Hopelessly Devoted [Russia/China/England]

[China - Wang Yao]

Yao had spent most of the morning getting ready for Ivan to arrive. He’d gussied up and posted on Instagram twice for his followers. 24k likes in just 20 minutes, it was so nice. By the end of the day it was bound to be in the triple digits. His Instagram fame had come quickly, but he didn’t mind it at all. How could he blame people for wanting to look at him?

When Ivan arrived his servants brought him into the sitting room. Yao stood up when he entered the room and bowed a quarter to him. His red robe flowed easily to the ground and fit perfectly to his form. His hair was pulled up and pinned with the jade that Ivan had gifted him. A bright red ribbon wrapped around his waist and tied at the back. When he rose from his bow he quickly wrapped his arms around Ivan’s waist. It was so nice to see him. He said his hello’s and took his hand from underneath his long sleeve. He brought him over to his sitting pillows and sat down with him resting on his own legs.
Ivan laid his head into his lap and wrapped his arms around him. He looked like he was so tired. His people must have been relentless with the experiments. That’s why he came to talk to him after all. Yao gently brushed back Ivan’s hair as he felt his hand snake around to touch the bow that Arthur had given him, so long ago.

As Ivan was talking he’d feel a sudden slip as if the floor beneath him had left. The last thing he’d feel is his hand grabbing Yao’s ribbon and unraveling it as he fell.

Summer 1835

Yao had just finished cooking a meal. He had cooked so many more since Arthur had been lounging around. He’d cooked many meals just for him and insisted that he did it. Normally he would just let the servants do it, but he wanted Arthur to feel cared for. He was setting the table with fixing of rice and dumplings all around. Arthur wasn’t home yet, but he would be soon. Already set at the floor table was little Hong Kong. Leon was sitting waiting for his food but he tried to grab for everything. “So much like your father…” Yao moved the food further from him. His little hands were always trying to grab for something out of reach. “You can wait until Arthur gets home, it shouldn’t be long.” He cooed and gave him a smooch on the top of the head.
“Hm?” Yao thought he heard something and turned around. His traditional robe swept the floor just a tad as he did. It was clear he was planning on meeting someone from how done up his face was. Traditionally painted white and his lips adorned a cherry color. “Ivan?” He asked now a bit startled that he was in his home. Beyond that Ivan looked different, he didn’t understand his clothing. “I was not announced your arrival…I didn’t even know you were coming” He gave a hard glance to a servant in the corner.

[Russia - Ivan Braginsky]

Ivan has been completely in love with Yao since the first moment he met him all those years ago. Often times, Yao felt like the air he needed to breath or the water he needed to quench his thirst. He needed Yao, desperately, especially when he felt in such despair. These experiments were incredibly draining on Ivan, and while he knew it was all to benefit his people, he greatly disliked the time slips. He could manage his own time slips into varying time lines, but when nations slipped into his own time line, into periods of his life he kept preciously secret and close, he felt violated. He did not wish to share such moments with others. If he had planned to share, he would have done so vocally. Yet now, his history seemed on full display to the world, and it angered and upset him. He needed his air, his water, to calm him, so he came to Yao and immediately curled like a child into his form, gently relaxing with each touch and calming word. He felt briefly at peace as Yao listened to his qualms. He absently touched Yao in a needy way, but as he spoke, he could sense a sinking feeling that was becoming familiar. At least for small favors, he would be in Yao’s timeline, so he would still have the man he desperately needed.

The sinking feeling turned light as he found himself a tad unstable standing in a familiar place with the delicious smell of Yao’s cooking. He glanced around the room, knowing instantly he was in China’s home, though the exact time was still at a lost to him. His eyes immediately found Yao, who looked beautiful and enticing. His traditional attire always left an air of unattainability that made one want him more. However, Ivan knew Yao only dressed in such a way when he was trying to impress, and as he saw him coo over a small Hong Kong, it became clear the exact time he had landed in and who exactly he was attempting to impress.

He briefly paused as Yao called his name, the bell of opportunity ringing before him caught his full attention. While he knew during past time slips his actions did not change the future, maybe…maybe the experiments that his people had done had finally given him such ability, maybe he could save Yao from a terrible decision.  He remembered the time period clearly because he had...been distracted to say the least by a young American nation.  He knew Yao had gotten a tad swept away by Arthur, but he never knew how deeply until far after the events had occurred.  Ivan could save him from it.

He quickly smiled at the potential and immediately moved towards Yao. “I wanted to surprise the most important man in my life,” he said simply, as if it were fact. He took hold of Yao’s hair and pulled him into a deep kiss.

[China - Wang Yao]

It was an understatement to say that he was annoyed by the situation. As much as he adored Ivan, he didn’t want him in the house right now. He couldn’t even remember the last date he spoke to Ivan. He’d been distracted so much by the boy it was like he’d completely forgotten about him. Yao kept all of that resentment well hidden in his features and tried to seem welcoming to his presence. It was as welcoming as he could look considering Yao was about to serve a very possessive man dinner.

Yao didn’t have enough time to react when Ivan shoved his hand into his hair. The jade pin holding his hair together shifted a bit and the grip on it was replaced by Ivan’s hand. He was drug into a deep kiss and every nerve stood on end. Yao’s eyes widened and he pushed against him for the first few moments. He was met with resistance by Ivan’s grip and muffled a complaint to his lips as he melted in his arms.
There was a lot that wasn’t making sense here. Why did Ivan show up out of the blue and suddenly kiss him? The most important man of his life? Ivan hadn’t spoken two words to him in months. Wasn’t the boy more important? Why did he choose now? Right now in front of Hong Kong! His eyes widened with the sudden realization and he gripped and pushed until Ivan around give him a moment to breathe. The moment his lips were free he tried to get at least a short amount of distance between them. “What are you doing Ivan?” He snapped like a mentor that was cross with his student. “Most important man in your life? I haven’t seen you since you’ve been enamored with the boy. What are you thinking? Arthur is moments away from being home!” Yao continued to snap and scold. Those were the two things he was certainly best at doing.

His cheeks were flush with frustration and heat at the same time. It wasn’t like he didn’t find Ivan attractive. He’d always felt like Ivan was good looking and it wasn’t their first kiss. It was their first kiss like that though. As much as Ivan was adorable Yao couldn’t see himself ever being with Ivan. He was more of a student to him than anything else and right now his student was acting very impolite.

[Russia - Ivan Braginsky]

Even as Yao fought him, he kept a hold of his hair, deepening the kiss. Ivan knew how Yao could be with shows of affection. At first, he would protest but given time, he would melt contently into his arms. He molded into the kiss as he felt Yao finally give in. Unfortunately, it only lasted for a moment, and he was forced to give him air.

He smirked at his outrage and the scolding that followed. During this time, Ivan would have felt immense guilt and shame at upsetting his mentor. He treated Yao’s words like gold, and he respected his space and all of his requests. He had since moved past such days. After all, he had become stronger and more influential than Yao. He reached out and continued to touch his elegant robe, playing with the rope like clothe that kept it together. “The boy was only a temporary fling. When I heard of England’s attempts to steal you away, I had to correct it,” he answered. “He does not deserve you, Yao. I do,” he continued as he undid the rope to let his robe come undone.

[China - Wang Yao]

Something was different about Ivan. He’d never spoken to him like this before. A touch of pink moved over his face, barely visible through his makeup. He continued to push at his chest and keep him at the best distance he could. Something was very different indeed. On top of Ivan being confident, he was incredibly strong. The grip Ivan had on him suddenly became more threatening in the moment. If Ivan had gained such incredible strength so quickly, something terrible must have been happening. Not that Ivan would ever hurt him, but he didn’t want Ivan to have the upper hand on him either. Not being able to scold him was bizarre.

Hong Kong must have been ever confused through this. As far as Yao knew he was just sitting their silently. Ivan had never even met him and now this was his introduction. There was going to have to be a talk with Leon after Ivan left. He couldn’t even imagine Arthur’s reaction if he mentioned something about another nation being here.

“I think I am the judge on what I deserve. We are very happy. I have a beautiful family” Yao tried to explain to Ivan’s Logic. He could be worried about him for being with someone from the West, but as far as he knew, Ivan was too.

Just when he was thinking it couldn’t get much worse Ivan’s hand moved to open his robe. It was only being held together by a single ribbon. It was crimson and wrapped around himself tightly. It came undone and slipped off of him with ease. Yao let go of Ivan and grabbed his robes to pull them together. “Ivan! What has gotten into you? This is completely unlike you! Leon is right behind me and Arthur is moments from being home! This is highly inappropriate.” He tried to scold him once more. This time he was more focused on keeping his robes together. His hands were visibly shaken and his cheeks were now bright red under the makeup. He was flustered and doing very little to hide it aside from being worried.

((No color because not home, will fix later))

[Russia - Ivan Braginsky]

When he was younger, Yao had always been untouchable. He seemed far more like an actual god than a mere nation. His wisdom surpassing all others, and his beauty closer to folklore or legend than reality. Yet as time continued, Ivan became more aware of Yao’s flaws, and as he learned of them, Yao, himself, became humanized. Ivan still held great respect for Yao, and the flaws made Yao into the perfect person he had fallen in love with. However, his flaws had shown Ivan that in fact Yao can make mistakes, quite a few mistakes, and as such, it made standing up to Yao when he was about to make a terrible mistake quite easy for Ivan. He did not consider it confidence. He considered it his duty to protect Yao from a terrible decision.

With the mention of family, he gave a brief glance to Hong Kong with little interest. Ivan did not wish to be cruel, but it appeared Yao was trapped in a delusion he had to correct. His outburst and anger did nothing to halt Ivan. Instead, he became far more determined. He spoke to Hong Kong first, speaking in perfect Chinese. Yao would notice that all hint of accent was gone because after all of these years of learning it, he had finally perfected the language. “Leon, I am Ivan. It is pleasure to see you again. I have heard Panda likes you very much. Panda has told me as much. Panda told me he wants to see you. Would you mind finding him?” he asked the boy with a small smile as he knelt down to his height. He then gently ruffled his hair before moving back to Yao.

His hands quickly took hold of the smaller man, and his one hand went up to his chin, lifting it so their eyes could meet. “Arthur is a drunk. He is using you because he is heartbroken over America. He does not love you. He is only providing you pretty words to entertain you and drugs to numb your mind. If you are not careful, he will take your boy away. This is not a happy or beautiful family. You are smarter than this, Yao,” he spoke sternly and to the point. His eyes staying locked on his.

[China - Wang Yao]

Yao looked shocked when Ivan spoke such perfect Chinese. He must have worked tirelessly to perfect it. It was shocking to see that kind of dedication in such a short time. Ivan had always been eager to learn the language but he thought he did just fine with what he knew. This must have come with strict dedication. It was so hard to see Ivan sometimes as anything rather than a small little child. What he was seeing now was contrary to everything he knew about Ivan. He was a sweet boy that was eager to learn from his teacher and mentor. Ivan always reminded him of such a lost little boy. He was dropped into the earth where the West didn’t want him and he didn’t look like he belonged in the East. Yao always felt sorry for Ivan, but right now he seemed like someone completely different.

He was dashing, confident and strong. It was like he’d completely changed who he was. Hong Kong tilted his head and stared at the food in the middle of the table. It seemed like food was more enticing than panda at the moment. China was quick to interfere and stepped closer to Ivan again. He was clearly still flustered by the whole affair. Ivan turned around to approach him again and he flushed when he took his chin. His eyes softened and he found himself leaning into Ivan as he spoke. Why was Ivan doing this?

Arthur a drunk? Perhaps. He did come home many nights drunk. That wasn’t too unusual though. If anything Arthur functioned fairly well when he was not sober. That didn’t mean that he was using him. Yao frowned with the information. He didn’t understand what Ivan was talking about. What did their relationship have to do with the boy? “Drugs?” He asked without much else attached to that. “Ivan I don’t know what you’re talking about. I can see that you are jealous. Why don’t you sit down and join us for dinner? I will show you that Arthur is just fine.” He tried to assure Ivan and move away from him. If Ivan was going to keep staring at him like that Arthur was going to know he was flustered.

[England - Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur typically had quite a bit to do while he was away working with his officials, monitoring trade now that the British Empire held the routes and regulations tightly by the throat. His own now high-demand shipments were being facilitated in return for anything he wanted of China’s. It was a beautiful thing, a beautiful setup. And Arthur wanted to milk it for as long as possible. He was making an obscene amount of wealth being here. And all the while, it was a colorful and vibrant city that he would very effectively hide away from the rest of the world. For a time anyway. Arthur didn’t have to feel anything, didn’t have to worry about anything. He kept a bottle of laudanum close-by for his own personal use, alcohol mixed with a bit of opium that created an  eerily absent feeling inside him, with not even a flicker of guilt. He was truly free to do as he pleased without the nuisance of emotion. His eyes hadn’t been entirely clear for the longest time, a true functioning addict, but he was also the strongest nation in the world at this point in time. The sun didn’t set on the British Empire; and he lazed about on his lofty throne without any other contenders for it.

He also had another distraction that he engaged in, one that he wasn’t entirely expecting when he first landed at port here. Something of a family, or at least one that he could pretend to be a part of to complete this hazy distraction. Each night, or when he’d had enough to drink with the occasional official that he worked with, he would return to the same bed, the same home, to the same nation. He would have a little one to play with, to give attention to. It was a peaceful setup, even if it was built on a foundation of deceit.

Arthur made his way back soon enough, right when the sun was starting to set. Immediately, he could smell Yao’s cooking, which was a welcome scent every time he walked through the door. He peeled off his scarlet coat and settled himself before he made his way further inside. Of course, the first thing that he did, that he always did, was sweep little Leon into his arms from the floor. Even with the slight glassiness of his eyes, the hardened edge in his countenance, he truly did seem to brighten a bit when he saw the little one. A flicker of honest love beneath all the sharp barb surrounding his still very broken, very hardened heart that currently made up one side of Empire-era Arthur.

”And how is my little darling?” he murmured, feather-light kisses to Leon’s forehead and cheek. His arms squeezed softly around the boy before setting him down near the table. Arthur then noticed Ivan. He gave him a somewhat odd look, a brief moment of clarity with the strangeness, like a snake who's already had his fill mildly noticing an awkwardly placed mouse in the grass. Of course, he gave Yao a light kiss to the forehead, his fingers dragging slowly along his back. Arthur wasn’t typically one to show too much affection toward someone in front of others, so he kept his touches mild for the time-being. He would reserve the majority of what he truly wanted to do later tonight. It wasn’t exactly proper, presently. ”I hope your day went well, love. I wasn’t aware we were having guests tonight, he murmured to Yao before acknowledging Ivan. "It’s certainly a surprise seeing you here, Ivan. Will you be joining us for dinner?” Otherwise, Arthur wasn’t too bothered with the unexpected visitor, his gaze already drawing toward Yao and Leon. He moved and spoke with a certain conceit, like the laziness of a precarious predator that had already subdued all its competitors in the world, and it was simply business as usual in the grand scheme of things. Arthur gestured idly for one of the house servants to approach. ”A fresh pot for the table,” he ordered mildly, but in a tone beneath the subtle smoothness that was used to being obeyed.

[Russia - Ivan Braginsky]

He supposed this was the difficulties of knowing what the future held for both of them. If the future was expressed honestly, it could be taken as insanity rather than factual, and yet, Ivan did not know how else to express it. He had stated the facts, but Yao still did not understand. Ivan felt puzzled on how he could convince a man of the truth when the man was so clearly invested in the delusion he proclaimed reality. It was quite infuriating. He reached for his hand as he stepped away, trying to prevent him from gaining space. “It is not out of jealousy,” he stated clearly, hoping his words might convince Yao. “I state the truth, but I cannot force you to see what you close your eyes to,” he commented, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

However, his time appeared to be running out as the very Englishman he spoke of walk in as if this home belonged to him. Ivan knew this Arthur well. As most nations during the time of the Great British Empire, Ivan, himself, had been charmed by him. He knew the man could be flattering and attentive while at the same time remaining aloof enough to constantly seek his approval. Thankfully, Ivan had been distracted by his own western interest to not be entranced by the worse of it. After all, when Ivan had such relations with Arthur, he was still somewhat sober. These days, it was apparent the man was living bottle to bottle. Yao’s obliviousness would amaze Ivan to this day because even now, as Ivan glanced at those eyes, he could see clearly the daze of alcohol.

He finally let Yao slip from his grip as he took in Arthur’s appearance and attitude. To think this man was proclaimed the world power at the time. Looking back on it now, it was actually quite pathetic. Both Alfred and himself had managed to surpass such simplicity in power with ease, and yet this man walked around as if the world was owned by him. He supposed he would use this opportunity to his advantage, in hopes to finally open Yao’s eyes to clarity. He smiled, his fake smile, as he looked at Arthur. “Da, I am joining for dinner. I am quite tired from journey from America. I recently took the boy’s virginity, and he has quite the energy. Many many nights, da. I need good meal to recover,” he answered causally as he took a seat at the table.

[China - Wang Yao]

Ivan was not making any sense to Yao and the more he tried to justify it the less he understood. Yao was happy at home with his family. He was happy here with Arthur. Arthur was a wonderful man and a wonderful father. When he was gone both Leon and China missed him and clearly waited for him to come home. Arthur had become the center of their lives and they were okay with that. Why couldn’t Ivan see how happy they were and why did he want to disrupt that? “Ivan… I-“ He stopped as he heard he door open and familiar footfalls entered into the room.

Yao visibly brightened the moment he saw Arthur. A genuine smile spread across his face and he sighed happily. China was the opposite of his usual self. Completely focused on Arthur, his heart filled when little Hong Kong squealed with glee upon getting affection from his father. Their family couldn’t be any more beautiful. Little Leon was more and more like his father every day and he was becoming a handful, but he didn’t mind. How could he mind when Arthur came home? It was like everything was right in the world.

Yao was all blush when Arthur kissed his cheek. He swooned with Arthur close to him. “Shi… It was …. Somewhat of a surprise.” He commented and looked at Ivan again. His servants quickly moved to do what Arthur said. It was apparent rather quickly that Yao had been letting Arthur make demands here. His attention went quickly back to Arthur and he moved to the table to sit down. “Of course Ivan can join us….I’m so glad you’re home Arthur… I’ve been waiting all day.” He said with almost an impatient pout. “I was hoping you wouldn’t make me wait so long today…” He adjusted himself on the floor pillow and seemed a bit uncomfortable.

[England - Arthur Kirkland]

The British Empire certainly wasn’t a soft and gentle presence in the world, and despite Arthur’s current inebriated state, he had worked quite hard for that position. Arthur typically had to work hard to receive anything decent throughout his lifespan. This wasn't something that simply fell into his lap. It was for this reason, that he rarely felt the need to say anything to secure his position, he only had to show it through his actions and the end product of his work. And as of right now, Yao was a current project of his. The British Empire had yet to reach into the Eastern front to get proper and exclusive trade. There were quite a few items that Arthur had coveted and wanted to be a part of his global reign. At the same time, life was complicated. He hadn’t expected to stay here as long as he did; and he certainly hadn’t expected the creation and eventual arrival of Hong Kong in the form of this small child. Despite his cruel level of ambition, Arthur did show genuine affection with the little one, and even with Yao most nights.

The servants were quick to set up the daily evening tea that Arthur frequently requested after the end of a work day. Arthur started to ready the tobacco in his short pipe, as he typically made it a habit to indulge in at least smoking a bit before dinner. ”Apologies for my lateness today. It’s been incredibly busy. Although, to make up for that, I have a few gifts. I’ll allow you to open them later tonight,” Arthur responded to Yao, giving him a brief, suggestive glance.

He did glance up at Ivan with his response from his work getting his pipe ready and lit, taking a slow drag. A touch of languid amusement evident among the slightly curved corner of his lips. ”I’m afraid you came a little late in the game, if that was your objective,” he murmured, although he didn’t offer anything more than that. He had a feeling that Ivan already was well aware of some of the typical conditions that came with France’s aid during the war. If he wasn’t aware of that, then he must’ve been oddly naïve about that side of negotiations between nations. But Arthur moved on, since he didn’t really want to dwell on France and America on any conversations tonight. ”So, what brings you all the way here? That's quite a long journey for you from that side of the globe.”

[Russia - Ivan Braginsky]

He had forgotten how in this century Arthur had a talent of agitating him. Arthur had once been incredibly charming, charming to the point that even Ivan had grown a crush on him, but after the Seven Year’s War and the American Revolutionary War, the man arrogance became less charming and far more irritating. He suspected the reason for his own change in heart had to do with Arthur’s behavior to two people he cared deeply about during this time, Alfred and Yao. Arthur treated both so poorly, and it frustrated Ivan to see, especially now, after all he knew. The man treated Yao’s home as if he owned it, evening having the audacity to smoke within these walls. When Ivan lit a cigarette once inside Yao’s home, he remembered the shorter nation immediately scolding him and shooing him outside so the scent would not stick his home. Arthur’s causally preparation of his pipe only proved that this was not the first time he had smoked here and likely would not be the last. His suggested remarks to Yao brought a brief narrow look from Ivan, as he quickly tried to appear neutral. How could Yao not see what was so plainly evident before him? Arthur was using him, and it pain Ivan to watch.

The touch of humor in Arthur’s eyes only added to Ivan’s annoyance. Arthur’s presence becoming a pebble that one could not shake out of their shoe. These years had certainly started the souring of their relationship, and he felt reminded why with each passing moment. He would always remain polite to the Island nation, but this nation did not deserve to strut around like an arrogant peacock. He kept his forced smile, not showing any sign that his statement had bothered him, though it admittedly had. His mind briefly pausing from his mission in saving Yao to think of Alfred. He had not said those words thoughtlessly. He knew Arthur to still be obsessed with his boy, the war of 1812 was likely right around the corner if not partially behind. He had hoped his statement would draw a reaction from the nation, but instead, it appeared Ivan was being welcome with unpleasant new information.

Ivan remembered Alfred and his first time incredibly clearly because it was a start their century long serious relationship, and it took place shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War. The only reason he was nearly certain that he was the one who took Alfred’s virginity was because it was quite a contentious point at the beginning. He had met Alfred a few times prior when he was incredibly small, but at some ceremony celebrating the end of the Seven Year’s War, he met him again as a fully-grown colony. He had not thought much of the teenager until the teenager ended up following him on one of his nightly expeditions. It was the first of many meetings that randomly occurred, prior to the Revolutionary War, and the start of Ivan falling into something he had never quite suspected. Being the teenager that he was, he often seemed to be in a race for physical closeness, and Ivan had to continue to pull him back to the start. Ivan always recognized the seriousness of losing one’s virginity. After all, his own was stolen from him without a choice, so when Alfred requested and requested, Ivan continued to deny him. He told him he did not want that responsibility on his shoulders. It was not until Ivan visited him after the Revolutionary War to congratulate him on his success did he finally succumb to Alfred’s request. If someone else had already taken it, he would have suspected Alfred to merely tell him. He had certainly considered either Francis or Gilbert stepping into such a role with their own role in the war, but Alfred still claimed to be a virgin, and it was an odd thing to lie about.

Ivan did not know why it bothered him so to hear this information. Maybe Arthur did not know what he was talking about, then again, for all their bickering Francis and Arthur were quite close, so words could be shared. It could be that Arthur was attempting to rile him as Ivan had been attempting to rile Arthur with his own phrases, but his response seemed far more humored than dishonesty. It upset him, and it upset him that he was upset because Alfred and him were no longer in a serious relationship in the future. In the end, it did not matter, but….Ivan had truly valued that evening they had together. Why would Alfred lie to him? Unless the boy was truly an idiot and did not know what losing it meant. Then again, Alfred did lie. He lied all the time. It should not come to a surprise that the beginning of their first expression of love for one another was also a lie. God, he was such an old fool to have fallen for such a ploy.

He briefly was lost in his own thoughts, not noticing Arthur’s following question at first. “Hm?” he said offhandedly before focusing back on the situation at hand. Alfred had broken his heart, many times. Their relationship being born from a lie would fit. He could not dwell on what he could not change, and he would not give past Arthur the satisfaction of upsetting him. Yao needed his help. He smiled softly, meeting Arthur’s eyes. “I have come to save Yao from you,” he answered honestly and to the point.

[China - Wang Yao]

It was clear that Yao was head over heels for the empire in the room. He watched him as he moved about with authority and asserted himself over the things Yao was already doing. He bowed a quarter when Arthur apologized to him. It wasn’t needed for him to apologize for him being late, but it was kind of him to do so. Yao was just waiting for him to come home most of the time. Hong Kong kept him very busy throughout the day. He was just as much of a handful as he imagined Arthur was as a child. When Arthur was home Leon was more well-behaved, but his presence seemed to make a difference.

With Arthur’s suggestive glance Yao turned red in the cheeks. Only a bit could be seen through his makeup but it was clear he was flustered by his words. “You are so sweet.” He acknowledged that he got him gifts and lightly rubbed one of his cheeks. His touch was light enough to where he wouldn’t pull too much of his makeup off.

Moving to a conversation about Arthur’s boy was a welcomed change of subject. It was slightly annoying that it was no longer about him, but at least Ivan didn’t have to hear about their personal affairs. The subject matter was confusing to him. Was there some kind of deeper relationship between Ivan and Arthur’s boy? What an odd connection for him to make. Arthur’s boy was so young and inexperienced, not that Yao knew very much. He imagined that Arthur would bring up the boy when he was ready but right now they had their own family to focus on.

Yao moved right passed Arthur, the pip not seeming to bother him at all. He traveled to the table and sat down as soon as everything was presented. He hoped that him sitting at the table would be a que for the others to join him. “Please sit.” Yao said somewhat less clearly in English. He’d been practicing the language since Arthur had been spending so much time with him. Ivan’s statement threw him off and he reverted back to Chinese quickly. “Save me? What do you mean? Save me from what?” He asked quickly and blinked with an unknowing stare.

Ivan was either mistaken, or he was trying to come in between them and stir something up. He was such a sweet child, but he could be overly attached at times. He’d grown so much since he last saw him. Come to think of it, Ivan looked stronger and taller than before. There was something different about the way he held himself. When Ivan was done visiting he was going to have to discuss this with Arthur and see if he felt the same.

[England - Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur’s eyes remained on Ivan, calculating, considering. From Arthur's perspective, Ivan seemed very different, perhaps a bit older and larger. Aside from the strange clothes that Ivan was wearing, this seemed like a different person that had abruptly walked in. If the idea weren’t so ridiculous, he might’ve assumed some rather bizarre things. Then again, Arthur was the sort of nation who was more given to fantastical explanations for strange events, from his own arcane practices and beliefs reaching back to when he was young. Everything that Arthur said and did was purposeful, his routine that had settled in Yao’s home had been a routine that had been established for a long while now. It was almost amusing that only now someone had noticed that something didn’t seem quite right with what Arthur was doing in the East. The more likely reasoning was that no one particularly cared what he did, because the rest of them were doing similar things to other nations at this moment in time. And they would continue to do so long after he'd left. Once an Empire was in power, it typically was the precursor to brutal events, and no one ever gave Empires a second glance. The scrutiny was absent until they were no longer in power.

There was a small bit of rare softness in Arthur’s brief glance toward Yao when he heard him attempting English. Small moments like that gave away aspects of Yao that Arthur hadn’t quite expected during their time together. Arthur’s fingers slipped over against Yao’s knee, briefly grazing it in an unspoken message, before he retrieved his hand.

Arthur didn’t at first react with Ivan’s statement that he wanted to save Yao from him. His eyes were bright with intent and knowing as he retained eye contact with the other nation. He heard Yao’s response to Ivan and he only broke the eye contact to take a sip of tea, calm and content. He took his time, slowly snuffing out his pipe and emptying the ash remnants into a tray to the side that had been previously set there for that purpose. ”What a preposterous notion,” Arthur commented, as if on the weather, as he glanced back at Ivan. A soft curve of his mouth mismatched with the coldness of his eyes. His voice was equally as mild. ”You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.”