Chapter Text
The land of freedom… The United States. Everyone wants to move there, it seems… and Kiku was getting a little influenced. He loved his home country of Japan, but some people he knew… they really liked it there for the most part. So he decided to take a vacation. He recently decided to leave his job anyway. Maybe he’ll be able to find a better one in America…
Kiku was not happy about the long flight though… He would’ve gotten nicer seats if he had a stable income… but he didn’t, so he got the basic seats. It was the worst flight Kiku had ever taken… not that he took too many, especially as long as this one. Now, though, he was looking for his two friends that agreed to let him stay with them. He felt bad having to crash on their couch for so long… but he didn’t have anywhere else.
“HONDA!! HII! IT’S BEEN SO LONG!” The Italian ran up and hugged Kiku. The man was always so touchy… Kiku did not appreciate it.
“Feliciano. Please… not in my space…”
“Feli, let the poor man breathe…” The German walked up, his face as serious as usual.
“Thank you, Ludwig…” Kiku mutters, feeling Feliciano let go and take steps back. “Thank you both for letting me stay in your place… especially for so long.”
“It is no problem, Honda. We don’t mind, plus it’d be nice if you did move here.”
“Ah… you guys can call me Kiku, we’re close enough.” Kiku smiled, “If I do move here… I should get used to being called Kiku.”
“Alright, Kiku!” Feliciano exclaimed. The man was almost always cheerful. “Honda always made me think of cars anyway!”
“Well, Kiku… let’s find your luggage.”
Kiku walked down the hall of apartments, the two in front of him leading the way. He was only rolling his suitcase behind him. Ludwig and Feliciano offered to carry his other bags, it’d be rude to refuse.
The apartment was neat except for some dishes in the sink and on the stove. It was one bedroom, so these two were already squeezed into there. Kiku did hope he wouldn’t get in the way too much. He honestly was surprised that the two were able to live in tight quarters.
“Please, take time to get comfortable,” Ludwig says, putting down Kiku’s bags next to the couch. The couch was prepared as a bed, a pillow and a blanket laid out on it.
“Alright… Thank you both again.” Kiku bowed his head.
“When you’re ready, we’ll show you around town, yea?” Feliciano exclaimed. Kiku was almost impressed by the man’s ability to be constantly excited.
“Sure.” Kiku looked at his feet, his slippers were in one of his bags. Even if it was customary here, he still wouldn’t want to walk around wearing his outside shoes. So he asked for his duffel bag by Ludwig’s feet.
Once he slipped on his slippers, he went and sat on the couch. The TV was across from him on a TV stand with many things scattered across it and in its cubbies. The TV looked brand new… It was thin and had Samsung on the front. Kiku had previously assumed that the two weren’t too well off—they were sharing a bed after all—but maybe they just didn’t mind the set-up for whatever reason… It wasn’t like Kiku was going to ask.
Kiku looked behind him and saw Ludwig and Feliciano attempting to prepare lunch. It was only then did he realize how hungry he was. His body was feeling so off after that flight.
Making his way to the kitchen counter, “Are we having lunch soon?”
“Ja… Would you mind us heading out for lunch? Feli and I haven’t been shopping in a bit,” the blonde man asked, closing what looked to be a mostly empty fridge.
“That’ll be fine… is there something nearby?”
“Oh, the metro can take us to the nice Italian place!” Feliciano says, smiling, “It’s real authentic! I love that place!”
“Oh, Ja, that place is nice. Would you want to go, Kiku?”
“Sure… If Feliciano likes it, it’s probably good.” Kiku responded, looking between the two men.
After a quick change of clothes, the three left for the restaurant. It wasn’t too long of a ride, though the jet lag still made Kiku want to drift off a bit.
They got a table fast, the service seemed nice, and it looked like Ludwig and Feliciano were regulars. After their drinks were ordered, the talking restarted.
“So, how long are you staying again, Kiku?” Feliciano asked.
“A month. Unless that’s too long to house me…” Kiku responded.
“It’s just fine. Feli and I don’t mind.” Ludwig took a sip of his beer, “We won’t mind to house you if you move here either, until you’re able to get an apartment.”
“Thank you... again…” Kiku bowed his head, fidgeting with his hands in his lap.
The waitress came and asked for their orders. Kiku just went with Feliciano’s recommendation. He insisted it was amazing and that Kiku would enjoy it.
Kiku felt curious about the other’s jobs, seeing he was sort of looking for one here anyway. Though he was nervous that it would come off too personal.
“How has work been for you two?” Kiku tries.
“Well. We’ve been well. Stable for these last couple years,” Ludwig answered. Feliciano was busy eating.
“What do you two do, again?”
“I work in the finance department while Feli—,”
The German’s words were cut off by the Italian, “I work in the Graphic Design department!”
“Huh, do you both work in the same office?”
“Mhm! Ludwig helped me get the job there. It was so sweet of him, ve~” Feliciano went back to eating.
“Are you looking for something here in case you do make that move?” Ludwig asked, Kiku only responding with a nod. He’s worked in offices before, in IT and HR. He only left due to the pay decreases.
“Well, if you ever need it, Feli and I will be happy to give you good referrals,” Ludwig finished off his beer, before all three went into silent eating.
After a couple of hours of eating and light drinking, they paid and left. Kiku made a note on his phone of how much he owed Ludwig… he didn’t have enough American money to pay for his meal. Though now they were sitting on the metro, the two men’s words began to grow fuzzy in Kiku’s mind. He figured it couldn’t hurt to take a small nap on their way back.
When Kiku came to, it was to a voice he didn’t recognize. He had an American accent, loud and obnoxious. “Hey, It’s your stop, dude!” The guy sounded cheerful.
Before Kiku fully woke up, he felt himself get dragged up by his arm and dragged out. He rubbed his eyes as he woke up. Ludwig was holding his arm, dragging him down the sidewalk, and Feliciano was giggling.
“What?” Was all that left the Japanese man’s mouth.
“You fell asleep on a stranger’s shoulder,” Ludwig said, almost looking embarrassed for Kiku. Which Kiku was very much after hearing that.
“Ah… crap…” He mutters, feeling his face turn red. He can’t believe he did something so rude… he didn’t even get a chance to apologize. “Sorry. Just really tired after the flight…”
“Ja, It’s okay, Kiku. We told the guy you were probably dealing with jet lag… but you should take a nap back in the apartment.” Ludwig finally let go of his firm grip on Kiku as they reached the building.
“Ah… I’ll get a better look around the city tomorrow…” Kiku brows furrowed, irritated he had such bad jet lag and that it caused bad manners.
“Oh wait! Me and Ludwig have work tomorrow…” Feliciano quickly remembered, getting really disappointed. “Sorry, Kiku!”
“Oh… That’s alright. Another day is fine.”
“You can always look around town yourself. We’ll give you the spare key.” Ludwig spoke up.
“Really? I wouldn’t want to lose it…” Kiku follows the two into the elevator.
“Don’t worry! I lost my key 5 times before!” Feliciano said cheerfully… Kiku looked at Ludwig, who just nodded to confirm.
“Ah… If it isn’t a problem, then yes, and thank you.” Kiku smiled softly.
Once the elevator came to a stop, they all got out, walked down the hall to the apartment.
“Feli and I leave at 8:00 for work. If you’re not up by then, I’ll leave the key on the kitchen counter.” Ludwig says, “For now, get some rest.”
“Yes… Thank you both again… I’ll try not to be a bother.”
Feliciano hugged Kiku, he somehow was still shocked every time. “Ve~! No problem, Kiku!! You’re our best friend! You can’t be a bother!”
“Right… Right… Thanks, Feliciano…”