"So Xiao, what should we do now~?"
The oriental nation stared at his companion, his lips twitching with a faint smile. He liked it when Taiwan called him by his human name, though he'd never admit it aloud. She could probably tell anyways.
"I dunno," he shrugged.
Taiwan and Hong Kong had both just exited a small restaurant where they had had dinner—and a couple of drinks. Hong Kong raised a curious eyebrow at her, obviously amused at how her personality changed with just a little alcohol. That stereotype that Asians had low alcohol tolerance? True. For Taiwan, at least. Hong Kong had been at England's house long enough to know how to hold his own alcohol. Not her. She went from polite and worrisome to carefree and reckless. It made him laugh. On the inside, that was. Like he'd show that much emotion in public. But again, they had just had some drinks; he could pretend he was a silly drunkard and no one should care.
Hong Kong let out a laugh, a chuckle. It was a nice feeling compared to his usual deadpan disposition.
"It's pretty tonight~" she stated a little…drowsily. He put an arm around her, in case she should stumble. She didn't, yet he kept his arm around her anyways. It was a cool night out, so he could say she was cold in case anyone asked questions. Not that anyone should; there were no other nations present. But still, the other 'more recognized' nations liked to keep the two Asian nations distant—they were worried Taiwan and Hong Kong would become too powerful together, their economies and cultures and statuses being what they were. But he didn't want to think about those kinds of things. It was the holidays, and he had come to visit Taiwan and spend some time with her. He hadn't spent some time alone with her in decades. Honestly, he missed her. Hong Kong felt he could be himself around her, just her.
"Hmmn, let's… do something ridiculous."
"Like?"
"Y'know, something stupid and dumb. Teenager-ly. Mmhmmm, yeah. We haven't done anything fun since that last United Nations Meeting! Hwah~" She let out a long sigh, apparently amused at the sight of her own breath in the cold air.
"Sure." He agreed without a second thought—she usually came up with interesting ideas anyways. However, Hong Kong had forgotten that Taiwan was also 'usually' sober.
They walked on, going nowhere in particular. They observed the sights and sounds and smells of Taiwan's home. Hong Kong was reminded of his own home. Many of the things here were parallel to his own. There was another thing he liked about Taiwan—she made him feel at home more than anyone.
"Hey hey hey, Xiao."
Hong Kong met her eyes and raised an eyebrow. She grinned mischievously in return and subtly changed the direction they were walking.
"I think I know what we're gonna do now~"
Taiwan started giggling. Hong Kong poked her, unsure what to think.
"What? Tell me."
He kept asking, but she couldn't stop laughing enough to respond properly. After a full minute of her just giggling and strangers staring at them oddly, she finally found the breath.
"I think—pfft, l-let's, oh man, I think, I think—"
"Mei, spit it out already!"
"I think I wanna marry you." And she busted out giggling again, even louder and harder before. Hong Kong thought for a second on what she said, before falling into laughter alongside her. They clung to each other, giggling and laughing and not caring at the passersby who raised eyebrows at them. It was just so funny. Alcohol did things to your sense of humor, apparently.
A minute or so later, Hong Kong was holding his stomach and panting for air. Taiwan was doing the same, while additionally wiping at the tears running down her flushed cheeks.
"Dammit Mei, how do you come up with this stuff-…"
"Shut up Xiao, you know it's brilliant. Just say yes."
"Yeah, sure, let's go."
"REALLY?" Taiwan almost shouted.
"I don't see why not. You probably have us walking in the direction of some chapel or marriage office right now anyways," Hong Kong retorted with a shrug and smile. She was drunk and probably wouldn't remember in the morning anyways, what was there to lose? It'd make a funny memory. He needed more of those these days, anyways.
"Damn, you're good."
"Aren't I always~" He teased.
"Shut up."
"You do know if our bosses knew, we'd get in a load of trouble, right?"
She huffed and stuck her tongue out.
"This is plainly a personal marriage, neither political nor national. We are allowed personal lives as long as they don't affect our countries," she recited, hands on her hips and a defiant expression on her face.
"We'll still get in trouble, and you're okay with that?"
"Yep!"
"I should take you drinking more."
"Alcohol is fun fun fun~" She swung her arms out and twirled around in the middle of the sidewalk. He watched her, her long hair whirling around her. Her eyes danced, her smile was warm, and her cheeks were pink. Hong Kong committed that image of her to his memory, that image of her happy and carefree and lovely. He would have let her continue twirling, but she was getting dizzy and in near danger of hitting other pedestrians.
Hong Kong chuckled and put his arm around her again. She was silly, oh so silly. And you know what? He wanted to be silly along with her. He didn't know if it really was the alcohol that made him think so… openly, or if it was just the way he felt with her. Taiwan made him feel happy, made him feel like himself. The way she spoke to him, the things she did for him, the way she acted towards him, the way she simply looked at him.
His thoughts were interrupted by none other than the girl he was thinking about.
"I wonder what Kiku will think?" Taiwan wondered aloud.
"Kiku? Pfft. What about, what will Yao think?"
"Ooooh, like I'm so scared of that big bad Shinatty fanboy," she dragged out, making a dramatic face.
"How about we keep it a secret?" Hong Kong suggested.
"No one will know…? Tempting idea~" She stopped and pointed to a small building, nestled between a convenience store and karaoke bar. "Ready, Xiao?"
"If you're ready, Mei."
And up the steps they went, Hong Kong opening the door and subtly smiling as they stepped inside the warm, fragrant building.