I know I said I wouldn't update before the exams are over, but now the brunt of it all is over and done with, so I decided to be lazy for the remainder of the day. Plus, I'm not feeling so hot at the moment, but no one else should be feeling like this, so I'm posting this chapter in the hopes of pleasing at least somebody.

I know this is really short compared to the last chapter (the length of which will not be the standard for this story), but now that I'll soon be liberated from schoolwork for quite a while, I'll be able to spend more time on this, and while I don't want to make any promises that might get broken, I'm hoping to update fairly soon.

Note: Apparently, FanFiction documents don't save question marks and exclamation marks written together. No idea why. However, it does support a less commonly used combination of those two punctuation marks, the interrobang. You'll see it a couple of times in this chapter, and I made the necessary changes in the other two chapters too, because in the meantime, I don't want to resolve using only question marks when the character is supposed to be protesting or sound astonished.

Thanks to everyone who faved and alerted this; I really appreciate it, but perhaps you could leave just a couple of words behind too, yes? That would be so lovely...

Eventually, January made way for February, and Ivan guessed that his letter must have gotten delivered to Alfred by now. But he didn't expect a response, at least not by means of a letter, for shortly before Valentine's Day, his boss and Alfred's boss would meet to make arrangements that would hopefully strengthen the new friendly approaches the two nations had made towards one another after the Soviet Union had met its end. Surely there would be an opportunity on which Alfred could shed some light onto the whole business about instructions: it was high time for that as the puzzle was nearly complete now. All the sunflowers had been put together, and all that was left was the blue sky. That would certainly be the more tedious part because many pieces were the same color; at least with the sunflowers, he had been able to tell if the piece belonged to a larger or a smaller flower, but the sky? Until one could break it down to a couple of pieces, it really was just a matter of trial-and-error.

Alfred had (unbeknownst to the man himself, of course) invaded his thoughts plentifully ever since he had received the present from him, but especially during the last few days before the meeting, he hardly ever seemed to leave Ivan's mind as the Russian both reminisced on their shared history and wondered what he should do and say upon meeting the other nation. "Be yourself", Toris had said… but what if the creepiness the brunet had mentioned would get in the way? What then? Needless to say, Ivan's sleep during the flight from Moscow to London – the designated meeting place – had been quite restless as it kept occurring to him that perhaps he and Alfred wouldn't get much, if any, "alone time" together because a meeting in London meant that Arthur's presence was inevitable. Knowing that the latter wasn't necessarily fond of him, Ivan was sure that the Englishman would want to keep an eye on Alfred, for despite things that had happened between those two in the past, Arthur was still decently attached to his former "little brother".

When he first laid eyes on the American as the meeting was about to commence, he just couldn't help but think that he looked great: Alfred was radiant, his bubbly and carefree attitude surrounding him like an aura as he was talking into a cell phone. Ivan glanced back at his boss and suggested that he would follow as soon as he had greeted Alfred. To his relief, the suggestion was approved, and the two presidents went ahead into the meeting room. Ivan took a deep breath, then began to approach Alfred, who was still babbling away merrily.

"…seems like ages since we last met. …Yeah, but– Iggy, stop nagging! We're cool! Will you get off my back if you can come to lunch too? Yeah? Awesome!" He looked up, and noticing Ivan's presence, his smile became even sunnier, and he sounded downright excited as he added: "Gotta run now, I've got company! See ya, Iggy!"

The beginning of an indignant protest from the other end of the line got cut off mid-sentence as Alfred punched the button to the end the call.

"Ivan! Good to see you again, man!"

And just like that, he hugged the taller man, squeezing him tightly. For a moment, Ivan seemed to be paralyzed, not having expected such a hearty greeting (and because Alfred surely was tapping into his inhuman strength just then), but just when he was about to return the gesture, Alfred released him – well, almost – and looked up, all smiles.

"So, how have you been? I'd wish you a Merry Christmas, but it's a little late for that now, huh? I gotta make sure I get that straight next time! Hey, maybe you could come to my place for the holidays, then I definitely wouldn't get it mixed up –"

Ivan wished he could have just stood there and listened to this somewhat characteristic rambling a little longer, but he felt that they were being watched now, and even as he remembered with a pang of remorse what he had told his boss, he couldn't stop a soft chuckle from escaping his lips. Miraculously, it did the trick to make Alfred pause and blink as if in confusion.

"It's good to see you again too… Alfred."

"Did you just… laugh?"

"Indeed. Forgive me for cutting off your speech, but we are being awaited."

"Huh?" Alfred's gaze wandered over to the door where Ivan's boss stood, who needed only the look in his eyes to tell them that it was high time they moved along. So quickly that it could have easily been missed, a glance was stolen at Alfred's arms, which had still half-enveloped Ivan in the welcoming hug. Not failing to notice that glance, Alfred let go as suddenly as if he had been electrified, and he nearly stumbled on his own words as he hurriedly said: "Oh yeah, sure! Wouldn't wanna hold up the meeting…!"

With quite a snap in his step, he hurried into the meeting room, and Ivan followed with a well-hidden wisp of dismay because the pleasantly warm embrace had come to an end so abruptly.

The meeting went absolutely fine, but Ivan couldn't concentrate properly since he couldn't help but notice an unusual change in Alfred's behavior. The blond seemed rather distressed about something, occasionally muttering things under his breath or simply mouthing the words, and when he did happen to meet Ivan's eyes, he reminded the Russian of the way Toris had used to look at him when fearing that he had screwed up and was in for it. But why was Alfred acting like that now? He hadn't done anything wrong…

When it was finally time for the lunch break and it had been decided when the meeting would continue, Alfred swiftly left the room, closely followed by Ivan.

"Alfred, wait!"

A gloved hand reached out and grabbed his arm. Instantly, the American stopped in his tracks.

"Did I do something wrong before the meeting commenced? Or was it something I said? If so, I apologize profoundly…"

"No, it wasn't your fault… it was mine…"

The grip on his arm lessened as Ivan moved to stand beside him.

"How was it your fault?"

"I don't think your boss was all that cool with how I hadn't let go of you. It's not good to hold on to others against their will," Alfred muttered, staring at the checkered floor.

"I know not what my superior thought about that incident, but I want to let you know that it wasn't against my will," a soft voice informed him.

Alfred looked up, a hint of uncertainty still apparent in his expression. "Really?"

"Trust me; if it had been against my will, I would have found a way to make you let go."

Perhaps that had not been his wisest choice of words, Ivan mused as he watched the look on Alfred's face change from uncertain to alarmed. But "doing something about his creepiness" was not all that easy, for that was just… well, the way he was, really. He couldn't turn himself inside-out, after all, even though he was more than an average human.

"Riiiiight…"

Perhaps a change of subject would be a good idea. "Did you receive my letter?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, that! Sure, but I figured I could let it be since I'd meet you personally before another letter would get to you."

It made Ivan happy to see that Alfred's usual grin had returned.

"Then would you be so kind to elaborate about those instructions of yours?"

"First of all, I really wasn't doubting that you know how to solve a puzzle; I mean, you're a smart guy and all… You mean you've put it all together?"

"Admittedly, no. The sky has yet to be completed."

"So you saved that part for last? Heck, I can't blame ya; I do the same thing. Isn't it boring when you've just got shades of blue to deal with? You know, I used to pore over puzzles with Iggy when I was little. He always bitched a lot because I just couldn't sit still long enough and got bored when I couldn't fit any pieces together. Apparently it can improve your concentration skills or something, but I was always more fond of playing ball and running around…"

And he was off again, rambling as he recalled memories of the many times that Arthur had fruitlessly tried to help him get into the art of puzzle-solving. Ivan's question remained unanswered, but the Russian didn't mind, for he was in Alfred's company now, something he had been longing for ever since receiving his present, and he was content with just listening to the other's incessant chatter as long as they could just spend time together.

For a while, they just stood there, then Alfred decided that it was time for a bathroom break. All the while, he nattered away as one subject always led to another with no end in sight while Ivan merely responded once or twice with preciously few words as well as a "Da" every now and then, a small but genuine smile never leaving his face. If someone had seen them in those moments, one would have gotten the impression that they were long-time friends instead of rivals until recently. As they finally exited the building, Alfred was still in full flow, and only God knew how long that would have lasted, had it not been for an interruption by a certain ticked Englishman.

"Alfred! Bloody hell, where are your manners? Impolite is far too nice a word to describe how rude it is to keep somebody waiting after you had invited them to lunch! Honestly, one would think I put no effort at all into raising you!"

The only reaction to this mini-rant was a laugh from Alfred as he launched himself at the former Empire. "I missed you too, Iggy!"

"Oi! Did you listen to what I said? If I had wanted a free hug, I would have asked for one!"

"You never said I'm not allowed to be happy to see you again." Alfred mock-pouted as he released Arthur, who grumbled and pretended to dust off his clothes. "Will you quit being a sourpuss if we hit the road now? As in: right now?"

"Throw in an apology for making me wait, and I shall agree."

"Geez, you drive a hard bargain, but fine! I'm sorry you've been cooling your heels because of me, okay?"

Finally satisfied, a smile began to dawn on the Brit's face. "That's more like it. Now let's get cracking before your lunch break will be over and you haven't had a chance to stuff your face."

"Yay! C'mon, Ivan!" Alfred called cheerfully to the Russian who was still standing at the top of the stairs.

"What?"

"What?"

Both other men uttered the same response, though Arthur's incensed exclamation easily drowned out Ivan's voice, which had been soft due to his surprise.

Alfred climbed the stairs again, grabbed Ivan's hand and tugged to make him follow, which he did.

"I thought you wanted to have lunch with me! Why are you inviting that swine to come along?"

The youngest of the three nations grimaced. "It wouldn't be cool to leave him behind while this meeting is supposed to improve our countries' relationship. And besides, don't call him that!"

"He called you a capitalist pig, remember? And you returned the fire with 'commie bastard', so don't get on my case!"

"Things have changed, Iggy! We're pals now, right, Ivan?" Alfred asked, looking up hopefully.

"Um… yes, indeed. We're… friends." He cursed himself for that second pause, but the only reason it had snuck into his response was that actually, if he was perfectly honest, he didn't want to be just "pals" with Alfred, but rather –

"I cannot say that I'm buying it," Arthur grumbled, eying Ivan suspiciously, "I don't like that pause he made."

"Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed today? Be a sport and let him come along! In fact, when you called me before the meeting, I offered that you could come to lunch too, remember?"

"You mean you knew you'd want to go eat with him from the very start?" Arthur sounded incredulous, but Alfred was unfazed by that.

"Well, duh."

A very tense moment of silence fell, but then Arthur caved in. "Alright, fine. Stupid, rash little…ugh… Better not come crying to me when…" Here, his voice dwindled to an indistinguishable mumble before his head snapped up again as he glared at Ivan. "But no funny stuff, Ruskie, understand?"

Ivan's eyes glinted at the other man's obvious distrust; even if he had been blind, he could have easily been able to tell that in this case, his presence wasn't welcome. However, he valued Alfred's opinion more than Arthur's. "If you would politely do the same, nobody will get hurt, da?"

The Englishman's green eyes narrowed at that remark, then he shook his head and gruffly prompted Alfred to "get going already".

"Hey, do I get to pick where we'll chow down? I'd love you forever if we could go to Mickey D's, Iggy!" Alfred chirped as the trio wandered off.

Arthur groaned. "Why don't you admit that you're actually trying to kill me, you twit?"

"Kill you?" Alfred repeated, horror-struck, "What makes you think I'd want to do that? Mickey D's isn't that bad…"

"You're right, it's not; it's worse. Come to think of it, it's a miracle you haven't keeled over yet," was the flat retort, "Can't I offer you something homemade instead?"

"Now who's trying to kill who?"

"Why you ungrateful little…! You used to love my homemade meals!"

"That was so long ago…"

The two of them continued to bicker in this fashion for a while, being too engrossed in it to even notice that they were passing some perfectly fine non-fast-food restaurants. Ivan walked alongside the other two nations in complete silence, listening with half an ear as he observed his surroundings. He was a cross between amused and annoyed by the conversation he wasn't being a part of: while he couldn't deny that it was quite fun to see Arthur getting so agitated while not even being responsible for that himself, the insistent back talk of the bushy-browed man didn't sit well with him. Surely Alfred could be having more pleasant conversations with him, right? Or better still: with Ivan himself. Why couldn't he just –

"Hey Ivan, would you mind going to Mickey D's?" Alfred's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. Ivan blinked and found himself staring into what closely bordered on puppy-eyes. His face heated up at that look – hopefully it didn't show too much! Those blue eyes captivated all his attention, hence he didn't see how Arthur glared at him from his spot on Alfred's left.

"…Whatever you want, Америка."

Arthur bristled at the sudden use of Russian, and while Alfred had cursed it more than once during the Cold War, he didn't seem to mind now, especially since he understood perfectly well what had been said.

"Awesome! Let's go, paradise is waiting!" With those words, Alfred proceeded to make a mad dash for the nearest McDonald's, leaving particularly Arthur to futilely attempt escape due to the iron grip which he had on the hands of his companions.

I hope this was at least a little bit entertaining. Remember that is my first time writing any of the Hetalia characters, so I beg you not to be too hard on me in terms of potential OOC-ness. And please, please let me know what you think! Feedback is such a wonderful gift for an author, you know?

Russian translation (I'm guessing that pretty much everyone already knows it, though): Америка = America

I'll try to get the next chapter done as soon as possible, but I also want to finish a little fic about the soccer game USA vs. Ghana. Yeah, I know it's late, but I'm always late, so there ;)