+Canada POV+
It was a fairly normal day. A World Meeting, being invisible, eating pancakes at previously mentioned Meeting with my Emergency Syrup Bottle (ESB). Then came the fireworks. They were actually very pretty, I didn't understand what all the screaming had been about. The source of the explosions had been, of course, the small Sealand boy, and that albino, Prussia. I knew Prussia was no longer a real country, but he still attended the Meetings. I wondered why he did it, when he didn't even need to, and he seemed like the type to avoid business at all costs.
I frowned and stared at my reflection in the hallway mirror (for when Alfred was over), noticing that my hair was a mess, not to mention the curl that always stuck up. I sighed and straightened my glasses, and attempted to tame my waves of hair, but failed, as I usually did. Maybe a walk was in order… the weather might flatten it down. A completely out there idea, but it was worth a shot.
I grabbed my red coat and walked out the door, calling to Kuma… whatever his name was that I'd be home soon. A grunt of approval sounded from the living room, and I smiled, walking out the door to the cold outside world, instantly feeling a breeze ruffle my curl. I laughed and started down the street, my hands in my pockets, my lenses already fogging up. This is what I loved about my country- the crisp, clean winter air.
A few minutes later, I was out of my own territory, and walking through neutral land. Maybe I would see someone I knew. Of course, they wouldn't know me, or even see me, but it would be nice.
Who knew my wish would come true so soon, or even at all?
+Prussia POV+
Who was that blonde guy again? He wasn't America, he was the brother… The one who always carried that bear and who no one noticed. I remember Russia almost sat on him once. Maybe he would talk to me, although not many chose that as their favorite hobby. I imagined I was pretty annoying.
"Hallo! I am zhe Awesome Prussia! Who are you?" I asked loudly. He looked up, startled.
"You…" he started, then shook his head. "I mean, I'm Canada." he answered shyly. I grinned.
"Vell, Canada, now zhat we've met, we should hang out!" I proclaimed. He looked at me strangely, but I didn't care. Okay, yes I did. I cared a lot about what people thought, and most of what I realized wasn't positive. Why was he looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong? What had I said? I couldn't remember amidst the panic that was forming in my head.
"O- okay." he finally replied, and smiled. When was the last time someone had smiled at me? Well, the answer to that was simple. Before Holy Rome had died. I mean, Antonio and Francis smiled at me, but I suspected they were looking straight through me. Nobody ever really looked at me anymore. Maybe I was actually fading away.
I restored the light in my grin and laughed, resuming my walking pace. Canada hurried to fall into step beside me. "So… Um, how has your country been lately? The weather this winter has been acting up."
'I'm not a country anymore,' I wanted to say, but for some reason, I didn't want him to know. How did he not? I had thought everyone knew about my abolishment.
"It's actually quite mild out in Prussia! Ve have better vinters zhan most countries, I zhink!" I declared, one hand on my waist and the other gesturing in the air. Canada smiled again and dug his hands deeper in his pockets.
"It's pretty cold in Canada, eh? It snowed just last night."
I nodded. I had noticed, what with all the white and powdery substance covering the sides of the street. Canada seemed like such a fairy-tale country compared to what my nation once was. It was a few seconds before I realized that he was still talking.
"...reminds me of the snow. It's very nice." he finished, looking up at me expectantly.
"Um, vhat?"
"Your hair. It's color reminds me of the snow. Is it natural?"
"Um, yes, it is." Unfortunately. As a child, the color of my hair had haunted me over and over again. Before I had become a strong country, the locals had all accused me of being a product of witchcraft, a sorcerer myself, or an abomination from the devil. I was none of these, but was treated as all of them. Because of my perfectly natural albino features, I was ridiculed and tormented for decades before I finally gave up and started hiding and hanging around other nations.
"How cool, to have such a fascinating color of hair. Most of us are just blonde." Canada said, looking at the ground as he spoke.
He had no idea.
+Canada POV+
Prussia was faking, and I knew it. I had slipped up and asked how the weather was in his country, but he didn't even correct me. Maybe he had assumed I meant Germany? Oh well, that was fine. I didn't want to get on his bad side so immediately. We were walking back the way I had come, but that was okay too. I had just needed some fresh air. But now he would have farther to walk when he went home…
An awkward quiet had settled over us, and I felt we needed some actual conversation again. But what should I talk about, with someone I barely knew? Maybe he would like something I loved… but what…
"S- so, have you ever had pancakes?" I asked nervously. Would he answer? Was that a stupid question? I mean, who cared about pancakes?
"Nein. Zhey must not be very awesome, if zhe Awesome me has never had any." he scoffed. I looked up in undisguisable shock.
"You've never had pancakes?" I almost shouted, if I had had the lung capacity to shout. What kind of person had never had pancakes, then call them 'not very awesome'?
He looked down, his red eyes wide and surprised, but that nearly instantly turned to his usual grin. "Mein Gott, you are passionate about zhese pancake zhings. Vhere can I find some?"
I knew what I had to do. "Come with me." I demanded, quickening my pace and practically flying back to my house.
Everyone needed pancakes.
