Saltpeter: Grief Saffron: Deceitful Lover Pepper: Annoyance Waist: Pun on "Wasting Time" Sunrise: New Beginning
Canada sat at his dinner table with his head buried in his arms. His eyes felt swollen, but he refused to cry. He had spent too many nights like that and it just wasn't worth it anymore. He felt stupid anyway. It was time for him to be a man and face the facts.
They simply were that for most of his life Canada had been ignored. He was invisible, perpetually hidden in his brother's shadow. France had always been there, though. Maybe not in public, but in private it was only Canada. Canada had started to look forward to seeing France after a while. His insides would jump pleasantly when France would grab his hand under the table at meetings. His mind would go numb when he would kiss him.
Before Canada knew it, he was in love with France and from France's words and actions, it seemed he was, too. How could Canada have possibly known it was all a big lie? When did he start to realize?
Maybe it was after the fifth time France started to not show up for dates, like he had done that night. His excuses were so shallow and transparent. "Mon cher, my boss held me late. You know how popular Paris is right now. I was in charge of tourist duty…."
Which would've been okay if he hadn't used the same excuse fifty million times and in that… that… tone. That tone which showed he didn't care that he had totally left Canada hanging. Canada sighed and tried closing eyes for a second. He slipped into unconsciousness…
He was looking down into a big pot. It was filled with red, small twigs and white powder. He recognized the powder instantly. It was potassium nitrate. What his brother called saltpeter and was used as a major component in gunpowder. He picked up a red, twiggy thing and spit it out, the bitter taste burning his tongue. Saltpeter and saffron?
The taste didn't go away. It increased, but changed flavors. Canada felt like he had taken a huge bite out of a green pepper. He tried not to retch. Canada had never liked the taste of them.
He felt a hand grab his waist. He spun around and saw only a blank expanse of light blue wall. The same color as the walls in France's ornate sitting room, the place where Canada had lost his… A light, glittering and beautiful, replaced it. Canada smiled, looking into the sunrise…
The morning Sun burnt his eyes. He raised his head and groaned. His neck was stiff. Once his mind had cleared up he shot out of his chair. Today was the day that he set himself free.
A few phone calls, a somewhat lengthy flight, and a ride in a Canadian government vehicle later he arrived at the front steps of an impressive French mansion. He took a deep breath. Here goes nothing…
He knocked on the door politely. After a minute he did it more forcefully. "Tiens bon! Tiens bon! Je serai là dans une minute!" shouted a groggy sounding voice. Canada glared at the door impatiently.
A very disheveled France opened the door. Canada reeled back from the sudden, overpowering smell of alcohol. France's face took on a look of shock. "Mon cher…"
"No, no. Don't mon cher me. I'm tired of your excuses. I finally see what you are. You never loved me. So who are all the different nations you cheated with on me? England? My own brother?"
"YOU ASS!" Canada shouted, after seeing the guilty look on France's face. "Who else?"
"¡Cuando regreses a un amigo cama!" A very distinctly Spanish voice came from another room. The look on Canada's face absolutely shattered France's heart.
"I do love you! Please believe me!" France shouted as Canada walked away.
"No, you don't. I'm sorry, France, but you're just not worth it anymore," Canada said quietly, looking back for the last time.
~~~~~~ Hmmm... I don't know how well I like this chapter. I wish it had more... heat to it, you know? But it's what it is. I totally know what Canada is going through. BTW! Translations: "Hold on! Hold on! I'll be there in a minute!" and "Come back to bed, amigo!". Oh, yes. I'm not sure why I always make France the bad guy. Thank you for reviewing, you few who have! I DEDICATE THIS CHAPTER TO YOU. Please review and this chapter will be dedicated to you, too! Thanks for reading!
