*I decided to make Sarafina Locland. She's now also the Nordic's younger sister (about the same age as Iceland)*
Warnings: mild gore and some angst this one
Ivan was sat in a chair at Sarafina's bedside. He watched as her chest rose and fell steadily with her breathing.
Right now even such a small motion was enough to bring at least a little comfort to Russia.
He sighed and gripped Locland's hand slightly tighter in both of his own. He bowed his head, bringing her hand up to his forehead as he closed his eyes.
Tears fell as he once more remembered how they'd gotten here.
*FLASHBACK: Ivan POV*
Another world meeting had just ended and we were all walking out of the building. There were plenty of people stopping and staring, as had become normal since our identities were released.
The stares and slight whispers always made me uncomfortable but my sunflower seemed to pay them no heed. Sarafina was walking a few steps ahead of me, goofing off with Belarus and smiling like an idiot.
A smile made its way onto my lips as she locked eyes with me, grinning wider.
She was perfect to me, my everything. She was my world.
She'd always been kind to me and cared for me when no one else seemed to. She made sure to love me with all she had and I tried to return the favor.
Natalya laughed at Locland's antics and cheerfully bid her goodbye. Fina waved after her and paused to wait for me.
Then it all happened in slow motion.
Just as Sarafina was turning her head to me a gunshot rang out. There was a flash of red and the sound of tearing flesh followed by the bullet embedding itself in the ground.
I watched in horror as Fina jerked backwards from the impact, falling in her shock.
Before I knew what was going on I had her cradled in my arms.
Tears began to stream out of my eyes and down my cheeks as my heart writhed painfully in my chest. Around us there was mass pandemonium but it all seemed muffled to me.
What locked me in was her eyes. They were wide and innocently confused. They met mine, silently asking what had happened and what was going on.
I couldn't find the words to tell her, watching the mass amount of blood that was gushing from the wound on her neck. I clamped my hand over the injury, trying to stop the bleeding without limiting her air flow.
Then I saw it. The recognition in her eyes. It was soon followed by acceptance which caused a small smile to play on her lips.
I choked back a sob and leaned my forehead on hers.
"You're going to be okay sunflower. You're going to be okay. Just stay with me. Please stay with me." I choked out through my sobbing.
Her eyes held mine once again and she sent me another look. This one held no fear or anger. It was one of those looks reserved only for me. It held pure love and affection. Sarafina's hazel eyes were softly telling me that everything would be okay.
She smiled a little wider, causing some blood to drip from the corner of her mouth and nose. Then her eyes slid shut.
*END FLASHBACK*
Her lids silently closing had felt so final. But she was still hanging on. Her brothers had been quick to patch her up as soon as they realized what was going on and Fina was soon relocated to the safety of the Nordic's house (her home) as Savina and the Flixians (and probably Belarus and Ultaria too) tried to track down the shooter.
I looked at her face. It seemed peaceful, a slight smile still present. Her eyes were moving back and forth beneath her eyelids now, a clear sign of her awareness. However, I couldn't stop worrying until she opened her eyes.
Even if she told me that she was okay I wouldn't believe her without seeing her eyes. She could lie with a straight voice and a normal face but her eyes always gave away what she was really thinking or feeling.
"Please wake up sunflower." I whispered softly, pressing a kiss to her hand and closing my eyes.
*Sarafina POV*
UGH! This was so annoying! I knew exactly where I was and what was going on but my stupid eyes refused to open.
I couldn't even talk!
'I'd better not be in a coma.' I thought grumpily.
I could feel Ivan's large hands grasping mine and I could feel the tears that fell on my hand and arm.
I hated this. I wasn't able to comfort him. Let him know that I was okay.
"Please wake up sunflower." His voice echoed in my ears and seemed to break whatever spell was holding my paralized.
Slowly I squeezed his hand, earning a small gasp from him. Then I forced my eyes open.
They immediately met the violet orbs that I'd swiftly come to adore.
There were tears still stubbornly clinging to his cheeks and his face was one of relief and happiness.
"What're you crying for dork?" I chuckled, reaching over with my free hand to wipe away his tears. "You're not the one who got shot."
He chuckled as well, squeezing my hand back while leaning into the other one.
"I thought that I was going to lose my sunflower." He murmured, smiling at my.
"Yeah, well... You're sunflower's stubborn as all hell." I grinned widely before yawning. "Now c'mere and cuddle me ya big baby."
He gladly released my hand and crawling into bed beside me.
I naturally came to rest against his chest as he pulled me closer to him. His warmth and heartbeat were steadily lulling me back to sleep. This time it wasn't thick and heavy like what I'd previously waded through, but rather calm and peaceful.
However, before I could fall asleep I needed to do one more thing.
I carefully leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Ivan's lips, smiling against them before nuzzling my head beneath his chin.
"I love you." I whispered lovingly.
"I love you too sunflower." He whispered back. "I'll protect you."
His last sentence made me snort in amusement internally, knowing that it was likely I, that would be doing the protecting. After all... I am his stubborn sunflower.
*tears heart out again and throws it out the window.* ;v;
