Interlude

Canada sat at his desk, poring over his papers. He's had so much more work ever since becoming the superpower and gaining land. The size of his country now rivaled that of Russia's. They haven't been getting along all that well for the last fifty years. So much has changed in the last fifty years, most, he supposed, was for the better.

Of course, the first couple years were hard. After Alf- America died, people were looking for a scapegoat for all their troubles. So, of course, they turned to this new super power that they didn't seem to remember. They tried to pin their blame and hardships on him. However, Matthew prided himself on his patience. And by that he meant his passive aggressiveness. He wasn't mean, he'd never be cruel. But the world had to learn that they could never mess with Matthew Williams the way that they messed with Alf- his brother.

His long gone brother…

The best thing that changed for him was that he was noticed now. And it didn't stop at being noticed. He was honored, admired, praised, and even feared. People looked up to him, as they should, because they had no choice. He was, by far, the strongest country in the world. What he wanted, he got.

When America was dissolved Canada took all the land except for most of Texas, Mexico took that. The country had been a mess, but Matthew managed to build it back up to all its former glory and more.

However, as he built and rebuilt he realized that he was changing his newly acquired land and people. His brother's land and people… The thought disturbed him as he couldn't figure out whether that made him happy or upset. All he knew was that he wasn't indifferent to it.

So, as he changed the land, he also changed the names of the cities and states and so forth. Anything he could so that he wouldn't be reminded of the cheerful young man with brilliant blue eyes that used to own them.

Matthew also couldn't hate his brother, even if his brother had been naïve, brash, provocative, inconsiderate, conceited, and ignorant among many other things, he really was a good person on the inside. He always wanted to help people and was kind hearted and did care for those close to him. However, his utter cluelessness was just so frustrating.

Matthew wasn't entirely sure if he missed his brother, though. Sure they used hang out together more often than Matthew with others. But that was because America was one of the only people who could remember him long enough to. And even he forgot often.

Canada sighed, scratching his head. He didn't know why he was thinking about his long deceased brother so much lately. Maybe it was because he was holding a World Meeting in his old capital during the week of the Fourth of July, his brother's birthday and the day he died. Oh. Right.

He's been suppressing memories of his brother or anything related to him for quite a while now, but he might as well face them, if only for tonight.

The violet eyed nation knew that Japan still thought about his brother. Even if Kiku never talked about him, Canada doesn't miss the way he would sometimes stifle a sigh when looking at horror movies or never comment on how Matthew changed all the major cities. And sometimes, when asked for opinion, he'd start off with a 'I agree with-' then cut himself off and give another answer.

Lithuania also seemed to miss America as well. Once Matthew remembered Toris asking if he could drive around and see what's changed. Canada had given his permission and asked if he wanted Matthew to show him around. Toris had said no and then got worried about how that may have offended the superpower and that he meant no disrespect whatsoever and that Canada could guide him if that was what he wanted because Toris really didn't mind and- Canada had stopped him, knowing that the brown haired nation missed his brother. The next day he found flowers in front of the remains of his brother's house.

Canada also knew that England missed America, even if he'd never say it. Matthew only knew because he was the only one there the one time after England got drunk after the death of Al- America. England had been very careful of his alcohol intake since, and Canada learned why.

"-Then he left me the second, the git!"

Matthew looked up at this, surprised.

"You, you mean Alfred?" He said softly.

Arthur slammed his fist down on the table, then held it after he seemingly injured himself, "Yes I mean Alfred, you wanker! He- he just had to go and die…"

Arthur's bodies began to wrack with sobs and Matthew looked away, not wanting to see the man so upset and… not wanting to talk about his brother. He couldn't sort out his feelings and didn't want to any time soon.

"I- I miss him…" Arthur trailed off and then knocked out completely, drunk.

Matthew looked at his prone body. He didn't say a word.

Knocking his head on his desk, the nation groaned. He was never going to get any work done if kept on thinking about his brother. And he really didn't want to sort out his feelings for his death, either. He wasn't sure if he ever would.

"Mr. Williams?" A soft voice cut into his thoughts.

Canada looked up to see his new assistant, Peter Adams, standing in the doorway, holding some papers in one hand and a coffee in the other.

"Please come in, Peter. Thank you."

"My pleasure, Mr. Williams, do you need anything else?" Peter put down the items.

"No, it's fine, you may leave."

"Yes sir."

With that the black haired man left. Canada looked to the door for a moment, wondering. Then he shook his head and cast out his thoughts. They were nothing alike.

But for some reason Canada thought he could see his brother in Peter's brown eyes.

This was just written over the last two hours for a request by Lady Cooper who wanted to see a Canada appearance. Since I made this out of nowhere it wasn't checked over except for spell-check, so I'm sorry for any errors. I've noticed that I'm missing disclaimers.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Also, lately I've been ecstatic over a beautiful review by Devin Trinidad and that one of my favorite authors has favorited me. If you want to know if it's you look at my favorites.

One more thing, I have all my chapters up to chapter 7 written. It's just that while chapter 4 and 6 are a decent 1,500 about length chapter 5 is barely over 500 words. It wouldn't be fair just to make you wait for it. So I'm wondering if you rather have me update chapter 5 early with chapter 4 or later with chapter 6. Your choice.

Please review and re-review. I love them all and each one makes me so happy!