Mattie is sort of back! I've been working on this Kiku-Kuro centric for a while, and it's gone pretty good. I haven't started the next chapter yet, so it'll be a while before it's up. Expect a few more stories soon, including a Noble!Greece x Servant!Japan. Without further ado, let the story begin!
He knelt in front of the ornate frame, his hands clutching at the blood-coloured carpet in the middle of the room. There were no windows, and the only decoration other than the rectangular carpet was a tall mirror. Where the reflective piece should have been was a smooth ebony stone, framed with silver inlaid with grooves and curves. It stood rigid just on the edge of the carpet, adjacent to the door and seemingly being held up by nothing. At the top of the mirror, Japanese characters were engraved, that in English, would read: 'Nightmare Reflection'.
The nation crouching in front of it bit his lip, his fingers curling and uncurling in anxiety and anticipation. He did not often 'visit' his 'other self'. Had his strength not drained as usual upon entering the room, he would. have thought his dark reflection gone.
Alas, his luck was not siding with him today. A voice that sounded hauntingly like his own rang through his ears.
"Oh.. Come to visit me, reflection?" Asked the man in the mirror, scowling as he looked down upon the nation.
"Do not call me that," the kneeling man countered weakly. He hated this room. He hated that reflection. He hated that mirror.
The reflection's lips turned up into a condescending smirk. "I will call you what I like."
The nation in front of the mirror gave a soft noise of frustration. He had no power in this room.
"What do you want?" the reflection repeated.
"Merely.. Checking in."
"Checking in?" A cold laugh rang throughout the almost-empty room, echoing off the walls. "What is this, a hotel? Are you room service?" The reflection jeered.
"Urusai!" The nation snapped, glaring daggers at the reflection.
The reflection held up it's hands in mock surrender, sneering. "I'm scared of you, /Japan/."
The nation - Japan - let his gaze fall to the floor, biting his lip as he stared at the carpet below him. He was starting to get dizzy, contact with the other him seemed to be getting more and more draining each time. He managed to stagger to his feet, stumbling his way to the exit of the room.
"Leaving already?" Asked the reflection.
Japan looked over his shoulder, eyes filled with a fire seldom seen. "Farewell, my shadow," he muttered, proceeding to leave. He managed to pull the key out from where it hung beneath his shirt, locking the door and then collapsing against the opposite wall, staring at it.
He shivered a bit, tucking the key back under his shirt. He felt energy start to seep into him again, and he pulled his legs up to his chest.
For a while, he just sat there, building his strength, until finally, he rose to his feet and slowly walked to his room, pulling a blanket tight around him before falling asleep.