Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or its characters. All rights belong to its creators.
Written for Winterwumperland 2022 on Tumblr. Based on the Day 5 Frosty The Snowman prompt: Trapped in a Blizzard.
Snowed In
Canada had taken a passenger ship to Paris, France and would now be taking the Orient Express to Bucharest, Romania for the World Meeting. A blizzard would be rolling in while they were en route, but the station assured the passengers the train would beat the storm. Canada liked riding by train more than flying…being packed in with about 20 other people didn't give him the room to stretch out.
America was flying though, the man always had his head in the clouds, and he wasn't immune to flaunting his wealth either now that he had it.
So far, he hadn't seen any other nations he recognized, not that they would've known he was there in the first place. He had gone to the dining car for a piece of cheesecake, America had mentioned they were very good, and a glass of wine. He thought he would have at least been able to grab a seat with France but apparently, they'd lost each other when boarding.
Canada kept to himself as he found a cozy spot at the back of the car on the seemingly luxurious train. He was back in the lounge area now. His briefcase was on his lap. He heard the sound of the door to the car he was sitting in open and shut but paid no attention to who walked in.
And that was when someone cleared their throat. Canada was in the process of shrugging off his trench coat. They were all expected to wear suits, Canada made sure he picked a nice tan one that wasn't too big for him, he wanted to look smart on the off chance that he would have to contribute to the discussion.
Canada looked up to meet the forest green eyes of Lithuania; the brunet had been living with America, doing odd jobs for him around his home and apparently Romano was going to be heading over there soon as well.
"Excuse me, sir. Would I be able to sit here?"
Canada blinked, "Y-yes of course!" Canada made a move to get up from where he was sitting and gesture to the open velvet couch. Lithuania slid into the seat next to him, briefcase in hand.
Canada made a move to go find another seat somewhere else, "Are you not staying?"
Canada stopped in his tracks before going to sit back down in his own seat, cheeks flushed.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd want to sit with me. We've never really talked before."
"We have just met! To pass the time I think it'd be nice to be getting to know each other." Lithuania smiled at him, from what he's been told the man had been going through a hard time before he started working at America's home. Living with Russia had been just short of a nightmare. But still he remained pleasant and polite.
Canada smiled, "We've actually met before. I'm Canada." He watched as the man's features morphed into confusion before he let out a gasp, something Canada had been used to for quite some time now.
"Mister Canada! Apologies I did not recognize you! Mister America has spoken about you many times before and somehow I couldn't place your face!"
Canada rubbed behind his neck, "Don't worry aboot it. I'm used to this sort of thing." His mouth turned into a lopsided grin.
Lithuania nodded, although his eyebrows didn't unfurrow themselves. "Are you prepared for the meeting?"
"Yes! I read over the little fact sheet that had been mailed about Romania. Although I don't think we'll stick to just talking about Romania." Canada frowned; he knew the meetings tended to go off topic pretty quickly. Someone might bring up the Great War and Germany's debt from The Treaty of Versailles. America tended to mention it and England would add on, with France agreeing and Germany becoming flustered.
Lithuania hummed, "Yes, you are right. Mister Russia's recent revolution might be brought up." Oh right. That as well tended to come up. America liked to say Russia's communism didn't bother him, but he seemed weary of the man now more than before. "Hopefully it will be peaceful this time." Lithuania let out a seemingly anxious chuckle.
"Yes, we wouldn't want anyone to get into a fight." Canada nodded. He noticed Lithuania was wearing a dark brown suit that almost matched his hair color. It looked quite worn but he wasn't going to say anything.
Silence had settled between the two men, after that. The chugging of the train and the low murmur of the other passengers filled the space. Canada twiddled his thumbs, gaze turning to the scenery going past them in a blur.
Lithuania's gaze was on him, and it made him quite nervous. His staring was moderately intense. He could feel it burning holes into his skin.
"I do not want to overstep my boundaries Mister Canada, but what did you mean by 'you are used to being forgotten?"
He looked back at the brunet, whose hands were folded in front of him on his lap, expression serious.
"Oh! It's nothing. I tend to be overlooked, but it's fine. I don't need recognition; I just like to be included." Canada said, plastering on a smile he hoped that would get Lithuania off of the subject.
"I'm sorry." Lithuania said, expression downtrodden, eyes downcast.
"You don't have to apologize! It's everyone, my closest allies, those I've grown up with, they're all so forgetful." Canada waved him away, "We've only met once or twice; it's natural for you to forget; you have so many other things to worry about."
"That may be true, but you deserve attention just as much as anyone else. You're one of my worries now, and I want to make sure you're doing alright."
Canada was confused. Why was Lithuania suddenly worried about him? America, he could understand, his brother tended to dive first into dangerous things without thinking.
But Canada was more cautious. He wasn't going to do something drastic for attention. He was content being passive; it was who he was.
"That's nice but don't worry aboot it. Sorry for making you worry."
Lithuania shook his head, "Nonsense. Do you like the picture shows? Mister America took me to one recently, just this past April. It was called The King of Wild Horses, and we both really enjoyed it. I know Poland would have liked it if he'd seen it."
"America sure does like his westerns." Canada trailed off, "I'm not into movies like America is, but I did catch The Thief of Bagdad this September, a little on the longer side but it was packed with so much action and adventure it got my blood pumping."
"That one sounds interesting. I'm sad to have missed it. How did the story go?"
Canada had gotten swept up in the adventure of heroes and villains, and sword fighting, finding treasures and traveling along vast desert lands, the hero being rewarded with the Caliph of Baghdad's beautiful daughter and riches beyond comprehension. He was going to summarize, but Lithuania's warm expression and encouraging nods led him to relay the entire plot.
"And so–" Just then the train jerked, a loud SCREECH sounded. Canada gripped the seats as he was physically lurched to the side. Lithuania had been knocked to the ground along with his suitcase. Canada scrambled to help him up just as the conductor entered the car. Lithuania was heavier than he looked, seemingly stronger too from the feel of his arm he'd gotten.
"A heavy amount of snow has blocked our path and the front of the train. We will be delayed for a few hours until the snowstorm has passed and can be cleared." A chorus of shouts erupted of people having places to be, and not being able to be late. The conductor tried to calm the human passengers before he walked through to the next car.
Lithuania looked frazzled as he sat back down, "A delay?"
Canada crouched down to grab his and Lithuania's suitcases and set them back on their seats.
Canada tried to wipe the dust and lint from Lithuania's jacket, the floor having gotten it dirty, "Lithuania are you alright, eh?"
"Mister America wanted me to bring his paperwork! If we're not going to be there on time he won't be prepared!"
"Don't worry aboot that. America's barely ever prepared for the meetings. He likes to make things up as he goes." Canada let out a chuckle.
But Lithuania was still terrified, gripping the seats so hard his knuckles turned white.
"I don't want him to be upset with me. H-he might take me back to Mister Russia if I mess this up for him."
Lithuania's stare was dark, and desolate. It was creeping Canada out considering he'd been so happy and pleasant before.
"I'm sure America won't–"
"I don't want to go back with Mister Russia." He murmured lowly, "Don't make me go back with Mister Russia." Lithuania was shaking now, and he wasn't sure if he should touch Lithuania, but he wasn't getting through to him with words.
Hesitantly Canada wrapped his arms around the trembling brunet. Canada could feel him tense, on high alert, before he guided him to rest his head on Canada's shoulder.
"You won't be sent back to Russia. America wouldn't do that. He's probably worried about you."
"Y-you really believe that?"
"I know my brother, and I know he wouldn't do that, seeing that it causes you so much discomfort."
He felt Lithuania relax against him, and heard an audible sigh come from the other nation, "I tend to work myself up sometimes." Canada was going to reassure him that it was fine; he tended to worry over seemingly mundane things too, when Lithuania spoke up again. "Your voice is comforting like this, close to my ear."
Canada felt his cheeks warm with blush. He always thought his voice was too quiet, and people always said they couldn't hear him. Probably another reason why it was easy for others to overlook him.
"R-really? You think so?"
Lithuania nodded.
Canada smiled.
They stayed like this for a few more moments before Lithuania brought out a book he had brought to read. It was in Lithuanian, but Lithuania was happy to translate for him, still curled up into Canada's side.
Canada dozed off listening to the sound of Lithuania reading as hours passed. A story of romance, Canada could gather. Later he was soothed by the rumbling of the train, as they resumed their route overnight to Bucharest.
He knew he would have to go to his room soon, but was content with being next to Lithuania now, comforted by his warmth. Although he could hear something just as he was on the fringes of deep sleep.
"Sweet dreams, Mr. Canada."
A/N: I watched the 2017 Murder on the Orient Express recently and seeing this prompt made me think of that. I thought it would be cool to have them on the train.
Thank you for reading!