The Hetalia Global Warming Crisis; Get Out Alive
21— The Key
~Canada~
Waabishki.
Mm…?
What the hell was that?
What?
The vision? Why the hell did you give me that vision! It was going to come true, wasn't it? America was going to die, eh?
Waabishki circles me, shaking his head slowly, as if in disappointment.
You're going to go mad if you can't handle just that.
What do you mean?
It's your way of sensing the storm.
You mean there's going to be more!
He stays silent, but that's enough of an answer for me. I take off a glove and slap the wolf across the face, making sure I score my nails down his muzzle. Blood wells up in the tiny scratches and I glare at him. It's what he deserves, right? For showing me my brother's death. Showing me that I was powerless to help.
I hate him.
Pain stings my palm and I glance at it. There, on the centre of my hand, is the scar. The scar that was once the wound that helped my brothers return. It hurt.
You think that hurts? Waabishki growls, reading my thoughts. Wait until the visions you'll have later on. It will burn you on the inside, if you don't learn how to fight it.
I bare my teeth and hiss, forcing words through my teeth.
At least I care about my fellow nations! At least I care if they die. If I died, they wouldn't care. They wouldn't even notice!
Dead silence.
The truth sinks in and I collapse onto my knees. But the wolf only shakes his head and starts to fade.
Pathetic little nation. You still don't understand.
This time I'm dragged into a dark, cold area. It's almost like a cave. Here I lie, in my nice, neat clothes. I slip my glove back on and turn to get up, but a weight slides down my side and I shiver. Looking to my right, I see Russia. One arm is around me, as if he was pulling me closer, but now his body is limp. Violet eyes half-closed and glazed, jaws agape and dripping blood, but he looks much more childish than ever. I trace my finger on his softly rounded face, gazing at his torn and bloodied clothes, and at his scarf, slowly slipping off his body. This vision is worse than before. Here, I'm actually touching him. He feels so cold. There's no life in him now. No cheerful darkness, no warm possessiveness. I don't feel horrified or sad. I feel empty inside, like a deep, cold fire is eating my heart up.
Waabishki is right.
I'm starting to burn on the inside.
And I like it.
-C-
"Canada, wake up!"
The small man grunted and shifted in his seat.
"America's awake and he says he wants to talk to you!"
Matthew's head shot upright and he nearly collided with Gilbert, who was leaning over him.
"Amer…"
The little Canadian exploded from his seat, dropping his bear in the process, and scrambled into the living space, nearly crashing into Ivan.
"S-sorry," he mumbled as the taller country gazed down at him in surprise. Before anyone could say anything, Matthew darted through the small crowd of nations.
Alfred, who was standing despite his injuries, spotted his brother, his tense face relaxing in relief. He opened his arms wide and his younger brother leaped into them. The taller man winced, but didn't let go, holding Canada like a lifeline.
"You're okay," whispered the Canadian with utter relief, nuzzling into his brother's bandaged chest.
Alfred ran his hand through his brother's hair and touched his nose to Canada's forehead, trying to catch the smaller man's eye.
"Of course I am," he murmured reassuringly. He shot a sour glance at the countries who were watching them with interest. Pulling his brother aside, out of earshot from the other nations, he reached in his pocket and brought out the ring of keys he promised to find.
Matthew's indigo eyes widened.
"You have the keys!" he exclaimed. "We can all go down there now—"
"Not yet," the American interrupted his eyes apologetic. "China says England is far too weak to be moved now; we'll reopen his wounds if we do. Everyone will stay up here while you can go down to the basement. Bring a few others with you, just in case."
"You're not going to come?" Matthew inquired, narrowing his eyes. Normally, his brother would be jumping at the chance to get moving and lead the expedition. His attitude now seemed so… wrong.
Alfred shook his head. "I'm staying with England. I can't leave him after what we've been through. He might wake up and get worried about me."
Matthew gazed at his brother for a long moment. Something about America didn't seem right. Since when did he care about the Brit, anyways?
"Alright," he finally replied, although reluctantly. "I'm taking France with me, because I know he won't let me go alone… and Russia."
"What!" Alfred's light blue eyes widened in bewilderment. "Why him!"
"Russia is far stronger than any other country here, and I think even you can see that," Matthew snapped in the Russian's defense, carefully avoiding the mention of their training session. "Besides, I don't think you two could even stand being in the same room together without me being in between."
And as long as he's in my sight, I can prevent his death. Matthew added to himself.
"I still don't trust him being with you," America protested hotly. Matthew smiled. Alfred was turning back into the protective older brother he always knew. "How do I know he won't hurt you?"
"I can handle him," replied the little Canadian sweetly. "We've held peaceful negotiations before, so he doesn't scare me."
"Canada, I won't allow—"
Matthew cupped his hand over his brother's mouth and stared into his blue eyes.
"Brother, I am an independent nation," he murmured reassuringly. "I can decide what's best for me and I can take care of myself just fine. All I ask is to never forget about me. Don't hesitate to call if you need help."
They stared at each other for a moment. Matthew remained calm, but Alfred's sapphire eyes blazed with blue fire. Eventually the fire died and he looked away. Matthew removed his hand and Alfred sighed dramatically.
"Whatever, as long as I know you're safe," he muttered, blushing slightly at his unusual show of affection. "I love you, Mattie, and you're my brother. I don't want to lose you."
The little man smiled and hugged his brother tightly. Alfred stiffened at the pain, but returned the embrace with equal feeling.
"It's better if we leave now," Matthew whispered, pulling away and glancing back at the other nations crowding around China and England. "You and Britain need some peace and quiet. Don't argue with the others; let them protect you. Don't push yourself too hard. And please stay safe. Also…" he eyed his brother's body and focused on his face. "You need to put on some clothes. Stop walking around with just trousers on. And what happened to your glasses?"
Alfred simply rolled his eyes and grinned. "You sound like Iggy. What the hell did that British Empire do to you?"
Matthew snorted as he led his brother back to the others. He couldn't stay serious around his brother. The others turned expectantly as the twins approached, the nervous tension lifting at the sight of America's broad grin.
"So do you have a plan?" Ludwig asked Alfred. Matthew stopped and looked around, but none of the countries were looking at him. He sighed; his brother was getting all the attention again.
"Definitely!" announced the young man. He held the keys up and jingled them loudly. "England and I managed to get the keys. If you want to know why we're injured, we can tell you later. Just make sure you never call the other countries by their real names, if you know their names. The enemy wants our names to control us, so don't let them know."
Anxious murmuring filled the room. Alfred spoke over the buzz with ease.
"Canada will be going to the basement now," he continued reluctantly. "France and Russia will go with him." He tossed the keys over to his brother without looking. "The rest of you will stay here and defend the room; I don't want them to access our storage, and China and I need to be defended while we're taking care of England."
"Since when did we put him in charge?" Lovino complained, but was hushed by Antonio. Many of the countries had doubts as well—it was not often they listened to America. But his plan made sense, and they murmured in hesitant agreement.
"Let's get going then," Francis spoke up, shouldering his way past the nations to Matthew.
"Yes, the sooner you leave, the sooner a safe haven can be secured underground," Ludwig added. Japan, Veneciano, and Romano stood at his side.
"Good luck, amigos!" the Spanish man grinned as he joined the Axis. "We'll stay and take care of your brothers. Don't worry."
Matthew smiled and turned to leave. Prussia pushed the others out of the way and put a hand on the Canadian's shoulder. The young nation halted, but didn't turn to face him.
"Canada, listen to me," he muttered in Matthew's ear. "It's really important."
"If this is about Russia, don't worry," Matthew interrupted in his soft voice. "He's not as bad as he appears to be. You're just scared of him because he's the biggest country. And I know how he feels."
"But…"
"He's just lonely," hissed the Canadian. "Stop spreading rumours and leave him alone."
"I'm warning you," the Prussian growled. "Russia's not as nice as you think. He wants you to…"
"I know what he wants," Matthew growled under his breath, glancing at the albino over his shoulder. "But neither do I want him to be killed."
Gilbert froze up, his eyes widening in shock and horror. The look in the little man's eyes were filled with so much sorrow, it was as if Ivan had already died. Was the Russian the next one to die?
With a final melancholy glance at England, the Canadian shrugged off the Prussian's hand coldly. Leaving Gilbert standing speechless, Matthew and Alfred led Francis and Ivan to the basement door. Matthew took a deep breath, inserted the key in the keyhole, and unlocked the door with a click. The door swung open and cold, damp darkness hit the four men in the face. Stone stairs led down into darkness. Francis gulped and Ivan let out a huff of impatience.
"There should be a light switch down there somewhere," Alfred murmured shakily. "I think there's one room that has a set of switches that control the power for all the other rooms in the basement. You're going to have to find that room in the dark."
Ivan turned sharply and rummaged in a nearby cabinet for flashlights. He tossed one to Francis and another to Matthew. Francis looked scared out of his wits, but he kept his mouth shut, feeling ashamed since both Matthew and Ivan looked so calm.
"Ah, Canada," America said suddenly. "Are you taking your bear with you?"
Matthew shook his head. "There's no telling what we'll find down there. Kumakichi is safer with you."
Alfred nodded. "I'll watch him," he promised, watching the others leave.
They faced each other, not wanting to separate again for a second time.
"America…"
"…?"
"Are you…" Matthew's voice cracked and he put a hand on Alfred's chest. "Are you burning somewhere?"
"What?" the tall man's eyes widened in surprise.
"N-never mind," Matthew stammered awkwardly, drawing his hand away. "Sorry for asking such a stupid question."
Alfred took his brother's retreating hand and squeezed it gently. Matthew smiled.
"Take care brother," he whispered as Ivan led the way into the dark passage, followed closely by Francis. "I will come back. It's my promise, because you kept yours."
The twins embraced one final time and Alfred grinned sadly.
"I'll make sure you come back," he said confidently as he stroked his brother's soft hair. "I'll send you my strength. We'll make it through together."
Matthew pulled away and planted a small kiss on his brother's cheek.
"Goodbye," they said to each other in unison.
Canada took a few steps down and looked back.
The last thing he saw was his brother's blue eyes watching him sadly as he closed the door.
Then he was surrounded in blackness.
Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya
References:
"Besides, I don't think you two could even stand being in the same room together without me being in between." –Canada
(He's referring to the fact that Canada geographically stands between Russia and America)
"We've held peaceful negotiations before…" –Canada
(Regarding international interactions between Canada and Russia: the peaceful yet tense territorial disputes in the Arctic about where the border should be and the competitions between their international hockey teams during the Cold War)
I felt like adding a few useless facts in there. I read my History and Canadian Civics textbooks in my spare time. :P
Next arc starting next chapter!
Review please! They will remind me to post sooner! :D