It's Good To See You, Friend [Japan]

Of course Japan had arrived early at the bar he’d agreed to meet Alfred at; it was a place they would frequent often when America came to visit him and so Japan had chosen it not just for that reason but because of the atmosphere. He was becoming weary of meeting in the stiff rooms of his embassies or of travelling abroad to meet with men who were his enemies or potential foes. Kiku didn’t want to meet Alfred as he stepped off a plane in his navy’s uniform. That wasn’t to say that he sat at the table awaiting the other nation in his usual violet yukata and blue robe. While he knew this was to be a more casual meeting, it did not lack its seriousness as well. So he wore a light gray suit and ran his fingers over the lip of his mug of tea, taking it every now and then into his hands and letting it warm his palms.

It mattered not that their meeting would be under circumstances of duress, Kiku was still very happy to be seeing Alfred. It seemed far too long ago that they’d seen each other anyway, but they were both fighting a war and Kiku’s attention had mainly stayed focused in the pacific ocean because he was just miles of ocean away from Russia and China and other Pact countries. He recognized his vulnerability, but he had a spirit of blood and metal. Japan was an country who had lived long and seen bloodshed—more than America could imagine, but it had only been in the last century that he’d seen the most and been injured beyond words. His right knee had the scar of Nagasaki while a burn had marred the skin of that same thigh for Hiroshima. America had made marks on him where other countries had only tried and yet despite the horror and sadness of those days, Japan held no hatred towards the nation. It had been to his cool hands and worried expression behind those glasses he’d awoken to.

Such memories should have brought him pain, but instead he smiled. America. They had once fought on the opposite side and it was with others he’d met to stop Japan from advancing, but it was true. They’d become not only close allies, but friends. Japan’s closest and most dear certainly. Their past was the past and each had admitted their wrongs.

If only other nations could be the same.

Kiku was so lost in his reveries that he didn’t hear Alfred arrive until his name was called in that voice. He looked up and waved his hand. “Alfred-san, over here,” he got up to meet him and his gaze was open and eyes bright. He didn’t feel the need to hide his emotions from the other nation. They gained nothing and everything from each other.

Japan had two sayings. One, Jūnin toiro, directly translated into English as: ten men, ten colors. The other: Anzuru yori umu ga yasashi: Giving birth to a baby is easier than worrying about it.

The first saying had to do with how Japan and America dealt with their current conflict. Alfred has his way of facing problems as did Japan. Of course, these methods differed at times, but still they coped in their ways. Jūnin toiro: to each his own. Yet even though they did not always agree on the best way to face a problem, both of them realized that obsessing over them would get them nowhere and leave them vulnerable besides. Anzuru yori umu ga yasashi: Fear could be greater than the danger itself. Kiku had been on the verge of forgetting this second proverb.

The Asian had slowly been reaching the cusp of his own sanity, so when America requested to meet not only out of uniform but in a place associated with better memories it had been wholly refreshing. It seemed Alfred had not been the only one in need of a change in scenery and the face of a friend. The war was drawing Kiku thin. Now more than ever he needed the reassuring visage of a friendly face. Of course he expected business to be discussed and he and Alfred both had worries they would lay on the table, but for once Japan didn't feel his skin crawl in anxiety. The moment Alfred's eyes met his, in fact, Kiku forgot what worry was.

It flew ever further when he was enveloped by the younger nation. It was not strange to be greeted in such a way by America--he'd been doing so for decades--and Japan as always just smiled and wrapped his own arms around Alfred.

Just as the embrace for America was sign of their exceptional friendship, the fact that Kiku not only returned it, but only flushed faintly at such a bold and public gesture showed that the sentiment was returned. Japan felt their bond was strong as well. Further than that, it was not an act that been immediately taken up by America. Alfred and Kiku had worked up to the act of affection. America had respected Japan's public space and it was something Japan had and would be forever grateful for. There was more to the zealous nation than many others saw.

Though Alfred could come off as rash and cocky, Kiku considered him deeply affectionate and loyal. He was loud at times, but he was not unwise. Everyone made mistakes, but Alfred's zest to correc them was one of the reasons there were no barriers between him and Kiku. Kiku considered him one of his closest and most cherished friends. They were both strong even if Japan was older and smaller than the nation who hugged him.

Kiku's blush was not gone when Alfred pulled back from him, but he pretended to pay no mind to the fact that his cheeks were still warm. Instead he smiled softly at America's concern for him. There is no mistaking what America is really asking. "Russia wants my land, China wishes me to come home and thus wishes to take my independence in thinking he knows better. Yet here I am. So do not worry, Alfred-san. While they are experts in their own ways, they are no match for my seas and the dangers wherein I'm master. I am doing well," he took America's hand and his lips lifted all the more. "I do not worry so much when I remember that you are my friend." The taller nation would protect him and vice versa. Any move against either of them would be repaid by the other seven-fold.

"Come let's sit down. I have no ordered food or drink yet. I wanted to wait for you as is only polite." He moved to lead him back to the table he'd reserved and then allowed America to be seated first. It only when Japan is also sitting that he lets out a sigh of happiness--something he'd not done in what seemed so long.

"I am in agreement with you. I do hope we can do this more often because we wish to and not because of our foes." He knew it could be wistful to agree because they each had their own worries and battles when it came to the Pact, but it was true nonetheless. "I did want to see you, however, Alfred. And not just because of the Pact."

He had missed him and he did hope to be able to "shoot the breeze" with America, even if such a thing could not be this time around.

Japan lamented about many things, though he kept most private. He lamented that there was a war in the first place; so many nations had jumped the gun on declaring war including the nation in front of him, though that was most likely less his fault than the boss of the nation. He had been fortunate in that when the first strike had been made he and his boss had agreed that entering in so early would be premature besides by the constitution it had been impossible to declare war. That had not been changed until Russia had poisoned the horizon.

Kiku also lamented that he had been drawn in—that so many countries had been drawn in. He lamented how this had affected how he used to be able to often come and go from countries and visit both allies and family, even if they did not share his views.

He missed his family.

Still he tried not obsess because why do so on things out of control and wasn’t this entire affair of war out of his hands? No one had asked for it, least of all Iran and Israel, but Iran had made a choice that colored them guilty of crime whether or not they’d had a hand in the assassination of the Israeli Prime Minister. You did not set off nuclear bombs in a city and claim self-defense, and Japan knew the effects of nuclear bombs more than any other nations. That act had sizzled in his blood, but he had kept calm. Why couldn’t other nations learn from that?

“Neither of us can hold blame or guilt for our lapse of meetings. Such is the way of war, though I can tell you with sincere honesty that I am glad we are on the same side this time.” He waved for a waiter to come in their own time and steepled his fingers. His eyes set on Alfred’s face and he gave him a grateful smile. “You are on the offensive, Alfred-san, and I know it is no secret to you that I am more on the defensive front at this time. Do you not need your troops for your own means?”

Though even he knew the value. “Russia has taken to attempting to bomb me. Tokyo is always under watch. He has already killed upwards of two-thousands of my citizens.”