Love as Pure as Snow
Chapter 1 – Skating in Circles
I was on SaltedMapleFC Deviant Art and they didn't have any fanfic at all. Not to mention there is almost no Canada/Japan here on fanfiction, either. So I thought someone should write one. And I know the characters of Japan and Canada pretty well, and I know they'd make really good friends under most circumstances. In my personal RPs Japan and Canada have a lot of adversity toward one another and it's really relieving writing them as friends and possibly even more.
This fanfic will mainly be Canada and Japan becoming friends because they're both nice shy lonely boys. And I'm hoping to actually go pretty far in this if I have time, and I hate to disappoint anyone if I can't, but c'est la vie~
Try not to be overtaken by all the cute -_-"
Warnings: This fic's rating may be changed later if more mature themes arise, but it's doubtful, because this is a pretty fluffy story... Sorry for any inconvenience, but you can also find this story on my DeviantArt, which I will add to my profile shortly after publishing this.
Reviews are much appreciated and will probably decide the fate of this fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything here.
The snow drifted down on Canada like ashes, landing in his soft blonde hair and melting on his pale skin. The blades of his skates made soft grating sounds against the slick ice of a large pond in the woods. He was alone as far as he knew.
Earlier, Matthew Williams had been sitting in a meeting, watching the snow float down outside and wishing England would hurry up with his reports. He remembered someone closing with an announcement of a Christmas party, probably America, hungry for attention.
When the meeting was over, Canada made a beeline for the nearby park. He didn't have to go home since the meeting was being held in Canada. It was only a week to Christmas and it had already been snowing for months here.
Matthew closed his eyes, twirling in a circle near the center of the pond, enjoying the stinging cold against his face and bare hands despite its attempts to paralyze him. Suddenly he heard someone call him in a soft voice. He twisted around, eyes snapping open, and lost his balance, falling to the ice. He grimaced as pain shot through his elbow, but quickly recovered and pushed himself to his feet, balancing expertly on his ice skates. He glanced up to see Japan standing at the edge of the pond, watching him.
"Ah, gomenesai, Kanada-san. I did not mean to upset your concentration." Honda Kiku apologized, his face a bit surprised at the other nation's fall.
Matthew shook his head, skating slowly over to the edge of the pond. "N-no, it's ok, I just... I wasn't paying attention." He blushed faintly, embarrassed that he'd tripped over his own feet like that. "S-so what are you doing here?"
Japan looked around as if he didn't notice he'd wandered here. "Ano, I saw you by yourself and you look so happy. I just... eto, wanted to watch you." At this he almost looked embarrassed.
"Why don't you join me?" Canada asked, always eager to make new friends. "It's fun and easy and the winter is so nice."
"Ano... I..." Kiku shook his head. "I do not think I would enjoy it. Besides, I do not own the neccessary equipment." He pointed to Canada's ice skates.
"Sure you would. And it's fine, we can go buy some right now. I'll pay, it'll be my Christmas present to you." Matthew was relishing in the fact that someone was talking to him, paying attention to him. He didn't want Japan to leave yet.
Japan hesitated, studying Canada's face. He looked so hopeful, and Kiku wondered if he even had any other friends. Of course there was America, but he seemed to ignore the boy as much as Japan and every other nation did. He considered it. He had nothing better to do. "I suppose it could do no harm..."
"Great!" Matthew's eyes lit up and he smiled. "Come on, there's a store right on the corner we can buy you a pair of skates." Leaving their cars in the lot at the park, Canada lead Japan down the street to a small store by itself. Inside were various gift store items, along with sporting goods and general-store items, like groceries. Matthew helped Kiku try on skates until they found a pair that fit him and he payed for them, walking back to the park with Japan, sho couldn't help but be worried at the prospect of moving across frozen water with blades on his feet.
Ten minutes later, Canada was trying to convince Japan to get up from the bench at the edge where he was sitting and come onto the ice. "Don't worry, it's really easy, just keep your feet apart a little and push out with your toes. Like walking backward." He skated forward a few feet and returned, showing Japan how to do it.
Kiku frowned. "I do not want to fall..."
"Oh." Matthew laughed lightly. "I won't let you fall, it's ok. You can hold my hand if you want." He held out a hand to Japan.
The quiet nation eyed Canada's hand skeptically, vaguely wondering why he chose not to wear gloves in this cold. Japan finally conceded to grasping Canada's fingers in his own mittened hand and stood up, gasping when his feet immediately began sliding forward ahead of him. Grabbing Canada by the shoulders, he managed to right himself. "I-I am not sure if I can do this."
"Of course you can." Canada gave Japan a warm smile. "Everyone falls the first few times."
"You mean I will fall again?" Japan asked, as if he hadn't expected it.
"It's ok, it's not that bad. That's part of learning something new. But see, that's why I'm here. I'll catch you." He smiled again. "Come on, don't be nervous." He slowly moved away from the edge of the pond, tugging Japan along with him. He watched the smaller nation's feet, making sure not to trip him up. "There, was that so hard?"
Japan looked up, having been rigorously watching his feet so he wouldn't fall. Now he noticed they were in the center of the frozen pond, far from the soft snow on the shore and surrounded by thick hard ice.
Canada didn't wait for an answer. He gently pulled Japan forward again, ignoring the other nation's surprise. He swept to the left, taking both of Japan's hands in his own, and straightened his arms so they were circling around, only their connected hands keeping them from skidding off in opposite directions.
Japan was surprised to find himself suddenly spinning on the ice, but not falling. Apparently Canada knew enough about ice skating to control his partner whether they knew how to skate or not. Somehow this reassured Kiku, and he relaxed very slightly, marvelling at how the snow swirled around them. He didn't even notice when the spinning suddenly slowed almost to a stop and Canada let go of him, sliding away on the ice with a michievous smile.
Japan stared, wide-eyed. "Wait!" He panicked, already feeling his coordination slipping along with his feet. "I-I will fall!"
Canada merely spread his arms. "Come here, then. Just like I showed you. You can do it." His warm smile spread over his face again.
Kiku bit his lip and pushed a foot forward. He felt himself sliding forward and instictively pushed his other foot out. It corrected his balance and he slid forward more, pushing his first foot out again and so on, until he skated, slowly and shakily, but surely, into Canada's arms, clutching onto him frantically for support. He blushed faintly. "Th-that was not so hard."
"See?" Matthew grinned. He felt so accomplished. He taught another nation something new, he may have even made a friend, and all without even trying. Usually no one talked to him.
Japan looked up at Canada's face and was surprised to feel a faint fluttering in his stomach. He realized the taller nation was holding him and fought back the warmth that tried to creep into his face. He pushed away from Matthew. "Ano... Kanada-san, I should be going."
"Huh?" Canada gave Japan a confused look. Had he done something wrong? "So soon?"
"Gomenesai. I-I have a lot to do. Can you help me off the ice?" Kiku looked at the ground almost apologetically.
Matthew nodded, trying not to look too upset, and helped Kiku skate to the edge of the pond. They removed their skates and walked to the parking lot together in silence and had just said quiet farewells when Canada turned to Japan. "Hey."
Japan hesitated and turned around.
"I was thinking, it's really cold, and if you're not too busy, maybe you could stop by my house and we can have something warm to drink." Matthew offered quietly.
"Ano..." Japan thought for a second, but it was cold and Canada seemed so lonely, he felt almost bad about wanting to leave. "Alright." He got in his car and Canada climbed into his own, grinning cheerfully, and lead the way to his home.
Canada led Japan into his house, shaking snow from his coat and hair. He went to the kitchen. "I know you prefer tea, but I only have hot chocolate right now. I hope you don't mind."
Kiku shook his head. "Not at all." He didn't really like sweet things, but he wanted to be courteous. He looked around at Matthew's ornate living room as he waited. It was obvious from much of the design that Canada took after France in many ways.
Canada reappeared with a small tray and two cups of hot chocolate. He and Japan each took one and sipped at it silently, occasionally making small conversation that died quickly.
"You have a very nice home, Kanada-san." Japan spoke up. "You have very good tastes."
"Ah, y-yeah." Canada looked around the room, expression slightly nostalgic. "Yeah, Papa helped me get this house..." A small smile graced his lips at some old memory.
Kiku caught himself staring at Matthew again and quickly averted his eyes to the arm of the sofa he was sitting at. "Eto... I should be going soon..." He said quietly.
Canada looked up at the grandfather clock in the corner. "Oh, I'm sorry." He stood up, apologetic. "I didn't realize how late it was getting." He lead Japan to the hall, where he retrieved his coat, and opened the door for him.
Japan stepped onto the snow-dusted porch and turned back to Canada. "It was very nice talking with you, Kanada-san. And ice-skating. And visiting your house. You are very hospitable." He hesitated, opening his mouth to add something else, but changing his mind. He found himself remembering the way Canada held onto him to keep him from slipping away when they were skating...
He thought for a second. Wasn't kissing on the cheek a casual custom in France? In a split-second decision, Kiku stood on his tiptoes and gave Matthew a fleeting peck on the cheek, blushing faintly. "A-a-arigato." He turned and left before Canada could respond, getting into his car and driving home.
Canada stared after Japan for a while before closing the door. He put his fingertips to his cheek. He wondered if Japan was trying to emulate a French custom by kissing him on the cheek? If so, why had Kiku acted so flustered afterward? Matthew felt a blush creep into his face at the possibility that it meant something. He didn't know Japan very well, but just the prospect of someone liking and paying attention to him was the most hopeful feeling he'd had in a long time.
He smiled to himself as he got ready for bed. He was determined to at least be friends with Japan now. They'd spent almost the whole day together and even though they barely talked, Kiku never forgot Matthew was there. Which was something people did even when they were in the middle of a conversation with him. It was different and it made him feel good.
Matthew really couldn't help the fact that the memory of skating in circles with Kiku crept into his mind as he drifted off to sleep...
