Ivan always had a soft spot for snow. He had a love and hate relationship with it. Of course, he loved the warmth and sun a lot more than snow, but that didn't mean he completely hated it. No, he loved the fluffy flakes that littered the ground. Those flakes that piled into soft piles of chilly ice. The Russian loved that quite a bit. It was significant to him in his life and stuck with him for as long as he could remember. When he was first born as a nation, he awoke on a tree stump in the middle of a white wonderland. When his numerous leaders came and went, he fled and wept to the snow as it comforted him by freezing his tear streaks on his cheeks. When the USSR fell, he collapsed into the snow in defeat and curled up into its freezing embrace. The snow had always been there for him. It was the only thing Ivan could count on.

Hey, Ivan.

Ivan felt something in him flicker. Darkness surrounded him and nothing could be heard. Where was he? Who was that calling him? What was going on? What happened?

How are you doing, big guy?

Who are you? The voice didn't answer.

You've come so far, da? Don't you remember when you used to hide out in the trees when boss came to speak with you? Do you remember when sister would chase you into your room till you cried? Do you remember when the Union fell and everyone left?

Ivan felt something warm slide down his cheeks, which he now started to feel, in droplets. Yes, he remembered all those horrible things. Before he could question as to why those were being brought up, the voice continued.

You've come so far since then. When the Union fell, you were a mess. A complete mess! No friends, no family, no nothing. But, is that how you are now?

At the end of the Union, that's when Ivan really did breakdown. With the loss of his companions and family, he had been alone- completely alone. No one wished to aid and be with him then. But, that wasn't so now, right?

No, it isn't. Look at yourself now. Look at everyone who has forgiven and befriended you. Alfred. Toris. Francis. Arthur. Yao. All those who once turned their backs now face you again, but not as enemies. But as friends.

This was true. It was all true. However, Ivan was weary on accepting that truth.

Stop holding onto the past, Ivan. That isn't you anymore. Your past does not define your present. You're a new person. A new nation, da? Maybe not physically new, but you certainly are mentally. Turn your focus from the past and focus on what's happening in front of you.

Voice, real voices, were beginning to surround him in a muffled tone. However they were too distant for Ivan to make out.

You must go now. Your friends are waiting for you. Don't worry, your future is bright. Pain shan't come easily to you now. You're going to be okay.

...

[ Ivan's Point of View ]

The first thing I heard was laughter. Not an abundance of it, but just a little chuckle. That was an odd thing to hear. Hearing that made it clear I was in a place unknown; I've never been here. No where I would be would have laughter. That human sound was nonexistent in the places I know.

"Will you stop eating his food? The nurse left it there for him, not for you!"

"Fuck off, will you? He ain't awake is he?"

Voices. They were distant but I could still barely make out the words. Eating food? Am I sleeping in a kitchen? Wait, did someone say nurse? Hm... Where am I?

"Be quiet, aru. They come back here and tell you to be quiet."

Yao. That was Yao's voice. I recognize his way of speaking. Confusion floods through me as I attempt to guess at where I am at. Why can't I open my eyes? It's as if someone is forcing them shut. I don't have any energy to open them on my own. But, I want to know where I am at. Curiosity always got the better of me anyways.

Very slowly and taking the most I could, I cracked my eyes opened ever so slightly. A blindingly white light immediately took up my vision, making it impossible. Sound around me began to clear up as more words came to my ears.

"Wait! I think he is waking up! Sere? Mr. Russia?" The gentle voice of Toris.

I open my eyes a bit more as my violet orbs carefully scan the room. Blonde hair, many heads of blonde hair, come to view along with brunette. Green eyes are the first pair I see. It's Toris's eyes. Oh, how happy I am to see those eyes. My dear friend Toris. He's smiling at me when our gaze locks.

"Ivan!" My eyes break away from Toris and take in Alfred's bright blue ones. The American's signature smile spreads across his lips as our eyes meet. Oh, I never knew I would actually be joyed to see him, but here I am. Arthur, Francis, and Yao come into view as well; all of them are smiling just like the other two. Why are they smiling? Are they smiling at me?

"Fra-" I made an attempt to speak but was stifled when I heard the hoarseness of my voice. My chest hurt from that simple attempt. Francis made his way towards me sat down in a seat next to me. That's when I realized where I was. The white walls showed clear now and the faint, steady beeping tapped against my ears. A light blanket reached up to my chest as something was wrapped around my head. This was a hospital room. That was obvious now. But... why?

Francis reached a hand over gently brushed some loose hair out of my eyes as a little sigh escaped his lips. "You scared us, mon ami. We were all worried about you. We're glad to see you're doing alright."

Worried about me? Really? I've never had anyone worry about me. And, they're glad for my well being?

"Psh, yeah! Man, you should've seen Eduard after I got a piece of him!" The American clenched a fist as a smirk tugged at his lips. "Ain't nobody beatin' up one of my friends on my watch. I was all John Cena on that piece of shit!" He began to shout an obnoxious fighting before Arthur slapped a hand across his mouth.

"Will you shut your bloody mouth? No one wants to hear your damn internet trends!" The Briton muttered, shooting a glare towards Alfred. Alfred let out an exasperated breath as he shoved Arthur's hand away.

"They are called 'memes', you old man. Besides, it's like you Brits to disapprove of American fun."

I feel my lips tremble into a little smile as I listened to an argument begin. Oh, those two always were so easy to anger when they're against each other.

Wait, something was different here. I'm... I'm actually involved in this. I'm involved in the whole situation. The argument isn't just happening and I'm a bystander. I am actually in the situation. This is odd. There's people around me smiling and treating me kind just like...

"Friends." The word came out verbally rather than mentally, making Arthur and Alfred turn towards my direction. Everyone was looking by now. All eyes on me, waiting for my next words. Another unfamiliar thing. "You... you are all my friends."

Toris chuckled and nodded, walking up to the other side of my bed. "Of course we are, Ivan. We are all your friends, right?" They all nod. "Heh, you are our friend and we are yours. That's how friendship works."

So, it was true... they were my friends. Real friends. Friends.

Friends

One syllable

A person or people who you can place your trust in and always count on. People who will never let you down and will forever be by your side and love you.

I never actually thought this would happen- me having friends that is. Going back years to when I was only a young nation, the thought of being surrounded by people who I loved and loved me back seemed surreal. Being able to call people friends and actually depend on them seemed like a dream to never come true. However, it did. My dream did come true. My childish dream has come true. A dream, one of my dreams, came true. I can't seem to wrap that around my mind.

Tears began to unexpectedly well up in my eyes as the voice that I heard moments ago appear in my mind again.

You're not alone. You're loved. You have friends. Ivan, you're not the person you were before. This... This is evidence. This is proof. They love you.

"Ivan?" Alfred's voice silenced the voice in my mind. Tears had begun to wet my cheeks unexpectedly, making everyone's faces portray concern. "Are you okay? What hurts? Do you want me to get the nurse?"

"I love you." The words slip through my mouth before I could think over it. How odd. Those words left a tingling feeling in my mouth for it was the first time I had every uttered them. "I love you... I love you all... I-I love you..."

Those three words. It was amazing how powerful three simple words could be. Those words were unknown to my knowledge for as long as I lived before Toris had taught me what it was. Before that day, that day Toris aided me, I had no idea what love was. I never had the slightest clue of what it was or what its full potential was. Of course, never have I ever imagined I'd ever experience such a beautiful thing. That never crossed my mind. But, here I am, speaking those three words with the most genuine voice I could muster to portray I truly mean what I say.

"We love you too, Ivan." Francis replied, his own eyes beginning to tear up as if he was moved by my words. "We all love you. You're a dear friend of ours and have a special place in our hearts. You mean a lot to us, non?" Everyone nodded around me.

"Hell yeah, dude! I love you, homie." Alfred snickered.

"I appreciate your being, which is my way of saying I love you as well, Ivan." Arthur grinned slightly.

"My heart may be old but it not too old to not love you, aru. You are dear friend to me." Yao sighed sweetly.

"See, Sere? I told you you will be loved." Toris spoke up, a warm smile placed on his lips. "It took time, but it happened. You have friends around you. You aren't the 'bad guy' nor are you the enemy. We wouldn't love an enemy. We love you, a dear and precious friend. Ivan... you did it. You've made friends. You've surpassed your past. You've found love."

I blink, eyes gazing from him to the others. Toris was smiling and so were the others. Those smiles upon their faces were true and the complete opposite of lies.

"I... I did make it. I can love." I felt my voice crack against how happy I was to say that; to actually know what I am saying is true.

This may have been a tough journey, but of course, every journey has an end. Every end is a happy ending, because if it's not then it's not the end, da?

I love you

Author's Note:

Oh my, I finished my first fanfic. Woo. I hope the ending is okay!

I just wanted to thank everyone who read and reviewed my stories. Honestly, reading each and every one of your comments and thoughts make me immensely happy. You all are so kind and I never knew how much this story could impact someone. Really, I just wrote this out of nowhere and continued updating as a hobby but never had I expected it to grow this big. Thank you for reading and thank you for your feedback. I love each and every one of you.

I hope you enjoyed this story overall.

I do have a zombie apocalypse story going on at the moment and plan on writing a FrUk one soon :) [ if anyone is interested hehe ]

Please leave your feedback in the comments/reviews!