Thanks to GreLiet and GreLux for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

IceKor: Business Events

"But I don't want to go," Emil whined. "Why can't I stay at home?"

"Because you're seven years old," Lukas said. "And I'm probably going to be out until late."

"Okay, then why do you have to go?"

"Because I need to keep my boss happy. He likes his dinner parties, and he considers it an insult if the people he invited doesn't attend, especially if those people work for him. Emil, I just started working there. I can't have my boss be angry at me because of something like this. If he's angry with me, then I would prefer it to be because of my work. So, please?"

Emil pouted. He hated that Lukas told him all of that, because now he felt guilty.

"But what am I going to do while the grown-ups stand around talking about boring stuff?" Emil asked.

"…I heard that my boss has an adoptive son," Lukas said. "I think he's about your age. Maybe you can play with him?"

Emil pouted even more. He didn't think he wanted to be forced to play with someone, especially some snotty rich kid. But still, he nodded, if only to keep his brother happy.

…

Emil looked up at the building. He would admit that it was impressive, even though it didn't look like one of those mansions he saw on TV. He looked up towards his brother, who held out his hand. Emil took it, and Lukas guided them to the entrance.

A man with long dark hair tied in a ponytail was at the door, speaking to a couple. They walked away and he turned, his smile easy, but not warm. It was kind of like spring, and not summer.

"You're Bondevik, right?" the man asked. "You just started, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, Mr Wang," Lukas said.

Emil snorted. He couldn't help it. The name was funny. But he realised his mistake as soon as Lukas's hand squeezed his and Mr Wang looked down at him.

"Is this your son?" Mr Wang asked.

"Brother," Lukas corrected. "It's just the two of us, and I couldn't find a babysitter. I-I hope it's no problem."

Lukas didn't even bother to look for a babysitter. He couldn't afford one yet. But Mr Wang didn't have to know that detail.

Emil squirmed underneath the older man's gaze, before he smiled. It was a lot warmer than before.

"Yong Soo is in his room," Mr Wang said. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind someone his own age to play with. I'll take you to him." He looked over towards Lukas. "You don't mind, do you?"

"O-of course not," Lukas said. "Emil would love someone to play with."

Emil tried to hold in his glare as his brother released his hand. Mr Wang beckoned to him, and so Emil reluctantly followed. When he looked back towards Lukas, he saw that the other had wandered off to speak with some of the other adults. Traitor!

Mr Wang stopped in front of a room, before he knocked.

"Yong Soo," Mr Wang said. "I'm coming in."

Emil frowned. That was an unusual name. He also didn't like how Mr Wang just announced that he would go in. Lukas at least asked for permission.

Once the door opened, Emil spotted a boy around his age playing on a handheld consol. The boy looked up, and Emil took a step back when they locked eyes. For some reason, he seemed… intimidating.

"What's your name?" Mr Wang whispered to Emil.

"E-Emil," he stammered.

"This is Emil," Mr Wang said louder. "He came with his brother. I hope you two get along."

Mr Wang nudged him into the room, before he closed the door behind him. Emil stared at the door in disbelief before the sound of snickering brought his attention back to Yong Soo.

"He's not very good at this yet," Yong Soo said. "Honestly, he's clueless."

"Tell me about it," Emil sighed. "So… What are you playing?"

…

"Emil, it's time to go," Lukas said, knocking on the door.

Emil paused the game. Yong Soo was lucky enough to have a TV in his room, and a Nintendo Switch, so the two could play together. Emil looked back towards the door. How much time had passed?

"Thanks for playing with me," Yong Soo said. "I hope to see you again soon."

Emil nodded. It was fun, and he wouldn't mind coming again.

…

Mr Wang proved to be very fond of parties, and Emil had a lot of opportunities to play with Yong Soo. And it wasn't only videogames. Sometimes they would play boardgames (but they tended to get bored of those quickly), and they would often wrestle or start tickle fights. Yong Soo was very ticklish.

But Yong Soo's favourite game was spying on the adults.

"Do you see those two, talking together?" Yong Soo whispered, pointing to two men. One wore a deep purple shirt, while the other wore a red shirt. "The two of them are dating. And the one wearing purple has a wife."

"Are you serious?" Emil whispered. "How did you find out?"

"I saw the two of them kissing, and the guy came and left with that woman over there. I don't think she knows."

Emil winced. He wouldn't want to be in that poor woman's shoes.

They mostly stayed in Yong Soo's room. They had enough snacks and drinks that would ensure that they didn't have to go near the adults.

As they grew older, they found that they had a tendency to want to wrestle more often. There was never any anger, and they always ended up laughing once they tired themselves out. Emil couldn't understand it at first, but it was fun.

And then, when they were thirteen, they kissed each other while wrestling.

Emil had no idea who started it, and who returned it. But it continued until they were both breathless and red-faced. Then they stared at each other, with Yong Soo on top of Emil. No word was spoken. And then they kissed again.

After that day, they would always include kissing as part of what they would do together. Sometimes, it was only that. Other times, they would explore a bit more. And one time, when a party happened on the day after Emil had written a particularly brutal exam, their night together consisted only of Yong Soo holding Emil as the other slept, too tired to do anything else.

It went on like that for years.

…

Emil pouted as he was forced to adjust the suit. Mr Wang was throwing another party, but this time, it was a formal event at some fancy restaurant or something. There would have been no reason to go if Lukas hadn't been promoted a few times throughout the years. Somehow, Lukas had ended up as a supervisor, and Mr Wang had grown fond of him.

What really bothered Emil was that he and Yong Soo couldn't have any privacy. It wasn't the first time Mr Wang had a formal party, but Emil could never get used to not having Yong Soo for himself during the evening.

"Emil, are you ready?" Lukas asked.

Emil sighed one more time and ran his hand through his hair.

"I guess I have no choice but to say 'yes'," he said.

At the restaurant, Emil spotted Yong Soo easily, and went over towards him. Even at restaurants, the two of them were often able to sit together, though occasionally it wasn't always possible with the more formal events. But this time, they seemed to have the freedom. Emil sat down next to Yong Soo, and immediately their hands laced together under the table.

"You know, almost to the day, it's been ten years since we first met," Yong Soo whispered.

"Really?" Emil asked. "Feels like yesterday."

Yong Soo smirked at that. The adults ignored them, and Mr Wang would pay for their meal. Emil was tempted to order the most expensive thing on the menu, but he didn't want to get Lukas in trouble for that.

"So, do you have any idea where you'll go for university?" Yong Soo asked.

"I want to go to Martilade," Emil said, "but Lukas wouldn't be able to afford to send me."

"You know, Yao offers a scholarship for children of employees. I'm sure we can manage something. And all you have to do in return is work during the holidays."

Yong Soo had always referred to Mr Wang by his first name. The man had been a close friend of his parents before they died in an accident. He adopted Yong Soo formally after that.

"What about you?" Emil asked.

"I was thinking of going to Martilade too," Yong Soo said. "I've already been looking at apartments. And I was thinking of getting a roommate. You interested?"

Emil looked towards Yong Soo and grinned. If they were roommates, then they wouldn't have to wait for parties to be able to hold hands or kiss.

"I'll see what I can do," Emil said.