Tell Me A Story.
Chapter 2: Ice Skating and Pancakes
Couples: PruCan, FrUk, and GerIta.
~~~ (Gilbert's P.O.V.)

I honestly didn't expect Canada to try to befriend me. He was adorable, and always forgotten. I felt bad for him, even his father forgot him. France was a good friend of mine, but I don't think I could forgive him for forgetting the very nation he'd raised.

As soon as I saw Ludwig leaving the building, I jumped up to his side.

"I'm surprised you're still here," he mumbled. He left me here when the meeting began, and usually I would leave, but today, I didn't feel up for it.

"I'm too awesome to leave!" I announced. "Let's go home," I said happily, grabbing his arm and leading him to the car. We didn't talk much on the drive, which was expected. When we finally pulled into his driveway, I saw the overly-excited auburn nation. I sighed internally; this was going to be a rough night.

"Gilbert, I want you to go out tonight. You've been spending too much time inside. Italy and I both agree it'd be best for you." He looked stern, staring at me for a few seconds. I knew he didn't care if it was best for me. He just wanted to be alone with Italy tonight. I noticed said nation tapping on the window, and Ludwig climbed out, hugging the Italian. I heard ve's and fast chatter.

"I'll be back tomorrow, let me get some stuff first," I said to Ludwig softly, feeling rejected. I grabbed some pajama pants and a change of clothes for tomorrow. I decided to leave Gilbird here, in case I had to rent a hotel room. I collected my car keys, and left my brother and his lover on the couch, Germany's arm around the auburn.

The entire drive to Canada's house, I was mumbling in anger. I knew this was coming; eventually he'd try and kick me out completely. I had no idea what I'd do then. For now, I could only hope Matthew was true to his offer.

I cursed under my breath. I wished I'd just died with my nation so I didn't have to deal with Germany and his lover. I sat in the car a few minutes after arriving, looking at the lights that were on, debating if I should ring the doorbell or not. I saw the front door open, and the blond approaching my car; he probably thought I was lost.

"Gilbert?" he asked softly.

"Ja. Germany kicked me out for the night. I was wondering if I could stay here," I mumbled looking down. I wasn't expecting what Matthew said next.

"Well, I can make some pancakes for you, and we can play a video game or something," he said softly. I looked up to see a small smile on his face. I grinned.

"That's so awesome!" I said, smiling. I grabbed the clothes in the seat next to me, and went inside Canada's house, setting my clothes on an end table, and then going into his kitchen. He was mixing something in a bowl, a pan on a burner.

"I've never had pancakes before," I whispered to him, standing next to him. He jumped, just realizing I was there.

"Never? Mon dieu, I think that's a," he looked up at me, our face were extremely close, and I felt an incredible urge to kiss him, "crime," he finished, looking in my eyes, before snapping back into reality and pouring a bit of what he was mixing into the pan. I resisted the urge to chuckle, and went to sit at his table. I saw a small polar bear sleeping in the chair next to me.

"You own a polar bear? That's awesome!" I said, examining the bear.

"His name is Kuma," Matthew stated, as if it was obvious. The bear opened an eye and looked at me before climbing into my lap.

"What's he doing?" I asked, trying not to touch the bear with my arms, surprised at the bear's gesture. If Matthew said something, I didn't hear it. It stayed quiet for a while until Matthew placed a plate of steamy, tan pancakes in front of us. He sat down across from me, laughing softly. He peeled off a pancake from his own stack, and offered it to the bear. Kuma took it and ran.

"That's so awesome," I said with a laugh. Canada laughed with me, his laughter sound so… so amazing… I mentally smacked myself for thinking that.

"So, why did your brother kick you out?"

"Italy came over, he told me I needed to get out more," I answered between mouthfuls of the pancakes. "These are awesome!" I exclaimed.

"Try them with this," he stated, handing me a small glass container filled with a liquid brown content that had 'Maple Syrup," on its front. I poured it over my stack, handing it back to Matthew, before trying it.

"I can't describe the awesome," I said with a laugh. Matthew laughed too. He was ador-… Mentally smacking myself again. "Matt, can I ask you question?" I said after we'd finished the pancakes.

"Only if I can ask you one."

"Fair enough. Why don't you care when everyone doesn't see you?" I said softly, looking at the Canadian, whose face fell instantly.

"I-I used to. But then I got used to it. I guess that's kinda," he hiccuped softly, I could tell he was holding back tears, "bad. I shouldn't be used to it, should I? But I am." A tear spilled over, and I abandoned my seat to approach the smaller blond.

"Don't cry, Birdie, crying is so unawesome," I said, pulling him into a hug. He only seemed to cry harder.

"I'm sorry, I guess saying it out loud to someone who would hear, actually made it click. They don't care about me," he whimpered.

"Please don't cry," I whispered again. It took a few minutes for the tears and hiccups to subside. I felt terrible for asking him that. "That was an unawesome question; I'm sorry." Matthew nodded, and pulled away from the hug sitting down again.

"Gilbert, how do you see me?"

"Huh? Well, I guess I just do, I don't know. Is it a bad thing that I see you?" I asked softly, sitting on the floor next to Matthew's chair. He shook his head.

"It's just strange for me." I understood. He's been ignored for so long. It must feel nice to be recognized. "Can you ice skate?" he asked, randomly.

"No. I don't really like the cold," I admitted softly, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Would you like to go ice skating?" he asked suddenly.

"Why not?" I said, a hint of a smile reaching my face.

~~~ (Canada's P.O.V.)

I took Gilbert to the nearest ice skating rink. I quickly rented some skates and a locker. At first I put my skates on, showing Gilbert how to correctly tie the knots. He just got confused, so I ended up helping him. We stood up, and he leaned on my shoulder.

"Is this what it feels like to wear heels?" he joked. I chuckled a little, taking his hand, and leading him out to the rink. At first, he held on tightly to me, but I eventually got him off of me.

"Don't worry if you fall, everyone falls at some point," I assured him. He clutched my shoulder, trying to adjust. After a few minutes of me trying to get him to try himself, he took off. Only to fall a few seconds later.

"Having fun?" I asked softly, making him jump. He nodded.

"It feels so weird, but I'm getting the hang of it," he assured me.

"Want to try something?" I asked, grabbing his hand. He nodded as if he didn't have a choice. I led him to the middle, with the other advanced skaters. "Don't try to resist, rely on me. I've got you, I promise."

"You drop me and I'll never forgive you," he joked. I grabbed both of his hands, and made him face me. I just spun in simple circles with him, getting progressively faster and faster. I noticed him inching towards me. The second I felt chest his against mine, I let go of one of his hands, and darted towards the exit, forcing him to follow. I sat down, and told him he could go skate again.

After he left, I was lost in thought. Why did I feel this way? That's the second time today that he's been extremely close, and all I wanted to do was pull him closer. I hardly knew him, but he was…. I don't even know how to describe how I felt for him.

He was an ex-nation, and I was the second largest country. It was almost opposites. But he was so different, so lovable. His very existence vexed me though. Since he was an ex-nation, he would've died with his nation, correct? So why was he here?

I must've been thinking for longer than I thought, because I felt someone sit beside me.

"Hey Matthew, can you help me get these off? They're starting to hurt." I nodded to the albino, and placed a skate on my lap, absentmindedly undoing the knots, and tugging it off, and repeating with the other skate. I watched him as he went to the locker, and got out his own shoes, before I undid my own skates. After we finished, we returned the skates, and left.

"What's got my awesome friend down?" Gilbert asked softly, placing a hand in my own, as we walked to the car. It was dark now. The dark scared me.

"I'm j-just tired," I mumbled, not bothering to look at him. He nodded, and we drove home in silence, the hand that was once in my own was now fidgeting with its partner. When we got home, I showed Gilbert to the guest room, and told him where my bedroom was. As soon as that was done, I hurried to my room.

I mentally screamed at myself. I can't be falling for him, can I? I hated this. I hated every part of this. I tried to tell myself I was only falling for him because he actually noticed me, and no one else did, but I knew that wasn't the reason. He was sweet, but I knew he was obnoxious around others, so why did he treat me any different? I was so terribly confused.

"Maple, what have I gotten myself into?" I mumbled to my dark room. "And where is Kuma?"