While the Japanese treatment of Korean humans was inexcusably horrific, I have difficulty picturing Japan the character as acting that way, hence Korea being in kind of a Chibitalia position here. So I thought it would be fun to have him meet Italy - I now want to see something fluffier and more harmless than this with them. Anyone got any recs? I don't think it's been done before.

Also, when I said on the meme that nothing happens to Korea in this? I lied. What happens to him/them in future chapters probably counts as worse than what happened to China. Stay tuned.

"Oh, hi there! I'm Italy Veneziano, what's your name?" Italy asked, accepting the proffered cup of tea.

"Oh, hello, sir. My name's Korea," the boy in question said, dipping his head in the nearest motion he could get to a bow while holding a tray. "I'm an annexed territory, so I'm working for big brother Japan now."

"Oh, like me when I was little! I worked at Mr Austria's place for a long time." Italy shuffled up and patted the seat beside him. "Come on and sit down, you must be tired."

"Oh, I really shouldn't. Brother doesn't want me fraternising."

"We're not fraternising, we're just talking!"

Korea shrugged and sat down, ankle restraints clinking, and put the tea tray on the table. "Okay. I guess if it's not about the war I can talk to you. So, er, you were a conquered territory?"

"Oh yes! Two hundred and fifty-five years at Mr Austria's place."

"Wow! I've only been here about thirty." Korea giggled nervously, unsure whether this information made him feel better or worse. The idea of being stuck under the thumb of his brother for centuries was not a pleasant one, especially if North was right about what he'd done. He noticed Italy looking at his chains. "These are fairly new, though - last year. I ran away too often. It's not too bad, he takes them off me at night. Of course then he locks me in my room, but I try to look on the bright side."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Sounds like what Mr Austria did to me when I messed up. He used to tie me to a tree and stick a sign on me saying 'Do Not Feed Pasta'. It's okay, though, I'm my own nation now and he's not so bad once you get to know him," Italy said, patting Korea's back. "You'll get along fine with your brother eventually too! Did Japan put you in that dress? Miss Hungary used to put me in one."

"This is a kimono!" Korea said with a scowl. "But yeah, he put me in this, and he cut my hair off." He tugged at the hair at his nape. "Apparently Japanese gentlemen don't wear long braids and he wants me to be a 'proper Japanese citizen' now," he added, waving a hand contemptuously. Japan wasn't around, he could say what he thought.

"Aw, that sucks. You have very nice hair."

"Thanks. I was upset when he cut it, but I'm used to it now. Easier to look after," Korea said, smiling. "Like I always say, I invented optimism!"

Italy giggled. "So, are you okay here?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Japan himself is ... okay to us- I mean me," Korea said, hoping Italy didn't pick up on the lie. "Kind of standoffish, but he's not too bad. But it's a bit lonely here. You know what Japan's like, and I don't really have any friends here." There was always Balhae, but he'd sworn not to tell anyone about her. Japan had walked in on them once, but luckily had simply told Korea to stop talking to himself before everyone started thinking he was as crazy as Russia.

"Oh, you poor guy! I can't imagine what that's like, at least I had Miss Hungary and Holy Rome," Italy said sadly. "Do you want me to tell Japan you're lonely?"

"No, no, it's okay," Korea babbled, raising a hand. He couldn't let Japan know he was unhappy, he didn't know how he'd respond.

"Okay. Do you need a hug, then? It's the least I can do."

"... Okay." Except for the odd attempt at hugging Japan, which usually resulted in a lecture, Korea had been starved of affectionate contact for thirty years. Balhae gave him verbal affection, weird and kind of creepy as she had become in the past milennium, but she couldn't really hug him. He blinked away tears as Italy's arms wrapped around him. He squeezed Italy hard in return. "Thanks."

"It's okay." Unfortunately, as Italy moved away, his curl came into contact with Korea's. Korea tried to pull away, but only succeeded in knotting the hairs together.

"Ow!"

"Sorry!"

"It's okay, this happens a lot with me and my brother Romano - ow, don't pull!"

"Sorry again!"

Japan chose this moment to walk in, and almost had a facial expression at the sight. "Oh dear." He shook his head and tutted. "Italy, I apologise for my brother."

"No need, my fault!" Italy squeaked, picking at the knot in his hair. Korea blushed violently as Italy's fingers brushed against the Korean Spirit. "It's okay, I can handle it!"

"Are you sure you don't need help?" Japan reached out and took hold of Korea's curl. "Here, an extra pair of hands might-"

"NOOO, DON'T TOUCH THAT!" Korea wailed.

Japan blinked in surprise and backed off. "Sorry, did I squeeze too hard?"

"N-no. I-I-I just ... don't touch me there, please." Korea licked his fingers and started to ease the curls free. Italy squeaked. "Sorry! I know how it is, just hold still."

"Is something wrong?" Japan frowned. "You never minded this much - remember when you got it caught on that branch? Are you mad at me? You've been so good recently, I thought we were getting along so much better!"

"It's ... nothing," Korea mumbled. Whenever Japan touched him, even accidentally, he couldn't help but tense, half-expecting his brother to grab him and throw him down and ... He tried not to think about it. He had to protect himself. And Balhae.

The curl sprang free, and Korea fled the room, leaving the tea tray behind.

Italy looked up at Japan. "What's with him?"

Japan shrugged. "I don't know. He was always a bit odd. Mind if I join you for tea?"