Author's Notes: Hello, this will be my collection of Australia/Kenya stories. I found out that the two nations help each other for a lot of various things and decided to write a bit about their Hetalia counterparts.


Topographically Speaking


He was awoken by the digitalized strains of Waltzing Matilda coming from his cell phone, and groggily, he reached over to pick it up.

Squinting blearily at the number on the display, he sighed. Ah Kenya…

"G'day, what can I do ya for?"

"Did I wake you or were you just napping so early in the day?"

Sitting up straighter on his porch chair, Australia adjusted his slouch hat and chuckled. "Just napping, no worries. We got another pirate situation on our hands, Kenya?"

She politely laughed and Australia could just imagine how she was probably tossing her dreadlocks over her shoulder.

"Nah not today. It is…a bit of a personal favor, if you don't mind?"

Australia raised an eyebrow at that. While he'd definitely grown closer to the African nation since they'd both started pooling their resources to help the pirate situation in the waters between their lands, he'd always thought his particular fondness for her spunk and charm was just him wishing away the hours.

Well, whatdya know…

"I'd be more than willing to help, if I can."

He could hear her muttering something in her language (ingiza njeve) before she took a deep breath and asked.

"I'd like to get some training in for a race that's coming up and unfamiliar terrains are the best, so I was thinking…"

A roguish grin surfaced on Australia's face, and he could spot his koala giving him an odd look from where he was munching on eucalyptus nearby. So the lady wanted a good time in Australia, hmm? Well that, he was most certain to provide.

"Would you like to come visit, Kenya?" He said bravely, hoping he read the signals right.

She brought her words to a halt, and calmly replied, "Are you saying you have some good terrains to offer?"

As smoothly as he could manage, Australia replied, "Why don't you come and find out?"

And so, that is how Australia found himself in the precarious position of trying to impress the lovely Sheila that possessed the second highest mountains in Africa and the very bountiful Kenyan highlands, with what his country had to offer.

He decided on starting in the rainforests of Queensland.

Wearing comfortable canvas sneakers and clothing that was both suitable for the climate and for running, the two went headlong into the thick forests, making their own paths instead of taking the paved ones. Jumping over vines, plants and fallen tree trunks only slowed their pace a little, and it wasn't until Australia about stumbled into a cassowary that he came to a halt.

"Aren't you a spiffy one, mate," he said reaching out a hand to pet the large, flightless bird's head.

Kenya, who had already run past, realized that her guide was behind her and circled back. As she approached, the bird started to ruffle its feathers, but Australia talked it down.

"Now don't you get cranky. She's a nice one, I kid you not."

The cassowary seemed to consider this, before slowly leaning its neck towards Kenya. She smiled and gave the bird a gentle pat on the head.

"That's a right mean one when he wants to be. Must have charmed him down with your smile," Australia said, trying to play it cool. Of course, Kenya could handle animals far larger and more dangerous than this though. Home of the big five of Africa, after all.

But she gave Australia an understanding look as the cassowary began to wander off back into the foliage. And placing her hand on his shoulder, she asked, "Let's take a rest here, okay? Maybe some more of your forest friends will visit us."

And not about to pass up a chance like this, Australia pulled out their water bottles as they sat down on a fallen log nearby to enjoy the sights and the sounds of the rainforest around them.

They had just finished watching a Bennett's Tree Kangaroo jump through the branches over their heads when the rain began. Shrugging off his shirt, Australia held it up over them as an umbrella as they ran in tandem back through the forest towards the nearest shelter.

Even with their speed at running, a few minutes out in the downpour were enough to soak them both to the skin. Finally under a canvas shelter set up along one of the visitor pathways, they were able to stop and catch their breath. Australia looked to his now-soaked shirt and held it out at arms length as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Kenya, who had just finished squeezing the rainwater out of her hair, just cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I didn't know I'd be seeing this much Australian landscape in one go," she said, her eyes trailing down Australia's bare chest.

He had enough dignity in himself to blush, just slightly, and offer to put his wet shirt back on.

Kenya shook her head. "Don't worry, I'm…" she met his eyes, "I'm enjoying the view."

Australia raised an eyebrow at that and she did so in return. Finally, Australia held the damp shirt out to her.

"Rain and your shirt don't seem to be mixing so well, if you catch my drift…"

Kenya glanced down to her now practically see-through shirt and took Australia's shirt to hold over her front.

"Asante beste."

Australia blinked. "What did you…"

She smiled, taking a step closer to him. "I said, 'Thanks, friend.'"

"Ah."

They fell into a comfortable silence at that, the steady beating of the rain coming down around them. Neither one willing to admit that perhaps, just perhaps, they'd been casually edging closer each time they shifted their weight on their feet.

Finally, Australia quietly mumbled out, "Not that I was lookin' intentionally or anything, but…you've got some beautiful terrain yourself, Kenya."

Her eyes went wide, but with more intrigue than alarm. "Are we speaking topographically or…"

"Both," Australia said quickly, running a hand up through his damp hair. "You're a right beaut, you are."

She closed the space between them and pressed her hand against his bare chest. "And you certainly know how to treat a lady to a good time. Though granted, not everyone would enjoy jumping over rainforest undergrowth…"

"Only really classy ladies do, such as yourself," he quipped back.

She smiled, pressing up against him and letting his shirt fall to the ground. "Topographically speaking, I'm rather looking forward to taking a run around Ayers Rock. But as for the moment, why don't we just let our physical geography do the talking, 'kay?"

"Spot on," he replied, because really, despite the rain and the circumstances, and well…in fact a lot of other things, the moment couldn't have been more perfect.

And not about to pass up such a golden opportunity, Australia grinned and wrapped his arms around her, both of them leaning in for a kiss as the rain continued its relentless downpour.

Somewhere, in the very back of Australia's mind at that moment, he thought to himself that perhaps his landscapes weren't so shabby after all. In fact, if Kenya liked the rainforests this much he'd really have to take her to the Great Barrier Reef. That would definitely impress her even more.


NOTES:
1] Kenya is playing a strong role in international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa, including trying pirates detained by international forces in the Gulf of Aden. Australia is also contributing to these international efforts, by providing a frigate and AP-3C maritime patrol aircraft.
2] ingiza njeve is sheng slang for to be afraid/chicken out
3] The Southern Cassowary is a large flightless black bird.
4] The African Big Five are the African elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Cape Buffalo, the Lion and the Leopard.