Xx 1976-Montréal, Canada xX
"I didn't realize your brother was friends with Canada."
Germany startled at the soft voice next to him. He looked down at Japan.
Japan looked alarmed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you."
"No, it's alright. I...haven't slept much the past couple weeks. What were you saying about my brother?"
Japan nodded, seemingly realizing Germany didn't want to discuss his insomnia. "How long has he been friends with Canada?" The two nations had been talking for a while, or rather, Prussia was talking and distracting Canada from wishing farewells and safe travels to the nations that were departing after the close of the games.
"I'm not sure. Apparently Canada will make trips over there on America's behalf, so he's gotten to know all of them. Also, he lived with France as a child, so I believe Gilbert might have met him back then too. Also, I think Canada has a crush on him."
Japan watched them for, "What makes you think that?"
"Every time I've interacted with Canada and my brother is around, he'll just kind of stare at him. It's kind of funny."
Japan nodded, allowing a comfortable silence to fall over them for a few minutes. "Your team did well," he finally said, "You should be proud of your country."
Germany hesitated, "Thank you."
"I just wanted to tell you that before I left." Germany nodded, realizing Japan was dressed to travel and had his suitcase by his feet. "I believe we have a meeting next month, so I'll see you then. Get some rest, Ludwig."
"Thank you. Safe travels." Germany watched Japan walk away, stopping to thank Canada for his hospitality, and trying not to get too sidetracked by Prussia. Germany smiled.
Xx 1980- Moscow, USSR xX
"So," Prussia sat down between France and Spain, throwing an arm around each of them, "Tell me everything. How's life? How are your boyfriends?"
"Oh, Lovi's great!" Spain gushed, "Last week he-"
"Toni," Prussia slapped his shoulder, "I don't actually care. If I wanted to know how Romano was, I would ask him myself. I only asked because societal conventions prefer me not to start a conversation by talking about my awesome self."
Romano leaned forward from his seat on Spain's other side, just so he could glare at Prussia.
"I'm not talking to you." Prussia informed him.
France laughed while Spain pouted, "Oh, Gilbert, you never change, do you?"
"I try not to. The best unpredictability is being predictable."
"What does that mean?" Spain gave him a confused look.
"I don't know, I'm just saying things."
France laughed again. "Your team is doing well."
"Fuck yeah, they are! See," Prussia wrapped both arms around France and gave Spain a pointed look, "Here's a man who knows how to make conversation. Give me all your praise."
"Think you'll win the most medals?" Spain asked.
"Of course not, we're in Russia. I think they're contractually obligated to win in their own home. Okay, now that that's out of the way, moving on! How's my little brother? Still missing my awesomeness?"
"I don't know," France said seriously, "He's pretty busy with the EU and the UN and the G8-"
"Too many letters," Prussia yawned, "Bored."
"When can I join the G8?" Spain asked.
"Tonio," France sighed, "If it were up to me, you would never leave my side." Romano leaned forward again, this time to glare at France. "But it's not up to me, so I don't know."
"Besides, it's called the G8, not the G9." Prussia interjected, "Now, back to me. Does he miss me or not?"
"I think he's too busy to miss you." France said gently.
"Of course you would think that, you only pay attention to him when it's convenient for you. Italy! How's my brother doing?"
Italy and Prussia both leaned forward so they could have their conversation over Spain and Romano. Italy frowned. "He's...busy."
"But does he miss me?"
"Of course he does," Italy gave him a gentle smile, "You're his brother."
"There you go," Prussia leaned back, wrapping his arms around his friends again and crossing his legs to take up as much room as possible, "That's how you flatter a man's ego."
France and Spain exchanged a look as France rolled his eyes.
...
"You're not still doing that, are you?" Prussia asked when he followed Italy out later in the games. He snatched the lit cigarette from Italy and put it in his own mouth.
"These are Lovi's." Italy said as pulled out another one, "He's going to be mad when he realizes I stole them, so I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts."
Prussia shook his head, a fond smile spreading across his face, "How are you, Feli?"
"Aside from the fact that everybody wants a say in my bad habits?" he asked in a teasing tone, "I'm great. Really. How are you?"
"Me? I'm as awesome as ever."
Italy gave him a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "About Ludwig-"
"Yeah, I'm not going to lie, I was kind of hoping he would come. Even without his team. Just him. I don't get the chance to see him much."
"I know," Italy agreed, "But...I think he was glad to have a reason not to be here. Munich really rattled him."
"Yeah…" Prussia nodded, "He ever talk to you about it?"
Italy shook his head.
"Me neither. What about Kiku? Do they ever talk?"
"Well, they have plenty of discussions at all our meetings-"
"Yeah, but do they really talk?"
"I think so," Italy nodded, "When they get the chance."
"Good. I think Kiku understands him better than we do."
Italy nodded again, "They're good for each other."
"They definitely are." Prussia agreed as he put out his cigarette.
"Gilbert," Italy reached out to keep him from returning to his seat yet, "I mean it, how are you doing?"
Prussia thought for a minute before answering. "I'm doing. Sometimes that's all we can hope for."
Xx 1984-Los Angeles, United States xX
Eight long years since he had last been to the Olympics, and Germany still couldn't relax. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was aware that various friends and colleagues had been keeping close to him throughout the whole event. Keeping an eye on him, probably, especially in his brother's absence. Even now, both Japan and Italy were nearby, although Italy was caught in another argument with his brother.
Somehow he had made it though. All the games and processions and ceremonies and more games still hadn't driven him completely insane. Yet. There was still time, as the closing ceremony hadn't ended yet.
Ludwig flinched at the bright flash and loud crash.
Japan gently took his hand, lacing their fingers together, "Fireworks." he whispered as the show continued.
"I know." Ludwig whispered back, his grip tightening on Kiku's hand as he closed his eyes.
Kiku felt him flinch again at another explosion. He gently tugged on Ludwig's hand, pulling him away. Nobody paid them any attention as Kiku led him to somewhere more quiet and private. "It's alright," Kiku promised as he reached up, covering Ludwig's ears, "Everything is alright, just focus on me."
Ludwig closed his eyes as Kiku continued to whisper reassurances. His breathing slowly evened out to match Kiku's. Kiku's fingers combed through his hair before coming to rest at the back of his neck. Ludwig opened his eyes to find Kiku looking up at him, concern obvious on his face.
Ludwig leaned down and kissed him, one hand coming up to rest on the small of Kiku's back as he relaxed against him, his fingers tightening in his hair. Ludwig slowly pulled away. Kiku was still watching him, but the concern had morphed into something he was almost afraid to identify.
"I'm sorry," he said as he pulled away, "I shouldn't have done that."
"It's fine," Kiku reassured him.
Ludwig took another step back, "I'm just...going to go back to my room…" Japan nodded. "I'll...see you later."
Xx 1988-Seoul, South Korea xX
Germany looked around the crowded nation's booth, trying to find someone he knew. Italy and Prussia were talking to France, Spain, and Romano near the front. He carefully made his way down to them.
"Lud!" Prussia was the first to see him, coming up to give him a too tight hug, "Bout time you got here."
"It's good to see you too," he gave his brother a weak smile as he greeted everyone else. "Has anyone seen Japan yet?"
"I'm sure he's around here somewhere," Italy assured him, "I mean he lives closer than all of us, there's no way he's not already here."
"You probably just missed him," France added, "He is rather petite, it would be hard to see him through everyone else here." he shrugged.
"He'll catch up with us soon enough." Italy promised, "But have you seen how many of us are here? I don't think I've ever seen so many of us in one place."
France nodded as he looked around again, "It is an impressive thing Korea has here. I wonder if we'll ever see this kind of turnout again. Greece and I will have to talk to him later."
"As what, some sort of Olympic greeting committee?" Prussia scoffed.
"Maybe," France shrugged cryptically.
Germany silently let the conversation continue around him, looking around at the stadium, and the gathered nations, waiting for Japan to come find them.
"I should probably go sit down," Prussia said after a while, smacking Germany's shoulder to bring him back from his distraction.
"You can't stay with us?" Spain pouted.
"Nah, I've gotta," he absently waved towards the Soviet bloc group instead of finishing his sentence. "But we can catch up later," he ruffled Germany's hair, "Behave yourself."
Germany smoothed his hair back down as his brother left, looking around again. He finally found Japan, sitting with America and England. He just barely saw Japan look away so their eyes wouldn't meet.
...
"Japan!" Japan turned to see Italy, who gave him a quick hug, "We were waiting for you to join us."
"I'm sorry, America pulled me away before I could find you." He explained, leaving out that he had allowed it to happen.
"You'll come to dinner with us tonight, right?" Italy continued.
"I'm...afraid I already have plans." It wasn't true, but judging by the way Germany was watching him, he was going to have a conversation he would rather avoid either way. Italy pouted at him. "There's plenty of time, maybe another night." he promised him.
Italy brightened, seemingly satisfied with that answer. "Okay, we'll see you later then!"
Germany hung back as Italy allowed Spain and Romano to pull him away. "Your brother is putting on an impressive show so far." Germany said.
"Korea isn't my brother." Japan reminded him, just a bit too harshly.
"I'm sorry. I suppose I'm just so used to everybody in Europe being related somehow that I forget not everybody else is."
Japan nodded, avoiding looking at him. "I should really go-" he said at the same time as Germany spoke.
"I wanted to talk to you earlier."
Japan hesitated, trying to look around for another escape, but most of the other nations had already exited. "Is this about what happened in Los Angeles?" he finally ceded.
"Yes, I need to apologize properly-"
"There's no need," Japan said bitterly, "I understand. These events have a way of bringing out the best and worst of us."
Germany looked surprised, either at his words or his tone. "...And which one do you think that was?"
"Does it matter?" Japan finally met his eyes, "Either way, it wasn't supposed to happen. You said so yourself."
Germany took a deep breath and slowly released it, nodding. "I suppose I did. I am sorry about it. Really."
"It's fine." Japan said coldly.
Germany frowned, "Well, my friends are waiting for me. The invitation to join us is always open." Germany left without another word.
Japan stayed where he was. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to dispel the headache growing behind his eyes. When he looked up again, Korea was standing in front of him. "I'm sorry, I was just going." Japan tried to excuse himself from another conversation he didn't want to have.
"Are you okay?" Korea asked, "You're not fighting with Germany, are you?"
"I don't think that's any of your business." Japan tried to pass him to leave.
"I always thought you were nicer to him than the rest of us. Or he makes you nicer."
Japan turned back to face him, "What does that mean?"
Korea shrugged, "I don't know. But you've been kind of cold to him lately."
"He's been rather cold lately." Japan argued.
"Maybe he just misses his brother," Korea said, "This might surprise you, but not everybody dreams of being bitter and isolated for the rest of their lives."
Japan hesitated, surprised at the other man's bold words. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"No, no. It's fine." he shrugged again, "Some of us are going out for dinner. China and me and a few others, I mean. You're welcome to join us."
Japan hesitated again as they exited the stadium together, "...I'll think about it." he finally said.
"Well, don't think about it too long." Korea flashed him a friendly smile as they parted ways, leaving Japan alone again.
Xx 1992-Barcelona, Spain xX
"Sooo… Why are you ignoring Japan?" Prussia asked, watching the other country, who was talking with Spain and the Italies.
"I'm not." Germany argued.
"You haven't spoken to him this whole time."
"That's not true. I've had multiple conversations with him."
"Empty conversations about nothing. What do you talk about at meetings? Don't tell me, I already know what you're going to say: 'We talk about business, because they're business meetings and we're boring.'" Prussia dropped his voice an octave in an imitation of Germany's. "'And there's no business to hide behind at the Olympics, so I'm ignoring him because I'm still a child.'"
"That's not what's happening." Germany argued, avoiding looking at either his brother or Japan.
"What did he do to get you so pissed off anyway?"
"He didn't do anything, and I'm not angry with him."
"Then let's go talk to him." Prussia grabbed his brother's arm and pulled him towards the little group. "Japan! Lud wants to talk to you!" Prussia pushed him towards the other man.
Germany glared at Prussia, even as Japan looked up at him expectantly.
"Aww," Spain crooned, "You must be so glad to have your big brother home again."
"Not at the moment." Germany grumbled.
"Ha, he's lying, he loves me." Prussia threw his arm around Germany's shoulders. Germany immediately shrugged him off. "Anyway, where's Francey-pants? I expected him to be all over my awesomeness."
"I...believe he went off with Greece again." Japan explained.
"Ohhh, that." Prussia nodded knowingly.
"Hey!" Spain perked up, "Maybe now that I've hosted the Olympics, I can join their Olympic club thing."
"Like hell you are!" Romano protested.
Prussia laughed, "What, you don't want your boyfriend joining their little friends with benefits thing?"
"What does that mean?" Germany mused, "Isn't friendship supposed to be the benefit?"
There was a brief awkward pause before Italy leaned over to whisper an explanation to him.
"How is that a benefit?!" Germany snapped.
Italy shrugged, "It is for most people."
Japan was the first one to laugh, earning a sharp look from Germany. "I'm sorry, Germany, I just forget how much younger you are sometimes."
"Right," Germany said flatly, "Anyway, I have some other things to take care of right now. I'll catch up with you all later."
"Germany, wait!" Japan hurried to catch up with him as he left, "Prussia said you had something you wanted to speak with me about?"
"Well I don't." Germany snapped, "He's just trying to interfere in my relationships because he doesn't think I'm old enough to handle these things myself."
"I'm sorry-" Japan started.
"This may surprise you and everyone else, but I am an adult. I'm not some child who needs to be watched at every step to make sure I don't hurt myself!" Germany scoffed, "Least of all by you!"
"I see," Japan looked away from him, forcing himself to relax his jaw and neutralize his expression so Germany wouldn't be able to guess what he was really thinking.
Germany waited for another response to come, and when it didn't he huffed, smoothed back his hair again, and nodded to himself. "That's good then." he said before turning and walking away.
...
Greece looked surprised to find Japan waiting for him when he answered his door. "Can I help you?"
"Probably not," Japan admitted, "I just needed someone to talk to." His eyes drifted to the half-naked blond man lounging on the bed, "But I can see you're busy."
"No, no, it's fine," Greece pulled him in, "We're done. He's about to leave."
"Oh?" France looked up as Greece pushed Japan into the room, "Come to join us?" He winked.
"No. It's really not that important." Japan turned to leave again, but Greece stopped him again.
"You came here for a reason. What did you want to talk about?"
"Is it about Germany?" France perked up.
Japan turned to him, "Why would it be about him?" he asked, surprised at the accuracy.
"Oh, no reason...just all the unresolved sexual tension between you two…" France gave him what was probably meant to be a seductive look.
"There isn't any of that." Japan denied.
"Then why would you come to talk to us instead of him?"
"I didn't come to speak with you at all," Japan said coldly, "I was hoping you would have left by now."
"He will." Greece assured him.
France rolled his eyes, "Fine, I can take a hint." He got up, gathering his clothes and shutting himself in the bathroom.
Greece took his place on the bed, motioning for Japan to sit. Japan chose not to, instead opting to lean against the dresser, hoping it was the safest place in the room. "It would seem I'm fighting with Germany." he admitted.
"So it is about him?" Japan nodded. "Why?"
Japan shrugged, "I'm just frustrated with him."
"Have you tried having sex yet?" France called from the bathroom.
"Not sexually frustrated," Japan protested, "Just frustrated. There was...something happened between us a while ago and it would seem that he saw it as a mistake."
"And you didn't?" Greece clarified.
Japan shook his head, "And now he thinks I'm treating him like a child and this doesn't make any sense to you." He rubbed his hands over his face, "I'm sorry."
"It's fine. If this is helping you, I don't mind. Why haven't you talked about it with him yet?"
"Because whenever we have meetings we're able to stick to professional topics and it wasn't a professional incident. And it's harder to avoid it at non-professional events, which is why it's come up again."
"And you're sure you didn't have sex with him?" France asked as he came out of the bathroom, fully dressed, and leaned against the doorframe.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Are you sure you don't want to?" Greece added.
Japan looked at him in surprise, "What kind of question is that?"
Greece shrugged.
"I'm sorry, I'm just wasting your time. I think I should go." He took a few steps towards the door, but France stopped him.
"I know it's not easy for either of you to confront your feelings, but I do think you should talk to him. For your own peace of mind at least, if not to resolve this whole thing, whatever it is. Or you could just do what everybody else does and have sex." France shrugged.
"I'll think about that," Japan promised, "The first part, not the sex. Thank you."
"Of course, let us know if you need anything else."
Japan showed himself out and went back to his own room. He was surprised to find Germany waiting there for him. Germany looked just as surprised to see him. "Is there something I can do for you?" he asked.
"I just…" Germany rubbed the back of his neck, "I just needed to apologize for earlier. I...things have been different since my brother came home. I got used to having my independence, and he's been treating me like a child. I've been frustrated and I took it out on you, which you don't deserve. I am sorry."
"And here I thought this was still about Los Angeles," Japan mumbled.
"That? Japan, I-"
"Yes, you've made it clear that was a mistake." Japan snapped.
Germany frowned, "Am I missing something?"
"Sometimes adults have feelings for each other, and sometimes they'll act on them, and they don't usually run away from them. Have you considered that maybe you're being treated like a child because you're acting like one?"
Germany's frown deepened, a crease appearing between his eyebrows. "It's awfully bold of you to accuse me of running away from my feelings when it seems like you've been doing the same thing." He turned to walk away.
Japan turned to open his door instead of watching him leave. His hands were shaking too badly to fit the key into the lock. He knocked his head against the doorframe before turning to leave. There was something he still needed to do.
...
The blond-haired blue-eyed nation who opened the door looked surprised to see him for a second, but then smirked, "Forget something?" he asked in a teasing tone.
"Yes," Japan said, taking the initiative to invite himself in. "I think what I really need is a distraction." He stepped out of his shoes when crossing the threshold, then shed his jacket as he passed his host, followed by his tie and shirt. He left a trail of his clothes behind himself while making his way into the bedroom.
The room's other occupant looked up at him in surprise, opening his mouth to speak. Before Greece could protest, Japan stopped him with a messy, open-mouthed kiss.
Xx 1996-Atlanta, United States xX
They had managed to keep a professional relationship for the past four years, but now, as Germany found himself alone with Japan in the elevator in their hotel late one night, Germany was reminded of Italy's theory about emotions being amplified by something about the Olympics.
"I think we still need to talk." he said.
Japan sighed, his head dropping forward, "I don't want to talk about what happened in Barcelona. Or Los Angeles. Or anything else that's ever happened between us."
"Okay," Germany nodded, "We won't."
"...I want to start something new with you…" Japan finally admitted, a confused frown crossing his face.
"Okay…" Germany said slowly.
"Are you sharing a room with your brother?" Japan asked. He was intently avoiding looking at Germany as the elevator doors opened.
"Um...yes," Germany wondered where this conversation was going.
"My room then." Japan grabbed him and pulled him into the hallway. Germany followed, still not entirely sure what was happening until they were in Japan's room and Japan started kissing him. Ludwig kissed him back, letting Kiku pull him further into the room. He shrugged off his jacket, letting Kiku pull his tie away and unbutton his shirt. He picked Kiku up, pushing him against the wall, still kissing him as Kiku's fingers tangled in his hair.
The building shook, rattling the window. Ludwig dropped Kiku, turning to stare out the window. "What the hell?"
Kiku reached for him again, "It felt like an earthquake," he said, "Ludwig,"
"I don't think so," Ludwig pulled his shirt back on, "Something's happening, we should go see what's going on."
"Ludwig, don't," Kiku protested, "Whatever's going on, I don't want you getting involved."
Ludwig nodded, but still left. Kiku followed him, back downstairs and out of the hotel. There were people everywhere. Kiku grabbed Ludwig's hand so they weren't separated. "There's America," he murmured, "We can ask him."
Ludwig squeezed his hand. He had to call the other man twice as they approached before America noticed them.
"Oh, hey," America said numbly. He was looking for something, clearly distracted, "You guys weren't out here, right?"
"No, we felt the building shake and heard the commotion." Germany grabbed America's shoulder to get his attention, "What happened?"
"I don't know," America admitted, "There was a bomb...I don't know."
Historical notes:
1976:
1980: Due to the Soviet Union's military position at the time, 66 countries boycotted the games, including the United States, Germany and Japan. Spain asked Prussia if he would win the most medals, and Prussia responded that Russia had to win in his home country, the Soviet Union won the most medals this year, with East Germany in second place.
1984: In response to the American led boycott of 1980, the Soviet Union and the rest of the Soviet bloc boycotted the '84 Olympics.
1988: There is a mention of there being a lot of nations there, that's because the 1988 Olympics hosted 159 nations, the most that had attended so far, and also a far cry from the 80 nations represented in 1980, or even the 140 nations in 1984.
1992: At this point, Germany has been reunited, so rather than having two separate teams, or one of the Germany's just not attending, there is only one German team because there is only one Germany.
1996: The event referenced here is the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, where a domestic terrorist set off a pipe bomb as a political protest. There was a German news team recording an interview at the time the bomb went off, and apparently the person they were interviewing described it as thinking there had been an earthquake.
