A/N: Thank you all for your lovely reviews! They are most appreciated =3
China's POV
It's not fair aru.
The raining let up into a soft pattering. It methodically hit my head, giving me a headache and my teeth chattered as I walked on. My feet were sore, and I felt like a drowned cat. I lied, told some things that would have been better off unsaid and unrealized, probably broke his heart, and I gave up the panda bear just to prove a point. I hugged myself tightly, staring at the ground in front of me. All in all, I thought, I feel like shit aru.
I was in a foul mood.
It's not fair aru.
It's really not fair aru.
My home came to view, most of its windows glowing with light from the inside. I sighed. Nothing sounded better than a cup of hot tea, wrapped up in a dozen blankets, sitting in from of the fireplace with the heater on, and pretending this night never happened. Thunder growled lowly. I glared up at the dreary night sky. It was probably going to rain some more. I trudged up the steps, bringing a limp hand up to knock on the door.
Vietnam opened the door looking at me curiously before recognition flickered across her face. She looked relieved and startled by my appearance at the same time.
"It's China you guys," She announced. I walked inside, thankful for the heating system as she shut the door, blocking the bitter cold.
"Aniki we were so worried!" Korea stepped out into the hallway before giving me a once over. Belarus looked at me with surprise.
"Hey!— Gege," Taiwan said awkwardly behind him.
"I look like crap aru, I feel like crap aru, I know," I dismissed. Hong Kong brought me a towel. I accepted it graciously, drying my hair. A warm bath didn't sound that bad. My eyes drooped slightly. My large soft bed didn't sound half bad either.
"What time is it aru?" I asked Thailand.
"Almost eleven ana," He answered. Japan rushed down the steps, rocking on his heels at the sight of me.
"Yao-nii, you're home!" He exclaimed relieved. Greece was at his heels, coming down a little more slowly.
"Someone make a cup of tea aru," I pushed passed Japan, "And reheat whatever you made for dinner," I added as my stomach gnawed emptily. "And some dry clothes would be nice aru," I muttered, trudging up the steps slowly, "And a couple aspirins too," I finished, rubbing my temples.
"Got it!" Vietnam said brightly before ushering me into the bathroom in my room, shutting the door close. Wait, I thought I was at the stairs-
Nevermind. I filled my bath to the brim with steaming water, shedding my soaking muddy clothes one by one. I stepped in, sighing softly. I felt my blood circulating through my body again. I allowed myself to steam for a good half hour before getting out reluctantly. Someone had laid out clothes for me on my bed and two painkillers with a tall glass of water on the dresser table. I downed the painkillers and wore my clothes before walking down to the dining table.
"Thanks aru," I smiled tiredly, drinking tea as it warmed me even further. Hong Kong set down a bowl of what I assumed some sort of stew. Everyone sat around me watching me eat.
"I made it just now ana," Thailand said, "There's more if you want seconds,"
"Who would expect it to pour buckets?" Vietnam wondered.
"Right? I was with Belarus, Japan and Greece, we got out of there pretty fast," Taiwan noted.
"I caught up with them after I saw Nii-san leaving," Belarus added to me.
"I was looking for you guys aru," I sighed, taking a spoonful of stew to my mouth and swallowed, "It was a mess, I didn't find you, so I took cover under a tree hoping the rain would let up soon aru," I began. I skipped the minor details.
"And out of all the odds, Russia was taking shelter under that tree too aru," Everyone stilled, "And we talked," I swallowed, "A-and I was just awful to him aru," My throat closed up as I stared into the bowl, stirring the contents, not feeling very hungry anymore.
I quickly recapped what I said to him, leaving out the little personal details, and ending it when I returned the panda bear and walked out into the storm and home since I couldn't find a taxi anywhere.
"How could I say those things aru?" I accused myself aloud, "I'm worse that America…" I drew in a shaky breath, my vision getting a little bleary.
"Well, I'm pretty sure that hurt Nii-san. It was uncalled for China," Belarus said critically, but in a calm tone.
I winced, "I know…I just felt angry all of a sudden…it's not fair aru,"
"Understandable," Belarus agreed, "I don't blame you."
"I think it helped actually," Vietnam added, "You made a point,"
Japan nodded "And it's the truth right? The truth-"
There was a knock on the door. Everyone stopped talking at once, thinking the same thing. Who would knock at this hour? But since no one volunteered to open the door, I wordlessly got up.
"Hello China da," Russia said dully not meeting my eyes. There wasn't even masked pleasantness in his voice, he didn't bother to even try. That's how much I hurt him aru…
"Hello Russia aru," I replied, not meeting his eyes, but looked at the soaked panda bear in his arms. Poor thing aru…
"I came to return this," He held it up.
"I don't want it aru," I replied wistfully.
The rain had practically let up by now, but the sky seemed dark and brooding. Water dripped from his hair and clothes, creating a small puddle on the front porch. He drew in a ragged breath, before saying, "It's yours, da," I shook my head firmly. He looked up at me, meeting my eyes, and my heart wrenched at his expression.
"Come inside aru," Was all I managed to say. Part of me felt like sobbing out loud, wailing my apology, throwing my arms around him from looking at his eyes. Part of me wanted to shove him right back out and slam the door on him, and tell him to see how it feels. He shook his head in refusal, placing the panda outside, next to the door. He never refused coming in. Ever.
"No thank you da," He said quietly.
"N-nonsense, you're soaking wet aru!" I tried to say earnestly. He raised a hand to wave in goodbye, about to turn and leave.
"R-Russia aru," I thought wildly, "If you don't come inside I-I'll…I'll never talk to you again!" I tried to sound as threatening as possible.
He stopped, "I was under the impression you didn't want to talk to me da," He said quietly, frowning at his gloved hands.
"Of course not! Who wouldn't want to talk to you aru?" I said, trying to sound pleasant, not liking the way this was heading. But my voice sounded off-pitched, like it was obvious I was trying to pretend that we were on good terms and what happened an hour or two never occurred.
"Everyone da," He answered curtly. I winced.
"Come inside aru," I coaxed again, "You can't go home in this weather, soaking wet aru,"
"I don't want you to go around doing things out of pity, da," He replied in a sober, hard voice. That stung. Then the part of me that wanted to slam the door on his face flared up.
"I didn't want you to either back then, but you did, so think of this as me returning the favor, aru," I narrowed my eyes, crossing my arms, "Now come inside aru," I challenged through clenched teeth.
Ivan met my eyes for a fleeting second, and didn't reply to me, surprised and pained by my easy retort.
"You're such a hopeless fool aru," I sighed, uncrossing my arms before grabbing his hand, dragging him inside. Belarus was gone, and Hong Kong and Korea were in the living room, watching the television on mute but reading subtitles. Japan was at the bottom stairs.
"I-I decided to let him stay over aru…since there's a storm and he might catch a cold aru," I pretended to explain. Japan nodded.
"I'm going to bed Yao-nii," He lied casually.
"You should too aru, you must be exhausted," Japan nodded, taking a step closer to me but faltered, as if he would be embarrassed by showing affection in front of Russia. Then he awkwardly wrapped his arms around my torso. I resisted the urge to laugh, like I always did, and half-heartedly hugged him back.
"I bet Belarus put you up to doing this aru?" I whispered so Russia wouldn't hear. Japan nodded grimly.
"Yes, goodnight," He pulled back and bowed slightly before leaving.
"Goodnight aru," I smiled. I felt Russia stiffen next to me, the sound of his fists clenching underneath his leather gloves. "Your scarf's wet," I noted.
He wordlessly unwrapped his scarf and handed it to me, along with his gray leather-like material coat, and black leather gloves. He wore black turtle neck sweater that hugged his skin and loose black trousers, contrasting his pale skin and fair hair. It was strange seeing him without a coat or scarf despite the fact I had seen him like this before. He tilted his head to the side, his wet bangs falling in an attractive way. He peered at me with those violet eyes curiously when he noticed I was staring at him. There was a word to describe how he looked.
Sexy aru.
I felt my face grow hot. Really aru, out of all the times to gawk at him you choose now…
I let him stand in the hallway and hurriedly tossed the coat and pink scarf into the dryer before I led him to the kitchen, where I reheated the stew and made more tea. He looked around curiously at the new interior.
"It's different," He murmured to himself.
"My siblings thought it would settle an argument if they blew up my old kitchen aru," I explained, "Which they did a good job of doing too aru," I sighed. He nodded as if this wasn't unusual. He sat on the stool, resting his elbows against the kitchen island. I gave him a bowl of stew and a cup of tea, before sitting on another stool across from him. He silently started eating. Water dripped from his hair onto the counter.
"Oh!" I forgot his hair was still wet. I quickly leapt to my feet and fetched a new towel. Russia was still eating silently, looking hungrier than he allowed showing. He saw me with the towel but said nothing as I walked around him. I placed the towel on his hair, and rubbed gently. His back stiffened but he didn't say anything and continued eating as I dried his hair. I pressed myself closer than necessary, though it was purely unintentional. I dried his hair, drawing in a deep breath. He smelled of vodka and ice as usual, but the scent of vodka was stronger than usual. I grimaced.
"You take care of people well da," He observed as I sat down across him from the island.
"Thanks aru," I smiled.
"Japan is lucky to have you da," He added in a softer voice. I didn't respond.
"Listen Russia, I need to tell you something aru," I began.
"Da?" He waited.
"I was really rude to you and I want to apologize aru," I said sincerely. He looked up at me in surprise, "I'm really sorry. What I said was very mean and uncalled for-"
" And very true da," He finished flatly. I bit my lip. He looked hurt.
"But I still hurt you-"
"Whatever," He cut me off, standing up, abandoning his half-finished stew and tea. He muttered something else, sounding like 'You're not the first one'.
-"Yep, America was trying to apologize and Russia like 'whatever,' and totally left him standing there!"-
I felt an awful pit in my stomach as I remembered what Poland told me earlier tonight.
"Sit down aru," I commanded, but it sounded feeble. He seemed to fight himself, but sank back down, "I am sorry about what I said tonight and how rudely I said it because it hurt you aru,"
"Why? It's not your fault da," He mumbled.
"So you're not going to forgive me aru?" I asked.
"You didn't even do anything wrong that would need my forgiveness da," He broke into a small humorless smile. I didn't reply, frowning at the island's table top.
"But if it makes you feel better, I accept," He shrugged, but it seemed to put him in a better mood. My chest felt lighter and I smiled. He finished his food and set down his spoon.
"I guess we have to make sleeping arrangements again aru," I stated.
"If that's all right," Russia said before finishing his tea. I led him upstairs after washing the few dishes, and fixed my bed for him. I felt a slight sense of déjà vu. I looked over at him, seeing him bite his lip, contemplating something.
"Do you sleep with Japan da?" He burst out as I fixed the pillows. I froze, the pillow slipping from my hands, and my face grew hot.
"Wh-what aru?!" I asked, "Th-that's a personal matter aru!"
"Sorry," His cheeks tinted pink, and he turned to stare at the painting of sunflowers. But it's nice knowing you care about whether or not I 'am' aru… I hid my pleased smile.
"I really like that painting da," He said softly and walked up to it, running his pale gloveless fingers over it.
-"So, what are you doing again?" England rolled his eyes, sitting on my bed. We had started hanging out more often; ever since we realized Russia and America…I bit my lip, staring at the broad empty canvas.
"Painting aru," I clarified. It was nice to have company of someone who understood. In front of other people, we took care of hiding emotions but when it was just the two of us…
I glanced at him. His eyes were glazed with unhidden pain, his brows pushed together in a miserable frown, the corners of his lips turned down slightly.
…It was okay to not hide pain when it was just us. When we saw Russia and America, we silently understood each other.
What a strange friendship.
"What?" He asked. I pressed my lips together, thinking. America had gotten a huge bouquet of sunflowers for Russia today. He gave to him in the beginning of the Allies meeting yesterday. The way Russia's eyes lit up aru….
"Sunflowers aru. Russia loves sunflowers," I replied softly, and started to pick up the paint brush. Each stroke I placed with care, with love. The empty canvas slowly turned into a painting of bright colors and warmth.-
"I guess it's okay, it sorta gives me a headache nowadays aru," I lied to him, trying to sound nonchalant. He looked at me with disappointment, because even though it was never said directly, he knew I painted it for him. He didn't reply, sitting on the bed.
"Goodnight aru," I told him, about to leave the room.
"Where will you sleep then da?" He asked, looking surprised. I thought wildly.
"That is for me to know and you to not wonder about aru," I explained vaguely before shutting the door. I walked down the dark hall, checking on everyone who was inside their rooms. Taiwan was on her laptop with her earphones on, Vietnam was signing some official documents, Thailand something similar, Korea was arguing with Hong Kong over who got the remote, silently hissing a one-sided argument that television originated in Korea.
Japan was drawing manga in his with Greece on his bed, reading a popular manga book, which I even cared to read a few times. I looked over Japan's shoulder, careful not to disturb him. He didn't even seem to notice me.
"It looks great aru," I spoke softly, but I still startled him.
"It's amazing talent," Greece added, flipping another page of a manga with slow deliberation.
"Thank you," Japan murmured, blushing.
"So is Russia still here?" Greece confirmed. I nodded.
"Where's Bela aru?" I asked.
"Bela-chan thought it would be best if she left. Too suspicious,"
"Bela…-chan aru?" I grinned, noticing the changed suffix.
"She's actually really nice underneath all her…creepiness," Japan explained trying not to sound rude.
"She is Russia's little sister aru," I nodded seriously.
"Oh sure, label my whole family," A mockingly hurt voice said near the window. We jumped. Belarus sniffed, her arms crossed. There were a few small leaves caught in her hair.
"I thought you left, B-Belarus-san" Japan said, surprised.
"For a little walk, since the rain stopped" She explained, "And am I suddenly not worthy of being called, what was it, 'Bela-chan' anymore?" She feigned hurt again.
"Of course not Bela-chan!" Japan said hastily.
"Stop picking on my little brother aru," I rolled my eyes.
"Speaking of brothers, where is Nii-san?" She asked.
"In my room aru. I lent him my bed," I replied.
"So where will you sleep Yao-nii?" Japan asked.
"Well I can go home you can have the guest room," Belarus said.
"You can't leave at this time of night aru!" I protested, "I'll sleep on the sofa aru," I decided.
"But won't that be uncomfortable?" Japan asked with concern.
"I'll be fine aru," It took a little more convincing but they resigned.
"I guess I'll come in the morning to 'find out where my Nii-san is'" She said about to leave out the door, "Oh and follow the plan, I'm turning in," I followed her out before turning around.
"Goodnight aru," I grinned deviously. Belarus went into the Manga Room and shut the door.
I was about to head downstairs but realized that I would need to take a pillow, since the decoration ones on the sofas wouldn't suffice.
Before entering I took a peek into my bedroom. Russia was on my bed, breathing evenly. Asleep. I carefully took an extra pillow from under him, holding my breath. He didn't wake. I set the pillow aside and I sat down carefully, smiling a bit nostalgically at his sleeping features. I gently laced my fingers through his hand, bringing it up to my cheek. I was surprised to feel a tear trickled down my cheek and I let go of his hand, letting it drop softly. He stirred slightly and I stood up, looking down at his features one more time.
I let my fingertips lightly brush against his cheek, and bent down and kissed his forehead quickly, letting my lips linger a bit on his forehead. I inhaled the overpowering stench of vodka but ignored it and drew back. The rain started pattering against my window. Lightning flashed dimly. The next storm was here.
A/N: Wussia sho smecksi aru~
*cough* Anyways, thanks for reading and please review!