating the conversation he had with Kazachstan the other day. "Just ask him, it's so easy, nothing will change this way." and so on and so on and so on. It was like a damn tape replaying over and over again in his head to the point he couldn't tell if he was just insane. It wasn't like he could just grab the damn phone from his pockets, dial his number and be like - as Kazakhstan phrased it - "Yo, wanna go on a date, Cutie?"
He just couldn't. The thought alone made his entire body shrink together in fear and excitement, his heart beat inhumanly fast to the point to which it would fall out again (which it hasn't done in some proud years!) and his fight and flight instincts kick in. He just wanted to run away and maybe smack his southern neighbour on the arm for that insane suggestion. Maybe a second smack just because.
And yet still… it was as simple as she said. He could just ask him. Simple as that.
"What's the worst that could happen?", she had said, looking at him with that joking expression of hers as she took another sip of that good awful looking green tea they served at the conference hotel the other day. Pff, he thought. As if it wasn't painfully obvious that the reason for that would be a simple rejection. A simple no, that would destroy so many possible futures. A no which he just couldn't bear - not for now.
A sight left his lips as Ivan tried to focus his mind on the boring meeting once again. A fast glance to the clock told him that there were only mere minutes left and, according to all the tipping feet, clearing of throats and silent sheet rustlest, he could feel that the others knew as well. Everyone was eager to escape Greece's boring speech, who was this conference host. Russia never understood how someone could live with such a monotone, tiring voice and not making everyone fall asleep within hearing radius all the damn time.
Good, given the few snoring sounds of some countries in the conference room, this actually was proven to be the case. But yet again Italy could sleep through the fall of an empire and not bat an eye.
He stifled a yawn and rubbed against his tired eyelids to waken himself up before the grande end. He was already eager to just stand up and stretch his tired bones just as something sticky and small hit his left cheek
"Iek!" Within a second Ivan shrieked and slapped his face, trying to capture whatever just invaded his personal space. A few eyes moved over to him and one or two countries bolted at the sound, but as he glared into their direction they immediately looked away and pretended nothing happened. Good. Nothing he wanted to make a big deal out of to begin with - he hated the spotlight with a passion. He rubbed his cheek, looked at the thing that hat hit him and was now laying in his bare hand. A small, crumpled up piece of paper that was covered in spit. What the-
Before he could even get a grasp of what was happening there was another one landing slightly above his eye - followed by a third attack barely touching his lip.
What in the heavens? Who was childish enough to bomb him in such a stupid and disgusting way during the end of this meeting? Not many countries would dare, that he was sure of. His first instinct was to scan the room for America, but the younger nation was already annoying England with his pen. Arthur seemed visibly distressed and just kept yelling at the annoying nation who was just laughing like the idiot he was. Stupid America.
He grumbled, looking to the left from where the damn thing came from and scanned for whoever seemed to gather his attention. As his eyes landed on Kazakhstan who was waving maybe a little bit too obviously to gather his attention he raised his eyebrows in confusion, questioning her motives with his mimic. Furiously and with a big grin she pointed onto the side of the conference room.
Please god, no. Not this again.
He shook his head, giving her an angry and embarrassed look as he spotted China sitting at the other side of the room and signaled her to shush it. He was done talking with her about this topic. Never ever again will he visit a bar with her again and spill all his drunk secrets out.
Her glare intensified and already embarrassed enough he tried to mouth the words "not now" to her.
Not in a bazillion years he would do this in front of every damn country on the planet after a conference. He might as well just take a damn sharpie and write the word fool on his forehead.
Ivan could tell that his friend was not finished with this nonverbal conversation, but just as she was about to send him another glare across the room, the meeting was announced over.
Thank. Fucking. God.
The room immediately filled with voices and people standing up from their seats. For a quick moment he was catching Frances view from the right to him and the French gave him a big grin with an eyeroll as he pointed at the fighting countries aka America and England. Somewhere in the room you could hear Germany yell about something and a distant and faint "Vé" echoed through the room. Another boring meeting day that could be put off the list. Thankfully there were only two left of the week long week in Greece - he couldn't wait to get back home again.
Ivan always wanted a warmer place to live but THIS was definitely off the charts for his taste. It was already hard enough to find something suiting for this weather in his closet. Something, you know, in which he wouldn't instantly die of heatstroke. Thankfully Greece actually booked a hotel with proper Air Conditioning. Not that Ivan was going out much to begin with.
As his thoughts driftet off, Ivan himself started to get his things together. Grabbing all the loose papers and his work laptop, he stuffed them inside his leather bag, already on the lookout for Kazachstan. He trusted his friend until now, but you never knew what crazy moves people would pull. A firm grab on his shoulder confirmed his worries and with an annoyed expression he turned to face her.
"Stop grinning like that.", he whispered and pretended to be busy with cleaning up his already packed things. Maybe he could fumble a bit more around with the lock? That would do it…
"How can I not seeing you?", she barked back and placed herself on the table he worked at minutes before. Ivan sighed, strapping the bag around his shoulder and looking helplessly into the direction of the door.
"Can we go now? I really don't want to miss supper."
"Yeah, because THAT'S why you are in a hurry." She looked at him with that "are you for real" face. Stubbornly the big nation nodded.
"Of course. I heard they have burgers today and I really don't want to miss it when America´s gonna suffocate on yet another handful of them." A silent chuckle escaped Kazy as she shook her head.
"Still, no chance. We talked about this. How about you just walz over there and ask him to go on a date today?"
"How about no?" A look like this from him would be enough to shut most nations up, but Kazakhstan was an old time friend who definitely knew better.
"Come ooooon. He is just right there, look? I can distract the other Asians if you want."
"NO!" A few nations that crossed the two looked at Russia and he instantly toned his voice a bit down. "I really don't want to do this. Not here. Its so crowded and-"
"Stop it with those poor excuses! It was you after all who told me sobbing, with your vodka stenching breath `Kazy pwease help me grab a date with him i beeeeg youuuU." She fake cried like Russia did the other day when he confessed to her and he just snarled back.
"Stop it will you. That's not what I sounded like."
"Yeah you are right. You were totally crying more."
"Kazy!"
A chuckle from her and a sigh from him.
"I am not doing this to-"
"Yes you are!" He was interrupted by her. He groaned, pushing her farther away from the stream of countries that was passing them to leave the conference room. He could get a glance at the Nordics who were all leaving as a group, Estonia slightly trotting behind them as the ever loving shadow he always will be.
"Come on. We talked about this. What are you waiting for."
"I don't know. A better time and place?A miracle? Better friends?" he barked silently and groaned in agony. He knew she wasn't gonna drop it and it made him angry that she was making such a scene in front of everyone - even though not many people were left in the room to begin with. She sighed and flicked her long dark hair behind her shoulder. She was an absolutely pretty woman - nothing Russia could deny. Somehow it seemed to be his fate to be surrounded by wonderful girls.
Another glare from her - another sigh from him.
Ivan couldn't remember when they first started to become something more than just acquaintances. She was one of the only neighbouring countries (or countries in general) that genuinely seemed to enjoy his company and that he could call a true friend. Even during the Soviet Union times she stuck by his side when everybody else seemed to avoid him out of utter terror, fear or just disgust. After the fall of the Union she was there for him - even when not physically.
She called. Wrote letters. Asked him about his well being.
Small things that meant the world to him during those hard times.
It wasn't a lovey dovey all happy ending kind of friendship, but he knew she was there when he needed her and the other way round. She was also the first person to know about his immense crush on the Chinese nation.
Ever since she told her on one night where they both had too many glasses, she tried to push him out of his comfort zone and get him together with the older nation. It didn't help that he basically begged her under tears to push him out of his comfort zone and help him score a date with his crush. She would never dare to just straight up ask Yao about him himself but Ivan knew she was VERY persistent with pushing him into the right direction.
"Look, I know you are scared but its not like he will magically fly in to your bedroom one night and bless you with his presence." Her voice was softer now and the Russian seemed to relax a bit, still shaking his head slightly.
"Never asked for that. Its just-"
"No buts! And don't even dare to think he would say no. He would be an idiot if so." She grinned at him, grabbed his shoulders and pushed him around. He stood his ground and shook his head. "Kazy, really, dont-"
"HEY MR CHINA! DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE?!" Her voice startled him and he could feel how he died a little inside as he catches Yaos surprised glance.
No no no no, no! What are you doing Kazy?!
The terror in his face didn't seem to bother her at all as he looked at her in fear. She just grinned and winked at him, giving him one last push and a pat on the back before turning on her heels. "You got this Vanya, don't worry! After all of this drinks are on me, okay?"
Ivan blinked, once, twice, and before he could even realise what just happened the smaller nation was standing in front of him, looking kind of impatient up to him. It was like this little brown haired asian just straight up teleported in front of his gaze as he was trying to route out an escape plan in his head. Yao blinked at him and he blinked back, not knowing what to do or say. For a minute there was just this awkward silence and staring and blinking and oh god Ivan hated it! Was it possible to just sink into a hole and never come out again?
Yao cleared his throat and his honey brown eyes landed on the blonde again. He was wearing one of his formal black suits, one of those standard business ones he used to wear in recent years and Russia just ADORED him in them. Of course nothing he would ever ever admit to him but he catches himself once or twice just swooning over him during meetings.
"Is this gonna take all day or are you needing something, Russia?" The brown haired Asian raised a brow and Russia could feel how his cheeks turned a brighter shade than they were supposed to be. He had this high yet still manly voice that Ivan could listen to all day. He cleared his throat, looking around the room for something to catch onto, to just not think about how god awful this situation actually is. He could feel his insides twisting around and anxiety gripping his breath.
"Are you… alright?" Concern laid in Yaos voice and even though there was a waiting expression on his face, Ivan could tell he really thought there was something wrong with the Russian.
Maybe he was right. There definitely is something wrong with me.
"I- ehrm, you see-" A clearing of his throat, his finger fumbled with the end of his scarf. He couldn't do it. He couldn't. He will say no. It was sure. Who in their right mind would go on a date with him?
"Actually, there was something I want to talk to you about." The voice of the Chinese catched Ivan off guard and his pulse quickened as he glanced down. He could see that Yao was avoiding his view and with a quick motion of his fingers he wiped his ponytail behind his shoulder.
"Y-Yes, what may that be?" His voice seemed a bit too high pitched for his taste and with a nervous feeling he tried to catch Yaos next words.
"Do you have time to talk about this in private.. later?" Even though Russia's heart skipped one or ten beats, his first instinct was to be sceptical.
"Another shady deal?", he whispered in a lower voice, to not let the other nations hear. An instant shake of Yaos head eased Russia's mind and he relaxed as far as he could.
"No, no, not at all! It's about something personal but- not for everybody's ears." Ivan saw Yao glance around the room and he nodded.
It wasn't what he was expecting but it was definitely a welcoming chance he would not let slip. He could feel Yao relax and wasn't sure when the smaller one even began to be this tense.
"Nice. Let's say in an hour? There is a nice bar down the street. Taiwan hasn't stopped talking about it since we got here." He rolled his eyes and grabbed the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted. Russia nodded once more.
This was gonna be interesting.