So... this is the first story I have ever posted, and since English is not my first language, you are more or less guaranteed to find mistakes in this (especially when it comes to commas), but I will work on that.

Other than that: This is my fourth attempt to post something I wrote. What happened with number one, two, and three? I got too nervous, and self-doubt hit me like a truck.

.

Song: Impossible - Rihanna

.

Canada: Dandelion

All of his life, Canada lived in the shadow of his brother, America, to the point where he didn't even believe a single person remembered him. But was that really the truth?

.

Another world meeting another day to go unnoticed by everyone in favor of his louder, obnoxious, and far more noticeable brother who had the incredible talent to steal the entire room's attention all the while no one would spare him a second thought.

Canada didn't want to be this invisible, but since his brother was so naturally notable while he was so naturally quiet, it only seemed invertible he would be forgotten. It had happened throughout his entire childhood so why would it change in adulthood. France more or less abandoned him in England's care. England not only left both him and America to themselves most of the time but sometimes he didn't even see that he wasn't his brother. Even after the American Revolution, nothing changed. England still mistook the Canadian, who was still in his care, for the one who rebelled.

Nowadays Canada was more or less just a ghost at the meetings. Always present, always said something, but no one heard him. He tried to yell up in the middle of it all at some point, but no one looked his way. It was suffocating. How was it even possible to completely forget, or ignore another person's existence? Who knows? Canada didn't, and he was the victim of this situation.

Canada tried to focus on what the country at the podium said, but it was hard when all you could hear was the voices of a pissed off Brit, a bit too satisfied Frenchman, and some meddling nation who sounded very much like America. Their discussion began after America had yelled up about something that included "space" and "giant robots" and other things that were honestly too stupid remember.

"You bloody wanker! Why on earth would we want to build an Android and send it to space? It is an idiotic idea and serves absolutely no purpose. No wait, it has a purpose; it is a new low for everything you could suggest at any meeting, and that is quite the accomplishment, America." A very agitated England yelled, hammering his hand against the table surface as to emphasize his points.

"HA HA. Are you losing your hearing, old man? I just said it was, "a robot" ", America corrected, "and it's to protect us from every kind of threat space could send at us. So not only does it have a purpose, it's a good idea. Wait, it's a GREAT idea," the American personification exclaimed, while he fist pumped into the air.

Right, THAT was the cause of their discussion. It was almost fascinating how every world meeting was supposed to be serious, but then it would end up like this. "This" being some former enemy countries more or less attacked each other like back in the "good old days"; some countries zoned out or took a nap, or some fooled around one way or another. Some did the same as Canada and tried to create at least a bit of order, but it seemed in vain since the problem creating countries, like always, outnumbered those who wanted order.

A quick glance around and it would reveal who did which of the formerly mentioned actions. Greece and Spain somehow managed to sleep through all of the loud noises and the death stare from Romano. Italy looked as if he was drawing all over his note papers, and most countries grouped together and talked with one another, like Poland and Lithuania or Hungary, Ukraine and Liechtenstein. All the remaining ones were those who fought each other with either their weapons or whatever was closest at hand.

Canada looked at his brother and then at his two former caretakers, where one looked like he wanted to kill someone (most likely America) and the other wore a big smirk during the whole ordeal. "Guys, do you really have to-" Canada tried to say, before getting drowned out by a shouting England.

"What the hell are you smirking at, frog?" the Englishman yelled, while he crossed the room and hit the Frenchman's head.

"Ouch. Angleterre, why do you insist on hurting me?" France whined, clutching his sore head.

England just stood beside his old frenemy, a hand holding the other shoulder as a warning about his next word. "Because something told me you deserved it. Now, why were you smirking like that?"

"This is going to go wrong, isn't it?" Canada thought and tried to prevent the upcoming fight between his family members, but was once again cut off. "England. France. I don't think this is a-"

France began chuckling a bit. "I find I absolutely hilarious how your former younger brother still acts like a little child, and even though you have stated on multiple occasions you want nothing to do with him as a brother or colony, you still take the brother- or guide role upon you," France said, took hold of England's hand and pushed him away.

"Guys, please. Stop this before it gets out of hand," Canada tried again.

The British man's face turned red, but whether it was of anger or humiliation was debatable. "No, I do not, frog. The only thing I'm doing is pointing out another one of this idiot's stupid ideas," he said, gesturing to America while he talked, completely missing what the Canadian said.

America, who in the meantime had discussed robot blueprints with Japan, snapped up at what he guessed was a reference to him. "Dude, I'm not an idiot, and this I brilliant. Why can't you see that?" he yelled. America walked over to the two bickering men but was rather confused as to why he was a part of their discussion, to begin with. He found his former caretakers one punch away from a new Anglo-French war, with England pulling a handful of the Frenchman's hair and France with a raised fist as if ready to punch the other.

As predicted, the whole thing before was just an appetizer for the upcoming chaos. Canada just gave up calming them down and found his chair again. Sighing he sat with his head in his hands, feeling the upcoming headache buzzing in his skull. "Why do I even bother? People haven't noticed me before, why would they start now?" Canada asked himself in a depressed tone of voice.

He thought about the past meetings and wondered if anyone even heard what he said back then, hell, if anyone even heard him in general. By the looks of it, the answer would be no. Apparently, Canada was not only invisible but also inaudible to everyone else. If this really was the only outcome then why show up at all?

Soon all the loud noises were too much for the quiet Canadian so he left the meeting room in search for the door to the garden. Maybe fresh would help his sore head. Canada walked for a bit in the unfamiliar halls, cursing himself for not knowing all of America's official political buildings, until he found the way out.

"Why is it like this anyway?" Canada asked himself out loud, "Why does it absolutely have to be me who's the forgotten one, why not someone else?" After he said the last part, he felt ashamed. As the one person who was always the unnoticed and forgotten one at assemblies, he knew how much it hurt to never be seen or heard, and that was not something he would wish on anyone else. Still, was it really too much to hope for at least one person to see you? No, he didn't think so.

Canada opened the door and was faced with a warm breeze and the smell of all the flowers spread around the grass areas. He sat down on the last stair steps and tried to relax and forget about the meeting he should attend, but couldn't mentally handle at the moment. Canada sat there for a couple of minutes with his back turned against the wall of the building and watched the scene in front of him, emptying his head of every thought about fighting relatives, nation duties and people not acknowledging his presence.

His gaze landed on a nearby dandelion that somehow didn't get removed by a gardener. Canada glanced at the white weed flower, smiling when he remembered how many times he had seen a little child pick these flowers once they turned white and would blow all the seeds away, hoping their wish would become reality. What a sweet and innocent thought, it would be so much easier if all of your problems could be fixed with the help of a flower.

Canada reached over and picked the white flower, he rolled it between his fingers for a moment and thought, "Whatever. It's just a silly kid's game, no harm in trying it." He closed his eyes and blew to the top of the plant and whispered, "I wish somebody will remember me." He opened his eyes and saw there was nothing left on the stalk. "This means my wish should become reality, right? Oh well." Canada said, placing the flower on the ground and relaxed back into his previous sitting position.

A bit later while Canada looked at the sky he heard the door behind him open and someone walked out, but he didn't turn around to see who. Suddenly he could smell something in the air. It was something sweet but not like a flower, it was something else but still quite familiar. In fact, it smelled like- "Pot?" Canada more or less asked himself, turning around toward the front door. Beside the door stood the Netherlands and smoked what Canada highly doubted was a normal cigarette.

For a moment, the Canadian thought the other nation hadn't even noticed he was there until the Dutchman said, "25 minutes." Canada just stared at him questioningly at what he said. "You have been gone for 25 minutes," Netherlands continued, "I almost thought you would've left the city by this point, but I'll admit I'm glad you didn't."

Canada could do nothing more than stare at the European nation, unbelievingly. He couldn't believe what he heard. Netherlands had noticed his absence from the chaos inside the building, but how was that possible? "E-excuse me?" was honestly all he could muster to say in his shocked state. Why would this man be the only one to notice him? They weren't even all that close; in fact, they could count all the times they had spoken with each other on one hand, so why would he notice him?

Netherlands looked him up and down, studying his composure and body language. "Listen, Canada. It may look like no one is paying attention, but trust me it's not true. I can't speak on behalf of your family, but I've always listened to what you said. If they don't see you it's their loss, you deserve better than that." Netherlands said, sitting down beside Canada who took in every word the other said.

Canada did not show any emotion besides shock in the first couple of seconds. Did the dandelion work or something? It was like everything went silent after what Netherlands said, so Canada could think about it. "This is a dream. How else could this happen?" Canada wanted to cry, hearing this. For so long he felt alone since everyone seemed to look right through him. Yes, he had his polar bear, Kumajiro, but what did it help, when not even his pet bear could remember him. "Why?" he finally asked, "Why are you the only one who remembers me? We don't even know each other all that well."

Netherlands took the joint away from his lips, sighed and thought about how he could answer Canada's question. "Like I told you before, I can't talk on behalf of all the others, but for me," he said slowly, rolling the joint between his fingers and put it out, "I owe you too much to forget you," he said. Netherlands looked up and locked eyes with Canada, green orbs locked with purple ones.

Canada felt nervous. Netherlands owed him? Owed him for what? The other man was serious, but he did not understand why, so he just stayed quiet, waiting for the other to continue.

"My people may have thanked you for what you did for them during the Second World War, but I don't think I ever did," Netherlands' eyes burned bright green as he took Canada's hand in his own, "Thank you. Thank you for protecting my royal family when they were in danger. Thank you for liberating my people, when outside forces held them captive," he brought the Canadian's hand closer to his face. "Thank you for saving my life when I was brought to my knees and couldn't defend myself, and most important of it all," Netherlands slowly kissed the back of Canada's hand and said in a deep and serious voice, "thank you for all the sacrifices you made in order to save my people and me."

Canada froze. "Thank you for all the sacrifices you made in order to save my people and me." He meant it. It was clear he really meant it. It wasn't out of pity, just a delayed show of gratitude. It was too much now. All this time he thought, he was forgotten by everyone, but someone remembered him. He wasn't invisible. The tears flooded over and dropped down his face. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Please, don't ever forget about me." Canada cried out, throwing himself around Netherlands scarf-clad neck and buried his face in the other's shoulder. His body shook as he cried in relief and happiness.

Netherlands just sat there in surprise, letting Canada cry out as long as he needed to. "I wonder how long he's felt alone since he reacts like this," the Dutchman thought, "time to change that." "Canada, look at me," he said in a soft, yet firm voice to get the other nation's attention.

Canada took a couple of deep breaths to get control over his still shaking body and then did as Netherlands told him. He waited nervously for what would happen next. Had he messed up, or-?

Netherlands took both of his hands in his and said, "I'll never ignore or forget you. I'll stay by your side if that's what you want, but know you have me as a friend no matter what. If you feel lonely or feel that nobody is listening, then know I'm there for you."

For what could be the fifth time that day, Canada heard something so shocking he thought it was all a dream, as that was the only explanation he could find. "But if this is a dream then I should've woken up by now... Maybe this IS real," he thought, feeling happier than he could ever remember he had felt. "Stay," Netherlands gave him a confused look, "please stay. I don't want to be alone anymore," Canada begged.

Netherlands smiled softly and hugged Canada close to his chest. "Of course I will. That's all you needed to say."

.

Please read and review.

Curious to find out how good/ bad I did.

03/07-17