Yotsuba no Clover

Winter - Part II

Winter part two - if I manage to write another chapter, it'll be the last one for this fic! (I won't upload for a while though.. ^-^')

Winter - Part II (799 words)

POV: Japan 3rd Person - (3rd Person Britain)

"Japan.. seriously, I can explain everything." England scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

After Japan had showed up - lightly trembling, red-faced, with a frightening glare - Pochi immediately let go of the blonde's hand and jumped off his stomach. The white so-called "little beast" seemed to shrink in size, even if it didn't seem possible. He slowly went into a corner of the room, ears swept back, his tail tucked between his legs.

Some minutes passed and the Asian had composed himself. Pochi wasn't a bad dog. In his opinion, he was the best dog one could wish for. He sighted. Maybe, he shouldn't have been so impulsive, but he couldn't help himself, the situation was so overwhelming: England, Pochi biting - it was too much.

Currently, both nations sat near the kotastu - England cross legged and Japan in seiza.

While thinking over what had happened, the host gently proceeded to wrap a bandage around his guest's left hand.

"I'm really sorry about this Igirisu-san." he said with a worried face "Usually Pochi is a well behaved dog...does is hurt?" Japan looked up to meet England's gaze.

"Yes- no- I mean it could be worse." the Brit answered curtly. Averting his eyes of the figure in front of him. The whole time, since he saw Japan's face this morning, he was kind of nervous. Why? England thought that it was because of the present he bought for him. That was it! Of course but still.. the other man's hands on his made his heart beat like crazy. He started to feel uncomfortable as his hands became sweaty.

"Japan, I didn't tell you the real reason why I came here."

Japan was surprised about this sudden exclamation. The Asian man tilted his head a bit, and looked up from Englands now bandaged hand.

"Eh, Igirisu-san, what do you mean? The ...real reason you came here?", asked Japan puzzled. This only seemed to make the other man more nervous.

"It's almost New Year and Christmas is already over, but I have something for you anyway." He pulled out the brown paperback from behind the kotastu.

After the Pochi incident, the Brit tried to hide it as best as he could. The paper rustled as he gave it to Japan. "Here -"

"Thank you." Their fingertips lightly brushed against each other, it felt feather-light but to them it felt like a small electric shock. They pulled their hands away after the exchange of the gift.

Now that Japan had received the back, he put it on his lap but made to attempts to open it.

"...don't you want to see inside it?" asked the blonde, confused about the others behaviour.

The black haired man answered immediately: "Am I allowed to? I thought that it was impolite to open a gift directly in front of the person who gave it to you."

"That's okay, open it." "...I came here to see you, so of course...I want to see how you'd react..." the Brit blushed at his own cheesy thoughts.

Rustling of paper was heard. Japan grabbed into the paper-bag and held out an small object that fit into his hand easily. "...Oh?"

It was ...a bookmark? ..or a charm? To be more precisely, it was a four-leafed-clover, encased in a thin transparent cover. On the edges, the rectangle-shaped object had thin golden lines, reflecting the room's light and appearing to almost glow from it's own.

"Igirisu-san, thank you very much. I really appreciate this gift." The Japanese bowed in front of England. "It's very beautiful and a quite unique present." Dark eyes met emerald ones. "...Is the clover from your country?"

"Uh, yes it is. I take a walk every morning - and one day, I just found it." Replied Britain, scratching his head.

"Is that so? You must have been really lucky then. Even we nation see these kind of clovers very rarely I suppose." Japan smiled holding the gift delicately in his hands.

...

"Speaking of rare things - do you believe in supernatural and magical beings?"

The Asian man blinked. "You mean creatures such as Yōkai, ghosts and fairies?" His companion nodded. "If you ask me like this... my people's belief in them was once strong long time ago, but now it's just a part of folklore and tradition. I personally can't remember ever seeing them..."

The more Japan talked, the more upset England became. As if sensing his distress Japan added: "...maybe. That's my answer. Sometimes, there are certain things we can't see, but that doesn't mean they are non-existent."

Boldly, Japan reached for England's not injured hand and laid his on the others in a comforting way. He was surprised by his own action, thus he failed to notice how a bright blush creeped on both of their slightly smiling faces.

AN: Originally posted on ff.net on 14h July 2015 -