Fbr6
A/n: I'm changing the rating from K+ to T simply because the 2 omake I will add…in the far, far off future.
Winter had fallen. A quiet hush had settled in the village as light snow dusted the rooftop of their homes. Warm rays from the midday sun were covered by the thick clouds in the sky, leaving behind only the grey winter chill. By now, many of the villagers had retired early into their yurts. Still much was left to be done, but they tended to it within their cozy homes.
Ivan stifled a yawn, bored. Stretching his arms above his head, he caught Yao's glare with a sideways glance. He turned to smile, but all he received in return from the little tyke was an upturned nose. The Russian shook his head in amusement at the boy's temperament. Since this morning, Yao had been upset at him; over what exactly, Ivan still wasn't sure. Was it because he forbade him from entering his own yurt or was it because he ruined his morning peep show? Not that it was much of a peep show to begin with since Yao didn't even bother to hide and stared at him openly while he changed. The Chinese nation even asked him how to get 'that big'. In truth, Little Yao was something of a voyeur wasn't he?
"If only he had stayed that way", Ivan thought in bemusement, "then they wouldn't have to waste an hour or more on what Yao called 'seduction and foreplay'". Why didn't he just call it what it was: mind games and vanilla sex.
Angrily, Yao punched the pillow on his lap. "Stupid baldy….It wasn't even that big."
"I'm not bald you know. Most people would even consider me hairy," Ivan teased, deciding it might be better not to argue the point of his massive territory.
"I'll curse you then," Yao grumbled, picking at the pillow's threads, "I'm going to curse you to lose all your hair."
"That might actually help m-" Ivan closed his mouth at the dirty look shot his way.
Okay. So maybe he was wrong. Younger Yao was harder to seduce and flirt with after all. Ivan mentally shrugged. The boy may be easy to anger, but he was also much easier to please.
Ivan sidled up closer to the child nation. "Hey, Yao, let's go out to play in the snow."
"No."
"Ah, that's too bad then," Ivan tugged on the wayward black strand framing Yao's face with his forefinger and thumb, "I was thinking if we were lucky enough, we could bring the Snow Maiden to life."
For a second Yao's hands paused at the mention of the fairytale being before snatching his hair away from Ivan's hand. "Mm…really? How interesting."
The boy tried hard to mask his curiosity but Ivan could tell he had piqued the other nation's interest; Yao was unconsciously leaning towards him, his honey-colored eyes shining with childish anticipation. With slow, deliberateness, Ivan pretended to examine his nails. "Yes, the Snow Maiden. Have you heard of her?
Yao shook his head and as predicted, forgot all about his earlier tantrum.
"Really?" Ivan asked with the right amount of shock, "You haven't heard of her? How sad…you'll make her cry, Yao."
The Chinese boy glowered at the larger man, "Just tell me already then!"
Ivan raised his hands up in defeat. "Alright, I will…but first there is a condition."
"What…condition?" Yao asked suspiciously, already accustomed to Ivan's sly character.
"Let me lay my head on your lap~"
"Why would you want that?" Yao wondered at the odd request.
"I like something soft to lay on when I tell a story and not," Ivan began when Yao held up the pillow, "a pillow. Remember how I said I get cold easily? I like something soft and warm."
"But you laid on me earlier this morning!" Yao protested, still remember Ivan's weight against his smaller body. "You almost crushed me!"
"If you want to hear the story, lend me your lap."
"Fine," Yao huffed out in defeat. He tallied off another mark against Ivan in his mind, making a mental note. He would make the light-colored haired nation pay for every insult 100 times over even if it killed him!
When Ivan finally settled on Yao's lap, the boy asked sarcastically, "Anything else you want, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, there is," Ivan practically purred from contentment. It's been quite sometime since Yao allowed him to lay on his lap. The both of them have been busy fixing the Financial Crisis and barely saw one another. When they did meet, it quickly escalated from welcome back kisses to something Yao called 'restricted to the bedroom only' activities. Physically satisfying though it was (especially since Yao regained his flexibility), Ivan still missed the leisure time they spent together in peace and quiet.
He missed the times when he would lay his head on his southern neighbor's lap while nimble fingers sifted through his hair. For minutes or for hours, they would indulge themselves in this small intimate act. It was a different kind of intimacy from joining of the flesh. This kind- a simple joy in doing nothing but being in each other's company- was something created through time. It's the comfort and gentle tenderness of an aged couple who both lived together, grew old together, and eventually died together. In those times…how the immortals envied their mortal counterparts….
"If you have something you want," Yao demanded, "say it already!"
"Sorry. I was trying to decide what I wanted," Ivan laughed. He closed his eyes and sighed in bliss. "For now just run your hand through my hair."
"That's it?" Yao's voice was filled with disbelief.
"Yes, that's it," Ivan replied.
Yao bit his bottom lip, but with his eyes closed, Ivan missed the uncertainty in the child's face. Running a hand through a person's hair was like petting a pet right? It shouldn't be that hard.
A few minutes later, Ivan interrupted him, "Yao…I'm not a dog. Stop trying to mat my hair."
The boy shoved the man off him. "I did what you asked! If you don't like it, too bad!"
"No, you didn't do what I asked," Ivan corrected, "You did what you thought I wanted."
"What's the difference?"
Ivan sighed, "Come here and lay your head on my lap. I'll show you the correct way."
"What if I don't want to learn?" Yao countered with a stubborn set of his jaw.
"Believe me you do." Ivan pulled the youngster over. "And besides, it'll benefit you in the future."
"And me," Ivan thought as he removed the hairpin from Yao's hair.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Yao made a grab for his hairpin, but Ivan planted his hand firmly against the boy's face and held the pin far out of his reach.
"How am I going to run my fingers through you're hair if it's all tied up in a bun?"
"You could've at least told me before you snatched it away!"
"Yes, yes," Ivan agreed half-heartedly, patting his thighs, "Now come here so I can massage your stubborn head."
"Who's the stubborn one? I told you I don't-"
Ivan tugged him onto his lap, completely ignoring Yao's protests. "There are several spots on the head that are sensitive and the best place to massage- the thinnest layer of your skull by the head, the spot behind your ears and the crux where your neck connects to your skull." The Russian pressed gently to the spots he indicated.
"That tickles," Yao giggled when Ivan brushed against his neck.
"Does it now? It doesn't feel nice at all?"
Yao took a deep breathe, his body becoming lax as Ivan's hand stroke his head; the larger nation's short nails scraped along his scalp lightly, creating tingling sensations along his body. All he could manage was a soft grunt in response to Ivan's question.
"Are you already falling asleep on me?" Ivan laughed quietly.
Yao rubbed his eyes, trying to glare up at the blond man. "I-I'm not falling asleep. I'm just closing my eyes."
"That's called falling asleep, Yao."
The boy quickly squashed his scathing reply; he was much too content to argue with the idiotic nation. He shifted, found himself a more comfortable position on the muscled thigh, and really closed his eyes to sleep. Black, ebony hair fell to obscure his face, but Ivan tucked them behind the delicately arched ear, bending down as he did so to whisper into it, "Shall I tell you the story of the Snow Maiden to lull you to sleep?"
"I told you I'm not sleeping…but you can tell it to me anyway." Yao opened an eye to peek up at him. "I want to hear it."
Still stroking the smaller nation's hair, Ivan smiled. He could begin to see why Yao liked to pamper his siblings and be a mother hen in general. He somehow forgot what it felt like to look after another person like this. When he was a small boy, he did care for his sisters as it was his duty as the only male in the family. It didn't matter if he was frightened or scared himself, he couldn't afford to look weak in front of them. He would be their shield, their protection from any harm and any danger.
When did it all change? When was it exactly that Ukraine started to avoid him and Belarus had a strange obsession with him? He couldn't quite remember. It was a habit of his to block out unpleasant memories. It didn't work since it was carved into his history, but it was the only way to survive as a nation. It was the only way they could keep their sanity.
Looking down on the nation lying soundly on his lap, Ivan thought it was nice to spoil someone rather than to be spoiled. "If you're still listening, Yao," Ivan softly said as he ran his fingers through the child's hair, "here's the story about the Snow Maiden*."
Once upon a time there lived an old man and woman. They had a good life, but had always regretted that they didn't have any children. One lovely winter day the couple saw some neighborhood children playing in the snow, and the disappointment of not having a child of their own hurt more than ever. The old man turned to his wife and said "Let's go outside and build a snowgirl - it will be like the daughter we never had." So the two built a snowgirl, carefully forming her hands and feet, her cute little nose, her mouth, her chin...
Seconds after they finished, the snowgirl's lips suddenly turned red and her eyes began to open. She smiled warmly at the old couple, shook the flakes off her body, and emerged from the snowdrift as a pretty young girl!
The old couple was overjoyed, took her into their hut, and named her the Snow Maiden. The Snow Maiden grew quickly, not by the day but by the hour. Before long, she became quite beautiful and the old couple doted on her. The Snow Maiden was a dream child. She always did her chores, never complained, and was very affectionate. When she sang a melody, it were as if an angel from heaven were singing just for them.
The Snow Maiden spent much time outdoors. She liked the feel of the cool breeze on her fair skin and enjoyed spending time with the small creatures of the forest.
But winter soon passed and the warm sun of spring started to heat the land. The girl now became quite depressed.
"What's the matter," the old couple would ask. "Are you not feeling well?"
"No, Mother, no Father, I'm fine," she would reply.
But there was no denying that something was wrong. As the last snow melted, as flowers began to grow in the meadows, as the larks started to sing, the girl became even sadder. And she would hide from the sun at every opportunity.
Once dark clouds moved through, bringing with them a flurry of hail. The girl rejoiced, looking at the stones of hail as if they were giant pearls. But soon the hail melted and the girl cried.
"Why is she crying? What's wrong with her?" Yao asked, now fully awake.
Ivan silenced the question tumbling out of pink petal lips with a finger. "Hush. Just listen and you'll find out." He waited for a moment to see if there would be anymore interruptions, but Yao obediently stayed quiet. Clearing his throat, Ivan continued the story.
Summer arrived and one day a group of girls called out to the Snow Maiden, "Come with us for a walk in the woods!"
The Snow Maiden didn't want to go, but her parents urged her, saying, "Go play with them, dear. You'll have fun."
So she went with the girls, who began collecting flowers, singing songs, and dancing. The Snow Maiden didn't join in, though, and wasn't having a very good time. Then it began to get dark, and the other girls made a fire from some twigs they had collected. They continued to laugh and sing, and the Snow Maiden could see how much fun the girls were having. Finally, she decided to join in. For the first time since winter a smile formed on her face as she laughed, sang, and danced with the others.
Then, one by one, the other girls began playfully jumping over the small fire they had built. The Snow Maiden jumped over when it was her turn, but halfway through her leap, she suddenly melted and turned into a white cloud. A faint good-bye was heard before the cloud rose up and disappeared into the heavens.
Yao was quiet for a brief moment after Ivan finished the story, only the light fluttering wind filled the silence. Finally when he gathered his thoughts, Yao spoke, "That's a sad story, Yiwan….I don't think I want to make a Snow Maiden now."
"It's not sad. Perhaps if you only look at the ending, but if you think about it, she brought happiness to the old couple. Their wish came true."
"But she left them."
Ivan continued to stroke Yao's head, unable to read the smaller nation's expression. "Yes, she did…but everyone dies, even us sometimes. Would it have been better if the couple had remained childless?"
"No, that's not it," Yao's hands tightened on the man's pants.
The Russian's hands moved to place a cool hand on the baby soft cheek. "Then what is it? What is it that's exactly bothering you?"
"She left them…after they only met. That's so cruel….Just when they found out what it was like to be a family…." Yao suddenly sat up, looking up at Ivan imploringly, "If it was going to be like this, wouldn't it have been better if they never met?"
Ivan blinked for a moment and then burst out laughing, "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. How poetic of you, Yao" He ruffled Yao's hair, "I don't think it's something we outsiders can decide. Only the old man and woman would know if they regretted it. Even if they did regret their choice, it's undeniable the happy moments they spent with their snowgirl."
"But-"
"How about we build our own snowgirl?" Ivan got up and lifted Yao into his arms. "You'll see what I mean then."
"But I don't know how to make one," Yao said, for once forgetting to get angry at Ivan's nonchalant way of handling him.
"Don't worry, I'll show you," Ivan chuckled, opening the flap of the yurt, the snow crunching beneath his feet, "That's why I'm here aren't I? No one is better suited to teach you all there is about snow than me."
"Really?" Yao put his arms around Ivan's neck to keep himself from falling. "Why?"
"At my home, there is always snow," Ivan explained, "There is nothing about it that I don't know."
As they walked off further and further to the outskirts of the village, Ivan could be heard saying, "And since it's so soft, you can jump off from a high distance and still be okay. One day you should try it, Little Yao."
A/N: Actually this chapter ISN'T done. I had wanted to wait until I wrote the bath scene to post this up, but I felt bad for not updating in a month and posting up unrelated stories instead. If I had wanted to wait for the bath scene, another 2-3 thousands more words would be needed.
Update is slow, yes….but I AM working on this. I will not leave a story unfinished unless I state it otherwise.
Snow Maiden: I needed a Russian folklore/fairytale that had to do with snow and when I googled it, "Snow Maiden" seemed like the perfect choice. However there are actually several versions of this. In another version she is the daughter of Spring and Frost and fell in love with a human named Let. There is also an animation and Opera based on this.
The version I used is a translation I found: w w w . tradestonegallery(dot)com/index(dot)php?content=fairytales
Next Chapter: Playing in the snow and the notorious bath scene. Seriously…the whole reason why I wanted to write this fic was because of the bath scene…but maybe it's only amusing to me?