#aph nedpan

[inconsistent-doodler]

[jovianwishes]

◇Meiji era Nedpan◇

After Japan's isolation ended, the Dutch continued to help them grow as a country, such as in infrastructure and military

They also continued to fuck

[orbitinghetalia]

The European nation stared at the man in front of him, surely the human lost his mind during their months spend out on sea. Netherlands had easily accepted that this man would in charge of the mission because he had seemed very capable of the job.

He’d been a good leader during the time it had taken to travel all the way to this foreign nation. Had done an impressive job during the first interactions with the other nations’ local bosses with the aid of some translators.

While trading with other countries and helping his people get the best deals out of these trades, Netherlands discovered he had a talent for learning the languages of other nations. No surprise, he was asked to learn this new language.

It should have been suspicious when he was told explicitly to learn to write and read as well.

Now he knew why. This language had several writing systems and they got mixed up. How was he supposed to learn this Japanese?

During this argument with his boss, his new teacher softly walked into the room with her head down.

As soon as Netherlands saw her, he knew he loved Japan and her language.

==============================================================

Nedpan with prompt language.

[aph-honk-kong]

Masterclass

Renowned Japanese floriculturist Kiku arrives in the Netherlands, hoping to learn more about how Europeans arrange their flowers, and makes the acquaintance of an interesting fellow florist. [Written for day one of @aphrarepairweek2020, where the pairing is NedPan.]

  If Kiku sees one more tulip, he’s going to set the entire country on fire.

  He arrived in the Netherlands hoping to take world-class courses on flower arrangement, to learn skills and develop a broader view on floriculture (his friends insist that, as one of Kyoto’s best florists, he doesn’t need it, but there’s always room for improvement), but all he’s seen so far is a truckload of tulips and not much in terms of other flowers. 

  He hides behind his table the best he can, hoping his elaborate arrangement of hydrangeas, delphinium and lilies is large enough to conceal him from the rest of the class. The last thing he needs is someone trying to start a conversation with him, because oh, goodness, what if they speak to him in Dutch and he has no idea how to answer because he never bothered to learn the language? Kiku crouches down a little lower when other people begin milling into the room.

  More tulips. It’s impressive, really, how his fellow florists can make such creative arrangements with only one flower. Kiku sees a beautiful stained-glass vase with crimson tulips bursting out of it, the emerald stems curved perfectly in the water. Another arrangement boasts pastel-pink flowers woven elegantly and emerging from a pure-white porcelain vase. 

  Something plunks down on the table next to his. Still crouching behind his arrangement, Kiku peeks next to him. On the table is a cream picnic basket filled with the brim with bellflowers, their five-petalled blossoms peeking out. The bellflowers, baby blue and snowy white, are arranged together almost messily and stalks of baby’s breath are poking out among some of the blossoms. After a quick look around the room, Kiku discovers that his and his neighbour’s arrangements are the only ones that don’t involve tulips.

  He looks at the creator of the pretty basket and jumps. The florist certainly doesn’t look the part - not to stereotype, of course, but the tall, willowy young man standing next to him, with his messy hair and dark expression, looks more like a gangster than someone who would enjoy being around flowers. His sharp eyes are as piercing as a javelin, looking right in front of him where the instructor is soon to arrive. Kiku looks away after a moment, though he is enamoured by the way the man’s long, slender fingers drum against the smooth marble counter.

  The class starts a few minutes later, and he gets to work. Kiku picks up his pruning shears and improves his arrangement based on the instructor’s corrections, thoughts of the intriguing fellow next to him disappearing from his mind.

  One of the lilies is sticking out too much, its stem showing from the cerulean sea of hydrangeas. Kiku pulls it out of the floral foam and tries to clip it shorter, but the stem is much harder than he expected it to be. Gritting his teeth, he squeezes his shears harder, twisting the blossom in an attempt to cut the stem.

  With a snap, the severed bit of lily stem somehow flies all the way to the table next to his, hitting the tall man in the hand. He stops cutting his flower foam and picks up the stem, looking quizzically at Kiku.

  “Oh.” Kiku clears his throat awkwardly. He’d feel less self-conscious if he’d suddenly died right here and now. “I’m sorry, that’s mine.”

  Then he realises how stupid he must sound, implying that this little bit of useless plant belongs to him, and kicks himself. 

  The man shrugs and leans over to hand him the stem. “What’s your name?”

  “Huh?” Kiku nearly drops the stem. At this point he’s one awkward remark away from stabbing himself with his shears. 

  “My name is Abel de Vries. What’s yours?”

  Carefully setting the stem back on his table, he replies, “I’m Kiku Honda. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Abel nods briefly and turns back to his work. It’s then, as Abel stares at his basket ever so intensely, that Kiku notices his eyes are green.

  When the class is over, and the students are moving their arrangements towards the front of the room one by one, Abel approaches his table. It’s too late for Kiku to pretend to look busy, so he does his best to not bolt as he gets closer and closer.

  Abel gestures at his arrangement. “It’s beautiful.”

  His arrangement is nothing special, at least compared to his other works. The stalks of delphinium still aren’t curved enough, the hydrangeas lopsided. “So is yours. I’ve never seen anyone use bellflowers in an arrangement.”

  “Tulips are one of the most well-known flowers here, but bellflowers are definitely the hidden gems of the Netherlands.” He reaches out to touch the petal of a lily. “I’d even say they’re prettier than tulips.”

  Kiku looks over at Abel’s arrangement again, pastel and pretty. “They’re definitely unique.”

  “The style of your arrangement isn’t like anything I’ve ever seen before.”

  “I was trained in Japan,” Kiku states matter-of-factly. “I’m here for the next few months to learn different styles.”

  Those green eyes seem to look right into his soul. “That’s interesting. I’d love to go to Japan one day to learn how it’s done there.” Students are milling out of the room; the lesson’s over. “Maybe you can tell me more about it over coffee.”

  “Oh, of course.” Kiku wipes his hands on his apron and takes it off, draping it over his table. “You can lead the way, I’m still not too familiar with the area.”

  With a nod, long navy scarf swishing behind him, Abel walks towards the door, and Kiku follows. Maybe he’ll be able to put his flowers to good use in the form of a bouquet… a few weeks later, perhaps. He finds himself thinking about arrangements and dates as he trails behind Abel and leaves the building.

[honda-nihon-kiku]

Netherlands: *shining a flashlight under the futon*

Netherlands: Kiku, are you ready to come out yet and interact with other countries?

Japan: *DEMONIC SCREECHING*

Netherlands: Understandable, have a nice day

[somestorywriter]

Netherlands is not allowed to enter Japan's house until he gives him stroopwafels™

[sweets-sweets]

NedPan Historical AU headcanon/fic idea

Loosely based on official Hetalia comic Netherlands and Isolationist Japan and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.

The story is set around mid 19th century in Japan. Edo period is in its last years, however, Sakoku, Japanese foreign relations policy under which Japan was isolated and strictly regulated the entry of foreigners to Japan is still unyielding and powerful as it always was.

Jan is a young Dutch officer of the V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company). Although he’s not a merchant, in the bizarre turn of events he found himself in, he was sent as a punishment on the trading mission to Dejima, an artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki made to be the only place where Europeans were permitted to trade with Japan. Upon arriving in this distant and exotic land, Jan is absolutely fascinated by its people and culture. But one can only learn and see so much on a small isolated island without the access to the world outside its closed gates.

However, Jan’s wish to explore and learn more about this fascinating country comes true when he’s give the pass to the city of Nagasaki. To say the least, he’s thrilled by this opportunity but hides it behind his somewhat serious exterior.

Certainly, this pass had a price on it. In agreement with Dejima and Nagasaki officials and Jan’s captain (opperhoofd), in exchange for the pass to the city, Jan has to help tutoring the Japanese Dutch scholar his own language and culture. Although the deal was made without him, Jan accepts the offer oblivious to the events that will inevitably follow.

On the first day the Dutch officer is given the pass, he is immediately taken to the city. Everything he ever witnessed in Dejima is thrown away when he sees this captivating city. Unlike on the isolated island where the experience of this country was limited and artificial, here he is directly in contact with the people and their culture. While he is still in his awe from culture shock, he is taken to the place where Dutch studies took their place. When he is taken in the building, he meets the young scholar he is supposed to tutor. Although Jan expected this scholar to be an old grumpy man, it turned out that the scholar, Kiku, was even younger than him. For the umpteenth time that day Jan is in awe upon hearing Kiku speak almost perfect Dutch. Although he’s accent is exotic and typical for someone who learnt the language only by studying it from books, there’s nothing much left for Jan to teach him. He is, however, ever so grateful that he will not be needing any additional translators walking behind him in tow and making him unnerved as they were from the moment he stepped on Dejima. The lessons were tedious and boring just like the books they’re using for studying. In the time they spent studying, Kiku is simply reading from those books and Jan either corrects his accent whenever it’s needed or explains the word Kiku doesn’t understand. The monotonous lessons quickly change after Jan stumbles upon Kiku sketching a rather peculiar dragon on his study paper. Although Kiku is visibly embarrassed for being caught in his childish antics, Jan is quite impressed with the sketch. Instead of their normal and boring lesson they spend the day simply talking, Jan sharing all the various stories and legends of European dragons and Kiku telling him Japanese tales of the same mysterious creatures. The next lesson they disregard the uneventful books once more and simply spend it in asking more curious questions about each other and their cultures.

They start spending more and more time together, not only in the Dutch studies house but also visiting all of the places they’re allowed to see in Nagasaki, simply strolling in the streets and talking about whatever crossed their minds, with Jan never casing to attract all the attention from the people on the streets who have never seen a western man before. Not only Kiku’s Dutch improves with their easy-going talks but Jan starts learning a few words and phrases in Japanese from Kiku. Small and tender stolen moments between the Dutch officer and Japanese scholar began to happen with more and more time they spend together. Stolen glances, cheeks coloured in soft pink, bolder questions being asked both ways and not so accidental brushes of their hands while walking together made them start feeling more than what was supposed for one another.

One day upon arriving late in the evening in back to Dejima to report to his captain, Jan learns that the American fleet has arrived in Japan. It means the once isolated Japan will soon be forcefully opened. What's more, it will probably mean the end of Dutch and Japanese trading. Since trading with various goods they brought on their ship has ended and the Dutch couldn’t diplomatically affect anything anymore, the captain decides to leave Japan. Everyone gets one week to prepare for the journey back to Europe.

Although Jan misses his brother and sister, he is reminded again of the reason he was originally sent on this journey and begins to feel uneasy about his return back home. Yet, all the feelings he grew in time for Kiku and hopefulness of his feelings being returned makes Jan even more sorrowful about his journey back.

The next day Jan informs Kiku of what is happening and tells him that he must leave Japan and go back to his homeland. The day is spent in unbearable silence and uneasiness.

With the day of Jan’s departure nearing, Kiku takes the matter in his hands. He knows quite well how silent and coy he can be, but that doesn’t mean he’s unobservant. With his feelings for Jan growing each time they would meet, he can’t bear to see the Dutch officer this miserable and troubled.

He decides to take Jan on their last walk around the city, visiting all of their favourite places where they shared blissful moments in each other’s company and conversations. Kiku tells him how he noticed Jan isn’t happy about going back and Jan, deciding there is nothing more to lose even is Kiku after hearing the story decides to hate him, so he to tell him the reason he was sent to Japan and is now dreading his return back home.

Kiku learns the story of how Jan met a Spanish merchant in Amsterdam, of their night filled with pleasures and how they got caught. The officials couldn’t simply strip Jan from his title and position so they decided to punish him with sending him far off on the journey. Now he dreads his return and facing his brother and sister and their reactions on his crime. Still, Jan confesses he is grateful for every mistake he had done and punishment he deserved since it all lead him to meet Kiku. To say the least, Kiku was confused. Not that he didn’t understand the story but he didn’t understand why someone would be punished for their pleasures. Jan explains how two man aren’t allowed to be with each other in Europe and Kiku makes a remark on how barbaric that is yet Europeans tend to call the Japanese barbaric even if they are much more accepting than Europeans.

After quite a few laughs and remarks on each other’s cultures, they both fall into comfortable silence. Jan was relieved because he shared his story with Kiku who didn’t run off disgusted by him in the end. Still he feels sad for this will most certainly be the last time he sees Kiku.

As they are about to depart, Kiku pulls him in a soft and shy kiss. Their lips connect only for a moment before Kiku pulls away and bows deep to apologise for his bluntness. Jan instead takes his chin and continues to kiss Kiku lovingly and tenderly.

Kiku wants Jan to stay in Nagasaki with him forever. However, they both know if he stays he will most likely be executed because of the strict Sakoku policy which denies foreigners to permanently stay in Japan. Instead, Jan begs Kiku to come back to Europe with him. Kiku, hearing so much about the Netherlands from Jan, is unsure if going there would be a good idea but Jan ensure him he will protect him, take care of him and that they will keep everything between them a secret.

Kiku knows if he leaves Japan, he can never return back, else he will be executed because of the same strict policy that doesn’t allow Jan to stay. But if they stay together in Europe, everything will be alright. Or will it?

(…)

I chose Jan as Netherlands’ name because I can’t organically digest any other name for him after reading Gutters. Also, I have a headcanon that his full name is Johannes (just like, say, Johannes Vermeer) but as a practical man he is, he uses the shorter version simply because he thinks the real one is too long.

There’s more to come (maybe?) but this is what I have for now. I had this idea about Netherlands and Japan meeting and falling in love ever since I visited Ukyo-e exhibition this winter. But I wasn’t brave enough even to put my headcanons for this story down simply because I find myself too uninformed about Japanese history, language and culture… I'm afraid I will get hate for this fictional, pseudo-historical fic, for its inaccuracy, shallowness and inadequate sources. However, I made myself finally write the summary of the first part of the story down and post it here just to see the reactions. So please let me know what you think! I really hope you liked it!

Ukyo-e | Edo Period | Sakoku | V.O.C. | Dejima | Opperhoofd | Dutch Studies

[orbitinghetalia]

APH Valentine

Day 1 - Destiny/Coincidence - England/Portugal

As much a gentleman he could be, certainly in these modern times, he hadn’t been the first time they had met. Arthur had been youthful and wild, ready to fight despite his seize and filled with dreams of adventures on far away of shores.

She had taken him away from either of their bosses to show him a whole new world. She didn’t think he would come to love the new, foreign places as much as she did and even more so.

Being allies still just might mean they were meant to be together no matter what.

Day 2 - Broken heart - Netherlands/japan

The most important thing that Johan remembered of the year 1854 was boarding his ship and looking back at what he was leaving behind. The love he lost did not look back at him, but welcomed new foreigners into her life instead.

Haruka still dreams of the day she hadn’t believed would truly happen and what the Dutch fleet leaving her artificial island must have looked like while she was busy welcoming a strange  and younger outsider.

The next time they would meet, Japan would hurt The Netherlands even worse by making his people suffer so greatly at her hands.

He still hurts from all the pain she inflicted on his people and she still and forever regrets letting him leave in the first place on that day so long ago.

Day 3 - Holding hands - Netherlands/Canada

He hadn’t been part of the previous war, but knowing what it felt like he knew he should have been kinder to his sister and certainly her people when he took them in. Now, after having suffered the losses he did, he didn’t have the words to express his feelings for the young nation that crossed an ocean to help liberate his people.

He swore to never forget any of the things sweet little Madeline had done for him and Johan needed to give her something to thank her for all she did to help him.

She might like flowers and at the moment that was one of the few things he could offer her, but that didn’t seem enough for what she had to go through to save him.

He would simply have to keep giving her flowers.

Day 4 - Friendzone - America/Germany

Louise had been skeptical of the other young nation at first, his happy and extravagant style not matching her own introverted character. After her surrender she got to know him so much better and she loved him before she could stop the feeling, the only true doubt was that she didn’t know if her big brother support her feelings for him and now it was too late to ask.

After the spoils of war had been divided and the lines drawn, he was one of the nations that was going to keep a close eye on her and he was determined to not only do that but support her as well.

The first time he saw Louise in a dress, Alfred knew that soldier should have been part of his Hollywood instead and he regretted not having the means to tell the man that helped him gain his independence how he thought about the man’s beloved little sister.

It would take decades, but one day Gilbert ended up setting things straight between the two young nations.

Day 5 - Love letter - Denmark/America

One year Denmark suddenly wrote her a letter to congratulate her on her Independence day and continued to do so the years following. Amelia later learned that after efforts between some of their people, he started celebrating her birthday in his own country.

Years later the amount of letters he wrote to her suddenly increased after she agreed to take control of Greenland for him, so it would be free while his own lands and people where under occupation.

She had fully expected the amount of letter to go down to the annual happy birthday card after she had officially returned Greenland to Magnus, but that didn’t happen.

These days Magnus send her an email every day to tell her about his day no matter if it had been dull, interesting, boring or exciting and she would read them before falling asleep and answering him the next morning.

Day 6 - First love/Crush (mob! AU) - Germany/North Italy

Before his little brother had walked into the room, Gilbert would have preferred to make a deal with the real head of the Vargas family. That had been before he saw his reaction to the pretty little Italian woman has shown up as a representative for her grandfather

His little Lutz had stopped moving the moment he saw Feliciana Vargas and the young woman hadn’t stopped talking since that very moment, not noticing how red Ludwig’s face had turned when she hooked their arms together.

The pale man couldn’t help the sound that escaped his lips, “kesesese..” seeing that the bond between the Vargas and Beilschmidt families would be even tighter than anyone would have thought of before this evening.

Gilbert was the first to know.