Prompt: Crumble

Hong Kong's POV

Every single one of my drabbles are separate from each other unless otherwise noted. My historical references may be a bit out of whack, so please correct me if I'm wrong~

Part of my collab with Eylenda; I do not own Hetalia, World Conferences, Hong Kong, England, Iceland, Norway, Sealand or America. Just the story.

Their first meeting, during a World Conference, he at England's side, Iceland at Norway's. A cursory, blank glance, a polite greeting, and then that was it.

Later, randomly wandering around Europe, as Hong Kong was wont to do whenever he felt like it, as England gave him more freedom- meeting Iceland again, and spending the day with him, out of boredom, curiosity, and loneliness. Later that night, he realised he'd felt an actual connection to the Nordic country, who had somehow understood him the way Peter and Alfred and Arthur never could. Maybe it was because of their similar mindsets? Whatever it was, he wanted to see Iceland again.

More and more frequent meetings. Smiles exchanged, phone numbers- soon, they were friends, the best of friends, who told each other nearly everything about their lives.

1997- England finally sent Hong Kong back to live with China, and Hong Kong spent a month arguing with China over their new living arrangements. There was no way in hell he was going to switch over to communism so quickly. Hong Kong had learned to like his democracy and his independence and his free economy. Of course, Iceland got every detail.

Another World Conference meeting, so like their first, but for the fact that they weren't with others. Dark eyes, unreadable as ever, blue-purple ones, uncharacteristically anxious. A quick pull into an abandoned hallway, a whispered, hasty, nerve-wracking confession, and a very unexpected kiss. Shock, relief, normally winter-pale cheeks flushed with pink, and a rare smile from the Asian before him.

They walked back to the conference table holding hands.

Over the next few years. Flurries of emails, letters, packages, calls, texts and video chats, and getting together every chance they got.

Hong Kong... in the event that we ever break up, God forbid... we'll still be best friends, right? Just like always.

Of course, Iceland.

Promise?

Promise.

2008. Icesave. Hong Kong was busy with China's Olympic Games, but called every chance he got, fearing for his sick boyfriend, despite China's own annoyance with him- Hong Kong should have put his all into helping set China on the world stage, helped to make this Olympic Games the best yet, helped with this, that, aru... Hong Kong was already letting China build new stadiums on his land, what more did the older Asian want? Family duty, complained China- Family duty, Hong Kong, have you forgotten what you owe me aru? Who do you think raised you, sheltered you, gave you food to eat and the clothes on your back? What, now that you're old enough to fly, you don't care about your old brother? That England has taught you such bad manners, aru... You, you... zázhǒng!

It stung, but Hong Kong ignored it.

I love him. More than anything. I want him to be safe, well, happy... if I can't make that happen by myself, at least I can support him when he needs it.

More time passed, and they only grew busier, especially with the world economy plunging like it was. Through it all, they stayed in contact, though they saw each other less and less, and every time Hong Kong saw Iceland, he would always be with Norway, looking sick as ever...

Texts unanswered, never online, lack of communication put down to work- after all, they both certainly had a lot of it. But never this much that Iceland wouldn't even reply with a word, or two...

Despair, wondering- what did I do wrong?, alone even in this sea of people that was his beloved city. Looking up at the nonexistent stars in the light-polluted sky, wondering about the other boy, the only one on his mind, the one he though constantly of... what was he doing now? Was there a reason why he was... avoiding him?

What have I done wrong? Someone, please tell me...

The next World Conference, Iceland pulling Hong Kong into an abandoned hallway near the end of the event, pale eyes glum. They were so far apart, all the time, it was hard, they were physically /teenage boys/, they deserved better than writing and texting all the time, he wanted human contact, more of it... And they were so busy, that they had to be apart all the time... Please don't hate me, Hong Kong.

So are you breaking up with me?

...It sounds so harsh...
Yes, I am.

...I understand.

...We'll still be friends, right?

...We promised, Iceland... Of course we will.

A quiet nod of acceptance- what could he do? To argue would make Iceland unhappy, and even after this, Hong Kong still loved him, still wished for his happiness, above all... Walking back to the conference room was awkward, though thankfully they were both one of the more blankfaced countries (never mind that Hong Kong technically wasn't a country), flying back to their respective territories...

Hong Kong stared out of his window, staring, unseeing, out at the sea of lights that was his beautiful city, his own lights completely out, and any light gone from his own eyes, as well. The humans that were hurrying here and there, finishing errands, eating dinner, the younger humans, going clubbing, the little ones still in school... had they ever experienced what he was feeling right now? Cities, countries... they were like humans, right?

It hurts...

He turned and flopped on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

It's okay, I understand, and I still do want to be his friend, so at least we still have that...

He turned, away from the window, staring out at the shadowy shapes of the furniture of his room.

So why the hell does it hurt so much? My chest hurts... It feels like my heart is missing. And this burning in my eyes...

Belatedly, he realised something wet was running down his face.

...Tears...

He hadn't cried since England stole him from his brother, all those long years ago, not even through the terrible way England had treated him at first.

Why am I crying now? What is this?

It's heartbreak, Hong Kong, said some part of his mind, gently, if voices in your head could be gentle. Perhaps he was going mad after all. ...Your heart is breaking.Heartbreak... I see. So this is what it is.

It hurts...

So I hope you guys liked it, and that it was somewhat understandable.

This is probably going to be the last chapter in any of my HKxIce stories, for a long, long while. Not only do I have midterms and college applications to wade through, I also have a broken heart and have lost my HKmuse, probably for a long, long while.

Sorry, guys.

Ani.