APH Didn't Know I'd Love You

A small Canada sighed to himself unhappily as he sat on the beach. His legs were pulled up against his chest with his arms wrapped around them and his head resting on his knees. He watched the water rise up and down the shore line. An unhappy frown rested on his face as it had for many days now.

The night after Canada had stood up to his papa, he awoke the next morning to find a meal waiting for him, along with a note saying he would be gone for the next few days. Canada felt horrible about it. Was it his fault that his papa was gone? His fault that he had decided on this sudden and abrupt trip? He didn't know if it was, but he couldn't help feeling slightly guilty about it either way.

He continued to stare at the shoreline, reflecting quietly. His eyes slowly drifted to focus on one spot that was darker than the rest of the water. He watched, bored and not really paying attention. He blinked and, much to his surprise, the dot seemed a lot bigger than before. Frowning with confusion now, he raised his head up off his knees and watched as the speck continued to grow larger and larger. Eventually, the speck reached the shoreline and he could see it for what it truly was.

England's body resting on a rotten piece of drift wood.

Jumping up in surprise, Canada sprinted down towards England. Grabbing one of his arms and pulling him, he managed to roll the elder onto his back. Thank God he and his brother were both insanely strong. Grabbing onto the Brit's shoulders, he tugged him off of the board and away from the water, towards higher, dryer land. Once he decided that the two were high enough, he gently dropped him down on the ground before rushing over to his side.

"E-England?" Canada called out nervously, resting a hand on the Brit's chest. "E-England! P-please...please, wake up!" He called, shaking him lightly. "C-come on...please!" He begged. Tears sprung to his eyes as he began to shake him harder. He couldn't be dead, he just couldn't! Not the man who had treated him so nicely. Even if France was his Papa, he thought of the Englishman as his second parent. It wouldn't be the same for him without England, a piece of him would always be missing.

Just as his sight became blurry and tears started to leak out and from his eyes and trail down his face, the body under his tiny hands started to stir, causing him to freeze up. He watched in a numbed shock as England groaned out loud and turned his head towards little Canada. His eyes slowly peeled open and blinked a few times in an attempt to shake off his grogginess. Finally his eyes were able to focus on the young colony in front of him, and a look of surprise crossed his face. "C-Canada?"

"E-England? England, you're alive!" Canada cried out joyfully, a large smile making its way onto Canada's face.

England let out a chuckle and tried to hide the wince of pain that the action caused him. "Please. I'm the bloody British Empire. It'll take a lot more than that to kill me." He retorted.

Canada sniffled and raised his chubby little hands to wipe at her teary eyes. "I'm....I'm so happy..." He sobbed, trying desperately to stop his tears. "I thought...I thought you'd be dead for sure..." He admitted.

England's expression grew slightly into one of surprise. "Now why would you care about whether or not I died?" He asked gently. "You're France's son...surely you hate me as much as he does." England reasoned.

"No!" Canada cried, pulling his hands away from his eyes to meet England's gaze. "Of course not! You're nice to me! You've never been anything but. Why would I hate you?" He demanded, slamming his fists on England's chest angrily. He failed to notice the small wince that England responded to his action with.

Said Brit stared at the small child, shocked at the tears that poured down the child's chubby cheeks. Was...was this child truly concerned for him, a nation he barely knew. A gentle smile crossed England's face as he slowly lifted one arm up and wrapped it around him. "Now listen here." He began, petting Canada's head. "You and I are nations. We may die, and we may have to suffer horrible treatment, but as long as our people remain strong and hopeful, a nation will come back from whatever horrible treatment we go through. Often even stronger than before." Gently, he used his thumb to wipe away the tears from the small child's eyes. "Don't shed tears for something that will only lead to a stronger and prouder people. Understand?"

Canada, who had been staring at the Empire silently throughout his short speech, could only nod mutely as a response. Still, that seemed to satisfy the Brit, as he smiled and mumbled out a weak response. His arm was removed from around the small child and returned to England's side. His eyes drooped closed, smile still resting on his face.

Canada's eyes widened as he stared down at England's body. He watched as the rising and falling of the larger's chest slowed. "N-no..." He mumbled, feeling the skin of England's hand grow colder and colder. "No! England, please!" He cried, resting his head on England's chest. "Please...don't leave me..."

Daddy you're the world to me...