Hello everyone! Sorry for the long wait, I had serious writer's block for this chapter and still think it ended up really bad and rushed. So, I apologize. :( On a happier note, guess what? My friend Amanda (see the first chapter if you are confused) approved of Canada being with a girl! Yeah! In fact, her acceptance (no matter how grudging) gave me motivation to hurry and post this tonight! As a side note, thanks to MedusaLegend for her French correction. I promise I will fix that sometime in the future. Thanks and please enjoy! (Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story)
The Maple Leaf Crown Chapter 9: Yes, and Please Check the Back Seat
"This may be sudden, but would you like me as your guardian?"
Liechtenstein stared at the nervous Canadian nation with incomprehension for a few moments. She stared at him in surprise and didn't notice curious onlookers gather around them. When his nervous expression and the smiling onlookers finally clued her in, she squealed a bit as she gave him a big hug. He gripped her back as the onlookers made appropriate noises of approval and moved on.
"If I had to have any one else, I would choose you as my new guardian. However, you did get big bruder's permission right?" The female nation had sudden images of Switzerland pointing a huge gun at Canada and flinched a bit. Obviously seeing a similar image, he quickly nodded and hugged her tighter.
"All I needed was your permission, Liechtenstein. Thank you...you have no idea this makes me." Liechtenstein felt a few drops of water hit the top of her head and looked directly up. He was silently crying but he quickly wiped them away when he caught her looking. She reached up to wipe the stray ones away but was stopped by his hand as he sweetly grabbed her wrist. The Canadian nation smiled at her and delicately picked her up. She squeaked when her feet left the ground but didn't complain as he carefully carried her to his car in the parking lot.
"Thank you for carrying me, but you did not need too." She smiled up at him gratefully but jumped out of his arms when he attempted to open the car door. He frowned a bit at her and helped her into the car, closing the door behind her with a firm click. Liechtenstein settled down, fixing her skirts, and reached for the buckle only to feel a pair of glasses. Startled, she turned around completely to see a smug looking America sitting in the back of Canada's car.
"Why are you here Mr. America?" She innocently inquired and felt slightly alarmed when he smirked in response. He held up a finger to his lips in the international sign for silence and he hurriedly sunk below the seats. The driver seat door opened as Canada got in and started up the engine—completely missing the American nation behind him. The silence was deafening as they pulled out of the parking lot and onto an old country road. Liechtenstein recognized the road as the way back to Canada's house and relaxed against the window. She saw America give her a big thumbs up in the reflection as he opened his mouth.
"Dude, bro! What did she say?! When is the date set?" America yelled it at the top of his lungs, causing the driver to swerve off the road. Clutching the seat for dear life, Liechtenstein watched as Canada got the car under control again and pulled off to the side of the road. He turned around, angrier than the female nation had ever seen him, and bopped his brother upside the head.
"America! You do realize that it is snowing, right? If I had hit a bad patch of ice, we all would have crashed. Please make your presence known before you do something so completely stupid next time." Even though his voice was still quiet, it held a stern tone and suddenly Liechtenstein saw the man who had lectured America for three hours straight. Biting back a giggle, she glanced at America and saw a sad puppy staring at his brother. He looked adorable...there was no way anyone could remain upset with that face. She glanced back at her new guardian and laughed outright. Canada looked torn between lectuing and laughing, leaving him with a funny expression.
"But...I wanted to be the first one to hear it. You're important to me bro." America forced crocodile tears to eyes as he tearfully pleaded with his brother. Sighing in defeat, Canada turned around and started up the car again. He turned onto the road and drove a few meters before answering.
"She said yes. Why don't you ask her yourself, she is right there after all." America turned to Liechtenstein who was still giggling and grabbed her left hand. He turned it over and over again, clearing looking for something. Completely baffled, Liechtenstein tilted her head to the side in a questioning motion. The American nation grinned as Canada drove into his driveway.
"I was looking for the ring." The car screeched to a sudden halt as the Canadian nation blushed a bright red. He banged his head on the steering wheel for good measure before whipping around to his smirking brother. Liechtenstein removed her hand and held it in confusion. The two brothers stared at each other for a long time as snow fell softly around the warm car. She looked between the two and smiled. They had such a good brotherly relationship.
"I asked to be her guardian. Guardians don't give rings America, at least not in my country." He attempted to look serious but blushed a deeper red when America raised his eyebrows. Canada groaned in frustration and held up her left hand—pointing to her empty ring finger. She smiled as they started bickering and grabbed Canada's keys. The female nation left them arguing and unlocked the house, immediately feeling the warmth of the roaring fire. She settled down in her favorite chair and picked up an unresistant Kumijiro. He snuggled into her and promptly fell asleep as the front door opened again.
"Sorry about that, America was being persistent." "I was not being persistent, I was trying to prove my point." "That is the same thing." Canada and America bickered all the way to fire where the fire grew as logs were thrown into it. They sat down in opposite chairs and eyed each other, finally quiet. Liechtenstein yawned and Canada was instantly up and taking his pet from her. After gently placing the polar bear in his brother's lap, he helped her up and walked her to her bedroom. She gave a big, sleepy hug and he kissed her forehead in return-blushing all the while.
"Sleep well, we will call your brother tomorrow. Is that okay ? Really ? Okay then...bonne nuit." He patted her head before gently pulling out of her grasp, closing the door behind him. Liechtenstein listened to his footsteps fade away and sunk into the bed, too tired to remove her clothing. A lot had happened today. She yawned again and closed her eyes, looking forward to hearing her brother tomorrow.
Back in the living room, America was waiting for his brother rather impatiently. He tapped his foot but quickly stopped when the polar bear on his lap yawned—showing off pointy teeth. The American nation turned to Canada as he sat in Liechtenstein's abandoned chair. They looked at each other for a minute before the Canadian nation reluctantly stood up once again. He yawned almost as big as Kumijiro and gestured down the hallway.
"You can have the room next to mine. Good night and please don't wake up the neighbors." He gestured vaguely to a door and walked down the hallway. He barely noticed America follow him down the hallway and stop at his bedroom door.
"Canada... " The aforementioned nation stopped in surprise, his brother had gotten his name right. It must be serious! He turned around slowly and looked at America, who looked somewhat serious.
"Why didn't you ask her to marry you. Being a guardian is good, but don't your feelings extend farther than that?" Canada smiled tiredly, too tired to be embarrassed, and waved him goodnight.
"Je n'ai pas un désir de mort. Don't worry, I will ask someday and you will be the first to know." America nodded, not understanding the French bit but getting the general message, and hugged his brother goodbye like when they were little. They both closed their doors and went to sleep, with one nation seriously considering the question. All well. The house fell silent as all three, plus one polar bear!, fell asleep and waited for tomorrow to come.
End of Chapter 9
Thank you for reading thus far. I hope you all enjoyed it! Please R&R before you leave to let me know if I utterly failed, okay? Thanks again!
~gabbysqueek~