Alright Dear Readers,

Okay so this is based off of that prompt going around about a de-aged nation. Canada was chosen. You have been warned. Fluffiness and Romance shall ensue.

BEWARE!

I own nothing. I earn nothing from this. Author does not claim ownership to characters/sayings/ ideas herein.

Enjoy!

OoOoOo

It all happened when Romania and Norway got into an argument over whose magic was stronger. Which of course, lead to Russia interjecting that his was. Therefore, it should not have been a surprise when England chimed in that his occult knowledge could best all of them combined.

This lead to the exchanging of insults. Most aimed directly at the offending party, but some were colorful combinations of animal parts, someone's mother, and pointed remarks about said 'mother's' true profession.

None of which were complimentary.

Though really, it was Romania's fault.

At least, that was what America saw of it. Or, that was to say, what she could glimpse from the freaky way the four aforementioned nations were moving about and making up words. There was, inexplicably, some incense and mist about.

She wasn't going to think too much about that. Well, perhaps later she would contemplate how it was possible for the forces of nature to spontaneously appear inside the building. But, for now, she was gaping in disbelief. For suddenly the strange swirling mist that should have been a direct hit on Russia, was deflected.

America managed to dodge, but poor Canada, her sweet neighbor, was not so lucky. He had been trying to keep the peace and settle everyone down. Therefore he was distracted, and did not notice what hurtled right for him.

In an instant, however, he was dramatically changed.

America's blue eyes widened behind Texas, and even Nantucket paused in its bounding as she stared at a version of Canada she knew...

From a very long time ago.

"Holy shit!" She exclaimed loudly, causing most nations to look where she was. The shout of surprise seemed to echo through the rafters as many sets of eyes landed on a very young, clad only in a night shirt and bow, Canada.

The Netherlands started forward, a smile on his face, likely just to comfort the child. However, any move toward Canada was seen as aggressive by America. Because, it was Canada, and that equated to a big red neon sign above his adorable head reading 'Hands off!'

Her hand was on the Netherland's shoulder, even though he was an ally and on some level she understood that -but once again, no one was allowed to touch so much as a hair on his cute little head-.

"Touch him," America hissed out with all seriousness, "and I will end you."

The Netherlands flushed white as every American horror movie came to mind as the Star-spangled nation gave him an eerie look. The male nation sat down quietly, and tried to calm himself with mental images of frolicking rabbits.

Canada's appeared as if he were about to cry.

His violet eyes were wide as well, as he started to tremble at all the nations peering at him in mute disbelief.

America bounded over a table, and pushed France out of the way as the other nation moved toward his former charge. Both America and France knew that there would be some countries that would prey upon a confused nation.

But, she was the hero, and not even France was allowed to touch Canada when America was in 'over protective' mode. Which was now. Besides, Canada looked lost and confused.

And, if Canada wasn't confused by all of this, then America's name was Shirley. The United States of Shirley. Ugh, that would have been terrible.

"Hey dude!" She greeted with a wide smile and a soft tone as she stood before the colony.

America vaguely recalled Canada being a bit skittish at this age. Or maybe that was because they used to terrify each other with ghost stories. No wait, Canada terrified America with ghost stories. Huh. Why was she helping him again?

She glanced to the side and saw a few other nations creeping forward. America's 'overprotective' side came back in full force and she gave an eerie smile that had many nations moving back slowly. Then she blinked and looked down at the colony, wondering why the boy had that effect on her.

Oh right. It was Canada.

Yep. Yep. She was going to cut someone if they came too close.

"Invaders!" Canada 'eeped' out with dismay. His stubby legs carried him a bit further from the other nations. His gaze narrowed on them all, as he stood his ground, trembling. However, it lessened as he noticed America smiling at him.

"America, you need to-" He turned his head to the left, ready to say more, but stopped abruptly. "America?"

"Yes?" The Star-Spangled nation answered cheerfully.

It turned out to be the wrong thing to say.

"Go away! Leave me alone. I have to-" The young Canada said as fiercely as he could managed, which was all rather adorable. So much so that America laughed softly in delight.

"Nope!" She replied happily. "I can't leave ya. I'm the hero!"

At her words, something flickered through the young nation's eyes. A faint flare of recognition. His trembling ceased and he looked at her curiously, but with distrust.

"Pardon me, but only America can say that," Canada replied respectfully, but petulantly. His violet eyes glanced around once more. "Where...where... is America? We were playing... and...and..."

Just as she was about to answer, the star-spangled nation noticed that Canada started to tremble again, a bit of steel in the glare he leveled at the other nations.

"Did you take her?! We are under royal protection. If you hurt her... I'll... I'll... you give her back!"

A bright grin answered his frank statement. So he was from the time when they had both been colonies to different countries. Either way, by his words...he was definitely Canada, America knelt before him, trying not to crowd him or scare him.

"Canada," the female nation said gently.

His gaze widened. The young colony blinked at her in stupefaction.

"H-how do you know my name?"

"It's me," She said as she placed a hand over her heart. "America."

He took a step back, his younger features showed anxiety and disbelief. Before it turned slightly contemptuous.

"You should not lie. It is unbecoming on a lady. No matter, you are much too big to be America." Canada said firmly.

"I've been telling her that for years-" France began a little snidely.

The female nation turned her head toward him slightly. A sweet smile still on her lips.

"Do you want to leave this room in one piece or ten?" America asked brightly.

"Never mind." France muttered before glancing at Canada again.

"France?!" Canada called out, clearly recognizing the older nation.

"Oui."

The colony's features twisted into confusion, his brow furrowed as he contemplated.

"If...if France is here... then where..." he trailed off, looking anxious. "Where is America?"

"Right here," said nation replied once more. "Canada, it really is me."

He looked doubtful, as he worried his bottom lip. Tears welled in his eyes.

"I bet," America said suddenly, looking around slyly, "That I can tell you something only the real America would know."

Now, to a young colony, that sounded like flawless logic. The rest of the world gave varying glances of exasperation at the Star-spangled nation. Canada, nodded slowly and carefully moved toward her. America leaned in and whispered something that only he could hear.

Though several nations tried valiantly to eavesdrop, without success.

America pulled back after a moment, grinning and laughing. Her blue eyes sparkled behind Texas.

"Believe me now?"

Canada's trembling started again, only this time it was plain to see the relief and excitement he possessed.

"It is you! In truth!" And with that he launched himself at America.

She caught him easily and pulled him in for a long hug. "I told ya, silly. Of course it's me."

"You... You've gotten so big!" Canada gasped out when America released him. His violet eyes were wide with wonder.

"Yeah! I know!" America agreed excitedly. "It's really cool."

"...but... if you are big, why am I still small?" Canada asked as he pointed to himself thoughtfully.

"Well, you got bigger too. But something happened and it shrunk you," she answered honestly.

Canada nodded, then he peeked up shyly. His face was hopeful and a bit embarrassed.

"Am I as big as you?"

"Even bigger!" America replied cheerfully.

"I am?"

"Totally dude! You are the second largest nation on the planet!" She continued with growing excitement and it caused Canada to mirror her enthusiasm.

His eyes were so wide, they nearly swallowed up his whole face as Canada stared at America. Joy was all but pouring off of him. The childish sort of joy that comes from being told you are good at something.

"Truly?"

"Of course!"

Her loud proclamation was met with a low grumble.

"Russia is the largest by landmass," said nation interjected.

"Shut up!" America snapped, "not everything is about you."

"America?" Canada asked softly.

"Yes?" She turned back toward Canada.

"Does that mean... that we got married?"

America paused, confused momentarily by what he was asking. Why would he think that they would-

Then she remembered, like an old and worn photograph, the moment they had met together on a hillside, in neutral land, after hearing about treaties for the first time from France. How they were like a marriage, and how marriage had sounded so intriguing to the young colonies.

Where, Canada had promised her, with a pink face, that he would marry her when he became a nation. America, in her naiveté, had agreed quickly, proclaiming them by that strange title France was known to use.

America shook her head and laughed again.

"No Canada."

"Why not?" He asked with sadness in his face. "Do you not love me anymore?"

It was like a harpoon through her heart. America's eyes widened and she looked horrified.

"Of course I love you!" She shouted out, louder than needed.

Canada appeared mollified. The world however, seemed shocked.

"Then why-?"

"Things change," she said gently, trying to break it to him easily. "Time changed us both. By the time we both achieved independence, you didn't want to marry anymore."

It was England that noticed how America said 'you' and not 'we'. He cleared his throat to distract other nations from noticing it as well.

"What things?"

America sighed heavily. She wasn't going to tell kid-Canada about the horrors of war. Or the periods of time where he wanted nothing to do with her and didn't trust her. Granted, she had tried to invade him twice, so it really was understandable. However, he was just a colony at the moment.

"Just... things." America hedged as she looked away. "Anyway, I could never find a cup you wanted to share anyway."

"Oh. So we couldn't get married then."

America was about to reply, agreeing with him, over the silly misconception they had about marriages at the time. Both convinced that the reason people married was because they shared the cup the priest put in front of them.

Then she noticed the heavy weight of hundreds of stares that were leveled at her.

"What?!" America snapped looking around with a blush hot on her cheeks. "We were only colonies. We thought it worked that way."

Canada blinked, his bright and large violet eyes were trained on America, admiring the fact that she had grown up rather pretty. Canada liked pretty things. He placed his arms around America's neck as she held him, hugging her tightly.

America's gaze shifted to Canada and her expression of ire melted into one of tenderness as she allowed him to hug her.

"Do not worry America," Canada promised softly, "when I get bigger again, I'll keep my promise. I'll marry you. Cup or no cup!"

Canada had no idea why all the other nations broke into merry laughter, or why America was bright red. He'd never seen her do that before. And, he had never heard some of the words she started shouting while others admonished her for her 'language'. However, none of it really mattered to young Canada, because America had found him. When he was all alone with these scary large nations, and France. Not that France was bad, but he was relieved to have America with him.

And he was going to take better care to watch over her, from now on.

Because, after all, he had promised.