Author's Note: *Gets on knees and offers chapter* I am very sorry about my crazy long break from writing. I've had major cases of writer's block, and my English class is very writing focused. (I've been writing papers about the differences between shyness and social anxiety, Freud... things, and then the usual book things.)
In short, I haven't had any freetime to write. This is the first time I've managed to write a personal story since the middle (?) of summer.
Disclaimer (Dark Side of the Moon): I don't own Hetalia, Princess Jellyfish, immortal jellies, aquariums, picnics, or anything else. Well, I own a scarf and some winter things. And maybe a few pairs of socks. Everything else belongs to its respective owner(s).
The ride via taxi to the aquarium was a peaceful one. If by peaceful, one meant horribly awkward. Ivan just couldn't stop staring at Kiku, and he knew Kiku noticed his stares; the other just looked too amazing to ignore. The Russian had never seen Japan in such form-fitting clothes before, and it was pleasant to see his lean body. If he could find the words to say that without it sounding sexually strange, he would.
The Japanese man was having a fairly similar problem as well, trying not to glance at the other because, darn it, the other always seemed to be catching him red-handed. Kiku let out a small sigh. "So… What is the plan for today?"
Russia jolted slightly out of his daze. "Oh… We are going to an aquarium and then to a seaside picnic… After that it's up to you."
"Hm?" Kiku turned to look at him. "What is it that I have to decide on?"
Ivan flushed, eyes flickering towards the window. "Just whether you'd like to… Oh! Our stop!" Russia felt relieved at the distraction, getting out some money to pay the driver before he got out and met Kiku, who was waiting patiently on the sidewalk. He frowned slightly, having hoped he would be fast enough to open the smaller man's door for him (just like Lovino told him to).
He sighed a bit, remembering what the Italian told him: "This is just an outline. You don't have to do everything exactly as I say."
Ivan fell into step at Japan's side. "So, how has your day been?" he tried, inwardly cringing at his small talk.
Kiku looked at him with an unreadable expression before turning his attention to the stairs leading into the aquarium. "Ah… It has been long. I was not prepared for Feli-kun to invite me to his place for this."
"Da, it… I wanted advice since it is the one chance you are giving me."
Kiku's face flushed somewhat. "I see. Your efforts are very…" Impressive? He wasn't sure what word he should use. "Appreciated. Thank you."
The Russian nodded stiffly. "Not an issue. I hope you like this." That was kind of the whole idea of the date in the first place. He relaxed a little, realizing that it was working a little when Kiku made a small gasping sound and hurried to one of the fish tanks.
"I have not seen a fish so bright red before." His fingers twitched slightly, wishing he was allowed to take photos. He looked further into the glass, tilting his head a little as he saw another fish- this one yellow- swim out from a small niche in the coral reef. He smiled, looking at the delicate fins and tails. "They are like silk."
"Da," Ivan agreed, occasionally glancing at the island nation. "I believe they have… a rather large jellyfish display."
"Ah, really?" Kiku turned to look at him. "What kinds?"
"I am not sure, but there are supposed to be many kinds." He smiled a bit. "So you like jellyfish?"
"I enjoy looking at them. They are very peaceful, as long as nothing gets tangled in their stingers." Japan thought for a bit. Didn't he have an anime about that…? Queen Jelly or something… He remembered the one jellyfish was named Clara. "They just float in the ocean."
Russia nodded. "They do not have many troubles. It would be nice to be like one."
"Ah, but listlessness is a troubling thing. Who would get anything done?"
Ivan chuckled. "Yes, yes, I suppose no one would do anything if that were the case." He shifted a bit, trying to think of something he could attempt to do. He debated holding hands, not entirely sure of himself. He wanted to hold the other's hand, but he wasn't sure how Japan would react to that. Well, that never really stopped him before.
Kiku stiffened when he felt a hand clasp his own, brown eyes flying to look at his date. The other seemed nervous, so he decided not to say anything, thinking it would perhaps comfort Ivan. He awkwardly gave the Russian's hand a squeeze, letting him know it was okay.
"We are alone, this is fine. I… I have not really held hands with someone since Italy was afraid of the dark on that Island…" He shifted a bit, briefly wondering if Ivan had ever held someone's hand. "Ah, what a weird thought to have… But…"
Russia let out a small breath he had been holding, watching fish with the other before moving onto the next display. He enjoyed seeing Kiku get so close to the tank, his eyes showing hints of curiosity. Ivan smiled when they came to the last part of the aquarium- the jellyfish.
Japan looked around the displays in amazement. There were even glass jellyfish hanging from the ceiling for decoration. He subconsciously moved forward, leading his date to one of the tanks. "Ah, it's huge…" That jellyfish, so bright and so white, must have been close to three meters long.
He looked up when he felt Ivan tugging his hand. "I think you will like these ones…" Ivan showed him a small display of tiny jellies, smiling a bit. "They supposedly don't die. Kind of like us, in a way, da?"
"Hai… I've heard about these…" They were so fragile looking to him. It was amazing how long they lived though. "They're so…"
"Small? Da, but surprisingly strong," Ivan replied, not really looking at the display.
"Hai- and they're very unassuming."
"Hm. I would say they're beautiful from their simplicity."
Kiku looked to him, blinking when he saw the other was already staring at him with a slight color to his cheeks. He suddenly wondered if Ivan was talking about the jellyfish, and his eyes flickered down shyly. "I should not be so vain. I just looked up at an odd moment."
But Ivan proved him wrong when he reached a hand out to lift Kiku's chin. "Eh?"
The Russian smiled a bit. "Do not hide your face so much." And that was that.
Japan had a rather hard time keeping his face from heating up on the way to their picnic.
Ivan became much more confident after he saw just what the Italian brothers had set up for them by the sea. Candles, pasta, wine, flowers and the stars. Thank goodness the weather was cooperating. If it hadn't been he would have needed to come up with something else. Russia looked at Japan in mild confusion. "Are you all right?"
"Um, yes…" He was mostly overwhelmed at that point. Kiku let the other take him to his part of the blanket that was laid out. The Japanese man settled down, then remembered the mittens he had in his pocket. Was now an all right time to give them to him? He stole a glance at Ivan as he sat down, biting the inside of his cheek in thought. Finally, a little over halfway through their meal, Japan built up enough courage to speak up.
"Ivan-chan, I would like to give you something as thanks for watching over me while I was sick a while ago."
"Oh?"
"Ha-Hai." He pulled out the homemade gift and placed it in his hands, not looking at the other's reaction.
Ivan was silent for a long while, looking over the purple mittens and the small sunflowers embroidered onto them. So this is why the other needed a picture of his hands. He made a small noise of amusement as he tried them on. "They fit perfectly. Where did you get them?"
"I, ah, I made them."
Suddenly the mittens felt much warmer. "You did? I love y- them." And now his face felt much warmer as well. "They are great. Very good for winter." The poor northern nation was grateful for the evening's lighting. It was harder to tell when people were blushing as it got darker. He took them off, then noticed the other wasn't looking. He gently lifted Japan's head until their eyes met. "Спасибо."
Japan swallowed silently. "U-Uh, you're welcome." He was still frazzled from the other's slip of the tongue, and now Kiku had no idea what to do next. "The, ah… food is good."
Ivan blinked, then nodded, giving the other some more space. He had gotten too excited. "Da. Do you want some more wine?"
"Yes. I would like some." He had emptied his glass a few minutes before. As Ivan topped off his glass, he glanced up at the Russian's pallid face, seeing slight tints of pink scattered across it. He wasn't sure if it was the orange-ish lighting from sunset or if it was an actual blush.
"Is… it all right to ask how you think tonight is going?"
Kiku took a sip from his drink. "Well, I think tonight was nice. I… had a nice time. Arigato."
The Russian hung on every word, feeling some warmth pooling in his chest the more he listened. Thank goodness he had pre-wrapped his torso to stop his heart from bursting out. "I am having fun as well. I-" he stumbled over his words. "Would you be… willing to do this again?"
Japan smiled slightly. "Hai. I wouldn't mind."
Ivan grinned. "Better than English pig date?" Kiku sent him a warning look, but eventually nodded.
"It was better than the date with England-san."
"Good. I am glad." He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the other's. "May I?"
The Japanese man flushed. "Yes." He shifted a bit, closing his eyes as he felt the Russian moved closer. Their lips met, and it was definitely better than the English p- er, England's kiss. It was soft and warm.
I will leave what they did after to the reader's imagination, since I don't really want to change the rating or anything. (I'm too lazy, and it's been forever since I last updated.)
R&R- this is not the end!
~Dark Side of the Moon
