These two are for you, K-chan, if you read this. I didn't manage to fulfill everything, but I've put my heart in those one shots. Read it and enjoy it! It was a pleasure writing them, do not hesitate to ask for more.

FIRST –AND ONLY- LOVE

Herakles. Herakles.

Kiku made this name roll on his tongue absented mindedly while wandering near his house in the early morning. The day before, another stranger from the West had arrived. He was a nation who called himself Greece. Of course, Kiku had heard of him but this was the first time the nation in person had stepped on his land, the first time he had seen him. And he hadn't been disappointed.

The night before, they had a meal together, just the two of them, two nations introducing each other. Kiku had been mortified at the simple idea of spending more than a couple of minutes alone in the same room with a stranger (or anyone, in fact, he was just that shy).

But he quickly changed his mind when he saw Greece, the man, not the nation, without the intimidating people around him, having removed his overcoat and uncovering the simple white shirt he was wearing, with a strange Christian cross hanging over it; he saw his green eyes that seemed in the end more peaceful than he had first thought. He saw his messy chestnut brown hair, and he even dared smiling when he saw a fluffy white cat jumping out from behind him, though Greece didn't seem to notice.

Greece sure knew how to make people comfortable. He introduced himself, and began talking fondly about his culture, gesturing slowly at each sentence. Now, Kiku found himself growing more and more curious about the man, and he even began to wonder what his name was. But of course, he wouldn't know, because they were nations, and they weren't supposed to tell each other's name, though Kiku didn't know why: he remembered Yao telling him it was forbidden, but that was it.

"What about you, then? I'm not here to talk about myself, after all."

Kiku paused, having not exactly expected this. He looked up to Greece, but thinking it would be rude to meet his gaze, he quickly looked down, reddening and fidgeting. His "talking" skills definitely wouldn't help. He took a deep breath, not sure what to answer, nor what to do.

"I'm Kiku."

Greece stared at him agape, dumbfounded. Kiku did not want to look, afraid that he had made a mistake. He felt his heart race and he was most certainly on the verge of fainting.

"I'm Herakles."

Kiku jumped and quickly looked up to Herakles, for the first time looking at him straight in the eyes. Herakles was smiling warmly, laughing silently. Kiku delicately covered his mouth with his hand and laughed quietly, looking on the side.

"Nice to meet you, Herakles.

-It's my pleasure, Kiku."

#######

Kiku remembered the night before. Herakles was somewhat different from the others from the West. He couldn't figure exactly how Herakles had managed to inspire him that kind of sympathy. Maybe because he was not too straightforward, because he was quiet and friendly.

"Herakles." Kiku pronounced his name again, as if the man was actually there next to him, as if he had known him for centuries. Kiku had found Herakles' accent charming, and Kiku's name suddenly found his name lovelier that it had ever been. In fact, telling each other their names had been a real thrill. It was like he had given this man, Herakles, his most important treasure, something that he had hidden for centuries, that he had given to him in just one night.

What had gotten into him? So strange… Maybe… Kiku felt that maybe Herakles was the one. He didn't know how to say it, but Herakles would be for sure the one who'd know every single part of him, who would finally hatch his shell and… It gave him a sudden vertigo to think about this all.

After all, he couldn't have imagined that it would take almost 2500 years to find his first –and only- love.

PARTS OF HIM

Herakles loves Kiku.

He loves it when he blushes.

He loves it when he tries to make someone understand that it's a "no" answer.

He loves it when he's focused.

He loves his silly gadgets.

He loves his expression when he's determined.

He loves the look on his face when he's about to come.

He loves it when Kiku's shy, even after all this time.

He loves Kiku's cooking.

He loves Kiku's deep eyes, so different from his own.

He loves it when he's serious.

He loves Kiku's soft and white skin.

And he loves it when Kiku dares initiating the kiss, for a change.

Kiku loves Herakles.

He loves his bright, joyous eyes.

He loves it when he tells him tales from his mother.

He loves it when he's sleeping soundly.

He loves it when he's humming songs he's heard on the radio.

He loves it when he frowns slightly while working.

He loves the weight of his naked body on his own.

He loves it when he manages to break through his defenses.

He loves it when Herakles is speaking Greek.

He loves his smile.

He loves the way he plays the harp.

He loves his broad chest.

And he loves it when he's there on time, for a change.

Oh… Yes, in my headcanon, Herakles is playing the harp, which isn't very manly, but I thought it resembled the lyre, and because there's a very good Greek harp player I heard of, and because I play the harp myself blahblahblah.

So, I'm sorry I didn't write any confession or first kiss, but the trouble here is that for me, they kind of confessed to each other around the time in the manga when they first made love (yes they had sex, I can't doubt this) and oops, if I just spoiled you this part of the comic, then feel free to read it, I think your fangirl (boy?) mind will be satisfied: . ?grc2

But well, it's not really clear in my head, and I had never really thought about it… Sorry, maybe I'll try in the future.

Again, feel free to send me request through reviews (but you can review this story for other reasons *wink*).