Disclaimer: obviously not mine
"Will you remember me?"
Sweet amethysts hopefully peek out from underneath a messy fringe of hair. His voice is clear and high and childish. Yet, somehow the way he asks the question does not come out childish. Perhaps this is the first time he has said something serious.
"Only if you don't forget me," is the reply, teasing the little boy.
The boy frowns, not liking what he has heard. "But I'll never forget you."
China laughs and tweaks the boy's nose. "Then I will never forget you, will I?"
The boy giggles, wrapping his hands around his scarf. Before China can realize it, the boy has climbed on to his lap, cupping China's face in his tiny hands.
"Aiyaa," China sighs, plucking the hands off his face and wrapping them in his. "They're so cold."
"China, China," the boy sings, snuggling closer.
"Mmm?" China says, threading his fingers through the boy's soft feathery hair.
"I love you. You won't forget me, right?"
China sighs at this- this seems to be a reoccurring worry with the boy. "I'll always remember you. I love you too."
…
The flow of time is endless and neither knows how many years, decades, centuries have passed since they last saw each other. They were both bound by the promise to never forget each other.
China bows low, respectfully to the taller man with eyes that stir some sort of remembrance. The taller man inclines his head, grinning cheerfully, though China knows not why.
"I am Russia. It is nice to meet you, da?"
"Yes. I am China. I look forwards to good relations in the future for the sakes of our nations."
A sudden awkward silence overtakes both of them and neither knows how to overcome it. Both are filled with the strange feeling that the other is somehow familiar, though both are certain that this is their first meeting.
…
It's in the glow of the setting sun and rapidly cooling evening that Russia makes his way to besides China. He smiles as he notices China's cheeks are flushed. He's seized with a sudden urge to stroke those cheeks- surely they are warm.
Russia is not one to hold back, acting purely on instinct. His hand that slowly, almost gently strokes China's cheek is there before he can even think of restraining himself. China's golden eyes widen, but then they narrow in contentment.
"Mmm," China hums and pulls Russia's other hand into his lap. "Your hands- they're so cold."
Nostalgia fills them and they lean into one another, Russia resting his head on China's shoulder while China attempts to warm Russia's hands.
"I love you," slips out from China's lips. Somehow he's realized that the feeling doesn't seem to be new- rather it is an old feeling that had been pushed to the back of his mind for a long time. He'd question it, but he's much too happy right now.
"I love you too," Russia replies, a smile spreading across his face. He snuggles closer to China, closing his eyes.
There's something very familiar in the words that they say, but neither can think why.