♡~Ice n' Rice~♡

Chapter 17. Farewell

Hong Kong rummaged through his room, looking for stuff to fill his suitcase. A beautiful, red and golden suitcase.
Thick tears ran down his cheeks, as the sad piano tunes played on his phone, drowning his whispering sobs.
He didn't want to leave.
He was leaving too much behind... The world was in its worst moments, and he didn't even notice.
China's warm smile, Korea's annoying laughter, Iceland's soft blush... Everybody was just trying to keep him safe. Away from the dangers that wandered around the Earth.
It burned him inside. They all were acting as nothing happened. He was mad and grateful at the same time.

Iceland.
Every five seconds of over thinking, Iceland's soft voice filtered through the horrible thoughts. His gentle words lead him to a slight comfort into his storm of confussion.
Hong Kong could almost feel the Nordic's beautifully pale skin under his swift fingertips, he could almost feel his lips' sweet taste, the warmth of his blush.
The piano song slowly stopped, ceasing to cover the Cantonese's whimpers and sobs; the weak sounds of his clothes' fabric rubbing against the wall of his room.
His suitcase laid on the floor, open; the clothes and various items were spilled across the floor.

A soft sound of knuckles against the door. A knock.
-Hongie... Hey, let me in...
The teenager replied with a soft growl, wiping his tears slightly and finally raising his voice, after clearing his throat.
-C-Come in... -His voice sounded weak, barely a whisper.
The wooden door opened softly, letting a tall Korean male enter. He smiled sadly, the reddish skin around his nose signaled that he had been crying before, at least a little.
His usually loud and obnoxious self was gone, leaving room to a gentler boy who wanted to comfort his yougest brother.

A thousand of memories from the long-time-ago sleepless nights hit the Korean like a wave, when the shouting and yelling stole their dreams.
Long nights as children, hugging each other, comforting each other to don't break down.
Promises that everything would be better soon. Hoping that the other wasn't lying.
He shook his head, trying to shake the memories away. He aproached the smaller Asian, careful to don't step on his suitcase, and sat next to him.
Hong Kong hugged his own knees, staring ahead blankly. He was grateful to have South Korea next to him again. Despite the cruel jokes and brother fights, they were still that; brothers.
The Korean wrapped his arms around Hong Kong, gently hugging him, just like they did many years ago. The teenager didn't struggle, in fact, he enjoyed the warm and firm embrace.

-Why... didn't you tell me..?
-To protect you... you wouldn't believe me if I told you that Aniki's situation suddenly got worse in the last month-- I mean, hours... Would you?
Hong Kong sighed, nodding softly and rubbing the tears off his eyes.
-That's it... -The older sighed as well.- Hongie... You'll be able to help Aniki if you become English territory again, I mean ... I can't help South Korea because I'm South Korea... Same goes with you. You're a part of Aniki, until England takes you. Then, you'll be able to send Aniki help. Y'know, money, food...
-I understand... B-But... What's exactly happening to him? -He choked his tears back.
Korea took a deep sigh.

-The world started going crazy... He thought the allying system was only the new Western crisis... Until it got here. It was hard, da ze! Aniki's coin started to lose all of its value, his citizens started to leave him, and sohe couldn't keep on working the same way... All that in... probably around a month. A few hours to you... Aniki started to feel bad before England came here... He's been weak since then...
Korea looked down, letting out a shakey breath. He held Hong Kong tightly against his own chest.
Hong Kong nodded silently, hugging Korea back tightly. He got up, sniffling and staring down at his older brother with teary eyes.
-I'll help Teacher... England seems like, he has resources...

He took a small panda figurine from a shelf. He dusted it carefully and kissed it, gently tucking it into a shirt in his suitcase.
-I'll be back... This... this will pass soon...
He hugged Korea for a last time, before walking off his home.

♡~·~·*♡*·~·~♡

-Hey, Norge! Care to pick up a few bags?
-Fiiiine...
-But... Honey! It's still too... heavy...
-Don't call me that!
The sounds were muffled through the white door. Iceland smiled, finally saying goodbye to the hotel. At the same time, he was upset. Sad about Hong Kong, about what the reality was like for him.
Now, the Nordics formed the United Scandinavia, they were safe. But, what about Hong Kong?
He sighed, quickly packing up. Mr. Puffin stared at him carefully, puffed up on the pillow of his pet cage.
Iceland smiled softly and took his suitcase and Mr. Puffin's prison, dragging the first out of his room.
Denmark was awkwardly trying not to fall down, holding a lot of heavy-looking suitcases and bags.
Norway huffed, carefully holding a single little bag, the lightest.
The silver-haired boy couldn't help but chuckle, grabbing a few bags from his uncle's arms.
-Phew! Thanks, Icey! -Denmark ruffled the younger's hair with his now free hand.
-It's nothing -He muttered, smiling.

Sweden emerged from his and Finland's room, carrying a few bags in one arm and Sealand in the other one. His "wife" walked along with them, smiling brightly and carrying some heavy-looking suitcases without effort.
-Ready to go?~ -Finland said cheerfully, holding tightly into Sweden.
Norway opened the front door, widening his eyes at what he found, sitting on the floor.
-...Hong Kong? -He said softly.
Iceland pushed Denmark on his way to the door, holding back a gasp. He ran to hug him, reading in the Cantonese's sad, reddened features that something was wrong.
-Hong!!
-Ice... England told me about... The allying thing...
Iceland gasped, holding him close.
-I-I'm so sorry...
-No... it's okay, Ice. -He put all of his effort into a slight smile.- Are you safe?
-Y-Yeah... I am... What about you?
-I am too... I'm part of England again...

Hong Kong told him about everything, half to show what he knew, and half to relieve himself.
-Norway, England said that he'd be here soon... I-I guess you're going to the airport as well, right?
-Yeah... -The man wearing a cross-pin spoke softly.- We've tried to help China... We really did...
-I know... Xiè Xiè... -Hong Kong bowed, thanking in Chinese.
Iceland stayed close to Hong Kong, shyly taking his hand in an angle that Norway couldn't perceive. Their fingers grazed, in an act of hidden love. Their cheeks turned various shades of pink, silly smiles forming at the corners of they lips.

Norway sighed, trying not to smile.
-You think I don't know you two are together, right, Ice?
Their blush turned much darker, to the amusement of Sealand, who laughed childishly.
-W-What?!
-Jesus, Ice... I'm not blind. -He pointed over at their hands, that squeezed together.
-T-Then... you're okay with it? -Ice asked shyly.
-Why wouldn't I? Ice, I'm gay too. Literally all of us are gay.
-Heh... Right...
-So, don't worry about it. You can... make out and stuff... -Norway shrugged, looking away.
Iceland gasped.
-Norway!!

♡~·~·*♡*·~·~♡

-Take good care of Hong Kong, aru... -The old Chinese nation looked away from England's green stare.
-I will... Don't worry. -He grabbed China's hand to kiss its back.
China growled in disgust, pulling his hand away. Japan shot him a dangerous glare, taking China's hand. England chuckled in amusement.
-Relax... -He said with a soft smile.- I was joking -He wiped his lips.
The British man ran his hand through China's hair, as a soft goodbye caress.
-Farewell, my old enemy... It was nice to fight you...
-Indeed it was... -China admitted with a weak smile.
-Get better soon... Hong Kong and I will send you help and information...

He got up, still smiling at the two Asians. A warm, reassuring smile, even though he couldn't trust his own safety.

-Farewell, China, Japan...
He walked out.