Sorry it's been a long wait. I've been writing other stories, though I suppose that isn't really any excuse! Also, a note on this chapter: this is from RUSSIA'S perspective. Therefore, he perceives a lot of things, especially things about himself, INCORRECTLY. So no, I didn't go insane and start writing about what a nice guy Russia is all of a sudden, that is merely a misconception.

Got it? Okay. xD

Chapter Pairings: Russia x China (one-sided)

9. Let's Become One! (Russia)

When Russia had heard that they were starting a project in history class, he hadn't been overly excited. But when he'd heard that it was to be a partner project, he'd felt a grin slowly growing on his face. He loved spending time with his friends, and they were always so eager to work.

He glanced to his left, and saw that Lithuania and Estonia were already partnered up. But that was fine. Because little Latvia sat right in front of him.

He reached out a hand to give Latvia's hair a good, solid tug when something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. It was the end of China's swinging ponytail as he turned his head, looking for a partner. And an idea that made him smile occurred to him.

Why should he be partners with Latvia again? He and Latvia were already best friends; why not spread out and make some new ones? This China, for instance; he was intelligent and attractive. Russia thought that he would make a worthy addition to his little group of followers… er, friends. And what better way to get to know each other than working together? It was a perfect opportunity.

"China, da?" he said, tapping the Asian boy on the shoulder. China turned around and nodded. "Let's become one," he suggested sweetly.

China's eyes widened and he stuttered a surprised, "Wh-what?"

"Would you like to work together?" Russia clarified, giving his biggest, most friendly smile.

"Aiyah." China let out a breath of relief before smiling and saying, "Yeah, sure."

Russia stood and joined China at his desk, discussing the project they'd been assigned and reading the rubric together, which Latvia so kindly got for them. After looking over the requirements, they decided it would be necessary to meet the next day after class to work on it. China offered his room as a place to meet, which Russia was happy to hear. This project really was turning out to be fun. And Russia had placed himself very near China, close enough to notice that something he was wearing, or maybe his shampoo, smelled good and vaguely familiar. And Russia's eyes couldn't help but follow his shiny, brown-almost-black hair as he flicked it over his shoulder. Yes, he would enjoy doing this project and getting to know his new friend.

Very much.

...

"Come in, make yourself at home," China said as they stepped over the threshold into his room. Russia glanced around only briefly, knowing that it would look exactly like his did. But then he took another look, because there was something unusual about the whole room. There were personal items on the walls and desks, but…everything was perfectly, unnaturally clean and orderly. Especially the side of the room that didn't have any Chinese keepsakes, which clearly belonged to China's roommate.

"Who is your roommate?" Russia asked, eyeing the bed that was made-up with near-military perfection.

"It's Germany, though he's not here at the moment, aru," China said. He seemed to notice that Russia was staring at the abnormal cleanliness and added with a little huff, "He cleans my side of the room, too. Even when I don't ask him to!"

Russia nodded slowly and followed China deeper into the room. The Asian threw his bag on his bed and indicated that Russia could do the same. "Would you like some tea?" he asked, crossing the room.

Russia wasn't much of a tea drinker, but he wanted to seem polite. And he was curious. "Sure," he said, cocking his head to the side and smiling, a gesture he knew was widely considered 'cute'. China returned the smile excitedly.

"Great!" From a drawer in his desk, China pulled out a hot plate, a kettle, a clay teapot, and a few other small cups and things. He set about filling the kettle with spring water, humming softly under his breath, and turned on the hot plate while Russia settled himself on the floor and watched. He was pretty sure that having the hot plate in the room was against more than a few school rules, but he didn't say anything. After all, who hadn't broken a few dozen (or more) school rules in his time?

After the water boiled, China began to prepare the tea itself, which seemed to be a rather ceremonial process to Russia. It even involved several rounds of liquids being poured that were not meant to be drunk, as he learned the hard way when he reached a hand out to take one of the cups and had it slapped away by China.

"Not yet!" He continued preparing the tea with a practiced ease, his eyes nearly closed in contentment, while Russia looked at him in wonder. It was, quite possibly, the first time that anyone had dared to defy him in that way, with a physical blow. It hadn't hurt, but it certainly surprised him. Who was this China, really? Why did he seem different from all the others? It was…fascinating…intriguing…

Enticing.

Russia was no fool. He knew that if he wanted to have China among his group of friends he'd have to approach it from a new angle, because there was something different about him. And he also wasn't blind to the fact that, for whatever reason, the vast majority of the boys at this school preferred other men over women. He was hoping that China was no exception, and that he may respond to him as a romantic interest. Russia had never been great at making friends; he was shy, and he found that most people simply did not understand him. But this way it would work, he was sure of it.

They chatted a bit while Russia waited for their tea to steep and for China to complete whatever other rituals connected to serving it. Russia felt his lips tug up into a grin every time he heard that little sound China sometimes added at the end of his sentences; that 'aru'. "Cute," he said one time after hearing it.

"What?"

"That little noise you make, it's cute, da?"

"What noise, aru?"

"That one you made just now!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, aru."

China looked genuinely confused, so Russia dropped it. He also decided to ignore the fact that China hadn't even noticed that he'd called him cute. Maybe he'd just been taken aback by it. Yes, that must be it. He'd get him with the next one, for sure!

China finally served their tea in tiny cups that only held a few ounces at a time, and they began discussing their plans for the history project. The rubric called for a presentation on their designated topic pertaining to the American Civil War. While they talked and China took some notes on their plans, Russia gradually inched closer and closer to him, until eventually their knees touched. China looked up when he noticed, and Russia just smiled as their eyes met. China didn't hold his gaze for long before he glanced away, back down to the paper in his hands. Russia was sure that he could see him blushing. It was working!

Russia was close enough now to be able to smell that delicious shampoo again, which he decided was reminiscent of some familiar fruit. Still, China kept talking on about their project, even though Russia himself was no longer listening or participating in the conversation. Why didn't China say or do anything in response to him? Was he that embarrassed? It seemed that Russia would have to go even further.

He placed a hand on China's knee, leaning in even closer to him, and smiled his gentlest smile. At this blatant display, China had to respond, and did. "Russia!" he said in surprise, whipping his head around. But when his chocolate eyes met Russia's violet ones, they held an unexpected emotion; anger. The smile slid off his face at the open dislike on China's face.

Surprised, Russia's limp hand slid off China's knee without resistance as the Asian boy stood up and took a step away. "What do you think you're doing?" China demanded. Russia looked up at him, bewildered.

"We are going to become one, da?" he said weakly. It was the only thing he could think of. China apparently wasn't impressed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to gather himself before responding. When he opened them again, they had emptied of their fury but instead had become blank, emotionless orbs.

"We'll finish this some other time, aru," he said. He stooped to gather the papers he'd let drop to the floor when he'd stood. Russia watched him, unsure of what he was hearing. They were done for the day? Did he hear right? Was he being dismissed?

He stood in a daze, continuing to watch China stack their papers neatly on his desk and gather the tea things that had been left out. He just didn't understand how this could be happening, and so casually, too!

The next time China passed by close to him, Russia's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. He didn't really have any sort of plan, he just wanted to stop him from bustling around the room, trying to understand what was happening, but China didn't see it that way.

"Hey! Let go of me!" He tried to slip his thin wrist out of Russia's grip, but he was too strong. Russia watched China continue struggling in his grasp with a distant, dispassionate feeling, as if he wasn't really there. He was lost in his thoughts.

Things were not going as planned. China was…scared of him. That was clear to him now. But that's not how this was supposed to go! Russia wanted, maybe even needed, this boy, and he wouldn't go down without a fight. Through his body was the only way he knew of achieving it, so, in a last, desperate attempt, Russia pulled China closer and was about to press their lips together in a kiss. It was the only weapon left in his arsenal, so to speak, and he was willing to try anything because he could not accept defeat. And that's when he felt an unfamiliar sensation on his face.

Cold.

Stinging.

Pain.

China had slapped him smartly across the face and, stunned, Russia released the smaller boy. China immediately took a few steps back, rubbing his wrist and pouting while watching Russia carefully. Russia, for his part, was standing frozen in the middle of the room, unable to move or even think. After a few minutes, the tension and silence building in the dorm was broken as voices and footsteps sounded loudly just outside the door and the doorknob rattled. Germany had come home.

"Leave," China whispered, and Russia decided that, for once, to obey would be the best option. He found his schoolbag on the bed and made it to the door just as Germany opened it. Russia quickly walked by Germany and his cousin, Prussia, who stopped mid-sentence as he brushed past. He could almost feel their eyes on the back of his head as they stared after him all the way down the long hallway.

…

Russia walked into the school building with a new spring in his step the day after the Incident, as he was calling it. He was positively cheerful, and therefore barely even noticed the fear on the other boys' faces, and the lengths that they were going avoid him in the hallways.

He was in such a good mood for one reason, and one reason only; he was in love. After lying awake, tossing and turning all night, unable to think about anything other than China, love was the only conclusion he'd come up with. Instead of seducing China, he'd been the one whose interest had been piqued by the enigma of a boy who dared to defy him. So he had made China his goal for the year. Considering the way things went yesterday, it might take a little while, but he was prepared for the wait because he was dedicated to this, his first love.

On his way to his first class, he spotted long, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail some distance down the hall and smiled. There he is! He took off, weaving between a group of sophomores and breaking into a run as soon as there was open space. "China," he called as the bell rang. China glanced over his shoulder but quickly turned around. And…was it Russia's imagination, or had he started walking faster? Trying to catch him, he also sped up, and got the vague impression that he was bumping into people as he hurried through the crowd. But he didn't care. China was the only one he could see now.

Everything I know about Chinese tea ceremony I learned from a website called and a youtube video, so I'm really sorry if I said anything that was just plain wrong. And if you know more about it than I do, then please correct me in a review or PM. I like learning cultural tidbits. : )

I again apologize for the long wait and the not-all-that-special chapter…seriously, it's ridiculous.

And am I the only one who thinks a stalkerish Russia is really cute? Yes? XD