(Untitled)

[libertyfuckyeah]

Who: libertyfuckyeah AND asideglance AND spiffingtea

Where: by the Dissimulo observatory

When: July 13th night sometime after America's post.

Rating: This.

Summary: America versus Japan. Fight Club. I think that just about sums it up.

The Log:

Comments

[libertyfuckyeah]

He will show you the way, Edward Norton.

America lifted a hand and waved, scarfing down the rest of his food quickly. Probably not the most graceful and dignified entrance to make, but since when had either of those things ever concerned America. Note the lack of question mark.

He scratched his chin with a gloved hand, glancing around the field. No way to tell if there were others lying in wait for him. When America finally looked at Japan, a slew of possible phrases popped into his mind. Many cocky, others taunting, some poignant, a few steeped in anger and hurt, all of them wanting to tumble out at once. At Japan's sigh, he grins slightly.

"Yeesh, do you always have to act like there's a stick up your ass? Passive aggressive is one thing, but you just look flat-out unhappy. And I have a feeling that doesn't entirely have to do with me, right?"

Fingers twitch at his side. No, he reminds himself, this isn't a quick-draw yet. There's no reason for action if it's not needed. He repeats this to calm his fidgeting. It's only marginally successful.

[asideglance]

Japan twitches at that. How rude, how insulting... But he tells himself to keep calm. Of course, his version of calm is to frown in obvious annoyance at the other and stand as tall as possible.

"I am not sure that my happiness is necessary to mention in a scene like this..." He slides his gaze sideways, resting one hand on the hilt of katana, and no more. He just wants to make it clear that he's always prepared for an attack.

"Surely you have something more important to say? Ah, I certainly hope so... It would be a waste of time if all I am to hear are these sorts of things."

[libertyfuckyeah]

America's grin widens a bit as Japan's hand goes to his sword. Under half a second, I can draw and fire in under half a second. A secure little fact in the back of his mind as the conversation goes on and his hands hang at his sides.

"Seems like it's a big deal," he says. "You don't betray someone who calls you friend and cut open their throat if you're happy. Even Russia might not be that sick. But, you're right, that's not everything I gotta say. It's still a legitimate question. Are you happy?"

[asideglance]

He's quiet at that for a long moment, looking back at America. What a strange expression. As expected.

"Not at the moment. Why does that matter?"

[libertyfuckyeah]

"I guess a better question would've been 'are you happy with yourself.' You don't have to give a yes or no answer. Sometimes this stuff is complicated."

America stares expectantly, waiting to gauge Japan's reaction.

[asideglance]

At that, his gaze hardens a bit.

"If America-san is expecting me to change to his own ideas of justice... Then he is mistaken. Perhaps I make mistakes-- I understand that I should not have attacked America-san. And I apologize for that." He actually tries to make eye contact, a rare thing from him.

"But I will not stop walking if I have made a mistake. I will look back and learn from it. Does that answer your question?"

[libertyfuckyeah]

Anger wells up as Japan dares to apologize. America's casual smile cracks and his eyes narrow. "So you consider betrayal as just a mistake? You digging around in my throat to rip out my voice box and carve into my chest like a sadist is a mistake?"

Memories of his own 'mistakes' and the remorse that accompanies them threatens to choke him. If only Japan knew about the guilt that still gnaws at him, the years after the war, the first time they watched the black out lifted and lights flood Japanese cities--America tries, makes a noise in the back of his throat, but no words come. A picture is worth a thousand words, but memories are every scent and taste and emotion tied to an image. In essence, something no description could do justice. He swallows the lump in his throat, takes a breath, and relaxes.

America's smile goes back in place.

"Well that's annoying. Guess I'm gonna have to have to help you remember humility!"

Before Japan can react, America draws his revolver and shoots him in the knee. (Another thing he remembers, tinged slightly with guilt; speed had been honed from practice in crime. But, even if Jesse James had fallen into madness, at least he'd stuck up for his cohorts.)

Gun still pointed at Japan, he says, "Too bad my ideas of justice are the right ones!"

[asideglance]

He gripped at his sword defensively as anger became clear in America's voice. Betrayal. Did he really think they had been on friendly terms? Ignorance. That smile is a warning sign of sorts, but Japan doesn't move quickly enough to dodge. There's a yell as his leg gives out to that, but he wastes no time grabbing at the pained area.

Instead, his katana is drawn held in front of him defensively as if it could defend him in this situation. No, he believes it could.

"America-san is not one to be teaching humility." Despite his knee, he moves to stand once again. As if he would stay kneeling before this country. Before any country...

[libertyfuckyeah]

"Maybe not. But at least I don't think I'm God."

America steps to the side, almost skipping, as he fires again at Japan's chest.

"This is gonna sound bad, but I almost miss your Zeroes! They were fun to hop around on."

Taunting? Just a bit. And no, America really shouldn't be giving anyone advice on how not to be arrogant. Road to hell, good intentions, you know how that goes.

[asideglance]

Japan tries to sidestep that bullet, but doesn't quite manage as it lodges itself closer to his left arm. He flashes with anger, though from his face all that's noticeable is the narrowing of his eyes. Drawing his sword back, he ignores the severe pain in his knee-- it's almost so painful he doesn't notice it, at least-- and stumbles with a quick horizontal swing at America.

"Is this how America-san plans to help?" If he's not stopped, he'll bring his katana back around for another swing. "I am listening, but I hear nothing of worth."

[libertyfuckyeah]

The katana slices against his stomach--a superficial wound, given all he'd been through. He'd have to ask England to fix his clothing later. America kicks at Japan's hand, trying to dislodge the weapon from his grip, or at least knock him back to his knees.

"Well, I was gonna take a route that involved less bullets, but that wasn't going to work after that haughty look you gave me. And since appealing for mercy didn't work the last time you flashed your sword at me, I didn't think wearing my heart on my sleeve would do anything. Unless you think otherwise...?"

He pulls his gun back, leaning in slightly with a genuinely friendly expression.

[asideglance]

Refusing to release his katana, that kick sets him off balance and he stumbles over. Really, straight for his knee... He should have expected something like that. And yet what could he have done?

It didn't matter though. Glaring as America spoke, his grip tightened on the hilt of his blade. As America leaned in, Japan twisted and swung his blade at him, even from his spot on the ground.

"Less bullets? America-san shoots first and says this?!"

[libertyfuckyeah]

The blade slices his cheek. America freezes, but doesn't back away.

"You know," he says slowly. "This is the same side of my face that you're gonna strike a year in your future."

Quickly he grabs Japan by the wrist that holds his weapons. He's careful enough with his strength to not snap bones, but bruises are guaranteed. Trying to dislodge his arm would likely have the same effect as a deer trying to remove its leg from a trap. America's gun is holstered as he kneels down to be eye-level with the other country.

"Believe it or not, I'm not trying to get even here. I just wanted to help..."

His confidence visibly falters. "You had to go through so much pain to finally stop. It's not like I enjoyed that. I just wanted you to stop. Not just for me, but for China and Hong Kong and Australia and all the others. But you always seem to think of yourself as something bigger, that you and your people are above reality and humanity itself. I used heavy damage to convince you last time, not something I'm particularly proud of, but at least now the damage won't come at such a heavy price to... you."

Blood runs down from the slice on his cheek, dripping off his chin and onto Japan's wounded leg. His eyes flicker down to it through his fixed glasses. "Don't worry, I'll fix you up this time too."

The hand not holding onto Japan digs inside his jacket pocket. It sounds like he's fumbling for a plastic container.

[asideglance]

He drops his katana with a pained look, trying to pull his hand back to no avail. He doesn't seem to care that it's more pain trying-- he moves his free hand to form a fist, aiming for America's face.

"I do not want to be fixed up by you!" Emotion had leaked into his voice there, and he struggles to return his face to a calmer state. His arm isn't coming loose...

"America-san does not understand anything. I have not begun to deal with such a conflict, but it is never about that. It is duty! If there is a way I must walk, why would I stop because America-san does not agree with it?! I must do what is best for me!"

[libertyfuckyeah]

Go ahead and strike his face. He will very literally roll with the punches, flinching and ducking but not letting go.

"You keep saying 'must' like you don't have a choice in it. We've all got a choice. We might be tied to our people and their voices, but we ain't deprived of free will at home, let alone here. Maybe it was your choice to come and cut me up for whatever reasons you had. I'm curious how you thought that was all for the best. Especially the part where you decide to cut some message into my already half-dead body."

He pulls out the unlabeled white bottle from his pocket, slowly taking the lid off. "Your duty may be what you think is best, but likewise, so is mine. Gotta do what's best for those here and make sure you won't snap again. I ain't risking you going after one of my citizens next."

[asideglance]

"It was a message I believe it was necessary for America-san to hear. To understand. It did not seem that he was comprehending much of what was going on... I--..." Didn't want to face his future. He stops himself. No, he doesn't have to admit this here.

Japan still doesn't stop struggling, though his eyes lock on that bottle. What...?

"...What is that?"