Japan X America

Of Questionable Character

Chapter 8

Japan arrived at America's house about three hours later. (Because I said so.) He was greeted with a cheerful grin and a unbearably tight hug from the American boy.

"Ahhsf, mmerg, can't..breathe.." the smaller man gasped. He was realized from

"Well it would help a little if the death grip and smiled awkwardly. "Heh heh.. I missed you too Alfred-kun." The blonde grinned wider. "So...where are we going?"

America laughed and said, "What are you wearing?"

Japan was baffled. "What? This is the outfit I bought with you last week."

"Yeah, but that's not really appropriate for where we're going." you told me what the Hell the plans are ahead of time!"

"Aw, come on. Lighten up. It'll be fun, I promise." he said patting the smaller man's back a little too roughly.

Japan made a face of discouragement. 'Then why do I have my doubts?' he thought.

The drive there was nothing short of a heart attack, as usual. Japan's life flashed before his eyes, again. It seemed the American could only drive like a sane person when he was tired or exhausted. Like when he drove him home from the Night Club. A voice broke through Japan's thoughts like a wrecking ball.

"You okay, Kiku?" the blonde said with concern.

"Huh?" was all he managed to say in reply, face white with terror.

"You're lookin' a little pale there, buddy." he said laughing. He rested a hand on the boys shoulder. "Don't worry. We're almost there. I know you're dieing with anticipation." he said reassuringly.

"Not exactly 'anticipation'.." Japan said under his breath. There was a knot in his stomach. Why did he fear America's choices so much? 'Because they usually can get you killed and he thinks everything is a game.' he thought with another rush of anxiety.

"We're heeeerreeee." Alfred sang while getting out of the car. Japan jumped when he heard the car door slam. He slowly unbuckled himself and whispered, "Dear Lord, bless the ground." while getting out. Looking down, Japan saw that they were in a big grassy field. Upon further inspection though, he realized this was a giant parking lot. How odd. He followed America towards a huge fenced-in area with lots of colors and signs he couldn't read. He tugged on Alfred's jacket sleeve. "Where are we?" he asked. The blonde laughed and threw his arms into the air.

"We're at the Carnival! Duh! Can't you see?" he exclaimed rather loudly. Japan winced at the sudden volume fluctuation.

"Stop that!" he hissed, pulling the man's arms down. "The last thing we need to do is attract attention to ourselves." he said.

The blonde just laughed him off, as he always did, and continued walking. They paid for their tickets and entered through the shaky gates. Japan gasped slightly and made a quite a sneering face. He looked around and saw rickety, old looking rides, junk food everywhere, dirty workers of questionable character, and screaming children running around without parents. 'What in the unholy name of Francis's underpants-' his thoughts cut off by a shove from behind.

"Well?" The cheerful American boy beamed. Japan responded with a twitching glare he hoped the blonde would never forget. However, it didn't seem to have any affect at all.

"What do you think?" America said, nudging Kiku's shoulder lightly.

"Only you would be so fucking retarded as to choose a place so filthy and childish for a date, of all places we could have gone to." he grumbled as they began to walk around together.

"Aw, come on Keeks!" the blonde said laughing.

"NO. Don't you ever call me that horrible nickname ever again. I swear, I really do think you have some sort of mental defect that impairs your judgment." Japan said angrily.

America just laughed and said, "Haha, NOPE! Arthur had me tested for those when I was little!"

Kiku glared and replied quickly, "Was that before or after you were dropped on your head?"

"Geez, Keeks." Japan stopped walking and gave the man his coldest, most hate filled look. The blonde stopped too, and looked straight at the shorter man. "..You can be pretty mean when you want to be." he said with sadness in his eyes. Kiku's eyes widened and his heart sank. He realized he was standing on his tip-toes just so he could scream in the poor man's face. He backed up and straightened himself. The blonde smiled ever so slightly. 'Aw, Keeks. How can you be so adorable and guilt-ridden at the same time?' he thought.

Japan sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." He looked down at his feet. 'How could I be so inconsiderate and rude? He's just trying to make me happy. Maybe I'm more of an asshole than he is.' he thought sadly. The words 'heartless killjoy' looped though his mind on repeat until the soft caress of the American's hand on his red cheek shattered his thought process momentarily. He looked up surprised and felt the blonde's warm lips peck the tip of his nose swiftly. Japan flinched and lightly shoved the taller man back. Alfred chuckled softly and said, "You're so cute when you're all spazzy like that."

"Gah! I-I am not spazzy!"

"Sure you are!" he said cheerfully. Kiku glared at him and grumbled, "Am not."

As they began to walk again, America linked their arms together, and Japan pulled back viciously. "Stop. You know how I feel about public displays of affection."

As always, the blonde laughed, ruffled the shorter man's hair, and said, "You're a real piece of work, aren't you?"

Japan looked shocked, but he stopped himself from saying, 'And what the hell is that supposed to mean?' Instead, he sighed and mumbled, "Only for you, Alfred. Only for you."

America grinned and put his arm around Kiku's waist. As always, Kiku grabbed the blonde's arm and threw it away from him. "No." he said warningly. After a few moments, he felt a warm hand intertwine with is own. He huffed and bit his lip roughly. 'I can let him have this one.' he thought bitterly.