A/N: I was debating whether or not I should turn this into two separate chapters but decided not to, since I took a really long time to update. But things in life came up again, I apologize.
"Yao-nii," I was shaken awake my Japan, "Yao-nii get up,"
"Morning aru," I muttered, my voice sounded slightly nasally. I opened my eyes groggily, rubbing the sleep from my gritty eyes.
"You must've caught a cold," He noted, helping me up.
"This sucks aru," I sniffed, standing up.
"I'll get breakfast started," He said, before heading to the kitchen.
I used the hall bathroom to wash my face and went to the kitchen where Japan was already done making tea.
"My head hurts aru," I complained just as Thailand rushed past me into the kitchen. He wore a suit and was tightening his tie, a briefcase swinging wildly.
"Another meeting aru?" I raised an eyebrow. He nodded, pushing up his glasses.
"I'll be back late ana," He grabbed an apple before leaving.
"Have a good day," Japan called and added a spoonful of honey to my tea before giving it to me.
"If only Korea was a little more like you," I said wistfully, "Such an obedient younger brother aru," Japan shook his head, and laughed quietly. "Greece must be so proud to have you aru," I continued in my nasally voice. I took a sip of hot tea, burning my tongue slightly, but it did help clear my throat a little.
"He told me to meet him again later in the morning," He blushed. I laughed before coughing.
"Is he still upstairs aru?"
"I think he's coming down right now," Japan said, tilting his head upward from the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Are you going on another date with him?" Belarus peaked into the kitchen. Greece walked in behind her, his pace a lot slower.
"I-It's n-not exactly a date…" Japan's cheeks tinted pink.
"You should go on a date with him," She agreed.
"Again?" Greece asked, pulling his eyebrows together.
"What do you mean 'again'? Are you tired of Japan already?" Belarus teased.
"Why would I be tired of him?" Greece asked calmly.
"Then why did you complain about going on a date with him?" Belarus's voice was slightly getting tinged with annoyance.
"With who?" Greece asked in confusion. I glanced over at Japan who had a small fond smile on his face. I leaned over to him.
"Do you have any idea what's going on aru?" I said in an undercurrent to Belarus's and Greece's argument.
"With Japan! Who else?" Belarus snapped.
"Me and Japan?"
"Who did you think I was talking about?" Belarus asked.
"Oh, I thought you meant China and Japan," Greece said. Belarus sighed and looked up at the ceiling. I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Greece is a slow person sometimes," Japan smiled.
"Thailand you bastard, can't even wake me up!" Vietnam cried out angrily, running down the stairs like Thailand did. She too, was wearing professional clothing and her hair was in a loose bun. She opened the fridge and took out jelly and smeared it on a piece of bread, eating it quickly. She downed a glass of water and glanced up at the clock. "Late," She murmured to herself.
"What time will you be back again aru?" I coughed again.
"Not sure, I'll try to be fast," Vietnam smiled and gave everyone a small wave, and left.
"I should get going now," Greece murmured, walking over to Japan. Japan nodded once as Greece lightly brushed a hand over his forearm before leaving.
"Take some medicine China, you sound sick," Belarus appraised.
"No need to aru. It'll pass aru," I waved off.
"Fine, I guess I'll see you in a while when I 'come to pick up Nii-san'," Belarus said, and her and Greece left. The door shut behind them quietly, leaving only me and Japan.
"Am I really that sick just because I stood out in a little rain aru?" I complained to Japan.
"The weather report said that the storm cleared up an hour ago this morning," He noted and felt my forehead.
"No, your temperature feels fine Yao-nii," He said just as Russia walked in.
Japan flinched and pulled his hand away from my forehead. Russia's fists were clenched, but his expression was calm as he looked at the both of us. Japan looked at Russia in surprised, since he was bare of his usual scarf and coat.
"Japan, can you take Russia's coat and scarf from the dryers aru?" I asked him calmly, "And wake up the others too," He nodded and left, leaving Russia and me alone.
"Hungry aru?" I asked him, pouring him a cup of tea which he declined. I stood there awkwardly and took a sip of tea.
"Are you sick da?" He asked curiously.
"No just a little cold, it'll go away by the afternoon aru," I reassured. "It's not like I'm immune to cold like you," I added. Japan returned with the scarf and coat. Russia barely wrapped his scarf around his neck snuggly when there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Taiwan walked down the steps, yawning.
"Is my Nii-san here?" Belarus demanded with the right amount of cold detachment.
"Um, Gege?" She called me confused by what was going on. We hadn't filled her in. I beckoned Russia to the door.
"Nii-san!" Belarus looked extremely relieved, "I thought something happened to you! I've been looking everywhere. Come," She grabbed Russia's hand.
"Bye aru," I said softly pushing him out the door gently. He turned to me and flicked a glance at Japan warily then back at me.
"Bye Yao," He said and followed Belarus out the door. Taiwan shut the door again, but looked more awake.
"It'll be okay Gege," She hugged me before heading towards the kitchen for something to eat.
I stood in the doorway, not yet turning around to leave. I frowned, wondering if I was forgetting something. I reopened the front door and peered around. Nothing. It was probably just nothing. I was just about to close the door when I found the panda bear leaning next to the doorframe. I picked it up, holding it sympathetically. It was muddy and wet, it's soft faux fur hanging limp.
"You need a bath aru," I said softly, before taking it upstairs.
Russia's POV
We entered the living room in silence. Belarus went over to the mantel and fingered a Mataryoshka doll carefully. She hadn't spoken a word since we left China's home together.
"So?" She asked me. She took the doll in her hand and for a second I thought she was going to fling it at me like she did the last time China was here.
"China forgot something at the carnival, I went to return it da, he told me to stay over the night until the weather cleared," I said simply, sinking into the couch.
"What was it?" She demanded.
"A bear Japan won for him da," I fibbed.
"You can't lie to me Nii-san," The corners of her lips turned up into a twisted smile, "You won it for him,"
"So I did," I said briskly, "I just went to return it da,"
"In the middle of the night, during a thunderstorm, to return something trivial as a teddy bear that could've waited until morning?" She recited slowly, and smirked. I sighed. Suddenly everything I said, everything I did, needed a specific reason.
"China really liked these dolls when he last came," She noted nonchalantly, mostly to herself, "Anyways, speaking of the last time he came," She said louder placing the doll back, "You already know what I'm about to say but I'll say it anyways. Maybe you should rethink that maybe you lov-" I shot up to my feet, feeling anger spark in me.
"I get it da," I snarled, "And even if I did, it wouldn't matter would it? China found Japan da. He threw me away, kolkol"
"Correction," Belarus grinned spitefully, "You threw him away and now you're jealous," And then she turned and left before I could respond. I clenched my jaw and shook my head furiously in denial.
"I don't love him da," I seethed out loud to the dolls. They stared back with those rosy expressions, smiling at me. Mocking me. I strode to the mantel piece, glaring at the dolls, "I am going to crush every single one of you in this house, da," I snarled.
They continued staring with their cute rosy expressions. Suddenly I cocked my head to the side, considering the doll. I could imagine China's eyes light up as he would pick up a doll so gingerly like a new born child. He would love these. I placed the doll back on the mantel piece and took a step back, looking for the biggest, and most intricately designed one.
I then quickly searched the house for an empty gift box and tissue paper to cushion the doll in. I smiled to myself as I wrapped the gift.
"A-Are you going somewhere?" Latvia asked faintly, eyeing the gift.
"Ah, for a walk da," I smiled tightly and opened the front door. Late morning air greeted me and I took off the China's house again.
China's POV
The house was relatively empty with only Hong Kong. Taiwan went out to do some shopping and Korea claimed he needed to get out of the house too. Japan went out with Greece. My cold was relatively gone and I decided to get started on lunch, knowing that everyone would be ravenous when they came back.
I was just about to finish stir frying vegetables when there was a knock on the door.
"In a minute aru!" I called. It's probably Korea, waiting to play a prank. Or maybe Taiwan did so much shopping she couldn't get out the keys because her hands were filled with bags. Or Vietnam forgetting her keys. She always does that aru…There was another impatient knock. I growled impatiently and turned off the heat and stomped to the door.
"What is it aru?! Can't wait one damn minute—Oh it's you aru," I said in startled surprise. I found myself blushing despite the fact he was here a few short hours before. Russia stood in the door way, smiling down at me with a pleasant expression. I nervously smoothed my hair and wiped my hands with the kitchen towel I was holding. But then I realized how foolishly I was behaving and of the plan.
"Hello China," He smiled.
"Well what is it aru?" I asked tersely, "Did you forget something aru?"
"For you da," He handed me a box. I raised my eyebrows, wondering if it was from Belarus. I lifted the cover, peering into the box. A doll laid there, the ones I found decorated throughout Russia's home. It looked breath taking and adorable. A priceless addition to my collection. I tried not to stop the smile come to my lips.
"Who is it from aru?" I murmured, letting my fingertips lightly trace the doll's painted features; the delicate facial features, the floral clothing pattern.
"From me, da," He beamed. I blinked, feeling all the content feeling washing away.
"From you aru?" I asked, placing the cover on the box neatly, "How come?"
He shrugged, "Just because,"
"So you are giving me a priceless doll, 'just because', aru?" I raised an eyebrow, speaking in a slow voice. He looked uncomfortably at his feet.
"Well, nations give each other things all the time, da," He mumbled.
"Really aru?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Da," He bit his lip, trying to figure out where this was going. I sighed.
"Listen Russia aru," I started, "You can't gift other nations expensive, beautifully hand painted dolls just because aru," I stressed. I frowned at him, "And I hope this isn't more pity from you either aru,"
"No, it's not that. It's a gift," He said quietly, averting his eyes, "Fellow nations give each other things all the time,"
"Yea aru," I said dryly, "Without any compromise, war, or contract you can't give fellow nations that much. Maybe finding ice cream in an empty crate, or lending a pen you don't really expect back aru. Not something so expensive aru," I gave him a hard stare. He didn't meet my eyes but glared at the floor.
"I can't accept this," I pushed it into his chest. He caught it and looked up at me.
"Why not?" He asked bewildered. I crossed my arms.
"Because Japan will get angry if he finds out I accepted another gift from you, I can't do that to him," I gazed into his violet eyes.
"You don't have to tell him da," He replied evenly.
"Does it look like I'm waiting to break his trust aru?" I asked sharply. He didn't reply.
I took in a deep breath, "You need to get something straight aru. If we," I motioned the both of us, "Are going to treat each other just as fellow nations aru, then you can't treat me like something more," I huffed.
"Something more da…?" He repeated.
"Yes aru," I nodded.
"Like what?" He asked. I laughed once.
"That is for you to answer aru. In the mean time, I refuse to accept you gift simply just because," I shut the door on him firmly. I leaned against the door and sighed heavily, placing a hand on my forehead.
I quickly darting upstairs to my room to see if Russia left or not. He was walking away, one hand holding the box, the other clenched tightly and disappeared into the forest. I leaned against the window pane, staring out the window, suddenly feeling very tired. How did he even know I took interest in the dolls? Only Belarus had seen me eye them.
I willed myself to go back into the kitchen and finish lunch. My family slowly started arriving, all but Thailand who said he was going to be late.
"Smells good Aniki," Korea grinned, helping himself.
"Is something wrong?" Vietnam asked me concerned. I shook my head.
"So how was your date with Greece, Japan?" Taiwan nudged Japan who shrank down into his seat. Hong Kong smirked.
"Yea, how was your morning date?" Belarus leaned against the door frame and then sat herself down. No one was surprised anymore by her untimely, uninvited arrivals anymore.
"Stop teasing my brother aru," I warned, "I'm sure they had a lovely time going lovey dovey things that couples do," I grinned. Japan blushed even harder.
"Oh you're the one to talk," Belarus bantered.
"Your brother came today aru,"
"Russia?" Korea asked, his mouth full of rice. I didn't bother telling him to not talk with his mouth full.
"Yea aru,"
I quickly explained what happened and paused for a moment but then said slowly, "You didn't set that up, did you Belarus aru? You didn't by chance tell him about me eyeing the dolls when I went to your home?" I asked. She froze, "Jeez, Belarus, there is a limit to it you know that aru! Why do you always arrange Russia into these things aru?!"
"For your information," She said deadly quiet, "I had no idea. That was Russia acting on his own accord. I only mentioned it to bring you up into the conversation," She said flatly.
"It's okay Gege. We know you're upset. Just a little bit more, then everything will work out," Taiwan soothed. A few tense minutes passed.
"And either way, I thought Russia already knew you had a soft spot for these sorta things?" She said tersely.
"Sorry aru," I muttered.
"Whatever, I know it hurts you to behave like this with him but it'll end…soon. I can feel it," Belarus bit her lip, "I know Nii-san,"
By late afternoon I decided I needed some time alone and went for a short weather was brisk and an occasional chilling breeze passed. To think a few days ago such a violent storm had passed. The sky was cloudy and sunlight barely filtered through the trees as I made my way to my favorite stream. I slipped off my shoes and splashed my feet in the cold water. I stared at the gently current breathing out a huge sigh.
Images of Russia flickered through my mind. During the day of the festival, at the meeting looking jealously at Japan, at the café leaving abruptly, winning the panda bear for me, our argument in the rain, his devastated expression…I sucked in a ragged breath, my eyes stung.
There was small rustling sound behind some bushes. I turned around, frowning, but looked up startled to see Russia. His violet eyes met mine and he looked equally surprised to see me. I quickly wiped my eyes.
"China! I was just on my way to see you da," His eyes sparkled.
"How come aru?" I asked. I looked at him warily. The box was still in his hands. Well.
I patted down a spot next to me. He walked over, pausing. I tugged on his coat, "Take off your boots, the water feels great aru," He took off his boots cautiously and sat down next to me. I slid off my rubber band and shook out my hair.
"Your cold seems to be gone da," He said quietly. I flicked a pebble into the water and it plopped into the stream.
"Yup. Maybe soaking my feet in cold stream water wasn't the best idea aru," I laughed. He cracked a smile. I studied his expression from the corner of my eyes. He looked tired, with dark circles under his violet eyes, his features more angular from not eating properly. I looked away.
"Is Russian food good aru?" I asked offhandedly. He looked surprised by the unexpected topic.
"Da, I guess so" He said thoughtfully, "Why do you ask China?"
"N-no reason aru. You just look..." I looked up at the passing clouds, "A little slimmer aru,"
He didn't reply immediately. I flicked a glance at him. He stared at the water emotionlessly, his eyes guarded, "Really da?" He asked casually after a while, "Do I look bad?" He asked, but I wasn't sure if he was serious or joking.
"No, you look good aru—wait no you don't—I mean—NEVER MIND ARU!" I cried out in exasperation, blushing. I guess I walked into that one aru…
Russia giggled, and I looked up, smiling. I loved his laugh.
"So I got an answer to us da," Russia said suddenly, his eyes sparkling again, "You know, when you said something more than just nations? Something more da?"
I felt all emotion leave at once and then his words hit me. First surprised, the answer? Then excitement and relief, Finally, Belarus said soon aru, but I had no idea THIS soon! I felt light-headed. The answer! My heart pound against my chest.
I gave him a silly smile, "What is your answer aru?" I asked hopefully. He caught my sudden change in emotion and grinned as he presented the wrapped box.
"I'm giving this to you as a friend da," He grinned, his eyes sparkling.
"Oh Russia-" Then it hit me. I felt all color drain my face and my insides felt hallow. The word seemed to echo in my mind, haunting me into an ended spiral of doom. Friends, friends, friends…
Was there a minute with Russia that drama didn't erupt anymore aru? I wailed in my mind.
"Friends," I repeated. He nodded eagerly. I pressed my lips into a tight line and looked at him apprehensively. He meant it. Because in this exact area a few months ago he told me he didn't pretend with such matters.
But a few months ago I would be fine with it—longed for it even—just to have him acknowledge me as that, a friend. But now, that didn't seem like enough, even if it was genuine.
"So, here da," He nudged it towards me. My eyes stung and tears burned my vision as I glared at my lap not being able to describe how I felt into words. What was wrong with me wanting to be his lover aru? Am I not good enough? It's not fair aru…
"I don't want to be your friend aru," I replied, my voice sounded hollow. I lifted my feet from the stream and waited for the sun to dry them. He followed suit.
"Why not da?" He asked. I bit my lip, trying not to overreact.
"B-because," I said shakily, "You don't pretend with such matters aru,"
He placed a gentle hand over mine. I flinched at the unexpected touch, and was surprised to see his face a few inched from mine, "I'm not," He breathed. I blinked. My heart throbbed painfully in my chest.
"I still don't want to be your friend aru," I said, trembling and pulled my hand out from under his. I got up, put on my slippers, despite my wet feet, and faced away from Russia. Tears started falling down my face. Not in front of him aru. I tried to rub them out. I heard him get up as well and hastily put on his boots. I started walked away. He gripped my upper arm before I could leave. I gritted my teeth.
"Why not kolkol?" He demanded again, this time a bit more darkly. His vice like grip wouldn't loosen slack.
It's not fair aru.
"Because," I snarled darkly, almost sounding like him and Belarus, "That's not enough anymore aru," I viciously yanked free. I started running and risked a quick glimpse back. He didn't follow, but looked stunned, his gloved hand holding nothing but air.
A/N: Thank you all so much for all of your wonderful reviews! I can't believe I would get so much love and support from all my dear readers. *hands out free imaginary cookies*
Btw, how many Greeks would it take to change a light bulb?