Inspired

This chapter was inspired by the song: Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol.

Dancing With Myself

Prussia watched in bitter amusement as the nations stumbled sloshed across the hall. The wine was flowing steadily into the night and typically conservative nations lay sprawled over cushions and tangled in curtains. The lights were dim and twinkling in the same corners where couples and threes were methodically removing clothing with fumbling fingers.

It was kind of lonely from the outside looking in.

Everybody had somebody while he only had a beer in hand and an odd tingling sensation in his stomach.

The music that rocked from the speakers was too loud to be background noise and too quiet to drown out the thoughts cascading through his mind. It was actually kind of infuriating.

So, instead, he watched his friends and enemies twirl together across the dance floor and poured pale brew down his throat.

Suddenly, the song changed and a man bolted from the hall and into the courtyard. The couples on the floor did not seem to realize that the music had shifted from classical to the 1980's but Prussia was more interested in the missing nation.

He slid unnoticed through the room, past the speakers that were blasting the beginning of 'Dancing with Myself', and out the door. The music followed him out into the clear, crisp air and travelled to the far reaches of the grounds.

Swaying on the edge of the fountain with his eyes closed was one of the younger nations; all blonde and sweet in drunken grace. As he shifted to the music with youthful abandon, he lifted his hands and a grin spread across his face. It was the kind of smile that bloomed in sudden and complete joy.

Oh. That was why Prussia did not recognize the nation. Usually, he wore a slight nervous frown and flitted on the fringes of any discussion with a white bear clutched tightly to his chest.

Canada.

Prussia felt a sincere smile grace his features as he watched the other man dance with manic energy. It had been a while since he had smiled; not grinned or cackled or smirked. Canada twirled on the edge with his hands still in the air and let his eyes slide open. Upon seeing Prussia, he squeaked and lost his balance; crashing into the fountain with a splash of water. Prussia felt a genuine laugh tear itself free as Canada floundered.

"Kid, are you okay?"

The splashing paused and after a moment, Canada peeked over the stones. He was flushed and nervous all over again.

"… Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting… I mean, how long were you standing there?"

Prussia stepped over to the fountain and held out a hand. Canada weighed his offer in suspicion before placing his own hand delicately in Prussia's.

"Since you switched the track, actually."

"Oh," mumbled Canada as he was pulled from the water. "Oh. Oh dear."

Canada sat sopping wet and shivering on the lip of the fountain. He seemed a bit miserable and shamefaced as he peered up at Prussia with wide, intense lavender eyes.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?"

Prussia cocked his head to the side and scratched his chin.

"I doubt anyone will notice," he mused and Canada let out a sigh of relief. "Which is really too bad, seeing as you were brilliant. Count me in next time."

Canada started and eyed Prussia as if he were a madman, which, granted, he was.

"Next time?"

"I should hope so," stated Prussia as he removed his dinner jacket and rested it gently on Canada's shoulders.

Canada was still for a few minutes as he gazed at the stars in quiet contemplation. Prussia sank down to the cool ground and leaned against the stones in companionable silence; except for the notes and chords still wafting through the air and the hum of breath passing through their lips.

This was kind of nice, actually.

"You know," whispered Canada softly, "it wouldn't really be 'Dancing with Myself' if I were dancing with you."

Prussia snickered.

"Do you think that maybe we could pick another song?"

Canada tore his sights away from the sky and bent over to stare at him. Prussia stared back. He met his gaze steadily before another bright smile lit up his face.

"Yes. Yes, I think we could. I think I would like that."

Another short one shot inspired by an incredibly entertaining song. Seriously; sometimes I just break into a dance routine for this when, you guessed it, I am by myself. Anyway, seeing as the last post for Inspired was so depressing, I thought that I might write something a little more cheerful.

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