Hetalia Under The Big Top

Act 4: Yao And The Russian Bear

A/N A few notes, my dear audience. 

Unless the language uses mostly the Latin alphabet (i.e. French, Spanish) I will be spelling it phonetically. Two reasons. 

One: You will know better how it actually sounds. I don't you about you but, off hand, I don't know how these تдε你 are supposed to sound. 

Two: It is easier to translate. For those who really want to know what they are saying, I find it easier to type Spasibo than Спасибо in to Google Translate. 

Also, while I have put a lot of effort into translating, there will be many mistakes. I am, however, tired of futile research and do not want to make changes post publishing, so pointing out errors will not do any good.

That is all. Let the show go on!

Ivan cleaned up after Malchik's mauling and went back to check on him. He knew that Malchik is an unruly and energetic bear. If he didn't get enough activity, it made him anxious. And that's what he was. He paced back and forth in the front of the cage as Ivan approached. When he spotted Ivan, he stood up on his hind legs, leaning on the bars with his front paws.

"Sozhaleyu. I know you want to move around but you have to stay in here." Ivan tried to comfort, petting the bear through the cage.

Malchik dropped back on four feet and began rubbing up against the bars in an attempt to get closer to Ivan and his scratching fingers. Recognizing the bear's demand for more attention, Ivan went over to the gate. Malchik knew that Ivan won't open it unless he was on the other side of his cage, so he hurried right over there. Ivan unlatched the gates and went inside.

Ivan crouched down and Malchik lumbered back over to him. He rubbed against Ivan like a cat and Ivan started to scratch his favorite spot. Enjoying the petting, Malchik leaned harder against Ivan, hard enough to knock over a weaker man. Ivan laughed though, and sat down so the bear could lay its head on his lap.

"You are a needy one." Ivan giggled, continuing to pet the large animal that grunted in content.

They sat there for a while and Ivan leaned against the cage bars. He stroked Malchik's soft fur, and his thoughts drifted to his homeland. The landscape, the food, his family. Did they miss him? He wondered. He missed them. He wished he was home.

Ivan opened his mouth and a soft sound flowed out, sweet and calming.

Sleep, my beautiful baby, lullaby a-bye. Quietly the clear moon looks down into your cradle. I will tell you stories, I will sing you a song. Sleep on, close your eyes, lullaby a-bye.

"You have a nice voice, aru." Ivan jumped in surprise, waking Malchik in the process. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, aru."

Yao walked up to the cage so Ivan could see him.

"Nyet, nyet. It is okay." said Ivan, resettling Malchik. "I just dought I was alone."

"I was practicing on the wire, aru." said Yao, sitting level with Ivan. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"Dat's okay." said Ivan, smiling softly as he ran his hand down Malchik's long back. He liked having Yao around, so he didn't mind, even if he was caught singing a child's lullaby.

"What song was that?"

"Bayushki bayu. Moya mama would sing it to me to help me sleep."

"That's so cute, aru!" said Yao, and Ivan's smile turned embarrassed. "Can I hear it again?"

Ivan nodded and Yao turned around so they sit back to back through to bars. He hummed a moment then resumed the song.

Sleep, my darling, my own one, lullaby a-bye. Such a fine warrior you'll be to look at, and a Cossack in your soul. I will watch you go, see you on your way, and you'll wave your hand. How many bitter tears silently will weep on that night when you go? Sleep, my angel, sweetly, softly, lullaby a-bye.

"People use different words, but dat's how mama would sing it." said Ivan, after he'd finished the song.

He glanced back at Yao to see his eyes closed and head hanging to the side. That song was more powerful than he remembered.

He carefully moved the sleeping bear off his lap and got to his feet. Taking special care not to wake them, he opened the squeaky gates and stepped over to Yao. He was resting peacefully with his hands in his lap, his knees slightly bent upward. Ivan smiled but sighed. He couldn't wake him. He couldn't leave him there either.

He slid one arm around Yao's back and another under his knees and lifted him up. Yao gave a small whine but just leaned into the strong structure that held him, causing Ivan's heart to leap in his chest. No one had ever rested on him before, and to have someone he admired curl up in his arms gave him a feeling he had never felt before.

He carried Yao to his trailer and knocked on the thin Aluminum door. A few seconds, a tired Austrian opened the door, but he was snapped awake at the sight at his door step.

"Ivan?"

"Shhh." Ivan warned, waving the hand under Yao's knee. "He is asleep. I need to put him down."

Roderich nodded and moved aside to let Ivan in.

"Is he alright?" Roderich asked, keeping an eye on Ivan as he showed him to Yao's bed.

"Da. Just sleepy." Ivan whispered, setting Yao down and pulling the covers over him.

"Well, thank jou then, for bringing him here safe."

"It is not a problem." Ivan smiled, as he made his way back through the trailer. "I would not leave a friend asleep by de bear cage. Nighty nighty."

He waved and went back out the door, leaving a very confused Roderich.

"Why was he sleeping by the bear cage?"

A/N UNNECESSARY WARNING. Malchik is a fictional bear based off of my dogs. Please don't try to cuddle a bear. The results will be very different. Thank you.