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heroescutiesTitle: Basketball for a Brighter Future
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Genre: Friendship/General
Rating: PG
Characters: America, China
Word Count: 1,673
Summary: It’s just…while their bosses might be more than happy to sit down in meeting rooms and give speeches and discuss things in very pompous ways, America really felt like sometimes the best way to get ideas was to have fun while doing it. Luckily for him, China agreed.
Notes: Written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
hamburger_st's Christmas in July Exchange for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nutburger. The prompt was: America and China gen please! I want to have them getting together for a meeting and talk about a joint project or something. They get all excited about it and add in their own unique ideas and just get along great. Volume three made me want to see more of them as friends. I hope you enjoy it! :)
It wasn’t that they didn’t understand the importance of the issues they needed to discuss, that was definitely not true! They both knew that this was serious and they were totally giving it very serious consideration, despite their uncommon way of going about it. It’s just…while their bosses might be more than happy to sit down in meeting rooms and give speeches and discuss things in very pompous ways, America really felt like sometimes the best way to get ideas was to have fun while doing it.
Luckily for him, China agreed.
“All right, all the lines are marked out as usual. Playing half-court, one-on-one. First to 40 points wins unless someone cries uncle before then,” America remarked with a grin as he idly tossed his red-white-and-blue basketball back and forth between his hands.
China just smiled back, walking across America’s backyard basketball court to easily snatch the ball from his hands. He cocked an eyebrow and replied, “Don’t underestimate me, aru. Remember, the old horse in the stable still yearns to run a thousand li.”
As China dribbled the ball, America stole it back and shot a wink. “Hey, don’t count me out just yet. And remember, we’ve got business to discuss while we play too.”
With a content smile, China poised himself for defense as America took the ball back to the line. “Reminder noted, aru.”
The two locked gazes as America got ready to move, China trying to decipher which way he would break first towards the basket- left or right; in the back of both of their minds they thought back to the teams they were wearing basketball jerseys in honor of, how Team China had lost to Team USA during the last Olympics. America was about to prove, in his awesome, custom Team USA jersery with a number 50 on the back and JONES in all caps above it, that his team’s win wasn’t a fluke. And China, who had his own jersey, Team China’s colors with a number 11 and the name YAO after not only his name, but his famous player Yao Ming, was eager for a rematch.
America feigned left and then once China looked to follow, he went right. “So, economy? We’ve both got pretty cool stimulus policies in place right?”
China turned on his heel and dashed after America, catching up with him in time to prevent an easy layup. “Yes, aru. We do have very aggressive stimulus plans in place. Perhaps,” he stole the ball then, dribbling it back to the line and beginning his offensive moves down the court, “we should also discuss ways to reboot the economies and create more jobs. Both of our countries could use that, aru.”
“Hmm, yeah, we need a really amazing idea that will get the economy going and give people jobs,” America replied, following China’s movement down the court. China made a shot, but it hit the rim and America recovered the ball. As he took it back to the line, he grinned. “Hey China, what about a big, kickass theme park? That would create jobs in both construction and later in employees for it. And then as for tourism- major increase!”
China’s eyes lit up, even as he determinedly tried to steal back the ball. “Would they have cute mascots, aru?”
“Well, it’d be Disney,” America said, swerving left and sneaking past China long enough to set up a layup, “But you could help me make and design some of the,” and the ball went in the basket. He practically said the next word as a cheer, “Merchandise! Two points, Team Hero!”
Wasting no time, China took the ball back to the line and began a fast and furious drive towards the basket. “So your people will create the rides and mine will construct the grounds, giving all of us jobs?”
“Yeah!” America replied as China ducked under his outstretched arms and went for the basket.
His shot hit the backboard and went in. He smiled, extending America a hand. “I think we have some theme park planning to do, aru.”
America took China’s hand and shook, smiling back. “Awesome! Let’s get going then!”
They worked out details for marketing and merchandising while the score worked its way up to 12-8. And while America talked about all the great ride ideas he had while China gave input, the younger nation managed to get the score up to 24-20. China wasn’t backing down, on the game or on his insistence for certain elements in his park, and as they came to an agreement over whether to call it Frontierland, Critter Country or Grizzly Gulch (China was heavily pushing for there to be a kung-fu gunslinger show and America agreed that it could be just as awesome as Shanghai Noon) the score leveled out as 36-36 each.
Hoping to get those last four points, America changed tactics. Both in his game and in the subject matter. “Hey, real quick, any good ideas for the climate change problem?”
China rattled off how his country was working on limiting CO2 emissions while successfully halting all America’s attempts at a basket. But America wasn’t backing down, either way.
“That’s cool and all, but I mean, we’ve really got to get our temperature increase down two degrees a year.” He dribbled around, seeking out an opening. “We have loads of scientific data about how that’s the best for us and how things are different than in pre-industrial times. But what we really need is…” America took a wild three-point shot and nailed it. “YES! THREE-POINTER OH YEAH!”
As China took the ball back to the line again, America continued, “What we really need is to figure out what to do with the CO2 emissions we already have. And I’ve got a totally awesome solution to it. We can pump the CO2 into the ground and turn it into rocks!”
China balked, but as America babbled off all the scientific details, he kept his head in the game and focused on scoring.
“We just have to inject the CO2 into basalt formations, within a decade or two…”
Slowly but steadily, China drove the ball down the court.
“…it’ll just turn into some calcium carbonates and we don’t even have to worry about it seeping out into aquifers or back into the air at all! It’s such an amazing plan, don’t you…”
With a grin, China set up for the shot and took it. Sinking a three-point shot himself and tying them at 39-39.
“ …think?” America trailed off.
The basketball rolled along the ground and bumped into their feet where they stood, China smiling up at America and trying to catch his breath. America let a small smile tug at his lips as he asked.
“I know we said we’d play to forty but, I’m really thirsty, how ‘bout you?”
“A refreshing drink would be quite nice, aru.”
“To our tie then?” America asked, holding out his hand.
China took it and shook it firmly. “To that, our Disneyland and your CO2 into stone idea.”
If possible, America grinned even wider and pulled China into a one-armed hug. “We’ll work together and make it super awesome!”
“It is very true, aru. As they say, ‘Over a long distance, you learn about the strength of your horse; over a long period of time, you get to know what's in a person's heart.’”
America blinked. “Huh?”
China chuckled, “Just an old saying for a good friend who has developed true character over time, aru.”
“Really?” America’s expression went a bit sheepish, flattered to receive such a compliment from the older nation. Dropping his arm, he turned to face China directly. “Xièxiè, China. That means a lot from you.”
“Búkèqi, America. You have earned it, aru.”
As they reached the back door, America grinned again. “I got Coca-Cola to send me some of those Smart drinks you like so much. Got all the flavors too!”
“Even mandarin orange, aru?”
“Oh yeah, even mandarin orange.”
They settled onto the couch to rest, drinking their Smart drinks (China had his mandarin orange, while America picked watermelon) and talking over their ideas some more. Once they were certain their bosses would be out of their meetings, they called them up to fill them in on what they’d discussed. China’s phone call was interrupted by an incoming call from Korea, while America apologized to his boss profusely and insisted he really needed to call England up real quick and tell him that China thought his CO2 to rock idea was awesome. Needless to say, both bosses were already quite accustomed to these sorts of call interruptions.
Once all their calls were finished, America’s stomach rumbled and he sheepishly smiled at China.
“So for dinner I was thinking we could just order in Chinese and watch a cool kung-fu movie. How’s that sound?” America asked, pulling out the takeout menus from a drawer.
China held out his hand. “All right, aru. But I’m ordering.”
America, already guessing his motive, handed over his menus. “The top two places have a phantom menu for Chinese Americans if you don’t want the American-styled stuff from the main menu.”
Smiling, China took them and picked up the phone. “Thank you.”
“And China, can you please…”
With a chuckle, China cut him off. “I’ll make sure they include extra fortune cookies, aru.”
Pumping his fist, America plopped down on the couch next to him. “Awesome! I like how you just…totally knew I was going to ask for that. You’re so wise, China. Like you never cease to amaze me ever!”
“You’ll be just as wise someday, America,” China said, placing his hand on his shoulder. “With how far you’ve come already, you’re definitely on your way, aru.”
And as America started up the movie and China called in the takeout order, neither one of them could shake the warm smiles on their faces. Today had been a very successful day and even America’s fortune cookie knew that their futures looked nothing but bright.
-------------------------
Notes:
[1] This whole story is basically a fun take on the U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in 2009. Information on some of the ideas/things discussed during that exchange I pulled from this briefing on the meeting.
[2] During this meeting, President Obama quoted the famous Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, saying "No matter whether you are new or an old team member, you need time to adjust to one another". He also gave Vice Premier Wang Qishan an autographed basketball. Yao Ming plays for the Houston Rockets and, of course, Team China.
[3] Team China opened with a 101-70 loss to the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in Basketball.
[4] "the old horse in the stable still yearns to run a thousand li" is a Chinese proverb with the moral meaning: Don't underestimate experienced people, old people still may have great ambitions and potential. A li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, which has varied considerably over time but now has a standardized length of 500 meters or half a kilometer.
[5] The theme park they are plotting is the Shanghai Disneyland Resort, which was approved by the Chinese government in 2009.
[6] Shanghai Noon is a 2000 comedy Western film starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
[7] Idaho National Laboratory's Center for Advanced Energy Studies is working on fighting climate change by turning CO2 to stone. Yes, America's crazy sounding idea is scientifically sound XD
[8] Xièxiè - Thank You in Chinese, while Búkèqi is You're Welcome.
[9] The Smart (Chinese:醒目) soft drink was developed by The Coca-Cola Company for consumers in China.
[10] Most American Chinese establishments cater to non-Chinese customers with menus written in English or containing pictures. If separate Chinese-language menus are available, they typically feature delicacies like liver, chicken feet or other exotic meat dishes that might deter Western customers. In New York's Chinatown, the restaurants were known for having a "phantom" menu with food preferred by Chinese and Chinese Americans, but believed to be disliked by non-Chinese Americans.
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Genre: Friendship/General
Rating: PG
Characters: America, China
Word Count: 1,673
Summary: It’s just…while their bosses might be more than happy to sit down in meeting rooms and give speeches and discuss things in very pompous ways, America really felt like sometimes the best way to get ideas was to have fun while doing it. Luckily for him, China agreed.
Notes: Written for
hamburger_st's Christmas in July Exchange for nutburger. The prompt was: America and China gen please! I want to have them getting together for a meeting and talk about a joint project or something. They get all excited about it and add in their own unique ideas and just get along great. Volume three made me want to see more of them as friends. I hope you enjoy it! :)It wasn’t that they didn’t understand the importance of the issues they needed to discuss, that was definitely not true! They both knew that this was serious and they were totally giving it very serious consideration, despite their uncommon way of going about it. It’s just…while their bosses might be more than happy to sit down in meeting rooms and give speeches and discuss things in very pompous ways, America really felt like sometimes the best way to get ideas was to have fun while doing it.
Luckily for him, China agreed.
“All right, all the lines are marked out as usual. Playing half-court, one-on-one. First to 40 points wins unless someone cries uncle before then,” America remarked with a grin as he idly tossed his red-white-and-blue basketball back and forth between his hands.
China just smiled back, walking across America’s backyard basketball court to easily snatch the ball from his hands. He cocked an eyebrow and replied, “Don’t underestimate me, aru. Remember, the old horse in the stable still yearns to run a thousand li.”
As China dribbled the ball, America stole it back and shot a wink. “Hey, don’t count me out just yet. And remember, we’ve got business to discuss while we play too.”
With a content smile, China poised himself for defense as America took the ball back to the line. “Reminder noted, aru.”
The two locked gazes as America got ready to move, China trying to decipher which way he would break first towards the basket- left or right; in the back of both of their minds they thought back to the teams they were wearing basketball jerseys in honor of, how Team China had lost to Team USA during the last Olympics. America was about to prove, in his awesome, custom Team USA jersery with a number 50 on the back and JONES in all caps above it, that his team’s win wasn’t a fluke. And China, who had his own jersey, Team China’s colors with a number 11 and the name YAO after not only his name, but his famous player Yao Ming, was eager for a rematch.
America feigned left and then once China looked to follow, he went right. “So, economy? We’ve both got pretty cool stimulus policies in place right?”
China turned on his heel and dashed after America, catching up with him in time to prevent an easy layup. “Yes, aru. We do have very aggressive stimulus plans in place. Perhaps,” he stole the ball then, dribbling it back to the line and beginning his offensive moves down the court, “we should also discuss ways to reboot the economies and create more jobs. Both of our countries could use that, aru.”
“Hmm, yeah, we need a really amazing idea that will get the economy going and give people jobs,” America replied, following China’s movement down the court. China made a shot, but it hit the rim and America recovered the ball. As he took it back to the line, he grinned. “Hey China, what about a big, kickass theme park? That would create jobs in both construction and later in employees for it. And then as for tourism- major increase!”
China’s eyes lit up, even as he determinedly tried to steal back the ball. “Would they have cute mascots, aru?”
“Well, it’d be Disney,” America said, swerving left and sneaking past China long enough to set up a layup, “But you could help me make and design some of the,” and the ball went in the basket. He practically said the next word as a cheer, “Merchandise! Two points, Team Hero!”
Wasting no time, China took the ball back to the line and began a fast and furious drive towards the basket. “So your people will create the rides and mine will construct the grounds, giving all of us jobs?”
“Yeah!” America replied as China ducked under his outstretched arms and went for the basket.
His shot hit the backboard and went in. He smiled, extending America a hand. “I think we have some theme park planning to do, aru.”
America took China’s hand and shook, smiling back. “Awesome! Let’s get going then!”
They worked out details for marketing and merchandising while the score worked its way up to 12-8. And while America talked about all the great ride ideas he had while China gave input, the younger nation managed to get the score up to 24-20. China wasn’t backing down, on the game or on his insistence for certain elements in his park, and as they came to an agreement over whether to call it Frontierland, Critter Country or Grizzly Gulch (China was heavily pushing for there to be a kung-fu gunslinger show and America agreed that it could be just as awesome as Shanghai Noon) the score leveled out as 36-36 each.
Hoping to get those last four points, America changed tactics. Both in his game and in the subject matter. “Hey, real quick, any good ideas for the climate change problem?”
China rattled off how his country was working on limiting CO2 emissions while successfully halting all America’s attempts at a basket. But America wasn’t backing down, either way.
“That’s cool and all, but I mean, we’ve really got to get our temperature increase down two degrees a year.” He dribbled around, seeking out an opening. “We have loads of scientific data about how that’s the best for us and how things are different than in pre-industrial times. But what we really need is…” America took a wild three-point shot and nailed it. “YES! THREE-POINTER OH YEAH!”
As China took the ball back to the line again, America continued, “What we really need is to figure out what to do with the CO2 emissions we already have. And I’ve got a totally awesome solution to it. We can pump the CO2 into the ground and turn it into rocks!”
China balked, but as America babbled off all the scientific details, he kept his head in the game and focused on scoring.
“We just have to inject the CO2 into basalt formations, within a decade or two…”
Slowly but steadily, China drove the ball down the court.
“…it’ll just turn into some calcium carbonates and we don’t even have to worry about it seeping out into aquifers or back into the air at all! It’s such an amazing plan, don’t you…”
With a grin, China set up for the shot and took it. Sinking a three-point shot himself and tying them at 39-39.
“ …think?” America trailed off.
The basketball rolled along the ground and bumped into their feet where they stood, China smiling up at America and trying to catch his breath. America let a small smile tug at his lips as he asked.
“I know we said we’d play to forty but, I’m really thirsty, how ‘bout you?”
“A refreshing drink would be quite nice, aru.”
“To our tie then?” America asked, holding out his hand.
China took it and shook it firmly. “To that, our Disneyland and your CO2 into stone idea.”
If possible, America grinned even wider and pulled China into a one-armed hug. “We’ll work together and make it super awesome!”
“It is very true, aru. As they say, ‘Over a long distance, you learn about the strength of your horse; over a long period of time, you get to know what's in a person's heart.’”
America blinked. “Huh?”
China chuckled, “Just an old saying for a good friend who has developed true character over time, aru.”
“Really?” America’s expression went a bit sheepish, flattered to receive such a compliment from the older nation. Dropping his arm, he turned to face China directly. “Xièxiè, China. That means a lot from you.”
“Búkèqi, America. You have earned it, aru.”
As they reached the back door, America grinned again. “I got Coca-Cola to send me some of those Smart drinks you like so much. Got all the flavors too!”
“Even mandarin orange, aru?”
“Oh yeah, even mandarin orange.”
They settled onto the couch to rest, drinking their Smart drinks (China had his mandarin orange, while America picked watermelon) and talking over their ideas some more. Once they were certain their bosses would be out of their meetings, they called them up to fill them in on what they’d discussed. China’s phone call was interrupted by an incoming call from Korea, while America apologized to his boss profusely and insisted he really needed to call England up real quick and tell him that China thought his CO2 to rock idea was awesome. Needless to say, both bosses were already quite accustomed to these sorts of call interruptions.
Once all their calls were finished, America’s stomach rumbled and he sheepishly smiled at China.
“So for dinner I was thinking we could just order in Chinese and watch a cool kung-fu movie. How’s that sound?” America asked, pulling out the takeout menus from a drawer.
China held out his hand. “All right, aru. But I’m ordering.”
America, already guessing his motive, handed over his menus. “The top two places have a phantom menu for Chinese Americans if you don’t want the American-styled stuff from the main menu.”
Smiling, China took them and picked up the phone. “Thank you.”
“And China, can you please…”
With a chuckle, China cut him off. “I’ll make sure they include extra fortune cookies, aru.”
Pumping his fist, America plopped down on the couch next to him. “Awesome! I like how you just…totally knew I was going to ask for that. You’re so wise, China. Like you never cease to amaze me ever!”
“You’ll be just as wise someday, America,” China said, placing his hand on his shoulder. “With how far you’ve come already, you’re definitely on your way, aru.”
And as America started up the movie and China called in the takeout order, neither one of them could shake the warm smiles on their faces. Today had been a very successful day and even America’s fortune cookie knew that their futures looked nothing but bright.
-------------------------
Notes:
[1] This whole story is basically a fun take on the U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in 2009. Information on some of the ideas/things discussed during that exchange I pulled from this briefing on the meeting.
[2] During this meeting, President Obama quoted the famous Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, saying "No matter whether you are new or an old team member, you need time to adjust to one another". He also gave Vice Premier Wang Qishan an autographed basketball. Yao Ming plays for the Houston Rockets and, of course, Team China.
[3] Team China opened with a 101-70 loss to the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games in Basketball.
[4] "the old horse in the stable still yearns to run a thousand li" is a Chinese proverb with the moral meaning: Don't underestimate experienced people, old people still may have great ambitions and potential. A li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, which has varied considerably over time but now has a standardized length of 500 meters or half a kilometer.
[5] The theme park they are plotting is the Shanghai Disneyland Resort, which was approved by the Chinese government in 2009.
[6] Shanghai Noon is a 2000 comedy Western film starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
[7] Idaho National Laboratory's Center for Advanced Energy Studies is working on fighting climate change by turning CO2 to stone. Yes, America's crazy sounding idea is scientifically sound XD
[8] Xièxiè - Thank You in Chinese, while Búkèqi is You're Welcome.
[9] The Smart (Chinese:醒目) soft drink was developed by The Coca-Cola Company for consumers in China.
[10] Most American Chinese establishments cater to non-Chinese customers with menus written in English or containing pictures. If separate Chinese-language menus are available, they typically feature delicacies like liver, chicken feet or other exotic meat dishes that might deter Western customers. In New York's Chinatown, the restaurants were known for having a "phantom" menu with food preferred by Chinese and Chinese Americans, but believed to be disliked by non-Chinese Americans.
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