Disclaimers n stuff: Hetalia is not mine.

Chapter 6

Sunflowers

Russia continued to play with his scarf for what felt like the fifteenth time in the last ten minutes. How did one go about friendship? Being friends with England was something he wasn't aware of and the fact that the British man had kept it a secret all these years slightly agitated him.

Was he angry with the Brit? Absolutely not; he was mad at himself as a being. How dare he not recognize the fact that they were friends; it would have made this entire situation that much simpler.

So now they were walking towards a flower shop, a flower shop. England was going to buy Russia some flowers; but not just any flowers oh no. Arthur was going to a flower shop with Russia and he was buying him sunflowers.

Ivan was very confused; but he didn't question the male's antics anymore. The man obviously did what he thought was best for the situation; be it yelling at America or showing Russia a kindness. Really, it was two sides of a coin with this sunny blonde haired man.

"Whew, that sun really is shining brightly isn't it!" Arthur wiped his brow and sent an amused look to Russia's wardrobe, Ivan tugging on his scarf with nervousness. He wasn't as warm as the Brit appeared to be.

"I am enjoying sunshine… is reasoning behind my liking of podsolnechnik, da? Ah, that is, sunflower in home language. Plant is reminding me of warmer times and what is beneath ice and snow. When they go away, is warm enough for short period of time." He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest; eyeing the other warily.

"Do you have anyone at all that keeps you company? Perhaps the Baltics visit from time to time, since they are so used to your, ah, rather harsh climate? Or maybe your sister visit frequently; mine never do." Russia knew he was just trying to make small conversation again and he truly admired the nation for his efforts.

"Ah… is long story with Baltics. They fear me like everyone else, yes? They do not like to spend prolonged period of time around my homeland or my person. Is because I am so tall, da?" Russia smiled brightly (creepily…?) and noticed a summerly decorated shop on the horizon. "As for sisters… Katsyusha's boss has forbidden her to see me once again. As for Natalya… ah…" Russia felt himself shiver as a shot of cold racked up his spinal column.

Arthur simply smiled as their destination rolled into view. The top simply read "Florist" and the two nations contemplated the scenery painted on the outside walls. White roses with golden petals and vines adorned white brick walls. The entire establishment seemed very gaudy in nature.

"I'm not afraid of you." With that world halting statement, the man simply waltzed into the shop, leaving a gaping Russian standing outside; angrily staring at the walls. Everything stopped before the statement really sunk in and Ivan began to be overcome by a slight thrill.

"You aren't afraid of me…?" Russia spoke to thin air before barging into the shop. "You are not afraid o-"

The inside of the shop was wonderfully beautiful. Plants of every kind were growing inside the green house like room; roses grew in bushels along the edges of the walls and petunias hugged the underside of tables. Daffodils climbed up walls while lilies swayed in the slight breeze of Ivan bursting through the door. In the far corner, Russia could see what they had come for.

The sunflowers were standing in a corner of the room, some of them nearly over taking the man's height. Others were like their children, four feet tall sprouts that were barely half a year old. The Russian felt his heart squirm at the sight of all the variations of his flowers, not ever finishing his thought.

He walked over to the flowers and stood next to an amused Englishman, not paying him any mind until he cleared his throat. Twinkling amethyst eyes flickered over to him, taking in his position. Arthur stood next to the sunflowers, watching Ivan kindly. Said Russian's gaze flipped back and forth between the flowers and the man; back and forth.

"I believe I wouldn't give crucial weapons to people I was afraid of, that would be rather silly wouldn't it…?" Arthur spoke in hushed tones and Ivan could feel his frown loosen up, a tiny twitch of a smile playing at his lips. Was this what it felt like to not have to force a smile on your face?

Russia picked up one of the smaller sunflowers and lightly brushed gloved fingers against the petals, listening to the viridian eyed man whole heartedly, his focus still reaching between the two. He brought the object to his face and smelled with a far-away look in his eyes. That was his favorite smell in the world.

"You know, if you would like to…" Arthur paused for a minute, glancing at Russia with an uncertain gaze and biting his lip. Oh, now the man decided to be nervous. Ivan felt his chin recede into the scarf. "If you would like, I could also buy you some seeds… you could start your own sunflower patch. That way, whenever you felt like you were alone, you could simply do a bit of gardening… it's what I do."

Ivan felt his mouth fall open at the thought of his own garden. It would be wonderful to have so many sunflowers to talk to and share things with, something who wouldn't judge him for his most internal thoughts. But, thoughts of the soil in his home were thrashed away by snow and ice. He would just plant the flowers, only for them to be ripped apart by another force of nature.

"As much as I would enjoy that very much… I would take these precious things home to plant and they would immediately die. I… do not believe I am able to stomach this, da?" Russia's face fell into a small saddened state. "Spasibo, Arthur; but today I will simply be sunflower gazing, yes?"

Arthur bit his lip and looked around, causing Russia to tilt his head. Why was the emerald eyed nation suddenly acting like a frightened bunny? Shrugging slightly, Russia played with the leaves of the smaller plant in his hands; before England decided to speak again.

"I-if you would like to…" Purple eyes flitted up to the gentleman, going wide as they saw red dusted cheeks and his hands clasped tightly behind his back. He felt his eyebrows slide upwards on his forehead. "If you would like, we could buy some of these here and plant them in my garden…" Russia knew he was openly staring now. The Englishman quickly began babbling when he noticed the look Ivan was giving him.

"What I mean to say is that we could buy the seeds here and plant them… you could visit me every so often and check them over; I would take care of them while you were gone of course, but I wouldn't mind the company… I do like visitors, believe it or not. That is… if you were so inclined…" Arthur's gaze was fixed on everything but Ivan, panicked jewels fluttering about. Russia could only feel his heart thudding wildly at the thoughts the smaller male was putting in his mind.

One, Arthur had just asked him to visit every so often, because he wanted Russia's company. Two, he offered a place in his prized garden for Ivan to create something wonderful, together; as in, not alone. Three, Arthur had said earlier that he wasn't afraid of him, but something was making the blonde act this way; probably the same thing that made his chest constrict painfully.

"You would allow me to place something so permanent in your home…?" He had to make sure the Englishman wasn't joking around on him. Ivan had to give the man a second thought before thrusting something like this onto him. Russia needed him to be certain of this.

Arthur nodded, finally allowing his gaze to fly back to the taller nation.

"I rather enjoy flowers… they would make a lovely addition to my garden."

Russia felt that tug on his lips again, not really letting it slip.

"I would like to see your garden… Is sounding like wonderful place to be."

"I would be more than happy to show it to you, especially if you'd consider letting me buy these for you." He flashed a brilliant smile at the Russian; nothing similar to a certain spectacled nation. Ivan looked down to the foliage in his palms and back up at Arthur, squinting his eyes and letting out a laughing bark.

Arthur jumped and looked worried for a moment before seeing Ivan smiling. The man held up the plant gingerly, placing it close to the Englishman's face. Russia felt happier than he had been in a while, staring at Arthur in awe.

"This one is matching your hair color… and green eyes. It is as if you are a podsolnechnik, Arthur!" Russia felt bubbling laughter ignite his throat and he snickered, letting his hand fall, clutching onto the plant. England smiled softly and glanced up at the plants, eyes twinkling.

"Thank you… perhaps if I were slightly taller…" Russia watched the nation laugh quietly, his eyes falling closed and his hands fidgeting with his clothes. He felt a stirring at that whispered chuckle, eyes closing of their own accord and he thrust his face to the side.

Arthur standing next to the sunflowers and laughing like that was too much to bear.