~1~
Pain. It flared up Canada's right leg as he landed, hard, on the ice. He just lay there for a moment, his ankle throbbing, cursing himself for screwing up the simple jump.
At least I'm at my own house this time, not the park. That was too long a walk, he thought, remembering when he hurt himself skating the most recent time, not counting the last few minutes. He was pretty sure that last time, while going home from the park; he had passed out for a few moments a couple of times from the pain.
Matthew slowly got up, wincing against the pain as he put weight on his injured ankle. He gritted his teeth as he skated to the edge of the lake, plopping down in the snow to take the ice skates off.
A small whimpering noise escaped his lips as he pulled the skate off his right ankle. Putting on his tennis shoes as gently as possible, cringing at the burning heat caused from having to move his ankle, he got up and slowly began limping to his back door.
The pain was rolling up his leg in waves. His vision was starting to fade in and out of focus at each step, at each new wave. He managed to open the door and take one small step, with his right, injured foot, before his eyesight faded to blackness and he fell into his house unconscious.
~~~
Greece was at the World Conference that was to be held that day. It was still a few minutes before the meeting was due to start, so he was looking around out of boredom, not really paying attention to his surroundings. He soon found himself staring at an empty seat across the table and a few chairs down from him. Who's not here? He thought, trying to place why this vacant spot bothered him. Then it hit him. Canada. Matthew wasn't here! He was always at a World Summit! So why wouldn't he be here now? Heracles' heart fell. He always looked forward to seeing the Canadian. Matthew had the most wonderful hair. And his eyes! Greece mentally shook himself. Stop thinking like that you idiot! He took a deep breath and looked around the table, thinking that maybe Canada had chosen to sit in a different spot. Heracles didn't see him anywhere in the room.
" Hey, guys, Where's Canada?" he asked, voicing his concern. All he got was silence and blank stares.
"Who?" Greece heard England ask through his panicked daze. What if he was hurt? He could just be sick...but that doesn't feel right, he thought. And it didn't; Matthew was never sick, just as he'd never missed a meeting.
"Canada. My brother." America answered after a few minutes when it was clear that Greece himself wasn't going to answer. Maybe... Maybe I should go over to his house and make sure he's alright? Heracles suggested to himself, skeptically.
"He told me he was going to be here... He probably just changed his mind though..." America said, suddenly making up Greece's mind. He needed to see if Mattie was alright! Heracles! You don't need to! You just want to! His mind told him. Oh, shut up! He told himself in response. He made up his mind to go to Matthew's house after the meeting. Greece settled himself to wait for the conference's end, which seemed too far away.
~~~
Matthew was floating in a sweet abyss. The darkness felt so comforting. He had his eyes closed to enjoy the bliss. He suddenly opened them to find Greece standing in front of him, smiling sweetly.
"Mattie, you need to wake up. You've hurt your ankle." he said softly, passionately, walking closer until they were only a few inches apart. He lifted his hand & rested his fingertips gently on Mattie's cheek before disappearing into the darkness without a trace.