Title: "What I Like Best. . .(About You)" — Have Question, Will Ask (Chapter 1)

Pairing: Giripan (Greece/Japan, HeraKiku), from Himeruya's "Hetalia Axis Powers."

Summary: When Greece has nothing else to do except watch Japan and reflect on what about Kiku he likes the most.

Rating: K for fluff only~ Sorry, no smut or hard yaoi here.

Warning: Contains country personification boy/boy, or BL, or "yaoi" pairings. Also, human names used.

Word Count: 1,656

Herakles Karpusi sat cross-legged, and gazed across the table, an intense expression in his sapphire-green eyes. The object of his attention? A certain nation, more specifically the personification of Japan, a.k.a. Kiku Honda. Outwardly, he was seemingly fascinated by the grace that seemed to be present in everything Kiku did, even if Kiku was only preparing tea for the two of them. However, the inner flow of Herakles's thoughts was quite different:

What do I like best about Kiku? he thought. This was not the first time he had asked himself this. In fact, this internal debate had been going on for as long as they had started going out. It wasn't that he couldn't think of answers; his problem lay in the fact that there were too many. Seeking to narrow the options, he focused more intensely on the smaller nation.

He studied the other man's face. The first thing he saw was the raven-black hair framing either side of the cheeks. Without having to raise a finger, he knew that those smooth locks would be soft to the touch. Next, the dark, chocolate-brown eyes. Those eyes could be curious and questioning one moment, and then swiftly change to worried and sad in — quite literally — the blink of an eye. But Japan rarely let others see what he was actually feeling, which had caused many a person to think that he was aloof or distant. It made Herakles feel even more privileged to be able to bear witness to Kiku's smiles and blushes, as well as the rare frowns and tears.

"Greece-san," his companion said softly, momentarily distracting Herakles from his ponderings. "The tea is ready."

"Ah. . .thank you, Kiku." Herakles accepted the proffered cup, and took a sip.

Herakles's gaze traveled lower. Although I do wish that he'd wear looser clothing more often. . . Only the skin of Kiku's neck, hands, and feet were exposed to potentially prying eyes through the blue-green kimono that he was wearing today. Kiku has such beautiful skin. . .it's such a waste that you hardly see any of it. As Herakles thought this, his eyes lingered over the delicate beauty of the pale, creamy skin of the older man's hands. Slender hands, too. He was suddenly hit by the urge to lean over and take Kiku's hands in his own larger-built ones, but refrained from doing so. Instead, he kept sipping his tea, which was prepared perfectly, as usual.

"Would you like more, Greece-san?" Kiku asked, wondering if Herakles was all right. The Greek man nodded. He'd emptied his cup reasonably quickly, and had been sitting with it grasped loosely in his slightly tanned, callused hands. I know Herakles-san doesn't necessarily talk very much, but he seems to be more silent than usual today.

As he thought this, he noted that his lover's normally contemplative eyes were quite intense today. In fact, now that he noticed. . .

"Herakles-san, it might just be my imagination, but. . .were you staring at me?" Suddenly realizing what he'd said, Kiku blushed a slight pink, and quickly lapsed back into silence. Not only have I asked such a strange question, but I also called him by name! Herakles-san did ask me to call him by name, but. . .it just seems forward of me, somehow. . .

Too late. His head had already jerked up, a hint of surprise in his otherwise relaxed eyes. Then he smiled, that sweet, slightly lazy smile that Japan secretly loved. He's so cute when he blushes like that, Herakles thought.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't stare at you?" he asked casually, just to make Kiku blush harder and cover his mouth with a sleeve to hide it. "I like what I see," he added honestly, inwardly smiling at the expression on his lover's face. Suddenly changing the subject, he raised his teacup slightly, saying, "Can I have more tea?"

The smaller man rushed to pour some more tea for Herakles, partly as an escape, but mostly because he knew what Herakles was up to. H-he's teasing me! That's not fair, Herakles-san!

"T-that doesn't answer my question, Greece-san." Kiku replied, face still slightly pink. "Were you — "

" — staring at you?" Herakles smiled again. "Yes, I was. Do. . .you object?" Hey, wait. . . He changed the subject again: "Did you just call me by name?"

". . .Why were you staring at me, Greece-san?" Kiku asked, hastily handing the teacup back to Herakles. He took a sip of his own rapidly cooling tea, to keep from saying anything else. "I like what I see"? Kiku blushed again and cast his eyes downward, preferring to stare at his lap instead of meeting the gaze of the man sitting across from him.

He's avoiding the subject, the taller man noted while drinking his tea. Well, if he wants to play it that way. . . "I'll tell you. . .if you call me by name again."

Japan thought fast. "I'll call you by name if you tell me first." he countered, taking another sip of his tea. Stalemate.

Herakles shrugged. "Fair enough," he acquiesced, placing his teacup on the table. "I was trying to decide what I liked best about you." He smiled as Kiku's face turned even redder, if that was possible. In fact, he was sure that if he looked, Kiku's ears would be flushed red.

. . .!

Green eyes smiled a lazy grin, revealing slight flecks of blue. "Now you have to keep your promise and call me by name again."

No way to back out of this. . .is there? The elder nation was doubly flustered by his promise and Herakles's admission. Suddenly, however, he felt something that he hadn't felt a couple seconds ago — a slight pressure along his waist. Without him noticing it, the Greek had come around to his side of the table and slipped his arms around him. Not that Japan minded terribly much, but he still squirmed a bit, just on principle. "G-G-Greece-san. . .!"

"Ah-ah." Herakles smiled wider, lips curving upwards. "You said you would call me by name." He pulled Kiku closer. "I'm not letting go until you say it." Even if Kiku didn't say it, he'd still grab the chance to touch Kiku whenever he could.

Unconsciously, Kiku started leaning into the Greek's broad chest. This is quite comfortable. . .wait, what am I thinking? He took a deep breath, face still slightly flushed. A-all right. . . Before he lost the courage, he straightened up just enough to reach the Grecian's ear, and whispered quite softly into it:

"Herakles-san. . ." That soft, breathy voice whispered into his ear. Herakles jerked slightly, startled. I didn't expect Kiku would really say it. . .he should do that more often. But apparently, the Japanese had taken that slight jerk as a negative reaction, for he started to pull away from the embrace.

Kiku felt Herakles flinch a little bit under him, and he'd started to pull away. I thought Herakles-san would like that. . .did I go too far? But no, those strong arms pulled him even closer. Hesitantly, Kiku tilted his head up.

"Did Herakles-san not like it?" Kiku asked, an anxious tremor in his voice. Perhaps that was due to the fact that since Herakles had pulled Japan closer, Kiku was practically cradled on the Greek's lap? No matter what the reason, Herakles suddenly found that Kiku was looking directly into his face. Dark brown stared into clear green, and for a few precious moments, there was something intangible passing between the two.

Greece laughed. . . .? "Herakles-san?" The Japanese man frowned slightly and wondered why his lover was so amused. I don't recall doing anything amusing. . . He was soon distracted from the thought by the Greek's next words.

"Kiku, your reactions are so cute." Noting the quizzical expression on Kiku's face, he elaborated: "Before this, it would've been a bit harder to persuade you to call me by name. But now, you're doing it freely." He laughed and shook his head, windblown curls fluttering. "I rather like this type of persuasion."

"Cute"? Is that what Herakles-san thinks of me? Japan sighed, and touched his forehead to Herakles's toned chest. "Herakles-san, you're incorrigible." He closed his eyes, dark hair falling forward softly to mask them as he leaned more into Greece. But he does make a very nice pillow. . .

"Incorrigible?" Interesting word choice. Herakles chuckled softly. "But that's why you love me so much, right?" he enunciated slowly, enjoying his revenge as he sensed the small Japanese man twitch.

Kiku jumped. Those words had been whispered into his ear, just as he'd done himself to the Greek earlier. If you say so. . . he was tempted to say, lips posed to do just that. But in order to reach the shorter man's ear, the taller Greek had had to lean over, which meant that Kiku was now pressed more firmly against Herakles's chest, as well as enfolded in Herakles's arms. Slightly embarrassed by so much bodily contact at once, Kiku murmured instead: ". . .Hai." Did Herakles-san hear that, I wonder?

Herakles was happy to hear that soft admission, so he didn't say anything, in fear that Kiku wouldn't say anything further, or try to pull away. "Let sleeping dogs lie," right? Besides, there was something he wanted to ask Japan.

Greece suddenly leaned his forehead to Japan's. Is something wrong? Kiku was about to ask, when his lover suddenly said:

"Kiku, can I ask you something?"

Thank God. The elder of the two softly exhaled. It looks like Herakles-san is fine. "Go ahead and ask," he said absentmindedly, enjoying the feel of the other's back under his hands as he gave his permission.

"What. . .does Kiku like best about me?"

[EDIT 7.28.12 - 7.29.12]:

This series has been reformatted to match my other, more recent fics and edited/added to. I hope you enjoy the newer, updated version. c: I am currently working on the next installment, so for everyone that is STILL waiting for this series to continue, I apologize and thank from the bottom of all my dokis... /x_x/ *bows*

If you want to encourage/motivate me to work faster, feedback would be great! Like, just tell me your favorite parts or which pairing you're really looking forward to. That'll help me determine the order of pairings that I'll write after GerIta.

I do not own the characters Honda Kiku/"Japan", Herakles Karpusi/"Greece", or Axis Powers Hetalia; they belong to/were created by Hidekaz Himeruya-sensei. Kthxbai!

...And yes. Kiku is letting his tsundere out. *happy dance!* C: *heart*