For Dewi111, a faithful reviewer who requested a ChinaxFemAmerica one shot. This is based off a true occurrence. That's right. You read that.
Rated T for implication. I own nothing.
OoOoOo
1971
China was a nation that watched the world with shrewd eyes and years of wisdom under his belt. He had been around for much longer than most nations and often times it caused him some distress. The world had changed so much, that he felt his place in it was often in jeopardy in some fashion.
He was a nation that did not waste time, but felt it was important to remain healthy all at once.
Some said that he could be provoked easily, and yes there were times where that was true, however, he had a sense of dignity about him. There was a sense of cultural refinement brought about by thousands of years of his people's high morals and traditions.
Therefore, it was not that other countries irritated him, so much as they unintentionally slighted him. One could only deal with so much harassment without becoming understandably angry.
Though Russia and he has split in their alliances somewhat, China still felt a sense of trust for his neighboring country. That same trust was not extended to all the other nations. Not precisely. He kept mostly to himself.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
China looked around, not placing the sound. His dark eyes looked curiously toward the hallway.
Tap. Stomp. Tap. Tap. Stomp.
What was that sound? He curiously strode toward the hall. The tapping continued as he wandered further down. It did not take him long to find the recreation room.
There he saw the familiar blonde nation, the very one that often tried to start diplomatic relations with him, and failed every time.
America.
He watched her curiously as she stood in front of a 'tennis' table. In her hand was a paddle. In the other, a ping pong ball. One half of the table was folded upward so that it provided something for the ball to bounce against.
She started to play against herself once more.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
China watched her as she moved in a soft sort of steady rhythm. After a few moments, she felt his eyes on her and turned.
Brown eyes met surprised blue ones.
"Oh..." She said, clearly not expecting him, "Hi China."
"America," he replied courteously enough.
She did not seem inclined to continue speaking with him. She put the ball and paddle down.
"You play ping pong?" China asked mulling over the fact that America of all nations enjoyed the sport.
Yes, it was a sport, no matter what Japan said.
"Yeah," America replied happily. She offered him the second paddle. "You want to play? I can take down the other side and we can go head to head."
Her blue eyes landed on him and China was surprised by the warmth and sincerity there. Most countries did not consider America to be sincere at all, for she constantly asked 'How are you?' but never stayed for the five to ten minutes needed for a proper reply.
She was... strange. China did not like that about her. She was, in many respects, too similar to him. China wanted what he wanted, when he wanted it. America had the habit of feeling that way as well.
So it was not unexpected that they clashed now and then.
He glanced at the paddle as if it were an offensive object and turned his head slightly.
"No," he replied bluntly. Russia had warned him it was best to deal with America in straight terms. So as not to allow confusion.
"Oh," she said, and lowered the paddle. Her smile dimmed and she nodded. "Some other time then?"
He did not reply, choosing instead to take his leave. Her words trailed after him as he pondered what harm a simple game could have done.
However, it was with America... who knew what that nation was plotting.
OoOoOo
She was sitting in the cafeteria, chatting with Canada -her largest trade partner- when China walked in.
His dark eyes sought her out, and the look of determination on his face was something that gave everyone pause. China approached her table and noticed that America was watching him warily. It was to be expected, they were not on very friendly terms.
He stood near her, his voice imperialistic as he looked down at her.
"I invite you to play at my home." He declared.
The blonde nation blinked and stared at him quizzically.
"What?"
"Ping-pong," China said, drawing himself up to his full height. "I invite you to play ping-pong at my home."
America paused, looking at him. Her blue eyes trying to discern his motives. China waited, fully prepared to be turned down and thus would begin the next few years of winning each other's favor.
"Okay." She said simply.
China blinked, his eyes widening before he quickly hid his surprise. America had agreed? Just like that? Well, he supposed she had been trying to decades to actually have diplomatic relations.
Still, he could not help but think that Westerners were so... easy.
Canada glanced between them with a calculating look, and America sent him a glance. China knew that they were communicating something.
"Yes, well... good." China replied decisively. "When will you be coming?"
"When do you want me there?' She asked, leaving the details up to him.
He pondered that. What would be a good day? One that would not herald an inauspicious start? China sorted through the days. Ah... yes, that day would be a good omen.
"April 6th." He declared
America looked at him confused. "That's today."
China blinked, flushing slightly.
""Then the 10th," he snapped angrily. "I will pay for the trip. Since I am inviting you, and have manners befitting a country."
It was a small jab at her, but she seemed unfazed by it.
America grinned, clearly delighted. "Alright! I will be there."
China huffed. Of course she would be. This was the first time since 1949 he was going to allow America anywhere near his soils. He gave a quick bow, and left.
OoOoOo
True to her word, America showed up. She was joy personified, it appeared by her exuberant expression. She actually let China do all of the talking as he led her across the Hong Kong bridge to the Chinese mainland.
Her blue eyes widened as she took in every aspect of his home. She seemed to adore his culture instantly. The deep reds, and bright golds had her attention, and she lingered on his architecture. China was extremely proud of his people's accomplishments, and it showed.
His chest was puffed out in pride, and he noticed that America looked at him as well. She should though, he was a country deserving of respect and admiration.
Perhaps, it was not so truly horrible to have America around him. China cast such notions aside, it was far too early to be thinking such things. it would be years, at least, until he would contemplate if it was safe to trust her. However, the journey of one thousand miles began with a single step.
America had already taken one toward him. He had taken one toward her in return.
China led her to where they would play. The paddles ready on opposite ends of the table. America smiled widely and shrugged off her jacket, placing it delicately on a nearby chair. China adjusted his clothes, so that he would not be inhibited by them as he faced off against America.
They wasted no time. China allowed her to serve, and soon they fell into a rhythm of competing against each other. It was strangely comfortable, how they moved tandem. China could not take his eyes off of her in that moment.
America was watching him as well. Then they both focused on the ball.
Each sound of the ping pong hitting the table was soothing. Each time America returned the ball, China felt invigorated by her effort. They were in balance, opposite ends of a cultural spectrum simply... having fun.
They played over a course of days, from the 11th to the 17th. America played, and lost, to China. He was a gracious winner and allowed her to tour the Great wall and the Summer Palace. She had been delighted, laughing and carefree. Her excitement bled over into him and China even found himself smiling at her a few times.
When he took her to the Cantonese ballet, she nearly had tears in her eyes, she was so moved by their stunning performance. She complimented his art and his people, and he agreed with her that they were inspiring.
Time flew by and before he knew it, America's stay had ended.
China found that he was saddened the day she was to leave. America smiled at him widely, thanking him for all that he'd shown her. He watched her go. His dark eyes trailed her form and he felt something stir within his chest.
A few days later, Time magazine called it "The ping heard around the world."
Nothing had happened between them, officially, however, China thought that one day...one day...
Something could.
OoOoOo
2014
Years have passed since that day. China had become the second largest economy. and America's largest creditor. Their relations had noticeably improved, all thanks to a few games of ping pong. Yet, they are not where China secretly hoped they would be. America still clung to Japan tighter than China.
Though she buys many of his exports and often tries to side with him in meetings if it does not directly conflict with another ally.
He finds the whole game of politics exhilarating and exhausting all at once. China was off to yet another meeting, discussing even more affairs that simply had to be taken care of this instant. He was an extremely busy country.
So when America grabs his suit and hauls him into the recreation room, China sputtered angrily.
"Get your hands off me! What do you think you are doing?"
The blonde nation shushes him with a finger to her lips. Her smiled like the cat that ate cream. She points to a nearby table. China's dark eyes appraise the two paddles and the ping pong ball lying in at the left side of the table.
"No," he says, already guessing where this is going.
"Oh come on," she says sweetly, "play with me."
"You are such a child sometimes," he huffs, straightening his tie.
America grins, and watches him un-offended. "Maybe, but everyone needs a moment to unwind. Just like the old days."
She hints back to their unusual start to true diplomatic relations.
China blushes slightly.
"I am very busy," he tries to deflect. He honestly was. There was always something that needed his attention.
"What?" She asks slyly, "You haven't forgotten how to play, have you?"
"Of course not!" China growls slightly, storming to the table and grabbing the nearest paddle. "I can still best you any day!"
She laughs, delighted with him and that same warmth is in her eyes. The one he admires, but will never admit to.
"Well then, come at me!" She calls teasingly and China nods seriously.
With the first serve, their whole hearts are in the game. They bounce the ball back and forth with fierce slaps and their bodies move in time with the mock 'battle' on the table. They fall back into that rhythm. The lull of going head to head and the thrill of a challenge.
The matters of the world fall away. Her nations debt to him. His nation wanting to be the best at everything and succeeding on many levels. It doesn't matter that they are both late to important meetings, or the fact that their paperwork remains unfinished. It doesn't matter that they miss flights and phone calls.
It is simply China and America.
Two nations, enjoying each other and not wanting to separate just yet. Hearts filled with happiness and mutual regard.
It is only them... communicating.
