Chapter Text
Cornflowers were certainly lovey but the problem was they were seen as more right-winged now and his beloved sunflowers were yellow and he wasn’t trying to end a relationship but take it to the next level…
With a sigh, Ivan stepped out of the way and pulled out his phone. He was limited to the selection of flowers in the shop, so unless he called around other large cities in other countries, he was stuck. Maybe he wouldn’t look too deeply into the meaning, but more look at the flowers Ivan was presenting…
No, he would. Ivan just knew he would! With a sigh, he selected a dozen red roses. A symbol of romantic intent in most any country, so they’d be clearly understood.
The roses were set in a vase and he kept touching the petals all day, trying not to bruise them.
A large sunflower was added to them the next day and Ivan touched that during the whole meeting instead, the roses left on the table next to him. Thankfully no one bothered him about them, but he could hear the whispering and everyone kept looking at him.
Worse, the target of his affections was giving him strange looks too. Slouching in his seat, Ivan pulled his scarf up over his nose. That hurt more than he thought it would. The sunflower was comforting though and he took it up in his arms, letting the petals touch his face. With a sigh, he rubbed a few between his fingers, wondering when he should give the roses. Certainly not around other people.
The meeting didn’t make much headway and Germany dismissed them in a fit of anger, postponing the meeting until the next day. America plopped down in the seat next to Ivan with a grin that read trouble.
"Hey big guy. Gonna ask someone out? Belarus isn’t here you know"
"I know that and they are not for her," Ivan snapped, grabbing the roses and holding them against his chest with his sunflower.
The paper crumpled and he winced. His roses!
America and China laughed and snorted respectively, and Ivan stood up, mortified.
"You are both bad people!" he told them loudly and all but ran off, stepping outside into the other nations who were gathered outside the conference room door. Germany and Japan thankfully were looking at him with sympathy, and France smiled warmly.
"Do no listen to them, Russie. Who are you propositioning? Is she nice? Sweet?"
"It’s not she…" Ivan murmured, pulling his scarf up again.
"Oh? Who is he?"
Ivan shook his head, cheeks turning red. France laughed, taking England’s arm.
"With such a gift, you are sure to succeed!" And off they went, arm in arm with England quiet for once and not protesting like he usually did.
That left Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada, who stared at him quizzically, their eyes going to the red roses. Germany cleared his throat, looking between the remaining nations and settling on Canada.
"I think we should go, don’t you?"
Japan nodded, turning away as Italy tilted his head.
"I don’t understand… Is it because—"
"Italy! Remember our lunch plans?" Germany interrupted, grabbing his arm and pulling too sharply.
Thankfully Italy seemed to get the hint and they left, leaving Canada who shifted nervously.
"They’re not for you," Ivan was quick to assure him. "I’m sorry if you thought they would be."
"No, no. It’s okay," Canada hurried to set him straight, and Ivan’s heart tightened. Would his crush be nervous about his affections too?
"Who.. Who is it?"
"It’s Germany…"
"Oh! That makes a difference, huh? Those are for him?"
Ivan nodded slowly.
"You better catch him quickly. He’s fast."
Ivan took off down the hall, grabbing Ludwig’s shoulder, shoving the roses in his face when he turned around. The other men gaped at the sudden action (Japan’s eyes were opened more than usual and he had an air of surprise, no solid reaction from him though) and Germany took the flowers, looking at them in shock.
"Er, Russia—"
"I like you," he blurted out. "A lot. A very good amount and I want to take you out."
The roses were examined and Germany’s shock seemed to be fading. “Me?”
"Yes. I think you’re a good person and you’re smart and handsome and I would like to court you."
"I, uh. Yes?" Germany was clearly shocked but he was agreeing and nodding, so it would be alright.
"I was thinking somewhere tonight?" Ivan asked hopefully, pushing his luck a little more.
It held, for Germany nodded again. “I.. don’t have anything planned for the night…”
"French?"
"Uh, yes?"
Suppressing a squeal of joy, Ivan hugged Ludwig tightly, crumpling the roses between them and kissing his new date full on the mouth.
"You have made me the happiest man in the world! Oh thank you, thank you!"