The Lonely Sunflower (Hetalia Russia Story)

Love

Lithuania blinked in response to the Russian's confusion on the word.

"Love, sir." He said softly, looking at Russia with equal confusion. "You have never heard that word before?" The larger nation shook his head, completely lost on the subject.

"What is love, Litva?" Russia questioned quietly, looking down. It seemed like such a well-known word. Everyone seemed to know it, why not him? How come he was the only one who has never heard of such a word? "I have never heard of that... what is it?"

The brunette looked at Russia with wide olive green eyes. How could he answer such a question? Yes, it was a pretty simple wonderment. Three words, one question to define the meaning of a four-letter word. However, at that moment, Lithuania realised that such a simple question could have so many answers.

"Love..." Lithuania said slowly, looking off in thought. "Love, I guess, could be described as a warm feeling usually caused by someone else. Or.. it could be caused by something non living. In a gist, it's an emotion that is felt when something happy or kind, or just any positive action/emotion, happens to you." Russia stared at the Lithuanian, perplexed. How come he'd never heard such a word?

"But... what if you've never experienced love? Does everyone have love?"

This question stirred the air around them. Lithuania blinked, not knowing how to react. Not once had the younger nation heard of someone not being familiar with the term love, let alone the actual feeling. That's when it hit him. That's when Lithuania realised what was wrong. Why Russia was how he was. Why Russia did what he did. Why he never understood what was wrong. Why Russia.. was Russia. He never experienced Love, let alone felt it. Russia had never been loved.

"Mr. Russia...?" Lithuania addressed him softly and gently. "Has... Has no one ever shown you love before? Is that why you don't know what it is?" He gained silence, answering his question. The beige haired nation shifted where he rested on the bed, looking away.

"I am not knowing what you are meaning by love..." Russia murmured, his violet eyes locking with Lithuania's olive green ones. "People are always taking about it and saying they 'love' someone... but I never know what they mean. No one's ever said they 'loved' me, and I have never loved anyone. At least, I don't think I have..." The Russian let out a breath before continuing with a sad smile. "I... I am wanting to find love. I want to feel love. I want to experience being loved. I want... I want love..." His smile faded slightly. "... but there is no one who will show me what love is..."

The room was once again surrounded by silence. Russia hung his head down, not wanting to look Lithuania in the eye. Lithuania looked at Russia then back at his own hands. He was still cleaning up around the bedside. After a moment or two, the brunette nation sighed.

"Wh-What?" Russia asked as he felt two arms wrap around him, pulling him towards their chest. The Russian felt the other person's arms squeeze him softly, not letting go. "What are you doing, Lithuania...?" Lithuania didn't let go of the Russian and continued to hold him close.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Russia..." The brunette said quietly. "I could never imagine what it must be like to never know or feel love. Whatever went on in your past, no one should experience stuff as that." Russia blinked, his body stiffening from the embrace.

"L-Lithuania..?" He said questioningly. "Why are you squeezing me?" Lithuania let out a light chuckle, pulling away.

"It is called a hug, sir." He answered with a soft smile. A hug. The first gesture of love Russia learned. The larger nation tilted his head, processing this new word and action.

"A... hug?" He echoed in response. It was a strange word with a strange sound. Hug. One syllable. Three letters. Hug.

"Yes, a hug." Lithuania said softly. "It is a gesture of love. There are many gestures of showing love, Mr. Russia." Russia's violet eyes stared at Lithuania with a look of wonder and awe, much like a child.

"Many...?" The Russian asked, all of this new to his mind. How many gestures were there? Two? Ten? A hundred? Who knows. All Russia knew was that he wanted to learn all of them. He wanted to love others properly, so maybe, he could be loved in return.

"Yes, Mr. Russia. There are many ways to show love and affection." Lithuania smiled gently, tucking some of his brown hair behind his ear. "It's not hard to learn, and when you do learn, everyone will be happy and treat you the same. If you show love, they will show love back." Russia nodded. Suddenly, he remembered his Allies. They were trying to tell him to treat others differently, but he didn't know what they meant. Now, he knew why. They were trying to tell him to be more loving than hurtful. A sad look crossed the Russian's face as he remembered what they said and what he did. If he could take it all back and just listen to what they were trying to say, he would. But, unfortunately, he never had the ability to turn back time.

"I have been very bad to my friends..." Russia sighed, looking down. "I hurt them, and one special one in particular." He took a pause before asking, "Lithuania, can you help me?" Lithuania blinked and tilted his head.

"Yes, anything, sir. What are you needing help with?"

"How," Russia began as he lifted his violet eyes once again to meet Lithuania's green ones, "do you learn how to love? I want to show others love.. I want to make amends with those I did wrong to." Lithuania's eyes softened at the question. It was a question only a child would ask.

"Time, sir." Lithuania said with a grin. "It all takes time to learn how to love. Watch others around you and they will show you how to express it and give it. For example, I hugged you. I taught you one gesture. You just have to open your eyes to see it, Mr. Russia." Russia grinned softly. There was hope for him being accepted by others. Hope in finally being about to have friends. Hope in finally being able to be warm instead of cold. Will this 'love' thaw his frozen heart? Will he finally be set free from this isolation?

"Spasibo, Litva. You are much of the kindness." Russia let out a breath. "Thank you, for teaching me that word. I pondered for so long to learn that word. So, thank you... Thank you for everything." Lithuania chuckled lightly and leaned over to wipe some of his beige hair out of his eyes.

"Another gesture of love," He informed the Russian, "Giving thanks." Russia's eyes widened slightly at his first time showing a gesture of love. Thanking someone. Who knew love could be so simple to show? The Russian giggled softly and leaned back in his bed.

"I will start to learn as soon as I can, Litva. Maybe... in the future I can show you what I've learned."

"Yes, I would gladly appreciate that. But for now, let's rest. You are still needing to heal." Russia nodded at the brunette's words and laid back onto his pillow. His violet eyes fluttered closed; a smile still evident on his lips.

"Sleep well, Ivan."

Love. A simple word with four letters and one syllable. Who knew such a small word could have such a big meaning?

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A/N:
Ah, this was a fun chapter to write. I hope you all liked it!

Oh! And thank you for the 1.7k views! I never imagined this getting that many reads!

Please comment your feedback, I love hearing it! Plus, it encourages me to write! :)

By the way, if you don't know, I started writing a Hetalia Zombie Apocalypse Fanfic so I would love it if you checked that out! Thank youuuu!