One and the Same (Hetalia [PruCan])

Chapter 2 - All These Regrets

Matthew looked up at the sky in surprise. White, fluffy icicles spiralled at his face and stung his skin with cold. He stuck out his tongue and tried catching the snowflakes.

"It wasn't supposed to snow today," said the Canadian, unable to mask the delight that graced his delicate features.

Gilbert held his hand out, watching as snow settled into his gloved palm. "It was so sunny this morning . . . I wonder what happened."

His eyes drifted to Matthew, who was captivated by the paths of the snowflakes as they made their ascent to the ground. The younger nation appeared so happy in his element; the cold didn't bother him. In fact, the brisk, icy mist that hung in the air seemed to create a halo around his head, accentuating the pale blond of his hair. His violet eyes reflected the daylight like crystals.

Matthew caught the Prussian looking, and he smiled. "Do you like the snow, Gil?"

Gilbert dragged his eyes away. "I suppose so. A little snow's never hurt anyone. Except in an avalanche."

The Canadian burst into laughter.

"What?" Gilbert said, staring at him.

"N-nothing." Matthew rubbed the tears out of his eyes. "It's just . . . The way you said it . . ."

"Hey, guys!" America came up from behind them, in the middle of tying his scarf around his neck. "Sorry for the wait, I seemed to have misplaced everything but my jacket."

"It's cool, Al. Let's go."

"Wait, wait," said Alfred, holding a hand up. "In this weather?"

Matthew stared at him. "What about this weather?"

"Should we take the car? You know, we don't want an accident."

Gilbert and Matthew scoffed at him in unison. Well, Matthew was too polite for that. He settled with a tiny snort of laughter.

"You're not going to die," said Prussia incredulously. "There's barely a centimetre on the ground. What are you gonna do? Slip and scrape your knee?"

Alfred frowned. "How much is a centimetre? Is it bigger than an inch?"

Gilbert squinted at him, checking to see if he was serious.

"I remember last winter Al had barely a few inches of snow on the ground and the entire state called it an emergency and shut down all its operations," said Matthew. "And I think we'd be in more danger in a car than on foot. Don't be a baby, Al. Let's go, I'm starving."

"But I'm cold," Alfred said meekly. His breath came out in wisps of white.

"Fine," said Matthew, sighing. "You go by car, Gil and I will meet you there."

America cast an uncertain look at the Prussian nation. "You sure you'll be okay? I don't want you catching a cold."

"I'm not contagious if that's what you're saying," Gilbert said, unamused.

"Of course that's not what he's saying," Matthew was quick to amend. "I'll be fine, Alfred. You're worrying over the wrong nation. It's barely a block's walk anyway. Under two, at the most."

". . . All right," said Alfred finally. "Okay, I'll meet you there."

The American jogged off the sidewalk and towards the parking lot. Matthew watched him go and then turned to Gilbert. "Shall we?"

"Sure, as long as you're leading. I have no idea where I'm going."

Gilbert's footfalls fell in alongside Matthew's. Other pedestrians passing by slowed down to stare at him; no doubt his hair was stark white in this weather, and more so than the usual. Gilbert wrapped his scarf tighter around his head, hoping to conceal a bit of his abnormality.