二十三 [Text & Picture]

[brbmodernizing]

I have not had the chance to properly use this system enough, it seems. I hope to change that in the future. Does anyone have any requests for things I should draw? It is a hobby of mine, and I will draw anything you would like.

I had planned on drawing something during this past Halloween, but I grew busy, so I apologize.

The weather seems to be growing colder. How is everyone faring?

[Japan has drawn his dog Pochi and Hanatamago together. The art is by Himaruya, not me, and any other art in this post will most likely be from outside fanart sites.

Also he'll be sitting in his room, drawing on his communicator. Those wanting to do action tags just be aware that his face is all bruised up. :|b]

Comments

[kongeriget]

（　all he's thinking is that he hates this. all of it. why did things get so complicated? 　）

Okay. Good.

[brbmodernizing]

[he still doesn't look up]

However, something changed my view.

[kongeriget]

There shouldn't've been.

（　He's starting to sound impatient, almost bossy. He doesn't want to deal with this. He doesn't…　）

[brbmodernizing]

...but it was brought to my attention that I simply misunderstood, and that is what caused it.

[kongeriget]

…What? （　as he turns from the stove.　）

[brbmodernizing]

[He finally looks over, a bit hesitantly]

...At that time, you were already back with Norway-san? [it's not clear but he is referencing that ring again.]

[kongeriget]

…No. That wasn't until later. （　he's not lying—or, he doesn't think he is.　）

[brbmodernizing]

A few days cannot be "later" enough! I thought-- [wow this is embarrassing, he's realizing.]

Ah, forgive me. I thought you were done chasing. At that time, at least, I believed it... [thinking thinking. Norway's timeline sort of overlaps with his, so Japan's pretty convinced he was severely confused or missed something or who even knows]

[kongeriget]

What are ya talking about? （　sounding honestly confused, but there's an edge under it. a very small one.　）

[brbmodernizing]

...

I allowed myself to become used to the idea of learning to like you because I thought you were done with Norway-san.

[kongeriget]

（　this is all too much. he groans and leans back against the counter, head tilted up at the ceiling.　）

I wanted to be.

[brbmodernizing]

[He's now staring at him]

You use past tense... And so you gave up so easily? Surely you could have told me such an important detail?

[He's glad Korea isn't here to make this into a drama and show it to America, or something.]

[kongeriget]

It wasn't… Fuck.

Listen, okay, 'cause I don't wanna talk about it or say it again. （　he lowers his face, although he's still carefully not quite looking at japan.　） If ya ask me, love ain't about askin' permission or waitin' on someone's say-so. Ya should be able to—I mean, the permission's just implied, ya know? Nor was sayin' all this shit about… well, I was annoyed! And so I wanted to prove that askin' permission was stupid, it didn't work, that I'd get rejected no matter what he said—and we fucked instead.

And after I thought it'd be like before… huh, but that wasn't true, either. It took Nor bein' from the year we broke up to even wanna get back together. He's only like this now 'cause he's human. We'll be best friends forever, but as far as romantic shit goes, he's never lo—liked me before comin' here. I'm not stupid, ya know. And it pisses me off sometimes.

When we get back home, an' the war's over, if ya want, ya and me can go out. But I gotta… （　he pauses, falters briefly.　） Jeg elsker ham, an' I gotta take the chance I get.

（　and finally, contradicting himself:　） Maybe he'll remember somehow.

[brbmodernizing]

[Allowing some silence after all that. Then lowering his gaze.]

Ah... This is why I say that such things are not meant for me.

[kongeriget]

Love's a pain in the ass sometimes, but it's worth it.

[brbmodernizing]

For you, perhaps. [awkwaaaard]

If that is what you want, I wish you the best...

[kongeriget]

Don't talk like that! （　it's the finality. the order comes out harsher than he'd expected.　）

[brbmodernizing]

...

Then what would you suggest?

[kongeriget]

I dunno! Just don't—talk like yer goin' away.

[brbmodernizing]

...Not 'going away,' but stopping something that should never have been.

[kongeriget]

That has a lotta finality, too.

[brbmodernizing]

Should it not?

[kongeriget]

I guess not…

[brbmodernizing]

I do not understand!