Vulnerable - (Male Reader x Canada) CountryHumans

Chapter 1: A Warm Welcome

(Edited 6/23/2021) (Edited 5/8/2024)

A/N:

Whenever y/n (your name) has a specific inner thought (or inner monologue, if you will), it becomes italicized, looking like this. Whenever Canada has an inside thought, it will become underlined, looking like this. If a set of words is underlined AND italicized, like this, it means that it is a part of both y/n and Canada's inner thoughts. Another important note is that both y/n and Canada are bicurious closet cases.

That's all, and I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1: A Warm Welcome

(1229 words)

Y/n's lids fluttered open to the sound of muffled bumps and an abrupt yet gentle stop. "We're home y/n!", his mom cheers with a hint of uncertainty. Y/n returned a soft grunt, already lost in thought. He would rather think of anything other than his father at the given moment, yet his will gave in. Y/n's dad was responsible for charges of tax evasion; attempting to save more of their plentiful fortune to themselves via tax shelters. The family amassed enough money to comfortably live the rest of their lives, although y/n's father did as any greedy man in his position would do.

Now, his dad inhabited a federal prison several states from where y/n and his mom are today, trying their best to live a better life. One that is far from the man who stripped y/n of the conventional family he dreamed of. Y/n always thought about that: a family you could have a stable future with. Before he could dive deeper into his thoughts, his mom had already begun to unload the car.

"Are you alright, sweetie?", y/n's mom worriedly asked.

"Huh? Oh, I uh... I'm alright, I guess"

"You seem like you might sleep standing up! You just take your stuff up to your room: the last door to the right up the stairs. I'll take care of the rest". Y/n's mom then continued to collect an assortment of her items.

"Don't you need help?", y/n yawned back.

"Oh, don't worry about me! We packed so light, I can get it all myself! Just please go to bed for your first day of school tomorrow!"

Y/n shrugged as he slung his backpack over its respected shoulder, and with a few grunts, y/n made his way inside and to his room. Y/n passed generic furniture, carpeted floors, and wood panelled stairs, arriving at long last to the dopamine-inducing sight of his new bed. With a few taps he set an early alarm, finally allowing himself to gently collapse under his weight and onto the forgiving surface of the bed.

Blaring--almost ear piercing--music woke y/n in an instant, causing him to desperately claw around his sheets for the device responsible. Having finally silenced his phone, y/n prepared for the first day of his Sophomore year at Hillbrook High. Once packed up and ready to go, y/n thoughtfully made his way down the hallway and set of stairs into the kitchen. A knock on the door caused y/n to avert his gaze through the glass window where he unexpectedly locked eyes with a tall boy his age.

He had what seemed to be a red/white striped pattern with a red maple leaf plastered on his face, coupled with moderate freckles, a genuine smile, and--gorgeous hazelnut eyes. Wait, do I like him? I don't think I'm even--y/n was brought back to reality, realizing he was staring. Embarrassed, y/n darted his eyes as his face began to perspire, coupled by a modest blush. He opened the door, still trying to regain some confidence.

"S-sorry I didn't open the door sooner. I was blanking out...", y/n awkwardly confessed.

"No worries! I simply wanted to introduce myself! I'm Canada, I live just across the street. I noticed you're new here, so I thought I might welcome you to the neighborhood!", Canada patiently responded.

"Oh, Hi! I'm y/n, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you as well!", Canada echoed back. "Do you happen to go to Hillbrook High? I was thinking I could walk you there?"

"If it's that close, then sure! I'll just leave a note for my mom. Breakfast is overrated anyways". Why is his face so perfect? HOW is he so polite? Is he the man of my- I'm getting ahead of myself. Heck, yesterday, I wasn't sure if I could even be attracted to a guy at all! Once more, hints of red played across y/n's cheeks.

"Hold on, are you sure you want to leave without at least a little food?", Canada asked worriedly. Canada, do NOT mess this up! Would you rather ruin your chances with a bean-come-true and end up marrying maple syrup pancakes, or just let a little insult slide? Okay, I know that being engaged to your favorite food doesn't sound all too bad, but that's beside the point. Hang in there. Y/n could sense that Canada was fighting back a part of himself from showing, but he couldn't care less. Y/n's brain was divided between focusing on the situation at hand, Canada's perfect features, and other areas of his body (insert Lenny Face here).

"I'll be fine! I'm trying not to eat much anyways, so it'll be good practice"

"Well, if you ever need food you can always ask; I deck out my lunch box. America usually eats some because he doesn't bring food either, so I'll just give his half to you instead"

"Thanks! Also, who's America?"

"Oh, that's my brother! I have quite a large family"

"Maybe you could talk about it while on the way to school?", y/n inquired.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that!", Canada laughed sheepishly.

After leaving a note for y/n's mother, he and Canada strolled down the street toward the school. Y/n listened as Canada talked about his family and friends, although he did insert a comment or question here and there. Canada had just explained how Australia can handle a python with ease yet was unable to get rid of a few emus off their lawn, when they arrived at last. Hillbrook High wasn't a particularly interesting looking school. It had a couple dozen buildings, all modestly sized, complimented by a large field out the back. Nothing important to keep in mind. Canada then began to show y/n around the school, all the while finding out they had a couple classes together--well, it's better than no classes...

Y/n and Canada were just starting to joke about the timing for y/n to have gotten ready for school and come down the stairs at the same time Canada knocked on his door, when I, the author, decided to stop them from potentially pointing out any more plot conveniences. The first bell cried out, signaling school had just begun.

"It looks like we have to go to class now", Canada sighed, looking down in disappointment.

"Oh, right. Before you go, thanks a lot for helping me out Canada! I may get lost occasionally, but I really appreciate it", y/n said as he shyly rubbed the nape of his neck.

"Of course!", Canada smiled back. "Don't worry! I'm sure that you'll find Hillbrook to be quite an inviting place!", Canada exclaimed, then muttered with a pout: "Mostly because you're super cute so all the girls would be happy to help you, but..."

"Wa-wait, what was that last part?!"

"Huh? Oh! N-nothing! Don't worry about it!", Canada poorly attempted to cover up his mistake, causing them both to grow a beet red. OH CRAP HE HEARD ME?!?! Holy cow he's even cuter when he blushes?! How is that even POSSIBLE?!?!

"W-well, I'll see you later, Cuti-AH-I mean, C-Canada!", y/n responded, also trying to mask his mistake.

"Uh, later!"

"L-later!"

Did he just call me CUTE?!?!

A/N:

Thanks to those of you who read till the end! If you have any questions or suggestions just let me know, and I may answer to the best of my ability! Have a nice day!