Chasing Liberty // Countryhumans North Korea fanfiction

Penultimate Role

Liaoxi waved goodbye to North Pyongan by the door, watching as he disappeared into the night. She had offered to walk with him back to the city, but he had declined, saying that China had wanted him to bring her home, not the other way around.

The Korean province was nice, and hearing all of his tales about he and his sister (but mostly his sister) had served to lift her thoughts away from the dreadful mire they had been wallowing in.

Liaoxi stood on the stoop of their borrowed farmhouse, waiting until she could see their comrade no longer. Then she said, "I know you're there."

There was no sound from the dark house, and she sighed, opening the door.

"China, I swear-"

"Is wanting to make sure my little sister makes it home safely a crime?" a smooth voice asked from right next to her.

Liaoxi- used to this- didn't jump, huffing instead. "Lurking in the dark, waiting for your mark. You're the danger, I think."

China laughed, and a lantern flickered to life on the small kitchen table. Whoever had owned this house had lovely taste in furniture, as all of it was made of light wood, contrasting nicely with the light blue walls. The fact that it still had four walls and a roof was also a positive.

Her Countryhuman was standing next to the table when Liaoxi's vision adjusted. He smiled.

"Did you enjoy your practice?"

Connecting the dots, Liaoxi asked, "Is that why you sent him to me?"

China smiled slyly, gesturing at the kettle on the table. Liaoxi leaned her dear rifle against it, pouring herself a cup, and one for him.

"It's rare you're faced with genuine grief," he said, taking a sip as he crossed his ankles, inclining his head just the slightest towards the bedroom door. "You have to take advantage of it while you are."

Liaoxi should have known her true feelings after China had given them his news hadn't escaped him. "You knew I still felt bad."

"Your pretty eyes were sad." He reached across the table to chuck her on the chin. "Which means you need more practice. Could he tell you were grieving?"

"No," Liaoxi said, smiling as she drank her tea. It was strong, meaning it was from China's sleeve-of-many-wonders instead of the farmhouse. They had been trying not to take anything non-perishable, in case whoever owned it returned.

Her country watched her for a second, then declared, "Liar."

"How so?"

He smiled. "You still have your tell."

The province pursed her lips. "I wouldn't if you would tell me how it doth convey."

"If you need to be told, then with it how will you manage to do away?" China raised his brows.

Liaoxi sighed. She and her sister had spent hours sitting on the floor, telling made-up stories or faking emotions, watching each other intently for signs of their tells. Liaoning had done the same thing with Jilin. But no such luck.

"Sometimes I believe I don't have one," she informed him. "You only want me to think I do."

"That interpretation is up to you," he said airily. "Did you get anything interesting out of him?"

Liaoxi hid her wince. She had been too off-kilter to information-gather.

"I learned much about his sister," she told him.