A/N: Before I begin this chapter of Dissolving, I would just like to thank all you lovely people on dA for all the favorites, watches, and comments. And to you all on , I thank you for adding this to your alerts and favorites and for also sending me so many wonderful reviews. Keep 'em coming guys XD they really do motivate me to write Anyway, here is the ninth chapter of Dissolving~! Matthew awoke with his cheek marked from falling asleep leaning on Prussia's sheets while sitting in his chair. His neck hurt terribly and he sat up slowly, turning his head slightly to force a wonderful, loud pop from his stiffened vertebrae. Canada straightened the glasses on his nose and sat back in his chair to glance at Prussia. He had not moved at all. Canada sighed, then stood, unhurriedly, and made his way to Prussia's bathroom. Since Gilbert was in a coma, and Germany and Italy had their own bathroom upstairs, Canada assumed they wouldn't mind if he freshened up a bit before the meeting today.
The lavender-eyed boy stepped into Prussia's bathroom and closed the door before flicking on the light, revealing white tiles with grey walls and dark-stained wooden cabinets. He squinted a little against the intense fluorescent lights as he undressed quickly before turning on the water and stepping in when it had become warm enough. He stood still under the hot spray for a few moments, allowing the warmth of the water to relax his aching muscles.
After a few moments, Canada opened his eyes to search for shampoo. He squeezed some out of the bottle into his hand and began working it through his blonde locks into a lather. As he scrubbed, he closed his eyes and breathed in through his nose, inhaling a woodsy, earthy, spicy odor that can be described as "autumn" in fragrance.
Once he had rinsed his hair and finished showering, Matthew stepped out of the stall and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around himself. It also smelled just like Prussia, a mixture of his shampoo, beer, wurst, and his favorite body spray. The nation burrowed deeper into the burgundy towel, breathing in its scent. It made him think even more of Gilbert. It made Canada miss him. Small tears began to collect at the corner of his azure eyes and one rolled down his cheek.
Matthew almost immediately wiped it away. Prussia wasn't dead; he was merely in a coma. This was not the time to be crying as though he were dead. As Germany had said, Gilbert could wake up at any time.
The Canadian finished drying off and threw his old clothes back on and ran his fingers through his golden locks before proceeding to exit the bathroom. Before going upstairs, he glanced over to Prussia, frowned dejectedly, then made his way up the staircase.
Canada entered the kitchen to find Germany and Italy seated at the table, eating breakfast. The German was enjoying some cold sausage and cheese with bread topped with jam and Feliciano was having fette biscottate with butter and a steaming cup of hot coffee with milk.
"Um… G-good morning, you two," Canada greeted shyly.
"Ve~ Good morning, Canada!" Italy replied.
"Guten morgen," Ludwig said gruffly.
„Would you like some caffè e latte?" the Italian asked politely. The Canadian smiled and nodded his head.
"If it isn't any trouble…" Italy stood and made began padding around the kitchen with his bare feet, making the coffee for Canada. He still wore his common night clothing of a pink tank top and Italian flag shorts.
"Not at all," Italy said nonchalantly, "I'll get you some fette biscottate as well. Would you like butter or jam on it?" Canada asked for jam and sat down at one of the empty seats at the kitchen table with Germany, who had quietly returned to eating his own food. His hair was already in perfect array and he wore his standard military outfit.
When the food and drink was placed before Matthew, he thanked Italy softly before nibbling on the bread. They ate in silence until Italy spoke, somewhat tentatively.
"How did you sleep, Canada?" Matthew took a sip of his coffee before answering.
"I slept okay. Hurt my back a bit though."
"How is it feeling now?"
"It's still a little sore, eh."
"Would you like me to get some pain medication for you?" Germany asked the Canadian. Germany went downstairs to go grab the medicine from Prussia's bathroom. Italy and Canada ate in silence until Ludwig returned with a bottle of a red solution. He had a puzzled expression on his face.
"It's strange…" he murmured in his deep voice, "I thought I had just bought Prussia new headache medicine, but it's already mostly gone."
"He might have taken it to get rid of his hangover a few days ago," Feliciano offered. Germany nodded and handed Canada the bottle, who measured it carefully before swallowing it swiftly, crinkling his nose at the acrid taste. He quickly washed it down with a sip of coffee, draining the last of his drink before eating the final bite of his pastry. The blonde stood and said quietly to the other two nations,
"I'll see you two at the meeting… I'd like to get there early." The German nodded stoically and the Italian beamed warmly at him as he left the house of Germany to walk to his former caretaker France's house.
