Japan had only stayed with Canada for a couple weeks, but that had been more than enough time to fully realize how different he was from his brother. Not just in personality, but the little choices they made were polar opposites. While Al would chug Coca Cola down by the bucketful, Matthew preferred Pepsi. He'd also rather a homemade meal to fast food, but if there was no other choice, he'd pick A&W or Harvey's, whereas names like that were nearly blasphemous in America's almost entirely McDonald's and Burger King based diet.

But the biggest difference by far, was the smile. Where Al would choose to grin like the goofy idiot he was, the Canadian wore a peaceful smile that somehow managed to light up the entire room.

Well, that, and he couldn't stand the reality TV his brother seemed to love so much.

After an endless stream of thanks for his hospitality, Japan left for home. The place seemed so foreign after such a long time, but he was almost back to his usual self when he saw the months' worth of dust that had gathered, and he set off into a whirlwind of cleaning. He was almost completely over the fiasco with Al thanks to said American's own brother.

So why was he alone with Al in a hallway again, pressed against a wall?

"I said I was sorry! I was an idiot, and it will never happen again. Can't you forgive me?" America pleaded. There was that look. Those puppy dog eyes that shattered Japan's normally blank exterior. He shut his eyes, trying so desperately to forget those eyes. Forcing himself to see the lust that glazed over the blues when he'd looked at Lithuania. But that voice was piercing his resolve. "Please, Kiku. I can change. I'll break off all ties with Toris if it would change your mind."

"That wouldn't change a thing!" He shouted, still refusing to open is eyes. "You'll always let your eyes wander to someone else!"

"Never! That was one time, and I could never hurt you again like I did. I can't apologize enough for what I did."

"No, you can't."

"Can't you give me a chance to change?"

"I don't think so Alfred." He managed, finally letting his dark eyes meet America's. "You can't change. I know that now."

"Oh yeah? And who's got you so sure about that? If it's Yao telling you that I'm untrustworthy, that debt has got nothing to do with how I handle my relationships!"

"It was me, actually." The two looked up at Canada's sudden interruption. A look of gratitude washed over Japan's face while America just looked shocked.

"You've been talking with him Mattie?"

Before he could respond to the sudden accusation, Japan practically leapt between the two. "I went to Canada for help after…the fact."

"So he's been telling you that I'm not capable of change!" The blond was getting angry now, something most nations shied away from. But never Canada.

"I just helped him figure it out for himself Al. You hurt him and that's all there is to it." The others were both surprised at the harsh tone in Canada's voice. His brother was used to being able to ignore him, while Japan had grown accustomed to his near-constant smiles, and kind words.

America let his surprise fade, and the cold anger return. "Fine then. Conspire away, it won't do you any good." And he turned to leave, forcing a rough kiss on Japan before doing so.

Matthew scowled at the blond's retreating figure. Trying to get him back after all he'd done was one thing. His brother was an idiot, he pretty much saw it coming, but for him to practically force himself onto the quiet man who could no more push him away than a child could push away a rampaging elephant. It was just…

"Unforgivable."

"What?"

The Canadian blinked in surprise, realizing that he'd spoken out loud. Japan was slightly red-faced, but otherwise pretending nothing had happened, just looking confused. So in answer, he cleared his throat, and gave a quick smile. "Nothing. Now come on, we'll be late for the conference." There was a faint tone of bitterness as he added. "They'll be wondering where you are."

"You too." The smaller man said quickly.

"Not me. You didn't even know who I was two weeks ago. Why should everyone else?" And with that, he headed off towards the high-ceilinged room.

Japan couldn't help but think of something America had told him. Back when everything was okay, and they could talk freely at all hours of the night.

'We've all got ways of coping with the daily fears nations go through. You hide your emotions, Latvia shrank. It's usually not intentional, or even something we can control. It just…happens.'

At the time, he didn't think he'd completely understood the idea. How could fear make someone shrink? Now he got it. Canada didn't want to be invisible at all, he just was. It was just his way of dealing with what they all had to go through.

So he looked over at Canada, whose depressed expression had faded back to his normal, almost curious one. "I've noticed when you weren't there before."

"Really?" There was a flicker of happiness behind the surprise. "Well there was that one time at the G8 meeting, but I thought that was just a fluke."

On an impulse, Japan reached out and took Canada's hand in his own. "Never." He murmured with a smile.

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Thanks for reading!

Let's consider this my Christmas present to all of you. If you don't celebrate Christmas… um… I got nothing; just don't get mad at me.

So I've been insanely lazy lately, but am jacked to finally be done school for the break, huzzah! And now that I've got a larger group, I'm even more jacked to go to Anime North in May! Vic Mignogna's going to be there! Words cannot fully express my joy! ^-^

So uh… yeah, reviews would make my day, just like season 1 of Death Note is going to make my Christmas… Yay snooping!

Anyway… let me know if it sucked or not, and I'll try to actually write faster this time. Bye!