Many thanks to xNightBright, Lochesh, Incoherent, lady-ribbon, Idiotichobo, kwaiiChan-chan, Doitsu, and D.G. Ling for reviewing! . It really means alot to me.

As always, a big thank-you to Doitsu for beta-ing.

AN: This is a a rewritten version on Chapter 2. I couldn't bring myself to write chap 3 til I was satisfied with chap 2. I wasn't happy with it so I added some details here and there. So I hope you'll take the time to re-read it and tell me what you think? Expect chapter 3 before Nov. 10th! Sorry for the wait everyone!

I've also updated my profile with future fics. Do you guys prefer me updating this story, or writing a one-shot? XD

Every Sigh Holds Thoughts of You - Chapter 2

Alfred had enough courtesy to take Yao to a pleasant Chinese restaurant.

How Alfred ever managed to order a hamburger at said restaurant was a mystery.

Sitting at a secluded table towards the back of the restaurant, Yao sipped his tea while Alfred stuffed the documents they had just discussed haphazardly back into his briefcase. Satisfied with his handiwork, Alfred snapped the briefcase close and returned it to the floor. Turning back to Yao, Alfred wracked his brain for the best possible way to approach the next topic. Clearing his throat to get Yao's attention, Alfred smiled confidently and began.

"Since that's all settled, I need to ask a favor from you China."

Yao raised an eyebrow. Searching the American's face, Yao was unsuccessful at finding any clues as to what he could possibly want from him. Alfred's face had slid into complete seriousness, all traits of mischief gone. Whatever the American was about to request must be of grave importance. Bringing his teacup back to his lips, Yao used his silence as a sign for Alfred to continue. Alfred sucked in a deep breath of air and began. It was now or never.

"I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend."

Chocking on his tea, Yao fell out of his chair. Spluttering and looking at the American in disbelief he tested his voice.

"Ex….excuse me aru….?"

A few customers in the restaurant turned to see what the commotion was. Quickly trying to regain his dignity Yao stood up, brushing the dirt of his clothes and returning to his chair. As Yao continued to stare at him incredulously, Alfred continued, seeing no flaws in his logic.

"It's just that some of the other nations already think we have some sort of 'special relationship'. And Arthur is being such a prick! I want to make his jealous."

At this point Alfred began waving his arms in the air, as if the gestures would further his point. Yao shook his head, muttering something under his breath about stupid Westerners and idiotic jealousy plans.

"Aiyah~ Can't you just----I don't know, talk to him aru?"

Yao wanted to avoid being thrown in the middle of Alfred and Arthur's fights. The two fought more than the economy changed. Yao's eyes pleaded with Alfred to reconsider. He could predict the future disaster if he was roped into this mess. If the American could not be swayed Yao would simply have to find an escape route. Sweeping his eyes across the restaurant, Yao spotted three possible exits.

Alfred puffed his cheeks in annoyance. The shorter man obviously did not understand that this was the best plan of action to get Arthur to come crawling back to him! Heroes didn't wait! They took action! Alfred had spent a whole 15 minutes thinking of this plan, if was foolproof! All he needed was to find a way to get Yao to accept. Quickly going through the Asian man's weaknesses in his head, Alfred began his threat.

"If you don't agree, I'm placing a McDonalds in all the Chinatowns in America."

Yao sighed. So much for escaping.

Toris cringed as the glass shattered to the floor. When Ivan had returned home a dark aura of murderous intent surrounded him. The slight sway in the Russian's gait showed his drunkenness. The door slammed behind him which caused the Baltic nations to flinch. Latvia and Estonia had enough sense to hide from the large Russian man so it was up to Toris to try and stop Ivan from destroying the house. Gulping down the lump in his throat, Toris made his way through the broken glass.

Ivan was going through the process of breaking everything that wasn't nailed to the ground or the floor. Vases and pictures lay broken on the carpet as his hands reached to grab the figurine on the counter.

Crash!

The figurine's arms hit the ground first, then the head, leaving a broken body searching for its limbs. Toris could only look on in horror as he wondered what happened to Ivan to put him in such a mood. Usually he tortured the Baltic Trio with a smile on his face, merely tormenting them because he had the power to and found it enjoyable. But looking at Ivan's eyes, all Toris could see was anger, not the childish glee that his amethyst eyes usually held. Slowly making his way towards Ivan, Toris tried to find his voice.

"I'm…I'm very sorry to be interrupting you Russia…but I…I…prepared dinner…"

Toris' voice wavered with every word. He half hoped that Ivan had not heard him, that he could excuse himself and run off to wherever Latvia and Estonia were hiding. But Ivan's hand froze midway as he heard Toris' voice. Smiling at the distraction Toris could bring, he turned to face the brunette. The smaller nation shivered as Ivan began to speak.

"Ah Lithuania, where are Latvia and Estonia?"

Toris froze, not expecting to be asked the whereabouts of his fellow nations. Mind in a panic, he said the first thing that popped into his mind.

"They are…well, they're probably… cleaning up the kitchen! Yes! They're in the kitchen. How was the UN meeting?"

Toris avoided the urge to laugh nervously. He closed his eyes and attempted to smile at the face of danger. Too distracted with worry, Toris failed to see Ivan flinch and make his way closer to him. Opening his eyes slowly, trying to maintain his shaky smile, Toris was shocked to see Ivan standing so close. Paling at the sudden proximity, Toris was frozen with fear at the dark look on Ivan's face. His mind screamed for him to run but his legs were frozen underneath him.

Shoving past Toris, Ivan only muttered three words.

"Clean it up."

Ivan continued to make his way down the hallway while Toris could only nod hesitantly, still in shock. Slowly reaching towards the broken shards that lay scattered on the carpet, Toris could only bring himself to clean in silence.

Making his way to his room, Ivan's mind was still in a red haze as he quickly opened and closed the door to his room. The walls around it shook with the force he used on the door. Sinking to the ground, Ivan buried his head into his hand, his eyebrows knitting together in frustration. Ivan could feel his heart cracking. The more his mind lingered on the event, the more tears he felt bud up in his eyes. His eyes widened as he felt the warm salt water running down his face and Ivan knew he could do nothing to stop the tears. The pain of betrayal left his heart crying in his chest. The numb pain left his body cold, desperately searching for warmth. Already on bad terms with Alfred, the American was just adding salt to the wound by stealing China. If there was one thing he hated most in the world, it was sharing. Ivan could only console himself with thoughts of getting rid of the American.

But what Ivan could not understand was how Yao could even be swayed by Alfred. What Alfred could have done to make the Chinese man replace him in his heart? Were the nights they spent together meaningless? Had they not found comfort in each other's arms when the World left them behind?

Reaching for his vodka, Ivan tilted his head back and chugged down as much vodka as he could. Feeling his mind grow fuzzy he sighed in relief.

It had become a bad habit. For as long as he could remember, Ivan had found comfort holding a bottle of vodka and drinking himself stupid. Living alone for such a long time or in the presence of nations that feared him, drinking had become second nature. Ivan had learned long ago that there would be no one to comfort him when he fell. Yet being together with Yao, Ivan started to feel hope grow within him. He sought the smaller nation when he needed comfort and slowly learned the meaning of happiness.

And now it was gone. How could he ever return to the Ivan he was before? He couldn't even remember how it felt to be alone anymore. In one day he lost the only thing he ever cared about.

Ivan wanted to drown away his sorrows, if only for tonight. He couldn't deal with the pain. Closing his eyes, he could only sigh and feel regret at the memory of how they parted. There were so many things he could have done differently.

Ivan wanted to grab Yao, wanted to beg him to stay, force him, anything.

But he didn't. He let him walk away.