China's lips curved into a smile as the American gave a frustrated grunt.
This was humiliating. Absolutely humiliating, America thought. Not only was he allowing another man to have control over him, but his biggest rival of all people. China, the business tycoon. The man he was so deep in debt too. The one smiling so knowingly at him now. He frowned deeply, trying again to move his arms.
"You can pull on it all you want," China quipped as he finished a knot around America's feet, smiling once more. He was pleased to finally have the rowdy American youngster at his mercy, that was for sure. "It's silk, so it won't hurt much if you pull."
"Well aren't you nice?" the American snarled, pulling against the binding's on his feet, to little avail. Well, it figured. China had had thousands of years to master knot work, and he'd wasted no time using that knowledge to render America helpless. America couldn't remember why he'd even agreed to this in the first place any more. He certainly wouldn't have, had he known it was going to turn out like this.
"Would you rather I not be 'nice'?" China frowned, speaking in what America interpreted to be a serious, yet scolding tone, like he was talking to him as he would a guilty child. "I can do other things, if you'd rather. But they're not good for business."
"This isn't good for business!"
Suddenly, something bopped America on the forehead. It took him a moment, but after a brief second of confusion, he registered that it had been China.
"Don't argue," China scolded, this time taking a moment to caress the American's cheek with his thumb. His voice was suddenly soft and gentle again. Smooth as silk. "Like I said, this is the best way. I will make sure."
Sure he would, America thought. Sure he would. Just like every business deal he'd knowingly given America the short end of.