Japan rushed over awkwardly to his drinking boss with a very determined and worried look in his eyes. The Japanese was caught by a few fellow workers and bumped into one or two tables but only apologized politely before reaching his boss.
"M-Miss Meiko-san! May I please cut today's hours short! O-or at least take my lunch now? I vow to not do this again or at least make up the h-hours or anything if I may take a short leave for today!" Japan pleads bowing respectably to the drunkenly swaying woman.
"S-sure ding, kiks! God, ya ne'er ask fo' *hic* anyding! Ya'r good worker, go an' 'ave some fun wid yo' *hic* li'l boy toy, 'kay! Nice ta *hic* break lose so ya can just work t-take da WHOOOOLE day off~ Den jus *hic* tape all da sexy scenes as *hic* p-payment! A-And buy me by 'noder beer, too! *hic*" Meiko instructed nearly falling out off her seat while Japan silently obeyed and bought the woman another beer and caught her. "D-danks~ G'on! Ya shoul' g' now!" she giggled slapping the Japanese's butt and shooing his off.
Japan paled and nodded quickly taking off his uniform headphones and name-tag to his workers cubbie and rushing out in his simple yet elegant kimono. A part of him worried that the slightly taller male would have already left since it had already been six minutes but looked outside to the blond waiting as patiently as he possibly could and smiled appreciatively.
"Ah, I am s-sorry for the wait, Sw-Vash-s... Um, I had to put some things away first and anyway w-we should go over to my room now, yes?" Japan asked looking at the frowning Swiss.
Switzerland sighed and nodded. "Yeah, sure. You were pretty much right on time so please don't worry about that stuff, I'm just hungry so I'd rather us just go than stand here, right? I've already been doing that for awhile, already, you know." Switzerland hinted slightly playfully slightly annoyed by the stiff air following Japan thickly.
Japan nodded quickly and started to lead the way over to his bedroom, though it wasn't quite 'leading' with Switzerland walking basically side-by-side with him to a point where the two's hand were only a few solid inches apart from each other's, but to Japan's discomfort. "My room is only about 4 or so more minutes away and I apologize, but the food is not cooked already so it may seem rather plain and slow for you! A-also my roommate tends to sleep in a lot so he and our cats may be present but I swear they will not bother!" Japan rushed out trying to make sure to make his guest aware of anything that may seem troubling to him and blushed.
Switzerland narrowed his eyes and nodded back. "I see, don't worry about that, either. I'm hungry and a guest, I'm sure I won't find anything there bothering me as much as your stiffness. Is it in any way possible for you to lighten up, you have such a good voice, but the things you say are so- ugh! Just apologizing for things that haven't happened or don't matter yet! You care about following other people's whims and needs too much..." the blond fumed, trying not to flat-out yell at the other and feeling his stomach growl once more.
Japan could only nod as they already reached his room's door and opened it for his guest. "I am sorry, please, just enjoy your stay." he welcomed taking off his shoes and putting them next to the door as one of his home country's many habits. "It will be some white rice and you may pick out whichever sides you would like that you see around, yes?"
Switzerland sighed annoyed and nodded. "I'll eat whatever you make, but do you have any good cheese, meat, potatoes or the similar?" The Swiss questioned briefly looking in the kitchen closet for any sort of... anything.
Japan made a classic blank thinking face before he nodded slowly. "I could make a beef soup and add some potatoes, I believe. It would go well with the rice. As for the cheese... I would say only some plain American? It would not likely be what you would like, though..." Japan finally answered collectively.
The Swiss mentally cringed at the thought of such a bland type of cheese being the only option and decided to just cut that part out. "N-no thanks... I think the soup will be just fine." the blond stated reaching for the newly discovered potatoes and taking them to the counter. "I'm helping, all right." he stated not wanting to just sit around bored for someone else to cook his meal.
As if on cue Japan shook his head and brought his arms up. "N-no! I insist, you should sit and relax! I can make it fine!" Japan refused grabbing a knife and going where Switzerland was to start chopping the potatoes.
Switzerland could only be slightly scared with the flustered Japanese male going at him with a knife before seeing him almost expertly hacking at the potatoes but appearing to nearly cut his own finger with every slice. Switzerland grabbed Japan's hand firmly and shook his head. "No, thank you. I'd only be bored and at this rate you're going to kill yourself. I'm going to help you whether you want me to or not."
Japan quietly backed off from the subject and nodded taking out the meat and vegetables while Switzerland made quick work of the potatoes and asked for more to do. "Uh, I do not know..." Japan took a pause before continuing but was sure to make it short before the temperamental Swiss decided to scold him again. "Would you rather be in charge of washing and cutting/peeling the vegetables or preparing the beef?" Japan asked smoothly escaping any sort of decision for himself.
Switzerland caught the move Japan just made but mentally shrugged it off thinking it was at least an improvement before answering. "Beef. Here are the potatoes, I guess." he replied passing over the nicely chopped earth-apples and going over to where the spices and seasonings were.
Japan merely started to boil the water for the rice and wash the the vegetables as he waited for the water. The mood gradually started to brighten as the two worked diligently on their jobs. Both of the 'chefs' were approaching the end of the preparations and decided to finally add everything together and let the flavors set together as the rice soaked a bit longer. A light smile began to from on Japan's lips as he got out the cleaners while they waited. "I will clean up as we wait, yes or... would you like to h-help as well?" Japan asked starting to catch on to the Swiss's personality.
Switzerland smirked and nodded, feeling oddly happy from only being offered to clean someone else's kitchen but still felt like he just won something. "Sure, I'll sweep up and you can do the dishes." the blond suggested not trusting him with anything fragile like that around the infuriatingly quiet nation.
Japan smiled and nodded back at Switzerland getting started on the dishes. The air was lightening considerably as time went on to a point where the two were starting civil conversations with each other setting up the table with the food and taking their seats across from each other.
"I thought you had said your roommate was likely to be here, where is he?" Switzerland asked waiting for Japan to take the first scoop before he made his plate.
"Ah, I would not know for sure. Knowing him, I would expect him outside either sleeping or digging. He may also be in the library simply reading about old Greek culture or the similar but who is to say..." Japan replied taking the first bite of Switzerland's stew. "A-ah! This is very good! Wh-where did you learn this?" the Japanese asked impressed.
Switzerland inwardly beamed and shrugged. "It's just how we make things back home. I would cook for Leala and myself often whenever I could. Technically, my mother was a German-Swiss and had me first with her first lover. I don't think they ever married but she said he was French-Swiss and that he died when I was about one from a past lover getting jealous or something. When that happened, my mother moved almost on the borders of Liechtenstein and met Leala's father, and had her there. He was pretty much German, through and through, though with only the motives for work and order. I doubt he very much cared for me at all and thought I was a stingy, STD-filled French... trigger-happy slut, I guess. He got along well with my sister and my mother more or less and my mother did work very hard for us before she went to a shooting range competition and one of the competitors accidentally shot her in the stomach. It's a shame, too, since I know she would have one, the ace-shot she was and all... Heh... Uh, well you get the picture, my step-dad didn't like me and worked late for me to cook and take care of things at the house. I was a arguemental child, still am, of course, but eventually we both got so fed up he sent me here with Leala begging to follow and... um.. I-I'm sorry, Japan..." Switzerland tried to cover his mouth and face the entire time but just couldn't shut up for the life of him. Something about Japan's blank gaze made him spill almost all his life's details out within barely any time of knowing the other and it made him feel sick and strangely pleased at the thought.
Japan sat with the same sat in the chair with his signature empty expression before slowly putting his chopsticks down and going over to place a consoling arms around Switzerland's shoulders. "I... am sorry I do not know what to say in these matters, but... I caught on to something while you were ending your speech and... Please, Vash... Call me Kiku, okay... I-I would like you to call me my given name..." Japan requested, face now in full blush mode trying to smoothly remove his arms before a gentle hand caught him.
"Yeah... that sounds fair... Kiku..." the blond mumbled with a small blush gracing his face as well, turning his head to look up at the hovering Asian above him to flash a grateful smile.
Japan's head felt light at hear his name so... sinfully said from the blond's lips and seeing the breath-taking smile of other made him almost momentarily blind from the pleasantness of it, if that made any sense at all. Quickly, the shy Japanese guided the Swiss's hand away from his arm as he began to head for the kitchen again. "I-I am sorry, Vash! I seem to forgotten to make drinks! I will make us some tea right away!" Japan noted beginning to reach for the tea and seeing it in the high shelf before frowning before wondering why he would put it in the high shelf. "I-it is very good to have tea with meals s-since tea in good for the calming of the nerve and relaxing b-but also just nice and warm and nice tasting an-" Japan was cut off by a pair long arms connected to a strong body only centimeters from his own reaching up and grabbing the small pack of tea and placing it in his hands.
"I said I'd help, didn't I, Kiku? Come on, I won't eat alone! I-I'm helping!" Switzerland confirmed turning to fill a pot of water to boil.
Japan felt his face become hot enough to boil the water on its own and frowned at Switzerland's body being so close only to leave. The Asian didn't know where the desire came from or why he felt it, but he desperately wanted his and the Swiss's bodies to just... touch. Every fiber of him wanted to pounce on the blond and merely touch and feel everything anything he could from the muscles noticeable through his shirt to his soft cheeks and silky hair and-no! Thoughts like those were wrong and foreign to Japan! He Should not think them and yet they kept growing for a reason he could not begin to fathom.
Switzerland noticed the very blank gaze and growled. "Are you helping or not?" he reminded carrying the water filled pot over to the stove.
Japan snapped from his inner war of emotions before nodded apologetically before turning on the stove to the perfect heat and sighing. "I am sorry, Vash," , how the name sounded so wrong in his ears, "I was, er, 'out of it'... We should wait for the water boil, yes? Then I will start the tea... We should continuing eating for now, though. If I recall correctly, you had yet to even have your first bite..."
The Swiss looked at Japan as he stated to make a move to the table and followed peacefully. "I guess. though, I'm not entirely hungry at the moment, really..." he began to counter before getting hit with a look from Japan that said something along the lines of 'Do not let the food get cold. Eat. You are hungry and need it.' so decided to play along and start his meal.
Japan wasn't just being polite, either. The food had came out very well and Switzerland smiled a little bit more as the two ate quetly before Japan noticed the steam begin to come off the pot. "I'll be back soon, please just continue to eat... Vash..." he added in quickly and went over to the boiling pot.
Japan patiently waited for the tea to be to soaked in and settle as he pulled out his usual cups. Japan took some of the hot liquid and swiftly poured it in the two glasses and carefully walked over to Switzerland who seemed to have stopped eating and watched as he approached.
The cat-like green orbs watched Japan approach with a newly forming sense of unease as he began to wobble and shift very lightly. With no spills, Japan made it to Switzerland with everything in one piece and smiled. "H-here you go... -Ah!" Japan exclaimed when Switzerland reached out and grabbed the cup nonchalantly with the Swiss's fingers layering over his in surprise. A deep sense of panic sparked Japan as he let go before the cup was fully in Switzerland's hand and spilled all over.
Instincts kicked in for both parties with the intimidate thought of getting the burning liquid stained top off. Both Switzerland and Japan were undoing the buttons and lifting the ruined coat and shirt above Switzerland's head with arms raised high and his chest still feeling the hot tingle from the tea touching him. A part of him was grateful for his thick coat and t-shirt but felt mildly disappointed for a split second at the thought of it staining but was interrupted by a pair of intruding couchs near the doorway.
"Aaah~ Greece-ni! I wanted to claim Japan's breast today b-but he's claiming someone else's! Why, da ze~!" the young and perky Korean male whined to the taller, more relaxed Greek.
Greece smiled and shrugged. "I wouldn't know, but an introduction may be nice, wouldn't it, Kiku-chan?" he hinted at the awkwardly positioned duo with an all-knowing smile forming darkly on his face.
The two went red nearly head to toe as they registered exactly how compromising the position they were in looked. Switzerland's clothes were still only just past his elbows which were still raised over his his head and positioned in a way that seemed to be showing off his strong muscled arms and chest even more than just being shirtless alone would. Japan's left leg kneeling on the chair between the other's legs and his entire body leaning in so that their faces remained distance by mere centimeters and Japan still still held on to the Swiss's arms suggestively.
In seconds the two practically shoved each other away and turned their gazes to the new guests in the cramping room with Japan first to speak.
"A-ah, no! This is Sw-Switzerland and he was hungry and l-lost so I thought I could let him eat here and I wound up sp-spilling the tea on him a-and were were trying to get it o-off before it hurt him...!" Japan stuttered feeling like a complete fool in front of his idiot of a brother and Greece.
Switzerland nodded and took the chance to make a reason to leave before he bolted for his room. Bowing respectfully he already completely removed his upper-body clothing and began to speak. "Thanks, Japan. I-I'll see you around and the food was good, I, uh, should really get a shirt on. Um,-Don't forget to stop apologizing and wimping out so much!" The Swiss added quickly escaping from the room.
Japan felt oddly empty from the missing blond but had no time to dwell on the fact staring emotionlessly at the two intruders. "I am sorry, Greece for the odd welcoming, and you..." Japan motioned to Korea. "Do not disturb anything, including my 'breasts', understood. There is still plenty food and tea left so... if you two are hungry, eat... I'll be sleeping if you need me." the Japanese explained bowing and heading to his bed.
Both Greece and Korea frowned with Korea quickly making himself at home and sipping at some tea. "Ah~ Nothing like the way brother Nihon or aniki make it! Still, it's not as good as the original style first blended in Korea, da ze! Come now Greece, you know how Nihon hates wasting food!" the Korean beamed pulling on the Greek's arms childishly to the table before any protests were heard.
"D-don't you find Japan-chan acting odd? You make a very open brother, don't you..." the Greek noticed as Korea shamelessly began eating much of the food. It was near hysterical how different the two were in comparison
Korea pouted cutely and shrugged. "I dunno what just happened, really. I just met you on the way here and saw Nihon and that... new Swiss guy getting it on. Odd, I guess. Still, the food makes up for Nihon not letting me claim his breast today! Come on, eat!" Korea commanded.
With a sigh, Greece obeyed. The food tasted good but somehow the stew was unlike Japan's usual style and felt a small pang of jealousy at the thought of it perhaps being Switzerland's doing.
...
Switzerland still walked around shirtless gaining odd looks of disgust and disapproving frowns. As tempted as he was to go back to his room and change, the image walking in on France taking some poor girl's innocence on his bed made the option less and less tempting before deciding to find England for some sort of help. Sure, he had his sister, but something told him letting her, or Hungary to be more exact, shirtless wasn't exactly appealing, either.
He was barely making way into Central Europe and wondering how he had went east instead of west before being pounced on by an unknown albino.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, DAMN PERVERT!" He screeched kicking off the rapist in the making hard.
"Ah! What was that for! It was YOUR fault for walking in the territory of the Awesome Prussia! Plus, seriously, you are pretty shirtless. With a sexy body almost as awesome as mine, be grateful I'm the one who will be claiming your vital regions first!" the 'Prussian' explained in a matter-of-fact tone.
Switzerland was about to completely maim the albino for his complete stupidity before someone else already beat him to the punch. Literally.
"Sorry for my... annoyance's rude behavior. I am Austria and this is 'Prussia' for all he's worth. Try to ignore him, he hangs out with France a lot and it's best not to give him attention. Er... need a shirt..." the irritatingly proper Austrian offered holding out a hand which the Swiss grudgingly accepted.
From the floor rubbing on his abused cheek, Prussia stuck a tongue out at Austria and Switzerland. "Shut it, 'Specs! You know I've whooped your ass countless of times! You're just jealous I don't offer the awesome me to you!" the albino spat getting up from the ground.
Austria sighed and rubbed his temples. "And if I recall correctly, you're already with some... one... Maybe? I don't know or care, most likely you were making him up, I bet. Regardless, we should get you properly dressed. My room's right behind you, actually."
Prussia growled and made a motion of pure hate to the Austrian before speaking and leaving. "I DO have someone, ya li'l prick! It's Canada and Gott, why no one remembers is beyond me! Also, it's OUR room, bastard!" Prussia retorted going off to leave.
Austria sighed opening his (and Prussia's) room for Switzerland. "Come now."
Switzerland, still shirtless, felt like he couldn't completely refuse the offer as he slowly followed in. He looked at his smudged coat and frowned at the thought of who put it there. A part of him wondered what the two would have down after his shirt was removed if those two hadn't walked in on them. Still, thoughts for another day as Austria was currently picking out an outfit for him and sighed.
'Wonder what he's doing now...
Some li'l ol' notes:
earth-apple: Basically, I got sick of typing 'potato' so in French, potato is referred to as a literal 'apple of the earth' and it was me not wanting to be repetitive?
table: I was planning on making it a kotatsu, but then I thought I didn't know what it was and was scared I'd use it incorrectly under the impression it's a Japanese short table but, hey, western influences.
what they call each other: After gave his entire life story, he still called Japan Japan. I think it made Japan upset that he could say all that, yet still remain so formal and decided they would both use their given names. Still, once others were around, both subconsciously reverted to the original country names from likely embarrassment.
-Greece-ni: no reason, really. I think Korean doesn't have honorifics (if they do, I'm sorry so please tell me!) as I thought that Korea would imitate Japan as much as he could with little things so he made some up! I got it from 'aniki' if anyone was wondering and it's also in a way supposed to show his more childishness/freeness. I don't really know, sorry! ^^; Japan just refers to him as 'Nihon' as a bit of a bitterness.
The food: not exactly on dishes in exactness, but I looked up common Swiss meals and it said they do enjoy common meat and foods (as well as several dairy foods like cheese) so I just made him good with beef for now, knowing Japanese eat it as well, more or less, and would likely have some. And I like beef and rice. I realized I may not be the best at making rice, but I love it with corn beef and boiled eggs~ Lightly salted and yummy! Oh, and Rice is Japan's staple food eaten at nearly all meals (traditional ones, at least)
Swissy's speech: Lots went in there, I think. I hadn't expected myself to even give him a past but after watching that one episode in the new season (the one where they changed the ending -_-) I thought Swissy has had a rough life to become who he is today so yeah, hardships... As for the Actual story of it, I've discussed with both a French-Swiss and a German-Swiss. The French Swiss really didn't really seem to like the French all too much and made it seem like a common feeling and really didn't seem to like German (mostly because of the teacher but still) and I'm not sure whether the German-Swiss knew any other official languages but both had extremely good English! ^^; And for the Liech thng, Germans and Swiss have good trade relations but aren't very fond of each other. The father is from people born of both Liech and Germany so probably didn't really like French and such. Still, they make a freaking LOT of money... In the most recent GDP records I could find, Liech's average income is well above 100k, whether they keep it or it goes to taxes is beyond me though. Anyway, I'd imagine SOMEONE in his family before him would have to be a good shooter and I thought it would be cool to make that his mother and... his father dying of due to a lover seemed right! XD I think his dad would be half Italian as well... Poor Swissy, you're a mutt through and through!
...
I THINK I could end that the way it is. I really like the idea of making my chapters longer and this one's 3.5K plus so not TOO bad, but it did take awhile. I don't know, I will try to find a balance one day... I also heard the preview dub and the RUINED Swissy's first line to a point that it mean the OPPOSITE of what it meant in the Japanese dub! I'll rant on it next chapter but for now, REVIEW! PLEASE, please? It... I need it~! A-and it's my birthday coming up a-and you know you want to!
EDIT: OH NO! I forgot to advertise!
Greece/Korea love since uh... February-March '10? '~*The Hetalia Fanatics Guild*~' You know you want to check it out!