Chapter Text
The hotel room door clicked shut behind them, sealing out the last of the hallway’s distant laughter and the hum of elevators. Silence rushed in quickly.
Mexico kicked off his shoes first, sending them skidding toward the wall. His shoulders sagged the moment the door closed, spine curving as if he’d been holding himself upright on sheer will alone. The conference had dragged on for hours. Speeches layered over speeches, diplomatic smiles stretched thin, and the after-party had been even worse. Too darn loud. Too many hands reaching for the same person. For him.
USA loosened his tie, the thin band of gold on his finger catching the light as he tugged it free. The sight made something twist sharply in Mexico’s chest..he looked irritatingly fine for someone who’d spent the evening laughing too loud, glowing under attention, flirting like his life depended on it. His suit jacket came off next, draped over the back of a chair next to the table.
"You disappeared halfway through," USA said lightly. "You feeling good?"
Mexico didn’t answer right away. He crossed the room to the window, pressing his forehead briefly against the cool glass. The city sprawled down below them, lights blinking like restless stars. His chest felt tight, and his lungs working harder than they should. "Hm? Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
USA watched him for a moment longer than necessary. Then he stepped closer, the space between them shrinking in familiar increments. They’d shared rooms before. Countless times, of course they did, but today just felt..different.
Maybe it was because, on paper, they weren’t just allies anymore. The title still felt strange. A diplomatic solution, that’s what their governments had called it, signed and sealed with cameras flashing and flags standing tall behind them. It looked good in headlines. It calmed markets and it made politicians smile. But nothing was better in private.
Another step, USA stopped just short of touching him (like he was waiting for permission). He’d been doing that a lot more lately. Hesitating, as if unsure where the line was between 'partner' and 'pretend'.
USA searched his face, his brows creasing. "You don’t sound fine."
Before Mexico could stop himself and think, he stepped closer. The space between them vanished, replaced by warmth and the familiar presence of someone he knew too well, like someone he wasn’t supposed to want like this. Their rings brushed as Mexico’s hand lifted, resting against USA’s chest. He could feel his heartbeat. Steady, calm, nothing like the chaos sprawling inside his own guts.
USA’s breath hitched. "Uhm, Mexico…"
He leaned in, slow, giving him time to pull away. And Mexico didn’t.
Their foreheads touched, noses brushing, the moment trembling with things neither of them had ever said out loud. Mexico’s lips parted, heart pounding painfully against his ribs.
His stomach lurched, but not out of love this time. The sensation was violent, sudden, like his body was rebelling against him. Mexico jerked back, hand flying to his mouth as a sharp, floral bitterness flooded his throat.
"Wait!" USA started. Mexico didn’t let him finish. He turned and stumbled for the bathroom, barely making it inside before dropping to the sink. The door slammed shut behind him. "Mexico?" USA’s voice came through the door, sharp with concern now. "Hey. What’s wrong?" Mexico gagged, coughing hard as something solid hit his tongue.
Petals. They spilled into the sink in a rush of colour. Red and gold, soft and delicate, utterly wrong. He stared at them in horror as more followed, each cough sending a fresh bloom onto porcelain.
His hands shook as he turned on the faucet, watching the petals swirl away, even as the ache in his chest deepened, rooted, blooming, relentless. He pressed his forehead to the mirror, eyes squeezed shut.
Outside, USA knocked again, harder. "Mexico, open the door. Please." Mexico swallowed, throat burning, lungs tight. He rinsed his mouth, wiped his lips, and forced his voice steady.
"I’m okay," he called, the lie tasting worse than the flowers itself. "Just...give me a minute."