Characters (c) Hidekaz Himaruya

Fanfic (c) Diaspro, it is a translation from Russian

*banya is a Russian sauna. While washing in there people often use branches with leaves from white birch, oak, etc. for massage. They hit themselves gently with branches in order to improve the circulation.

"You should have put on something warmer, told you so," Russia glanced at China skeptically: a maroon roll-neck sweater, beige trousers, and fashionable boots. "It's about -15°C at my place already. I don't want you to get ill."

"As if catching cold is such a big deal aru," murmured China, blushing when Russia, keen in practical matters, took off his coat, wrapped Yao carefully in it and gave him his scarf. The clothes were rather big, but quite fit for the weather.

"You could catch there the flu, not less" smiled Ivan carrying Yao's bag on his shoulder and walking briskly towards his house. "Ask Francis or Ludwig, they'll tell you about Russian winters in detail."

"Won't you get chilled?" asked China. He could hardly keep the pace with Russia in all those clothes which still had Ivan's warmth.

"Don't worry about me."

All the way Yao was looking around. Lots of snow in the dark, trees covered with ice, black and bony… The sight was vaguely familiar. How many years passed since his last visit here? China could see white clouds of his breath. He walked knee deep in snow – Ivan had moved to the country for a couple weeks – soon Yao's feet grew cold.

"Almost got there," said Russia and pointed at the faint light far away.

"I don't think so", answered China doubtfully, burying his nose in the scarf and feeling a light, tasty scent. It smelled like bakery, but Yao couldn't tell which particular one.

"It's another wicked trait of my winters. You'll see, in three minutes we'll be there."

Just like Ivan said, they reached the house in almost no time. It was a big two-storied wooden house built of fine logs, and it was so warm inside. There was electricity and water supply, though modern conveniences looked a bit strange next to a huge white Russian oven.

"Welcome," Natasha greeted them with a little bow. "The banya is ready. Soon I will finish cooking, so don't stay there for too long," with these words Belarus glared at Ivan. He just grinned, helping China to take off the coat.

"What's wrong with her aru?" whispered Yao when Natalya went out to the kitchen.

"She's jealous," answered Ivan. His fingers slipped under the neck of China's sweater, making Yao blush once more, "and afraid that we'll have an affair again."

"There's no reason for that aru."

"Then why are you blushing?" asked Russia gently, his other hand lifted China's chin slightly as he leaned over.

"Vanya…"

In the kitchen, a knife began hammering the hardboard fiercely. Both of them gave a start.

"Stop bothering our dear guest, Ivan Braginski, or else you'll have no dinner at all!" they heard a malicious voice. Ivan raised his hands up in surrender, with a guilty and jolly smile.

"Then let's go to the banya, shall we?" said he, ushering Yao to the door.

"How did she know from another room aru?" asked an absolutely shocked China while removing an elastic band from his hair. Long black locks covered his pale shoulders, with a soft glimmer.

"Oh, good old partisan skills," answered Russia, folding his sweater neatly. "But she's fine. She's a nice sister and she'd make a lovely wife, too."

China swallowed. The past, which had been disturbed so carelessly, gave him a pang of jealousy. "I fell out of love with him, didn't I aru?" thought he innocently, but then looked at Russia's naked body and his heart missed a beat.

"I guess you're right," said China forcefully. He entered the steam room, his skin covered with droplets of sweat immediately – so hot it was there. "Just wanted to tell you, everything is in the past, you know. I came here because it was an order from my boss. He told me to improve economic relations with you aru."

"Don't say so," Russia came up to China from behind and hugged him tenderly over the shoulders.

"We've got singed once. What if we have to fight again in the future?"

"I'd sooner cut my hand off," answered Russia calmly. "You can feel it as well, da? Here…"

Russia's big hot hand drifted from China's right shoulder to his chest where his heart pounded fast.

"It's cruel… Let me go aru," pleaded China, desperately clinging to his logical and rational reasons, which supported him over these years. Suddenly Russia wanted to slap China across the cheek, but he knew that he couldn't. He could wrench Toris's arms and then fuck him raw all night long – Toris could endure it obstinate as he was. But Ivan couldn't treat Yao like that. He used to love Lithuania vehemently, burning out his soul; and Yao – he loved Yao dearly and gently, giving him all the tenderness and care. It's just wonderful.

"I must think it over aru."

"You have three days," said Russia at last. He released Yao's delicate shoulders and climbed onto the upper shelf.

"Why three aru?" China looked up at him and, heaving a sigh, got on the lower shelf. It was so hot there that his long hair was soon matted with sweat.

"It's New Year in three days. There's a Russian proverb: you will spend the year just like you celebrated it," noted Russia, brushing away silvery strands from his forehead.

"So how would you like to spend New Year's Eve aru?"

"If I tell you, you'll stain the shelf," grinned Ivan, making his hint more than clear.

"Vanya!" China jumped in indignation, red-faced. "Will you stop that foolish joking aru?"

"Which twigs would you like? It wasn't a joke."

"Juniper!" roared Yao. Why is Ivan talking to him like that – as if nothing changed? They used to be madly in love with each other and didn't care what Europe and America would say. But then – then they lost everything.

With his heart breaking apart China was shooting at his beloved one. He still remembers tears in Russia's violet eyes and a gun in his trembling hand.

Now Russia holds juniper twigs like a bouquet of flowers.

"How are things going aru?" China decided to change the subject, lying on his stomach.

"Fine. The boss is smart, we get everything in order little by little, revive our industry and so on. I need you so much," said Russia simply, hitting China's graceful back with twigs. An effort to change the subject failed now. At least Ivan couldn't see Yao's face turning scarlet. China knew from the very beginning that the visit would be hard and painful as the wounds of the past still hurt. But he couldn't imagine Russia would try to bring everything back so ingenuously. Well, just as he is – he is no hypocrite, and he never lies to himself. This very trait – and not only this –

Suddenly China realized it was not sweat but tears running down his face.

"Oh, a juniper needle," mused Russia. He took it off brushing his fingers over China's back. It was muscular and beautiful. "You grew stronger," said he in awe.

"I did," sobbed China suddenly.

"Hey, what's wrong?" asked Russia, confused. He took China in his arms and they sat on the bench, China on Russia's lap. "There, there, and I've promised you I would never make you cry again-"

"You silly!" China buried his face in Russia's chest, holding Ivan close.

"I see you've decided already, haven't you?"

"What?" started Yao, calmed down at once. "No, no, no aru. I have three more days aru! And let me go, will you aru?"

"Stop- stop-"

"What?"

"Stop jerking," gasped Ivan.

Dressed in clean clothes, fresh and cheerful they returned in the house.

"It's about time. I thought you melted away in there," said Belarus with a suspicious glance at Russia and China – they looked happy, their faces blushed. They sat at the table and tucked into a hotpot.

"Vanya-" called Natasha leaning against the doorpost.

"Yes?"

"Why are you looking so happy?" she pointed at Yao. "You topped him in there?"

"Not yet," smiled Ivan, patting Yao gently on the back as the Chinese choked and was coughing.

"Not yet?" exclaimed both China and Belarus. Russia just grinned and pierced a potato with a fork.

The original fanfic is there www(dot)diary(dot)ru/~Hetalia/p57564463(dot)htm