[fanfic] Come Not Between 1/3
Title: Come Not Between
Author: me~
Characters: Hong Kong, China, Russia, UK, Japan. Brief mentions of other Nations.
Pairings: Uh, not in this chapter.
Rating: PG, just to be safe. (May go up in later chapters.)
Warnings: ...Brief mentions of alcohol? But no one's drunk. This part's pretty tame; later chapters will be a tad darker (but not unbearably so).
Summary: set in 2008, when China hosted the summer Olympics. An unexpected guest shows up to the celebration and decides Hong Kong's not quite ready for independence yet.
Come Not Between - Chapter 1
It was summer in southeastern China. The air was pleasantly warm, with the scent of rain lingering in the mornings. Birds sang cheerfully in the midday sunlight, flitting to and fro about the little house.
Hong Kong paused to watch them go, his hands stilling in the warm, rich earth of the flowerbeds. Swallows, he identified correctly; and his lips turned up a little as they darted and swooped about each other. It was good to be home; he inhaled the sweet mountain air, still so new after years of thick smog over cobbled streets. There was a simplicity here he had missed in his years away. Long years, he thought a bit wistfully - far too long. Oh, he had been well cared-for, but... it simply wasn't home.
Voices reached his ears from inside the house, speaking the language only their kind knew. He smiled again as he heard his older brother's cheerful aru of greeting. It would be nice to join the celebration for the opening ceremonies, but aniki had asked him to stay away for now, to avoid causing trouble. He understood, and so retreated to the gardens surrounding the grounds.
His trowel accidentally dug into a burrow, startling the rabbit nestled there. Hong Kong murmured to it soothingly, holding out his hand. The creature sniffed curiously and allowed him to pet it a few times before bounding away -
- past the boots of the blond man standing at the corner of the house.
Hong Kong jerked to his feet abruptly, trowel dropped in surprise, eyes wide and heart racing. How long had that person been standing there, he wondered, and why hadn't he said anything? The sunlight from behind cast his face in shadow, but Hong Kong did not think he recognized him.
"I am sorry," the blond said with a disarming smile. "I did not mean to frighten you. You seemed so involved, I thought it would be rude to interrupt."
The Asian youth shook his head a little. "No, the fault is mine. I was lost in my own thoughts and did not hear you approach." He drew himself together, folding his hands inside his wide scarlet-and-black sleeves, and executed a quick half-bow. "Forgive me; I do not believe we have met. May I have your name?"
The blond laughed quietly, returning the gesture even as he did so. "Ah, your people are always so formal, even to old friends." He straightened, eyes still twinkling with mirth. "My name is Ivan Branginsky."
***
Yao glanced up again as the front door slid open and smiled broadly. "Arthur, you made it! I was beginning to think you weren't coming, aru."
The Englishman grinned. "Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't miss this for the world." He slipped off his shoes and padded into the living room, where a dozen other Nations had already gathered. Holding up a small basket, he added, "I brought scotch, too, for after the opening ceremonies."
Yao frowned a little. "Didn't I say something in the invitation about bringing alcohol, aru?"
"No."
He shrugged lightly. "Okay."
Arthur laughed and set the basket on the table, where there was already a growing collection of alcohol. The after-party would be... interesting, to say the least.
The door whispered open again, and Kiku swept inside, immaculate as always in his white uniform. "Sumimasen," he apologized, "the meeting with my boss ran long; I did not intend to be so late. I'd like to change, if you don't mind; ah, where is..."
"Bathroom's down the hall, aru," Yao supplied.
"Arigatou," Kiku responded. He procured a small wicker box. "I brought some of that tea you favored, and a few bottles of sake for later."
Alfred paused in his bickering with Francis to arch an eyebrow. "Between that and your rice wine, Yao, we're all going to be completely smashed in twenty minutes."
"Per'aps you lightweights will," the Frenchman retorted. "Whereas I will be going strong for many hours."
"Look, you arrogant, womanizing - oi, Im Yong Soo, hands off the juice until afterwards!"
A general furor erupted then, mostly comprised of Nations yelling at Im Yong Soo, who was clinging tenaciously to a bottle of some kind of booze and howling that alcohol originated in Korea~! Arthur whistled sharply, two fingers in his mouth, and blessed silence descended on the room. "Aiyah," Yao groaned. "I guess it's time for a mature adult to put this away, aru. Arthur, will you help me?"
"Hey," Alfred protested, "what makes you the adult?"
"Someone has to be, aru," the Chinaman said dryly. "Besides, I'm older than all of you. Combined. And since you are my guests, I am responsible for you, aru." He picked up the last of the bottles. "If you showed up drunk to the opening ceremonies, your bosses would have quite a few things to say to me."
Arthur grinned at the sulky protestations and followed him into another room with a locked cabinet. Kiku reappeared out of nowhere behind them, clothed now in an elegant navy-and-silver kimono. "I must say, Yao, it is very gracious of you to invite Ivan-san."
The elder Asian's eyebrows jumped. "I didn't. What on earth made you think such a thing, aru?"
"I passed him in the front garden on the way in," Kiku said smoothly. "I assumed he was here for the celebration. My apologies; I did not intend to bring up a sore subject."
"No, it is alright, aru," Yao shrugged. "He has not caused trouble, and we have been on decent terms lately. I see no reason to make a fuss, aru."
"What if he wants to join the party?" Arthur asked as he handed over the last few bottles.
"Aiyah," Yao sighed wearily. "If he asks to come in, I will not turn him away, of course. But I sincerely hope he does not make things awkward, aru." He turned the key in the cabinet lock and slipped it in the pocket of his changsan. "Funny; he gave no indication of wanting to visit. I wonder what he could want, aru."
***
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Hong Kong offered. "I am Hong Kong; but you may call me Chaojing, if you wish."
"Chaojing," the blond tried out, still smiling. "Such a nice name. Much like your older brother's."
Hong Kong's eyes widened. "You know my aniki?"
"Da," Ivan nodded. "He and I were very good friends, not so long ago."
"He has not mentioned it," Hong Kong murmured, half to himself. Then, seeing how downcast the other looked, he hastened to add, "But then, I have been away for a very long time, and we have not had the chance to talk about everything that happened."
The sadness did not entirely leave those lilac eyes, and Hong Kong cast about for another topic. "Would you like to see the gardens? Or - ah, you must be tired from your journey. Perhaps you would rather go inside?"
"No," Ivan shook his head. "I would very much like to see the gardens."
Chaojing nodded, jumping a little when Ivan suddenly took one slender hand in his larger one. The Russian smiled reassuringly and tugged him forward, out into the brilliant sunshine, so that Hong Kong practically had to trot to keep up. He regained his composure and led Ivan to one side, pointing out the various plants growing around the decorative pools, and only glancing up when the other seemed a bit distracted. "Aren't you warm in that coat and scarf, Ivan-san?"
"Just 'Ivan'," his companion corrected kindly. "It is much colder where I come from. Winter stays at my house much longer than here." He inhaled deeply, letting the breath out in a contented sigh. "It has been... far too long since I was able to visit."
"I understand," Chaojing said quietly. "I've been home for nearly a decade, and it still seems like I've been away too long."
"Ah... England took care of you, da? In his own country, not here." Ivan paused, reflectively. "You and I are not so different, little Chaojing."
One of Ivan's gloved fingers traced Chaojing's delicate cheekbones, while chocolate-brown eyes watched him curiously. "I think," the Russian said softly, "perhaps you and I will become good friends, da?"
***
NOTES:
~Hong Kong was released from 150 years of British rule to Chinese authority on July 1, 1997. So at the time of this fic, he'd been free-ish for about a decade. (Even if Hong Kong is technically owned by China, the people their have their own currency, judicial system, etc.)
~Hong Kong's "human" name comes from the Chinese pronunciation of "Hong".
~The general consensus seems to be that sake and rice wine are both very potent alcoholic drinks.
~The title will be explained eventually. If you already get it, please to not spoil for everyone else. <3
~Many thanks to my beta cjblackwing, for putting up with me and my maunderings. *hugs*
That's all for the moment! Reviews are love; I respond to each and every comment. Chapter two will be up in a few days, so stick around! I know this one's short, the others will be longer.
This story can also be found here, at my ff.net account.
Author: me~
Characters: Hong Kong, China, Russia, UK, Japan. Brief mentions of other Nations.
Pairings: Uh, not in this chapter.
Rating: PG, just to be safe. (May go up in later chapters.)
Warnings: ...Brief mentions of alcohol? But no one's drunk. This part's pretty tame; later chapters will be a tad darker (but not unbearably so).
Summary: set in 2008, when China hosted the summer Olympics. An unexpected guest shows up to the celebration and decides Hong Kong's not quite ready for independence yet.
Come Not Between - Chapter 1
It was summer in southeastern China. The air was pleasantly warm, with the scent of rain lingering in the mornings. Birds sang cheerfully in the midday sunlight, flitting to and fro about the little house.
Hong Kong paused to watch them go, his hands stilling in the warm, rich earth of the flowerbeds. Swallows, he identified correctly; and his lips turned up a little as they darted and swooped about each other. It was good to be home; he inhaled the sweet mountain air, still so new after years of thick smog over cobbled streets. There was a simplicity here he had missed in his years away. Long years, he thought a bit wistfully - far too long. Oh, he had been well cared-for, but... it simply wasn't home.
Voices reached his ears from inside the house, speaking the language only their kind knew. He smiled again as he heard his older brother's cheerful aru of greeting. It would be nice to join the celebration for the opening ceremonies, but aniki had asked him to stay away for now, to avoid causing trouble. He understood, and so retreated to the gardens surrounding the grounds.
His trowel accidentally dug into a burrow, startling the rabbit nestled there. Hong Kong murmured to it soothingly, holding out his hand. The creature sniffed curiously and allowed him to pet it a few times before bounding away -
- past the boots of the blond man standing at the corner of the house.
Hong Kong jerked to his feet abruptly, trowel dropped in surprise, eyes wide and heart racing. How long had that person been standing there, he wondered, and why hadn't he said anything? The sunlight from behind cast his face in shadow, but Hong Kong did not think he recognized him.
"I am sorry," the blond said with a disarming smile. "I did not mean to frighten you. You seemed so involved, I thought it would be rude to interrupt."
The Asian youth shook his head a little. "No, the fault is mine. I was lost in my own thoughts and did not hear you approach." He drew himself together, folding his hands inside his wide scarlet-and-black sleeves, and executed a quick half-bow. "Forgive me; I do not believe we have met. May I have your name?"
The blond laughed quietly, returning the gesture even as he did so. "Ah, your people are always so formal, even to old friends." He straightened, eyes still twinkling with mirth. "My name is Ivan Branginsky."
***
Yao glanced up again as the front door slid open and smiled broadly. "Arthur, you made it! I was beginning to think you weren't coming, aru."
The Englishman grinned. "Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't miss this for the world." He slipped off his shoes and padded into the living room, where a dozen other Nations had already gathered. Holding up a small basket, he added, "I brought scotch, too, for after the opening ceremonies."
Yao frowned a little. "Didn't I say something in the invitation about bringing alcohol, aru?"
"No."
He shrugged lightly. "Okay."
Arthur laughed and set the basket on the table, where there was already a growing collection of alcohol. The after-party would be... interesting, to say the least.
The door whispered open again, and Kiku swept inside, immaculate as always in his white uniform. "Sumimasen," he apologized, "the meeting with my boss ran long; I did not intend to be so late. I'd like to change, if you don't mind; ah, where is..."
"Bathroom's down the hall, aru," Yao supplied.
"Arigatou," Kiku responded. He procured a small wicker box. "I brought some of that tea you favored, and a few bottles of sake for later."
Alfred paused in his bickering with Francis to arch an eyebrow. "Between that and your rice wine, Yao, we're all going to be completely smashed in twenty minutes."
"Per'aps you lightweights will," the Frenchman retorted. "Whereas I will be going strong for many hours."
"Look, you arrogant, womanizing - oi, Im Yong Soo, hands off the juice until afterwards!"
A general furor erupted then, mostly comprised of Nations yelling at Im Yong Soo, who was clinging tenaciously to a bottle of some kind of booze and howling that alcohol originated in Korea~! Arthur whistled sharply, two fingers in his mouth, and blessed silence descended on the room. "Aiyah," Yao groaned. "I guess it's time for a mature adult to put this away, aru. Arthur, will you help me?"
"Hey," Alfred protested, "what makes you the adult?"
"Someone has to be, aru," the Chinaman said dryly. "Besides, I'm older than all of you. Combined. And since you are my guests, I am responsible for you, aru." He picked up the last of the bottles. "If you showed up drunk to the opening ceremonies, your bosses would have quite a few things to say to me."
Arthur grinned at the sulky protestations and followed him into another room with a locked cabinet. Kiku reappeared out of nowhere behind them, clothed now in an elegant navy-and-silver kimono. "I must say, Yao, it is very gracious of you to invite Ivan-san."
The elder Asian's eyebrows jumped. "I didn't. What on earth made you think such a thing, aru?"
"I passed him in the front garden on the way in," Kiku said smoothly. "I assumed he was here for the celebration. My apologies; I did not intend to bring up a sore subject."
"No, it is alright, aru," Yao shrugged. "He has not caused trouble, and we have been on decent terms lately. I see no reason to make a fuss, aru."
"What if he wants to join the party?" Arthur asked as he handed over the last few bottles.
"Aiyah," Yao sighed wearily. "If he asks to come in, I will not turn him away, of course. But I sincerely hope he does not make things awkward, aru." He turned the key in the cabinet lock and slipped it in the pocket of his changsan. "Funny; he gave no indication of wanting to visit. I wonder what he could want, aru."
***
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Hong Kong offered. "I am Hong Kong; but you may call me Chaojing, if you wish."
"Chaojing," the blond tried out, still smiling. "Such a nice name. Much like your older brother's."
Hong Kong's eyes widened. "You know my aniki?"
"Da," Ivan nodded. "He and I were very good friends, not so long ago."
"He has not mentioned it," Hong Kong murmured, half to himself. Then, seeing how downcast the other looked, he hastened to add, "But then, I have been away for a very long time, and we have not had the chance to talk about everything that happened."
The sadness did not entirely leave those lilac eyes, and Hong Kong cast about for another topic. "Would you like to see the gardens? Or - ah, you must be tired from your journey. Perhaps you would rather go inside?"
"No," Ivan shook his head. "I would very much like to see the gardens."
Chaojing nodded, jumping a little when Ivan suddenly took one slender hand in his larger one. The Russian smiled reassuringly and tugged him forward, out into the brilliant sunshine, so that Hong Kong practically had to trot to keep up. He regained his composure and led Ivan to one side, pointing out the various plants growing around the decorative pools, and only glancing up when the other seemed a bit distracted. "Aren't you warm in that coat and scarf, Ivan-san?"
"Just 'Ivan'," his companion corrected kindly. "It is much colder where I come from. Winter stays at my house much longer than here." He inhaled deeply, letting the breath out in a contented sigh. "It has been... far too long since I was able to visit."
"I understand," Chaojing said quietly. "I've been home for nearly a decade, and it still seems like I've been away too long."
"Ah... England took care of you, da? In his own country, not here." Ivan paused, reflectively. "You and I are not so different, little Chaojing."
One of Ivan's gloved fingers traced Chaojing's delicate cheekbones, while chocolate-brown eyes watched him curiously. "I think," the Russian said softly, "perhaps you and I will become good friends, da?"
***
NOTES:
~Hong Kong was released from 150 years of British rule to Chinese authority on July 1, 1997. So at the time of this fic, he'd been free-ish for about a decade. (Even if Hong Kong is technically owned by China, the people their have their own currency, judicial system, etc.)
~Hong Kong's "human" name comes from the Chinese pronunciation of "Hong".
~The general consensus seems to be that sake and rice wine are both very potent alcoholic drinks.
~The title will be explained eventually. If you already get it, please to not spoil for everyone else. <3
~Many thanks to my beta cjblackwing, for putting up with me and my maunderings. *hugs*
That's all for the moment! Reviews are love; I respond to each and every comment. Chapter two will be up in a few days, so stick around! I know this one's short, the others will be longer.
This story can also be found here, at my ff.net account.