Matthew was so delighted to be home, and so worked up over it, he had to go to bed early the day he arrived. He slept very calmly with Kumajirou in his arms, his face pressed into the bear's white fur. Watching him remember his beloved pet had been something America and Ukraine would never forget, all those emotions flashing across his face before settling on overwhelming happiness.
Now, though, they were more focused on what to do next. Ukraine needed to be home soon, and America was phoning around, trying to cash in a favour he was owed. If all went right, Ukraine would be going home on a private jet the next day and able to sleep in her own bed before the week was over. The two sat at the kitchen table with the lights low and some soft music on CBC Radio Two playing in the background. America talked insistently to the man across the line, but seemed to be getting what he wanted rather slowly.
The soft music and the low light was not doing anything to keep Ukraine awake, though, and she soon wandered into the guest room to change into a nightshirt and read. She settled on top of the covers of her bed once she was ready for bed and retrieved the book she'd taken from Matthew's shelf to read. She only got a page into it when there was some knocking on the door. "Come in, America," she called.
It wasn't America who entered, though. It was Matthew, but her mind resisted identifying him as such. He smiled softly and hesitantly and murmured, "I'm Canada."
Ukraine was off the bed in a heartbeat, flinging her arms around his shoulders as she began to sob. Canada answered by holding her tightly and nuzzling her throat. "It's fuzzy," he admitted. "But it makes so much more sense. I've been having flashbacks of Normandy since my long cast came off." He kissed her collarbone over her nightshirt and then pulled away. He looked at Ukraine intently, searching her face. When he was satisfied, he placed a peck on her lips and let her go.
"I'm so glad you're remembering now," she said. "It means America will have an easier time helping you out."
Canada looked alarmed. "You won't be here?" he asked.
"I need to be home," she replied. "My government would rather not have official business discussed with me over the phone or e-mail."
"Oh, right," he said. "Yeah, and America's boss probably doesn't mind as much…" He looked so disappointed, but didn't look her in the eye this time. He glanced around the room and finally looked at Ukraine's feet. "Would it be okay," he muttered shyly, "if I was selfish just one more time?"
Ukraine tipped his chin up so she could meet his eyes and nodded. This time, she kissed him.