The Death of the Ash (Hetalia X Reader)

Day 46

The hike up the mountain had been tiring. However, the view from the peak was well worth it. They'd made their way up at around four in the afternoon and arrived at about six.

Francis had prepared a small meal in honour of Matthew. "It's all of my boy's favourite foods." Francis had explained when (Y/n) caught him packing it before they had left for Banff. So they sat in a circle on the damp grass and enjoyed what was given to them out of a soft sided cooler.

They ate little back bacon (or Canadian bacon according to Alfred) and egg sandwiches accompanied with some pancakes and real maple syrup. Matthew hated table syrup. Francis then pulled a thermos out of his backpack along with four mugs. He poured each person present a cup and added a shot of maple syrup. "It's about time we find out if this is really as good as Matthew claimed it to be." Francis chuckled.

"Oh, Matthew and his strange habits." Arthur chimed in, taking the mug Francis had handed to him. "We're going to miss them." He looked down into his cup. "To Matthew." Arthur held his mug towards the center of the circle.

"Matthew." The rest echoed and clinked their mugs together before taking a swig of the dark liquid.

"Not bad." (Y/n) said. Alfred grunted in agreement and took another sip. Matthew smiled at (Y/n) from across the circle. He had seated himself between his parents. She smiled back.

They drank the warm coffee and watched the sun settle over the mountains. The stars began to make themselves known as little pinpricks of light across an inky sky. The moon shone bright overhead, illuminating the cliff they stood at and everything bellow it.

"So this is it." Matthew came to stand beside (Y/n). The five if them were lined across the sharp drop of the cliff underfoot. Alfred was holding the urn that contained Matthew's ashes tightly to his chest.

"Are you ready?" (Y/n) asked the ghost at her side.

Matthew didn't look at her but nodded. Alfred looked over at (Y/n) for approval and she smiled slightly in encouragement. With shaky hands, Alfred removed the heavy lid then held the urn out towards the open air. At first, nothing happened. But when the wind picked up, the ashes were lifted in little swirls from the urn and cast across the land. They floated put towards the mountains before them and disappeared bit by bit.

"I love you," Matthew said. (Y/n) turned towards him. "I love all of you." He said, tears brimming under his glasses. "So much."

At that, he began to dissappear, slowly blowing away in bright little pieces from head to toe. The glowing pieces drifted with the wind and danced in between the ashes before they too faded into darkness.

Then it was over.

Matthew had passed on peacefully.