"Love, hm? Well, you certainly have come to the right person."

Ivan nodded as he sat down on one of the couches in Francis's house. It was quite a spacey house. Vases with roses and sweet fragrances seemed to be spread everywhere. Not to mention the lovely decor and welcoming atmosphere. The aura of the house made Ivan feel warm inside and safe. He was surprised to feel such a way in a house he never visited.

Francis sat beside the Russian, smiling brightly at him. Arthur had left to go make tea since he had no need of learning about love. The Frenchman taught him that enough during their free time. Whatever Francis told Ivan he would already know. That's the perks of being with the country of love.

"Da, I am wanting to know about love." Ivan replied with a warm smile. For some reason, he was really happy and excited. He couldn't wait to learn about love from the one who knew it more than anyone. All those years of yearning for such knowledge will finally be made known to him. Right now. "You can tell me about it, da?"

Francis chuckled softly at that and nodded as the smile on his lips widened. "Of course, Ivan! I will tell you all you wish to know about it." He sighed contently, looking up dreamily. "Ah... love. Such a beautiful word, non? It's a small word but has such a big effect and meaning. Just the sound of the word 'love' warms my heart. I can speak hours about love if someone gives me the chance." A little giggle escaped his lips. "I've tried with Arthur but he always ends up falling asleep. Silly Angleterre."

Ivan smiled as well. The word 'love' also warmed his heart. Even though he didn't know much about it, just the hearing of the word sent unexplainable waves of comfort throughout him. It was nice to feel something like that for once. "Can everyone love? Does everyone find love and experience it?" That was a question he had been meaning to ask and find an answer for. All his life he had been forced to know that he couldn't love anyone and no one would love him. So, he wondered if it was possible for him to acquire such a beloved emotion. At that question, Francis blinked in surprise.

"Yes! Everyone can love and everyone can find it." He answered with a genuine tone. "We all have that special someone we are connected to and are destined to spend out lives with. Everyone has someone in their life that they would love with all their heart and that love to be exchanged. I know.. sometimes it may seem like you never will obtain this precious 'love'. Some go through break up and heartbreak and grow to give up on love. Just the thought makes my heart ache... But, every heartbreak and break up just means you're gradually making your way closer to the one who is meant for you. Everyone can love, and everyone has someone to love them. However, the love I just explained to you is romantic love."

"Romantic love?" Ivan questioned with the tilt of the head. Francis nodded.

"Oui, Romantic love is one of the three major branches of love. There is Romantic, Friendship, and Family love." The Frenchman smiled in thought before continuing. "Friendship love is where you love someone who is not related and you care for them deeply as if they were family. Some friendship leads to romantic love but that's not so all the time. That only happened when the connection between the two people grow stronger." He paused for a moment to think as if to ponder on a lovely memory. "Hm.. there is also family love. Now, this love is quite special. It's a special love you can only share with your parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, etc. Only they can receive this love from you and they are the only people who can give you this love. Sometimes it may seem that your family doesn't love you, and they may say it, but listen here: They do love you. No matter how much they say they don't and they try to not love you, they still do. Family love is the only love that can't be thrown away, that can't disappear. It never ends. Sure, friendship love and romantic love can end, but not family love. That's why it's special. It never dies. A small part of it always rests in our hearts."

There was so much about love... So much Ivan had never known. He felt his eyes widen as Francis explained, utter joy filling him. Love was beautiful. All he learnt from that description alone made him want to learn more. He wanted love. He wanted to feel love. He wanted to witness love in the act. He wanted to give love. He wanted to associate with love. Love. He wanted love.

"How can I give love? I want to know how to show someone I love them."

Francis thought about this question for a moment before a light smile appeared on his face. "Giving love, hm? My.. There are many ways to give love. Some gestures are for a specific branch of love and some share gestures. Is there a specific branch you wish to know how to show love in?"

Ivan shook his head, the smile on his face increasing. "Nyet, not a specific. Any gesture would do." This statement just made Francis chuckle. What a wonderful visit from the Russian this has been.

"Well, there's always a kiss." Francis said, eyes glistening with thought.

A kiss? What was a kiss? Ivan had never even heard of such a word. It sounded like something a snake would say. A kiss... "What's a kiss?"

"A kiss.." Francis began to explain, drumming his fingers on his knee. "It's a rare gesture that can be given in all the branches of love. A kiss can be Romantic, Friendship, and Family. A lot of people think it only specifies for Romance but they couldn't be more wrong. In a family, people exchange kisses. In friendship, kisses can be exchanged. In romance, kisses are exchanged. A daughter kissing her mother. A father kissing his son. A friend kissing their friend on the head. Two people who love each other romantically kiss passionately. Kisses can be given to everyone in every version of love."

A kiss... that sounded wonderful. So, everyone can give others kisses. Certainly not strangers, but people they loved. Ivan's eyes lightened at the thought, his childlike demeanor coming out once more. He wondered what a kiss was like... "Francis, we are friends, da?"

"Oui, of course we are friends Ivan!" Francis replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Can... Can I have a kiss?" The question came out shyly but curiously. The Russian wanted to know what a kiss was. It sounded lovely. The way Francis described it made him want to experience it for himself. At the question, Francis smiled and nodded.

"How could I refuse? Of course I will give you kiss." The Frenchman said softly. He leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on Ivan's forehead. Ivan closed his eyes as he felt Francis' lips press against him softly. A warm feeling erupted in his heart causing his cheeks to taint a light pink. Francis kept the kiss on for a few seconds before pulling away, a smile on his lips.

Kiss

Three letters, One syllable

A special way to show someone you love them. This person could be family, friend, or beloved. It is not limited to a specific type of love. When you press your lips against someone else and transfer some of your love to them. A kiss.

"That is a friendly kiss." Francis said, eyes locking on Ivan's violet ones. "There are different types of kisses, however. There is romantic kiss which are planted on people's lips. That's only given to-"

"Your beloved."

Francis' words were interrupted when a Brit entered the room. Arthur held a tray of tea cups in his hands, each one filled to the brim. He walked over and set them down on the small table before the couch. Ivan watched the man walk over and sit down right beside Francis.

"Yes, Angleterre, that is only given to your beloved. I see my lessons have been rubbing off on you."

Arthur scoffed and crossed his arms as a frown wiped over his face. "Shut up. I did not need to learn something as simple as that from you."

Ivan chuckled as he watched the two. They always did seem to be inseparable. Throughout the years they were always together. Whether it was fighting or talking or just arguing, they were both together. The Russian smiled at the sight of both them, just feeling utter joy from seeing them together.

"Francis," Ivan questioned into the silence that began to set, "do you love someone?"

The Frenchman smirked at this question and shot a knowing glance towards Arthur. At this, Arthur rolled his eyes and looked away. "Oui, I do love someone." Francis answered. It was as if something flickered in his eyes. The look in his eyes gave off a genuinely happy feeling that seemed to effect Ivan, making him smile. "I love a complete grump. I love a mean Brit who always seems to enjoy teasing me, which I exchange happily." This remark gave Francis an elbow to the ribs.

"Do you ever close that annoying mouth of yours?" Arthur grumbled, glaring at him. Francis snickered and playfully shoved him with his shoulder.

"Ah, but I know you love this 'annoying' mouth of mine. You kiss it every night." At this, Arthur returned the shove a bit more roughly causing Francis to fall to the side of the couch, laughing.

"Do you love Francis?" Ivan asked Arthur as Francis pushed himself back to how he was sitting before. At that question, Arthur raised a brow. It was odd of him to be asked such a question. Usually the Frenchman answered questions like that, not him.

"If I did not love him, then why do I entrust him with half of my heart?" Arthur said, cheeks burning a light crimson as he lifted his tea cup to take a sip. "I do love Francis, very much indeed. My love for him will go on until my heart ceases to beat. Nothing can stir the love I have with him. Even if the world begins to fall and will soon come to an end, I will remain by his side and make sure our hearts beat in unison to our last breathes. Each breath I breathe is to keep my heart alive so my love for him never runs out. Without him, my world would freeze. There would be no reason why it should keep turning if the one who I care for most is not here with me. So, to answer your question, I do love Francis. Very much."

"Angleterre..." Francis sat there, eyes wide and mouth agape. "You have such a way with words. You poetic, big browed petite merde. Je T'aime aussi!" He flung his arms around the Brit, smiling as if he had never heard Arthu say such loving words. Arthur stiffened at the hug, his face flushing a deep scarlet.

"Let go of me, you dramatic buffoon!" He exclaimed, secretly enjoying what was happening. "Unhand me this instance."

Lovers

Six letters, Two syllables

A term given to two people who love each other with all their hearts and wish to spend their lives with the other. Their love is forevermore and their hearts are forever entwined.

Ivan giggled behind his hand as he watched the two bicker as they usually did. It was true. Francis and Arthur certainly did love each other, romantically. Ivan saw it. He saw how much Francis beamed when he saw Arthur enter the room. He saw the look in his eyes when he questioned him about it. The Russian noticed the blush in Arthur's cheeks at the same question. The explanation about his love just topped it all. This was true love. This was it. And Ivan witnessed it before him as the two lovers shot insult after insult at each other, both not truly meaning any of it.

"At least I don't I pay a fortune on my hair! No wonder your banks are horrible."

"Eh?! Being fashionable is something that is highly looked upon! Obviously you do not know that. Your choppy hair can vouch for that. Along with your eyebro-"

"Will you quit bringing my bloody eyebrows into this?!"

"I try not to but it is like they just call to me! They are just asking to be teased on!"

"How dare you-"

Ivan broke the argument with a laugh. It wasn't a mean laugh nor was it to make fun of anyone. It was a happy laugh, one that was caused by the frog and sheep. Arthur stopped mid sentenced and looked over at Ivan with a perplexed look. Francis rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling awkwardly. He had almost forgotten Ivan was there.

"You two love each other very much, da?" Ivan said softly, grinning at the both of them. "I can see it. That is very nice to see." At this, Arthur felt his cheeks blush even more as, surprisingly, a smile came upon his lips. Francis chuckled and wrapped an arm around the Brit, holding him close. Ivan smiled at this sight and continued, "I hope one day I can find someone who I love and who loves me back so we can share what you two have."

"Ivan, you will find someone." Arthur spoke this time, the smile on his face softening. "I'm no know-it-all of all the goddamn things about love, but I do know that there is someone out there for you. Don't lose hope."

Ivan beamed at this reply and scratched his cheek awkwardly. He did have someone in mind... "Spasibo, Arthur. Spasibo, Francis. You both have been much help.. It really means a lot." Francis ran a hand through his blonde hair and laughed lightly.

"Anytime, mon ami. If you ever want any more words or advice on the topic of love, come to me." The Frenchman said, doing a dramatic bow. "I am at your service when it comes to things like this."

The Russian smiled at this, grateful to have someone he knew he could turn to when he doubted or wished to learn more about this precious word. Love.

"Again, thank you. You... You've made my heart warm today. That isn't something I feel often."

It wasn't. Not once had he ever felt his heart in such a way, let alone felt his heart at all. When he was younger, he often believed he didn't have a heart. Many people told him so, so it was only instinct that he believed what they said. It wasn't till Toris' encounter, the 'hang out' with Alfred, and the visit with Francis and Arthur that he felt the warmth of his heart. The beating of the centre of his life. It was truly a lovely feeling, one he knew he would treasure forever.

Who knew when he would feel this again.

Okay, sorry for the long wait. I was having writer's block (again) and busy getting ready for school.

I hope you enjoyed this long chapter about love. It certainly was fun to write since I, like Francis, am very passionate on the subject of love and adore every second I am given to speak about it. :)

Please leave your reviews/comments! I love to read them!