Madness in Madagascar

Warnings: Use of both human and country names

Pairings: China/Japan; minor RusAme, FrUK

What is this crazy prompt fill? Well, at least it'll get me writing ChuuNi. In a bid to make the teeny-tiny ChuuNi fandom bigger, the lovely Inclinant gave me some prompts, which are spread throughout this two-part oneshot. The prompts are as follows: vacation on a tropical island; marble; coffee; sea eagles; chocolate fountains + marshmallows (exploding); champagne truffles; drunken Japan; roses in the swimming pool; cake on top of a mountain; lemurs; typhoon; candles in caves; and, moon, flowers, and tea.

Also, disclaimer: I don't own APH.

Summer had arrived, and seeing as it was just about the only thing that everyone could agree on celebrating, there was therefore an Annual National Holiday. Every year, in a bid to enjoy a holiday and forget about the stress and grind of day-to-day life, nations would group up and jet off to different corners of the world, to friends' houses, or to high-end, secluded hotels… For just a week, feet could be put up, papers could remain unread, and headaches could be quelled with seemingly endless relaxation.

Last year had been Finland. This year, at Arthur's insistence, they were going somewhere hot –specifically, Madagascar. Francis hoped that this year wouldn't be as disastrous as the last. Cooping several stressed, tired nations up in the same establishment had always inevitably led to some problems, but this year had been a hard one for a lot of them, and he hoped that the first thing on their minds was relaxing, as opposed to causing mayhem. However—and he was sure that some of the others would agree—there was one very pressing, frustrating issue that, if allowed to continue, would ruin the holiday before it had even started.

It's so obvious, he thought, as he passed the two culprits walking side by side, the taller looking at the ceiling; the epitome of forced, fake confidence. Everyone sees it—you two are just too stubborn to admit it. He sighed airily and pursed his lips, formulating a plan even before the need for one had been confirmed.

"So, France, what did you want to speak to us about?" Russia asked, looking placidly curious (and curiously placid, given that he could have been on his way home were it not for this meeting). "Please make it quick, though."

Everyone—bar the two nations in question—was seated in the meeting room. The sight of the two empty chairs should have made obvious what was going to be said, but it was better to clarify it anyway. "Well," Francis began, motioning to the empty seats. "I'm sure you've all noticed that China and Japan aren't here."

"Is there something they shouldn't know?" Russia looked a little amused at keeping the missing duo out of the loop. "It's not often they're the ones in the dark."

"Oh, it's nothing sinister," Francis replied, and noticed a few shoulders sink in relief. "But have you all noticed just how… hung up on each other they seem?" Various others nodded, and Francis could tell that they knew where this was going. "Well, I don't know what you all think, but this holiday isn't going to be much fun if they're like this all the time. So, being the man of romance that I am, I am proposing that we get them together."

"Wait, are you saying that they're crushing on each other?" America asked incredulously, eyes wide in disbelief. "Really? I never noticed!"

"Please, it's a virtual elephant in the room," Arthur shook his head, grumbling under his breath. "How did I put up with you?"

Germany sighed. "I for one refuse to be a part of it. They're both private people, and this wouldn't go down well."

"That's the point," Francis said, gesturing around him for no particular reason. "Look at them. Any more of this and I'll go crazy. They're both so stubborn that we'd actually be doing them a favour." Several nations nodded in agreement, and Francis leant back in his chair.

"I still refuse," Germany said, walking towards the door. "But I won't tell them, either."

Francis thanked him as he left. "Anyone else who doesn't want to take part, well, you're under no obligation to, but we'd all appreciate it if you didn't tell them." Arthur hesitated, as did Feliciano, who had lost his biggest ally, but in the end, no one else got up to leave. Even Russia remained. "So, we're all up for it, then?"

Affirmations sounded from around the table and Francis looked around at his comrades-in-arms. "So, seeing as there is no time like the present, suggestions?"

Gates rolled back to admit various taxis into the hotel grounds. Whitewashed complexes overlooked the beach or backed onto vibrant green landscape. Smooth terracotta bricks made up quiet courtyards, quaint tables and chairs setting a welcoming, idyllic mood.

"Ve~, we're here!" Feliciano cheered happily, racing ahead of everyone to get to the reception in his excitement. Kiku took his time, taking in the small details.

They would be the only ones staying here for the week, much to his relief. It was an expensive feat, certainly, though they sometimes received discounts if the hotel saved on electricity and catering—but it would be worth it. The interior was just as stunning as the outside, but suggested a totally different feel. Marble floors, polished to a high buff, and immaculate furnishings made up the amazing but distant atmosphere that hotels usually created.

The reception led onto another courtyard, which was home to a small, secluded pool. More of the quaint tables were dotted around, as well as sun loungers and deckchairs.

Their rooms were separated, on various levels and in different wings of the establishment. He would be in the West Wing with England and Russia—not an entirely unwelcome combination; both were quite quiet at night, unless Arthur was intoxicated. The others would occupy the East Wing, on the other side of which there was a bigger pool.

Given that they usually followed a loose itinerary, Alfred decided that they would meet by the main pool in a couple of hours to decide their plans. That was enough time for people to settle in, relax and begin to unwind. With that in mind, Kiku headed to his room. Yao followed suit, and the remaining nations glanced at each other knowingly before breaking up and dispersing.

The plan was beginning.

From his balcony, Yao looked out at the pool, where most of the others were gathered, either enjoying themselves in the water or relaxing by the side. He wasn't expected there yet, and he needed some time alone to sort through his growing feelings for Kiku and determine whether they were just childishly fleeting or there for good. If it was indeed the latter case (as he suspected), the next step was to determine how to deal with them.

He had had these feelings for a while now, and they did not feel impermanent, but maybe he was misconstruing them as romantic because Kiku was older now, more mature. For Yao to dote on him as he had done his younger counterpart would be demeaning to them both.

On the other hand, he had certainly never felt his heart seize up whenever anyone mentioned Kiku's name in the past, nor had he ever felt such a pressing need to be near him constantly, to be beside him, to help him through new or difficult things. There were things he wanted to say to him, to do with him; and he knew that he would give anything to hold him in his arms, to run that soft dark hair through his fingers…

Yes, he had long since established that these were indeed feelings of love, and that they were there to stay.

He watched as Kiku threw the beach ball back to Alfred and retreated under the parasol. Each and every movement that Kiku made lingered in his mind, from the way he sat with an arm across himself when feeling nervous, to the way his eyebrows knotted ever-so-slightly when he was concentrating—in fact, Kiku had never spent so much time occupying his thoughts.

Would it be taken poorly, he wondered, to love the one who had hurt him so much all those years ago, never mind that it would be betraying himself to deny those feelings? He thought of Alfred and Ivan, who had been rivals for the longest time. They had made it work, so why couldn't he?

There was a knock on his door, and Ivan's voice sounded through the wood. "Yao? Are you there?"

"One second." He opened the door and made way so that Ivan could enter. "What is it?"

Ivan's features seemed to soften a little. "You look a little tired," he said, proffering a cup of coffee. Yao accepted it gratefully, taking a small sip.

"It's probably just the flight," he said, slightly confused. He felt fine, if a little weary. The coffee did help, though. "Why do you ask?"

"You've just seemed down recently," Ivan said. "Have you… fought with Japan, or something?"

He froze, instantly worried. Perhaps unaware, Ivan continued. "You two seem really awkward around each other, like you're really distant. He seems like he's pretty… fed up with you, or something. He hasn't been giving you any more trouble, has he?"

He tried to answer, but suddenly found that his mouth was dry. Even though he had been under the impression that he was the closest to the other, Kiku was fed up with him? Swallowing hard, he forced a response. "No, no, he hasn't done anything. Has he said anything to you?"

"Well, you know him," Ivan said with a shrug. "We still don't get on very well."

"Oh," he said, feeling stupid. He tried to shrug it off, but even he could tell he wasn't succeeding. "Maybe he's just… having a bad week."

"Hmm," Ivan watched him drink the rest of the coffee in one go, looking slightly sympathetic. "I just thought I'd let you know. Don't let it get to you," he said kindly. "He's not worth it. Besides, in the end, it won't matter whether you're friends or not, because we'll all be living in my house, right?"

Numbly giving the required answers, he showed Ivan out. When he was certain the other had gone, he sat down, all the strength in his legs gone. He reflected on the past few months, trying to think if Kiku had ever shown any signs of discomfort around him, but there was nothing suggested as such. He had not shown an open interest, but then anyone who expected that was severely misguided. Thinking about it, Ivan hadn't been very specific, and there was every possibility that he had just misunderstood one of Kiku's subtle and hard-to-read moods. But if he had hurt Kiku, then he needed to confirm it.

A clock struck the hour. Making his way down to the pool, he sent a fleeting, longing glance Kiku's way. Kiku was returning it, downcast. Even as they discussed trips and activities, a heavy weight settled on his heart.

The heavy sound of crashing water filled the air and ripples spread across the formerly calm pool. Spray shot up from all sides, half-soaking him. The sun shone through it, creating small rainbows on the floor. Alfred surfaced from the pool and cheered. "Keeks, you have to come in the pool! It's great!"

"Have you been talking to Yong-Soo-san?" he asked, sitting by the poolside. Given that he was in his casual clothes, he didn't particularly want to get any wetter than he already was. In an attempt to distract Alfred, he changed tack, onto the nickname that the boisterous South Korean had given him some years back.

"Maybe," he said, grinning as he floated on his back and kicked his way into the centre of the pool.

Kiku smiled and stood up, gazing at the sky. It was hot and humid, and in an attempt to get out of the sun, he retreated under a parasol. Yao had not come down yet, he noticed. Kiku sighed and tried to force himself to stop trying to work Yao into every situation he was in. There were inevitably going to be times when they were apart, and while he knew he should therefore be content with the people around him, he could not help but feel terribly… unenthused when Yao was not there. But when he was… well, he felt completely different. Alert, but alive. Secure. Until Yao was by his side, he was only existing, not living. He longed to be able to tell Yao his feelings and to have those feelings reciprocated.

Daydreaming of this, he began to fall asleep, when someone bumped into the lounger he was on, jolting him awake.

"Oh, sorry, Japan. I must not have been looking where I was going." Ivan's soft voice split the former quiet, but was overshadowed by those of the others, who must have arrived during his shallow sleep. Alfred was engaged in a very strange version of volleyball with France and Feliciano, who had somehow coaxed Ludwig into it too.

"You didn't hurt yourself, did you, Russia-san?" he asked, allowing himself to be just a bit rude. He did not usually get on with Russia, whose apology seemed rather insincere.

Russia 'hmphed', and as he left, Kiku struggled to wake up. Having been prematurely woken up, his head was fuzzy and slow.

"Here," Arthur, who was on the adjacent deckchair, handed him a cup of coffee. "You look like you need it."

"Thank you," he said gratefully. "You're not playing, England-san?"

"Maybe later," Arthur said, casting an eye at the group. "There's time before we decide what to do, anyway."

Nodding, he quickly looked around. Yao was still nowhere to be seen, presumably still in his room. He hesitated, because this next question would reveal all his insecurities and all his deepest wishes. "And, eh… China-san is…"

"Still in his room, as far as I know," Arthur said, watching as the ball bounced out of play. Kiku picked it up and threw it back to them, letting them fight for the throw. "Speaking of whom," Arthur said as he sat down again. "Have you… I don't know, had a fight with him, or something?"

"Sorry…?" He froze up, fully aware and ashamed of the distress and fear in his eyes.

"Things just seem awkward between you two, that's all."

"Is that so?" Kiku he asked, unable to think. He felt his lips go dry in nervousness. Had he been imagining their closeness all this time? Had he forced Yao away—or worse—hurt him again?

Instantly, he mentally revised everything he had said to Yao in the last few months, trying desperately to recall if he had said anything that could have been misinterpreted or misconstrued as offensive. Finding nothing, he realised that he must have simply offended the other with his presence. And yet Yao had been so kind and responsive, so warm to him, even while he had been so consistently rude.

In his eyes, there was only one solution. After apologising, he would avoid Yao as much as possible. He would cast aside the feelings that he had been nurturing for months and never act on them. His feelings paled in comparison to how Yao felt, and frankly put, he had had enough of causing him pain.

Arthur said nothing more, save to complain about the heat (which Kiku found odd seeing as Arthur had insisted on this location for that very reason), and Kiku allowed himself to secretly analyse and agonise over each and every thing that he had said and done. When Yao arrived at the pool, shortly after Ivan, Kiku took one last, long glance at him, promising himself that this would be the last time that he saw him with love in his eyes.

Evening had fallen. Nations were still loudly messing around in the pool, without a care in the world. Yao had noticed earlier that Kiku had somehow silently disappeared, expertly vanishing to who knew where.

The look of sorrow that Kiku had given him was haunting him, and Yao was still trying to determine whether or not he should confront him. On one hand, he could be totally rejected, but on the other, he couldn't simply ignore the nagging need to confirm that rejection. Feigning tiredness, he headed to Kiku's room, took a deep breath and knocked.

"Yes?" Kiku looked up at the knock on his door. He hadn't been expecting anyone, so the noise took him a little by surprise.

"Can I talk to you?" Yao asked, his voice a little muffled. Swallowing hard, Kiku took a deep breath and opened the door, hoping that his eyes did not look too red and that he looked presentable. His heart skipped a beat as Yao walked in, looking him up and down. He shut the door and refused to meet the other's eyes, watching the floor instead.

This was his punishment—as Yao had had to endure his presence, Kiku would now have to endure his. Silence drew out, growing more and more awkward. Eventually, Yao spoke up. "You know, it's been a while since we talked," he said, dark eyes watching his every move. Numbly, Kiku nodded. He could still feel those eyes on him and meekly kept his own averted. "You're not with the others?"

"Nor are you, China-san." He kept his voice level and controlled, revealing none of the emotions he had previously allowed to shine through. "Can I help you?"

"I just wondered how you were," Yao said, sounding a little hurt by the distance in his words.

Kiku bowed his head further. No matter what he did, all he ever ended up doing was hurting Yao. Perhaps that was his fate, to endlessly repel the one he wanted so desperately to attract. It was certainly what he deserved. "You look upset," Yao said, moving towards him. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes."

"You're lying."

Kiku prepared himself for everything he was about to say. He had hurt Yao yet again, and so deserved to be left by the other, though it would break his heart. "It's… I'm fine. You don't have to go out of your way to be nice to me. Please, discard me. If it stops me bothering you, I'll be happy with that. I'm sorry for being such a trouble, such a…"

"What?" Yao's voice held evident surprise—maybe even confusion. "Discard you? Do you know how important to me you are?" He laughed hollowly, disbelieving. "Kiku, it's unbelievable that you'd bother anyone, let alone me." He stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder, drawing away when Kiku flinched. "What do you mean, anyway?"

Kiku stepped back, forcing himself to at least look at Yao. His shoulders were still raised defensively from the touch. "All this time, I've been bothering you, haven't I? I've been a nuisance, an annoyance, a…" He stopped short, realising that Yao looked confused again.

"Of course not! That was what I was worried about," Yao exclaimed, and Kiku felt a similar confusion. How on earth could Yao have been bothering him? "I thought I'd upset you somehow!"

"…England-san said that we looked like we'd fought," he said, sinking onto the sofa in confusion. Yao sat next to him, incredibly close, and Kiku continued, swallowing hard. "So I thought that I must have upset you, or…"

"Ivan said the same thing to me," Yao said, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "I thought the same. But we've been get…" He stopped suddenly, and Kiku saw him blush. "What I mean is—I didn't think things were awkward between us…"

Kiku nodded in puzzled agreement. With the thought that he was free from this particular guilt came the slightest hope that their relationship was not impossible, and this filled him with joy and relief. "Maybe England-san and Russia-san just misunderstood something?"

"Whatever the case, you couldn't get on my nerves," Yao said, smiling at him. That smile was so bold and brilliant… He felt the blush before he felt the embarrassment, and Yao looked a little surprised. He laughed lightly once, not unkindly, then smiled contentedly. "Well, I suppose if everything is okay…"

Yao got up to leave, and Kiku felt a little disappointed. He would have liked Yao to stay a little longer… If I haven't hurt him, is it alright for me to have just this one thing?

"Anou…"

Yao stopped. "Yes?"

"You know, you're right. We haven't talked in a long time. If you like… please stay for a bit?"

It was good to be back by the sea, Kiku mused. The white sand was deliciously warm under his feet and a light breeze ruffled his hair.

The others were sunbathing, playing in the sea or on the beach (Feliciano was making much-admired sand sculptures of animals, including a friendly elephant and a surprisingly fearsome shark). He had just finished a chapter of his book when someone flumped onto the sand next to him. He looked up, distracted. "China-san."

"You should come and join in," Yao said with a grin. "It seems pretty unfair; you sitting here all by yourself. Plus, it'd be more fun if I had someone to pass to."

Kiku motioned to the book. "I've got another chapter…"

"It'll keep," Yao said, grabbing his hand and removing the book from it. "Come on!" With that he was hauled onto his feet, and Yao broke into a run across the sands, still holding his wrist. Half-dragged, half-running to keep up, Kiku barely registered that he was running into the cold water until it was up to his thighs. Then he shrieked and struggled, only to be soaked by a wave.

"It's c-c-cold," he said, teeth chattering.

"It's better if you just go under," Alfred said, grinning at him. Before he could protest, the stronger nation pushed him underwater, and he surfaced clumsily, gasping for breath and shivering. Still alert, though, he slyly hooked one of his legs around Alfred's, and pulled, sweeping him into the water. "What the-"

Arthur and Yao exchanged brief glances and burst out into raucous laughter. Alfred surfaced, not quite comprehending why the others were laughing so hard. It had all come as a bit of a blur to him. Nonetheless, even he began to laugh. Influenced by the mood of the others, Kiku joined them. No one quite caught Yao staring.

They were playing the third round of volleyball when a shrill cry sounded from above. Everyone stopped and looked up—in his momentary lapse of concentration, Feliciano's giant sand shark lost half its dorsal fin. A large bird hovered above the ocean. "It's an eagle," Arthur said, looking at it eagerly. "I can't tell what type, though."

The bird swooped down and hovered closer to them. "Hey," Alfred exclaimed, grinning. "It likes me!" The bird fluttered closer, while Alfred just smiled on.

"Alfred, you should probably back away slowly," Arthur warned.

"Nah, eagles love me!" Alfred replied. "After all, I am the hero!"

Arthur retreated slowly towards the shore. Yao stepped in front of Kiku, discreetly shielding him. The bird extended a talon and swiped at Alfred's face. Everyone flinched, but, on hearing no cry of pain, looked up.

Alfred stood in the water, confused, glasses missing from his face. Then realisation hit. "Hey!" he called, running after the troublesome bird. "Give Texas back! That state is part of the greatest constitution in the world!"

For the second time that day, Yao and Kiku burst out laughing.

"That was fun," Kiku commented as he finished towelling himself off back on shore. He was cold now, but it had been worth it. They were both sitting in the sun, drying off. A few nations had already gone on ahead. The only ones on the beach were Ludwig, Feliciano, Russia, and themselves.

Yao stretched and smiled at him. "You should laugh more often," he said, leaving his long hair down. Kiku tried not to stare, but he dearly loved the way Yao's hair splayed over his proud shoulders.

Blushing, Kiku sneezed, tensing automatically as hands and the warm material of Yao's jacket touched his shoulders. "Don't want you catching cold," Yao explained, looking away with no real expression.

"Th-Thank you."

"Are you coming shopping tomorrow too?" he asked, trying to break the awkward silence that had developed between them.

"I need to get Yong-Soo-san something, as a 'thank you for not entirely destroying the house' gift," he remarked dryly, and Yao laughed.

"I wanted to get something for Yi Ling and Jia Long," he said. "How about going together?"

Kiku nodded, voice wavering a little. "Sure." Yao beamed at his response, and Kiku smiled back, softening. Yao's happiness was really so infectious that he didn't think it was possible to be unaffected by it. Similarly, but of course unbeknownst to Kiku, every time he laughed, Yao could not help but smile, for the other found each movement and expression positively charming.

Yao reached down to help him up, and Kiku accepted his hand gratefully. A moment later, they realised what it looked like, and sprang apart. On reaching the hotel, each excused himself hurriedly to return to his room and remember the feel of the other against his skin.

Francis felt a spark of pride as he saw China and Japan sitting together; discussing something or other over a morning cup of tea. So far, everything was going according to plan. It had been all too easy to make those two believe that they meant nothing to each other, and it was all too obvious that they had quelled this fear. Today, everyone was going shopping in the capital. He had planned to set up a chocolate fountain, and implicate them in some romantic scene, but that meant buying the equipment, returning to the hotel and setting it up all before China and Japan returned from shopping (which they would no doubt do together). But he had a willing team and love so often made people blind…

Yao wondered why some men complained about shopping with their girlfriends or partners (evidently, they had not witnessed first-hand the long, drawn-out browsing sessions that Kiku spent looking at everything). He was actually quite happy about it. He could spend all day doting on Kiku, which, in his eyes, made it a rather perfect day.

Kiku, however, seemed to be finding it more stressful, subconsciously following the rather complex Japanese gift-giving protocol. Firstly, the gift had to be something practical. Secondly, it had to be not-too-expensive, and not-too-cheap. Thirdly—and by no means finally—it should to appeal to that person's likes. Then the purchases were limited to things that could be taken easily through customs and the like.

So far, Kiku had selected a box of sweet-smelling soaps for Yi Ling, and was now looking for a present for Jia Long and Yong-Soo.

While admittedly he did get a little fidgety sometimes, Kiku was distracting enough to stop him getting bored. Every time he thought he had spotted something worthwhile, he would take it in both hands, look up, and mentally recite criteria against which he was judging it. It was never dull, as whenever he liked something, he would give a small, triumphant smile that made Yao's heart flutter; and whenever something did not meet his standards, he would frown, purse his lips in thought and put it back.

"Hey," he said, as Kiku sorted through packs of highly decorated playing cards. "There's a stall over there. I'll get something to eat, okay?"

Kiku nodded, engrossed in his task. Yao left him to it, smiling, and headed towards the stall, attracted by the smell of a local type of bread. He was halfway there when he spotted something interesting.

An innocent-looking package sat on the shelf. Yao, however, found it very difficult to control himself. He had never known that there were panda suit pyjamas. Instantly, he realised just how positively adorable Kiku would look in them. On seeing that one size fitted all, he purchased them with all haste and hid them in one of his bags. Somehow, he would get Kiku to wear them. Yes, he could imagine it now, those dark eyes peeking out from under that dark fringe, with the cute panda suit just adding to the appeal…

He was grinning stupidly by the time he returned. Kiku just raised an eyebrow, saying nothing. "Don't be rude," Yao said, prodding him playfully.

"…I'm sorry."

"You're clearly not!"

"I'm sorry about that."

Yao felt a strange sort of peace wash over him, even as they continued play-fighting. He loved this person so dearly, and would be utterly content to just be with him always. He looked at Kiku, and was met with eyes that regarded him with adoration, though no other sign of said emotion could be seen on his face.

"I…" Put off by that simple gaze, he could no longer argue or respond. Kiku apologised, sincerely this time, though having won, he was smirking slightly.

They were leaving when a shelf of ornamental paperweights caught Kiku's eye. There were cats, fishes, boats and—yes, flowers. "Here," said Yao, taking down a chrysanthemum one and a peony one. "Choose one."

Kiku hesitated for such a long time that Yao wondered if he had forgotten the question. "That settles it," he eventually said, smiling and placing both on the counter. The cashier smiled as she priced them up.

"Buying them for your boyfriend?" she asked conversationally as she put them in the bag, laughing as they both froze. "Oh, it's obvious," she said.

Kiku turned as red as a tomato—Spain would have been proud. "Ah, he's not really my boyfriend, more like, um, well, it's complicated, you see, and well…" he trailed off and looked at Kiku again, who was so embarrassed that he was consistently creasing the edge of his shirt.

Oh, to heck with it. He couldn't stand this anymore.

"Yes," he said eventually, glimpsing Kiku's shoulders stiffen in reaction. "I'm buying them for him." With that, he simply took Kiku's hand, pulled him close, and kissed him.

Kiku went as stiff as a post, shaking. His lips were soft and sweet, but not very co-operative, and Yao wondered for an instant if he had compromised any chances of their relationship. He drew away, avoiding Kiku's painfully embarrassed, shocked face. He thanked the cashier and took the bag.

"Kiku? Come on, let's go," he said, offering Kiku his arm. Dazed, and probably not thinking straight, Kiku allowed himself to be led out. On the way home, he slept on Yao's shoulder, pressed against him. Yao wrapped his jacket around the other's shoulders.

"You two had fun," Ivan quipped at the sight.

Yao rolled his eyes. "You forget he probably does this with complete strangers," he said, reminding Ivan of the time that Kiku had fallen asleep on the Paris Metro. The other simply worked himself to exhaustion. Sleeping on people's shoulders was entirely normal in Japan.

But even so, Yao could not forget that after the kiss, Kiku's cheeks had remained tinted a delightful pink for the rest of the day.

"That's it, put that there," Francis said, having just finished setting up the chocolate fountain. He and Alfred had worked hard to set the room up, and now the only thing left was the fountain itself.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Arthur asked, as Francis connected the plug to an adapter.

Francis stuck his tongue out. "Shush," he said haughtily. "You underestimate me."

"Well, I for one know the messes you always go and get yourself into—and I'm the one who bloody well has to clean them up! So: I'll leave you to it, and don't make me say I told you so." With that, Arthur left, unaware of the silly face Francis was making behind his back. Alfred too, made a quick exit, not stupid enough to stay.

"Hmph! I'll show them," Francis said, and plugged the contraption in.

It exploded.

Arthur returned with all haste, and, although initially concerned, could not help the laughter that escaped upon seeing marshmallow stuck in Francis' now very untidy, chocolate-smelling hair.

A/N: That's it for part one! Part two will be uploaded when I've finished editing it.

Notes:

Jia Long = Hong Kong

Yi Ling = Taiwan

Anou = um/hesitant pause in Japanese

I've used human names as a sign of closeness in this. For example, China considers himself quite close to Japan, so in both his speech and his narration, I've used 'Kiku.' France, however, isn't as close to him, so in his speech and his narration, 'Japan' is used.