The rain poured down heavily, thundering against the bright red umbrella like hail and dripping down the edges in smooth, rhythmic trails. The night was cold and the city was almost pitch black. A few lights shone though some of the windows in the distance, but so few and far apart that they looked like mere fireflies against the silhouetted buildings. The crystalline droplets that fell before Matthew William's eyes seemed illuminated by the dim stars and bright moon that loomed overhead. As he sighed, a thin cloud emerged from between his lips, circulating the air around him for only a moment before dissipating.

His eyes were first caught by the neon bus sign before he noticed the wooden park bench beside it. A smile threatened at the corners of his mouth, but the worry in the pit of his stomach kept it at bay. He quickened his pace unconsciously, his heart starting to lag as he noticed the small figure hunched over; shoulders drawn in close and lowered head supported by both hands. As Matthew neared, he realized those broad shoulders were shaking slightly – whether from the cold or something else, he could only hope.

Please tell me he's ok, Matthew thought, his uneven breaths visible against the dark night. He was steps away, but the boy didn't look up –didn't even acknowledge any presence. His face was masked by his long, blonde hair. Hair that was streaked brown from the rain and sopping wet. Matthew's heart went out to him. He knew exactly what had happened. Every time, his brother would come to this bench and just sit. For hours or for minutes, Matthew was never sure. What he did know was that his older brother would sit there until someone brought him home.

Even though his heart felt heavy and cold as stone, Matthew forced a smile onto his face and knelt beside the bench. Ice water quickly soaked his knee as it made contact with the flooded ground, but he ignored it for the time being. Slowly, he removed his umbrella from over his own head and placed it over the blonde's.

There was a silence and a small sniffle before the boy's hands began to pull away from his face, allowing him to look up.

"Canada?" he whispered the familiar nickname as his eyes met similar, electric blue ones. His face was red and his eyes ringed with dark circles. There were streaks of dried tears running down his cheeks, but Matthew played it off as if it was only rain.

"Yes, Amy?" he replied with a smile, the term being short for 'America'.

The blonde ran his sleeve against his runny nose and looked up at the umbrella. "You'll get wet, Canada," he said, his voice higher than usual and a bit nasally.

The younger brother chuckled softly in response and replied cheerily, "And I'd rather be wet than see you frozen to death and soaked."

The other managed a small smile as he watched his brother's eyes twinkle just a bit. He suddenly didn't feel so bad anymore.

….

"I've got it! I've got it!" cried America, bursting into laughter as he ran through Canada's bedroom door. The younger boy looked up from his book in surprise, pushing his glasses up his nose as he watched his sibling. "I can't believe I got the job!" he cried, enthusiastic as ever. He sighed deeply in satisfaction as he turned his back to Canada's blue bed and plopped down onto it, hands resting behind his head. The contact and ripple effect on the mattress made Matthew's book jump from his lap and land a foot away, losing whatever page he had been on. He sighed inwardly and scooped the thing up, placing it on his night stand. Eh, it wasn't that interesting anyways, he thought, shrugging it off.

"Really?" he replied, sharing his sibling's excitement."When do you start?"

"Monday," America replied with a bright smile, as he rolled on his side to face his brother. "Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No! Of course not!" Canada replied, waving his hands before his face nervously.

The other brother sighed once again, "I wouldn't even care if you were! I'm so happy I could kiss you!"

At that, Matthew's heart left into his throat, he would've spit out his drink had he been drinking any. He was about to protest – with a lot of stammering and stuttering – but his thoughts and words were cut short as he head was pulled down.

It was a short kiss. It lasted maybe two or three seconds, yet it seemed like an eternity to the boy with sandy blonde hair. It was his first kiss ever – not that America knew that – and it was so simple and sweet. There was just the faintest sensation of America sucking on his lower lip before pulling away abruptly. Once it was over, it never seemed to have ended. There was still the ghost of the pressure and angel like softness as America flung himself up and strutted out of the room happily.

Canada was left behind, a bewildered look on his face as he brought his fingers up to gently graze his lip. He almost expected those sweet lips to still be there as he touched them. But, realizing they weren't, he became terribly aware of what had just happened.

Heat surged through his cheeks like a forest fire and he stared, dumbfounded, out his door.

Canada woke with a start, sitting up in bed with heat still burning in his cheeks. Taking a deep breathe, he laid back down slowly, biting his lower lip nervously. Dread washed over him in an instant and he curled up on his side for warmth and comfort. How many times will this happen? Why can't I stop dreaming about that night? he thought to himself, his mind's voice a hushed whisper. He clenched his eyes shut, fighting back his raw emotions. The emotions he wasn't supposed – and wouldn't allow himself – to have.

…

End of the prologue! I really hoped everyone liked it. I wrote most of it in my Algebra class and decided I liked the way it sounded, so I finished it and here it is! It seems like the only time I get to write these days are when I'm in that class. I swear, I haven't posted anything in ages. Anyways, I'd love some reviews! I don't know whether it's even worth continuing. Not a lot happened in this chapter, but it was just to introduce the idea and see if anyone liked it. Plus, I thought the first seen was pretty cute. Anyways, ta-ta for now! And please review if you think I should continue. I suppose if I don't I'll just leave it at this. Love you all! (BTW, Amy is pronounced Am—ee like I AM with ee at the end. It's not like AIM-EE).

-GooeyGummiBears