Hæ Canada, I got your message earlier. You're perfectly welcome to stay as long as you need to. And there are a bunch of extra rooms in this house, so feel free to stay in one of those.

Kon'nichiwa Canada!

I made a ton of pies and jams for everyone and was wondering if you wanted one.

[Welp, Jack, he just leaves the SFC downstairs and walks up. Miss Alice isn't home so she won't question him if he goes upstairs right now at this hour.

He opens the door to Matthew's room without knocking.]

Hey.

[He was immediately greeted by a furry white head poppping up from the bed. Otherwise, the white blob didn't do much moving at all.

The much larger cover blob finally did some shifting around as he sat up and faced the door, putting a smile onto his face.]

Hey. How are you?

[Ah, Kuma~. He smiled at the white bear. Then, there was Canada. Sweet goodness why was he smiling. He walked forward and sat on the bed, crawling over so he was roght next to Kuma and Matthew.]

It's okay to be upset, you know.

[A friendly smile was always the way to address everything, right? Right. It was a rather typical mask that he was getting better and better at applying when needed. Yet despite that, it was still slipping away.

Kuma lightly nuzzled Jack before finally moving to offer more room since he was taking up as much space as possible. For a little bear, he sure knew how to optimise his space.]

I- I know. I just... it's twice now. And I thought I'd be more understanding but it still hurts just as much as the last. [Subtly, he moved closer somehow.]

Maybe someone needed him at home. I can't say that I wasn't upset when Vincent, the boy I raised went home, or even when Mister Xerxes left. But I guess here in Vatheon, we all must understand the city takes us and releases us as it sees fit.

There is nothing we can do about it. Your brother cared about you and you know it. Even if he was a jerk to you. [He let the subtle movement happen, Jack had a feeling he would have +1 Canada in his arms by the end of this conversation.]

[There was a very high chance that Jack was absolutely right with that feeling. Because if he could find ways to move even closer, he would. He'd still be subtle about it, but that was just him, offering Jack the chance to move if he wished because he would understand if he did.]

Y- yeah. That's definitely one way of looking at it. He is certainly more needed at home, given everything... [He might not have been from the same time as America, but he knew that their jobs certainly didn't get any easier. It was simply purely selfish of him to wish for people to stay. And definitely childish.]

I just- I guess I just wish I could have said goodbye. Which is silly, since we blocked each other.

[Jack would even let him cry on him if he needed to, in which case if he did. Jack is removing his glasses for him so they don't get tear splashed-if the waterworks happen. Jack just moves a little closer as Kuma moves to their feet.]

Maybe he didn't want a goodbye, because it isn't goodbye Matthew. It's "see you later". That isn't the last time you're going to be seeing your brother.

[Kuma is always considerate like that and quite the smart little bear. Perhaps he'd wander off to find some water before long. Canada would thank Jack later for removing his glasses because it definitely helped. ]

Y- yeah. That's a much better way of looking at it. [He couldn't help but chuckle for just a brief moment before just giving everything up and clinging to Jack, burying his face against his shoulder.]

It's going to get better, I promise.

[Jack removes his gloves to stroke through Matthew's hair. Then down to his back. He let Kuma do as he pleased, Kuma even knew this was a tough time for...that person on the bed, whoever he was.]

[Deep down Kuma at least knew who Canada was. After all, he stuck with him throughall those years without ever abandoning him. And besides. For as often as Canada forgets who Kuma is, he still knows his bear out of all the others and everything. They just had such an interesting relationship.]

A- at least I don't think it can get much worse. [His words were a bit muffled as he hugged him even tighter, trying his best to hide his sobs.

It could worse, yes, but he didn't want to think of that. He was simply trying to focus on the positive.]

It's getting better. Maybe you needed some time away from Alfred to sort out your relationship with him. You know you weren't on the best terms with him. You need to put yourself first sometimes Matthew, now just happens to be the time to do it.

[His shirt was getting wet, he's also left his overcoat downstairs. Canada, a big strong country he'd grown to adore. Was crying.]

[Feeling more than just a little bit embarrassed, he pulled away a bit and wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. It was silly to be crying over such things.]

I- I know. I just... I had just thought that everything was better before this last sudden blow-up of his. But I guess I had just read everything horribly wrong somehow. Funny, isn't it. Usually he's the one who can't read the atmosphere and all.

[Jack p[laced a hand on Canada's head, urging him back to his shoulder. Telling him it was okay to cry without even saying it. It wasn't silly to cry over this.]

Maybe he knew it was almost time for him to leave. Maybe the people of Vatheon know when they're about to depart for their own worlds again. I-i don't know.

[He's getting better at comforting.]

I know. F- for whatever reason we show up or leave, it's not up to us. Or others. I- it's just up to the city. There's a grander scheme to things, after all, not just the immediate or what one wishes. [After smiling just a bit, he put his head back down on Jack's shoulder and hugged ihm tighter.]

Maybe the grand scheme will bring him back. He's already been here twice, you know.

[Shhhh, holding Canada so tightly. Holding and hugging and loving on him.]

If he does, I'll have to try harder not to get so pointlessly mad at him, too.

[Clinging tightly, he sighed softly and just snuggled as close as he could.]

Go to sleep, Matthew. A good few hours of shut eye will be good for you.

...that was generally my plan. But thank you, Jack. I appreciate it. [Finally letting go, he went to lay back down.]

[Jack said nothing more, and let Matthew lay down. But Jack didn't leave, he stayed right here, to sit next to him until he fell asleep.]

Y- you don't have to stay if you don't want, you know. I'll be fine. [He could get Kuma to crawl back up, after all.]

HEY HEY

YOU NEED TO SPEAK WITH ME RIGHT AWAY. THIS IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH. PICK UP.

What's wrong, Alice? [He sounded worried. Did he have to bail her out of jail or worse?]

WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO REPLY?

S- sorry. I was in the middle of scrubbing the floor and had left my communicator in the other room. [His tone was quite apologetic.]

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES.

S- sorry. I promise that I won't let it happen again.

[Silence for a little bit and then suddenly you hear the elegant strumming of an acoustic guitar. Strong fingers fly across the strings, making them hum and Spain's voice filters through, strong and lovely, singing an old Spanish (region specific! From Barcelona) serenade. It's not terribly long: short and sweet.

The message ends with a laugh and the sound of the guitar being set down. Then:] Just wanted to let you know you're always on my mind, querido. Sweet dreams, now~

YOU. [Was that finally a normal-level tone? Why yes, yes it was.] ...are the sweetest person ever.

Expect a retaliation when you least expect it, mon petit chou. [Make no mistake about it, dear Spain. He was going to do something sweet right back - sometime. It wasn't because he felt like he needed to after that, but because he wished to do so.

Oh. He also had one more thing before hanging up as well and it was rather cheeky at that.] Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ces soir.

[The sound of things suddenly rustling as if in a rush] .........I'll be over in a few minutes, hermoso. [The gentle sound of a kiss up against the receiver and then it's as if he just...dropped the phone and bolted]