Thank you for all the reviews, since all of them were anonymous, I will just thank you all here, and explain, the title is Chinese, it means memories
This chapter continues the flashback from the last chapter
Yao sighed in relief as he left the meeting, no-one else had really commented, except to say that it was good that he was feeling better. He was about to head home when he heard a voice behind him that he dreaded "Hello, comrade."
Turning slowly, China stared up at the giant of a man "Iv-Russia aru..."
"You left me quite unexpectedly da? And now you want to break off our treaty" he backed China into a corner "Why must you leave me, Yao-Yao?" he asked, amethyst eyes wide in a way that would've once seemed endearing, but now scared Yao beyond belief
America hadn't intended to be stood there watching the two...but something was wrong, his hero senses were tingling...
China shrank back, unable to answer. Russia grabbed his wrist, hitting several healing bruises "Tell me Yao-Yao, before I force you, da?" he smiled, oblivious to the sharp intake of breath or the terrified expression of his companion
Alfred was horrified, glaring at the Russian's grip on him. Surely Ivan could see he was ill! His fist clenched, this was going way too far! He readied himself to move, go be heroic...save him?
Yao still said nothing, the words dying in his throat as the Russian tightened his grip "You want me to break it again, Yao-Yao? It's your own fault if you won't answer me"
Okay, he'd had enough! Running straight for the Russian's chest he tackled him off the other, anger racing through him. With an almighty crash they tumbled to the ground: "China! Run!"
China didn't need telling twice, hiding his embarrassed face, he ran from the hall as fast as he could, not even stopping to thank Alfred. That would be the last meeting China would attend for another 3 months, he told everyone that his illness relapsed, but Alfred knew the truth.
~~~~~Flashback ends~~~~~
America kissed Yao's forehead "Yup, hero's here to save ya! You're braver than me...I don't wanna go meetings...and…I...I just keep drinking to kill the pain..."
China looked up, curiously "What did happen there aru? You never explained"
America looked down, surprised "Huh? T-that meeting?"
China shrugged "With you and Arthur aru...but you can start with that meeting if you like"
America tilted his head back in thought "Yesterday's meeting when I started a fistfight with France?"
China nodded "Mmm, yeh aru. Not that I'm complaining. He's a pervert aru!" he said with a small smile
"Well..." Alfred awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck "He was being a dick about you...Cos he thought he saw something going on...Calling you a pervert and shit..."
China sighed "I'm used to that aru..." It happened with anyone he showed interest in. The age difference between him and the other nations was too great.
"So I just...well..." America blushed "I didn't mean to put him in hospital...I kinda forgot my own strength..."
"I know, I know aru...it was just a bit scary" he turned and kissed him "It was sweet though aru"
America grinned, kissing him back "Well...you're my boyfriend... So I have to be your hero!"
China frowned "I am capable of taking care of myself aru..."
"Lemme feel useful!" America laughed as he stood up "More beer? Before I talk?"
China sat up "Sure aru. You need a hand finding it?" he asked, watching America pick his way through his mess of a house
"Nawwww!" America beamed, before leaving and coming back with a couple more six-packs "I'm well stocked in it!"
"Should I be worried that you drink so much aru? Isn't it technically illegal for you to have alcohol?" China asked, accepting another can
"I suppose! Least I ain't dead from it..." America replied cheerily, before snuggling beside his lover "...What's wrong with breaking the law?"
"Hmph. No distractions aru...I told you about Ivan so now you tell me about Arthur" China insisted, shifting so America was leant comfortably against him
America chuckled briefly "Okay...Okay...Well…We'd been together since the end of World War Two, but he wouldn't tell anyone about me cos he was convinced you'd all pisstake...but things were good, we got on. Apart from when he was drunk."
"He never could handle his drink aru"
America nodded "Cos then he'd get angry...and we'd fight. I hated it, hated him for it. And then came world meetings, it was only then I noticed how Francis looked at him..." he glared at the floor.
China wrapped his arm around him "Take your time aru"
America took a deep breath, and then continued "So I vowed to stop him thinking he could have my England...and I suppose I became a bit of a dick...I was full of myself, and it was annoying England...so he told me. And I tried to stop! But our arguments...got soo much worse...He became insulting, never around to talk to, and the sex died somewhere in the middle."
China pulled closer "And then what aru?"
Alfred sniffled "Couple of years ago, he started vanishing for days at a time...but he was happier...I thought we'd picked up. And I didn't want it to go wrong again so I proposed...and got rejected..."
China sighed "I remember aru...I found you in the rain crying"
"Heh..." America looked at him with a broken smile "That was after my third attempt..."
Yao's eyes widened, he hugged Alfred closer "You kept it up for that long aru?"
America sighed "I'd already tried twice...His birthday...and mine...I loved him that much. I wanted him to be mine!"
China continued to hold the American, rocking him slightly "I'm sorry aru..."
America sniffed again "Every time I did, he vanished for a month. Now I know why... But before you found me w-was my final attempt...and m-my Arthur had Francis in his arms…"
~~~~~Flashback~~~~~
Alfred couldn't work out why, or how, or when he'd managed to upset his stupid English lover that much! He'd been wrapped in that Frenchman, all tongues and moans...shuddering, he dumped himself on the pavement, sitting with his feet in the gutter as he watched heavy rainwater wash away the bloodstains on his fingers from the punch his lover's boyfriend had issued before turning him out of the house. Not caring who heard, he started to sob...
Yao kept his head bent under his umbrella, hurrying to get out of the rain. Hearing the sob, he looked up and was surprised to see America of all people sat looking completely despondent, crying into his knees. He put the umbrella over both of them "Alfred aru? Are you alright?"
Alfred glanced up, mingled tears, snot and blood down his face; "H-huh? Oh! Hi Yao!" He forced a smile, rain drenching his glasses...
"Alfred, why are you out in the rain in this state?" Yao asked worriedly "You'll catch a cold aru!"
"D-don't care! Arthur's l-left me for a frog!" He curled back up, shaking as the tears started again.
"Ohh Alfred aru..." China sighed, understanding that feeling all too well. Balancing his umbrella on his back, he knelt and put his arms comfortingly around Alfred
The younger nation turned, grabbing onto the other and holding tight to him, sobbing wretchedly; "W-why! Why why why! S-stupid...stupid!"
China said nothing, just let the American cry it out on his shoulder. It was...nice being in this position again, that is, it was nice to feel needed in this way. He gently stroked the American's hair, feeling the old motions come back to him, almost on automatic
Alfred was sniffling, shivering with cold and pure upset. Somehow, China being soo near was comforting; "...I-I loved him! W-why?"
"I don't know aru..." China said quietly, continuing to comfort the American as best he could "but Opium has always had the habit of running back to the pervert"
"I-its n-not fair!" He yelped, clutching tighter to the elder; "I-I did everything for h-him!"
"I know, I know aru..." You would've had to be blind to not see what the American had done for the Brit while they were together. A drainpipe overflowed, hitting Yao's umbrella with a stream of cold water "Let's get you inside, ok aru? Do you have somewhere to stay?"
"N-no...Don't have any money..." He stayed close to the Chinese man, shying away from the cold water: "S-spent it..." Opening his other hand he held up the ring box, looking deep into the elders eyes.
China winced. That opium bastard really knew how to stamp on a heart huh? "Then I guess you can stay with me for a while aru. It's not like I don't have the space." Despite the fact that they were all needed here, all of his siblings had decided to stay in hotels in the city. None of them wanted to be checking in with an old man like him. Alfred just nodded, shoving the thing in his hand into his jacket pocket as he stood up, reaching up his hand to nurse the wounds; France really was a fighter when he wanted to be. Yao put an arm around Alfred to steady him, worried about how injured the young nation looked. He led America slowly through the streets, careful to avoid any overhangs, the last thing those wounds needed was slightly acidic rain. Alfred was gripping onto the other, hanging his head. The elder really didn't need to care like this...nobody did...
Hopefully people still enjoy this? I feel I maybe overused the flashback a bit...
Love? Hate? Confused? Please review and let me know!