A Product of War [Hetalia]

Chapter 2.

The two nations had been at the clinic for a while while they ran tests, and a doctor came in to tell him that he had very minor brain damage. It could heal on its own rather easily, but he needed a day or so to help it heal.

Matthew looked down and felt embarrassed.

Canada🇨🇦: "Geez... brain damage from a small hit...? I really am weak, aren't I...?"

Matthew had always been a weaker nation. Well, not always, but for the majority of his life. Ever since he was five years old. He knew the exact date that he went from having the average resilience of an arctic Nation, to being weak and pathetic. This was something Britain and a few people in parliament commented on whenever he got sick or hurt himself. When he got cold he was brushed off, he was an arctic nation, he could handle it.

Matthew could have handled it. He could have been stronger, if it wasn't for that time by the river—

Russia🇷🇺: Canada?

Matthew looked up, he noticed the doctor was gone, and felt an unfamiliar feeling of happiness and surprise when he realized Russia had just said his name and not his brother's.

Canada🇨🇦: Eh?

Russia gave Matthew a slightly concerned look before responding.

Russia🇷🇺: You looked sad over there, is everything okay?

Matthew nodded.

Canada🇨🇦: I'm just embarrassed that I got brain damage from a simple backhand hit to the head... I'm supposed to be more resilient than that...

Russia frowned.

Russia🇷🇺: But, the doctor said that you were extra sensitive on that part of your head because you fractured your skull recently, didn't you hear that? And, it wasn't a backhanded hit, Britain hit you with a large book...

Matthew looked up at Ivan in surprise.

Canada🇨🇦: My skull? When could I have fractured my skull?!—

Matthew's stomach dropped slightly as he remembered a particularly nasty encounter with a nation that was still angry at his brother, and made the same mistake Canada was used to by that point. No apology was given nor expected, and Matthew had issues remembering it in the first place.

Canada🇨🇦: Oh... that, explains some things... I'll need a couple days to heal, right?

Russia nodded, and leaned a bit closer to hug the Canadian as he still looked upset. Matthew was surprised by the sudden embrace, but warmed up to it quickly, and leaned into it.

Russia🇷🇺: Do you need me to help you while you heal? I could tell America or one of your other family members that you're sick, and I can bring notes back to your hotel room so you can rest?

Matthew felt something in his chest melt at how kind Ivan was being, but he wanted to say no.

Matthew had been raised on the idea that he was something of a burden, and he was supposed to grow up fast like his brother and not bother anyone. This included not mentioning when he was sick. And his apparent lack of resilience didn't help with that notion. Usually he lied about being fine when he was sick so as not to burden anyone around him. Matthew still felt guilty about burdening his papa when he got really sick that one time... But he was young, and he had never felt so sick in his life, and Kumajiro brought him over without asking Matthew first.

But why was he so quick to tell Ivan the truth?

Canada🇨🇦: I... That's really nice of you to offer, but I don't want to burden you... you have your own problems already...