Canada loved hockey.
There was just something about the spray of the ice, the smell of cold blood and hot tempers. Matthew could let go, while playing- or even watching, as he was doing tonight. It didn't matter that the American team was winning this time- they weren't going to leave the rink unscathed.
As he settled back into his seat after the ref had yelled at him again to stop provoking the players, Canada noticed the tremble in the concrete below his feet. It made him frown.
He'd know if there were an earthquake, wouldn't he? This was his city- this was him wasn't it?
A cracking sound from somewhere up and to his left made its way to his ear, even above the sound of the slap of the puck, and crash of two players against the wall in front of Matthew. Frowning, he turned to see...
As though it were in slow motion, the second tier of seating was almost slithering forward, the concrete slabs pulling away from the wall with another- louder- crack.
The sounds of the game behind him had all but halted, and a new roar began- that of terrified people. His people. Canada watched as his people did the sensible thing, and evacuated the collapsing balcony and the section below it, aiding each other, and the sprinkling of America's people amongst them- all but one woman in a red and white jersey. She was frozen in place, just staring at her impending doom with wide eyes, and a hand on the collapsed wheelchair next to her.
Time was her enemy- but Matthew could see the steps it would take to get to her, up and over the chair backs, and through the aisles, calculated in his mind how much force that the falling concrete would put on an already damaged human body- and how Alfred was more suited to dramatic situations like this than plain quiet Canada.
But he was already moving.
Less than seconds to act, and none to spare.
She smelled of fear- and a faint hint of maple.
Dust rising in the air as death approached, Matthew smiled at her- the gentle quiet smile that was so often overlooked in favor of the sunshine- and then released her, as one would release a butterfly. Sent her floating towards the waiting arms of a rescuer- another one of his, Canada noted with fleeting pride, one of the team members who'd been suspended for giving the Norwegian team captain an excuse to get dentures.
Man, he was proud of that guy- best reflexes he'd seen in years-
Two tons of concrete, metal and plastic hit Matthew before he could step past the wheelchair.
Pain was temporary, and as much as he hated recovering from death, it'd been worth it for that glimpse of gratitude. For the life of someone who loved the game almost as much as he did.
"Matchmaking and lifesaving at the same time. Well done, mon fils. " He thought he heard France's voice echoing in the darkness that pulled him ever downwards, "My gentle unsung hero."