Work Text:
As nightfall began to approach the slipping light of the sun reflects off of the Huangpu River, creating a calming contrast against the catastrophic city lights.
China steps out to the open with hands in his pockets and waits for NK to follow. NK lets out a sigh and his breath turns into a faint steam. It was a cold evening, NK didn’t bother to bring much to wear over the top, he figured his uniform was warm enough.
China noticed the subtle shiver in his frame immediately.
Without a word, he slides his heavy coat off his shoulders and drapes it over the other. It was a pretty long coat compared to NK’s height. There was a subtle scent of tobacco lingering on the coat, but he didn’t mind it too much, as back at Pyongyang he’d familiarize himself with the same scent.
"Don't freeze, comrade." China commented, but NK didn’t respond. As usual, he had nothing to say to moments like this.
He didn’t like that his comrade had to offer him his coat.
China rests his elbows on the railing, watching the skyline above.
"Korea, don’t think I don’t notice. You don’t have to be embarrassed for things like this." China remarks, as if he knew what NK was thinking.
"Accepting help isn't weakness. You should know already I don’t mind offering you help."
NK immediately glances away,
“I know that. You don’t have to reassure me all the time.” NK mumbled.
China squints imperceptibly at NK’s mumbled protest.
"Still," a pause, "I know it’s hard for you to accept things like this, I just want to make things easier for you." His eyes drift back to the river, watching the lights dance on the water.
NK didn’t respond. China is right, and he didn’t like that he’s always so fixated on being right. He already felt humiliated enough trying to act tough around his all-knowing comrade, who knows and senses more in him than other nations could.
It’s reassuring that China doesn’t mind the constant silence at all. That is, if the mood is right.
“You hide behind silence like it's a fortress.” China murmurs, then glanced sideways at NK.
He seemed to be trying to space out of the conversation, but China didn’t let him escape so easily. He leans against NK’s shoulder, his own weight pressing against the shorter one, forcing him to pay attention to the other.
"The world changes fast, Comrade." China continues as he watches the barges slowly drift along the darkening river.
"But looking at this view, it feels like the world stops for us just so we could have a moment once more,"
China looks at NK “Together.”
NK finally looks at China, his expression unreadable but he definitely felt something.
If for an hour or more he could just stay in this moment, the sun dipping into the water and all the lights slowly coming alive, along with the steady warmth of his comrade making sure he’s not freezing. Simultaneously, he could forget all the burdens of his identity.
The road has never been smooth ever since he became “North Korea,” and finding a path to excellence has not been an easy thing. Or more so, he is yet to understand what “excellence” is and the gross overlapping of excellence and failure.
He lowered his head and with a subtle movement, moved closer into China, who immediately wrapped his arm around his comrade.
The two were now huddled up in eachother's warmth.
This would’ve been considered taboo, but as of this moment,
none of it mattered.