Tea Lovers

   Wang Yao sat in the world conference room, listening to the other nations. As usual the America would take over, rant on as he liked and say "Because I'm the HERO~!!" ; a phrase all the nations were used to but it was annoying they would admit later. Yao was glad that they only had a few more minutes until the conference would be over. He couldn't stand listening to the American rant.

  He was glad the conference was finally over. As Yao stood up, he saw his old ally, England or Arthur Kirkland. He was a dirty-blond male that had striking emerald green eyes. As always though Francis Bonnefoy or France and Alfred Jones aka America were surrounding him.

"Dai go, are you ready to go?"

Yao spun around quickly to see his younger brother Hong Kong or Lee as he liked to call him in public.

"Y-yes. I'm ready Lee. Just hold on a minute aru."

Yao turned back to the table to gather up his papers. Seconds after he had finished gathering the papers, he suddenly heard a yell coming toward him.

"Aniki! You breasts originate from me da-ze~!"

Before Yao would even react, he felt the Korean's hands grip his non-existant breasts and he dropped his papers that he had picked up.

   "Aiyaa!! Yong-Soo!"

Lee sighed and got the tall Korean off of the Chinese male who spun around to face Yong Soo.  As for the Korean, he was smiling so wide that it looked like he was proud of himself for his achievements just now.

   "How many times have I said not to do that aru?!"

    Yao raised his voice as he was scolding his younger brother. Soon enough the whole room was dead silent except for Yao's voice. Lee tapped his brother's shoulders, emotionless yet very cautious on the inside.

      "D-dai go?"

     "What aru?" Yao replied harshly, not intending to of course.
It took a while for Yao to notice but he finally realized the rest of the conference room was quiet and staring at him. He blushed a deep red and quickly ran out of the room, embarrassed.

XXXXXXXXXX

    Arthur watched as Yao rushed out of the room, blushing.  He saw Lee pick up Yao's papers and follow him soon after he was done.

    "Dude, what do you think happened with China?"

     Arthur  just kept staring at the doorway Yao had exited through. He couldn't help but notice how strange Yao had been acting. He ignored the two behind him and went toward Japan.
"Hello. Japan, do you know why China is acting strange today ?"

        The dark-haired man looked up at Arthur, his face unreadable as always.

      "Konnichiwa England-san. Um…iie. I do not know why China-san is acting strange."

       Arthur stood there, thinking for a while until he said thanks to Japan and headed toward the door. He was going to find China and ask himself for that certain today.

XXXXXXXX

Yao was outside of the building which had the room for the world meetings. He could see his own breath in the cold afternoon air. The Chinese male started to walk off to cross the street when he heard his name being called.

     "Yao, wait up!"

     The Chinese male turned around and saw the dirty-blonde Englishman running toward him. He waited till the Englishman was beside him, trying to catch his breath. Yao wondered what his former ally wanted him for.

    "Finally. . . .I caught with you."

   Yao tilted his head to the side a bit, confused. If it was about him scolding Yong-Soo then he won't answer.

    "Yao, would you like to have tea with me?" the British asked.

    Yao was taken aback at the sudden question. While the Englishman waited for Yao's answer, he was moving his weight from foot to foot, hoping the other male would say yes. It took a minute for Yao to get his thoughts in process.

     "I don't mind aru."

       The Englishman's face lit up. He was ready for the Chinese man to refuse his offer but he never expected for the other male to actually say yes to it.

XXXXX

They walked in silence as they headed to the café which made both English and Oolong tea. It wasn't the first time they had had tea together. Just that it's been a long time since they last has tea together. Arthur was a bit excited and nervous at the same time while Yao was walking beside the other male, wondering why he had suddenly called out his name and asked him to drink tea.

     "Opium. . . what do you want aru?"

Arthur turned his attention toward Yao. He didn't know how to answer the other male. The reason was Arthur wanted to know why Yao was acting strange, but he knew the Chinese male wouldn't tell him honestly.  The small Chinese stared up at the Englishman, waiting for his answer. When Arthur kept his mouth shut, Yao sighed and gave up trying to get the answer from the male.

"Never mind aru."

Arthur looked at him, surprised. Yao usually demanded the answer when he was suspicious to be asked to go somewhere with another person, like Francis for example, except for his family members. Now he knew exactly that Yao was acting strange. He even looked like he hadn't gotten enough sleep in a while. Arthur stared at the Chinese male, making sure not to show concern but barely able to hide it. Yao looked at Arthur, looking uneasy or so it looked like to him. Arthur noticed how Yao had his arms across his chest and shivering unnoticeably unless he looked carefully. Arthur took Yao's hand and led him into the closest café he could fine. He felt that the other male's hand was almost freezing cold like the air around them.

XXXXX

As they walked into the café, warm air burst out of the door into the cold air along with different scents of the different types of tea they had. Arthur smelled the air in the café and smiled, satisfied. A waitress greeted them and took them to a table. Arthur sat on the chair on one end of the table while Yao sat on the chair opposite of Arthur.  He looked at Yao who was taking off his coat. Arthur just watched Yao quietly, taking off his coat a few moments after Yao had. There was an awkward silence between them for a while until Yao spoke.

     "Now, will you tell me why you searched for me aru?"
Arthur stayed quiet for a few minutes then answered. "Only if you tell me honestly, I'll answer that question."

     Yao frowned a bit but nodded. Arthur took a deep breath and sighed a bit, looking at the other male afterward, opening his mouth to ask the question.

The Chinese waited for Arthur to talk again. But when the Englishman asked the question, he was caught off guard.

     "Why are you acting so strange today Yao?"

      Arthur watches Yao's reaction. Yao just sat there, too surprised to say anything, staring at the British male. He hadn't realized he was acting weird. If he truly was then it would probably be the pile of stress that is piling up on him. Also with the lack of sleep combined. Stress and lack of sleep, such a bad combination. Arthur looked like he was about to say something but was interrupted by another waitress who asked what they were ordering.  Yao had said oolong tea as for Arthur he chose to order English Earl Grey. While they waited for their tea to arrive, it was quiet. Yao was staring at Arthur, thinking of a way to answer Arthur's question. Their tea came shortly after. Yao said thank you to the waitress and sighed.

      "To answer your question, Arthur. . ."

      Arthur looked up at Yao, listening. Yao started to fidget with his hands on the cup.
"I'm only tired aru. It's the usual thing."

       Yao had his eyes cast to the side, not wanting Arthur to know he was lying. Arthur was frowning, debating whether he should believe the Chinese male or not. It was awkward again. Yao sipped his tea quietly, not knowing what to talk about. He glanced ar Arthur, who looked like he was in deep though. Yao completely forgot what say it was until he smelled chocolate in the café. He looked through his pockets until he found the small package he was looking for.

       "Arthur. . ."

      The Englishman looked at the Chinese. Yao slid the small package toward Arthur shyly and blushing slightly.

      "H-happy Valentine's Day aru. . ."

Arthur was so surprised. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't like he forgot to buy Yao a Valentine's Day gift or anything. It was the complete opposite of that. He had bought one but had left it at home.

      "Thank you, Yao." He said smiling pleasantly.

       Yao blushed a deep red and looked down into his cup. Arthur slid the package off the table and held it in his hand. He looked at the still blushing Chinese male.

      "Would you like to come to my house?"

      The Chinese male looked at Arthur in surprise.

      "What for aru?"

      Arthur hid his smile behind the package Yao had given him.

      "So I can give you my Valentine's Day gift for you."

      Yao blinked, hesitating if he should go or not. Arthur watched Yao debate his offer. In the end Yao decided to go and Arthur smiled, glad that the Chinese man was coming to his house.

XXXXXX

Arthur was in his kitchen, brewing tea while Yao was sitting on the couch, looking nervous. The Englishman kept glancing from the corner of his eyes at Yao. It had been many years since he had come into Arthur's house. Yao had started to walk around the living room, looking at the few pictures and furniture Arthur had in that room. Arthur finished brewing the tea and brought it to the table in the living room.

      "Yao, is Earl Grey alright with you?"

       Yao turned his head toward Arthur and nodded. He stood up completely since he was in an almost sitting position, looking at the night stand's designs. Arthur knew Yao had a fascination for them ever since they had met and interacted with each other. Yao sat down on the couch, next to where Arthur sat down. Arthur's heart beat quickened a bit. They hadn't sat next to each other like this before since the Opium Wars. Arthur carefully handed the Chinese male the cup of tea since it was still hot.

        "Xie xie aru." The Chinese male said with a warm smile on his face.

        Arthur laughed to himself, remembering the first time Yao had Earl Grey at his house. The British man got a weird look from the Asian when he laughed.

       "What's funny aru?"

       "It's nothing Yao."

        The Chinese frowned a bit, not believing the Englishman's words. Arthur returned the frown with a smile. Yao's frown slowly faded after thinking about why Arthur had laughed. Soon Arthur started to relax, sipping his tea, and glancing at Yao. It had been at least half an hour since they last talked. The awkward silence made both of them uncomfortable. Yao was sipping the tea slowly, keeping his mouth shut. He couldn't keep his mouth shut for any longer so he tried to start a small conversation.

      "T-the tea hasn't changed since you last brewed it for me aru."

      Arthur looked at Yao in surprise and smiled a bit.

     "Of course. It is still Earl Grey after all."

      Yao chuckled quietly, it had sounded like a giggle to Arthur though.

     "Do you still have the different kinds of tea or do you only have Earl Grey now aru?"

     "Hm?  Oh, I only have Earl Grey now." He said, sounding disappointed.

       Yao answered quietly, "I see aru."

       It became quiet again. Arthur sipped his tea, not noticing Yao's head start to bob. Yao tried to stay awake but it wasn't working well for him. Soon, he fell asleep, the cup with the tea in it still in his hands. The Chinese male's grip on the handle on the cup loosened, making the cup drop onto his lap, the hot liquid from the tea splattering his clothes and jolting him awake.

     "Ow!" he stood up instinctively, dropping the cup on the floor.

     Arthur looked up, seeing Yao's wet clothes and the empty cup on the floor. He stood up and went over to Yao, his handkerchief in his hand.

     "Yao, sit down."

     Yao did what he was told and sat down on the couch. Arthur knelt on the floor in front of him and dabbed at the spot the tea had spilled onto. The Chinese watched the British trying to take some of the liquid out of his clothes.

     "Would you like a change of clothes for the time being?"

       The small male nodded quietly. Arthur got up and went to his room to get him the change of clothes. Though Arthur knew that his clothes wouldn't fit the Asian, he tried finding something that might fit Yao. Finally he found some and headed back to the living room where the Chinese was. Yao saw Arthur return.

     "Sorry for the trouble aru."

       Arthur shook his head, handing Yao the change of clothes. "It's fine Yao. Don't worry about it."

      Yao nodded and headed to the back room to change. The British male knelt down, starting to clean the spill on the floor. A few seconds later, Yao came back, in clothes that were a bit too big on him but Arthur thought it was adorable.

     "Sorry about the spill aru. I dozed off."

      Arthur shook his head, "You are tired so I don't blame you."

      Yao held back a yawn, knowing it would be rude to fall asleep in Arthur's house. He hated being tired but from all the stress and paperwork he had to do, his lack of sleep only increased. Coffee wasn't the best thing to drink for him but it kept him awake by its bitter taste. Even thinking about it made him want some to stay awake. Yao hadn't realized until he came out of his thoughts that Arthur was staring at him.

      "Why don't you get some sleep? You can borrow my bed."

      The Chinese male stared at Arthur in surprise. Taking a few moments to get his thoughts back, Yao spoke.

     "I'll be fine aru. Thank you for the off-"

      He was cut off when the Englishman kissed him on the lips. Yao blushed, eyes wide in surprise. Arthur pulled away, smirking. Yao blinked and became a bit angry and embarrassed.

      "Still going to refuse my offer Yao? Maybe I should carry you to my bedroom if you refuse again," he said, smiling as if nothing had happened.

     Arthur had his arms around Yao's waist now, waiting for the Asian to speak again.

     "You don't need to do that aru. I will be completely fi- Hey! Let me down!"

      True to his word, Arthur carried Yao bridal-style to his bedroom. Yao was struggling in his arms, trying to get down but Arthur help onto Yao tightly.

     "Didn't I say I'll carry you this time Yao?"

      Yao blushed furiously, pouting a bit. Soon enough, the Chinese male stopped struggling. Arthur smiled in satisfication as he kicked his bedroom door open and set Yao down on his bed. The Englishman climbed on top of the petite Chinese and placed his forehead on the other male's.

     "Rest or I'll force you to rest."

      Quietly, the Chinese looked up at the Englishman and stared. He started to wonder why Arthur was trying to get him to rest. Yao blinked and asked bluntly.

       Why are you insisting on me to rest so much aru? I thought we quit caring for each other when we split."

       Arthur's face turned red.  "S-same to you. You wouldn't have given me chocolate today if you stopped caring for me."

       It was Yao's turn to blush this time. There was silence between them for a while until Arthur finally spoke.

     "Wait right here. I have to get you something."

      Arthur got up and left the room, getting Yao's gift for Valentine's Day. Yao blinked, confused on what was happening. He sat on the bed, waiting for Arthur to come back. When he saw the British come back, his eyes widened. Arthur was blushing while holding out a bouquet of roses.

        "H-here. . Happy Valentine's Day Yao."

        The Chinese male blushed a deep red, taking the bouquet of roses from Arthur. He didn't know what to do. Yao wondered why Arthur had given him the roses so he asked.

        "Arthur. . .why did you give me roses aru?"

        Arthur's blush deepened and he started to fidget. He muttered quietly, "I. . . I love you. . ."

        Yao blinked, "W-what?"

        Arthur blushed more, "I said I love you."

       The Chinese male blushed and fidgeted with one of the roses. Soon he whispered very quietly, "I l-love you too aru. . ."

       Arthur grinned inwardly to himself and pretended he hadn't heard what the Asian said.

       "What was that Yao? Can you repeat it for me?" he asked, grinning while he saw the Chinese blush more than before. The Englishman walked over to him and smiled, making Yao blush more. Yao looked away from the British. Unconciously, he glanced at Arthur who was still kneeling down in front of him. He muttered quietly to himself.

       "I love you aru. . ."

      Arthur tilted his head, still smiling, "What?"

      Yao frowned and faced the Englishman, "I know you heard me clearly aru."

      "What. I really didn't hear you."

        The Asian started to pout, hesitating to repeat the sentence again. Arthur waited for the small man to say it again. After a minute or two, Yao took a deep breath and repeated.
"I l-love you aru."

       Yao was blushing a bright red, while Arthur was smiling. The British hugged the Chinese, who in turn hugged him back hesitantly.

        "Yao, I've missed having you near me."

       The Chinese male was now speechless, but pulled away slightly and pecked the other male's lips with his, surprising Arthur.  Arthur, of course, was startled at first but grinned. He pushed Yao gently onto the bed and claimed his lips.

       It was the best day since the times they had together before the Opium Wars.