This year, America did the decoration alone, save for the ceilings part, that had to wait for Japan to come.
He went alone to the mass, as Japan turned down this invitation – for him, churches were for marrying, the Japanese didn't see any other use for that place. Besides, Japan has to work. US kept wondering why Korea was not there yet.
The party preparations were so boring and he felt somewhat lonely.
When Japan arrived, he was asked to help with the decorations at the ceiling… and has not amazed with the ladder prank.
"Ribu me arone!" – he said, clung on said ladder, somewhat desperate.
"Uh… leave you alone? Ok. Want the hero to catch and save you?"
"No, just ribu me arone!"
"Right." – then the blond withdrew, releasing the ladder, that just fell with the brunet.
"Hey, you ok?"
The Asian stood up, holding a knee, and walked away limping.
"I amu helping ato the kitchen." – he informed, not looking very happy.
"Uh… sorry?" – the blond said, but there was no one to hear him anymore.
When the guests started coming, Japan would be by his side, politely hosting them. Not that it was bad, it just felt so formal.
Then, he heard some lively voices and could tell there was a 'da ze' he would recognize anywhere. He turned his head to see them, but soon looked curiously at the Japanese, who was holding his hand for the first time, with a somewhat uncomfortable grim.
As the noisy group approached and started greeting everyone cheerfully, the blond's eyes spotted an Asian standing out from the Latin Americans. Then, the girls kissed the hosts cheeks, making Japan flustered and shyer than ever while the guys patted their shoulders or shook their hands. Korea just bowed slightly, thanking for the invitation and followed them on the way to salute the other guests.
US's eyebrows furrowed. No 'claiming'?
The hosts stayed a little longer by the entrance door and when there were not so many guests to welcome, they joined the party.
It was bustling. Everybody enjoying themselves and socializing not on that serious manner they were supposed to act on official gatherings.
America told Japan to relax and enjoy himself – the hero had to check if anybody needs anything.
Japan scanned the place and, not finding who he was looking for, he went to the backyard.
There were some Latin Americans, two of them bickering around a fire and an Asian laughing at the scene.
"Hey, you." – the Japanese hissed quietly, glaring at the other Asian – who just blinked, then suddenly hung an arm around his neck and messed with his hair with the other hand.
"Annyeong, little brother!" –he greeted aloud, catching the others' attention.
To someone that didn't know them both really well, it looked like a playful moment between siblings. However, Japan hated to be considered related to the other Asians. He hated unnecessary physical contact. He hated messiness, he loved to look neat. He would avoid to any cost to have his problems and weaknesses exposed to anyone, especially ones he was not familiar with.
And Korea knew it all so well.
"S-stop that!"
"Hey, chicos! That's Japan, my little brother da ze~!" – he smiled warmly (actually, smirked) as half of a continent looked at them –"Isn't he cute? He originated on me~"
"S-top!" – Japan stuttered.
"Oh… don't be shy… you're famous. But don't forget…" – he 'fondly hugged his brother from behind', claiming the maritime nation's Northern regions – "You'll always be my beloved brother, no matter what da ze~"
The girls were 'aww'ing, the guys were giggling and joking about culture differences.
When the Japanese finally managed to escape from the Korean's arms, he quickly excused himself and fled back into the house, bumping on his boyfriend on the way, apologizing briefly and keeping his way.
Translations:
Annyeong (Korean): Hi, hello
Chicos (Spanish): guys, dudes
Notes:
- Even if Japan is not a Christian nation, marriages there are mostly at churches, instead of traditional Japanese style (media influence, I guess)
- I'm not sure if it works to all the Latin American countries, but on some of them girls' informal greeting is kissing cheeks (It's an European – Spanish or Italian, more specifically – habit that we inherited). Well, it does work like that in Brazil – probably one of the reasons why Brazilian women have a reputation of being easy catch… foreigners often get the wrong idea, but we're just greeting, really!
- Korea's formal greeting is bowing, similarly to Japan's
