Well, I... I just... don't really know what to tell you. This was something I wrote for me and decided to post here, of course, because I liked it enough. Just picture Kiku with stubble. If you can't, I have a fanart for you to gaze upon, but unfortunately, he's shaving it. (Boooo Kiku keep that beard you look really good!) You can find it on pixiv under the ID 35974221 and the artist ID is 62362. Check out that cutie face and enjoy this self-indulgent drabble!
Wang Yao, and many other nations, received quite the surprise one morning at the start of a world meeting. Their fellow representation, Honda Kiku, already sitting in his spot at the table with his mug of tea and paperwork briefing what was supposed to occur, but likely would not, at their monthly gathering, had managed to do what no one thought he could, not even his boyfriend who often spent nights with him and witnessed his morning and evening routine: grew facial hair. The Japanese man sported a healthy coating of black stubble on his chin, cheeks, and upper lip- definitely not enough to be considered a full mustache and beard, but facial hair nonetheless. It aged him and framed his chubby, pale face that made him look much more serious than usual, and his icy cold stare would now become all the more threatening.
Coincidentally, Yao had arrived right after Kiku, and so was the first to notice the new addition to his physical appearance. It scared him a little when he took his first glance; he thought that something was on Kiku's face and almost smacked him to get it off, but after reassurance from the frantic other that technically yes, there is something on my face but it will not come off without a razor, they both calmed down and Yao got a better look at it. And he found himself liking it more and more with each passing second.
"So... you forgot to shave one morning and just... stuck with it?" he asked, unable to quit staring as they sat next to each other, enjoying their short-lived time alone in the large meeting room.
"Yes. I wanted to try it for a bit, to see if maybe it would make me look less... baby-faced, more mature... something to that effect," Kiku explained. "Do, um, you like it?"
A smile worked its way onto Yao's face and he began to open his mouth, but before he could answer, it seemed as if half of the globe poured in through the doors in order to join the meeting that hadn't begun yet. Kiku jumped a little and looked over at his companion, which was the universal signal for 'please let go of my hand while other people are around,' a silent request that Yao always obeyed, even if it made him a little sad that the other was still so afraid of showing tiny hints of affection in public. They both prepared themselves for the onslaught of fellow countries coming toward them in greeting, Kiku scratching at his cheek briefly, which accidentally caused a huge direction of their attention to it, and in turn, him.
Unfortunately, most of the response was negative, if it wasn't neutral.
"Dude, it looks weird!" Alfred proclaimed. "Shave that shit when you get to your hotel tonight- if you forgot your razor, you can borrow mine!"
Arthur tsk'ed- presumably in good nature- and shook his head. "It doesn't fit your face at all. You're much better off clean shaven, chap."
"Désolé, mon ami, but... not everyone can pull it off," Francis crooned, running his fingertips over his own blond stubble. "Do not get me wrong- you look very 'andsome with it, just... you are much cuter without it!"
Ivan simply asked if he could feel, to which both Yao and Kiku cried "NO!" at the same time, and he shrugged and walked away with no further qualms.
Feliciano and Ludwig approached together (rather, Ludwig trailed after the bouncy Italian, who was making up a song about beards as he nearly danced to Kiku's seat), and, while the German offered no commentary, his companion voiced his opinion with unabashed realness.
"Kiku! You look like a silly little old man! It's so cute! I think you overdid it when you tried to look older if that's what you were trying to do... at least you're not graying!" Feliciano beamed and patted his friend on the shoulder, then went to find his seat. Ludwig gave Kiku, still reeling from the comment, a sympathetic look before following the oblivious man, then sat down next to him, just in time for Alfred to start the meeting and for everyone to stop shooting daggers at Kiku in the form of insults to his new "look."
For Yao, it both hurt and infuriated him, sitting next to Kiku and listening to people put him down like that. He considered several times interrupting, especially if it was a nation he wasn't too friendly with in the first place and didn't mind getting sassy with in his boyfriend's defense, but he didn't want to embarrass Kiku further, and it really was rude to butt into two or more other people's conversations uninvited.
Come to think of it, if everyone knew that they were dating, why didn't anyone besides Kiku ask Yao how he felt about the facial hair? He hadn't even gotten to voice his opinion on it yet. As the meeting went on, he started to look forward to break more and more when he'd get to tell him, honestly say how handsome and even sexy he looked with it. He wondered what it felt like to kiss him with that facial hair, as well, and grew eager for that as well.
When everyone was finally able to go on break, Yao and Kiku met for a snack in one of the smaller meeting rooms, where they could be alone. Kiku was still a bit downtrodden from what everyone else had said about his new facial hair, and was a bit afraid that Yao would hate it or make fun of it, so he said nothing as he prepared to sit down with the rice crackers he'd brought for their hour-long recess.
"Kiku, don't listen to them," Yao said, taking his hand and holding it with tenderness and care now that no one else was around to see. "You look so good with your new hair. I really like it."
Kiku smiled and looked up, gripping Yao's hand. "Really? You mean that?"
The other nodded and bent down to kiss the tip of his nose, but Kiku leaned forward and initiated a full lip-lock. The fine hairs of his stubble scratched up against Yao's face and created a rather unpleasant feeling, and he immediately pulled away to reveal red itchy splotches around his mouth. He frowned and rubbed at the spots while Kiku inwardly panicked, then struggled to not do so outwardly.
"So that's how it feels... well, necking must be worse, then..."
"I'm shaving it tonight."
Disclaimer: I've never kissed anyone with a beard, but a quick google search and my awesome imagination told me that's how it feels. Maybe not necessarily on the lips, but perhaps Yao and Kiku got a little into it. You know how it is.
Désolé, mon ami - sorry, my friend.
Sorry I only got the Axis and Allies' reactions, haha. I'm not sure how I would've written everyone else. :( But that's it! Hope you liked it, and I'll see ya laterrrr!