Work Text:
As Greece lay down with his face turned towards the sea, Japan nudged him slightly.
They had arrived here at six in the morning. The sea was calm like a sheet and the sand wasn't burning that Japan had taken off his slippers and stepped on the sand, albeit a little hesitantly.
– Hm… Hm, Japan? Is everything okay?
Greece’s voice was sleepy because of waking up early. His eyes were half-closed. His hair was messy and slightly more curly, just as Japan wanted to see.
– If you keep lying down like this, you’ll be covered in sand, including your hair, Mr. Greece, Japan said quickly. Greece smiled:
– I thought we weren't calling each other "Mr." anymore.
He straightened up a little from where he was lying and watched Japan’s reddened face for a few seconds.
– We are going to take a shower when we get out of here anyway, right? Then let’s enjoy the moment. Actually, come on, you lie down too.
Japan hesitantly sat down somewhere in front of Greece and lay down facing the sea. The sand on his cheek bothered him at first, but it slowly lost its effect. The weather was cool. There weren't many people around, even the sea was empty, there were only a few sparkles on it. The sun had just risen and there was still a light, sweet pinkness in the sky. This was strange for Japan. The sea, the sand and the sun were usually the side elements of memories that left a bitter taste in his throat. This time it was different. There was no war. No death. No blood. No chaos. Only him and Greece.
He turned around and watched Greece for a while. His eyes were struggling between staying awake and sleeping as usual. A lock of his hair had fallen in front of his slightly curved lips. It was a very beautiful sight, actually. Japan smiled. He could trust this man, couldn't he? Greece was neither expecting a material return by offering a fake love like Mr. Netherlands, nor was he violating his borders with a childish curiosity like Mr. America. Why was he hanging out with Japan, really? He lived far away from him, almost on the other side of the world. And it couldn't be any purpose related to trading. Europe had been too tired to colonize in recent years, at least according to Japan. There seemed to be no strong historical connection either. Then, why?
Greece yawned loudly and came eye to eye with the man watching him. He smiled a little more, which made Japan feel warm inside.
– Did you like this place, Japan?
Japan turned his face to the sea and watched it for a while. Perhaps for the first time since he had started to get closer to the world, he felt so peaceful and safe. For a moment, he imagined a cool breeze and the sea moving and its waves caressing his face.
– If you liked it, let’s visit here from time to time.
Japan turned back to Greece. It wasn’t the sea, the sand, the sun that made him feel this way, it was Greece. A man who didn’t expect any benefits from him, who didn’t treat him like a baby, who didn’t remind his past to him over and over again, who respected the things he was sensitive about... He looked at the man’s arms for a while. Beautiful, muscular arms sprouting from the short sleeves of his white T-shirt... Japan wondered: Would he ever trust Greece enough to let those arms wrap around him?
– Hmpf? Is there something wrong with my arms?
Japan quickly pulled himself together:
–You didn't put on sunscreen. If you continue to do this you're going to tan completely Mist-oh sorry-Greece.
– Repeat what you said.
– Greece...
Greece grinned:
– That's it.
He wanted to hug Japan, but he held himself back.