Thanks to British potato (and happy birthday), Little Miss. Maple and The Ancient Phoenix for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Chapter 220: Mesomadness
"Come on, Kuma," Canada said.
"No," Kumajiro said, hiding under the coffee table.
"We're going to be late."
"No!"
Canada sighed. They were supposed to pick up the Latin American nations from the airport, and Kumajiro was being difficult. He checked his watch again, noticing the time. Biting his lip, he decided to leave without Kumajiro. He hoped that they hadn't been waiting long. He did not want to deal with an impatient Mexico.
As if on cue, his phone rang, and he quickly answered it, noting that it was, in fact, Mexico.
"Where are you?" she demanded. "Everyone's already gotten their luggage."
"Sorry about that," he said. "Kumajiro's being difficult, but I'm leaving now."
"Alright. Get here soon. Paraguay is starting to get hungry, and he's annoying when he's hungry. He's even more of a bottomless pit than the gringo."
Canada winced, recalling that one time America had challenged Paraguay to an eating contest when the nations had a party. And everyone's reactions when Paraguay not only managed to out-eat America, but asked for more. So, Canada realised that he would need to go to the grocery store to stock up on supplies.
"I'll be there in about ten minutes," he said. "In the meantime, you can buy something for Paraguay and I'll repay you later."
"Oh, he'll be paying for his own food," Mexico said simply. "I am not sponsoring the bottomless pit unless he's visiting me, or there's something in it for me."
Canada shook his head. He supposed that he would get to know the dynamics soon enough.
…
"If everyone was going to get taxis anyway," Canada said, "why did you want me to come pick you up?"
"Because I know you have a pickup truck, and it would be easier for our luggage," Mexico explained.
Canada shook his head, before looking at the other two occupants of the car. It would seem that Argentina and Brazil would always accompany Mexico when she was joining Canada.
"How was your flight?" he asked the group at large.
"It was a bit long," Argentina sighed. "Chile and I were sitting next to each other…"
"At least for the first hour," Brazil interrupted. "Afterwards, the flight attendants calmly asked them to change seats."
"'Calmly'?" Mexico repeated. "That one girl looked as though she wanted to cry."
Canada winced, but it wasn't too odd. It sometimes happened when England and France were sitting next to each other on a plane as well. So, he had no reason to be alarmed.
Yet.
"I have to say," Brazil commented, "your country seems beautiful."
Canada smiled.
"Thank you," he said. "You should see the aurora borealis. Talk about magical. Of course, it's best to see it around the wintertime, or in September and March."
"Can't we see it in warmer temperatures?" Argentina asked nervously.
"It's not just about temperature. Darkness is required, and my winters, especially far north, don't see a lot of light."
"That's actually a bit depressing," Brazil remarked.
"It's not so bad," Canada said. "It's spring, and we might be able to see the aurora."
"Next week?" Argentina asked. "After we've all done our mental preparations."
"That sounds like an idea."
…
Canada had prepared some poutine for them for lunch, which thankfully everyone seemed to like. He was busy with the dishes when he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Ecuador standing there. The other smiled, before he joined Canada at the sink.
"Oh, that's not necessary," Canada said as he saw Ecuador starting to clean one of the dishes.
"I insist," Ecuador said, smiling brightly. "Besides, it's unfair that you do all of this on your own."
Canada hesitated, before he accepted Ecuador's help.
"Alright then," he said. "If you're okay with it… could you wash, and then I'll dry and put everything away?"
Ecuador nodded his head. There was a specific reason why Canada thought that it would be best if he was the one to put everything away: Ecuador didn't know where everything went.
Canada couldn't remember any time when all of these dishes were used. He'd bought them ages ago, in the hopes that he would have many guests to entertain. And now, after so long, the day had finally arrived.
"Just so you know," Ecuador said, startling Canada from his thoughts, "everyone is excited about this trip. And I heard something about seeing the aurora?"
Canada nodded his head.
"It might not be peak time," he said, "but it should still be possible. And I think it might make the cold worth it for all of you."
Ecuador smiled gratefully.
"I guess I can see why Spain likes you," Ecuador commented.
Canada paused, before he turned to face Ecuador, ignoring the forks in his hands at the moment.
"What?" Canada questioned.
"He came to me, you know?" Ecuador commented. "He wanted my advice."
Canada sighed, before he returned to putting everything away.
"I'm sorry about the trouble it caused you," he said. "And that it was all for nothing."
Ecuador nodded.
"I see," he said. "So, you don't consider Spain to be a potential love interest?"
"Not really," Canada said. "I kind of get an 'uncle' vibe from him. Same with Portugal. The fact that they're best friends with my parental figures kind of makes it hard for me to see them as anything else."
Ecuador nodded his head in understanding.
"I must say, you're pretty calm about this," he stated.
"I had some time to get used to it," Canada smiled.
…
Sleeping arrangements had to be made, and Canada was grateful that he had a lot of camping supplies, and that he'd told his boss that he was expecting the majority of Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The human was more than happy to help him out as much as possible. Canada couldn't help but wonder how much it bothered his boss that their international relations weren't as strong as they could have been.
And the next morning, after pancakes, Canada found out the hard way that Honduras was very prone to a sugar rush. He should have known when he saw the others back up.
Not as much madness as I wanted. I guess you could blame jetlag for now, as well as the cold (it's spring, which is still colder than they're used to).