Something was different with Canada, and France couldn't put his finger on it.
Maybe it was the fact Canada chose to don his Mountie uniform at this month's meeting instead of his usual tan jacket and aviator goggles. Possibly it had something to do with the fact America and Canada were not speaking, although neither would tell France why.
France felt his eyes being drawn to Canada more than usual, and it frustrated him that he couldn't figure it out. Something about the way Canada looked- No, not his appearance - the way his gaze seemed to penetrate, his eyes seeming too sharp, drew France's attention to him. Not just Franc's attention, but England's, and Russia's and every other countries' attention was drawn to him.
England was surprisingly, unnafected, and didn't seem to understand why France was so unnerved. When France had tried to explain to him that Canada's gaze seemed too sharp, England had simply tilted his head quizzical and explained that "Canada has always seen more than he lets on." France was getting frustrated. "But something is off. " He insisted. England hummed in thought for a moment, too distracted to squabble, and then came to a realization.
"Isn't this the first time you've seen him without his glasses?" England pointed out. "He always take them and his goggles off when he argues with America. It really unnerves others when he does that." England's casual observation hit France like a bag of bricks, and he had to blink a few times to catch his bearings. It wasn't like France had never seen Canada without his glasses, but that was only back when Canada was still a tiny colony, before England took him away.
One glance at Canada proved England's theory correct. Without his round glasses to hide behind, his eyes were peircing, assisted by the hard look in his eyes and his tense jaw whenever he heard America's too-loud voice. "Eh? Is Canada wearing contacts?" The answer came from directly behind him and France jumped as America spoke. "Nah, he doesnt need glasses to start with. He just wears them cuz I gave them to him." despite the pout on his face, America spoke a little proudly.
"It was an independence gift." America explained to a shocked France. "The goggles were an apology for the 1812 thing." England clearly already knew this information and, although his face twisted at the word "independence", he scolded America as usual. "I don't know what you did, but go apologise!" America scowled. "Not unless he does first!"
France suddenly felt a cold presence by his side, and Canada spoke up, coldly. "oh, I'm sorry, I apologize for you being an ass." America bristled. "It's not like I did it on purpose!"
"Hockey Sticks don't 'accidently' break!"
"You broke it over my head, because I ate the last of the syrup!"
"That doesn't give you the right to steal my glasses!"
Canada fumed, angrily. America drew short. "Dude, I didn't steal your glasses!" Canada frowned suspiciously. "Well, they were missing this morning." America was frowning too. "I put a pair of mine in their place!" he protested. "There was a crack in them, so I took them to get repaired secretly." His pout was returning. "I wanted it to be a surprise!" Canada looked startled, then, embarrassed. "Im sorry, Eh." He offered tentatively, rubbing his eyes. "I thought you were taking them back and I just-" America caught his brother in a hug. "I didn't mean to scare you." He apologized.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out some glasses wrapped in a handkerchief. "I wanted to give these back to you earlier, but.." He trailed off, and slid the glasses on his brother's face. Canada seemed to transform under the comfort of his glasses, and France watched as his gaze became less intense and his whole body seemed to relax. France ruffled the hair of the now- passive Canada and smiled. "You know," He advised playfully to Canada, "You are très beau wit'out the glasses, but j'aime the Canada with glasses the most." After all, France thought, that's the Canada he knows the best.