Dying sakuras

Chapter 1

Usually, they have totally normal world meetings: Germany was dealing with a very clingy, pasta loving Italian wimp, America was trying to make sense of why he couldn't find countries like France or Japan on his map (spoilers - it was a map of the 48 inland states. Narcissistic much?). Russia was being creepy as usual - that's really his default setting. China was eating noodles, his "cultural appetite" making him "neither sorry nor regretful" about his foodie self (in his words anyway).

But there was something about every meeting after that one Sunday with the beautiful weather (since the nations didn't really know how else to describe that day - it was nothing important... at least to them) that made them think something was up, but they never entertained the thoughts. They know that England was straight as an arrow. They also know that Japan was too antisocial to be anything other than strictly aro/ace. But they don't know what happens after the meetings: the kisses stolen in corners on good days, the silent cuddles stolen in the comfortable silence of their rooms on bad days. This continued on - the romantic, affectionate tension between the two island nations that the others were neither able to fully notice nor completely ignore.

But as World War 2 was progressing, there was a different kind of tension - a hostile one. Everyone was plotting. Italy was even more scared than usual. Romano was coming up with more creatively vulgar insults per day than usual, whipping them out with a rare hint of desperation or fear whenever he felt that he or his little brother got personally offended. Germany was starting to become more than stern - he was sometimes malicious, his leader's ideologies starting to reach him despite his prior unwillingness to even so much as look at him. He had already harassed and captured Poland and was now starting to eye France with intent. France, the man who would welcome any other man toward him with open... everything, was scared as well - something in him told him that Germany's glances his way contained darker intent than any kind of desire. Russia seemed to be having a lot of fun. China was still recovering from the attacks on Manchuria that had been led by Japan - and on nation-humans like them, the attacks on their country show on their body, precisely why China was wearing more clothing nowadays. Injuries covered his right shoulder and part of his arm like cruel caresses; his Chinese pride made him conceal the ugly marks on his skin, but everyone knew they were there anyway.

England was feeling uneasy too. Ever since Germany started glancing France's way with that dark look in his eyes, he felt that he was next. And as for everything else, he had mixed feelings about something else too; Japan was his secret boyfriend after all, but... was invading Manchuria taking it a little far? He dismisses the thought. England has committed worse atrocities before, just out of greed - Japan must have a reason. But the distress still somewhat shows on his face, all but resulting in him looking more grumpy than usual (which wasn't much of a red flag, since he's always very grumpy).

Japan was one of the only countries without an allegiance to either side yet (the other nation being America). This was convenient for England; even in the face of war, he could love Japan without guilt because technically, he wasn't an enemy. Even though he was a man. But unbeknownst to England, Japan was still itching to be with his first (well, technically they were his second and third) friends: Germany and Italy, the Axis Powers. But he hasn't formally joined the Axis yet: he has been too busy with Manchuria, and besides, what if England leaves him? Japan wanted his first love to last.