'Cause I ship Ivan/Liet like Columbus shipped across the Atlantic. Third Hetalia fic, second up. Derp.

Enjoy!

Toris had always held an affinity for Natalia, though the girl hated him with every fiber of her being. He couldn't blame her: he spent more time with her beloved brother than she had her entire life.

Toris wasn't sure what attracted him to her. Was it her smile? Albeit it was usually crazed, so most likely not. Definitely not her personality, no: she was a deranged lunatic with a brother complex. So what was it?

Toris's mind traveled to this question each night, after tucking Raivis into bed and heading towards Ivan's study, where he would either turn the light out, the man having fallen asleep already, or bid him goodnight. As he knocked on the heavy wooden door, Toris's thoughts began to conjure Natalia, though for some reason she didn't look right in his mind. She was taller, much taller, and her hair was short and bristly. Instead of her blue dress, the one that Toris thought accentuated her frame quite nicely, she wore a heavy coat, and for some reason, a scarf.

Toris's hand dropped after his last knock and he stared at the door, disbelieving. He was frightened, for sure, and he backed away from the door and into the wall behind him. His breathing was labored as he realized what he had seen.

Toris wasn't attracted to Natalia at all. The only reason he had found her charming, was the lingering charm of her brother. Toris gasped and his hands flew up to cover his mouth, as if he were afraid that Ivan would hear his thoughts if he left his mouth open.

The door groaned and slid open before Toris and Ivan appeared, looking slightly perturbed before noticing Toris on the ground. He formed that cold smile of his and giggled.

"Is my little Lithuania frightened of something? Perhaps he saw a ghost?" The sickly sweet tone of the man's voice gathered Toris's attention and his gaze snapped up to Ivan.

"Nata.... Russia...?" he managed between his fingers, his face hot with embarrassment.

Ivan giggled again and stepped away from the door, opening it slightly. "Da, come in, come in," he said, waving his hand at Toris as if he were encouraging him to win a race. The smaller man nodded and pushed himself up, walking through the doorway and into Ivan's study. The door was shut behind him.

Ivan was behind Toris in a matter of seconds, wrapping his coat-laden arms around his shoulders. "Mm, Lithuania almost called me by my sister's name. Why is that?"

Toris froze in his gasp, his eyes wide. Was it possible that Ivan knew of his secret attraction to the girl?

"Da, I know Lithuania loves her. And yet..." His voice trailed off for a moment as he leaned closer to Toris, his lips resting against his ear. "He is nervous and blushing in my presence."

Toris was speaking before he could consider that his mouth was moving before his brain. "I thought I loved her, but it wasn't her. She looks like you and I was afraid to harbor feelings for you because I wasn't sure what your reaction would be. I'm sorry." He took in a gasp of air, having uttered his confession in one breath. He felt Ivan move behind him and realized the man was laughing.

"Ah, little Lithuania, you were always my favorite."

Toris had never gotten to sleep so late before.

I cried inside when I found out that Liet has a crush on Natalia. Reviews are appreciated but not demanded, and flames will be used to stoke the fire of Mrs. Lovett's oven.