ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam Joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

A/N

Since I'm relatively new to this fandom (I literally only discovered Hetalia last year), I have limited knowledge of other people's OCs. In that light, I'll just use the countries' actual names, not their human names. Please lend me your OCs. :)

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is made up of ten states: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. It was founded on August 8, 1967, when foreign ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand signed the ASEAN Declaration. These five founding nations were motivated to form the organization due to the looming threat of communism from surrounding countries. ASEAN only started to expand when Brunei joined in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.

And now, a chapter dedicated to my OC/OC OTP: Brunei and the Philippines

The large conference room was lit with bright fluorescent lights. Paintings and tapestries from the five members of ASEAN hung on the walls, filling the otherwise bland, white room with life and color. At the center was an oval wooden table, the top of which was carved with intricate symbols of each corresponding nation's culture; stars, suns, and crescent moons were predominant. Five flags stood behind six large wooden chairs, indicating who was to sit where – the rightmost seat was curiously devoid of a flag. Malaysia, occupying the leftmost seat, was tapping her fingertips on the polished wooden table. Next to her sat Singapore, eyes hidden behind his glasses reflecting the screen of the laptop he was typing on. Next sat Indonesia, who was playing with her long black hair while trying to talk to Malaysia and the Philippines, both of whom were distracted, about the dramas she loved watching. The Philippines' seat, the second to the right, was empty as the county was pacing back and forth in a panicked state. Finally, Thailand, who had gone to greet their guest, was seated between Indonesia and the Philippines.

"Sit down, Phili. You're giving me a headache." Malaysia scolded Philippines, who was pacing back and forth on the side of the conference room, opposite the main entrance door from which the new member of ASEAN was due to enter any second now.

"I'm sorry Ate Malaya." The Philippines answered. She stopped pacing, but was now wringing her hands anxiously. " It's just – I haven't seen him since I was under Papa España. What – what if he doesn't recognize me? Or worse, what if he recognizes me and blames me for not trying harder to keep in touch with all of you? What if – "

"Isn't it exciting?" exclaimed Indonesia, completely unaware that her little sister was already turning green with worry, "Two childhood sweethearts, separated by their parents for hundreds of year, meet again after facing dire circumstances to free themselves from colonization, both of them unsure how to feel when they see the other - "

"He's late." Singapore commented pertly while glancing at his watch. He the returned to typing on his laptop.

"I wish Kuya Thailand was here. He was good at these kinds of things." Philippines cried.

"Phili…" Indonesia's mutter directed to Philippines, finally noticing that the country was a shade paler than she ought to be, "do you still love him?" Indonesia turned to see how she would react to the question. Philippines finally stopped moving.

"I… don't know…" Philippines answered honestly. Her Ates Indonesia and Malaysia simultaneously turned to her at her reply; the former wearing a soft smile and the latter with narrowed eyes.

Phili did not know who she feared more when she was questioned – Indonesia, who watched too many dramas, or Malaysia, who was constantly criticizing her, much like the relationship of their former colonizers, USA and Britain. Also, in all honestly, Phili could not answer if she 'loved' anyone. She would risk losing America's support. America, despite the war that they had when he bought her from Spain after she declared her independence, was the one who had helped boost her economy after countless battles for freedom and more than three hundred years of Spanish colonization. They had come to each other's aid; America to hers during World War Two, and she to his during the Vietnam and Korean Wars. She was his 'little sister' and she wanted to keep it that way.

But at the expense if severing blood ties with Brunei?

"I – " Maria started, but she was cut by the doors of the main entrance opening.

Thailand barged in, grinning, followed by a very visibly uncomfortable Brunei. The four waiting in the conference room went to their respective places around a large, oval, wooden table; Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Philippines. To her left, Phili noticed an empty chair. Thailand took his place between Nesia and Phili. The latter looked up at Thailand with pleading eyes and whispered, "No!"

"What?" Thailand asked her, a cheshire grin spreading across his face. As the host of the current ASEAN meeting, he might have – inadvertently, of course – placed Brunei's seat next to Phili, as requested by Nesia.

"You know what I mean!" Phili whispered back, panicking.

"Sorry little Tawalisi, I can't hear you from up here." Thailand replied. He knew mentioning the Philippines' height was a low blow, but he couldn't resist teasing her. As expected, Philippines reddened and stared at the opposite wall, avoiding as eye contact with Brunei as much as possible. "I'll get you for this, Kuya Thailand. Just you wait." Thailand just snickered and was about to reply. Thankfully, Ate Nesia decided to start the meeting.

Everything went smoothly and the meeting eventually concluded with Brunei signing an agreement and the flag of Brunei was hoisted up behind his seat next to Phili, who still avoided eye contact.

"I therefore declare this meeting adjourned." Indonesia finally declared, much to Phili's relief. She immediately excused herself, gave a quick goodbye hug to both her sisters, and fled.

Brunei watched Phili the whole while. He watched as she avoided him at all costs, as she bid goodbye to her sisters, and as the doors slammed behind her. Even from where he was seated, he could smell the fragrance of her national flower, the sampaguita, three of which were embedded in her hair. She was still the same, despite all the years since he had last seen her. The same chocolate brown eyes, the same silky black hair, the same smile she was so willing to give him years before when she was his. He signed and turned away from the door, only to see the other four occupants of the room staring at him. "Go." Indonesia told him.

Brunei dashed for the door.

"Tawalisi!"

Phili was already about to board he plane. She turned to look at him and took a few steps as he ran towards her. "Brunei…"

"Why have you been avoiding me, Tawalisi? I have missed you. We all have. I know I've only been independent for a few days, but – "

"Brunei, I am no longer called Tawalisi. I'm the Republic of the Philippines now. And I'm sorry if I tried to avoid you… It's just that – "

An arm snaked around Phili's shoulders. "Hey Phil, what's taking you so long?" America asked Phili.

"America, this is Brunei. An old friend of mine." The Philippines beamed at America as she introduced him to Brunei, "Brunei, this is America, or rather, the United States specifically. He – "

"I'm her hero!" America declared as he held out his hand to Brunei, oblivious to the fact that the latter still eyed the arm America had around Phili's shoulders suspiciously.

"He colonized me and declared me independent after I fought with him in World War Two. I helped him with the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and we've been friends ever since." Phili explained as Brunei shook America's hand.

"Yeah well, things worked out, didn't they?" America laughed, "anyway, we have to get going. You promised me you'd take me sightseeing, Phil!"

"Alright, alright." The Philippines laughed at America, who was pouting like an impatient child. She then turned to Brunei and, with a sad look in her eyes, said, "Goodbye Brunei. I know your culture won't allow me to hug you goodbye, so," she took his hand, "I've missed you, Brunei. Goodbye. I'm so happy you've decided to join the ASEAN."

Brunei watched as America and Phili boarded the plane back to her country, mixed feelings playing through his head. After a while, he turned back and headed to where the other four were.