A/N: Hey everybody, this chapter was super fun to write. Its longer and I like it much more than the last one. If you've read this far, and especially if you like it enough to have favorited it or put it on your alert list, you should leave a comment, they always make my day, and it only takes a couple seconds!

As always, please enjoy!

Japan pressed his back up against the ottoman-turned-bastion and tried to ignore the trickling down his face. He rubbed his fingers over the damp engorged rubber in his hand and silently cursed the first person who thought that filling a balloon fit to bursting with water was at all wise. He was, however, immensely grateful he had convinced America that any other liquid besides water would be a terrible idea. He had never been quite as thankful for America's new found romantic persona, or missed it quite as sorely, as the moment the first water balloon collided with his head, courtesy of his boyfriend.

Japan may not have angered easily, but there were several countries who would have been very willing to swear that it was something you never wanted to be on the receiving end of, and had the scars to prove it.

Splattering noises with accompanying laughter reverberated through America's living room. If England knew the suffering of the initial pieces he had installed back in the day, he would have been horrified.

Japan knew he needed to devise a plan. Simply hiding it out was not very honorable behavior after all. The calculating nation pivoted onto his knees and rested his hands on his shielding ottoman as he brought his eyes up to furtively scan the room. They weren't looking in his direction, much to Japan's appreciation. America seemed to currently be in possession of the bag of balloons. Attaining that bag was the key to getting to be dry.

Hmm, what would be the best choice of action for this situation? I could attempt to catch him by surprise. No, if he did not see me somehow, Tony would. I could throw this lamp at him…No, that would seriously do some severe harm. Shall I just charge forward at him? No, that would be unwise. I could gain it through seductive action. No, that is inappropriate, Tony would see, so it would also be quite embarrassing. Japan let a small smile appear when he finally realized a plan of action. He was only currently in possession of one balloon, so Japan knew that he needed to make it count. First things first, he needed America closer, with a clear path to him, that is where the balloon came i n of course. He slinked to the side of his ottoman and lifted himself up long enough to lob the balloon at a pre-occupied America. The laughing country flinched in surprise as he felt something pop and splatter against his shoulder, causing him to spin around and ignore his previously intended alien target.

"Ha!" America wiped at his newly wet limb. "There y'are!" He said triumphantly as he raced around the fort to Japan's location. Japan had spent that small window of time pulling the taught sheet from the ottoman, the last thing interfering with his plan. America sprang excitedly into his line of sight and Japan popped back to his feet, employing a tactic that would probably only work on a select few nations.

"America!" He pointed off in the very useful direction that is so vaguely referred to as 'over there', "Look!" He tried to wear his best surprised expression. Luckily, America did indeed look, almost to Japan's surprise. What did he have to fear after all? Japan was out of balloons.

Japan inwardly congratulated himself as the other revealed his back. The Asian country proceeded to outstretch a short leg, making harsh contact with the ottoman that sent it gliding across the floor, barreling into America's unsuspecting legs. They buckled as he tumbled backwards over it, toppling to the floor with a yelp and a thud. Japan acted quickly so as to not miss his narrow opportunity to cause this dampening and nerve wracking activity to come to secession. He dropped to his sore knees beside the prone America and grabbed the sack of filled balloons gratefully. As he attempted to return to his feet, Japan's relief was knocked out of him right along with his breath. The shocked nation found himself on his back, body tightening from the cold water on the floor seeping into his clothes, with a grinning America looking down at him. America responded promptly to Japan's first attempt to get up by firmly grasping his damp shoulder and pushing it back to the floor, pressing him down strongly but not too harshly. America's skin was tinted a light peach from his playful exertions, his hair was matted and dripping, darkened by its wetness. Japan used his freer arm to grab for as many of the few water projectiles that had survived America's fall. He gripped three as best he could and pressed them firmly to his "captor's" chest with a satisfying pop. The blond looked to the hand against him in surprise, his mouth hung open slightly, and began to crack a smile as Japan repeated the motion in an attempt to be rid of balloons, and perhaps to win back some of the dignity being pinned to the floor costs you. America couldn't help but laugh, an adorably stiff Japan beneath him on the slick floor, one dripping hand filled with rubber shreds pressed up against America's chest.

"Ya, know," he said with a chuckle, "If Tony wasn't here, I'd totally do stuff to ya'." America informed through his bold grin.

Japan sputtered and pulled his hand back to his own body. "Wh-What?" Japan asked, sounding rather horrified.

"Not bad stuff!" America did his best to sound reassuring. "Fun stuff, and like, not if you didn't want me to, obviously."

"E-Excuse me?" Japan did not look reassured.

Tony made a loud coughing noise, letting his roommate know that he could do without the performance.

"Okay, Okay." He rolled his blue eyes with an added wink at the red Japan below him and got to his feet. Japan rose immediately as to avoid being helped up. He wasn't sure whether or not he'd be able to meet the alien's eyes again that day, Tony having overheard America's very private statement.

"So, lunch?" The dripping blond threw out, not appearing, rather, not sounding awkward, as Japan was keeping his eyes focused intensely away, there was really no way he knew how anyone else actually looked. Tony sounded like he agreed.

"Unh, well, actually…" Japan began, "Don't we need to clean up before we are to do anything else? Also, I must fulfill personal obligations today at my own house, should probably set about doing so sooner rather than later." He gave looking at America a try, definitely not ready to attempt locking eyes with Tony.

"Oh." America scratched his damp face with a slight air of disappointment. "kay. I'm not really planning on dealin' with this stuff now either way. Do ya' need to go home now?"

As much as Japan cared for America, he was wet, tired, embarrassed, and Tama and Pochi were hungry.

"I must feed my pets." He nodded apologetically.

"Then, I guess I'll drive you home." America gave him a smile that made him almost forget just how tired and wet he was.

"Thank you, that would be much appreciated. Thank you for having me over, and thank you Tony." He said, using the alien's forehead as replacement for his eyes.

Their ride home was pleasant. America had jokingly apologized for hitting him in the face with a balloon. They had held hands after much assurance from America that it would not cause him to crash the car. Italy had traumatized him thoroughly when it came to trusting Western countries to drive him about. Their goodbye kiss was particularly nice, although Japan had to do his best not to dwell on what America had said to him earlier on the floor.


Japan rubbed the soft plush towel over his no longer sopping straight hair, and reminded himself that moderation in all things was one of the far most important attributes any honorable man should possess, and therefore, he should really tear his mind away from his wish to be kissing America again. He shook his slick disheveled head forcefully and dedicated himself fully to becoming dry. Despite a series of embarrassing moments from his weekend, it still caused a warm fuzzy feeling to settle on his skin. Four days was not a good measure of anything, but so far the this having a boyfriend ordeal was going far better then he would have ever imagined.

Feeling quite surprised at himself for the idea, he realized he truly wanted to tell someone about his newfound romance. But who would he tell? Considering the two he was closest to, he was well aware that he and Germany's mutual respect for each other largely arose from their similarities, which meant there was absolutely no way he could discuss such a thing with him. Italy seemed to think himself quite the romantic expert, although his talent for secret keeping and tact was far less prominent. Being a nation who frequently evaluated himself, Japan knew that attempting to be more open with others was something that it would be wise to attempt. Maybe he would give Italy a call after all. He could at least give the prospect thought and weigh the possible consequences. There was no reason not to consider it logically. He knew that despite his status as a Catholic nation, Italy would have no objections to such a relationship, having been raised for the most part by countries who embraced such things: first the Roman Empire, and France later on. He would not make the decision that day, no matter what the decision came to be.

Japan had house cleaning to accomplish, and his animal friends deserved to be lavished with attention for their commendable patience with his socializing.

Once again, Japan's mind wandered back to America. He wanted the next time they saw each other to be able to return his hospitality and have him to his own home. But as Japan felt the color rise again to his cheeks, he reminded himself of the importance to have a day of distance in the name of moderation, the virtue of patience, and decency. Plus, he did not want to appear over eager to see him. He did not think that an invitation without any sort of activity in mind seemed very polite at all, so he would have to decide on something America might enjoy. Eating was always a good option, as was a film. Video games were a satisfactory idea also.

Japan set off to do his chores, deciding that letting his mind focus on work was often a wise choice when you had a few things to ponder.


Japan had awoken the next morning with a message from America on his answering machine. Not all that unlike the kind of message he would have left before their change in status, but still brought a reluctant smile to his face and a blush to his cheeks. Tama brushed up against his master's legs, causing him to kneel down.

"Good morning Tama." He scratched behind the cat's thankful ears. "Your papa has had a very interesting week. I may have not properly fulfilled my duties to you in that time, I shall do better in the future." He promised as he set the pet's food out in the garden.


Canada stood in the kitchen, sandy blond hair askew from a god night's sleep. Kumajirou was propped against the microwave, the small bear nibbling on a piece of muffin his owner had crumbled off for him.

"I need to think of a way to say so without making anyone uncomfortable, that's the real issue." The timid country continued on. Kumajirou nodded his small fuzzy head absent mindedly. "He's my brother, and Japan's my friend, so I need to make the effort to let them know that I totally accept them and their perfectly acceptable alternative life style!"

Canada was having trouble letting the subject of his brother's recently exposed romance drop. After he recovered from his initial shock, and quite frankly, horror, he had come to the conclusion that his shocked reaction could have come off hurtful, and was intent on rectifying the situation (even if America had handled it remarkably poorly). His stuffed pets had rapidly become bored by the subject (with the exception of one very off putting bunny rabbit).

"Maybe, uh…Maybe let it go, eh?" Kumajirou offered and reached a paw out for more muffin.

"You don't understand Kumi," the worryer passed his toy another scrumptious ball of muffin, "As infuriating as America is, he's my brother! And Japan must have been so very embarrassed. I should make it right!" He continued to insist.

"Write a letter; send a gift basket or something. I bet America's maple sucks in comparison to ours."

"That's a great idea! Who knows if Japan even has maple trees at his house? That's perfect Kuma!"


A Day Or Two Since We Last Visited Japan...

America placed the wobbling cardboard box onto the low table and pried apart its flaps.

"So, what kina' stuff's in this one?"

"That?" Japan leaned forward to pear into its contents. "That is things that others may appreciate, but I no longer need."

"Mm. If I find something really cool in it can I take it?" America asked as he excitedly ruffled through the box.

"Ah, I suppose so…It is very kind of you to help me with this venture America."

"Yah, no prob. I'm super good at sorting through stuff. You're too into the past; tradition and all that jazz, it's more fun not to think 'bout that stuff. Just go with the flow! Look to the future!" His voice continued to rise as he practically struck a pose.

Japan politely said nothing, and continued to examine the trinkets on the table in front of him.

"Your boss gonna' want any of this?"

"I wouldn't dispose of anything too historically valuable."

"I almost trashed the constitution once. Mine was so pissed."

Japan paused and attempted to decipher whether or not he was joking. He settled on no. "Oh dear, that would have been a very terrible mistake."

"Yah-Oh!" He pulled a small dagger from Japan's pile. "Can I have this? This is awesome."

"If you would like, that would be fine." Japan nodded as America set it aside on the floor beside him.

"So, is this stuff all set?"

"For the most part, there was not much clutter here to being with."

"So, any other rooms with stuff you're looking to clean out?"

Japan had decided that his house was no longer as minimalist as he preferred and figured getting rid of what he felt was clutter would be great for the atmosphere. He thought it was a good opportunity to invite America over, considering his enjoyment of coming to Japan's aid, even if it was from trinkets and odd unnecessary items.

"I think my book collection has over flooded. We could attend to that if it isn't too much trouble." Japan suggested.

"Not at all, but I expect you to feed me later."America's tone took on an unexpected air of seriousness at the mention of being fed.

"Oh! Of course! You would like to stay for dinner?"

"If you'll have me." The rambunctious blond winked playfully.

Japan's cheeks became rosy in meeting his gaze.

"Y-Yes, that would be very…That would be very nice."

Japan had a large library, He kept his books in a bright open room, shelves lined with things both very old and very new. Upon entering, America found himself dwarfed. The large wooden shelves seemed quite looming when he thought about sorting through them. He did not have endless patience, especially for books.

Japan had already set two sturdy boxes on the round table near the center of the room.

"When you have thousands of years to collect something, sometimes you get too much." Japan said in way of explanation upon noticing America's facial expression.

It never ceased to shock America how very old Japan was, far older than himself, older than France even.

"Yah, I bet." America scratched his forehead, momentarily off put by the thought of being so much his junior. "Soo, you need all o' these?"

"Most, but no, not all. Those shelves on the opposite wall may be left alone. Its mainly these two right here that must be attended to.

"Alrighty then, guess we should get started." America urged.


A blond tired head lolled onto the table, the sound of shuffling pages grating his sleepy ears. This sorting process was taking longer than he had expected, but although America was many things, a quitter he was not.

"America," Japan began quietly, "if you are too tired, we may stop and eat now."

"Nah, I'm fine." He assured. His being face down made the statement very unconvincing.

Japan frowned as he watched the fatigued America refuse his offer to cease sorting. He tapped the book in his grasp contemplatively.

"Would you like coffee?"

America visibly perked. "You got coffee?"

Japan shyly nodded.

"Yah, that'd be good." He said through a yawn.

"Alright, I shall be back in a moment." Japan left his book on the table and ambled out of the library, America pushed back his chair and stood slowly, pressing his hands in the base of his spine as he stretched. A second smaller yawn escaped as he rubbed his eyes. America absent mindedly crossed the darkened room to the book case and ran a slim finger down the spine of one of the many books. His eyes fell to the left to a few books that had so far remained untouched and Japan had directed him away from multiple times. Even if Japan knew he was keeping a book, he still had let America flip through if he was curious, with the exception of these. He wasn't perceptive enough to find it suspicious, but he was definitely curious. Not one for waiting and twiddling his thumbs, America focused in on the book with the prettiest calligraphy on its spine and pulled it free. The insides were disappointing, nothing but writing he couldn't understand. So, he grabbed the next one over, although he found the outsides less appealing. However, you know what they say about books and their covers. America flipped it open casually, attempting to kill the time, and was met with quite the surprise. After the first few pages of Japanese writing, he came upon a very artful illustration. Pleased at having found a medium in need of no translation, he continued to meander through its pages more slowly, when he came face to face with what, if he didn't know Japan, he would have sworn was pornography. A yellow eyebrow shot up as he flipped to the next page that, to his surprise, seemed to fall in the same category as the previous picture.

Okay, there's no way this one isn't dirty, she's totally naked. Turning the page he came face to face with a picture far more explicit than either of the last. It looked old and skillfully drawn, but those were not the attributes that currently absorbed our confused hero. Woah. I wonder if he knows he has this thing? Its his book, guess he must. That's… A lot of dick. Dudes look like they're really enjoying that. He held the book back to get a better over view, letting it hang vertically from one hand, holding the pages straight and aligned with the other. I wouldn't mind doing that, if he let me. Wonder if he'd let me do that… I don't really know how flexible he is, bu—

"I have your coffee." A voice from the doorway made his thoughts jump and stumble away from their pleasant contemplation, and crash firmly into panic.

"Nothing!" he spun around. "I mean, cool, yah, thanks."

Japan furrowed his brow, confused by America's odd reaction. America bit his lip.

Don't think about doing that. America urged himself.

Japan smiled a small unsure smile as he stepped forward and pushed the coffee towards him, causing America to realize he was still holding the book. They both looked down at America's occupied hands. Japan blinked rapidly, his expression changing to one of horror.

"I, ah, like the cover on this, haven't bothered sorting while you were gone, 'cause I figured, even if I started cracking the books open, I couldn't read it anyway, so, hope that's fine." He lied rapidly.

"Oh." Japan did not look as if he was breathing. "So, you did not look in this one?" He asked faux-casually, voice high.

"Nah."

"Oh." He appeared to finally take in a little oxygen.

"Trade ya'"

"Ah, yes, here," Japan gratefully handed over the coffee in return for the book, relief flooding him as he regained it and pulled it to his chest, arms crossed possessively over it.

America took a swig of his new coffee. Hopefully the caffeine would jolt away thoughts of any acrobatic re-enactments with the nation in front of him. He couldn't tear his eyes from the recovering Japan who was slipping the book back to its rightful place, and attempting to catch his breath. America very nearly spilled the coffee on himself multiple times as they returned to sorting. He had quickly folded and suggested they set about eating their dinner, knowing his resolve to not ask about the books was weakening, and figuring it would be best to have his mouth occupied.

Japan had made dumplings, much to America's relief and joy. He filled the time with mostly meaningless continuous babble in the hope that keeping talking would prevent him from making the type of proposition that would have most likely gotten him slapped right there across the dinner table. He had departed quickly after they ate, his goodbye kiss was far more vigorous than he had intended, pulling Japan tightly up against his body. America practically threw himself into the cool dark air once Japan had shut the door, relief and disappointment flooded him simultaneously. America let a sigh out into the night.

Damn books.

A/N: Poor America, trying to be a gentleman. This was really fun to write, it helped to cure my lack of writing flow. I figured that somebody other than Italy would stumble upon those books eventually, and I have been exited to use that for so long. XD

Also, I absolutely love writing Canada and his stuffed animals. At this point it might have made more sense for Canada's Lament to have been published in Steam, but I still feel like it would have interrupted the flow, so I'm glad its like this.

As always, comments bring joy to my heart, so feel free to leave them.

Thanks for reading and I hope it gave you much enjoyment!