Title: Quantum Theory
Genre: Angst/Tragedy
Characters: Canada and America
Summary: In quantum theory, a particle cannot exist unless it is observed.
ooooooooooo
The fight started over something small and stupid, as most fights do.
They'd fought before, certainly, every couple does. During the hockey games, especially, and whenever American football versus Canadian football came up in conversation, and over other things too of course. But they never truly meant any hurtful words that were thrown, and the midnight sky always found them curled tight against each other again.
Even the rare big fights ended quickly and peacefully, with kisses and apologies and reassurances of forgiveness.
"You're so fucking pathetic and cowardly! No wonder no one even notices you exist!"
This time was different.
He couldn't remember how the fight started. He couldn't remember how it had escalated. He couldn't even remember what he had said moments before to provoke such words from his lover. His jaw opened and closed soundlessly, the final sentences echoing in his head and driving out all ability to speak or react.
Without waiting for an answer, blue eyes cast a final glare as the American turned on his heel and stormed from the room. Violet eyes watched the broad back retreating as their owner involuntarily staggered back, reeling under the weight of the angrily-thrown phrases.
The Canadian tried to pull his shaken mind together. Never would he have expected such words from the one person who acknowledged him, noticed him, was aware of who he was, his very existence. Instinctively, he followed on shaky feet, desperately seeking a retraction of what had been said, not even able to put into conscious thought how much he needed the words erased because of how they roared in his head.
Blue eyes watched the other approach from the corner of themselves, betraying no hint of having noticed the other coming nearer. His posture gave no acknowledgement of the Canadian, no sign of having noticed him. In the heat of the moment, he reinforced the angry words by pretending his lover did not exist.
"Alfred?"
He glanced over, scanning the area as if looking for the source of the noise but seeing nothing. The other was standing there, but he acted as if he could not see him, and turned his gaze away again and kept walking with his angry strides.
"...A-Alfred?"
The tone was more pleading now, thin hands grabbing for his retreating sleeve and missing because of how they shook. He tilted his head slightly, as he he'd thought he'd heard a noise, which he had, then shook his head. Imagined.
"Alfred...please..."
Desperation, the voice faint and shaking now. The American gave no sign of hearing or seeing, no hint of acknowledging his existence. Just continued walking, footsteps quiet on the hardwood.
A pause. Why could he only hear his own footsteps now? No pleading voice. No faint, shaky breaths being drawn in the long hallway behind him. Anger giving way to worry for his lover, he turned.
An empty hallway, giving no sign that the Canadian had ever been there, save a few drops of water on the floor smelling faintly of salt.
One element of quantum theory is that it is the act of observing that causes the observed particle to exist in the first place. If it is not seen somehow, it does not exist.
"...Matthew?"