AN: Here's a new chapter! Sorry that it's so short. It was a short song (Louder Than Thunder by The Devil Wears Prada). I should be able to get some more chapters up this week though.

Disclaimer: Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. Louder Than Thunder belongs to The Devil Wears Prada.

Ivan softly tapped his fingers on the table. He was somewhat listening to the current speech, which was Kiku's. He wasn't sure about this…

He had a song in mind, but it was… very different from how he normally acted. He didn't know if he could just show it to everyone.

It was also one of Alfred's and… ugh… The American might say something about it.

"Are you thinking about it?"

Ivan's eyes narrowed and he turned, noticing the words had come from the Chinese man next to him. "Thinking about what?" He asked, smiling innocently.

Yao continued watching Kiku speak, his voice almost indifferent when he answered. "Singing something."

The Russian glanced at his phone. He shrugged slightly. "Maybe." He paused and his eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly. "Are you?" He had to admit he was curious.

The older nation shrugged as well. "Maybe." He huffed softly and smiled. "Not now though. I can't think of anything…" Then he added, almost as an afterthought, "I don't think anyone would like to hear me anyway."

Ivan let out a soft, "hmm" in thought. "I might. I know of a few that would as well."

Yao turned his head and smiled as if he had won something, meeting his eyes. "Then there is your answer."

"My answer to what?"

"Some of them will be interested in your song. I know I will." He paused and watched as kiku left the podium. "They might want to know what you have to say also. Maybe they will react differently than you would think."

Ivan gave the man an odd look. "How do you know?"

"Just a feeling. Feliciano sang and everyone was fine with it."

The Russian smiled ruefully. "Yes, but that was Feliciano."

"His lyrics were different and yet no one said much of anything."

Ivan paused. That was true. Everyone, including himself, had been a bit surprised as to the lyrics meaning, but they hadn't been as cruel as one would have expected about it. He supposed they had merely taken it in and gone with it.

Yao stood. "Alright, it's my turn aru. Do what you will, Ivan." With that, he walked to the podium and began his speech.

Ivan thought for a few moments. Did he want them to know, if even a little? …Yes. He did.

He put the ear buds into his ears, almost sorry that he was interrupting his… friend? Were they friends? Shrugging to himself, he waited.

After around a minute, Yao was still talking and no one had called on him. Ivan looked towards Ludwig and saw that the German was staring, an almost questioning look on his face. The Russian nodded towards him, silently saying, 'Go ahead. Pick on me.' It wasn't like he was going to rip the younger nation's head off for it.

After a moment's hesitation, Ludwig cleared his throat. "Ivan."

He took an ear bud out, smiling. "Yes?" And, oh look, everyone was already staring. That was lovely…

The German looked at him oddly, but said, "Later."

He nodded and waited for Yao to continue from where he left off after the interruption.

The rest of the meeting went by fairly quickly. There were minimal interruptions and everyone mainly was… curious. They wanted to know what he was going to sing.

He was almost surprised that Alfred hadn't flat out said that he couldn't sing. Or really that he hadn't said anything at all.

Oh well… He supposed it would come soon enough. Most likely as soon as the lyrics started.

Matthew returned to his seat and a few moments later, Ludwig nodded towards him, silently saying he could go ahead.

Ivan set his phone slowly on the table and pulled up his song. He could feel the apprehension in the room, but also the impatience. It was almost unnerving, but he showed none of it. The Russian brought his legs up in his chair and crossed them, finding it hard to get comfortable, but still trying.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he pressed play. After the first few notes he saw Alfred's look shift. He couldn't read it, but the younger nation did recognize the song.

Ivan closed his eyes, listening to the piano and strings as they played. The opening was a little long, or maybe the song he had chosen was just short. He felt a bit awkward just waiting.

Though, the lyrics began soon enough. He took a deep breath and then released it, feeling almost nervous.

"What would it take for things to be quiet?" He sang it softly, as it was supposed to be sung. The song only lasted around two and a half minutes and that was only because they carried out the notes and the lyrics.

He continued, "Quiet like the snow…" Ivan trailed off slightly, but was back a moment later. He thought of how much snow was at his place.

"I know this isn't much…" His voice became louder as the music did. It truly wasn't much if he thought about it. Just a small peek to show everyone that he might not be that bad… "But I know I could, I could be better."

There was a slight pause and he wondered what the reason was that had made him go through with this.

"I don't think I deserve it;
selflessness… find your way into my heart." He paused, smiling ever so slightly.

"All stars could be brighter…"

He looked up for a brief moment and opened his eyes, looking at the other nations as he sang, "All hearts could be warmer…" Then, his eyes closed once more and he could at least pretend he was by himself.

The room was briefly silent, or mostly silent, and the music started again.

"What would it take for things to be quiet?"

There was a small pause and this time there was complete and utter silence. It was almost nice. Then the music came back and he came back with it, singing, "Quiet like the snow…"

He took a deep breath. His voice came back stronger and louder. With each word it continued to grow in volume.

"Are we meant to be empty-handed?
I know I could, I could be better."

There was another pause and he went on, this time glancing at Toris for a moment when he sang, "I don't think I deserve it, selflessness-" The Lithuanian looked surprised, though everyone else other than his sisters seemed shocked.

He shut his eyes again. "-find your way into my heart…"

Ivan took another deep breath, thinking of when he had been little. "All stars could be brighter… all hearts could be warmer…"

He stopped as the music continued, singing quietly, "What would it take?"

There was a short break and the recording echoed one of the lines, 'find your way into my heart.' After a moment, he sang again at the same volume,

"What would it take?"

Really… what would it take? He wondered about it sometimes. They had so many thoughts in their heads… it was hard to pick them out from time to time and almost harder to hear their own.

He opened his eyes and met those of the other nations, seemingly asking them as the music faded, "What would it take for things to be quiet?"

The music stopped just as the last sound came from his lips and the room was utterly silent, every nation staring other than the select few.

No one said anything. There was hardly any movement at all.

Ivan looked around, curious. His sisters looked happy, though Natalya was glaring at most of the others and seemed to be mouthing, 'rude.', as well as muttering softly to herself. Toris's expression had shifted ever so slightly. He almost seemed pleasantly surprised now.

He looked next to him and, though he knew that the Chinese man hadn't been expecting this, found Yao nodding towards him.

"I'd like to know." He whispered, his tone light and heavy at the same time.

It seemed the words broke whatever… this was. This was probably the quietest the meeting room had been in… ever. Ivan was slightly surprised no one had rushed in, asking who had died.

Ludwig stood and started gathering his things. He looked at the clock. "Dismissed."

Soon everyone was heading out. Yao had been right. His thoughts on how they would react differed from what they actually did. No one said anything, though it didn't mean that they wouldn't talk about it amongst themselves later. As he walked out, despite getting odd looks, he received a few nods in agreement as well.

AN: Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think, and if I got Ivan alright!