Thank you all for the reviews and story alerts~ Hah I was really surprised, I thought I'd get none or like one :]
This chapter also goes Un-Betaed… OTL Hopefully I'll find be able to straighten things out with my potential ones, yeah?
Note: In this story, human names are only used as a sign that personally, the nations are close, if anything, intimate with each other. They aren't taken lightly by some.
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Canada couldn't help but dispense a deep and anxious sigh from the pit of his stomach. He was nervous and overwrought that his hands trembled slightly before bringing his cell phone back into his pocket securely after rereading the message he received a while ago.
Mathieu! You must to get to this diner this instant! You will never guess what I'm seeing right!
Honestly, what was wrong with the Frenchman? Sure, they hadn't been in the States for a while, but now wasn't a time for sightseeing. Tightening his growing frown, the blonde folded his covered arms over his chest tightly.
At this rate, they both would be late for the G6 meeting. Out of instinct he winced at the thought of the result of the two of them holding back everyone from continuing. However, he dryly thought while rubbing the ends of his suit, he supposed it was a good thing, considering they wouldn't notice he wasn't there. France being missing would stop everything from commencing.
Then again, as an afterthought, he dimly remembered the fact that his brother wouldn't exactly be the happiest person at their tardiness. After all, this was the first time since the incident that his brother actually decided to host the meeting in his country. The single comprehension of that fact was enough to send his stomach spiraling down. What happened those years ago still hung over them all like a plague. Even though their economy's and financial issues slowly but surely adapted to the sudden disappearances of their allies, being in the same room with some of the once cheerful and upbeat nations, was like attending your own funeral now.
"He hasn't been the same since…" The Canadian found himself murmuring, his head inclined to look upward at the tall scaling building with nothing but a surge of melancholy emitting from him. Swinging his hands behind his back and letting another breath out, he tossed a look down both ways of the busy street around him for the sign of the other nation, before shaking his head and making his way inside the cool -conditioned structure.
Bypassing the security who didn't so much as acknowledge his presence as he expected, Canada made his way to elevators and upward to the meeting room he hadn't stepped foot in, in what seemed to be years.
"Good morning guys." He greeted as he pushed open the door to the conference room anxiously. As he had expected, Italy sat leeched over Germany who did nothing but attempt to pry the smaller man off of him.
"Ludwig~!" He sang out gleefully, "It's been so long since we've seen each other!" The words came out like music while his arms, like inescapable tentacles wrapped themselves around the other's limb unwilling to let go as though his life depended on it.
The taller blonde grumbled, "We just saw each other yesterday when you snuck into my bed!" He reasoned simply mashing his hand against the Italians face. Canada couldn't help but allow a small smile creep on his face at the fact that Italy addressed the strict German by his human name, and Germany did nothing to correct him.
"Ve, I know we did, but it's still a long time to me!"
Their personal relations, not as nations, but as people got exceedingly close after the incident. Germany's overprotective nature became more evident when the nations took into consideration that anything could happen to the peninsula countries next as he kept Italy strangely close at eye during the first years of happening was sweet and endearing to watch when Canada had briefly looked past his own grief of the situation.
Next, he turned to look at Russia who sat quietly at his seat, a Sun flower in his hand as he quietly plucked a petal while muttering something in his native tongue with each falling yellow radiance that was sent floating to the carpeted floor, a small smile planted on his face.
Blinking, Canada attempted to remember where his seat had been the last time he was there, if he remembered correctly, at the table, he sat with Italy to his left and his brother at his right who as strangely absent… Scanning over the area to where he should be seated, he felt his eyes get wide behind his glasses in surprise,
There were eight seats with glasses of water presented in front of them, and stacks of papers. Canada literally felt his heart crumble downward slightly at the slight as he looked down,
Messy blonde hair, shimmering emerald green eyes, and a nervous smile flashed through his head as he remembered his old caretaker… Cornstarch toned blonde hair, eyes that were as bright and jubilant like the sky, and a big idiotic smile… He missed his brother… He missed how everything was… And for this…
Unlike everyone else, who as their bosses firmly requested to get rid of the chairs that represented the now dead nations, casually, as though nothing ever took place and England and Japan would walk inside the room with the same grumpy and stoic expressions that Canada longed to see again, the chairs were just there.
Untouched by the destruction emotions and time that effected the world years ago.
Canada couldn't help the slight tear that streaked down his face at the thought. It was all nothing but an illusion his brother was setting up. An illusion that blurred away the instant you blinked and set a harsh reality right back in your face.
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Arthur frowned as he slid down against the cool museum wall until his butt touched the equally chilled marble floor, his head felt like crap and he suddenly found his throat unnaturally dry. "A-arthur! Are you alright?"
A hand reassuringly clasped around his shoulder, and when the student gazed up, his eyes met up with dull and seemingly emotionless dark brown irises. Short, neatly trimmed black hair dominated over the pale skin of the person hanging over him, worry edged into the voice neatly.
His body condition didn't want to, but for his friend, Arthur forced a smile to his lips, "Of course. Just a bit tired, Kiku." Shakily, he made his way to his feet, and flashed his shorter friend another smile when it appeared he wasn't appeased.
It had almost escaped the youth's mind that he set up plans with his friend to attend the recently opened museum their school was sponsoring along with many other companies in the area. It was like taking a trip around the world. There was a section for Europe that focused entirely on European countries, a section for North America, Africa, Asia, and South America. The one thing that made the place exceptionally unique was the fact that it was one of the first museums to feature a small area that was dedicated to the lost island nations.
He figured Kiku was interested in learning more about his Japanese culture. Like him, his family's homeland was gone. But as far as he knew Kiku— the boy's withdrawn personality sometimes made things difficult to figure out— he actually thought the shorter boy was more in touch with his culture, in terms of language with his strong lingering accent and mannerisms.
"If you wish, we can take a break from this." Kiku softly stated, making Arthur shake his head, "No, honestly, I'm alright. I mean, we can't just leave now! We haven't even seen Japan's exhibit yet!"
Kiku looked down, "But you have been dazed since we got here." At this, the green clad boy felt his smile twitch away while he silently damned himself for not being more subtle with his outward feelings and expressions.
"You worry too much. I'm perfectly fine."
Sighing and putting on a small smile, the Japanese boy looked back up, "If you insist… But aren't you the least bit interested in looking at these?" He gestured over to the inside of the exhibit they were about to enter, the sign at the top of the entrance indicated it was about Cuba.
Arthur let loose a small laugh, "If I'm right, we have one senior at our school who is Cuban don't we?" The image of a tanned and irritated young man with a cigarette popped in his mouth flashed to mind and Arthur sighed remembering how many times he had to hound the taller boy for breaking several school rules.
"Yes. Diego, he has my homeroom." Kiku agreed while nodding as the pair entered the exhibit,
At the sights and words he read about the once-upon-a-time nation, Arthur couldn't help but whistle "Amazing, for someone who acts so unruly, he certainly has a rich heritage." Bending down he took a look at some of the antiques that had previously left the island before its disappearance.
Kiku trailed his fingers over the glass that protected a document, "Apparently, Cuba and the United States weren't on friendly relations. I am surprised they allowed this exhibit up if that be the case…" Removing his hands from the barrier he looked over at his friend who shrugged, "Out of respect for those that went missing I'd like to assume, but which island nation's next? I think its Cyprus, let's go then shall we?"
The Japanese boy nodded, "It may be a while before we get there, but the exhibit I really wish to see is the one of the United Kingdom."
Arthur curiously looked over at his friend as they exited the Cuban section, "And why is that?"
"Arthur is rather secretive about his heritage. Ever since we have met back in Primary School, you never really participated in activities that required us to talk about our culture and roots. It didn't help that our textbooks are vague about the actual lives and ways of the islands that vanished." Kiku explained briefly his eyes sticking ahead knowingly.
His words caused Arthur to sigh, "It's not that I'm secretive about it. It's just… The past is the past. I don't like talking about some island that disappeared that I don't even come from. Call me unpatriotic, but I just don't feel attached to that country as my parents are or as people say I should, okay?"
"I am not sure if I understand your feelings… But, I respect your opinion."
"Just don't start thinking I'm patriotic to America or anything. I'd rather be a country-less Brit then some loud obnoxious American Yank any day."
As the two now began to enter Falkland Island exhibit, Arthur couldn't help but arch a large brow in speculation. He wasn't sure if it was just him, but apparently a lot of these islands they had been passing for the last few areas had the same United Kingdom flag pasted at the top of them. He knew this symbolized them as either colonies or apart of the Commonwealth of the fallen nation. But for such a small nation to have kept so many of them close even after its fall from being an Empire? It was truly impressive yet scary at the same time.
"The United Kingdom, or should I say England, was a rather powerful and influential nation, don't you think Arthur?" His companion questioned his words like a mirror copy of the teen's thoughts. Kiku's eyes as they usually did looked ahead at the information they were reading blankly, "They had so much… After all, they did once have the United States, the world's leading super power, at its knees submissively at one point in time if I'm correct,"
For some reason, Arthur felt his face flush red at this information, Kiku's choice of words were horrendous to the average teenager.
"Yeah, it did I suppose," Arthur scratched the back of his head while thinking about it,
"Japan and England had nice relations if I remember History class well enough."
"In the 1800's, an Anglo-Japanese Treaty was signed."
"… But didn't that treaty some-what give Japan colony-status to the—"
"Hey! I'm pretty thirsty! Let's go over there for something to drink; they may even have some green tea for you!"
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Arthur let loose a breath of exhaustion as he and Kiku found themselves sitting on a bench just outside the museum, drinks in hand. Outside's temperature was fairly humid so the sweater vest that the young man was wearing wasn't the most comfortable.
"It's such a nice day." Kiku stated while removing the cold beverage from his lips, his eyes looked upward toward the sky thoughtfully. Arthur mirrored the motion and took in the serene calm that radiated from above; there were only a few clouds above, the Sun was shining down gloriously at its prime, and the cerulean sky dominated most of his vision. That shade of blue had always been one of his favorites… It represented a happier time in his opinion, and just made his stomach flutter with warmth.
"Mmhm, I agree," Arthur tilted his head back and closed his eyes lazily, soaking in the heat with welcome arms. "That cloud kind of looks like a cat, don't you think?" Kiku questioned, his eyes still fixed on the sky, and his observing a floating cloud that was moving at a rather slow pace. Arthur cracked one eye open, "It looks more like a heart to me." He offered out in response.
Kiku shook his head as he stood up, "I need to use the restroom, I will be right back," He informed his friend simply before walking off. Arthur nodded dumbly while he closed his eyes once more. He just felt like relaxing for the rest of the day in all honesty.
Suddenly, the blonde haired boy felt another hand go over his from where he sat on the bench. Alarmed, both his eyes snapped open, glancing to his side, he could only watch with discontent as Francis began vibrating with amusement at the boy's rigidness.
"Well, well, well, such a surprise meeting you here Arthur." Francis sent the student a wink which was returned with a scowl, "What? Don't tell me you're stalking me, you tosser!" Swiftly bringing his hand out from under the other man's, he brought it to his chest with a sharp glare directed at the wavy haired blonde.
Francis continued laughing making Arthur inch away on the bench, "I assure you, our meeting here was pure coincidental, I never would have expected you to end up in such a place." The smirk on his face made Arthur roll his eyes, "Pure coincidental? Didn't you have to run off to meet your friend?"
Shaking his head, the Frenchman gave the blonde a knowing look, "What brings you here though? You don't look smart enough to have an interest in Geography or History."
Annoyed and slightly offended with the last sentence, Arthur didn't even notice how his question went ignored to deaf ears.
"For your damned information, I'm here because I want to be! I'll make this clear since before you have no clue about the atmosphere! I don't like you! Chelsey may have a crush on you or something, but you annoy me! For that, can you please leave me the hell alone?" His blunt and straightforward demand was delivered with one of his trademark death glares that fended off the dumbest of morons around; however, it looked as though Francis wasn't the least bit affected.
"Is that so?"
"You're damn right it is! I've hardly known you for five minutes of my life but I can tell that you're such a—"
"Francis! Honestly, you missed the meeting just to go to a museum!" Arthur and Francis both turned their heads to the source of the impatient and irked voice in unison. Francis' face twisted up with apprehension at the new blonde boy walking toward them.
Francis chuckled, anxiety bared throughout it making Arthur narrow his eyes at him, "Mathieu… Such a surprise meeting you here, you'll never guess—"
The young man, who Arthur now knew at 'Mathieu' scowled before stopping right in front of them, his eyes glued on the Frenchman, ignoring Arthur's presence entirely, "The others were upset, the meeting has been postponed now until after the World Meeting."
Francis looked slightly taken back at this development, "I didn't expect that to happen…"
'Mathieu' shook his head, his violet-blue eyes softened behind his lenses as the blonde loosened up a bit, "Well of course you should have expected it. Ever since the… you know what, we don't want anyone getting left behind anymore." Smiling and he now turned to Arthur, his hand outstretched with a new sense of welcoming radiating around him,
"Um, sorry for just interrupting your chat just now, I was just—" The once shy and apologetic eyes got wide in a split second,
The reaction was definitely not one he expected.
Francis allowed a smirk to play out on his lips while he hung a hand over Arthur's shoulder—his fingers playing dangerously close to the student's chest— and he let out a slight laugh, "Allow me to introduce you to my new friend Mathieu. Meet Arthur Kirkland." The French pronunciation of his name felt somewhat unnatural, especially with the emphasis Francis put on it.
"B-But… How… Is it really..? It's not possible…" Mathieu now readjusted his glasses from his face, disbelief, shock, surprise, excitement all evident in his features,
Arthur stared back at him confused, "It's really nice to meet you," Politely; he extended his hand. "T-the accent is there… You sound just like…" Murmuring soon followed after those words as the slightly taller boy returned the hand shake,
"I— Um… I'm Cana… Erm… I mean, I'm Matthew." His words stammered out and tripped to the point Arthur wondered if the other man had seen a ghost. His facial expression surely mirrored it as though he had.
"I see…" Was all Arthur was able to respond with. Francis nodded with a huge smile, turning to Matthew, "Are you not happy with my discovery? This is certainly a huge development, is it not?"
Matthew blinked, "But how? How is this possible? England, the United Kingdom, everything is still gone." Desperately, he looked up at the elder man, hurt evident in his eyes. Arthur just watched the exchange before folding his arms over his chest,
"My parents were from the United Kingdom. That's how I have my accent." He answered curtly, Matthew turned to look at him, fear and confusion now dominating his features.
"And you say your name is Arthur Kirkland?"
"Been that way for almost two decades now."
Francis now took this chance to grip Matthew's shoulders; Arthur noted with slight smugness how Matthew's face turned a brilliant shade of scarlet at this action. "He is not the only one. Seychelles and Japan, I saw them. They looked the same. Seychelles talked the same. I'm telling you. They're back."
"But it's not possible… The islands are still gone… How can they?" Doubtfully, Matthew turned his head to the side, and Arthur could only blink his eyes dumbly, a question mark slowly floating over his head and flashing in confusion.
What?
"Proof is all in front of us."
Arthur grumbled at being ignored and obviously talked about, standing to his feet he glared at Francis, "Um, why the hell are you talking about me when I'm right here?" His eyebrows inclined downward together in frustration.
"I know the proof's there but—" Before Matthew could continue, Arthur felt his wrist being pulled forward suddenly. His eyes grew wide as he opened his mouth to release a yelp of surprise, but a smack of what he believed to be tape was slapped over his lips, silencing his cries. Before his mind could register what was going on exactly, Arthur felt his world being tilted upside down. To his horror, he soon found his eyes going directly in front of Francis' ass seeing as his body was tossed over the Frenchman's shoulder.
This twat was kidnapping him!
"Francis!" He heard Matthew exclaim, "What are you doing to him?" The words went out exasperated while Francis began to walk away, towards the entrance and exit of the museum. Arthur instantly began thrashing in his hold, what the hell was this!
"Se radoucir, I'm bringing him with us back to the meeting place but of course."
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Ahaha, I really hope this was good enough to satisfy… The second chapter for me is usually the hardest to write.
Feedback is greatly appreciated as well. I really want to know if I'm making anyone OOC.