Ahaha, shorter wait this time, just like I promised! (Though it could hardly get any longer than the wait last time…) Anyways, thanks to everyone who reviewed/favorited/followed after the last chapter! : )

Unfortunately, this is the least exciting chapter in the whole story, in my opinion…oh well. It's necessary.

Chapter Pairings: Mentions of America x England (one-sided)

10. A Deal Made in Hell (Canada)

Canada wasn't exactly surprised that someone bumped into him in the hallway before class. It was a fairly common occurrence in his life. But he was a little shocked to find himself thrown backwards with such force, considering it had felt like just a little tap against his chest and hadn't slowed the other guy down at all. But that's how it goes, being as small and invisible as he was.

The wind had been knocked out of him, so he waited, leaning against the wall he'd hit, for his breathing to return to normal. But the surprises that morning continued.

"America!" he heard from only a few feet away. He turned his head and saw England running in his direction. "America, are you alright!?"

"Uh…" Canada still couldn't speak as England knelt at his side, fussing over him like a worried mother. He laid a hand gingerly on Canada's shoulder, apparently tentatively trying to comfort him. However, when he spoke, his words were fierce.

"That git Russia should watch where he's going, he's gonna hurt someone!" He shot a look down the hall after Russia, but he was long gone. He shook his head and turned back to Canada, saying much more gently, "But you're alright, right? You're…" He stopped speaking abruptly and pulled his hands away from Canada. "Oh, shit, you're…"

"Yeah," Canada agreed weakly. "I'm Canada." He'd been mistaken for his brother once again.

"Christ, I'm sorry, I thought-"

"It's okay. It's happened before."

"I really am sorry. But…you are alright?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Canada tried to smile reassuringly but it came out more half-hearted than anything.

"Well, that's good."

They sat in a slightly awkward silence for a few seconds more. Canada wondered why England was still sitting here; didn't he have a class to go to? They were both going to be late as it was, why make things any worse for himself? Canada cleared his throat quietly, about to suggest they both go. "Well…"

"Ugh, I'm such an idiot!" England's voice overpowered Canada. England buried his face in his hands and sighed, and Canada felt his brow furrow. He sure was getting upset over a little mistake.

"Really, it's not a big d-deal…" Canada said. England looked at him, surprised, almost as though he'd forgotten Canada was still there. Then he shook his head.

"No, it's not that. No, just I can't believe I overreacted like that!"

"But you thought I was America…it was an honest mistake…"

"Even if you were America I was way too concerned. But when I saw him…I mean, you, and I thought you might have been hurt, I completely lost my head."

"Oh." Canada didn't know how to reply to that and was hoping he could get away with just that. Luckily, England wasn't really waiting for him to answer.

"Anyways, I'm babbling now. Sorry." England turned his face away from Canada, his hair covering his eyes, but Canada could tell that something was wrong. The Brit was getting far too upset about this little incident for it really just to be a 'little incident'. So he swallowed and asked something he was surprised to hear himself say.

"Is something wrong, England? W-want to talk?"

England looked back up and stared at him for a few seconds, hesitation in his eyes before he shook his head and laughed. It sounded forced. "What? No, nothing's wrong. Come on, we're gonna be late for class if we don't go."

"We're already late," Canada pointed out quietly. It was true; the hall around them was completely empty. England glanced around and sighed.

"I guess you're right. Ah, shit." He leaned back against the wall next to Canada, apparently no longer concerned about getting to class. He didn't address Canada's question again, though, so he had to gather his courage and speak up again.

"Is it…m-my brother?" England remained silent. "Do you…" Canada felt himself blushing. "Do you li-like him?"

The silence extended for far too long and Canada began to worry that he was wrong and had totally embarrassed them both. "Uh, s-sorry! I didn't…didn't mean it like that, I," he stuttered, feeling flustered.

England took pity on him and cut him short. "No. You're right. I guess it's pretty obvious, huh?"

"Oh, well, I wouldn't say obvious…" Canada bit his lip.

"I'm pathetic," England groaned. "I'm sure everyone knows except him." He dropped his head forward and covered his face with his hands.

"Uh…" Canada was panicking, because he didn't know how to comfort England, who was beginning to sound miserable. When he got nervous he tended to stutter, and he didn't know what he could possibly say, in any case. So he tried patting England's shoulder very gently. He quickly withdrew his hand when England shot him a look, even though nothing on his face said that it was out of malice. England seemed to consider him for a moment before saying,

"You're really nothing like your brother, you know that?"

"Uh, thanks," Canada replied.

"Listen…" England hesitated. He looked down at his hands for a minute, and Canada began to wonder if he was ever going to finish his thought. Then he looked back at Canada, a new determination shining in his eyes. "Can you help me?"

"H-help you?"

"Get closer to America. I really want him to like me back, but I know that's impossible right now. So…would you be willing to help me out?"

"I-I dunno, that's…"

"Please? Look, I'm not very good at asking people favors, but I'm practically begging here."

It was true. As far as Canada knew, England was usually a pretty tough guy, always yelling and arguing with people, especially America. So this unsure, kind, and even humble side of him was a complete surprise. He wondered if this was England's true personality, and if his usual act was just that; an act. And he also found himself questioning how a guy like England ended up falling in love with a guy like his brother. But he seemed serious about it, so…

"Okay. I'll do it." Canada finally agreed, though he felt as though he had been defeated as the words left his mouth.

"Thanks!" England clapped him on the back, almost sending him tumbling again. "Oh. Sorry."

"It's okay…" Canada finally stood up, brushing off his pants and straightening his navy-blue blazer. England followed him in getting up, smiling as he said,

"Anything I can do in return, you just tell me."

"Alright."

"Well…" England stretched his arms above his head and yawned. "Since we're missing class already, let's take a walk and you can start telling me what you know about America."

Canada hadn't really ever intended on skipping his first class. He'd planned on going to the infirmary and getting a note (the nurse knew him quite well; he was always getting hurt unintentionally by the other boys), then going to class late. So he tried to protest. "Uh, I don't think-"

"Great! Come on, I know a good way out of the building…" England took Canada by the elbow and began leading him off down the hall, completely ignoring Canada's objections.

Is this really okay? Canada wondered, though it was a little late now. But he was beginning to feel guilt and doubt gnaw at his stomach because this was starting to seem like he was sneaking around behind his brother's back. But at the same time, England's eyes were lit up in a way Canada could never have imagined was possible. Well… I'm sure Al will forgive me someday…

Right?

Like I said…rather boring. And England had to go a little out of character. So I apologize to all of you who just started following recently. xD But the next few should be really fun, so just wait a little bit!

Thanks for reading!