Author Notes - i!PLEASE READ!i
By the way, it's a Guardian Angel AU / Human AU if you all haven't realized.
ALRIGHT, alright, I know the summary makes this story seem like it's one of those cliché Hetalia fanfictions or THOSE fanfictions in fandoms in general. One half of the OTP coming back to life is probably what you're thinking of right now, and that thought hit me when typing every single character in the summary. However, they always say: "Don't judge a book by it's cover." In this case, don't judge it by a summary that isn't even half of the story's plot.
I have a ton of plans for this fanfiction, with having the story following various characters to boot. Although at the start it's going to seem like it is, this story WON'T JUST be about Alfred (America) and Kiku (Japan). So Ameripan shippers, don't be totally psyched for those two and for non-Ameripan shippers, you'l (Will have a message to Non-Ameripan shippers).
There's not much of a plot; following Kiku and Alfred, their story will involve coming to terms with each other in their own separate roles… that's the only way I can say it? But don't fret! Other stories of other pairs of characters will be AS DISTINCT AS POSSIBLE.
MESSAGE TO NON-AMERIPAN SHIPPERS: N O, it's not an IMMEDIATE love story between these two (Alfred and Kiku) like in other fanfictions where character X and character X suddenly fall in love in less than two days. THERE IS character development (I'll try) and it'll be as realistic as loveli- dang, I slipped up, but the development of their "connections" with each other will be as realistic as possible.
I really wish I couldn't spoil future events in the plot, but it being a fanfiction, I'm sure I'm going to have to say these warnings. Future means CHAPTERS into the fanfiction, while past means events mainly shown in flashbacks.
WARNINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO ACKNOWLEDGE:
-There will be those occasional cuss words depending on the situation and character, however, there won't be an excessive amount. I'll try to keep it at "Damn", "Ass", "Hell", "Bastard", etc, but like I said, depending on the event and which character might be saying it, as well as just normal narrative, it could be more severe, or less.
-Future Ameripan
-Past FRUK & Future FRUK
-Future Gerita
-Future Spamano
-There will be surprise ships in the future, but also from in the past as well
I won't show any more warnings in future chapters. Unless there is something that might be offensive for some, such as: Intense swearing, incest, etc, I'll warn you in the Author Notes.
Sorry that these notes were so long ;n; there will be less in future chapters.
Human names that will be used:
Taiwan: Wang Mei
Vietnam: Mai Thanh Phạm (Taken the example by hetaliafanficpetpeeves on tumblr)
South Korea: Im Yong Soo
Hong Kong: Li Xiao Wang (English name is "Leon")
Macau: Wong Macao
Thailand: Aegaratt Tai
Australia: Ralph Andrew
New Zealand: Toby James
Denmark: Mathias Køhler
"Come on Kiku!" Mei nudged Kiku with her elbow, trying to balance the stack of boxes in her arms. "Moving to America would be a fun experience, wouldn't it? Meeting new people, exploring all the sights… I'm sure doing so would fill your need to always take pictures all the time." She told Kiku, trying to look on the bright side of things.
Kiku had started to worry about trying to get along well with the people over in America and being able to be up to standards within their way of living. "If you put it that way, then it doesn't sound bad." The noirette replied, considering Mei's words whilst picking up a few boxes, a little bit of worry in his voice however. "But?" She questioned, catching said worry in his voice.
Walking out of the house and towards the car, Kiku thought out his words carefully. Mei was used to this since Kiku would hesitate before he talked, occasionally. "However, I have seen Americans coming to our country and their way of thinking, speaking and… simply doing tasks confuses me." Kiku explained to Mei, pushing and fitting the boxes he took to the car in the trunk, Mei as well.
"And their peers would act like it's a normal occurrence, which I really do not think it is in my opinion." She had to admit he was right, she saw the type of behavior that would be perceived as "weird" to the majority of people who lived in the country.
"Except Yong Soo, he acts like those Americans all the time." Overhearing their conversation, Xiao interrupted while packing bags into the back seat of the car. "Didn't you say he has an American friend from around here?" Trying to remember, Mei asked for reassurance from Xiao. "Shì ((Yes)), teacher is always saying that that friends' personality is like, rubbing off on him, which it already has." He replied, putting emphasis on the word "has" in his voice as he wiped his forehead of the sweat that formed on his head from the heat of the sun.
"Hey guys!" The tall Korean that strutted over from the house shouted. Hearing the familiar voice, Xiao didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "Speak of the devil."
"Talking about Americans? I heard that they made this anime that doesn't look much like an anime at all. Da-ze!" He knew that when Kiku felt the need to talk about a topic he's passionate about, he'd get really talkative. The noirette would speak about animes that had animation and dubs that looked and sounded "bad" and Yong knew that Kiku would want to see it for himself. Kiku wasn't really surprised because he knew that the comment was being directed at him for said reason. "It is their style so I shouldn't say anything about it." Kiku mumbled looking down at the ground, not wanting to draw all the attention to himself. Yet he was curious about said anime.
Yong thought Kiku was uncomfortable about the statement; he bursted out laughing to which everyone was staring at him in confusion. "You're always nervous about everything Kiku, stop worrying so much!" He wrapped an arm around him, trying to comfort him yet it just made Kiku uncomfortable now. Walking out of the house, Yao then said: "Xiao Mei, aru!"
"I tuck in my hello kitty doll at night too." Making fun of Yao, Xiao rhymed to form a TRUE statement. The other three tried to hide their laughs as Yao hastily stomped over to the 4 asians, a bag in one hand, and a plush in the other. Xiao was meanwhile prepping himself for the worst if Yao had heard him, hiding behind a poker faced expression. "Here's your bird plushie, aru." He handed Mei her plushie.
Xiao sighed in relief, thank god, Yao didn't hear him. "We leave in 10 minutes, so remember to get the last of your items and get last boxes in the house." He prompted at everyone. "Also, Xiao, you forgot your "anymeh" pillow in your room, aru." +20 points Yao, -20 points Xiao. Kiku thought.
Xiao blushed to the point where his face became red and ran into the house in pure embarrassment. Leaving a laughing family that now knows of this information to stick it in the back of their heads. "Yeah, Leon! Don't keep it waiting! Da-ze!" Yong yelled.
The plane ride was about 14 hours… of mainly staring out the window for Kiku. Maybe he's just overthinking it, America couldn't be that bad can it? China has a bunch of pollution, Japan is too crowded, Taiwan is… actually okay, why couldn't we move there? and Korea… is just a big no for Kiku. /Read author notes./ I can definitely live in those countries, but not being familiar to American culture… Guess the sight through the window wasn't enough to keep Kiku occupied and from thinking an excessive amount.
What if Kiku changed because of this move? What if his family becomes distant from him because of the new surroundings and how he's trying to cope with them? Kiku tried to drown out the thoughts, but they always seemed to come back; conflicting with the positive thoughts.
He rested his head on his hand and exhaled a bit too loud from the stress he was causing for himself. Yao heard and saw the movement in his peripheral vision and looked up from his phone; he mentioned in a quiet voice: "It is better than barely eating because of paying your siblings' former high-school debts." Although said in Yao's perspective of the situation, Kiku understood it all. He did have a point, because of the raise for debts of the high-school his siblings attended, Yao had less money to pay for resources for the family.
Yao sighed. "The place you worked at was fine, though. It had a good system."
"Hai." ((Yes)) Kiku replied in a low whisper. There was a possibility of being able to stay in China, however, Kiku knew that his siblings would push him to move with them. Likewise, said possibility was extremely low in general. In short, he basically had no choice.
After the family got to the airport, Yao was performing all the operations needed for becoming an immigrant (For his family too, of course.), while the rest of the family waited for him on a bench. Kiku was as patient as ever, and the wait didn't bother him at all; to be honest, he enjoyed it. It gave him time to check out the potential businesses in their area he could apply for on his phone. Xiao looked over at his phone out of pure curiosity. "You're looking at work places now? Why don't you just chill and spend like, some quality time with the family?"
Those words took Kiku out of his trance and noticed Yong and Mei were having a conversation on the other side of Xiao. Kiku was so caught up with what company he'd join once he got to America that he never even thought about spending some time with his family while he could. Turning his phone off and slipping it into his pocket, he turned to Xiao. "We never got to socialize much with each other as a family; now would be nice." Smiling in the process.
There was a bit of a peaceful pause and Yong and Mei heard it all. "Oh! Flippin' told you he isn't an antisocial otaku, you owe me 3 bucks." Xiao faced at Yong, putting his hand out waiting for the money he betted. Yong sighed, admitting defeat and gave the money to the Chinese. Mei then asks: "You've made that bet? You should know that he isn't by now."
"We do, but we placed that bet, like, 6 years ago? I just remembered it now." Xiao replied, trying to recall said old bet. "What would be the next bet? That Yao has another panda tattoo?" Mei asked, a bit of sarcasticness in her voice.
"Bet you both 5 dollars he has another one but on his right butt cheek." Yong said, directing it at Xiao and Mei. They all knew that Kiku doesn't participate in any bettings, he simply doesn't like the idea of possibly losing money. "Deal!" The Chinese and Taiwanese said in unison, while Kiku continued smiling at this sight.
They won't change though.
The family rented a hotel because they didn't have the funds to buy a small house yet. Yao worked for some money and started saving up for one. However, Yao had to work late most of the time so he couldn't spend much time with the family.
- Time Skip 2 Weeks -
It was late in the afternoon and Kiku came in the hotel room, feeling stressed. Alright, just these contracts I need to fill out… There are some times where Kiku would wish his cousin, Macao, would say "Good luck" to him like he always did, in person or not. He had no problem with completing the papers, he was just worried he wouldn't fill the quota at the company even if he tried his best.
While reading and signing the contracts, Kiku then noticed that he hasn't heard Yong, Xiao or Mei in the house at all. They're most likely hanging out with friends, they are teenagers after all… Although his siblings treat him with brotherly/sisterly love, Kiku feels as though he isn't in their… "circle". He still wishes to hang out with them like he used to.
The noirette was then snapped out of his thoughts when a young adult's voice was heard from behind him.
"Hey Japanese dude!"
A/N
Ugh, sorry if the chapter is short, I'm not one to keep a scene going on for a long time. (I'm a very impatient person and I just did this chapter on the go.) I hope this is enough to get a grasp on my writing style, the setting and the characters if you haven't seen them in the canon manga/anime already…
By the way, for that "Korea was just a big no", I read some articles about Pros and Cons about living in Korea and most of the Cons are some things Kiku would not really be 'okay' with. (Sugar-coating that sentence to be honest.)
Thank you for reading!
