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Japan wasn’t one to skip meetings. It was his duty as a country after all. But on this specific date, he wished he was not required to attend this one. The headache he had awoken with was so fierce, he wanted to hide underneath the protectiveness of his blankets and pray he got better. But, that’s not an option for a country of his size, which led to this very moment. Sitting in the conference room surrounded by the bickering of countries big and small, trying not to hide underneath the table to provide cover from the light only making his head ache worse.
His stomach was starting to betray him too which only made him curse himself deeper. Even when the others had calmed down and there was a large decrease in noise, it somehow didn’t help much. His gaze landed on the clock, locking eyes with the hands as they ticked on. Only 5 minutes left. Japan began fidgeting with the cuffs of his jacket, sliding the fabric between his index and his thumb slowly. The clock ticked by, and Kiku felt as if the time couldn’t move any slower.
Finally, after what felt to be 2 hours, the meeting had come to an end. The countries stood out of their seats and said their goodbyes before heading to the door, some breaking into small groups of 2 or more. France and England made small jabs at each other, Italy held onto Germany and shook him profusely, and Japan made a swift beeline for the doors. Yet a familiar voice calling out to him caused him to stop in his tracks.
“Japan!” China chased after the younger brother, placing his hand on his shoulder to keep him from leaving. Japan chose to keep any annoyances with this action to himself, choosing to instead engage normally.
“Ah, hello China. How have you been recently?” Japan hoped his voice didn’t sound too nasally and ill. China let out a small laugh before giving his brother another pat on the back. “Well, I think I’ve just been alright! How about you? I noticed you seemed a little paler than usual, and you happened to seem really upset with the light in your face. Are you maybe feeling ill?”
Japan stood in silence as he watched other countries march past him and out the door, and he couldn’t help but feel extremely unsatisfied with the fact he could have already left and been on his way to his nice, quiet home and in his nice comfortable bed, sleeping the sick off for however long he needed. Japan let out an internal sigh before shaking his head. “It’s just a small headache, I’ll be alright once I get home and am able to rest.”
China hummed before finally letting go of Japan's shoulder. Before Japan could make his escape, however, China immediately chimed back up. “I’m going with you! I can make you some tea and make sure you get some medicine, you’ll be better in no time!” Japan had nothing else to say or do except stare at China and contemplate. Should he refuse? No, could he refuse? To Japan's dismay, it was not in his nature to deny anyone something, leading him to nod in agreement to China’s request. “I guess it would be nice to have some warm tea…” China smiled vibrantly. “Great! We should get headed off then, yes?” Japan nodded and reluctantly let China follow him back to his abode.
[...]
After a somewhat long ride, the two finally ended up at Japan's doorstep. Once entering, Japan had to hold back his undying desire to fall asleep right there and right and right then, and drag himself to his table. His symptoms had definitely picked up since earlier that day, now giving him a prominent, deep and raspy cough, a sneeze, and a runny nose. China pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the black haired man to blow his nose.
It took a second, but China was able to locate a tea pot in order to start up a brew. He rummaged through the cabinets of the house until he found some tea leaves that he had happened to have gifted to his younger brother around a month ago. With a little bit of water and the heat of a stove, China was able to take a seat while they waited for the water to boil.
“So, Japan! It’s been a while since I have been to your home. I see you’ve gotten a modern stove.” Japan nodded. “Well yes, it’s much more convenient and I don’t have to light a match each time I need to heat something up.” There was a moment of silence as Japan was unsure what else to truly say. Him and China have had… a rocky past, to put it simply, making it a lot harder for them to really make good conversation.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m surprised you were even able to work it considering your attachment to doing things more, well, ‘old school’ I suppose is how I could put it.” China simply just shrugged. “I’m over 4,000 years old, understanding a stove is much more simple than other things I have faced.”
Japan nodded, blowing back into a handkerchief. Japan hated this. “My cold definitely isn’t getting any better. I must have the flu.” China hummed in thought. “Well, I suppose I know something I could do to help out with that! I could put some natural honey in your tea, it usually helps me when I am feeling unwell. I also carry around this remedy in case I get sick while travelling.” He reaches into the pocket of his jacket and pulls out a small metal flask, and slides it across the table. Japan only stares at it.
“Um, I appreciate it but I think I can just run out and get some flu medicine from down the street.” He coughed loudly, soon after laying his head down on the table. China patted his brother's shoulder in comfort. Japan soon lifted his head and picked up the flask from the table, deciding he would rather take what China had offered instead of heading outside any more this week. He undid the lid of the flask, held his head up high and took a quick swig from the bottle, setting it down and swallowing it quickly afterwards. The drink tasted like lemons with some sort of sweet after taste he couldn’t really decipher, and he just hoped it would help him feel better sooner.
China smiled before standing back up to check on the hot water. He turned back to his brother soon after. “The hot water is almost done, it should take another minute. How about you head upstairs so you can get out of those business clothes and lay down. It’s important not to sleep in work clothes, it’s highly uncomfortable.” Japan accepted quickly, because he had honestly been looking for an excuse to go upstairs and get into bed all day.
He drudged up the stairs, blocking his view from the light that seeped in. Once in his room he was more than happy to change into his red jumpsuit and fall onto his bed. Burying his head into his pillow was one of the best things he had done all day. He sat in the comfortable silence of his room until there was a calm knock at the door. Japan lifted himself and grumbled an invite inside, allowing China to slip inside with a tray of tea.
He sits down beside his younger brother, offering a cup out to him. The black haired man picked himself up and took the cup. He blew on the brew to cool it down a little bit, eventually taking a long sip. He sighed as he lowered the rim from his lips and nodded his head at his brother in appreciation. “Thank you for your kindness.” China smiled awkwardly, leaving a thick fog of silence between the two as they continued drinking their tea.
China eventually set his cup down with gentleness. “I see you haven’t lost your organizational prowess, your cups were organized by size.” Japan looked away. “Yes, it makes things much simpler.” He pained himself when he heard the sickness in his voice. China took the last sip of his tea and looked up at the ceiling. “You know, I have missed spending time with you.” Japan actually turned to face his brother. “Really?” China continued on. “I am aware we’ve had many differences in our past, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to be your big brother.” Japan let out a viscous cough and laid his head back down. China looked down on him, soon picking up the tea cups.
China left the room, but returned a moment later with a hot rag. He leaned back down, pulled Japan's hair back and rested the towel on his temple. Japan felt a heavy ounce of relief when he made contact with his skin, immediately letting himself become limp. The warmth enveloped his whole body with peace, and he found his eyes fluttering shut. One last time he turned back to his brother, who had stood up, and Japan smiled at him. “Thank you again, Yao.” China nodded and headed out the door of Japan's room, giving him one last wave goodbye before shutting the door, and Japan drifted off to sleep.
As China exited his brother's house, he sighed. He had wished he could stay with his brother longer, but even he had duties as a country he had to uphold. But, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t return next week to check up on Japan and maybe be able to catch up some more. But, until then, he could work diligently.
Japan was able to overcome his flu rather quickly, and by the end of the week he was up and well. He knew there was another meeting next week, and he hoped he would be able to repay his brother with some food.
And, maybe, find some time for them to hang out again soon.