Ivan woke up to the sound of someone sobbing. There was a bright light above him, and it hurt even before his eyes were opened. He felt someone else's hand within his.

"Yao?"

"Ivan? Are you okay?"

Finally, blue eyes were given to the room and flickered because of the burning light. He was in a hospital.

"What am I doing here?!" He shot up, his head instantly filling with pain. A palm rushed to aid his forehead, eyes shutting tightly. "…Ah…"

"You passed out…" Yao wiped his eyes and sniffed. "…I came to see you and no matter what I did you wouldn't wake up…I was so worried you slipped into a comma or something…" His long red sleeve brushed past tear drenched eyes. "…Thank god you're alright…"

"Well…I don't know about all that…" Ivan managed to smile, making his companion smile back, a few more tears slipping onto his cheek.

"Don't even kid…That's not funny…" The droplets were taken away almost as soon as they came. "I was really worried…"

"I know…"

"Do you even know how hard it was to get in here? They were all speaking in Russian and everything…"

"I know…Thank you…"

The door swung open and a doctor came in, papers in hand and a pen.

"Oh…You're awake, Mr. Braginski…" He said in Russian, surprise spread all over his face. "…How do you feel?"

"…I'm…alright…I've been better…"

"Well, I'd certainly hope so…"

They conversed a few moments, the doctor analyzing the situation with occasional nods and questions. After a while, their words stopped, both of them seeming to think. Yao simply looked lost.

"…Well, it seems you're ready to go, but you should really eat a little more than you were…and lay off the vodka." Ivan's heart broke. "I would still suggest getting plenty of rest...But if you can do both of those things, you won't have to come back for a while…"

"Thank you…"

"Alright…You're free to go. If you feel that you need to stay, then stay…"

The one in bed nodded and they were left alone to talk with one another.

"…So…what happened?" Yao asked, eyebrows furrowed together in complete confusion.

"…He said I should eat more…and stop drinking vodka…"

"Aiya! Is that why you passed out? You have to eat…Food is good for you…"

"…I know…"

Instead of constructing a reply, Yao wrapped his arms around Ivan as best he could, their heads settling next to each other's. It was one of the most affectionate embraces they had yet. Gently, Ivan took Yao's torso and held him even closer, mixing in as much passion as he could.

The Russian wanted to say it, but he couldn't…

"Are you ready to go home?" Yao asked. "It's getting kind of late, but we can stay…"

"…Yes…I'm ready to go…" One of his hands gently graced the other's back, and they seemed to blend together even more.

"Okay…"

Yao was first to have his feet press to the floor, and was followed by Ivan. The two left together, walking into the snow with identical coats. It was especially cold out, but luckily it wasn't snowing. The world was completely still.

"…Is it too late to go get groceries?" Yao asked.

"I don't think so…but we don't have to go right now…and please don't buy me anything…"

"…Ivan…" The smaller of the two expelled a sigh. "…You know I'm going to…You might as well just let me…"

"…Alright…" Again, he was finding it impossible to win with this man.

Before returning home, they had two bags of groceries, each person responsible for one. The two looked at each, every glance fleeting.

The front door was opened and the first in was Yao, who put his food on the ground and wrapped his arms around Ivan before he could enter.

"…You're going to get something to eat…and we're going to get warm in front of the fire…and then you're going to tell me what was so funny…Does that sounds good?"

"…Yes…It does…" The Russian gave up his free arm to Yao, and after putting their groceries away, they positioned themselves in front of the fire place, sitting next to one another. There was a loaf of bread in Ivan's hands, which was already being depleted.

"…It's been a long day…" Yao pointed out. "…But it's good you're alright…I would have lost my mind if you weren't…"

Ivan smiled through a series of chews, unsure of what to say.

They were quiet a long while, the only sounds occupying the room being the crackle of the fire and the working of the Russian's teeth, and finally, even that faded, leaving only the light to speak.

But through all of that, Ivan's mind was running around in nervous circles, trying so desperately to make himself talk. Words refused to leak out. His lips were nearly sealed shut with the secret that lurked inside. He bit the side of his mouth, feeling even more nervous as the seconds past.

"…Ivan…" Yao was the first to speak.

"…Yes?"

"…I love you…"

Even the crackling of the fire stopped, the whole world freezing over and time becoming frigid with it.

"…When you were unconscious…there was a lot that went through my head…and…if you weren't around…I'm really not sure how I would go on…"

More silence.

"…I understand if you don't feel the same…but it's true…I love you…" He repeated. "I'd be a wreck if you weren't alive…and if you don't want to see me after this…that's okay too…I just want you to be happy…"

Ivan was still in deep shock. He couldn't even believe it…Was this really occurring?

"Please say something…"

Instead of replying with words, the Russian pressed his lips softly against Yao's, taking his body into a deep embrace and falling over on top of him. He made sure not to crush him against the floor.

The Chinese man's fingers brushed through Ivan's soft straw hair and their kiss became a bit deeper. They became a bit closer, arms wrapping around each other and tongues intertwining.

And finally, they stopped, eyes locking.

"I love you too…"

"…Really?" Yao asked.

"Mmm-hmm." Ivan answered, their lips brushing against each other's once again. "I've been trying so hard to tell you that I did…"

The Chinese man smiled and kissed his cheek, both of them joy filled.

And for the longest time, they remained on their sides, holding each other captive. Neither of them had words to speak. And why would they? They were happy.

"…Yao…Do you still want to see what I was going to show you?"

"Aiya…I don't even care anymore…" Ivan was given his lips a moment.

"Alright…" And Yao was kissed in return.