In which Francis and Kiku take some time to enjoy themselves.

Day four of Hetalia rare pair week – Culture. Actually wasn't feeling this one, but I decided hey, let's at least write a short thing instead of skipping it. So yes, FraPan again (sue me). I was going to do something in France this time, but I couldn't really find anything, so I settled for doing the annual hanabi taikai held on the Sumida River in Tokyo (guess who watched videos and researched for hours on this freaking fireworks display). Who knows, I probably got everything totally wrong so don't mind me. Well, here we go, FraPan watching some fireworks in yukatas. I was going to doodle something, but then I remembered I can't draw so, yeah. Small oneshot with a terribly unoriginal title instead.

Francis Bonnefoy shifts idly from foot to foot in the navy and gray yukata Kiku has somehow managed to convince him to wear. He loves his boyfriend dearly - really, he does - but Francis just doesn't understand Kiku's cultural wear. Regardless, he is here for a festival and Kiku had asked nicely, so he supposes he can bear with it for a while. At least it isn't ridiculously uncomfortable, he supposes, fiddling with the belt again.

As though sensing this, Kiku's head slowly turns and he fixes the blond with a look.

Francis immediately stops messing with it. He's already caused it to loosen twice, and he doesn't think Kiku is too keen on fixing it another time.

"So remind me," Francis starts, pulling on his shoes at the door and watching as Kiku slips on his geta, "where exactly are we going again?"

"Sumida River," Kiku tells him, getting to his feet and grabbing his bag, "or at least as close to it as we can get."

"For a firework display?"

"Don't worry too much, Francis," Kiku laughs softly, "you'll enjoy it, I promise."

It's evening in the city and the lights are coming to life, electronic screens and buildings brightening the area. Unsurprisingly, most people appear to be wearing similar traditional clothing to himself and Kiku. It's amazing, actually; he can't understand anything they're saying, but everybody is chattering and they look excited.

People cover the streets near the river; they're standing and sitting on mats and blankets alike. Kiku finds a spot where they can sit and spreads out the blanket he'd brought in his bag, taking a seat. Francis joins him.

"Okay," says the blond, turning to face the dark haired man, "so history behind this?"

"Of course," Kiku chuckles, leaning back. "Basically, these kind of festivals started back in the Edo period, though they were different then. Nowadays, it always occurs on the last day of July and it's actually just a big competition between rival pyrotechnic groups. That started back in the Edo time period as well, with the Tamaya and Kagiya guilds. Actually, you'll hear people say those names a lot."

Francis laughs, "So it's a giant competition?"

"Yes," Kiku tells him, "each group constantly tries to out do the other and it makes for an impressive show. Sometimes they'll do really complicated things, too, like Doraemon, Pikachu, or kanji."

"That's impressive, actually," Francis murmurs, looking up.

The sky grows darker as evening turns to night. They watch as the first firework is fired into the air and bursts in an explosion of color and crackling noise. It's followed rapidly by others that are equally as impressive, if not more. Francis is in awe, eyes wide and lips slightly parted as he watches the colors and designs illuminate the darkness.

Kiku just smiles.

"I told you that you'd enjoy it."