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About a week had passed since the last meeting. It hadn't really crossed Canada's mind much unless he was by himself and had nothing else to think about. He slipped into the meeting and took his place, as usual. America was ranting across the table to China about something, waving his arms flamboyantly with little regard to how close his elbows were to Matthew's face. Canada leaned out of the way, used to this sort of behavior.

The meeting was for the most part uneventful, aside from America spilling coke on his laptop in the middle of his presentation. Canada slipped out of the meeting unnoticed, like usual. He made it about to his office before he felt a faint tug at his sleeve. He turned around, surprised to see Japan standing there.

"Konnichiwa, Kanada-san." Kiku greeted him quietly. "Are you very busy?"

Matthew wasn't sure why Japan followed him, but he wasn't complaining. Someone was finally paying attention to him. It felt wonderful. "No, I don't really have an agenda right now. I was just about to file my paperwork and go have coffee. I-if you want, you can come with me... my treat?" He offered shyly.

"Hai." Kiku nodded with a small smile. He was encouraged by the fact that Canada seemed to like spending time with him. A lot of people found Japan monotonous or even boring. He didn't mean to be. He had lots of exciting stories and games and movies, but he just wasn't a very extroverted person. Kiku prefered to hide his feelings, and some people took it as apathetic. But apparently Canada was comfortable with it.

"One second." Matthew smiled and turned, unlocking his office door and stepping inside. He quickly filed his papers as Japan examined the credentials hanging on the wall, along with several newspapers and flyers. Canada's office was more like a kid's room with nicer furniture than an office. He lead Japan back into the hall, locking his office, and down the hall to the parking lot.

"I think I will leave my car here, Kanada-san." Kiku said, making a split-second decision. "I will go with you in your car. I do not usually use mine anyway. It is... hard to drive." It was true, Japan only bought a car for convenience. But he wasn't a very good driver, and much too cautious and nervous.

"Ok." Matthew smiled, leading Japan to his car and unlocking it. He got in, Japan following suit, and began their leisurely drive through the snow-dusted countryside. It wasn't a very long trip, and soon they arrived at a small coffee shop, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

Canada lead the way into the shop and seemed to know everyone there. Though he remained soft-spoken, he seemed open with his citizens. He spoked with a few customers in a soft Canadian accent, enunciating his vowells in a way Japan found a little funny sounding, but the civilians in the room seemed perfectly comfortable, responding in similar accents.

Kiku wondered why Canada used this smooth dialect here with his people, but hid it behind a short, quiet tone when in the company of other nations. It was like he had an entire secret personality no one even noticed. Something he only shared with his kindred spirits. And something he was made fun of in other places...

Matthew finally lead Japan to a corner booth by the window, where they could see the snow softly falling outside. The trees across the street still had bright orange leaves on it, even a month into the freezing snow. It looked pretty neat, clashing with the silvery ground.

Within a few minutes, the waitress came over and gave them their drinks, which Canada had apparently ordered while conversing at the counter. She left after a polite exchange and Canada turned to Japan.

"I hope you don't mind I ordered for you." He murmered, slipping back to his nation-voice, quiet and toneless, and wavering.

Kiku shook his head with a small smile. He was sure whatever Canada had chosen for him couldn't be too bad. He took a sip and was surprised. Green tea. A beverage Japan enjoyed moreso than others, his favorite in fact. It made him feel ashamed at how very, very little he knew about Canada. Here the gentle, shy nation made an effort to know everyone, their hobbies, their favorite drink... and no one knew who he was. "I-iie... it's... exactly what I wanted..." The words made Canada smile.

Kiku knew he'd never have been able to display the same hospitality to Canada. He didn't know the first thing about him, aside from the fact that he seemed to like ice and sweet things, judging by the big cup of ludirously chocolatey hot cocoa he'd ordered. It even had whipped cream and a cherry on top, like a child's drink. It made Canada look even more innocent, if that was possible.

Oblivious to Kiku's stares, Canada gazed through the frosty window, absently plucking the cherry from his drink, holding it by the stem. Rather than tip his head back and break whatever line of sight he was following, Matthew reached out with his tongue, curling the tip around the cherry and pulling it into his mouth. He yanked the stem away and closed his lips before turning back to his drink, never noticing Kiku's blush.

"Kanada-san." Kiku spoke up after the heat left his face. "Why do you talk to your people so freely, and are so tentative around your fellow nations?" He thought a neutral topic would open Canada up to talk more. He really did want to be friends, and friends had to talk.

"W-well, I..." Matthew fidgetted and shrugged. "I guess I just... I'm shy... and w-well... sometimes Alfred makes fun of my accent... I guess I thought... everyone else would t-too..."

"I would not." Though Kiku could not deny it sounded amusing, it was also kind of cute, and not really something to make fun of. But he could see how any American would find it funny. Japan's accent, too, was a common target of ridicule among America's masses. Nevermind everyone in the world mocked the American accent behind his back... "I think only America is that immature. I like your accent." He smiled honestly.

"R-really?" Matthew smiled. No one ever said they liked his accent. No one really said they didn't... but still. "I-I like yours too." He blushed faintly. Now he just sounded dumb. Like he didn't have anything original to say. He brought his drink to his lips and sipped at it for a distraction.

Kiku smiled when Canada put his drink down. The boy had managed to get a small dot of whipped cream on his cheek and apparently didn't realize it, as he made no move to wipe it away. "Ano... Kanada-san..."

Matthew glanced up. "Hm?"

"Eto, you..." Kiku shook his head. "Here." He picked up a napkin and reached across the table, wiping the spot from Canada's face. The blonde blushed more at the action and Kiku quickly took his hand away. "Gomenasai..."

"I-it's ok..." Matthew stammered, looking to the window and frowning. "I-it's getting dark."

Kiku glanced out the window and noted that it was indeed getting dark. He sighed inwardly. Every time they got together after a meeting the day was already mostly over, as the meetings could take several hours. Japan glanced down at his cup of tea, tracing the rim with his index finger distractedly. "Perhaps we could meet on a day that isn't half gone." He suggested in a neutral tone, as if observing the weather.

Canada smiled and his countenance brightened. "I-I'd like that. You're really n-nice, and we've never t-talked much..."

"Hai. Well..." Kiku nodded and looked up. "I think we could be friends." He smiled.

"Y-you wanna be friends with me?" Matthew couldn't help but grin. No one ever talked to him, let alone wanted to be friends. If they did, they sure never informed him.

"Ano... I suppose that's what I meant. Hai. I want to be friends with you, Kanada-san." Japan smiled a little more, with an affirming nod. He didn't really have any friends himself. Greece, but he mostly slept and talked to his cats. And England was nice, but he was always busy. And America never let him get a word in edgeways. It was nice to have a friend who could simply spend time with him, and to talk with.

"I wanna be your friend too." Matthew replied brightly. He hadn't felt this warm inside since the last time America remembered his birthday. And that was a long, long time ago. "Y-you're like my first friend besides my brother." He mused aloud.

Kiku felt sad to learn he was Canada's only friend. Though he himself enjoyed being alone, he could tell how much the other hated solitude, and to live most of his life alone was a cruel fate for someone who liked company. People and nations are social beings, after all, and like most social creatures, they need others to survive. "I am glad to be your friend." He glanced up to see there weren't many people left in the cafe, only a man in another booth and some employees. "It is getting late. We should be getting back."

Matthew nodded and stood up, Japan following suit. He went to the counter and paid the bill before walking out the door with Japan. It was already snowing, flakes drifting down lazily. They got into Canada's car and he immediately turned the heater on. "Brr." It really sucked that he was sensitive to the cold. He loved it. Skiing, snowboarding, skating. But sometimes he got so cold he couldn't stand it.

The snowfall became more of a flurry as they got closer to the embassy, forcing Canada to use the windshield wipers. He pulled into the parking lot and stopped next to Japan's car. "Well, goodnight, Japan. It was nice hanging out with you."

"Goodnight, Kanada-san." Kiku replied with a very slight bow. He turned away, but hesitated before turning back, speaking up a little over the escalating wind and snow. "Eto, would you like to meet on Saturday? In... Tokyo, perhaps?" He wasn't even sure what they'd do, but he had four days to think of something.

"S-sure, I'll be there." Matthew said brightly, smiling. He tried not to act too excited that another nation was inviting him to his country just to hang out. "S-see you then."

"Hai, see you on Saturday." Kiku smiled back and waved as Canada drove away. He turned and got into his own car, starting it and sitting there for a moment, thoughtful. He pulled away and drove toward home. It wasn't too late to catch the plane, so he wouldn't need a hotel room. He reached for the heater and hesitated, deciding he wasn't really cold, and put his hand back on the wheel. He already felt warm enough inside...

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