Something (Chinalove~)

[Russia]

Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me
___________________

February 14, 1950

After close to five years of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance being signed and ratified, the treaty had been made public. While the treaty had been arranged by their bosses to prevent the possible deterioration of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Ivan had his own ulterior motives for the treaty...Yao did as well.

After Yao had been pushed to comradeship with him again, Ivan could sense that tingle of fear and hesitation, the blatant feeling of not wanting to be anywhere near the Russian. He understood why, despite the sting of pain and hurt that stung his body much like being pricked with many needles. As the years went on and having the chance to truly reconnect during the second world war, he could sense the unease slowly begin to drip away from the other. Through the few months of tense, polite words and feeling as though a weapon was needed in order to keep the other safe; a true bond formed. A true comradeship.

Despite the treaty being an idea of their leaders to show the world that the partnership between the two respective countries, allies and comrades as Russia and China. However, despite it being forbidden...The partnership between two people only continued to grow, the official release of the treaty to be on February 14th...That day, was done at Ivan's own suggestion.

The soft music of the piano filled the bottom part of the house, nimble fingers playing each note with care as if carressing a lover. Each note was played with care, with feeling that he hadn't felt in many years. Ivan felt a small smile form, violet eyes fluttered closed as the music filled his ears; each note was filled with such meaning, with true and pure emotion.

There was something about Yao that made his heart flutter and feel as though there were butterflies in his stomach. Whenever the other was close, he would lose his facade...He would begin to be shy, nervous...And dare he say bashful. He would always get tongue-tied, say the wrong things, or not even begin to speak at all. It was very unlike his normal self...No one else had been able to make the Russian feel that way, in a way that he couldn't even begin to dream of trying to explain. He made him feel...Happy. Happy like he had never been before, as if the hole in his heart had been filled. The piece of the puzzle that was missing, the yin to his yang...He was...

In love. Truly and completely. No matter how much he wanted to actually say it, something inside of him held him back. The little nagging voice in the back of his mind warning him about his past relationships, that he would only leave him. Like all the others.

That wouldn't happen...It couldn't happen. They were partners, comrades...He hoped soon to be lovers.

I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how
___________________

A/N: This is what he's playing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL2E0tI-5Uk&playnext=1&videos=X__FONTCTqQ

[China]

Meetings, discussions, and paperwork. If one asked for a sneak peek into the life of a certain Chinese nation, these three things are most certainly a part of it. Being a nation himself, China has the burden of doing everything that his boss wanted and ensuring that all matters are taken care of, which would have been a task too daunting for an ordinary person... but then again, Yao was far from ordinary. He was four thousand years old, for gods' sakes, and that's hardly normal.

Recently, though, he was forced to enter into a treaty (though not so much his boss- their bosses were the ones who were in full agreement of the treaty) with his northern neighbour, Russia. He must admit, he was very cautious of the other, and felt extremely uncomfortable in his presence. Somehow, said man emitted an intimidating aura. In fact, it was more than intimidating... It had a certain chill to it, much like how he would find a knife stuck down his back if he even dares to avert his gaze for a brief second from the Russian.

However, all that has recently started to change. He was formal and withdrawn and kept a strictly businesslike attitude towards the other for the first few months, though this barrier soon melted and collapsed. Now, the only thing he looked forward to more than anything else is to get out of the boring meetings and spend more time with Ivan under the pretense of discussing business matters, when in reality he really was just finding a companion to spend quality time with.

And indeed they spent quality time. As they were in each other's presence more often, the awkwardness soon faded away. Soon, China's serious voice and firm, formal frown were exchanged for giggles and cheerful 'aru's' and exclamations of joyful triviality. His business suit that he always wore when meeting the other was soon packed away in the back of the closet and traded for his traditional clothing, which he was far more comfortable wearing, and which, really, flattered his 'figure' more. He showed his cheerful, happy demeanor, showed sides of him that no one else but the closest to him could ever be allowed to see, and at the end of the day, after all business airs have been stripped off, he babbled and chattered like someone would with an old friend.

And today was no exception. Right after having a talk and meeting with his boss, he practically skipped and bounded out the door as the meeting finished, which left his boss wondering what the hell got into his head. Yes, he was to deliver some important paperwork, which is why he was going to Russian territory. But even more than that, he was just excited to spend more time with someone he considered a very good friend. Speeding home, he changed out of his business suit and into his usual red qipao, and grabbing the paperwork he needed to deliver, walked over to Russian territory, which he reached in a few minutes. Regretting that he forgot to bring a coat, he shivered a bit as he waited outside for a maid to open the door and let him in, which all happened in a few minutes. Stepping gratefully inside, he left his shoes by the door as the maid handed him a pair of slippers, which were practically his since he almost lived in the house anyway.

Walking down the hallway to the office where he knew he would find a smiling face behind closed doors, he was about to open the door when a faint sound from somewhere else caught his attention. He followed the sound, papers and all in his hands, as he walked throughout the house, trying to locate its source. As he got nearer and nearer, he now realized that it was music; a soft melody playing, a melody that sent unexplainable goosebumps throughout his body. Something about it was absolutely beautiful, be it the sound itself; though what, exactly, he couldn't pinpoint. He then reached the door where he knew the sound was coming from, and setting down the papers beside it to retrieve later, he turned the knob silently and peeked into the room.

That's when his eyes widened in surprise. Russia, Ivan, playing the piano? How did he not know this before? Stepping into the room as silently as he could manage, he stayed off to the side and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes as he let the soft, gentle notes penetrate his ears. Something about western music always fascinated him; whether it was because the notes were different, or because the music just sounded so much... gentler, he didn't know exactly what... all he knew is that it just did.

A smile grazing across his features, he contemplated on just how different this Russia was from the man he had met way back when. While that man from before had scared him, driven him up the wall, to the brink of fearful submission and determined retaliation... this man, the man right before him whose nimble fingers glided across the keys with careful precision, was gentle, caring, trustworthy, loyal... everything he could ever want, ask, and hope for. He couldn't understand quite yet that maybe what he felt for the man was love; he couldn't quite pinpoint himself to that direction yet.

Settling himself comfortably against the wall, he tried to take in the feelings coming from the beautiful notes the western instrument was emitting. It was pleasant to the ears, yes, but like all music... he knew it also conveyed the feelings of the other. He tried to read such feelings. He could read contentment, bliss, happiness... and somehow, to his ears, the music had a tinge of romance in it. Love? Who could he be in love with? It would certainly be amusing to find out... though for some reason, a part of him died at that prospect. For what reason, he could not comprehend, but he was pretty sure he would, in due time. For now... he was going to relax, and listen to the other play.

[Russia]

A love like ours
Could never die
___________________

The quiet creak of the opening door filled his ears, someone was there. Not removing his fingers from the worn keys but stopping with his playing, Ivan turned in his seat and in the course of seconds became eye-to-eye with Yao, feeling his lips curl into a calm, contented smile. Something about his smile always made him feel as though a swarm of butterflies would fly through his stomach, he hoped and prayed that he didn't look to eager or nervous to see him just by the mere judge of his sweating palms, rising heartbeat, and the fluttering in the pit of his core.

He had noticed that their relationship over the past few months had begun to change for the better. Instead of trying to sneak away or not even be around when he was around, Yao was now open and happy. Discussions over different things: Politics, their superiors, Hello Kitty, cute things in general, or other seemingly meaningless frivolity. Ivan liked that the two, despite their rocky history and past, were beginning to truly get to know one another again and join in a true comradeship.

He felt his smile slowly continue to grow as he watched the older nation, violet eyes dancing as he took in China's deep brown ones. "How long have you been standing there Yao?" He asked in a more casual tone, head tilting just so to the side. He had heard him play, not that he really minded. Very few knew that he could, he only let a select few know of this particular secret. Now Yao knew, and he could better express his own feelings in a much different way...A much more personal way, a much more beautiful way. Music, the window to the soul and the heart of the one playing each note with careful precision. Each note holding the heart of its player whether it be joy, sadness, hatred, love, jealousy...

Giving a small gesture for China to walk forward and scooted over to make enough room on the bench for the other nation to sit down, he turned back around and reset the tips of his fingers against the worn, yellow keys. He felt his eyes close as his fingers pressed down on the keys, just letting his own heart guide his hands. The notes began to fill the room, soothing and easing his mind once again as he played; conveying every emotion that was running rampant through his body.

Joy, care, gentleness, trust, loyalness, love. Emotions that he didn't even know he could feel anymore, feelings that Yao alone brought about. Each note that was played held the same tenderness as the last, filling the room with a soothing, tender and loving sensation. Each note held his heart, his soul...He hoped and prayed that Yao could hear it.

As long as I
Have you near me
___________________

A/N: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkL6x61gNWs

[China]

So it had been five years since the treaty; Yao had just realized that. Somehow, listening to the other play that beautiful melody completely captivated him. He felt like he was losing himself, as he closed his eyes, and leaned by the wall, and just took in the sweet notes that filled the air. He realized too, that oddly, the tone of the music seemed to fit the occasion today. It was as if... it was a celebration, and he could feel the other's genuine joy just by listening to his music.

Five years ago, he would have never dreamed of being in this position, of actually trusting someone genuinely and completely, of actually being this comfortable with someone, and the Russian, nonetheless. Five years ago, he was a paranoid mess, consistently checking his back and spending sleepless nights worrying whether the Russian will come and stab him in the back with a knife. But now... here he was, listening to the other play, with the biggest smile plastered on his face in years. He just couldn't believe it.

As the other turned to look at him, though, he realized that he had been caught. Smiling his sweetest smile that he could to show just how happy he was today, big, brown orbs twinkled in delight behind long lashes. "Not too long, aru. I just got here, aru." He was about to explain some more, when he was gestured to sit beside the other as the Russian got back to playing another sweet melody.

And for some reason, at that very moment, his heart started to flutter like crazy.

Unable to stop the almost continuous flow of blood to his face, Yao felt like he was going to pass out from redness. Why was the Russian suddenly inviting him to sit beside him on the piano, while he played what seemed to be a romantic song? He... got the message, clearly, but he was still trying to convince himself that it wasn't the case, that he was hallucinating, that it wasn't true. He, himself, hadn't even sorted out his own feelings yet. With the hassle of being a nation, he never had enough time to just sit down by himself and muse about whatever is going on his life, especially what he really felt for the Russian.

But... what was there to muse about? The mere sight of the other completely made his day; hell, even just hearing the other say 'da' in that adorable voice of his completely made his hectic week wonderful. And needless to say, whenever he was around the other, he just felt so... elated, like there was nothing else he could ask. Could it really be love, like those lovebirds in almost every romantic novel that ever existed in this world?

Walking slowly towards the bench, he tried to calm himself down as he sat beside the Russian very shyly, at the brink of the other side of the bench. He was afraid to be too... sentimental, for fear that he might be reading the other wrong. He didn't want to appear too... needy, or clingy. Neither did he want to appear like he still feared the other, which was not true anymore. Rather... he sat at a considerable distance, because he wanted to make sure that he wasn't too forward. He wanted to make sure of the other's feelings first... and his own, as well.

"That's... you play beautifully, aru." Yao managed a small, shy grin albeit his flustered state as he avoided making eye contact with the other, opting instead to follow his hands as they glided smoothly over the pristine white keys.

[Russia]

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance
_________________

He couldn't (though really made no effort) stop the light flush from rising up in his cheeks just at the mere sight of that bright, cheerful smile. It was that smile that made him feel warm inside, as if it were all he would ever need even against the harsh, bitter cold that his dear Father provided. Even though it had been five years since the treaty had been signed, it only felt as though it were yesterday that Yao was terrified of him. Always trembling, always looking over his shoulder...Once he could have sworn to have even seen a knife hidden underneath his clothes.

Five years ago, he never in his dreams would he have ever believed to have found himself in this type of situation. Yao...Actually being comfortable around him, as well as speaking truthfully to him and not just what he believed he would have wanted to hear. Now he actually seemed to be perfectly happy to be around him, which in turn warmed his heart and soul. He had forgotten how it felt to have someone who truly wished to be around him, to enjoy his company because of himself and not just for the mere basis that he is Russia.

Letting a small smile form as the other walked toward the piano, his head turned back and downward to the keys in a he knew to be a vain effort to hide the faint twinge of red that had creeped onto his normally pale cheeks. Struggling to allow himself to calm his nerves when the creak of wood as he sat down filled his ears, feeling his heart hitch in his throat. He was sitting next to him. He wasn't panicking. He was sitting next to him. Breathe. Breathe Ivan, breathe. Don't pass out. Try not to pass out. Breathe. Breathe.

Why was he struggling so with something like this? It wasn't as though Yao were a stranger, he usually had no issue with controlling his emotions as such. However, at the moment he sat down next to him...Violet eyes following the trail of fingers follow the line of keys that were not his own. His breath immediately hitched when Yao's fingers gave a light brush against his own, trying to hide his eyes as well as his now red face underneath his bangs.

"A-Ahh...T-Thank you. I...Personally don't believe that I play very well. I don't play very often, so...I...Need to practice more often, da?" His voice was quiet as he spoke, holding notes of the shy studder that he never knew that he even had. "Though I must ask Yao...Do you play?" With the question, his fingers as if acting on their own free accord began to press down onto the keys and play. A folk song, one of his own. He himself hadn't heard the song since...Though, why was he playing it now? He wasn't sure, though it seemed as though his body as well as his fingers were telling him something that they wanted him to know. Though what, he wasn't sure. For now though...He just continued to play, just allowing the music to fill the room. The music that had come from his heart.

And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
_________________

A/N: Linkity link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FTZPkdM084

[China]

When the sun shuts down and decided not to shine no more

[/b]
I would still have you, baby[/i]
___________________________________[/center]

There was no mistaking that look.

With the noticeable... redness on the other's face, and the very strange stutter that he had never heard before until today, there was no mistaking it.

It was as if... the Russian felt the same way he did.

But what did he really feel? He knew that his own face was probably flushed as well, and he could feel his breath threatening to catch in his throat as his heart fluttered wildly like it was going to tear out of his chest at any moment.

But why? That was one aspect he did not understand. There was no explanation for the things he was feeling at the moment, no explanation for why his body was acting like this of its own accord. No matter how hard he tried (he even counted backwards in his head while breathing evenly, as some people said it worked to calm the nerves), he couldn't quite get himself to calm down. He just couldn't.

However, he wanted to get a good view of the Russian's face. The other was looking straight at the keys, so he couldn't quite see. Scooting just a little bit closer until their elbows were touching, he bent over nearer to him, so near that he could almost feel the other's breath on his face.

He didn't know what he was doing. He really didn't. It was as if his body moved on its own. His mind was completely detached- because if it wasn't, he wouldn't in his right mind even think of putting himself in such a position. But he couldn't stop himself in time. The next thing he knew, here he was, gazing into the other's face, eyes, taking in every detail of his features.

He had never been this close to the other before. Metaphorically speaking, yes, he could consider himself quite close to the other. He told Ivan everything that made him happy, everything that bothered him... hell, he even complained to him about his boss, because he knew that Ivan alone would be able to keep his secret. He gave him his full trust, all of his affections, all his attention. It was like there was nobody else in the world but him. But physically... no, he had never been this close. Of course, when they first met and when he was still apprehensive of the other, they merely shook hands. That was the limit of their bodily contact. Overtime, though, there were a few times when he gave the other random friendly hugs or times when he was so tired that he fell asleep on his shoulder or something, but other than that... no, he had never been this close.

And needless to say... he liked the feeling. It was as if this was where he was meant to be all along, as if this was where he truly belonged.

"Your fingers are like magic, aru... You play very beautifully, and I really mean that, aru. I don't think you need practice at all, you seemed like you've been doing this for years, aru." He said in a low voice, though not moving from his position. He did, though, to lessen the embarrassment right now, shift to turn his head and stare back at the Russian's hands gliding beautifully against the keys. He shook his head softly, his soft bangs lightly moving from side to side. "I don't play western instruments, aru... though I do play some of my own instruments, aru."

And he continued to stare at the Russian's hands in amazement, marveling at how precise those movements were, at how each finger produced a distinct note that blended in with the other notes beautifully. Who would have ever thought that something so beautiful could come out of just eight notes? He contented himself with just staying close like this, while he watched those hands play.

He just hoped the other didn't mind in the least.

___________________________________
If we see the last day and they say we gotta go to war
I'll be fighting with you, baby

[/i][/center][/blockquote]

[Russia]

That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
___________________

Ivan could feel his heart pounding in his chest with the gaze of those soft brown eyes that he knew to be on him as he played, the burning redness in his face growing with each passing second. Even though he couldn't see it, he could feel just how red he actually was. It was embarrassing, to be flushing as much as a schoolgirl around her schoolyard crush. He wasn't supposed to be the one to do such a thing, at the very least, not in front of the object of his affections. His heart felt as though it were trying to claw up his chest and up into his throat, his breath beginning to slowly quicken.

They had never been this close before, not through the course of this relationship. A mere, tense handshake that had grown over the course of the months to be much more. A handshake moved to awkward one-armed hugs, then to full ones. Terse moments led to laughter and the sharing of secrets, to a warmth that he never believed that he could ever in his life feel again.

A creak of the wood underneath them both, a soft rustle of clothes and the shifting of bodies. Yao was...He was...Arms touching. Their bodies were touching in that little form of human contact that he so desperately craved. He was-- He could feel the flick of hair underneath his chin, his breath hitching. It had been such a long time since he had been this close to another person, he...Missed the feeling. But why was he-- The feeling of eyes giving him the glance-over, as though he were being studied. The flushing of his face grew darker the longer he felt those eyes that he loved so much looking at him, being so close.

While it wasn't something he was used to in the least, he...Actually found himself coming to enjoy it. This feeling, this feeling of belonging. This feeling of everything beginning to fall into place, this feeling of being exactly where he needed to be.

Ivan could feel a small smile forming underneath the burning red of his cheeks at the Asian's words as he played the final chord, allowing his eyes to close. "If you so wish, I can possibly teach you how to play. It isn't that difficult, if you already know how to play an instrument, you should be able to pick it up easily." His hands slowly slid off the keys, fingers brushing unknowingly against Yao's hand.

A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
___________________

A/N: Derping. So much derping on this end. >w<

[China]

I don't care who you are

[/b]
Where you're from[/i]
___________________________________[/center]

A small smile crossed his lips when Ivan offered to teach him how to play the piano. Why not? It gave him a reason to spend more time with him, an excuse to stay over longer. Besides, learning how to play a western instrument might be fun, too. He was curious as to how they can make such sweet-sounding music with just eight notes.

"That would be wonderful, aru!" Yao exclaimed happily as he looked up at Ivan, a bright smile clearly upon his face. He studied the other's face with that single gaze intently, finding it amusing that it was so red.

His glance abruptly switched to their hands, though, as he felt the fingers brushing against his. Did he… want to hold hands?

…Well, why didn't he just say so?

"If you wanted to hold my hand, you could have just said so, aru!" Giggling smally, Yao cupped Ivan's hand into both of his without even the slightest hint of hesitation. He was comfortable with the other. He was the only one he can fully open up to, the only one he showed his various sides to, the only one he ever really smiled truly and openly at. He was the only one who could make him feel like this, like he was on Cloud Nine, here safe in his arms and no harm could ever come to him.

He felt safe in his presence. Loved. Cared for.

"Your hand is cold, aru…" Yao said in a quiet voice as he fixed his gaze intently upon their hands. Then, in a bold, seemingly unexpected move, he brought Russia's hand to his own cheek, nuzzling it lightly and gently, with much care and… love.

Yes, he was certain now. That redness in the other's face. The way Ivan made him feel whenever he was around. It had to be love, and nothing else.

"Do you feel how cold your hand is against my warm cheek, aru?" Yao asked in a small voice, comforting, contemplating. He hesitated a bit before saying the next few words he wanted to utter, but he soon gained the courage and said them anyway, albeit in an almost inaudible voice. "I hope your heart isn't as cold, but if it is… would you allow me to melt the ice, aru?"

He glanced up at the other meekly, eagerly awaiting his reply, his heart seeming like it would burst out of his chest at any minute. He just hoped he wasn't wrong about the other after all.

___________________________________
What you did
As long as you love me

[/i][/center][/blockquote]