Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia

A/n: Hey guys ' v')/ It's been a while since I've uploaded anything huh? I'm really really sorry about that! I could say I've been busy and etc but really I just don't have much motivation to write nowadays. I still love writing but I'm not sure, I just don't feel like it most of the time. I wrote this wanting to upload it on the mid-autumn festival 3 days ago but was doing a lot of work so it took me till now to finish part 1 u_u But yes this will be a two-shot and I hope you guys enjoy it. I'm still working on the other series and requests and at the rate I'm writing it might take a while to do them unless I suddenly have the uncontrollable desire to write. Anyway until next update, see ya.

Regardless

Xiang sat quietly in class, staring out at the window to see the sweltering summer. That time was coming and he was eager to experience the seasons. But despite that, he had school for the entire year. Breaks only short weeks or even days. Soon enough the day came to an end and as everyone else rustled and rushed out to enjoy their weekends, Xiang coolly stood up and made his way out.

"Hey Xiang!"

Xiang looked over his shoulder to find his usual energetic friend. "Yong Soo," he greeted.

"So you want to hang out this weekend or something?" he asked.

"No," he said bluntly.

"Whoa you could at least explain why. You never want to hang out during the weekends."

"I already have plans. Is that enough?" he asked.

"Always so mysterious," he laughed.

The Cantonese teen only shrugged and continued his way to the entrance of the school. But before he could leave, something caught his attention. A letter was set inside of his locker. Raising an eyebrow he took it out, looking over it only to find a single heart set on the front.

"Oh~ what's that?" Yong Soo asked.

"I don't know; a letter?" he said sarcastically. Xiang quickly opened the letter and began to read.

"A love letter?" Yong Soo questioned. Xiang only shrugged and prepared to throw it away before Yong Soo stopped him. "Whoa! What are you doing?"

"I'm not interested…"

The Korean quickly snatched the letter from his hands, taking a moment to look over it. "You just can't do that! This girl put her feelings into this kind of writing. You could at least go and meet her and tell that to her. Just don't leave her standing there waiting for no one."

"You're surprisingly good at this stuff," Xiang commented. He shrugged, "I guess it would be good to at least do it in person."

"Of course! Besides, Korean dramas are the best around and I know a thing or two about romance. And who knows, maybe she'll be interesting."

"Maybe but I won't be interested." Without saying anymore, the two headed up to the roof, the amount of students gradually disappearing until only their footsteps echoed through the stairway.

Xiang pushed opened the door to the desolate rooftop where a girl stood alone. Yong Soo nudged him forward and he went over while the Korean stood back. The girl was obviously nervous but pleased that Xiang appeared. "H-hello," she greeted.

"Hey," he answered causally.

"So, you got my letter?" He nodded. "So…?" she said, awaiting his answer.

"I'm sorry but I have to decline. There's already somebody I'm interested in."

The girl's hopeful expression fell and she looked like she was going to cry. Xiang wanted to say something but there was nothing else to say. He had told the truth and there was nothing he could do about it. "I see…" she murmured. "Well thanks for coming to tell me that," she said, smiling weakly.

"You're welcome. And sorry about this." Xiang turned around and walked away, leaving the girl to have some privacy. When he reunited with the Korean, he looked a bit disappointed at what just happened.

"You couldn't have handled that any better?" he asked.

"I told the truth. What else do you want from me?" he inquired. "I'm not going to give someone false hope."

"I guess but you could have let her down more gently."

"She would have been disappointed either way. Better to get on with the truth rather than lead someone on." Yong Soo had nothing to say to that and the two continued until they left the school. As they approached the cross road, the two parted and went their separate ways. However Xiang was not going home. He had someone to see.

The sleek white hospital came into view as Xiang entered the parking lot. He had become a regular visitor so the guards didn't pay any mind to letting him in. When he entered the different wings, the unmistakable scent of medicine filled his senses. He should have gotten used to the smell but it was still unnerving all the same.

As he approached the private room, he knocked quietly and let himself in. The light of the sun poured in through the windows, cutting through the dreariness of the building. He smiled lightly as he closed the door and walked over to the bed. There was a sleeping girl he was all too familiar with. Her soft brown hair partially covered her face. Gently he brushed away the strands of hair covering it when a memorable gaze met his.

"Sleep well?" he asked, smiling softly.

She raised her hand, gently touching his cheek and smiling. "I guess so. I thought this was a dream for a second."

"Nope, I'm real."

She giggled and scooted over; making some room on her bed so he could lay next to her. Xiang took the invitation, crawling next to her, content when she laid her head against his chest. She snuggled into it, taking in his scent and warmth before looking up to him and smiling.

"I've missed you, Mei."

"You saw me yesterday," she giggled.

"And I've missed you for every second of it," he said, planting a kiss on her head.

"I can say the same. So tell me about your day."

Twirling a lock of her hair in his hand, he began to recount his day to her. Telling Mei about the lessons which she always seemed to be extremely interested in. "…So the day ended when I was about to come visit when…" he trailed off. Not sure if he should tell her about what went on with the other girl.

"What?" she asked curiously. "Is it something bad? Interesting? You're making me really curious."

"Well… I got a letter from a girl who confessed to me."

"Seriously?" she said, her eyes gleaming with interest. "What happened?"

"I rejected her obviously."

"I'm sure it wasn't very nice…"

"I didn't feel good about doing it but what else was I to do? I already have someone."

"Me?" she smiled.

"Yes you," he answered, kissing her forehead again.

An awkward silence began to grow, Mei seemingly staring into space before blinking and returning. "Xiang… Why do you stay with me?"

The Cantonese teen seemed to be taken aback but the sudden serious question but looked over to see her. "Because I love you. You know that."

"But… why? You could be better off with someone that isn't... in my condition."

Xiang thought about where she was going with this. The two's history together was deep. They knew each other from their childhood and even when they were toddlers. They gradually grew from being friends to best friends, almost inseparable. But Mei's eyes were bad and they only became worse over the years until now where she was at the point of almost being blind. And as if her misfortunes weren't enough, she had a rare disease that made her weaker than the average person.

Despite all her shortcomings, she never let them bother her because Xiang stood beside her regardless of whatever happened. Throughout the years that she was kept in the hospital, Xiang had always visited her without fail. And she wondered why he would ever be so loyal to her when he could easily just go to someone else. She wanted him to be happy, no matter how much it may hurt her.

"Mei…" he began. Placing his warm hand against her cheek, he softened his voice. "You're the only one for me. I'm here with you because of who you are. All those other girls can do whatever they want but they could never touch my heart in the way you have. I love you."

The Taiwanese girl smiled, leaning into his touch and placing her own hand on his face. "I love you too… I just wish I could go out and do things with you instead of being stuck here. I wish I could see the face of the person I love the most too."

"I know Mei," he said softly. He pulled the girl into a gentle hug, the two staying like that till the minutes turned to hours. Neither said anything, content just to be within the other's arms.

When visiting hours ended, Xiang reluctantly prepared to leave. "Xiang?" Mei suddenly said.

"Yeah?"

"So… the doctors said my health was improving. They said I could spend at least a day out and they highly suggested it. Better to do what I can before things get worse, right?"

"Really?" Xiang said with a surprised face. When she nodded, a mixture of unexplainable feelings welled up inside of him. "Would you like to go on a date tomorrow?" he smiled.

Mei immediately brightened and nodded. "I'd love to."

"Great," he said. "I'll come by as early as possible so we can have the full day to ourselves. I should go plan right now." Xiang prepared to bolt out the door until Mei grasped his hand.

Before he could ask what was going on, she pulled him into a gentle kiss. Even without being able to see him, she could still feel his full lips and the distinct smell that was his alone filled her senses. Xiang returned the kiss, gently caressing the side of her head. Neither wanted to part from this touch but the lack of air forced them apart. Mei smiled sweetly at the Cantonese teen.

"See you tomorrow."

"Y-yeah see you tomorrow."

With great reluctance, Xiang left her room. As he walked down the hallway toward the exit, a whirlpool of thoughts spiraled in his mind. Plans for tomorrow took up most of this space. But buried deep within it, he wondered how long he had to cherish Mei before fate would take her away from him.