APH: Borborygmuphobia

Borborygmuphobia

China blinked slowly, staring straight off into space, not even hearing the taunts and sneers of his fellow countries during the Meeting. A learnt talent to not be bothered by such things anymore. Did it matter to him really? No. These were just words to drag him down. Such an old country like himself had gotten used to such words that could rip you to shreds.

China did not care anymore about other people's opinions. He kept eating, the only thing to dull the pain he felt. Pain that was caused by the countries yelling insults at him. Depression was such a crippling disease, wasn't it? Of course, the Ancient nation took comfort food to a whole new level.

The long haired man had found himself eating at any possible time. Stuffing himself to near bursting whenever there was something edible around. Continuing to devour and gorge on food long after he felt full. At almost all times, he was eating something. Whenever he ate, he could always make up the excuse that he was no longer depressed, and the fear he possessed would be gone, if only for a little while.

As to why China ate so much? A ridiculous fear it was. Not only was it a cure of depression, it was a security blanket. Yet, a temporary blanket it was. It could only shield him from the claws of his history for so long. He had made a promise to use his security blanket as long as it was available.

The other countries had teased the now overweight man due to their misunderstanding of his problems. They had taken it upon themselves to make it worse, not better. Such empty hearts to kick someone when they were already down, it had made depression and fears worse in the now overweight man.

China scratched the side of his stomach with a pudgy hand as he absentmindedly listened to another country talk about something that was completely worthless to him. His large stomach took up most of his lap, clothes pulled taught from being far too tight. Threads were stretched to their limits, close to ripping. He folded his thick arms across his soft chest, trying to get comfortable in the small seat. It had fit somewhat better during the last meeting…

It was quite comical to some of the older Asian nations, who were raised by this man. The one who once preached a healthy lifestyle was now ballooning up into the fattest nation. Of course, no one really cared anymore for the eldest nation anymore. He was merely a foolish old man to most people, nothing of interest or concern. There was no more care for the nation who needed it the most.

China found himself drowning in food. Setting his jaw (though it was not seen by others from the prominent second chin) he decided that if no one cared for him, then he would not care for others. Let him drown and be in bliss from the sheer amounts of food he ate every time he was upset. That made that all the time then.

Though, the depressed man failed to remember that there was one person who had actually still cared deeply for him. Was worried sick that he was hurting himself from his growing form. Was wanting to do something to assist the lonely man. Was likely the main reason for the overwhelming sadness.

Japan stood up silently as the meeting was adjourned, watching everyone else exit the meeting hall. Everyone except China. The younger male was aware that he left after everyone else had, for fear of the harsh criticism. His deep chocolate brown eyes watched as he unsteadily got to his feet, beginning to waddle out of the meeting hall, not even caring that there were still other nations present.

Japan had chosen to not follow his Aniki. Instead, the gears in his head were turning as he begun to formulate a plan to possibly assist his struggling Chinese brother.

--

China was in his usual scenario, and pleased about that: laying down on the couch (which constantly creaked and moaned in complaint to his girth crushing it), watching TV, and eating to his heart's content. Food filled the entire capacity of the coffee table. Wrappers, bags, and crumbs littered the floor around him and on the couch. Yet he didn't care for such menial things, mainly focusing on filling his belly to near bursting. From how hard his stomach already was, his goal was in reach.

Resting his head comfortably against the pillow, China nibbled on a bar of chocolate, his eyes stinging from the tears welling up. The loneliness was just so crippling. When was the last time someone had come to visit? He didn't even remember.

The round man yawned lazily, scratching his belly absentmindedly, staring at the TV. He was well aware of his ballooning weight, yet...if no one cared, then why should he? Snorting angrily, he bit off a chunk of a king-sized chocolate bar. His stomach had to stretch even more to make room, full way past capacity.

China blinked when he felt the doorbell ring. Puzzled, he struggled to sit up, his too-full belly getting in the way as he tried to sit up. Eventually, after his huffing and puffing, he sat up, feeling exhausted. Pouting slightly, his stomach round, hard, and sitting heavily in his lap, he looked towards the door, not really in the mood for any sort of physical activity.

"...come in!" China eventually called, trying to feebly pull down his too-tight shirt over his massive stomach. It was to no avail, the fabric barely covering his belly button.

The door knob jiggled as the visitor entered China's home. And who it was shocked the obese man, the color draining from his plump cheeks.

"...Japan?" China squeaked, the color quickly returning, his chubby face bright red, even the visible flesh on his stomach turned a similar shade. What was that Japanese doing here?! His scar began to burn slightly just at the sight of him.

"...Konnichiwa China..." Japan bowed slightly at the round man, his own face flushed with nervousness.

"Why are you here?" China stiffly asked, leaning back slightly on the couch, keeping both hands on his softening stomach, his large meal beginning to slowly digest.

"...because..." Japan swallowed hard, forcing himself to look at China. "...I'm concerned for you Aniki..."

"Why?" China narrowed his eyes, searching Japan's form for any malicious behaviors, though not finding anything.

"...I'm just...worried for you..." Japan mumbled, looking towards the large amount of food still present on the coffee table. "...China..."

China grunted angrily, biting into the chocolate bar again, glaring sharply at Japan while chewing. Japan reluctantly sat down next to China, watching him eat candy bar after candy bar.

"...there has to be a reason as to why you're going to food for comfort..." Japan mumbled, watching as China nearly choked on the Reese's cup he was eating.

"Who says I'm going to food for comfort?" China asked stiffly, raising an eyebrow at him.

"When you raised me you preached a healthy lifestyle. Now, you're ballooning up like a pufferfish." Japan quickly snapped back, though he appeared relatively calm as he spoke.

China glared sharply, then sighed loudly, looking at the food laid out haphazardly on the coffee table, then back at Japan. Those emotionless chocolate brown eyes were able to see deep inside his soul, read him like an open book. Such an ability made him envious, wanting such a talent. Yet, that is what made Japan unique.

"...alright...fine. You're right. I've been using comfort food." China grunted, admitting what was obvious to Japan. Yet, that wasn't the only think food was used for. "...and a security blanket..."

"A security blanket?" Japan echoed, looking at China with a curious expression. "Would you mind explaining to me?"

China looked down at his stomach, crumbs present on his shelf. Nervously wiping them off, he mumbled quietly,

"...it's a stupid fear... You know how I've been through many famines during my course of history, right?"

Japan nodded.

"...I've developed a fear of...hunger." China swallowed nervously. "A stupid fear...I'm afraid of famines occurring again...that's why I've been stuffing myself silly...and it's working...I don't remember the last time I've been hungry...and...I'm actually..."

"Happy?" Japan cut in, the gears in his head turning as he processed all of this. China was afraid of being hungry...? It made some sort of sense...

China nodded slowly. "...it's just so stupid!" he cried out angrily.

"I do not find it stupid." Japan said slowly, grabbing the chocolate cake from the table and standing up. "It makes sense. You've been through too many famines, it only makes sense that you would acquire such a fear. Now please, lie down."

China blinked with confusion, but slowly followed orders, laying down on his back, the food stuffing his stomach sloshing around. The elder man looking up at Japan, not expecting the forkful of thick gooey cake being shoved down his throat. He had to swallow quickly, for Japan was already holding another forkful against his lips.

"I will help you no longer experience this horrible fear Yao-nii." Japan purred, even using his Human name. "Please...do not worry anymore." he pushed the forkful of cake lovingly in his elder's mouth.

China blinked, then let a smile grace his crumb-covered lips, willingly opening his mouth for more cake, feeling not so lonely anymore.