Canada's Birthday

The Birthday Party

Today was Matthew William's birthday. He hoped and he prayed that this year would be different. That someone would remember and visit him. So he set up. A cake. Some hats. Snacks. Balloons. Decorations. Your average birthday. He sat at the table and waited.

The clock chimed. 3 o'clock.

"This year will be different Kumajori! People will come. We just have to wait!" He said enthusiastically.

His companion sighed. Kumajiro looked at Matthew "You said that last year. Do I have to be here?" He whined.

Matthew nodded "Yes! We're here to celebrate. And it will be different! I can feel it!". He was convinced and nothing could change his mind.

The clock chimed again. 4 o'clock.

Matthew glanced at the clock "Perhaps they are running a bit late. They are all busy countries after all!" He tried to convince himself and stay enthusiastic.

Kumajiro sighed. Matthew glared. "Someone will come soon!" He insisted.

The clock chimed. 5 o'clock.

Kumajiro groaned "I'm going to watch TV" he announced. The small polar bear jumped down from the kitchen table. Matthew's smile faltered slightly but he was determined to stay optimistic. Someone would come. For sure!

"O-Okay!" He called after his bear companion.

The clock chimed. 6 o'clock.

The Canadian stared at the table with the slightest hint of a smile. Barely there. His hair covered his face. He whispered to no-one. Kumajiro having fell asleep earlier "Someone.......Someone please come soon....." He begged.

The clock chimed. 10 o'clock.

Matthew sobbed quietly. He placed his head in his hands as tears puddled in his palms. 'N-No one came.....' He thought. He sobbed brokenly. 'Probably at Alfred's party' he thought bitterly. He pulled his hands away from his face as his tears fell freely. A sharp sob fell from his slightly parted lips. 'Why would anyone choose me over him?' He thought to himself.

He stood from his seat at the kitchen table. He cleaned up his party supplies as more tears fell. His shoulders shook from the attempted effort of holding in his loud sobs. He placed the food in the fridge and cupboards "Hey. Waste not want not" he said brokenly.

He put the party hats in the bin including his own. "What's the point?" He asked himself sadly.

He took down the decorations and put them in the bin too "No-one cares....." He muttered.

He took down the balloons and just stared at them. They mocked him. 'Happy Birthday Matthew!' They read. The more he looked at them the more his anger grew until finally it overwhelmed him. "WHATS THE POINT?!?" He screamed. He stomped on the balloons until non were left. He screamed in sadness as he threw plates. He sobbed as he smashed cups. He cried as he tossed left over food to the ground. And in the end he collapsed in the middle of it all. A sobbing, broken mess of a boy. He ignored the blood pouring from his knees from the left over pottery shards. "What's the point.....?" He croaked brokenly. He just stayed there on his knees in the centre of the destruction. Sobbing. His throat horse from screaming. "What's the point anymore?!" He groaned.

"Matthew?" Asked a shocked voice. Said boy slowly turned to face the entrance to the kitchen. Tears streamed down his face as he laid eyes on the figure. They turned the lights on and the true extent of Matthews hurt showed. There was food and pottery and glass everywhere. Along with blood. The Canadian just stared blankly as tears rolled down his face. The guest walked forward slowly "What.....What happened?" He asked.

Matthew just shook his head. "What's the point......?" He whispered. The visitor pushed white hair out of his face.

"Matthew........." He whispered sadly. He wasted no time hesitating as he pulled the sobbing blonde into his arms "It's alright Birdie.......I've got you now......" He whispered.

Matthew clung to him. His face buried in the albinos chest. "G-G-Gilbert!" He sobbed.

The Prussian shushed his friend "It's alright Birdie. It's alright. I'm here. I'm here".

Matthew clenched his fingers into Gilbert's shirt "W-Why?" He whimpered.

Gilbert blinked "Why what?" He whispered.

"Why are you here? He asked.

Gilbert smiled and pulled away "Happy Birthday Birdie". He pulled away from their hug and took his forgotten backpack off. He reached inside and pulled out a messily wrapped gift. He gave it to Matthew. "Sorry I'm late. My plane was delayed. I would have been here earlier".

Matthew blinked shocked and reached out with shaky hands. He grabbed the offered parcel and just stared. He looked up at the beaming Prussian slowly "This is.........for me?" He whispered.

Gilbert nodded "Of course!! Who else's birthday is today?" He asked.

Matthew laughed bitterly "Alfred's......" He muttered.

The ex-nation tilted his head. He hummed "Oh......" He smiled at the blonde Canadian and laughed "I completely forgot!".

Matthew blinked "You forgot about Alfred........but you remembered me?" He asked dumbfounded.

The whitette nodded "Why wouldn't I remember my favourite Canadian's birthday?" He asked.

Matthew looked down at his gift. His only gift. More tears welled in his eyes. "No one else did........".

Gilbert blinked. Then his eyes narrowed into a glare and he growled angrily "Those bastards........" He looked around at the destruction that filled the room "Not even your own brother?" He asked. Matthew shook his head wordlessly. Gilbert's sighed and hugged Matthew again "It's okay Mattie.......You have me......You will always have me" he pulled back and smiled "Go on. Open it!" He encouraged.

Matthew wiped his eyes and carefully unwrapped his gift. His eyes widened. "Oh Gilbert.......I love it.....". It was a picture frame. And in that frame was a picture of him and Gilbert. Gilbert had his arms around Matthew's neck as he grinned and Matthew was smiling just as wide. "I remember this day........You took me to my first baseball game" he chuckled "And the ball hit you in the face" he traced the bruise on picture Gilbert's face "I love it Gilbert. It's the best birthday gift I've ever been given!".

Gilbert blushed and rubbed the back of his neck "A-Anything for my birdie" he chuckled. Matthew smiled and leaned forward to kiss Gilbert on the cheek gently. "W-What was that for?" He asked as he held his cheek in shock.

Matthew blushed and looked down "B-Because........Because I love you......" He whispered. Gilbert looked at his blonde friend in shock "I-I've only just realised it recently......but I do" he smiled at Gilbert.

He blushed and squeaked as his lips were covered by another pair. Gilbert pulled back just as quick as he had commenced the kiss "I-I'm sorry.........I just couldn't help it......" He smiled "I love you too Matthew". The Canadian and Prussian grinned widely at each other. 'I take it back' though Matthew a few hours later as he lay cuddled with his new boyfriend on the couch 'Best. Birthday. Ever!'