Hey there readers~ Welcome to part two :) Thank you for coming back and for showing support! We need some more Ameripan love out there!
bookmarkbookworm: I'm so glad I can make you laugh! America truly is a spazzy, off-the-wall character X) Also, I'd like to thank you for the reviews you left for my other stories! It's rare to find someone who's into Hetalia and Criminal Minds :)
December 31
9:03 pm
Ding-dong!
Japan internally cursed as Germany rang the doorbell to America's mansion. They were late. America had specifically said that the party began at 9 o'clock PM and they were late. As he, Germany, and Italy waited for someone to open the door for them, he observed the loud music emitting from within the structure and the bright, colorful lights that flashed through the windows and even from underneath the door.
Kiku took a quick glance at his watch again and sighed. He felt inefficient for being tardy and went over the ways he could've prevented this. At some point as he and his companions were getting ready to leave, he had actually debated whether or not to let Italy drive just so they could be punctual (surely the Italian's fast, unsafe driving would've saved them some time on the road), but decided against it, not particularly enjoying how petrified he was the last time Italy had driven (there was a reason his country employed safety features in their vehicles!).
Meanwhile, Germany furrowed his brow as he rang the doorbell again, muttering something in German under his breath. Ultimately, as Japan had predicted, America had invited all the nations to his party, much to Italy's excitement and sheer jubilance. The three had then made plans to attend the gathering together and had gotten together at Germany's house to get ready beforehand. To Japan's surprise, Prussia wasn't around drinking or boasting about his awesomeness, yet Germany did mention that the ex-nation was going to join them at the party later and was currently out with France and Spain. Italy also divulged that Romano would be there as well under the assertion that he intended to keep an eye on him and 'the tomato bastard.'
As Japan wondered when he was going to see the other nations, he took a moment to glance at his companions and took in their attire for the evening. Germany was wearing a sapphire-blue collared shirt (that matched his eyes, according to Italy), a black jacket, and dark pants while Italy was wearing a long-sleeved collared purple shirt with a loose-fitting black tie, and dark brown pants.
Japan, on the other hand, was wearing a rather elegant navy-blue kimono over a crisp white undershirt and sandals. When he had picked out this outfit, he had felt rather pleased by it and figured that it would be suitable for this occasion; however, looking at his friends' more modernized clothing made him feel self-conscious.
Perhaps I should've chosen something more contemporary…
The dark-haired nation was pulled from his mental apprehensions when the door to the mansion swung open, revealing a very exuberant America. The bespectacled country gave them a large grin and exclaimed, "Hey dudes! You guys made it! Sweet!"
Japan's breath caught as he took in America; he was wearing a burgundy-red suit jacket that was black on the inside, a rather tight-fitting white collared shirt with a few of the buttons undone, revealing a glimpse impressive chest, and dark denim jeans. Something about it was just America's style—casual with a bit of pizazz. It made him look so…
Handsome, Japan mentally finished as his cheeks flushed a cotton candy pink. Eto, eto…
"Ve~ hi America!" Japan was pulled from his daze with Italy's cheerful greeting and proceeded to bow while Germany stoically nodded.
America's grin brightened. "Well, don't just stand there: c'mon in and enjoy the party! Mi casa is su casa, which is Spanglish for 'let's get this party started, bitches!'" The young nation stepped aside to let the Axis Powers in and the three walked into the mansion and into the array of flashing lights and loud music.
"You guys are just in time," America cheerfully stated as he closed the door behind him. "Some of the others are already here so you could totally mingle and stuff! There's food everywhere and there's beer in the fridge! Help yourselves and just get totally wasted! We're all gonna have a bitching time!"
While Germany and Japan were rather disconcerted by the thought, Italy was quite the opposite and happily exclaimed, "Oh yay! That sounds like so much fun! I want to have a bitching time!" Japan could've sworn Germany's heart stopped in shock when Italy said 'bitching.' "Let's party, ve~!" Then the small Italian unexpectedly took off in his excitement, getting Germany to chase after him, shouting out curses in his native tongue.
Japan watched them go and blinked. I'll never understand these Westerners.
"Japan! I'm so glad you made it, dude!" The nation addressed looked up at his host. "I know that these kinds of parties aren't really your thing so it means a lot that you showed up!" Japan blinked once more, unexpectedly touched by America's sentiment and consideration. "Although, if you wouldn't have come, then I would've flown to your place and dragged your ass over here!"
"That sounds…unpleasant," the Japanese man answered honestly.
His comment got America to burst out laughing and then heartily slap him on the back. "Hahaha~ you're freakin' hilarious, man!"
Once Japan recovered from America's touch (which was quite terrifying), he straightened up and unsteadily answered, "Um…arigato?"
America chuckled and ushered him in further into the mansion. "Arigato to you too! Now are you ready to get down and shake your Asian toosh?! 'Cause we're totally gonna pump things up tonight!"
Though Japan was partially put off by all that, he kept a calm façade and wordlessly nodded. America beamed and exclaimed, "Dude, just so you know, if you need anything, just ask! This hero is determined to be the best host ever! Can I get you, like, a beer or something?"
"Eto, no thank you, America-kun. I am good."
"Alrighty then, don't be shy if you need something though! I've got all kinds of food, beer, some of that cake you dig so much…oh! It's actually right over there!" America pointed over to a separate table filled with all kinds of colorful cakes with different decorations and patterns. Japan's eyes widened, his tourist instincts telling him to take pictures of the attractive-looking pastries.
He was actually surprised to see one cake decorated like a sushi roll with dark chocolate frosting wrapped on the outside and vanilla cake and strawberry ice cream on the inside, another cake that was shaped as a square and that had white frosting with a red circle in the middle, and another cake that was sculpted a lot like Mount Fuji.
Those looked as though they were designed after my country…
America noticed where he was looking and his smile brightened exponentially. "Some of them I had gotten specifically baked for you! I knew how much you like those nice-looking cakes, so I thought I'd get some that were Japanese-y~ I hope they don't come off as racist or anything because that would suck major balls!" He emitted his usual boisterous laugh, yet Japan detected a hint of nervousness, a sign that he was hoping for his approval.
But that couldn't be; America was one of the most self-confident people he's ever met. He often spoke without consideration of his words or actions, which were perceived as offensive or idiotic to others. Surely he couldn't be looking for Japan's approval…
Regardless, the (not-so) insane possibility was oddly touching and the small Asian man found himself growing warm. "Oh no, I don't find them racist. I actually find them to be a considerate gesture, so thank you. I really like them."
America's smile couldn't be any brighter as he pulled Japan in for a side-hug. "Aw, you're welcome! I knew you'd love them! Anything for my main man!"
Japan found the hug to be an odd mixture of uncomfortable yet nice and his heart briefly picked up speed; in the end, he just resigned himself to feeling flustered. Thankfully, he was distracted when the doorbell rang. Looking over to the front door, America smiled and exclaimed, "Welp, it looks like we got more company! Excuse me Japan while I let these guys into the hero's domain! Just chill and help yourself to anything and we'll hang later! 'Kay?"
Kiku was so frazzled that he merely nodded and Alfred gave him a quick squeeze before releasing him to answer the door. The island nation breathed out in relief that his personal space was regained and ignored the pang of disappointment that nagged at him. Instead, he started looking around the living room for a familiar face and discovered that America was accurate in saying that some of the other nations had arrived.
Eventually recognizing someone he knew, Japan began making his way over to Prussia, who was currently nodding his head to the music with a beer in hand, his crimson eyes glancing around as if searching for someone. The albino soon spotted him and grinned. "Hallo Japan! What's up, brohas?"
Japan gave the other a small bow in greeting. "Hello Prussia-kun, it's nice to see you this evening. How are you?"
Prussia smirked and quipped, "I think you know the answer to that!"
"…Awesome?"
"Ja, of-freaking-course! I always feel awesome, especially at sweet shindigs like this! I gotta admit, America may be a dumb ass, but he sure knows how to throw a semi-awesome party! A couple more beers and I'll be totally shit-faced! What about you, Japan? You having a great time?"
"Not especially, but partially because I have just arrived so I haven't truly been doing anything yet."
The Prussian raised an eyebrow. "Partially? Why else?"
Japan slightly flushed with embarrassment at that little slip. "Oh, no reason. Forget I said anything."
He should know better than to expect Prussia to drop a subject. "Awww, c'mon, Kumpel, you can trust the Awesome Me! What's on your mind? You think this party sucks or something?"
Kiku momentarily debated whether he should divulge his concerns to Gilbert before deciding that it wouldn't do any harm. "Well, no, but I do fear certain American traditions that occur on New Year's, and I do not wish to take part of them."
The albino tilted his head in confusion. "What kind of traditions?"
"Specifically I am referring to when people kiss at midnight. I was informed that it is a tradition for a romantic couple or for two strangers to kiss at the start of the New Year."
Prussia considered this and heartily chuckled. "Oooh, I get what you're talking about~ Ja, I forgot Americans tend to do that; I hear they even get to grope the person they're making out with!" He then raised his beer bottle as if he were making a toast. "Ah Americans, you gotta love them, those arrogant lazy asses with their big ass phones and social media that tells of pointless shit, like their freakin' life stories."
Japan instantly imagined himself as an anime character who just sweat-dropped. Not being able to find a decent response to that (though he was really tempted to point out the existence of Prussia's blog being considered as social media that tells of relatively absurd subjects), he chose to remain silent. Luckily for him, the ex-nation continued, "Anyways, you shouldn't be worried about being kissed and all that. It's really no big deal."
"I would hardly think so," said Japan as his calm exterior was slightly ruffled. "Kissing a stranger sounds completely unpleasant."
Prussia grinned with amusement before taking a swing of beer. "Maybe for you, but when you think about it, your solution is quite simple~"
"How so?"
"Easy—just avoid people at midnight all together!" His grin grew larger at Japan's stunned expression. "Don't you see, if you just lock yourself in the bathroom or something before midnight, then there's absolutely no way for someone to start macking on you!"
Japan pondered this new idea for a while, gradually starting to like it, and commented, "I hadn't thought of that. That is a very agreeable solution. Do you think it would work?"
"Of course it would, it's my awesome idea after all! Just to be safe though, if you don't want to be smooched and groped, then you should hang with the prudes!"
"Excuse me?"
"Ya know, the prudes! The type of people who don't put out after a couple of dates and who definitely won't kiss you once it's the New Year! Just hang with someone who's stuffy and boring…like Austria!" He eagerly pointed over to the mentioned nation who was disdainfully scrutinizing the buffet table (which, to Japan's horror, was leaking with grease). "That prick definitely won't kiss you! If you hang with him or any other boring mother fucker—like mein bruder, Eyebrows, Netherlands the pot-smoking bastard, Switzerland, and Sweden—then the Awesome Me can guarantee that you won't get kissed!"
Japan looked over at Austria and then to a beaming Prussia, realizing that in his own crazy manner, the ex-nation made a very good point; if he socialized with respectable people, then he could avoid that horrid American tradition, and for additional measures, he could sneak away and find somewhere to hide once midnight hits. Doing both would guarantee him being able to avoid getting kissed.
"I believe I do see your point. Thank you, Prussia-kun," Japan stated sincerely with a bow. "Your advice is most helpful."
Prussia gave him a thumb's up. "No problem, Japan! The Awesome Me is always here to help! Just keep in mind though: even if you're completely against the idea of kissing someone, you should totally think about how you might not mind if you're making out with someone you dig~" At Japan's puzzled expression, Prussia gestured over to the side and he noticed America talking with his brother (whose name completely escaped him…). Kiku's eyes widened and he hurriedly glanced back at Gilbert who waggled his eyebrows at him. The Japanese man blushed.
The albino nation chuckled and glanced back over at the two blondes. "So ja, good luck with not making out with people! You'll be fine if you stick to my awesome plan! Now if you'll excuse me, the Awesome Me needs to get a certain little Canadian birdie to sing~" And with that, he started heading for America and that other blonde guy, his mulberry-red orbs eyeing the latter with mirth and mischief.
Japan watched him go as he willed his face to cool down. His inner fluster was still quite prevalent over the albino's comments. How could he insinuate that he wouldn't mind kissing America? That was just…just…just ridiculous…and completely unnecessary! He would mind kissing America because that would just be…
Pleasant, acceptable, wonderful~
Kiku's eyes widened and he briefly patted himself on the cheek. Get a hold of yourself. You mustn't consider such things! He shook his head and tried to make sense of how his heart raced at the thought of kissing America. Eto, eto, eto…
It was going to be a long night.
So now the party starts and the countdown to midnight begins~
Thank you readers for reading and I'll see you all next time :D
P.S I just LOVE subtly slipping in hints of my other favorite couples. Pairings like PruCan and GerIta just always somehow sneak in there X3
Translations:
Japanese
Arigato-Thank you
German/Prussian
Hallo-Hello
Ja-Yes
Kumpel-buddy
mein bruder-my brother