Inspired: Memories by Within Temptation

Memories

"Alfred thinks I've been acting a bit strange," Canada poured two teacups of tea and set about stirring milk and sugar into his own. He took a sip. "He said that I never leave the house. I left the house last week! Remember? For groceries?"

Canada leaned against the counter.

"I guess he means well. He's been worried about me since the… incident… but I'm fine! See? I'm just fine! And Arthur has been just as bad, if not worse. He keeps calling me and inviting me out…."

He trailed off, running his fingertip around the rim of his teacup.

"Well, it's better than Francis. He can't even look at me."

Canada bit his lip and turned his attention to the window. The snowflakes sparkled where the streetlight cast patterns across the lawn. It was dark outside, smudged and bruised where the clouds covered the moon. It was beautiful but, well, haunting.

"Perhaps it's for the best though. He was… You were close. Even Antonio has been more subdued, according to Lovino. He called me on the weekend. If I did not know better, I would've thought he was worried too."

Canada tore his gaze from the window and took another sip of tea.

"But I know better, of course."

The kitchen was quiet for awhile as Canada finished his own tea and let the tea on the counter grow cold.

The refrigerator clicked on and hummed in the background, soft and familiar. The steeping tea washed the kitchen in the scent of soft spices and milk. It masked the stench of dead roses on the tabletop.

The roses had been the last gift Prussia gave him before he… Disappeared...

He did have the heart to throw them out.

"You know, I think it'll pass. Their concern, that is. Not the, uhm, other bit."

Canada set his emptied teacup in the sink with a 'clank' and a splash of water. He turned around.

"I think the other bit is kind of permanent."

The ghost in front of him snorted, crossing his arms and cocking his head to the side.

"Gee, you think?" Prussia scoffed, frowning. Canada smiled.

"It's just this feeling I get… Tingling. Chills. The sensation that someone is watching me. You know, those sorts of feelings."

"Oh, ha ha, very funny."

"Don't be like that; you're the one who decided to haunt me."

"Only because you can't live without me."

Prussia floated closer, raising his hand to almost touch his cheek but never quite making contact. Canada wanted to lean into it but he knew that there would be nothing to lean in to.

"That's true…"

"I still love you, you know."

Canada laughed but the sound was almost harsh and desperate.

"You do remember that there was a whole 'until death do us part' clause in our vows, right?"

"Bah, death is overrated. I'd rather stay here with you."

Canada wanted to wrap his arms around his deceased husband and never let go but there was nothing to hold on to; there was no warmth, just a spirit. Just the memories of a lifetime together.

"… Thank you…"

"My pleasure."

Canada snorted.

"I'm so sure."

"It is. The afterlife was boring without you, and I'm too awesome to die, so I came back. And I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"And I love you."

"I love you too."

"And you can stop making tea for me any time now…"

Canada glanced at the teacup, cold and starting to film. He kept making two cups, even if Prussia could not drink it, because it felt normal. It felt right. He might not be able to hug his husband but damn if he could not at least make him a cup of tea.

It was strange how the simplest of gestures seemed to be the ones he missed most.

"Never."

Author's Notes:

Uhm… Bittersweet? It's just plain sad if you imagine that there is no ghost and it is a hallucination. I prefer to believe in the more literal interpretation but both views are interesting and I wrote it so that it could be read either way. I also mention Southern Italy here because, in my mind, he and Canada would actually get along quite well. They have some similar insecurities and Canada would not take his slurs to heart. I think that they would be cute friends.

I should, uhm, post something happier tomorrow, yes? Alright then.

This song was requested by Amariel. Voila! Please continue to send requests. I'm not addressing them in order but more as the suggestions catch my interest. I keep a list and peruse them in my spare time. Such as, oh, this week?