Outside, Hong Kong looked to the left and right side of the road. "What kind of clothing are you interested in?" he asked England.
England looked around the shops, noticing the theme for tonight's New Year as well. "Well, anything Ur . . . you know, classy. A gentleman must always look classy. . ." he stated, smiling to himself.
Hong Kong looked at England with a look of "You're too poor here for that," but shrugged and ran into a shop adorned with many trinkets and outfits.
England looked at him odd. He took out the money from the envelope and examined it. Then what COULD he buy with the money then? Classy socks? He grunted at the thought and stuffed the money back in his pockets and followed the kid into the store.
Hong Kong turned around to face England, arms slightly outstretched, palms up, and shoulders shrugged. Really, classy is not what the money could exactly buy, but if he wanted a classic store, they were certainly in it.
England looked around the store, seeing and examining each piece of clothing in detail. It wasn't as near to what he wanted, but it didn't matter. He picked out a few clothing. After a while, he looked at the time. It was getting later than he thought. He went to the register and paid for his clothing. He signaled the boy to follow him. "Come on. I'm sure China is getting worried. . ." he told him as he walked outside the store.
Hong Kong nodded, but took one last look around the store. There were a lot of interesting things here, but nothing screaming out to him. Perhaps coming back at a later time would…?
England was up further ahead; making HK run after him, but soon the small boy was up against his heels.
England walked around town, heading back to the Chinese nation's estate. The town looked even better as the lights were now lit, giving a luminous color to it. He opened the door, looking for the other nation inside.
"We're back!" he shouted.
"Ai ya! Don't do that!" China scolded, picking up the pieces of a bowl he had dropped when he heard the return of England and Hong Kong.
"Why did it take you so long, aru?" HK pointed nonchalantly to the purchased clothes.
"Mm," China nodded. "Well I just finished making dinner, aru. I didn't have enough time to make up a bed, though, Arthur, aru."
England gave a loud humph. "I knew that would happen. I hope you don't mind sharing, China." he said to the other. He went into the nation's room, dumping the clothing on the bed. "By the way," he started as he walked out of the room. "Is anyone else coming over?" he asked out of curiosity.
China frowned with England's sudden decision and was about to tell him off, but then got distracted by the question. "Yong soo, I think, aru. I didn't invite him, but I'm sure he'll come around just because, aru." Hong Kong nodded in agreement, and looked at what China had made. It was often compared to being a Christmas dinner with how elaborate it was. Jiao zi were set to the side for midnight, when the celebration really started. No wonder China didn't fix up any bed for England.
England nodded. So that Korean was coming here, huh?
"Alright then, I guess that's fine. So when is he coming-" he soon was cut off by the sound of a slamming door. The South Korean nation barged into the home.
"ANI~KI~!" he shouted, an anticipated grin was showing as he ran to the Chinese nation, hugging him violently. "Aniki~!"
"Gya-! Get off me, aru!" China struggled to get the clinging man off. "Go on, get, aru!"
Finally, when he was free of the grip, China made a quick motion to the table. "I know you'd be coming, so I took the liberty of setting up a place for you as well, Yong Soo, aru."
HK found the commotion a perfect time to sneak a dumping, even though they were supposed to be saved for later. However China saw him, shot a quick glare, and moved his attention back to the two adults.
Korea got off of the other and laughed, his "Korean Spirit" strand began to bounce around. "Aw, Aniki did this all for me!" he shouted, looking around the house before he hugged the Chinese man again. He finally took note of the Brit and let go of China.
"Annoying! . . .Who are you, daze?" he asked, giving a curious look. England frowned and began to scowl at the other.
"It's England. Do you not remember me?" he answered back.
"Not really . . . Oh, you're a westerner, aren't you? . . Huh, but you guys don't celebrate our new years. ." he mumbled.
"Ah, well, I wanted to see Hong Kong and I guess I'll be here celebrating it with him..." the Brittan explained as he turned around to Hong Kong, smiling.
"I didn't make this all for- ...Never mind, aru," China sighed, "Just... eat before it gets cold, aru."
Hong Kong smiled a bit at the antics going on, but at the mention that they could eat, he went to take a spot.
'Really rude, aru!' China thought, 'he must be very hungry.'
"Let the lad be, Yao." England commented, walking towards the dining table. He examined the table, seeing all the delicacies made him hungry himself.
Korea turned to his brother. "Hey, Aniki, I thought you couldn't stand this guy, daze. . ." he told him, chuckling to himself. He then walked over to the table and sat down, admiring the food placed on it.
China mumbled something along the lines of "I don't," but didn't allow England to hear it. "Are you going to actually eat, or will you just admire it, aru?" China would wait for everyone else to eat before he got himself anything.
HK was already eating himself, the question wasn't applied to him.
England got himself a plate full of the food that was left out. He then looked up to China, grabbing his attention. "Hey, Yao. Is there any tea that I can have?" he asked.
Korea got himself a plate full as well and began to dig his face into it. He smiled and jumped in his seat. "Aniki's food is always the best, Daze~!" he shouted.
"Oh, yes, yes, of course, aru," China nodded, pointing to the tea pot on the table. "It's Herbal tea, though. Are you alright with this, aru?"
Most herbal tea was bitter by itself, but China never kept any sugar around to sweeten it with, and was used to the bitterness. More often than not he added honey to naturally sweeten it, if anything.
But today he was out.
England nodded as he took a bite of his food. "Yes, it's fine. I've had some of that tea myself when I've visited Japan for treaties and meetings. Speaking of which, shouldn't he be here celebrating too? "he asked.
At the meantime, the Korean nation had finished his plate, grabbing another round of food. He hummed a tune, something about China's cooking that was for sure.
China poured the tea, shrugging. "It's Oolong, aru," he mentioned while avoiding the question, then sat down at the table, staring off into space. He had realized he wasn't hungry when Korea had started on his second plate.
Hong Kong noticed this soon. "Are you alright?" he asked China, who's absent-minded stare came back into focus.
"Hm? Oh, aru...Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" China asked, leaning his head on his hand.
"You haven't eaten."
England noticed that as well and frowned. He placed the chopsticks down, taking a sip from the tea. Not bad at all, though he preferred his Black more. "So what's bothering you, Yao?" he asked as well.
Korea looked at his brother, full concern in his eyes. "Aniki doesn't feel well? Shall I help~? Or perhaps give you one of my best Korean massages~?" he pestered the other.
"I still remember what happened last time you offered a massage, aru," China scoffed. "I'm fine. Nothing's wrong. I'm just not hungry, aru."
Hong Kong nodded. China wasn't lying, because if he was, there would be some sort of tic. A glance away, fidgeting, and he wasn't showing any signs of falsehood.
"I'm probably just tired, aru," China fumbled for an excuse for not being hungry.
"Aww . . ." Korea groaned, frowning as he looked down.
England placed his tea down. "Then you should go rest then. I mean, you have worked on getting these whole decorations all set without any breaks. .. " he said, looking straight at the Chinese nation.
China wouldn't accept pity from England, and completely ignored Korea.
"It's not like I have a disease, aru," he frowned crossing his arms. "I'm going to watch the lion dance and fireworks, aru," he said, standing up. "It's almost midnight."
Hong Kong stood up as well, eager to see the fireworks.
Korea clapped and stood up, jumping on the Chinese nation. "Aniki~ Carry me to the dance!" he commanded playfully.
England sighed and got up from his seat. "Well we definitely should go now, to get a decent spot at least. . . " he suggested as he picked up his cup and finished his tea and looked at the Chinese, ignoring the fact the Korean was pouncing him at the time.
"No, aru! Get off!" China again tried to get Korea off him, but ultimately gave up when about a minute of struggling did no good.
Hong Kong ignored the everyday fighting between Korea and China and held onto England's hand; he didn't always listen to China's etiquette.
"The heart of the city is the best place to watch the dance, aru," China commented once the foursome was outside. He tilted his head in the direction they were going to go and watch, and then walked ahead of the group (save for Korea).
England chuckled as he saw the two Asians fight. "Let go of him, Korea. He's too old to support you anyways . . ." he told him, laughing quietly as he led Hong Kong to follow.
Korea let go, hearing the Brit's comment, and laughed. "Did you hear that, Aniki? He called you old, daze!"
"What? I am NOT too old, aru!" China was getting more and more upset and England's stay, and how awfully rude he was, even though he was allowed to stay for the festival. He wasn't even family! Korea was more enjoyable then this man. "Say what you want, aru. Just remember you're an invited guest here."
Hong Kong instantly let go of England's hand, in case something were to happen.
"We'll never make it to the center of the city in time, aru. I wanted to see the lion dance."
"At least we can watch the fireworks?" Hong Kong asked.
"Yes, of course, aru. And not only that, they'll scare off the bad spirits, aru." China smiled.
"Can't even take a joke . . ." The Brit mumbled to himself. He gave a short snort afterwards. "Let's not waste time then . . ." he said and walked out of the house, waiting for the others.
Korea laughed and looked at the other two Asians as he grabbed hold of them, dragging them out of the house.
Once outside, China looked up to the sky. He heard a crack earlier, but perhaps it was just a person setting off their personal-
"Oh! Look up!" Hong Kong said. His gaze was fixed upward and flashes of blue, green, red, and yellow lit up the night.
Even if he was tired to the point of collapsing in exhaustion, China never missed a fireworks show. He had always enjoyed the sounds of the booms and crackle, the smell of gunpowder, the bright colours and patterns.
It was over almost as soon as it started, it seemed. There was now an ashy grey cloud of smoke hanging over the city, the nightly wind lazily dragging it off to the east. China looked over to Hong Kong. He had fallen asleep halfway into the spectacle, trying to stay up as late as he could. His eyelids eventually betrayed him, and he slumped against England, unaware of the loud clashes in the sky. China couldn't help but smile at it. It seemed picture-esque….If it wasn't for that damn Arthur.
England rested his hand on Hong Kong's shoulder, smiling at him and looked back at the fireworks display.
At the corner of his eye, he could see Korea, who was jumping with excitement each time the sky burst with colors, and China, who was for some reason looking at him. He turned his head to the Chinese nation, giving eye contact as well as a confused look.
China, when noticing England give him an awkward and confused look, shook his head, frowned, and looked down at Hong Kong.
"The fireworks are over. It's time to go home and sleep, aru. Yong soo, it was...er...Nice to see you again, aru," China lied, walking over to Korea to give him a handshake goodbye.
He could still feel the stare of England on him, even if he wasn't looking at the Asian country. It felt odd.
HK turned in his sleep, stretching as he did so. He was probably only half-asleep, and just didn't want to walk home.
Instead of returning the handshake, Korea hugged China tightly and parted ways with the nation, returning home.
England caught himself looking at the Chinese nation and mentally slapped himself. God dammit, he thought. Seeing the boy's struggles, he picked him up, carrying him back to the house.
It was late, he was tired, he had to deal with England's assery, why was he still up on his feet? And then there was the fact they had to share a bed tonight.
When China got to his house, he opened the door and held it for England, who still had Hong Kong in his arms. Hong Kong looked like he was smirking in his sleep. If he really was asleep, that is.
"You go first, aru."
England blinked and nodded. "Thanks." he simply said and went inside. He carried Hong Kong into his room and gently placed him on the bed. He looked at the boy, sound asleep or at least that what he thought. Bending down, he pressed his lips on the boy's forehead. He stood up and smiled as he left the room, shutting the door on his way out.
China noticed the loving gesture, but was too tired to make a comment about it. Instead, he went into a cupboard and got out a blanket.
"Aiya..." he mumbled to himself.
"Arthur, my bed is over there, aru." He had sort of given up the whole "The bed is mine" speech, and was going to sleep on the floor right next to it.
"You did get pajamas for yourself, right, aru?"