England knows that the skin on Japan's back will no longer peel off if he uses too much strength to scrub it, but he cannot help but be mindful of where he soaps and washes. He makes sure his touch is light as his hands slip over the curves and panes of Japan's body, all the while resisting the urge to press his mouth hard against the scars that mark and flow on the skin under his fingertips.
Japan waits for the last of the water to flow off and for the light pat on his shoulder before thanking England. He turns around to return the favor, only to see that his companion has not done the same and is still facing him. The dim light of the bathhouse plays softly against England's hair and bare skin, making him glow in a way Japan has never seen before.
In the bath, all men are equal. Nations are no exception.
Slipping quietly to temptation, Japan raises a hand. His fingers play lightly over the scars on the left of England's chest. He can imagine the fires, the hopeless black of what was once the sky, the hushed silence as the city held its breath for the next time the world exploded again and again. The same has happened to him before. He bears his story the same way every other nation and their citizens do - in his mind and flesh.
"We match," he smiles bitterly. The patterns on his own back sting as he traces England's skin lightly with his fingertips. Japan breathes in deeply the clear steam rising from the bath water, his lungs remembering a time long ago when it was smoke and ashes that went in and poison and blood that rose into the air again.
England's hand curls and wrap around Japan's. For a while they sit, peering at each other through the warm fog of the bath.
Then it is England touching Japan's chest, his fingers trailing down, down, through the vapor and past his stomach. Japan's eyes widen in shock. He grips England by the wrist as England's hand grasps and strokes. The bath is as warm and humid as a bath should be but it is not the temperature that makes Japan sweat and pant and squirm.
England does not smile as he brings his face closer to Japan's and whispers into his ear.
"Yes," he says, locking eyes with Japan through the steam. "We do."