This story, like many others, is based off of the AU of Earth, where our boy is from China. Sorry if any of this offends anyone! It also includes a tad bit of personal experience, if you don't mind :)

"Not like I'm surprised, Professor, but how did you manage to break the washer?"

Professor Sycamore moped at the sight of a desperate pile of clothes begging to be washed. It was 3am. He was drunk and tired. He didn't mean to throw a bunch of flasks in there instead. Now not only were they unable to wash their laundry, but the Professor's project would have to wait a few months.

"I'm so sorry, everyone. I-I'll try and get it fixed ASAP. In the meantime...you must still have some clothes, right?"

Alain's eyes immediately met with Ash's as Mairin proclaimed it wasn't a problem and left.

"...I don't have anything left"

"All I have left are traditional clothes, since I always wash those last", Ash explained.

"Well, at least you've got something. You can wear them outside apart from occasions, right?"

"...In China. I'm not sure about it here"

"Psht. It'll be fine. Go on, go get changed!", Alain laughed, ruffling Ash's hair as he went past.

As soon as they were alone, the Professor grabbed his opportunity.

"So...Kyle isn't bothering you anymore?"

"We've seen him", Alain sighed, "After what happened, but I don't think he has the nerve. I don't know about the rest of the gang, though"

"Gosh, Alain, I get that being young is exciting, but you could've carved a better past for yourself"

-Hours later-

"Yes, you do need more clothes!", Ash moaned as he dragged the other through the store, "That laundry and what you're wearing now, that's all you've got? I was secretly hoping you had some clothes under your bed or something"

Alain huffed as the younger boy shot him a stern look. His tiny lips and nose, his pretty eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable baby face glaring at him.

"You're so cute", he smiled, earning a pout, "But I'm so tired. Can we not stop at a restaurant to eat?"

"Gee, I thought that'd be something I would say. Aw, fineeee. Besides, I saw a place that caught my eye before"

Ash's devious smirk eventually led the man to follow through as they began pointing playfully.

"Dumplings...", Alain started.

"And rice! Ah, you know me so well!"

Before they knew it, they were sitting at a booth excitedly clutching cardboard boxes in one hand, chopsticks in the other. Alain considered it a date. Ash? He thought he meant the number.

"It feels so uncultured using a fork around here. You've tried to teach me so many times"

"Oh, don't worry about it. It doesn't matter as much as it seems, and I'll fight anyone who says different. No way am I letting you feel bad over chopsticks", Ash giggled.

"Funny how much you care about others feeling bad"

Their necks turned towards the voice of dyed hair and leather jackets.

"Didn't see you there, Tyler", Alain snarled with crossed arms, protectively holding Ash close to him.

"Yeah, didn't see you either. And I don't want to", Tyler replied with gritted teeth as he sat himself down, "This the girlfriend Kyle was talking about?"

"Don't start with that"

"You know, speaking of Kyle, haven't seen him since you bumped into him that day. You done something?"

"WE did not do anything"

Both Ash and Alain slowly began to notice how the man's eyes trailed down the shorter one.

"Y'know, I hardly even met you", he began, pointing at Ash, "But I'm kinda scared, not gonna lie. Kyle doesn't wanna go near you again, 'specially with that boyfriend of yours. Says you humiliated him. What'd you do, hit him with some kung fu moves?"

Ash's subtle grip tightened on Alain's fingers as he bit his lip. Body image wasn't easy to talk about, but this was a whole other situation.

"Can't take these 'ching-chong' folk sometimes, you know? Y'all with your weird clothes and food. I'm guessing you didn't drive here, right? Probably'd be an accident"

With ignorance, the herd chortled carelessly at the ruthless jokes. The cloth over Ash's chest was crumpled into his hand, shaking madly.

"The only reason that country exists is 'cause they make stuff, you know. America has factories. They might as well just-"

"Yes, our industrial businesses are quite powerful, but keep in mind they prove to benefit all kinds, of people, including you. Pardon me if I'm wrong, but that jacket you're wearing was produced and shipped from China, which has also developed electronic revolutions and served quite well in the entertainment industry"

It took a few moments for the man to process the detailed backlash before scoffing and ordering retreat. Not long after, Ash stomped over to the bathroom door, Alain following with determination, and threw it shut. Gently, Alain creaked the door open to find him sat on the countertop, thankfully at least he was looking at a mirror.

"Ash-"

"No. It's okay. I just need a minute"

Ash was practically cornered by the adult male, though he didn't mind, he still felt shy crying in his presence.

"Ash, don't listen to him"

"I'm not. I'm just thinking"

"...About what?"

Ash's forehead slowly came to rubbing against Alain's chest. His tense arms loosened around the man's body, embracing him in warmth.

"...If that many people hate us, what if we really are what's wrong with the world?"

Alain was stunned to hear his soon-to-be boyfriend even coming up with ideas like that. Of course, since they started to spend more time together, he adapted to discovering a darker side of him that was usually invisible. But Ash had always been who he wanted to, regardless of society's expectations. At least these events were real breakthroughs in their relationship.

"Come on, it hurts so much when you say things like that. Look at me. Ash, look at me"

"..."

"Listen, maybe it's not that obvious from time to time, and I'm not just saying this, but I happen to love your culture"

He didn't even have to look to know he smiled.

"...Really?"

"Of course! Not just because you belong to it, but because of how you own it. The tradition, people. And even if you've dealt with this before and it still affects you, I know you're proud of who you are. See—uh, hold on"

Ash raised his head a little as he watched the other pull out a small notebook.

"This was meant to be a surprise, but it's probably best to tell you now"

Handed the notebook, Ash hadn't even fully saw the first page and immediately knew those symbols.

"I've been learning it. I know, I know, you can already talk to me, but I figured it would hit closer to home"

A hand ran over Ash's heart as he lovingly polished the ink. He threw himself at Alain, nuzzling into his chest and arms.

"Xièxiè", he murmured quietly.

"Bu kèqì, wô de àirén"

"We need to work on your pronunciation", Ash chuckled as they broke apart, "But that...that really did hit close to home. You're so sweet. If only you were like that with other people..."

"Oh, yeah, the moment I start being kind to people is the moment you start being kind to yourself"

An opening lock interrupted the two. The pink-haired man exiting the stall stared at them blankly.

"...I just want you to know that tattoo on your shoulder literally says 'lettuce', I just wanted to—oh, okay, yeah, leave"

-Hours later-

"That man didn't even wash his hands. I was just trying to warn him incase, you know, someone gets offended. You know what? We haven't seen Mairin all day apart from this morning, should we be worried?"

"I don't think so. But you sound like it"

"Yeah, 'cause you have, like, 50 calls and texts from her"

"Wait, WHAT?! Let me see-"

"Hey! No, you're driving!"

"Oh-oh, yeah, sorry"

"Geez, and they say my people shouldn't drive. She said, 'Help. Stuck in bathroom. Took a shower and realised I had no clothes left'"

"..."

Thanks for reading and to those who requested Gou x Ash, I haven't forgotten and I'm so sorry it took me this long to start writing again, let alone come out with two Megabondshipping stories before yours. I feel really bad making you wait, but I've been doing some research on the two and I will produce a one shot eventually!

Also, for those who care about World Competition, I have a second book planned but I don't want to put pictures in the book because it feels...I don't know just weird. But I have drawings to give an idea of the designs and other stuff happening in that story which I will post either here or on some sort of separate book 'cause Wattpad doesn't allow picture announcements. 

That being said, this has nothing to do with that story but it's been a while since I put drawings on Wattpad. 

Here goes nothing: I designed modern-Chinese based winter clothing for Ash and I'm actually proud so I wanna show you guys. I'm no designer but wanted to get used to putting drawings on here again because I actually want to, I'm just not confident. It's really bad, but we're trying to get away from that mindset haha. If you don't like, no point leaving negativity behind.

I have a feeling I might delete this later but meh. That random arm sticking out the right side is Clemont. I would've coloured it but I usually draw on paper then trace on a tablet then colour, but I was eager to show you guys! So eager I did it on English. Okay, I will stop taking now, but keep in mind I'm stupid and my drawings sucks so be kind please.