Act II
Chapter Twenty-Six: Advantage
The Statue of Liberty came into view, and people cheered. America leaned over the rail and breathed in the smell of the city, his city. Japan was silent beside him.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" America said. He looked at Japan hopefully, trying to get him to respond. The entire trip he had remained in their room and hadn't really spoken. But America could hear his soft crying late at night when he thought no one was around.
Japan craned his head and took the giant statue in. He considered finding a way to detonate it, but dismissed the idea promptly.
It wasn't the statue's fault it had an idiot for a personification.
"It's nice," he said emotionlessly.
America patted his back, nearly knocking him over.
"Can I coax a smile out of you? Hmm?" he asked, trying to sound cheerful. "You know I don't like seeing you sad."
Japan stared at him, dark eyes without a trace of light in them. America shuddered involuntarily at the look.
"America-teme," he said, "England and Italy just died. What reason do I have to smile?"
America's expression faltered at the mention of England, and he pulled away his hand like he had been smacked. His bottom lip trembled, and his voice sounded wan and strained.
"Y-yeah…Iggy….he's gone…"
There was nothing but quiet between them for the rest of the ride.
The facility building was outside the city. Barbed wire and soldiers in watchtowers guarded the border, and the white building was tall and imposing. America strolled in, fearless. They both passed through security and came to thick glass doors.
America held it open for Japan, and Japan stared at him with his blank eyes for a long minute. Finally, he walked stiffly through.
"Arigatou, America-teme."
"You're welcome…" America said, then his nose wrinkled in puzzlement. "By the way, what's 'teme' mean?"
"Figure it out," Japan snapped, and America shut up.
Japan observed everything as he entered, from the walls and guards to the small shelf in the middle of the room. A powerful looking man in a suit nodded at America and stepped aside.
"This is Dr. Houston," America introduced. "He helped create this."
Dr. Houston was tall and overweight, with thinning white hair. He had a large nose that reminded Japan distinctly of Russia, and an air of arrogance about him.
Japan decided he didn't like him.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Japan," the man greeted, sticking out his hand in offering. Japan looked at it haughtily, and the man pulled it back after a full minute. When he spoke next, his tone was subdued a bit, but still insufferably fakely happy. It was a pathetic attempt at conversation.
"What's this here?" the man said, bending down at Japan's eye level. He fingered the small locket, and Japan disliked his grubby fingers on it. He abruptly pulled it out of his hand.
"It's mine. It was a gift," he said, and he tucked it back into his shirt. America laughed nervously.
"From who?" the man pressed, still futilely trying to estabilish some sort of friendliness.
"Italy," Japan retorted sharply, and the man raised an eyebrow. "And I am not a child, Houston-kisama."
Dr. Houston stood up, eyeing him witheringly. He nodded to America again, muttering into his ear on the way out,
"What do 'teme' and 'kisama' mean?"
"I don't know," America sighed. "He just began using it."
As soon as he was gone, America turned to Japan wearing a serious face.
"Kiku, I didn't hang around you during your release from isolation for nothing," he said, crossing his arms. "And I still don't know what 'kisama' means, but don't use it towards a government official. You'll get in trouble."
Japan shrugged lethargically, and America sighed in frustration. He motioned to the door.
"I want you to meet someone. I think you've met before…behave yourself."
The door swung open, and Japan watched as a large man entered. He was even taller than Russia, if that was humanly possible. He was broad and strong, and had straight blond hair. Curiously, he was in a naval uniform. Japan frowned. The eyebrows were slightly thicker than average, and reminded him strongly of England. The man grinned and took a seat on the chair, and it creaked under his muscled weight.
"Familiar?" he questioned, and sure enough, there was a strong British accent.
"Sealand?" Japan asked hesitantly, and the man burst into booming laughter.