Just a short piece to get back into the swing of things. I hope to post a couple more chapters this week.

This chapter was inspired by the song 'Take This Waltz' by Patricia O'Callaghan, originally by Leonard Cohen. I have always really liked the lyrics to this song. It is a wonderful mixture of gloominess and romance. It would actually be a perfect song for AustriaxHungary, for obvious reasons, if anyone wants to throw themselves on that.

Take This Waltz

Canada glanced up from his reading to see Prussia holding his hand out to him. He looked like a gentleman, even with his hair a mess and his shirt turned inside out. Canada pursed his lips.

Music drifted through the house, songs that were old and warped and still beautiful. The gramophone scratched and screeched but it did not matter.

"May I have this dance?"

Canada closed the tome and set it on his lap.

"Gilbert, I can't dance."

"Yes, you can."

"Alright, I don't dance."

Prussia twiddled his fingers but kept his hand extended. His smile softened.

"Dance with me," he said again.

"Gilbert…"

"What are you so afraid of?"

Canada bit his lip. What was he so afraid of? Messing up, for one, and stepping on his toes. Tripping... Falling on his face.

"… I don't want you to… I don't want you…" He had no idea how to articulate his fears. Quite simply, he did not want Prussia to see him make a fool of himself.

Prussia narrowed his eyes and studied Canada. Then he turned on his heel and walked away. Canada tried to swallow his disappointment. It was his fault, after all. He hadsaid 'no'…

But instead of walking through the door, Prussia stopped and flicked the lightswitch beside it. He wandered over to the windows and pulled the curtains closed, casting the den into total darkness.

Canada squinted but he could not see anything.

"What are you doing…?" He asked cautiously, shuffling the weathered volume in his lap to the side. He reached his hand out blindly, grasping at thin air, and jumped when Prussia snatched it and twined their fingers together. He pulled Canada up and wrapped an arm around his waist.

Canada blushed and buried his face in his shoulder.

"Dancing," he shrugged.

"In the dark?"

Prussia sighed and tugged Canada a little closer. He breathed against his ear.

"You're shy," he whispered, matter-of-fact, and it tickled, "so I thought this might help. You. To dance. With me."

Canada hummed and pressed a smiling kiss against his neck at the stuttered explanation. He hated to admit it, but it did help. He did not have to worry so much about stumbling or flushing in the dark; he did not have to agonize over his awkwardness or social anxiety. He just needed to rock back and forth and let Prussia take the lead.

He ran his free hand up his chest.

"Thank you," he murmured, and he meant it. He was always surprised at how easily the other nation could read him and his insecurities. Prussia saw more than people gave him credit for.

"You're welcome."

The music warbled and curled through their house. Canada focused on the notes and tried to place the song but it was impossible. It was from the 1920's, he thought.

Canada kept time to Prussia's heartbeat, drumming against the hand on his chest.

"… Why is this so important to you, anyway?" Canada prodded after a moment. Prussia chuckled and twirled him around, nipping at his earlobe. Prussia always asked him to dance, and Canada always said no, but he kept asking.

"It's not," Prussia lifted him off his bare feet. He dipped him and Canada held on tighter. "But you are. Important to me. And I wanted to dance with you."

Canada blinked and stammered and blushed, even though the other nation could not see it. They were sleeping together, and living together, but neither of them had managed to muster up those three little words. They were both afraid of being hurt. Again.

But this confession… Well, it was pretty damned close. It was close enough to 'I love you' for now. Close enough for him. For them.

Canada leaned forward and kissed Prussia on the forehead, the cheek, the nose, until he found his lips. Prussia dipped him even lower without ever breaking the kiss. It was long and slow and meaningful.

They were not even swaying anymore, all pretense of dancing gone.

"You're important to me too," Canada whispered against his lips. Prussia grinned.

And it was close enough for now.