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Post by Hipster Canada on Feb 23, 2013 1:45:15 GMT -5
"I'm s-sorry, I should not have made you move!"
"Don't worry about it, eh? You're already making this a lot easier than it is to deal with this on my own." Canada offered a weak smile, skipping the nervous chuckle he felt welling in his chest.
Matthew grimaced again when the ice pack was placed right on the sore spot on his ribcage. Obeying the command to hold it in place, Canada used his free hand to do so, while resting the water bottle clutched in his other hand on the arm of his chair. He blinked with surprise when the green-eyed man held a pill up to Matthew's mouth with a smile. "It will be easier this way, right?"
"Uhh, s-sure." Matthew obediently opened his mouth and let the pill be placed inside. He washed it down with a sip of water.
Canada watched the man who had assumed the role of caretaker with a sort of fascination. If the fact that he'd noticed Matthew wasn't enough, he'd also taken the time to help someone he didn't even know. Matthew had to admire that. Also, Matt was just realizing just how awkward it felt letting this guy help him when he didn't even know the other man's name. "So... kind stranger... I don't think we've met before. My name is Matthew. Matthew Williams. Not very well known as Canada, as no one seems to know what that is when they hear it. What's your name?"
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Post by Hipster Russia on Feb 26, 2013 0:10:10 GMT -5
Instantly as the introduction sank in, the Lithuanian paused in his actions, his emerald green eyes widening ever so slightly as he looked directly into the other's violet, his mouth slightly agape.
Canada... this was Canada. Suddenly everything made sense, all his confusion lifted as though a veil had been covering his thoughts all this time. He remembered... he remembered seeing this Nation now, a face he now could recall in photos at America's house, catching a glimpse of at meetings, and even the image of a rather... adorable Canadian helping America judge costumes at his Halloween party.
Why could he not figure this out sooner?
Lithuania's look of realization gradually melted into a warming smile, and in lieu of a handshake, opted to place his hand again on the Canadian's shoulder. "I'm so glad to meet you, Mr. Canada, " he replied earnestly, his smile growing. "My name is Toris Laurinaitis, but by most who... know me, I am the small country of Lithuania, who boarders the Baltic Sea." He finished with a tinge of pride in his voice, realizing he was happy that someone bothered to ask who he was. Many did not even concern themselves with a second glance, especially once seeing him near Russia. When Toris was actually remembered, it was usually in reference to his involvement in the Soviet Union or some other Nation, though... could he really blame anyone for thinking that way?
Pushing away his negative thoughts, he offered the second pill to the newly realized Nation as he finished introducing himself, smile unwavering.
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Post by Hipster Canada on Feb 26, 2013 20:25:52 GMT -5
Canada washed the second pill down with another gulp of water and rested his head against the back of his chair.
"Lithuania," he repeated softly, a smile tugging at his lips. The green-eyed man finally had a name. "It's nice to meet you too. Your name sounds kind of familiar. Do you know my brother, maybe? Or..."
Canada couldn't really think of any other options to put out there. He was just suddenly very sure he'd heard of Lithuania before, but he couldn't place where. "Or maybe I just heard your name at a meeting or something," Matthew finished sheepishly. "I usually pay better attention to meetings and stuff. Just because nobody else seems to ever pay any attention. I also don't usually talk this much, so I'm sorry if I'm rambling."
The Canadian bit his lip and looked away as he felt his cheeks go red. Why was he blushing? and why couldn't he stop talking? It couldn't be simply because this kind and... rather handsome nation had noticed him long enough to help him out.
...Could it?
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Post by Hipster Russia on Feb 26, 2013 23:30:23 GMT -5
Lightly the smaller Nation shook his head to dismiss the words, smile still ever present on his face. "Ne, ne, you are not rambling, I... please keep talking, I love hearing your voice." And it was true. The Canadian's voice was so soft and melodic, unlike anything he had ever heard, lulling him almost into a state a peace. Russia's always had him on edge, his voice sickeningly sweet, often laced with danger. America's made him feel safe, but it was rough, excessive even. But Canada's...
His eyes lit up as he remembered Canada's first question. "You are right, I do know your brother... very well, in fact..." he trailed off, recalling all his times with the American. "Back when my country was very poor after WWI, Mr. America took me in, let me work for him." Lithuania sighed in recollection. "He was so kind to me, and still is."
Looking Canada over, Lithuania mentally tried to decide the best course of action for the injured Nation. Should he tell everyone the meeting should be postponed? (Would anyone even listen to him?) But then... he thought back, why did he only remember America talking? Wasn't this Canada's place..? He went though the past hour at the meeting, face beginning to pale as what happened became obviously clear.
Russia had followed carefully behind the boisterous American, keeping pace behind him in an even stride, humming a tune to himself as he watched Alfred's search.
He was surprised America had not noticed him yet.
Or was he?
Alfred was certainly the oblivious one.
Ivan internally rolled his eyes as he watched the other look under a table for his missing brother.
... How long will it take him to forget what he is looking for? Russia mused to himself. 5 minutes? An hour? Oh what fun he is. Maybe I should give him a hint.
Stupid America.
When would he ever learn?
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Post by Hipster Canada on Feb 27, 2013 19:28:56 GMT -5
Canada couldn't help but bring his gaze back to Lithuania as he spoke of his connection with America. There was something about him that enraptured the Canadian. He was so meek and polite, even more so than Canada himself. Matthew found himself wanting to talk with him more.
"Sounds like Alfred. Always playing the hero, eh? Good for him."
Canada let his smile fade as he shifted the ice pack on his abdomen slightly. "Do you think anyone would notice if I bowed out of the rest of the meeting?"
He looked down and away before muttering "I really don't feel like getting sat on again" under his breath.
America stood straight up and paused, hearing the heavy footsteps treading behind him. He whirled around to frown at the tall, Russian nation following him.
"What do you want, Commie? I'm kind of looking for something here."
He didn't add that he had basically forgotten what it was he was looking for. He just remembered he had to find it and be the hero! He was pretty sure that once he found it, he'd remember. So it worked... right?
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Post by Hipster Russia on Feb 27, 2013 22:30:07 GMT -5
"Of course they-..." Lithuania had begun to argue that, -of course everyone would notice, it's your meeting- but suddenly images of not even 10 minutes ago flashed though his mind, and his smile faltered, soon turning into a tight frown as he barely caught the Canadian's muttered words.
He was so mad at himself. How could he not notice that Russia was sitting on this man, right beside of him? Did Russia do that on purpose-? He felt woozy. Holding his forehead, Lithuania shook his head, attempting to clear his mind.
He would address the issue of Russia.
But right now he had to focus on Canada.
Face becoming determined, he finished his words. "-it is no matter about everyone else. Your health comes before any meeting." Toris thought long for a moment, face suddenly lighting up with an idea. "Did you drive here? I could drive you back to your house... if- if you d-don't mind, of course," he suddenly stumbled on his words, realizing it was probably odd that he asked to drive someones car he didn't know.
"Oh?" Russia questioned, finally stopping his stride and giving America his trademark grin, laced with loathing.
"Maybe you did not loose anything at all," Ivan stated seriously, smacking his lips as in deep thought. "...You cannot even see what is right in front of you, after all~" he added, voice rising in a mocking fashion.
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Post by Hipster Canada on Feb 28, 2013 20:14:36 GMT -5
"It is no matter about everyone else. Your health comes before any meeting."
Tears pooled in Matthew's violet eyes at these words. Since when had anyone put Canada before anything else? Matthew was confused by this nation of Lithuania. But he was beyond grateful for his help and company right now.
"Y-yeah." Matthew coughed and his face screwed up in pain at the jolt to his ribs. "M-my car... My car is out... outside. My house isn't far away." Canada bit his lip. "I... I'd hate to ask any more of you. You've done so much for me already."
Matthew swallowed hard, lifting his hopeful gaze back to Toris. "But I'd be really grateful if you'd drive me home, eh? Y-you can even use my car to come right back to the meeting. You shouldn't be too late if you hurry back."
"You cannot even see what is right in front of you, after all."
"What?" America chuckled a little, smirking at Russia. "I think all that vodka is making your brain go kooky, Commie. 'Course I lost something! Why would I be looking for something that isn't lost?"
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Post by Hipster Russia on Mar 2, 2013 0:08:49 GMT -5
The Lithuanian's eyes lit up, happy that the Canadian accepted his strange proposal, though his smile dropped as he saw the other wince in pain.
Offering his hand to help the other, Toris gave a tiny smile again as he replied. "I would be more than happy to drive you home... and do not worry, I can just take a taxi back, no need to have your car stuck here, right?" he chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head before returning that hand to support Matthew. "I will help you to your car... but, I am n-not sure how to help without hurting you, so... just use me for support however you need, okay? Tell me how to help, Mr. Canada."
Russia felt a sigh escaping his lips.
"Course I lost something!"
So you have already forgotten, then. Ivan let out a chuckle, glowering at the American's expression.
"Well, good luck finding that something..." he trailed off while turning away, already aggravated by the American's presence. "It would be terrible if something happened to it."
Ivan tried to remind himself why he kept bothering with the American.
He could come up with nothing.
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Post by Hipster Canada on Mar 3, 2013 0:37:53 GMT -5
Matthew managed to gain his feet, clutching tightly to Toris's hand. His expression was screwed up in discomfort and concentration and he kept his free hand tightly pressed to his side. Standing was the hard part. Walking got a little easier, but it still hurt.
"Just... stay close," Canada told Lithuania, when the other man requested he tell him how to help. "Please."
Matthew mapped out in his head the shortest route to his car. Down the hallway, through the lobby, out the front door and to the left. Not a long walk by any means. Except perhaps to someone with a probable broken bone. Every wrong movement gave a sharp stab of pain, and Canada struggled to keep his breathing even.
The Canadian nation swallowed hard and decided he needed to stop thinking about the pain in his ribcage. He needed something else to focus on. He chose to focus on the warm, soft hand gripping his own. Changing his focus seemed to lessen the pain considerably. That, or the medicine was really kicking in. Canada decided it was probably both.
"Thank you, Toris," he whispered softly, believing that he had never spoken any words that he had meant more in his life.
America frowned at the Russian's parting words, pausing for a moment to stare after the retreating nation. "...would be terrible if something happened to it."
"Well what's that supposed to mean, Ruski?" America muttered in confusion. After letting the words roll through his brain a few more times, he shrugged and resumed searching. He'd find what he was looking for and bring it back safely. After all, that's what heroes do.
But now there was a weird gnawing in the pit of his stomach, and America had a really bad feeling. It was bugging him now, especially the way Russia had acted like he knew something America didn't.
He needed to remember what it was he was looking for, and fast.
If he could just remember...
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Post by Hipster Russia on Mar 5, 2013 0:30:49 GMT -5
Lithuania felt his heart skip a beat. 'Thank you, Toris.' ...Thank you.... When was the last time someone showed him such appreciation? And actually meant it?
He felt his cheeks warm in gratitude, giving the warm hand of Matthew a tiny squeeze in response. "It's... it's no problem. I'm happy to help you, Mr. Canada."
Carefully following beside the other Nation, Toris kept an eye on every movement of the Canadian, wanting to know right away if anything went wrong.
"Oh, do you have your keys with you? Or anything else you want me to grab? I can go get anything you need after I get you in your car."
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Post by Hipster Canada on Mar 5, 2013 23:50:09 GMT -5
Matthew felt his cheeks grow hot at the squeeze of pressure on his hand. He could tell he was being studied by Toris, yet somehow it was reassuring. It registered that he was still holding the other man's hand, but his mind came up with half a dozen reasons to justify it.
"Do you have your keys with you?"
Matthew automatically slipped his free hand into his pants pocket, glancing down as he did so. He was relieved to find his key ring inside. He didn't usually keep his keys or his phone in his suit pockets but in his briefcase. "Yeah, I've got them here." He bit his lip. "I've left my briefcase, but I can get that a-another time. The hotel will hold it for me. I'd r-really just like to go home, Toris."
Canada could hear his own voice break slightly on the word 'home'. He was suddenly very tired, and wanted nothing more than to see the inside of his own house. Screw everything else. Screw the meeting, screw Russia, screw America. Screw it all. Matthew was very much ready to go home and forget about everything that had happened this terrible day.
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Post by Hipster Russia on Mar 6, 2013 21:27:17 GMT -5
Toris nodded, sensing the urgency in the other's voice, finding himself biting the inside of his cheek in worry, yet keeping his smile in tact to reassure the other.
Home. Lithuania knew that feeling all too well. How many times had wished for home, only to be trapped somewhere far away?
He hated that feeling.
"Do not worry, I will have you home soon, Mr. Canada," he said with certainty as they finally made it to the entrance of the hotel, a blast of cold air assaulting them as soon as the two nations stepped outside. Unconsciously Toris had shifted his body to best block the wind from the other, while at the same time looking around behind him. "Which direction is your car?"
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Post by Hipster Canada on Mar 7, 2013 0:04:13 GMT -5
"This way," Matthew replied, turning toward the left. He took a deep breath in the chilled air. Or rather, he tried, but his chest protested and it turned into a cough which hurt like hell.
Canada loved this weather. He generally liked all the weather his country produced. Each season had it's merits, in his opinion. Winter was his favorite, though. Outdoor ice hockey and skiing and sliding. And snow. Canada loved snow. He watched the horizon, studying the clouds for signs of the weather.
"Looks like we might get a bit of a flurry," Matthew remarked off-handedly, keeping his pace steady.
"There," Canada said, nodding toward a red sedan near the corner of the building. "That one's mine." He pressed the button to unlock the car, then passed the keys to Toris.
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Post by Hipster Russia on Mar 8, 2013 1:13:01 GMT -5
Taking the keys and placing them in his pocket, Lithuania helped the other country to the passenger side of the car, opening the door and aided Canada inside. Carefully Toris reached across the Cadanian, securing Matthew's seat belt so the nation would not have to move.
"All set?" the brunette asked as he slipped into the drivers side and shut the door, giving Canada a smile as he adjusted everything to his liking. "Just give me directions and I will take care of the rest," he assured, starting the car and backing out of the parking spot.
If there was one thing Toris was confident in, it was driving. All his life the small nation was chauffeuring and completing errands for other countries. He had been everywhere from the iciest roads of Russia to the crazy busy streets of the United States. It could be stressful, sure, but nothing ever compared to having a Poland in the passenger seat. If he could deal with that, Lithuania chuckled, he could deal with anything the roads threw at him.
"You don't have to worry about anything," Lithuania spoke as they drove on, smiling as he attempted conversation. "I have drove all over both Europe and North America, ...with all kinds of company..." he added with a small laugh, "so there is not much on the road that would take me by surprise."
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Post by Hipster Canada on Mar 20, 2013 17:54:31 GMT -5
"Take a left out of the parking lot," Matthew said right off the bat. "Then we'll go straight for a couple miles."
Matthew tried to relax in the passenger seat. He was confident in Toris, especially after the Lithuanian explained the sorts of driving he had done in the past. It was more a matter of trying to find the position that left his ribs in the least amount of discomfort.
Because really, Matthew reasoned, anything had to be better than sitting in the passenger seat while America gunned it on the PCH or weaved precariously through the traffic in downtown New York. Canada was pretty sure he'd trust almost anyone to drive if it wasn't his easily distracted brother.
"Well, I'll do my best not to be a distraction." Canada let the corners of his lips tilt up in a smile. "Make sure to watch out for the wildlife, eh? They don't always look before crossing the road."
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