APH and its characters (c) Hidekaz Himaruya

Boyue's Note: I need a history book!


"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert Heinlein

Pairing: England and Hong Kong


Arthur tilted his head, pressing his knuckles into his cheek. He narrowed his eyes and stared at the young Chinese boy kneeling in front of him. The boy was young, and Arthur admired his courage to come alone to speak with him. If the boy's elder brother were to find out, however, it would not end well for any of them.

"What is it that you want again?" Arthur asked coldly. The answer, he already knew.

"Please," the boy said in a calm and monotonous voice. His English heavily accented. "Please… leave my… brother."

"And if I were to do that, you will come with me and serve me?"

"Yes," the boy answered without the slightest doubt. He had already made up his mind.

Arthur shifted on his chair, uncrossing his legs to re-cross them again. He reached over to the round mahogany table next to him. He picked up his cup and saucer and took a long sip of his warm tea. He put the tea down, licking his lower lip as he thought. He eyed the top of the boy's head and realized that the boy hadn't looked up once since he arrived.

"Let me see your face," Arthur commanded, fingers tapping the armrest.

The boy lifted his head up - with some hesitation – and looked at Arthur. Arthur first drew his eyes to meet the dark brown ones. Oh, yes, the boy was young in age, but he was already full-grown inside, and Arthur could tell from the lack of fear in the deep orbs. There was no innocence in his eyes, only the sore fact that he had seen too much bloodshed in his young life.

Arthur decided that he liked the boy.

"You do know that if Wang Yao was to find out about our… little negotiation," Arthur said, putting his fingers over his chin.

"He cannot know," the boy responded. He kept a firm eye contact with Arthur. His mouth dragged down into what looked like a frown. But emotion seemed to be a missing ingredient in the boy's life.

"Then, what do you purpose we do?"

"You must… ask for me and I will go with you."

"I am to play the villain?" Arthur raised an amused eyebrow. He smirked, reaching for his tea again. He sipped it; it had gone cold and not to his taste. He gave the cup a twirl and watched the deep red liquid swirl. Tealeaves danced at the bottom of the cup. "And if he were to refuse…?"

"He will not," the boy said, "he know… he cannot win."

"You are willing to sacrifice yourself for your brother's sake?"

"Yes."

"You will suffer."

"I know."

"And still?"

"It is the smallest thing… I am able to do in return," the boy said, finally showing the faintest hint of emotion. It wasn't fear or sorrow, but gratitude.

Arthur scoffed, roughly putting the cup down on the table. The brotherly bond between the two sickened him. But mostly, it reminded him of a war and the person he had lost. He bit the inside of his lips, fingernails tensing into his palms. He wondered.

Was it worth breaking the brothers apart, knowing that their bond would survive mere distance? Worse yet, the distance could very well make their bond stronger.

He gazed down at the boy again, locking in with those stoic eyes. Something in his body ached. He shifted in his seat. Nausea washed over him. A bitter feeling coursed through his veins, tossed him in pain. He groaned, realizing what he was feeling.

He was jealous; so jealous that it was making him physically sick.

He sighed through his nose and stood up. He strolled over to the boy and made a circle around him, checking for any strangeness or damage. All he could find was the boy's unwavering love for his elder brother. A love so strong that Arthur wanted to feel like he was part of it. If only he could have had a similar bond with his own brothers.

"Very well, lad," he said, "tomorrow, I will ask for a treaty with you as my condition."

"T-thank you," the boy said, bowing his head.

"Don't thank me. I am doing this for myself."

The boy stood up and lingered for a moment. He bowed again, wordlessly thanked Arthur, before he turned on his heels and walked out quietly.

Arthur watched him go, knowing that tomorrow the boy would belong to him. It was something to celebrate really; he had gained another colony and won another war.

Now if only his heart didn't feel so empty.


THE END.


Boyue's Note: So... Yeah... How is it going, guys! 8D

08.05.09

1:07 AM