The mirror hardly bothered to show Canada his reflection. With a deep breath, Canada glared at the one unruly curl that spiralled awkwardly from the side of his head and wished his genetic inheritance from France had been just a bit smoother. He reached for his hair gel.

"Empty?" he said aloud. "But it was more than half full yesterday."

That was when Canada remembered America's voice through the bathroom door, earlier that day.

Look out, bro! I'm borrowing some of your stuff. I'm sure you won't mind.

Canada sighed and muttered a few words of resentment. He told himself to forget about the hair gel for now. Instead, he sprayed on a tiny amount of cologne - the maple-scented one that America tended not to borrow - and straightened out his clothes one more time.

"Maybe I should get her flowers," Canada mused. "What do you think, Kuma-jelly?"

The white bear in question was nowhere to be found, and Canada told himself that perhaps that was for the better. He checked himself over one last time - phone, keys, wallet - and headed for the door. Deep in thought over how to phrase the question, Canada didn't notice the pile of hamburger wrappers that lay in his path. He tripped, hitting the floor hard and collecting a grease stain on his good jeans.

"America!" Canada yelled. He only felt comfortable doing so, of course, because America wasn't home. Sighing one more time, Canada climbed to his feet. He opened the front door and called over his shoulder for his white bear to watch over the house. Not receiving a response, nor expecting one, Canada made his way along the sunny street to Taiwan's house.

*******

Soon, Canada rounded the corner and Taiwan's house came into view. Although the surroundings were cheerful with sunlight and bird songs, Canada couldn't shake the nervous feeling slithering in his stomach. He quickened his pace, trying to burn the superfluous energy, and with each step he practiced his words.

"Taiwan, would you like to go out with me? Lovely day, isn't it, Taiwan? Say, Taiwan, if you're not busy this weekend, how would you like to - OH, MAPLE!"

Canada couldn't believe his eyes. Standing just outside the house were Taiwan and America. Even though Canada was too far away to hear what they were saying, their body language said it all. Taiwan stared adoringly into America's eyes, looking away only to giggle or brush aside a stray lock of hair. Drinking it all in, America stood with one hand resting on the side of the house, leaning against it and nodding as he spoke. At all times, his face sparkled with a confident smile.

As if compelled, Canada marched forward. Gone was his repeating track of small talk for Taiwan. It had been replaced by a new speech that hardly required rehearsal, because each burning word had been forged by years of repressed rage. He reached the pair and clapped his hand down heavily on his brother's shoulder.

"Dammit, America, what do you think you're doing?"

America turned around and grinned, seemingly oblivious to Canada's anger.

"Oh, hey, bro," he said. "What's up?"

Panting on the spot, Canada was unable to get a word out. A thousand threats and insults swirled in his brain, but none of them could lock onto his voice.

"How dare you?" he finally managed. "Don't you know that - ? How many times have I - ? Have you no consideration for - ?"

It was at that moment that Canada realized Taiwan was staring at him. He cringed with embarrassment and muttered an apology.

"Hoo boy," America said with a laugh. "Canada, we need to find you a girlfriend. Stat."

Taiwan patted Canada on the arm.

"After my date with America," she said, "I'm going to meet Vietnam. If you want, I can ask her if she's interested."

"Sounds good, huh, bro?"

Through gritted teeth, Canada forced a squeak of agreement.

"Oh, but, uh, we can't double date," America added. "I think Vietnam's still mad at me because of that thing..."

"She's actually doing pretty well now - " Taiwan said.

"Er, you know what?" Canada said. "Nevermind. I've got to go."

He turned to run, but America sidestepped and caught him before he could take off. Canada looked up and saw nothing but America's vapid grin. He felt America's strong hands holding him in place.

"Come on, Canada," America said. "Don't be such a baby. Who even remembers the last time you had a date?"

Canada twisted away from his brother's face, only to see Taiwan looking at him with pity. Her shining brown eyes were the last thing he saw before tearing away.

"Where ya going?" America shouted. Canada ignored America. He ignored the world. It was all he could do to run as fast and as far as possible.