♡~Ice n' Rice~♡

Chapter 18. Good bye

England showed up soon after. The light skin around his eyes was slightly reddened, yet his sly smile was still there. Probably faking.
-Norway... You bloody future-teller... -He said softly with a his usual grin.
Norway let out a sigh.
-Shut up, Eyebrows... It helped didn't it? -He replied with a slight smirk.
-Indeed, Floating Curl.
They both let out a chuckle, Norway's always softer.
-China didn't listen... I'm sorry that it had to be this way -Norway shrugged.
-Hm...

Hong Kong was still apart with Iceland. He held the Nordic's hands tightly, looking down as Iceland's thumbs stroked the back of his shakey hands.
-Everything will be alright... We will still help China, don't worry...
-I-I know... I'm just... s-scared...
Iceland pulled Hong Kong into a tight embrace. He ran his hand through the Cantonese's dark hair.
-Everything's going to be alright, Hong... You still have us... -He whispered into his ear.
Hong Kong nodded shakily and held into Iceland tightly.
He looked up at Iceland, a slight smile forming on his lips.
-Y-You're right... My goal should be to... like, get stronger to help Teacher.
-Exactly! You can do it, Hong!
-Thanks... I'll do my best
The Cantonese looked around before quickly pecking his Icelandic on the lips, making his ice-pale skin blush pink.
Yet, he let Hong Kong do.
-I love you... -He whispered into Iceland's ear.
-I love you too...

Soon, they headed to the airport.
England and Norway were ahead, chatting about the future and about how the not-allied countries were doing. They were followed closely by Denmark; holding Norway's bags, and the other Nordics, except Iceland.
The silver-haired boy was holding hands with Hong Kong, playfully squeezing and leaning against each other, quite far from England and Norway.

The traffic was dense for a late night, even very early morning.
"My people aren't leaving me..."/
The thought popped into Hong Kong's head, making his eyes widen ever so slightly.
The nervous, nearly anxious claws were raking down his stomach, and the mere thought of watching how China slowly faded away, while he stood as a safe, well-populated region; made him sick.
The bright red and yellow, ocassionally green, lights seemed to be brigher than ever, confusing his eyesight and making his head pound.

Ah, what a beautiful power nations had.
The power of being able to see their land, as it was once, just by looking.
They could stare at a crowded street, and still see the vast fields, the lakes or even the forming city.
Just a way to remember what it once was, and no longer is.
One of the few nation characteristics that Hong Kong had. He was usually so proud of it as a child, pointing everwhere and telling what he could also see.
This wasn't natural for him, as he wasn't a nation, so it excited and made him happy.
But now, of course, it was different.

Just by looking over at city in front of him; the loud cars, the bright lights that made him dizzy, the humans... Everything turned into a horrible memory.

"Teacher!! TEACHER!!" The little boy kicked around, trying to struggle free from the soldier's grip.
"It's my duty to do this..." He explained in a tired tone.
"Let me go!!"
Dry herbs grew in and on the ground, the slightly muddy yet dusty ground was covered by a thin layer of weak grass.
All that, splattered with brown, black and red. Drugs and blood. There was an awful lot of red, splattered over the innocent plants.
A blonde man, dressed in visibly expensive clothes, covered in gold and jewelry, was proudly standing up on a hill.
In front of him, stood a smaller man. He was dressed in a bloodied military uniform, the dark hair waved around, covering his tears.
"I'll take him, then this war will stop...""

-TEACHER!! TEACHER!!!
-Leon! Calm down, please!!
Thick tears ran down Hong Kong's cheeks, as his body shook violently. He tried to pull away and run back home, held tightly by England.
-LET ME GO!!
The crowd turned around to see him, wide-eyed. Iceland held his hand, tried to calm the teenager down.
-Leon Wang, shut it!! -England's harsh voice yelled, slapping the Cantonese almost physically.
-I-I don't want!! PLEASE!!
-Arthur, let go of him!!

England grunted something and pulled away, letting the teenager fall to his knees, panting and gasping. The Briton was too nervous to behave and think clearly.
Iceland wiped the Cantonese's tears softly, picking him up to his feet and gently hugging him.
-N-N-No-No...
-Hong -he whispered.- Please, calm down...
The Nordic kissed the Asian softly, slowly calming the yells and the squirms.
-Better now?
Hong Kong nodded slowly, sniffling and wiping his eyes.
-C'mon... I'll stay with you until we take our flights... Please, be strong... -He held both of the Cantonese's hands gently- We'll keep in touch by text messages, right?
-R-Right...
Hong Kong slowly calmed down, starting to walk again. Finland moved from his position next to Sweden and Denmark to Hong Kong, as his motherly instinct kicked in.
Hong Kong endured the constant questions -Are you okay? How are you feeling?, and the soft pats in the back during at least ten minutes.
Then, Iceland held Hong Kong's arm again, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

The Cantonese was calmer now, even through the painful memories that pounded on his brain.
A small, innocent child, watching how some soldiers defeated his strong, older brother, under a pirate's rule.
Watching how he was forced to leave not only the place where he was born, but also the place he was.
This made Hong Kong shiver a few times, but was quickly comforted by Iceland.
Eventually, they got to the airport.

♡~·~·*♡*·~·~♡

England had already bought the tickets for the plane. He was taking a look at his adoptive son's passport. His human name and a few fake dates looked interesting for him.
Hong Kong and the seven Europeans waited at the main hall for their planes.
The pale white lights made them squint their eyes, even only a little.
-"Jap"
Hong Kong decided to text Japan. At least, and as much as he loathed talking to his family, that would calm him more that Iceland's cuddles.
It still hurt to admit.
-"Hai?" The Japanese replied soon after.
-"How is Teacher?"
-"He's enduring, doing his best"
-"Getting better?"
The reply delayed a few seconds more than the usually quick texting of the Japanese.
-"I don't know, Hong Kong... We don't know"
-"Sorry 2 hear"
"Tell him to get better"
-"I will. Thank you, Hong Kong :)"

Hong Kong smiled at the smiley. He couldn't imagine Japan smiling like that, but at least it was a sign that there was still a little of happiness in his old heart.
-"So, bye. I love you all, loosers"
-"Thank you, Hong Kong, we love you too"
"Wait, loosers?"
Hong Kong laughed softly.
-"Nvm xD"
A pat on the shoulder brought the teenager back to reality, and made him turn his phone off.
-Come on, Hong Kong. Our plane is here
The Briton started walking to their plane to London, as the Nordics went to the opposite plane.
The families split, only leaving Iceland and Hong Kong behind, who stared at each other.
They ran and hugged each other, little tears leaking from their shut eyes.

-Please, don't go!
-I have to go...
-I don't want to lose you, Ice...
-You will never lose me... I promise, I'll always love you!
Their lips met in a soft, warm kiss, filled with pain and conflict.
They shook with little sobs, tears sliding down their round cheeks and shivers making their way through the boys' spines.
-Icey! We gotta go!
-I'm sorry... -The boy carrying the puffin cage kissed his Asian lover.
He pulled away, wiping his eyes with a soft smile. He waved a little, quickly running to his plane.

Hong Kong stared at him go, his heart slowly ripping. Watching his lover go was the worst thing to him, not knowing if he would ever see him again.

A world crumbling down.
Two separate realities.
Two lovers.
Hope and fear.
Safety and danger.