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Chapter Text

Taiwan found the increasing need to warn his ally.

Here was what happened: America, one of his closest and strongest allies, is spending progressively more time with Taiwan’s brother. And saying spending time would be an understatement, considering to many countries it seems that the two are practically dating at this point.

And here is the reason Taiwan needed to warn America: His brother is a liar and a master of that. He can cover all his flaws and dark parts of him easily with that skill, and that’s what Taiwan is worried about. He wouldn’t call his little brother a master of manipulation, but he is well enough at it to cover his various slightly dreadful actions and habits. 

Now Taiwan knows America well enough to know the other country isn’t stupid or naive. Actually, it was the exact opposite, despite what the stereotypes the people created may imply. But America did have a habit of viewing people more differently and letting that information spread. After all, he was the person who gave the conception that Japan was actually somewhat sweet and that Britain was actually extremely ridiculous(though that is, not in his opinion) at a time where other countries thought the two nations were more intimidating, likely due to past impressions formed from war propaganda. 

Though America’s opinions aren’t always wrong, they don’t cover the whole personality of the countries. And Taiwan is almost certain that will be the case with China. 

America may not see China as the sophisticated and polite country he portrays himself as (and sadly many others think of him as), but he probably also won’t get to the side of China that Taiwan is familiar with. The more rough and annoying side.

China had this side that he will only ever show to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and occasionally Japan. It was his nagging side. 

He would constantly nag about how wrong it would be to leave “home,” how they were family, along many various other things, including how Western countries are influencing them incorrectly. These rants, of course, Taiwan took as complete garbage. He knew his Western allies like the US isn’t putting selfish or 不孝顺(disobedient and rude) thoughts inside of him. His perspective isn’t changing because Western propaganda and depictions, but because of China’s own words.

He disliked the other country, no matter what he may say about them being related or family. He wanted to leave, despite the connections they and their people may have. Out of his influence, out of his ideas.

“Hey Taiwan!” Said country’s thoughts were interrupted when the familiar voice of America came in along with the noise of the office door opening and closing. “Sorry for the wait. I was with-” America hesitated before continuing. He knew how much mentioning China bugged the other country.

“China.” Taiwan finished for him. “Yeah I know. Hopefully he didn’t bother you too much.”
“No he didn’t. He was actually surprisingly nice today.” America replied. Taiwan grimaced at the stars that would glow in America’s sapphire eyes whenever he had a pleasant interaction with China. 

“That’s…good. I guess.” Taiwan responded. He wasn’t exactly happy whenever America actually got along with China. He knew it was irrational since America had repeatedly promised to not abandon him as an ally, but there still always was the part of him who felt replaced. He felt increasingly conscious of that ever since his people—China’s people now—abandoned him, having only a small island of people—his people now—still supporting him. He can’t have his allies do that to him too.

“Hey America, I need to talk to you about something.” Here goes nothing. Taiwan doubted if America would take his advice, but it was worth a chance to warn his ally.

“What is it?” America asked, sitting down in front of Taiwan, his blue gaze on the other country.

“My brother…China. He–despite the way he portrays himself—can be deceptive. Specifically, he lies or covers up some of his….darker or more ridiculous actions. I just hope you can be a bit more cautious around him.”

When he finished, a soft frown was on America’s face. He seemed to be considering Taiwan’s words, but also something else. “Taiwan, you’re holding a lot of information back right now. That advice—that warning—was a bit vague. I understand you don’t want to reveal too much information but..You know what, I’ll try to keep an eye out for that, I guess. Just know that I did have caution around China before this. You didn’t become friends with a huge idiot afterall.”

Taiwan smiled. “I think I would have long been doomed if that was the case. We all would, considering we would be letting a huge idiot take over a mast amount of global politics.”

America laughed. “Well, we actually are already, considering there’s Russia over there. Besides, we did back then, when it was Britain all up in there.”
Taiwan found for the millionth time that he didn’t regret his friendship choices. America was one of those rare countries that wouldn’t be afraid to make fun of these bigger countries, no matter what position he was in (and no matter how far away those jokes really are from real life, considering both Britain and Russia were never extremely huge idiots. America seemed to really like making jokes about smarter countries being stupid, which unfortunately some of their people take more seriously). 

“No but with all seriousness, Taiwan, I won’t fall for China’s tricks. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“That better be the case,” Taiwan crossed his arms. 

America sighed. “I’m not sure how to prove it to you, Taiwan, as always. But…if you don’t have anything else to tell me, I would like to work peacefully.” He gestured towards the door.

“It seems really hard to believe you don’t just want me gone,” Taiwan commented.

“Yep! Although, I seriously have a lot to do today. Your little brother sure did make sure to give me extra work today after our meeting. So if you excuse me, my office is now closed for discussion!”

America closed the door as soon as Taiwan’s out. Yes, it's really hard to think the other country didn’t just want to avoid more serious talks about alliances. 

“Aw man he closed his door? I was about to talk to him about the export thing. Oh well.” Taiwan was immediately met with an upset Canada in the hallways.

“You didn’t say anything to cause that, didn’t you?” Canada questioned. Taiwan raised an eyebrow. Obviously he did. Canada got the message and unbelievably managed to sack agitatedly even more.

“Well, I guess tomorrow it is. Though Taiwan…I do have to say, with no offense, that China and America getting along is a good thing. The world would have a lot less to worry about if the two got along.”

“I know that, Canada. I just don’t want America to fall into my brother’s traps.”
Canada frowned at that. “China has traps? I always thought he was all nice and polite.” Of course you do, considering the mask that nuisance wears everywhere, Taiwan thought sourly. He should have known Canada was one of those many countries who couldn’t see through it.

“Actually, I’d say there is a higher chance of America tricking China than the other way around. You don’t know how much of a monster my little brother could be if he wanted to.” Canada commented. When he noticed Taiwan’s confused staring, he elaborated.

“America is a trickster, and tricksters don’t fall for similar tricks. You think he doesn’t lie and put up that mask as much as China?” He seemed to have similar thoughts to Taiwan’s just a few minutes ago when the other country stared at him with the same blank expression.

America was…lying to him all this time? He acted extremely naturally, unlike China who was obviously way too polite in some cases. But then again, it is more obvious when you know the truth…

“I won’t lie, if I had a bad relationship with Ame, I would also want to warn China but…I think I’ll let Ame do his tricks.” He smiled before moving around Taiwan and knocking on America’s door, which sent a grunt from the younger brother.

Taiwan let that sink in on his way home. Was America really as horrible as China? 

He shook that thought away. He's been allies with America long enough to know the other country and long enough to not doubt him. He shouldn’t doubt him.

When Taiwan finally reached his home, he received a nagging look from his brother.

“You took another flight to America?” Taiwan scoffed. “You don’t control me anymore, China. Why should you care?”

“I never let go of you Taiwan. Besides, even if you’re a separate country, I would still like to know why my neighbor arrived back home at midnight, and make sure he never annoys me in the same way again. Now excuse me, I have things to attend to.”

And he closed his door. Now thinking about it, Taiwan can see the similarity between China and America, if only slightly. That similarity is both of them being workaholics, as Taiwan noticed how China’s light was still on despite the closed door. He wasn’t attending to sleep, apparently.

“Oh hey Taiwan!” Japan greeted him. She glanced nervously at China’s closed door before continuing to speak. “You tried to warn America, didn’t you?” She knew as much as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Manchuria about China’s nagging, as she was also somewhat related to their family(About a cousin, Taiwan assumed).

“Yeah.”

“And he didn’t take it for granted?”

“Of course.”

Japan nodded in understanding. “Well, that’s America’s consequence I suppose. I can’t warn him about a lot of things here in Asia. I’m positive he can handle it though. Or at least this time.”

Taiwan glanced at China’s door before heading to his own. “Yeah, he better do.”

Chapter Text

“Hi China! So, does this count as a date?” America joked, his eyes annoyingly sparklingly in an admittedly innocent and cute way. China rolled his eyes at that despite his lightly dusted cheeks. He hated when America would somehow make him lose his cool, if only slightly.

“Obviously not. You're not even in proper wear anyway, so it wouldn’t count as a date.”
That comment was directed at America’s casual choice of clothes, being only a hoodie and jeans. America’s bright smile dropped.

“You can have casual wear on a date too! Anyway, I’m thinking of this as one, no matter what you—a big fat liar—have to say to that.” He smirked in victory of his ignorance. China didn’t bother fueling his happiness with more responses, and moved on to more professional manners.

“So it would be way easier if you just let me deliver these at-”
“China,” America pouted, his tone and expression somehow forcing the other country to lock eyes with him. “I already lowered the tariff rate. You’re asking for a lot right now.”
“No, it’s you that is causing too much of a mess right now.” China replied without missing a beat. “I would say I am being extremely generous and calm right now.” It was his turn to smirk at America’s upset reaction and be obnoxiously annoying. He earned the right anyway, considering how much he had to clean up America’s mess, no matter what the other country may say in defense.

America frowned before doing this thing that China had found extremely annoying. Instead of just keeping to himself when he feels upset like he used to before he and China’s relationship grew, he would invade China’s personal space and latch on to the other country, placing his head onto China’s shoulder and his hands wrapped around the other country’s arm. The reason China hated this was evident: his body was betraying him and heating up due to the close proximity.

“No you’re not.” America muttered as he latched on close to the other country. His melancholy expression dropped when he said the second part of his response. “You’re just being annoying and cleaning up after your lover like any good one should. Yet you’re making a complaint about it?”
“I’m not complaining, I’m simply stating that I should have the right to do this.” China articulated what he meant when he dug his fingers into America’s wavy blond hair and messing it up. America glared at him before finally exiting China’s personal space.

“Fine, whatever.” He fumed. “Anyway, work matters-” and the boring yet necessary work continues. China didn’t fail to notice how America would scoot closer and closer throughout though.

“So yeah, thank goodness we’re done with that.” America concluded when he finally finished walking through all they needed to in his files. He then lazily threw the file folder away and dropped into the other country’s lap. Thank goodness there’s no security cameras, China thought as he placed the messy folder that America threw on the floor back on the table.

Then he remembered something.

“Hey Ame?”
“Yes?” The younger country replied languidly.

“What did Taiwan talk to you about?”
“That’s..” America frowned. He seemed to be considering the consequences of this comment before continuing. “None of your business.”

“You know I’m not taking that for an answer.” From America’s souring expression, China can tell he knew the stakes if he kept denying.

“Fine. He just wanted to make sure you don’t fall into my traps because he cares about you as an older brother.”

“Opposite way around, got it.” That sent a groan from America, causing a smile to form on China’s face. He toyed with the other country’s hand(which he just grabbed) as he continued. “It’s obvious Taiwan worries more about you than me, dear. I know him too well to think elsewise. Besides, I doubt he knows your bad side.”

“Yeah but….”

“I thought you always wanted us to split?”
America looked up, his expression now more hurt. “I wanted Taiwan to be an independent nation so you can stop nagging him, yes, but never to end you two’s relationship. I just wanted you both to be more…happy with your statuses as nations.” 

“That may be so but the damage is there, Ame. Besides, Taiwan and my relationship was already…something even before his ‘independent nation’ claim. It’s not exactly your fault.” America smiled at that, but then—as always–his smile turned more devious.

“Wow, China actually being a nice person to me? 太阳从西边出来的吗?(Author’s translation: Did the Sun rise from the West? For reference: Sun always rises East, so this is basically saying how different of an occasion this is in case you didn’t know)”

“Am I really that mean?” America gave him a ‘what do you think?’ stare with his big blue eyes. China chose to ignore that. “Anyway, Taiwan has nothing to worry about, considering how bad you are yourself.” America shrugged at that.

“That’s what Canada said he said to Taiwan’s worries too. He said he would be more worried about you, which I dismissed pretty quickly. After all, I might as well be kissing a lying devil every day.”

“I’m not a devil, that’s an exaggeration. I do admit I lie and nag sometimes, but only occasionally. You Americans have a bad habit of exaggeration.”
“Just a hyperbole.” America replied with a smile.

“So will you tell Taiwan about how horribly wrong he is when he says you don’t know what you got yourself into?”
“He’ll ask anyway. Now, how long do I have before Britain starts calling me to tell me how late I am to his ‘tea party’?”