Today was the day. After years of admiring him from afar, Gilbert was finally going to tell Matthew how he felt.
Gilbert was always watching the little Canadian. When he was ignored or forgotten Gilbert made sure to let him know that at least one person knew and remembered him. But it had always been just a glance or a few words with the hope Mattie would get the message.
Of course he had tried to confess in the past, but someone always interrupted. Today was different from other days though.
He smiled as he remembered one of those precious few times they had talked.
"Hey kid, you dropped your book!" Gilbert had been watching Matthew from across the hall and seen the little notebook fall.
"Hey kid I'm talking to you!"
"What?" Matthew looked so cute with that surprised flush creeping into his face.
"You dropped your notebook." Gilbert picked it up and handed it to Canada.
"Th-Thank you."
"You're welcome. Hey -"
It was then that the bell rung and people began rushing to class, sweeping both of them up and away from each other.
Nothing like that would happen today.
Gilbert had left the house only a little while ago and was now running through the fog towards the house Canada shared with America.
America had left to visit England's home for the weekend, so Matthew was alone. There wouldn't be any angry brothers yelling at him to get home or away from his meeker twin.
Nope, today was all about him and Matthew.
When he reached the bridge that links the two halves of the city together, a small shadow caught his attention.
He could hear who ever it was breathing heavily.
And standing way too close to the edge.
Prussia froze in place, recognizing that small silhouette and bouncy curl.
"Mattie." He whispered into the fog.
Canada could no longer hear, he was to focused on taking that step. That one little step that would save him from years of endless torture.
"Mattie!" Prussia yelled this time and started running towards the shadow that was now raising its foot. He could make it in time couldn't he?
"Mattie!" he yelled again. But this time it was to empty air and the sound of a body hitting the water below.
"Mattie!" He yelled for the last time.
He could only watch as the water turned red.
"No!" Gilbert awoke clutching at the little figure beside him.
"Gil, what's wrong?" the figure looked at him through concerned eyes.
"Mattie." Gilbert breathed the name into the darkness.
"Yeah?" answered the little figure, adding confusion to his concern.
"Stay away from bridges." Gilbert hugged Matthew – his Matthew – closer.