It was the first day of spring. Of course, since it was Russia, it was still freezing cold and ice sickles clung to everything. The snow which powdered the landscape reflected off of the ice, causing it to be almost blindingly bright outside. It was a welcome change; sometimes it was so cold and dark that it seemed like even the sun had forsaken them. The Baltic trio sat huddled on their threadbare beds, roused early by a painfully luminous sunrise. Instead of catching a few meager minutes of sleep, the group had decided to sit up and enjoy their company, as well as the sun's. A small, digital alarm clock shrieked, telling the trio it was time to get to work. They sat in silence for a moment more, the pale shades of pink and orange painting the sky and reflecting off of Estonia's glasses.

The Baltics made their way to the large kitchen to prepare their Boss's breakfast. Lithuania, in the lead of the group, threw open the thick curtains and gasped. Through the thick glass panes of the window, their daily view of a white snow landscape was interrupted by the hulking figure of Russia. Latvia and Estonia also stopped dead in their tracks.

"What is he doing out there, trying to catch a cold?" Estonia was confused.

"Shhh! Mr. Russia will hear you! Close the curtains, brother..." Latvia was nervous.

Lithuania ignored his brothers and took a closer look. Russia was knee deep in snow, clearing out a patch. Red clay pots came into view, melting snow saturating the viciously malnourished soil with freezing water. Lithuania watched as the larger nation gently (if that word could ever be used to describe such a man) emptied out the water of each of the five pots. When he was finished, he took a cloth pouch from the inside of his heavy soviet-era jacket and produced a handful of small seeds. His face twisted into an unusual expression of joy, unused muscles groaning in the cold air. The maniacal grin grew as he buried each seed in ash-grey dirt, stood up proudly, and shook the snow and filth off of his pants. The brothers ducked low, not wanting to anger their captor. He stepped inside, bringing a cold blast of air with him. The three cowering nations internally groaned when they were handed a heavy set of cold and dirty clothing for washing.

The incident was quickly forgotten by two of the Baltics, long gone under a pile of more pressing worried. For Lithuania, however, it did not go away. Some times he caught Russia looking eagerly out the window or, on a nicer day, pacing outside by the row of flower pots. It wasn't until the particular events of morning unraveled before he fully understood.

Lithuania was up before his brothers, and decided to make himself a cup of tea and get a head start on the day's work. Through the open window, a warm and sweet breeze blew. The nation peacefully stood up to observe the surrounding area from the kitchen window. Spring had most certainly thawed out the Arctic land enough for grass to be revitalized in bright green and colorful spring buds begin to grow. One thing that did not grow was sunflowers, even Russia had noticed that. There he was, outside with a watering can. It looked almost as old as his overcoat, with chipped green and yellow paint. Sorrow filled those large, purple eyes as he muttered to himself (or maybe to the flowers which had not grown) in his native tongue. Lithuania caught pieces of the one sided conversation through the window. "Why...always die? Here...cursed."

Lithuania couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for his boss, all he wanted was sunflowers! Russia turned around, catching Lithuania eyes. Purple eyes met blue eyes, but Russia dismissed it with a defeated expression. hocked, Lithuania returned to work.

It was May, and Lithuania had just been at the markets in Moscow buying groceries and some things for Russia's estate. On his way back, something caught his eye. A hint of yellow, and a welcome scent. Sunflowers! Looking at the round head framed by buttery yellow petals, Lithuania understood a little bit of why Russia liked them so much. Smiling to himself, he bargained with the flower seller and added five sunflowers to his burden.

Back at Russia's house, Lithuania thought he was alone. Both Latvia and Estonia had been sent on their own respective tasks, and Russia was no where to be seen. Whistling a folk tune from his childhood, the Baltic nation put away the various foodstuffs and miscellaneous items he had bought and then headed outside to where the flowers were waiting. He made a hole in the thin soil which each pot and took out each sunflower carefully, cupping their fragile roots in his calloused hands. With a steady demeanor, he placed the delicate flower inside the pot and spread a fresh layer of rich soil on the top. He knew that the plants would have enough nutrition to survive until summer. Repeating that for each of the five sunflowers, Lithuania stepped back and admired his work. He had not realized how warm it had gotten, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a dirty sleeve. He smiled, thinking that the view from the kitchen would be brightened by the new, yellow addition nd turned around. Right into Russia.

"Mr. Russia! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there." He stepped back as the larger nation chuckled.

"Careful." He said no more, but pressed a glass of cold tea into his subordinate's hands. The surprise of it made Lithuania step back again, almost dropping the glass.

"Thank you, sir." He chuckled deeply.

"Before I knew what General Winter could do, my dream growing up was to be in a warm place surrounded by sunflowers. Now the best I can do is to be in a cold place with a nice view of them."

Lithuania sipped the tea, not knowing what to say. The drink tasted like his homeland, bringing back memories. He slowly drank it, savoring the subtle hints of barley, beets, and berries. The two nations stood in the sun, admiring the flowers. They did not need to say anything; it was a good moment.