Dark Waters

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Prussia smiled shifting closer to Canada. The morning was freezing and there was frost on the grass. The blond was keeping him nice and warm. He knew he should get up and start breakfast, but he really didn't want to move from the warmth. He heard a whine and a snout popped up from under the covers.

Kumajirou had been there when he had gone to bed last night. He had been confused seeing a lump under the covers on Canada's back. He peaked under the covers seeing the cub. He growled at the albino, but realized it was just him and curled back up.

Gilbert grumbled hearing the pair of Storm Hawks coming back from the tree. He sighed and sat up. He quickly put on his jacket and cape before going to revive the fire. He heard Matthew huff and roll over. He looked over his shoulder and smiled seeing the pair. Kumajirou was trying to nose his way back under the covers. The Canadian mumbled tiredly in his sleep letting the bear in.

After a while some of the Storm Hawks woke up. They looked at Prussia, but also seemed to not want to get up. They got up after a while smelling the food. They warmed their hands by the fire. The albino heard Matthew yawn again and knew he was starting to wake up.

The Canadian sighed feeling warmth on his chest, but knew Prussia wasn't there. His eyebrows furrowed and he lifted the blankets to see a ball of white fluff looking at him. A smile spread across his face seeing the cub, Kumajirou crawled up and nuzzled into his neck.

"Oh, hello, little bear." Matthew hummed running his hands through his fur. "Where have you been?"

"Up north." The polar bear said through a yawn. "What about you?"

"Down south." Canada replied with a small laugh. Kumajirou just rolled his eyes. He sat up with the cub in his arms. He stood up and went over to Gilbert without putting his jacket or anything on. He sat down next to him and leaned into his side. "Morning."

"Good morning, Birdie." Prussia said kissing his cheek. He gave Kumajirou a scratch behind the ear. "Hallo kleiner Bär."

"What is the fluffy thing?" Stork asked noticing the cub.

"I'm a polar bear." Kumajirou said wiggling out of Canada's arms. Radarr looked at him curiously and jumped off of Aerrow's shoulder. They started to talk. The cub seemed to actually understand Radarr.

"He can talk?" Piper asked.

"Comma can, but others can't." Matthew said. "He's kinda like us. He's as old as me."

"Kuma." Prussia corrected with a smile. The blond just smirked and rolled his eyes. He finished cooking breakfast and handed it around. Kumajirou came back over and pawed at his arm wanting some. Canada was happy to share his food with the cub.

"Are you coming with us?" Matthew asked when they finished breakfast. Kumajirou looked up at him curiously. He quickly explained what was going on and where they were going.

"Yeah, I'll go with you, Watt." The cub said and Canada smiled.

They got up and started to pack. Prussia put the fire out while the Canadian readied their horses. Kumajirou had clawed his way up to his shoulders and laid across his neck almost like an airplane pillow. When he started to tack up Glacies, the horse noticed the cub on his shoulders. He tried to nip Kumajirou, but the bear took a swipe at him. Matthew sighed knowing they'd be competing for his attention the whole ride.

The Storm Hawks finished packing and they all got on their horses. They started to ride through the forest again. There were no titans as they moved. It was too cold for them to be moving. As the day went on it only got colder. They had stopped to put on an extra layer of clothes. Matthew didn't need it, he was still happy feeling the cold.

Radarr had climbed his way along the horses to talk to Kumajirou. They were sitting on Glacies back behind Canada. The horse didn't look to happy, but he pet his neck and he seemed more content. They rode for another couple hours weaving around dozens of lakes. It was a quiet day because of the cold, but none of them really minded the lull.

After another few hours it was starting to get dark again. The days were getting shorter. The set up camp next to a lake for the night. They sat around the fire and talked. After supper they decided on watches. They didn't really need them since it was cold and night, but they rather be safe than sorry. Matthew and Aerrow volunteered to go first and switch off half way through the night with Piper and Finn.

"Night Gilly." Canada hummed kissing him good night. The albino smiled and kissed his cheek. "Keep warm."

"Ja, I know." Prussia sighed letting him go. Kumajirou was already asleep in their sleeping bag. He picked the cub up to get under the blankets. He squirmed, but realized it was just the Prussian and curled up with him.

Matthew smiled seeing the two and started towards the tree. Aerrow was already part way up when he started to climb. They both made it to the top and sat on the branches.

"I still can't believe how big your world is." Aerrow said looking out over the land. Canada smiled as the wind blew lightly.

"How was your world when you got sent here?" He asked looking over to the Sky Knight. "Cyclonia still going?"

"Yep, capturing one person doesn't bring down an army right away." Aerrow said. "They are starting to fall apart, but very slowly. The Sky Knights are still recovering as well, but we're all hopeful."

"You'll get there eventually." Canada sighed and Aerrow nodded. They stayed quiet for a bit before the red head took a deep breath.

"So, how did you and Gil get together?" He asked scratching the back of his neck. "Did he ask you out or did you ask him?"

"Going to finally ask Piper out?" Matthew asked. Aerrow's eyes widened. He looked surprised.

"Is it that obvious?" The Sky Knight grumbled.

"It's pretty obvious." Canada said with a small smile. The red head looked embarrassed.

"So? You and Gil?" Aerrow asked wanting to get the attention off himself.

"I asked him out for coffee after one of the nations' meetings. We'd been flirting for a while, but he never made a move because my Papa scared him. They'd been friends for centuries." Matthew said with a smile. He could remember how flustered and nervous the albino had been when he asked. "I just asked him out and talked to him, it grew from there. Just talk to her."

"It's not that easy." Aerrow grumbled and Canada smiled in understanding.

"I know, but it's true." The blond hummed. He wondered if the red head waited long enough Piper would ask him. He had picked up on it the first day he was in their world. It was very obvious that he liked her and she like him. "Talk to her like you would any other time. Ask her to go for a ride or something. I'd probably make your intentions clear though. That it's more of a date than a friends thing."

"What if she says no?" The Sky Knight asked nervously.

"Then respect her decision." Matthew said. "But I don't think you have anything to worry about."

AN: Won't be focusing on Aerrow and Piper's relationship. Just smol mentions of it