I grumbled on my way to school.

I was definetly not looking foward to today. Alfred was probably going to try to pick a fight again and the entire school was going to hate me more because of the first fight.

I groaned aloud.

But as I arrived at the school, hateful looks were thrown my way, but smiles were also thrown.

I was confused. Fighting is not good. Why are people smiling?

I shook the self discussion from my head and started towards first period. I found the door I was looking for, but outside of it stood a Yao.

I rushed up to him.

"Yao, what are you-"

"You curious as to why people are smiling at you?" He interrupted.

His gaze was towards the ground, so I couldn't read his expression. I nodded slowly. He pulled out his phone and turned it so I could see what was on his screen. On the screen was a picture of Yao and myself.

It was us at the coffee shop, Yao cuddled into my chest and my long arms around him. I squinted at the screen.

"Who took that?" I asked.

Yao looked at me for the first time. His mouth showed a small smile.

"Kiku took it. He's my younger brother. He must've known that I'd run off to the coffee shop and came to get me, but found us like that instead." I bit my lip.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

"Why the hell are you apologizing." He stated blankly. "You seriously think I'm mad at you?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"I thought you might be-"

"I'm not. I think it's cute. Even if we aren't dating."

I felt my heart sink. Wait, why did my heart sink? I've only known him for a couple days! He has no reason to-

"But I hope to change that one day." He interrupted my thoughts.

My eyes widened and I looked at him, a blush creeping it's way across my face.

"W-what- are y-you-What?" I fumbled for words.

Yao laughed and reached up to ruffle my hair. "You sure are shy. I gotta get to class. Don't fight any idiots while I'm gone."

He winked at me and walked off in adifferent direction. I ran a hand through my hair before walking into the classroom. Oh boy...

As soon as I knew I was out of sight, I sighed and leaned against a wall.

Jeez, how does he do that every time? I thought of his blushing face and melted in my skin again. How do you fall in love with someone after meeting them just a few days ago?

I smiled and pushed my bangs out of my face.

Alright, Yao, compose yourself...

I took a deep breath and stood up striaght and walked towards my first class, thinking of excuse for my absense.

Luckily today I didn't run into any trouble. People were too scared to ask me I guess.

I had been rummaging through my locker when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I craned my head back to see who wanted to taunt me this time. It was Yao.

"Oh, privet, Yao. How did you find my locker?" He shrugged and smiled.

"It's easy to pick you out in a crowd. You stick out." He winked and I felt yet another blush present itself on my cheeks.

I pulled out what I was looking for and closed and latched the locker shut. I turned towards Yao.

"So what did you come here for?" I asked as normally as I could.

He smiled again. "Well, since you so kindly walked me home that night, I thought I'd walk you home today." He grinned and I bit my lip.

Why does he do that? I think he knows it makes me melt... I shook the thought away and nodded eagerly.

"Da, that seems fair." Yao giggled and started towards the exit. I followed.

"So what are some of your hobbies, aru?" Yao asked curiously. I scratched the back of my head nervously.

"Well... I like math and geography and-"

"No, no like things you do for fun. Not school, blech." He made a face and stuck out his tongue. I laughed. I suppose I could tell him...

"Well... I like to draw and paint."

Yao looked at me intently. "Really? That's so cool! Can you show me some of your paintings?"

I bit my lip. "Like, today?" He shrugged.

"Sure. I've go nothing that I have to do today." I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Well... I..."

I didn't want him to see my house or my dad. I don't want him to ever meet my dad.

"You don't have to if you aren't comfortable showing me, Ivan." I shook my head quickly.

"No, no that's not it. It's just...my dad..."

Yao stopped us, grabbing my arm and looking into my eyes.

"Is your dad...you know...homophobic?" Yao asked quietly.

I nodded slowly. "And he knows that I'm gay. I don't think you should come to my house, for your sake. Please." Yao nodded understandingly.

"Okay. Do you still want to show me some pictures? You grab some stuff and come over my place, if you want." I nodded.

"That sounds good. Why don't you wait at that coffee shop? I'll grab my things and meet you there." Yao nodded and started walking again.

"Sounds fine. I'll head that way now. See ya soon."

I smiled. "Bye."

He waved and turned and headed in another direction. I took a deep breath when I knew he was gone.

Why and how does he want to even be around me, anyway...

When I got home, I opened the door and looked around to see if anyone was home. As I walked in, I noticed Yekatrina in the kitchen, cleaning up.

I set my backpack down at the door and walked up to her.

"Hello, brother." She said, not stopping her cleaning.

I took a deep breath.

"Um, Kat?" She then stopped scrubbing one of the plates and looked at me.

"Yes?" I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Um... Can I go over a friend's...He wants to see my paintings and stuff.." I mumbled.

She grinned and nodded. "That's fine by me. I'll tell Dad you just had an afterschool practice."

I smiled widely and went around the counter to hug my sister.

She smiled and dried her hands to hug me back. She pulled back and gave me a stern face.

"If you're going to do anything serious while your there, just remember use protection." She grinned and ruffled my hair when my face turned bright red.

"S-shut up." I exited the kitchen and went into my room to gather some of my paintings.

I grabbed a duffle bag and shoved some of my best paints into it and made sure to stuff my new sketch in it.

When I went back out to the main room, Kat was still cleaning, but had been joined by Nat.

I went over to my sisters and I kissed Natalia on the head and hugged my older sister again.

"Call me if something goes wrong." I said to them as I waved my phone in the air.

I then slung the bag over my shoulder and left the apartment.

I headed towards the coffee shop where I'd had my meltdown.

He can draw?

I wonder how good he is...

He's so handsome...

How the fuck did I pick up such a hottie?

I am not that good looking...

I erased my thoughts and entered the little shop.

I'd first stumbled upon it when I got lost on my first day of grade school. I'd begged my mom to let me walk home, and she had been right. The owner of the shop, Roma Antiqua, helped me find my way back. He was nice.

I sighed out loud. It's been a while since then.

At that moment, that handsome Russian walked in, duffle bag thrown over his shoulder.

Though his neck still held that scarf.

Even though I put down his offer to tell me about it, I was still curious.

He saw me and smiled and rushed over to me.

"Hi." He said excitedly. I smiled widely and stood up.

"Hey. You look excited." He bit his lip and scratched the back of his neck.

"Well... I am..." I laughed and touched his big nose.

"Aw, so cute." He turned beet red and mumbled his thanks.

"Well c'mon. Let's head out." He nodded, excited again.

I suddenly thought about grabbing his hand. We exited the shop.

Well, I mean, we've only known each other for a couple days... I shouldn't. He'd prob-

I suddenly felt a hand fit into mine.

I glanced down at my hand and followed the other hand to Ivan. My cheeks turned bright red, but I didn't let go of his hand. He smiled at me and kept walking.

When did he get so brave?

I pushed away the thought and decided to just enjoy the moment.

His hand was very callused, but still soft. And warm. I felt like melting into the sidewalk right there, but decided to go against it.

I led him to my house where Kiku was not, because he was at Herakles'. I made sure that all of my siblings and parents were not there before I left the school. Just in case.

I dropped his hand, finally, and sadly, to fish out my keys from my backpack, which was still on my back.

I unlocked and opened the door for Ivan to let him in. He walked past me and set his bag down on the couch.

He looked around the room and then turned and asked me, "I forgot to ask. You really like red, don't you?"

I blushed, but nodded. "Yeah I suppose it's a bit much.."

Ivan shook his head. "No, no. I like it."

I smiled and said, "Here, you wanna come into my room?"

Ivan's eyes widened, but he nodded and grabbed his bag again. I started towards my room and heard Ivan's heavy footsteps behind me. I opened the door and quickly shut it, not wanting Ivan to see what was in there.

"Um...Do you mind if I clean up real quick?" Ivan nodded and readjusted the strap on his shoulder. I smiled and quickly entered the room, closing the door behind me.

I was quick to shove multiple books and papers under my bed. I grabbed the largest panda plushies and threw them into my closet, leaving only the smaller ones. I threw some of my clothes that had been strewn across the floor into a hamper in a corner.

I glanced around the room before nodding to myself and opening the door to let Ivan in.