BOATS & BIRDS

just leave me your stardust to remember you by

Rain fell down in heavy, solid sheets. It was pouring and soaking through her clothes, but still she did not care.

"I love you."

The words were barely whispered, broken and soulful. It was one of the few times she'd heard Hong Kong speak, but it was just as earth-shattering as if he had said it out loud.

"Taiwan, imouto," he mumbled, taking a step closer to her. His hand reached out and touched her cheek. "I love you. Aishiteru yo."

She stared at him, gaze blank. Her… Brother loved her? This wasn't what was supposed to happen. Nihon was supposed to love her, not… Not Kyoukou.

"Onii-san," she began, pulling away from his fingers. Something indescribable flickered through his dark gaze, but she soon recognized it as hurt. His fingers fell limply to his side and he looked down, making her heart pinch.

"Sumimasen," he apologized. His formality stung. "I should be going."

"Onii-san, wait!" she said, grabbing his arm to stop him as he began to leave. But she couldn't think of what to say; she only stood there, holding him back, wanting him to stay and go at the same time.

"S-Sumimasen," he repeated after a moment, a tremor entering his voice, and he pulled away to make his way out of the room.

She loved Nihon. She wanted him to love her back. But now, now there was gaping, burning hole where Kyoukou had been.

"Imouto."

She startled at the sound of his voice, and was glad that the rain hid the tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt Kyoukou's hand on her shoulder, and he came around to stand in front of her, holding the umbrella over the both of them. His dark eyes were gentler than usual.

He brought her close to him, pressed her damp cheek to his chest and closed his eyes. "You will catch cold," he told her quietly, gently stroking her hair. She pulled back to look at him, huddled beneath the umbrella. Her eyes were teary.

"Don't leave, onii-san," she pleaded. "Don't leave me. Please."

He didn't smile, but came a little closer. "I love you," he replied, his tone barely a whisper against the pitter patter of rain. Her lower lip trembled and her gaze flickered away, but he tilted her chin up with a soft finger so that she was forced to look at him. "I love you," he repeated, lips a breath apart. His words ghosted over her tear-stained mouth. "I live to let you shine." And you shine best when you're with him. He brought her a little closer, eyes scanning her face and then searching her gaze for any sort of rebuttal. But she only cried a little more and closed her eyes tightly.

He leaned down to kiss her, tasting blossoms. Around the kiss, she pleaded, "Don't leave, please don't leave."

He would let her go, but only because he loved her so much. He just needed this one thing to remember her by.


Cookies to whoever can find all TWO references to the song, and the lyric at the top doesn't count. :3

Yeah, this is my second song fic, with Taiwan and Hong Kong. You probably can't tell just by reading that because I used the Japanese names for Japan and Hong Kong (go figure). Nihon is Japan, and Hong Kong is Kyoukou. Also, I don't speak FLUENT Japanese, which means that I probably used things wrong. Yeah. Get over it. :/ Thirdly, if that is a word, I'm not sure if Taiwan is older or younger than Hong Kong. To be honest, I don't really care. In this fic, she's younger.

Song is "Boats and Birds" by Gregory and The Hawk. If you haven't heard it, go check it out! It's beautiful. ;A;

I hope you guys enjoyed this. x3