Chapter Text
Russia was the third country he ever met in his existence, and anyway it was usually his brother who met new people, because he was more friendly as everybody told them. He decided not to count his brother in this list as they were always together since creation. Until they were not. First country was China. He was quite a polite country and took good care of both Koreas, at least Im Hyung Soo thought so. Second one was Japan. He hated him. Only America he hated more. He conquered them, never reckoned with them and generally considered them an inferior country, and killed people on their lands. He hated Japan. Third one was Russia. After they got their liberation, this one, America, made a decision to divide them, divide their territories in half. He stayed with Russia in his big house called the Soviet Union for a few years in order to learn about his culture and country structure, his brother went to live with the United States of bullshit. He missed his brother really much, people missed each other until they were not…
Ivan himself was really kind to him, he taught him, well everything. From the first days in Soviet home he learned that if he did not work hard he would not be able to achieve anything. Im Hyung Soo liked everything about Russia and his country. Winters were beautiful, Ivan gave him as a present a warm hat, shapka ushanka in Russian, with a red star in the middle, and a warm overcoat. In the summer he gave him a red pioneer tie with a badge with Lenin's face. He even learned the Russian language. The only thing he couldn't understand is why Ivan called him a girl.
“You are so cute and beautiful, Korea, like my sisters!” - Ivan was braiding his long and black hair in a Russian braid, “look, I specially made a ribbon for you, right in the color of your new flag.” - and he tied a newly made braid with it.
“Thank you, Ivan. I will always cherish it.” - and Korea smiled.
Russia introduced him to his sisters. They were nice but he preferred Belarus. Somehow they had similar personalities? Yes, that was probably it. What he did not like is that she wanted Russia only for herself, which is unfair. He also really liked Ivan. With the rest of the house he didn't get along very well. It felt like they were scared of him.
“You are so good at cooking, Korea!” - he and Ukraine were in the kitchen, cooking dinner. “Vanysha was right, you will become a really good housewife!” - she said happily.
Maybe now was the best time to ask why they thought he was a girl? “Comrade Ukraine, why do you think I am a girl? I am a man.”
She looked so shocked at first and then said, “really? I wouldn't even realise. But you are so small and thin! Oh, we urgently need to feed you more so that you grow into a man as strong as my brother.” And she started to run around the kitching putting him at least four plates full of food.”
“Mmm, I don't think I need so much food.” - Korea wasn't used to eating so much, and he was aware that he was smaller out of two brothers, but never was bothered with it. He still could work hard, and he would become as strong as the Soviet Union and would unite with his brother under the red flag. “Do you think Russia would like me less if he realize I am a man?”
“No, of course no, my brother likes everyone! His dream is to be friends with the whole world.” - she smiled and continued to cook.
Korea was happy to know that, because he probably likes Russia too much.
His boss believed that North Korea and his people were already strong enough to break a war and unite both Koreas. And Hyung Soo thought that too. Unfortunately, Russia was against war, “Comrade, Hyung Soo, the war is a tragedy, and when one nation is killing each other is even more of a tragedy then when people are defending their land. Believe me, I experienced it in my existence.”
“Thank you, Russia, for your wisdom. But I worked hard enough and I believe my people's cause and determination is much greater.” - North was sure about it, Ivan will see it, the whole world will see it. They would be able to be all together, equally, happy family.
If not for that disgusting, capitalist country and his brother's stupidity, two Koreas would be able to be united together. Well fine, if South Korea wanted to continue sucking America's dick, so be it. In the end the war dragged on and Ivan had to help Im Hyung Soo. He finally saw that the war was inevitable. And he was able to see the power of a great Red Army, from the bravery of soldiers to the different weapons, oh how North loved weapons. To feel the weight of the machine gun in his hands, and the smell of gunpowder... Im Hyung Soo really, really liked Ivan too. He turned out to be an inhumanly strong person. Perfect role model to North Korea.
“Ivan, Ivan?” - Hyung Soo asked quietly knocking on the door where Ivans room was. The war was in full swing, they lived together in one of the houses for the soldiers.
“Da? You can come in.” - Russia answered and Korea came in. He was thinking about it for some time already, and came to the conclusion that he liked Ivan too much, probably it was even love. He loved everything about the man, his culture, his voice when he was singing war songs, monuments that were a lot in Russia, military parades and weapons. Russia was perfect.
Russia was lying on the bed reading some book, the room was lit only by one candle.
“Comrade, did you want something?” - Ivan put the book on the bedside table.
Hyung Soo carefully and slowly began to unravel his long hair, and then running his hand into it, gently ran his fingers through it to untie. Then he slowly walked over to the bed and sat down next to Ivan, who was watching him carefully.
“Yes, yes I wanted… I wanted to be more than just a comrade to you.” - and Hyung Soo kissed Ivan with all the passion he could put in this kiss.
Time passed, and the government forced them apart and did not allow them to visit each other. North Korea's government almost isolated him from all the world.
“Don't worry, dear Korea, I will always be looking after you. Through the connection of our territories at the bearder I would feel your presence and you mine. Here,” - Ivan from his pocket pulled out some seeds, “this is my favourite sunflower seeds, sow these seeds, let them grow into beautiful sunflowers that will remind you of me.”
“I will, Russia, I will definitely do it.” - North Korea tried not to cry.
Time passed, and out of the few sunflowers that Korea sowed grew a whole field of sunflowers. The world changed, he became an outcast of the whole world, countries shunned him as if he were a leper. Whatever, he doesn't care. He became a strong and feared country. Russia also changed, he was no longer living under the red flag. But he was always there for Korea together with China. Helping with resources, food, allowing to work in his lands. North Korea's leader even allowed a few times a year to go and to meet Russia personally. Hyung Soo liked these visits…
North Korea was collecting sunflowers to put them in his house as a decoration. He got stuck in his thoughts for a few minutes, remembering how Ivan gave him these seeds which grew in a beautiful field… Maybe he can…? This is stupied, this would be too sentimental...But still?
Russia was cooking pies with mushrooms and cabbage in the kitchen. Tasty! And now to brew tea from a samovar and in general life is a success. Suddenly he heard a light knock on the door. Strange, who could it be? Sister Belarus usually never knocks, he had to give her a key so that she would not knock down the door every time. China or India usually always warn when they are about to come, and Serbia always knocks on the door, as if a herd of bears were chasing after him, shouting “Russia, Russia open!”
He listened, no more knocking. But Ivan still decided to go check it out. He opened the door but there was nobody. Huh?! Strange… Then accidentally he looked down and saw a big bouquet of fresh and very bright sunflowers tied with a red-blue ribbon. Some piece of paper was tied to it. Ivan picked it up and took out a piece of paper and examined it. It was a photograph of a huge field of sunflowers. Russia smiled and whispered “I miss you too. Hope next time you will not be shy and come for dinner.” And I decided that he would definitely frame this photo and hang it in the kitchen. And the bouquet of flowers stood on the table even after all the flowers had wilted.