America: Lunch

Me and Japan sit in a small family diner. Gazing at the menu I could feel my stomach rumbling; I had called for the lunch break about thirty minutes early because my nerves started to make me feel really hungry. Japan taps his fingers on the wooden table top. He hasn't even picked up the menu that was given to him. I suppose he really isn't hungry.

Folding my menu in front of me, I smile at my friend, "I think I'm going to get double burger, French fries with chili and cheese, along with a large chocolate milkshake. What about you?"

"Just hearing your order made me full, Amer…Alfred-san." Japan says as he flips open his menu a glances over all the delicious options. The other man didn't to impress with his choices, "I don't think I'm going to get anything."

"Not even a shake?"

"Well…um…I don't think I've ever had one?"

"What?! You've never had a milkshake? They're just so creamy and smooth…I'm ordering you one. What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?"

Japan seems uncomfortable with the proposition but goes along with saying, "Vanilla, I would say. It's usually what I eat whenever I have ice cream. I don't eat it or drink milk that often because…"

"Oh, I see. Tummy issues. I understand, dude."

"I'll try it though. If I don't finish it you can have it if you want."

"Alright." I give him a thumbs up. Our waitress comes by with a bright smile and ask for our order. I rattle off my extreme sized order and made sure I tagged on, "My friend only wants a vanilla shake, make it a small. Dairy doesn't always sit well with him."

The waitress gives a warm smile, "I more than understand. A lot of his people come in here and have the same problem."

"Thank you for understanding, ma'am." Japan pipes up shyly.

She nods slightly but keeps her eyes on her notepad, "It's no problem, dear."

The waitress leaves and I looked over at Japan. His face was a bit red that was probably due to him breaking out of his shy shell. I'm hoping to break that shell a little more to grow our friendship. Okay…so what do friends talk about?

"So how's the rebuilding going?" I ask him quite abruptly. So much so that he flinched; great I blew it didn't I?

Japan shifts in his seat but smiles, "It's going well. We are getting along wonderfully. There are factories coming up every day."

"What kind of factories?"

"Cars and electronics. I would like to thank you for those ideas."

I blink milling things over in my head, then it clicks, "Oh…wait. You're stealing my ideas!?"

"Well, breaking down your products and rebuilding them for knowing how they function and how they can be reinvented for better users. If that case, yes, in a way."

"You sneaky, little man." I laugh.

"I am the home of the ninja, remember." Japan put his hands together and bows.

"Only now I do." We share a chuckle. Once that dies down, I notice that there's a dim gleam of sorrow in Japan's rich eyes. That could be from a whole bunch of things. Dare I ask? Is it my fault?

"Alfred?" Japan raises an eyebrow, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Oh…I was just wondering how you're doing?"

"I told you I'm doing…"

"I didn't mean like that. I meant in like a personal way." I fold my hands in front of me and relax against the leather seat of the booth. It's an attempt to make my presence a little less, to make him more comfortable.

"Oh…well…um." Japan looks down.

"You mentioned that you wanted to talk."

"It's well…it's about…Yao. My brother…"

"Ah." Of course, Japan has concern about his brother. With the revolution that's going on in China's mainland has caused a massive stir in all of Asia. It was put on pause when Japan went land hungry and started invading.

"I believe my brother and his people are being manipulated by your new rival." Japan shifts a bit, "I don't know how…but it looks as if my brother is showing signs of his old habits…I know I did terrible things to him and Korea during the war but…"

I take my friend's hand to comfort him, "Hey, I can understand your worry. I'm sorry to hear that…"

"Is there anything you could do?"

"Not at this moment. I'm already stepping around bombs and gun fire with the Soviets…Berlin is going to be hell scape…"

"Yes, you have a point…another war so soon after what just happened."

"I wish there was something I could do for you and your brother but with…Ivan being involved could lead to more trouble than we could handle. But I'm here for you from now on, and with the United Nations so many more will be there for you."

"Thank you, Alfred-san." Japan looks at me holding his hand in mine, "I fear for Korea…as well…"

"I do as well." I nod, "I'm keeping my eyes on it. I have to…the world is pretty much in my control…I'll protect you, Kiku, and your brother in Korea."

Japan nods and looks up at me with those beautiful brown eyes. My heart was racing and the feeling of butterflies rise in my stomach. Where are those flutters coming from? I've always respected Japan as a fellow nation and several thousand years my senior. We both fought each other harshly and valiantly against each other after our governments were in dispute for decades before hand. Now…we're sitting in a diner, about to each lunch, and I'm declaring that I will protect from now on. It wouldn't seem like a unhealthy relationship…

Our eyes had locked on to each other for so long that others in the room started to glance over. Hush whispers hits my ears and my heart starts racing out of different reasons. I pulled my hands back and wipe my hands on my pants, sweat had started to collect on my palms. Japan didn't seem too bothered by me pulling away, the lingering was probably making him uncomfortable…there would be no way that he could be…could he?

The smell of grease and salt hits my nose and my stomach rumbles loudly. The waitress sets my hamburger and loaded fries in front of me. She smiles and tells us, "Your milkshakes will be a long shortly. The chiefs are just a little backed up."

"That's okay, ma'am." I tell her.

"I'll be back shortly handsome." The waitress says with a bit of flirtation and walks back to the kitchen.

I just shrug off her comment and start digging into my burger. Man it was good; almost like the ones I make at home. Japan watched me like one would probably watch a lion eating a kill and it was a weird. I gesture to the plate of fries coated in chili and cheese and Japan follows my movement.

With food in my mouth I offer, "If you want you can eat some my fries. There's plenty there and you are welcome to them."

Japan was hesitant but picks up a fork that was on the table, "Normally, I would decline…but those look good. I'm just going to avoid the cheese."

"More for me then, eh?" I smile at him. I know that there was probably food stuck in my teeth so it wasn't the most pleasant smile I've ever given.

I watch as Japan took up some fries and eat them. He seemed pleased with the food and continued eating the loose fries that lay on the edge of the plate. We sit and enjoy the meal together, and eventually we received our milkshakes. It was a good contrast against the savory and salty tastes already present in my mouth.

"Mmm." I hum happily after the first drink of the milkshake, "That's good."

Japan was a bit more hesitant to take a drink but eventually takes a sip. His lips twitch a bit at the first taste but he puts on a smile when he puts his cup down. I stare at him for a moment, waiting to hear his opinion.

"Is something the matter, Alfred?" He asks me.

"I was just wondering how your shake was?" I respond, "You don't have to put on a fake smile for me."

"It's good actually. Very nice, though I don't think I will be able to finish it."

"That's okay, I finish it if you don't."

We share another smile and continue to talk as the food dwindles down to crumbs and whip cream smears in our cups. Though Japan did not completely finish it but we were both surprised with how much he was able to put down. I knocked back the rest as our waitress returns with our bill and to collect the dirty dishes.

"Was everything alright?" She asks.

"It was wonderful, thank you." I tell her.

She gives a flirty smile and winks at me, "You are very much welcome, handsome. Don't be a stranger."

As she hurries off, Japan turns to me, "You have a way with the ladies."

"I mean, I guess." I shrug, "I am fit and rather handsome in the face. But I don't think I'm a magnet for the ladies."

"You do have nice eyes. I know blue eyes are common over here, but I don't see many of them back home. They're quite refreshing to look at, almost like pools of spring water."

I couldn't help but to blush a bit, "Oh, thanks. Your eyes are nice too. They remind me of a dark chocolate candy bar."

"And I do know you like your chocolate."

"Yeah." I take out my wallet and check the bill. Surprisingly it's not that much, thought the person at the register is going to make change since I only have a twenty and a handful of ones and fives. The smaller bills weren't enough to cover everything.

"We can split the bill." Japan offers and takes out his wallet. He offers me a ten in my money.

I shake my head, "No need. You can leave a tip though."

"A tip? Isn't that considered rude?"

"Um…maybe in Europe. But here tipping a waiter or waitress is normal."

"Oh…so how much should I leave?"

I do the math in my head and then say, "A five and some change will be good. It's a bit over but it's better to tip more than less."

"If you insist." Japan lays a five and maybe about 75 cents out on the table.

We get up and pay for the meal and head out. I was double checking the check in order to make sure I got proper change. There was a phone number written on the back, which I just shake my head at and throw it away when we reach the meeting hall. Almost everyone had returned, except for the two Baltic state that were with Russia. Russia must have left them at their hotel for…practical reasons. Once everyone was once again at their seats, I walk to the head chair and start the meeting again. Here goes nothing…