Secret ✔️

13. Dinner Time, Right?

Canada's PoV

The restaurant wasn't too far away from my house. It was small inside, but it was nice and looked comfortable. The sun, barely shined through as the stars already danced outside in the sky through the window.

France, England, Seychelles, New Zealand, Australia, and Monaco were there. England told me earlier that North Ireland, Scotland, and Wales weren't going to be there because of a problem that happened at their house.

We sat together, well, sorta. France and England were at the table but eventually moved to the bar. Michelle (Seychelles) sat right next to me on my right, Louise (Monaco) sat in front of her, Noah (New Zealand) sat in front of me, and Jett (Australia) sat at the table next to us. "This place is just wonderful already, what do you think Michelle," Louise asked.

"I think it's absolutely amazing too," she responded happily. New Zealand and Australia eventually started talking too. I, however, spaced out and focused on the table instead.

Several thoughts filled my mind. Was I forgetting something? Why does something feel off? Did I give Kumajiro food before I left? What if- "America? Alfred? Hello? Earth to Alfred." Seychelles interrupted my thoughts. Her hand was moving quickly in front of my face, making me move back.

"Huh-? What? Oh- sorry. What were you guys saying?"

"It'a alright. We were-" Noah was cut off by Jett.

"We were asking you what fish would win in a fight," the Australian exclaimed. "So, do you think a catfish or a carp?"

"I'm, a catfish I guess," I answered awkwardly. This "family" dinner seemed weird. This was the first time they talked to me like family. I guess I need to used to this quickly before they become suspicious, I thought.

After some talking, I looked up to see Alfred walk in. He looked at me and time became slower. My heart sank and I froze. I wanted to say something before I couldn't. Before I could do anything, he smiled softly and left.

I slipped back into my thoughts. Remembering the pain of him leaving when we were younger. Even as we grew up I only saw him from a far as he ran away to become strong. Those times when I was held back and couldn't interact with my younger brother.

"England, why can't I talk with America?"

"Because, he wants to be independent. Therefore, I'm not going to let him influence you into leaving. I know what he'll do. It's better if you just follow what I order and there won't be any problems."

I didn't want him to leave. I remember him. I remember all of the pain of being alone. I don't want him to be as alone as I was.

Jumping out of my seat, I ran towards the door. Everyone else watched me, but I ignored them when they tried to quickly ask where I was going. I didn't pay attention to where I was going. As long as I caught up to Alfred, nothing else mattered.

A building came into sight, it was the place where we had meetings. I burst into the hallway and ran. I kept on running, passing Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova, then Switzerland and Liechtenstein, past Greece and Turkey who were fighting, and finally I passed Cuba who I actually hit, but it didn't matter yet.

I could feel their eyes on me and I heard Cuba angrily yelling behind me. My running quickened as I went up the stairs. Floor after floor and I was finally at the top. I gasped for air and my legs wanted to collapse underneath me. When I opened the door, I had to almost completely lean on it because I was just too exhausted.

Struggling, I tried to move, but I leaned over to catch my breath. "Al-," I muttered under my breath. I stood back up and walked slowly over to him, even though I wanted to run.

Alfred was sitting on the edge with his head down and it worried me. What if he wants to jump off? Several bad thoughts entered my head but I tried to not worry too much.

Carefully, I touched his shoulder, "Hey, Alfred."

"Hmm?" He looked at me. His mouth was full of food and held a hamburger.

"Wha- Oh. My. God," I muttered. I raised my hand up and turned it into a fist.

"Hey Mattie," he said cheerfully. He looked happy until he saw my expression and hand. "Um..."

I couldn't hold back and slapped him. He rubbed his head and looked back at me in confusion. Finally, the true emotions hit me. Tears fell out of my eyes and burned my cheeks. All of the pain I held in came out at once. I struggled to get them to go away but they wouldn't.

"Hey, it's okay, dude." Alfred tried to calm me down. No words needed to be spoken after that because he understood already and I knew that. He pulled me into a hug which I accepted. Time seemed to slow down.

After some time hugging, we broke apart and I spoke up. "I thought you were going to leave. I didn't like seeing you leave. We never got to not be separated. I know we can now but still. I just- I'm sorry."

"It's okay, dude! Don't worry about it! I'll be involved with your life because the other hero can't be alone! We're both heros and heros always need to be happy!"

I wanted to cringe at his voice becoming loud, but I was too happy and relieved to focus on that. "Thank you."

"No problem, dude!"

"America, Canada," France and England said from behind us. Monaco, Seychelles, New Zealand, and Australia were with them too. "Why are you two up here," France questioned.

"I saw Canada and wanted to talk to him," I said how Alfred said something else.

"That doesn't matter," England butted in. "Can we go back already? If you two were just going to talk, you should've told us before running out like that was a mad man chasing after you," he scolded me.

We just ignored Arthur's rant and went over to them. "You know what, I would actually like to go back to," Francis said. It surprised us that they weren't fighting but it was nice.

They walked in front of us as we tried our best to stay behind. "Hey Al," I said. "Is it if we do this every now and then while still being ourself sometimes?"

"Yeah, of course. We're both happy with it, aren't we?"

"Yes. Let's just make sure to not pretend to be each other as much. It hurt me to see you alone, even if you were fine with it."

"Don't worry, bruh. However, I do want to hang out with Gilbert and Matthias more. Let's just make sure to know there's not two of me or two of you going outside."

Smirking, I looked at the others walking, "That would be a disastrous if it happened."

Alfred giggled a little bit, "Yeah."