CanadaxReader: FACE Part 3

"...I asked to spend the whole day- "

"Oui, I 'eard you fine zhe first time!"  Francis sighed.  "I just cannot believe you didn't go for zhe kiss!"

"Sorry, Francis."  Matthew muttered.  He hoped that his older brothers didn't see his decision as their efforts going to waste.

"It's fine.  Zhis iz no problem!"  Francis exclaimed.  "I can make zhis work!"

"Wha-?"

"Don't you worry one minute, Mathieu!"  The more passionate Francis sounded, the more fear he felt.  "I will make sure zhis date iz a success!"

"D-Date?!"  Matthew stuttered.  He hadn't thought of it as a date up until this point.

"Oui!  I will make sure you sweep her off her feet!  ________'s precious maiden's 'eart will be yours!"

"Maidens-?"

"Quickly, Mathieu!"  Francis cut him off.  "Where does _______ live?"

"W-why do you need to know?"  Matthew asked.  He wasn't sure what Francis had in mind, but he knew how troublesome his brothers could be.

He sighed angrily.  "Listen, do you want to win zhe 'eart of zhe girl you love or not?"

Matthew pondered the question.  "Uhm, well when you say 'win', it makes it sound like I'm winning a game or something."  He said thoughtfully.  "Shouldn't I 'earn' it by always being there for her and showing her that I care about her?"

Only silence met this question.  Then an exasperated sigh.  "Just work with me 'ere, Mathieu.  You will be friendzoned at zhat rate."

"Sorry..."  He apologized, not really sure what for.

"I will be your Cupid, okay?"  Francis told him.  It didn't sound like he had much of a choice.  "Now tell me where she lives, please."

Matthew recited your address from memory and waited as his older brother copied it down.

"Merci!"  Francis thanked him.

"W-what exactly are you going to-"

"Sorry, Mathieu!  No time to lose.  See you in a little bit!"

"Wha-?!"

With that, Francis ended the call.  It occurred to Matthew that maybe calling him hadn't been the best idea...

You swung open your closet to inspect the contents inside.  You wanted to put together the perfect outfit for today.

You moved the wet hair out of your face in annoyance.  You had immediately taken a shower when you got home.  It made you feel a little better, but a dull ache in your head still bothered you.  The fact that you were going through the classic case of outfit indecision did not make it any better.  It's not like you were going on a date or anything!

You paused.  It wasn't a date, was it?  Crap!  Does Mattie think it's a date?!  Your first date with him...

You clutched your head in frustration.  "Augh!  What do I wear for something like that?!"  You screamed.

"...Pick zhe white and red summer dress..."  A voice whispered.

You screeched loudly and whipped around.  There was a blonde, furry face in the open window.

"Francis?!  What the hell?!"  You yelled.  

Francis just smiled.  "I've come to 'elp you. "

"...Why?"  You asked, wondering why your best friends brother would be randomly helping you.

"Because everyone wants zhis date to be a success!"  

"So it is a date!!"  You screamed.

"Well, Mathieu didn't zhink it was eizher..."  Francis admitted.

"So, it's only in your mind..."  You narrowed your eyes at him.  You were kind of relieved and disappointed at the same time.

"Yes, well.  Zhat's besides the point!"  He said, changing the subject.  "I'm 'ere to 'elp you!"

"All right.  I'll meet you at the front door, Fairy God Mother."

"As you wish~"  

You left your room to let Francis into the house.  You opened your front door to find him already standing there.  As soon as he walked in the door, he took control of the situation.

"So, you are 'aving trouble with your outfit!"  He took your hand in his and led you to your own room.  "I will fix zhat."

You watched as Francis rummaged through your closet, completely uninvited.  Despite the fact that you'd just met him yesterday, you didn't feel awkward with him in your room.  You guessed that, even though he was a bit strange, Francis was a trustworthy person.

Suddenly, he started picked out clothes and putting them in a pile on your bed.

"I will make sure you look fabulous!"

"Bugger off, Alfred!  He should look like a gentleman for this!"

"No one likes dressing up like an uptight old man!!"

Matthew really didn't know how this had happened.  Arthur and Alfred had just appeared in his house without knocking or ringing the doorbell.  He wasn't even positive that they used the front door, either.  And now they were arguing over what he should wear today.  He had had no say in the conversation so far.

"Matthew,"  Arthur addressed him.  "You should wear this sweater vest."  He held up a black vest.  "You'll look like a true gentleman."

"Laaaaame!"  Alfred commented.  He pulled a shirt out of Matthew's closet.  "You should wear this shirt!"  It was a light blue button up shirt with a collar.

"Uhm, I..."

"Well, if he's going to wear that, then he should wear this bow tie with it!"  Arthur suggested, holding up a red bow tie.  "With some suspenders, the outfit would be perfect..."

"No way, dude!"  Alfred interjected immediately.  "Are you trying to make him into that 'Doctor Whatever' guy?!"

"It's 'Doctor Who', you imbecile!"  Arthur shouted.  "And no, I'm not!  I'm trying to make him look dapper!"

"Well, I'm trying to make him look cool!"

"Are you implying that the Doctor isn't cool?!"

"Uhm...Guys..."  Matthew tried to interrupt the bickering.  He was cut off by the ring of the doorbell.

"CRAP!" Both Arthur and Alfred yelled.  They threw clothes at the poor Canadian in a flurry.

"Put that on, and you'll be fine!"  Arthur instructed him.  "We're going out the window."

"W-what?!  Why?!"

"Because!"  Arthur stated.  "And don't tell _______ that we helped you."

"Yeah, man.  That'd make you seem uncool."  Alfred added.  "Oh, and take her to the park, dude!  Just do it, trust us!"

Matthew watched as his brothers jumped out the window and landed with a crash in the bushes below.  He was a little confused, but he changed into the clothes he was given anyway.

You approached the front door to Matthew's house, Francis at your side.  You were wearing the summer dress that he had commented on from the window.  It was knee length and mostly white.  A thick red strip in the middle defined your waist.  Above that, the rest of the dress was white, with a v-neck and thin straps.  Francis paired it with brown combat boots, at your own request.  For the final touches, he applied light make up to your face and picked out pretty earrings.

Both of you stopped in front of the door.  "Thanks a bunch, Francis." You smiled up at him.

"It was nozhing..."  He told you, waving a hand in dismissal.  "Good luck, _______!"  He turned and walked back to the street.  

You rang the doorbell.  It was only now that you realized how nervous you were.  Your stomach was twisting and turning.  Your heart beat was uncomfortably fast as you waited for the door to open.  

You waited a couple minutes, and the door still hadn't opened.  You shifted on your feet awkwardly.  Maybe the doorbell didn't work?

You were just about to ring the bell a second time, when the door swung open rather quickly.  Matthew was standing in the doorway, wearing a nice, light blue button up shirt and dark wash jeans.  He looked a little out of breath.

"Hey, Mattie!"  You greeted him.  "...Are you okay?"  His face was a little red, and it looked like he had just sprinted to the door.

"No...I'm fine..."  He managed to say.  He took in a deep breath and let it out, making the oddly shaped curl on his head bounce.  "I was just...running late, that's all."

"Oh, I'm sorry!  I should've called you before coming over!"  You said.

"Don't be sorry...It's not your fault at all..."  He seemed a little exasperated when he said this.  "Come in."  He stepped aside for you, so you could walk in.

You entered his house, feeling a bit different than the other times you have before.  It was...awkward for you.  This weird atmosphere might've been fueled by the choice word of 'date', as Francis decided to call it.  You weren't sure how to act on this date-but-not-really-a-date-thing.

"So, Mattie!"  You smiled at your best friend.  "What do you want to do today?"

"Well...Maybe w-we could walk to the park?"  Matthew suggested as he was told to.

"Okay!"  The park sounded nice.  It was the perfect chance to get out of this weird atmosphere. 

Matthew put his shoes on, and you both left.  Outside, the weather was beautiful.  The sun shone down through the branches and leaves of the trees.  The shadows made interesting and intricate pattens on the sidewalks.  You liked to watch them as you walked.  There was a semi-awkward silence, probably due to the 'date' confusion and nerves.

The park was not that far from Matthew's house, so you made it in no time.  There were a few people scattered about the park, either sitting alone or chatting with someone else.  Others were just passing though the park.  It was right across the street from some small businesses, so it was used to avoid walking on the street near the cars by pedestrians.

You and Matthew approached the large mountain in the middle of the park.  You sat down on a bench and sighed happily.  It was so calm here.

Matthew took a seat beside you.  "________, is your headache any better?"  He suddenly asked, giving you a concerned look.

You nodded and grinned.  "It's a little better now."

He smiled.  "I'm glad.  I'm still sorry for the actions of my brothers, though..."

You laughed.  "It's fine.  They were actually pretty...interesting.  I'm glad I met them!"

"R-really?  You don't think they're...weird?"

You glanced over to meet Matthew's quizzical eyes.  He seemed genuinely shocked.

You giggled at the expression.  "They are weird, but in they're nice.  But more importantly, I now think I know how you became such an amazing person!  With brothers like that, your life must be pretty interesting."

He flushed and looked even more shocked by your words.  "A-amazing person?  Thanks..."

"Hey, I only speak the truth, Mattie."  You told him.  You started kicking your feet like a little kid.  Leaning your head back, you inspected the cloudless, blue sky.  Then, something weird caught your eye.

You suddenly jumped.  "Oh my gosh!"

Matthew jumped too.  He followed your gaze and looked up at the sky too.  "W-what is it?!"

"I thought I just saw a UFO!!"  You yelled in amazement.  "It definitely looked like one!"

"R-really?!"  Matthew stuttered. His first thought was Alfred's alien friend, Tony.

"Yes, definitely!"  You said.  It looked like a huge flying saucer with flashing lights.  You couldn't have explained what else it was.  Lowering your head back, you glanced at Matthew.  He was still searching the skies in confusion.  A small smile appeared on your lips as you watched him. 

Out of your peripheral vision, you noticed something new on the ground.  "Huh?  What's this?  It wasn't here before.."  On the ground sat a wicker basket.  It had a note on the handle.

Matthew looked down to see what you were talking about.  "That's weird..."  You both got up and walked over to it.  Matthew picked up the note.

"'To Matthew and ________'..."  He read.  "'Hope you enjoy!'  It's signed by 'FB', 'AJ' and 'AK'."

"Hmmmm, I wonder who that could be..."  You said sarcastically.  You kneeled on the ground and opened the basket.

"Huh?"  The first thing in there was a fuzzy red and white striped blanket.  You pulled it out, and as it unfolded, you realized what it really was...An American flag blanket.

Your lips twitched in an effort not to smile.  "Mattie, have your brothers ever heard of being subtle?"

"Obviously not..."  Matthew admitted as he brought out a container filled with scones and napkins decorated with the French flag.

You burst out into uncontrollable laughter.  "T-those...guys..."

The little bell rang as Arthur rushed in through the door of a little music shop.  It was right across the street from the park where Matthew and you were.

The Brit approached the two other guys who were looking out the window.  "Do you think they saw me?"

Francis adjusted his binoculars.  "Non, I don't zhink so..."

Arthur laughed pompously.  "That's Double O Ninja for you!"

"Hey!"  Alfred said.  "It was all thanks to Tony for distracting them!"

"Yeah, whatever!"  Francis waved them both off.  "Now let's talk about 'ow CUTE ________ looks in zhat outfit I picked out!  Ohonhonohon!

"You're full of yourself, Frog!"  Arthur yelled.  "Alfred and I picked out a spiffing outfit for Matthew."

"Eh...I give it a 'barely passing' grade."  Francis watched as you and Matthew set down the blanket and started unpacking the picnic.

"What?!  I'd like to see you do better!"

"Yo, dudes!"  Alfred interrupted.  He was browsing the CD collection.  "We should play them some romantic music for their date, for reals!"  He picked up a CD.

Arthur walked over to see what he was looking at.

"I heard this music is, like, calming to Canadians or something."  Alfred laughed loudly, holding up the CD for everyone to see.

"Put that crap down."  Arthur ordered.  "They're not going to want to listen to Justin Bieber!"

"You're right, dude."  He placed the CD back.  "We should play Lady Gaga then.  Everyone knows she totally rocks!"

Arthur grumbled.  "Are you kidding me?  Adele is much better than that meat wearing freakshow.  She's a classy lady with a beautiful voice!"

"Excusez-moi."  Up until that moment, Francis had been watching you and Matthew eat the sandwiches he'd packed in the basket while chatting happily. But the temptation to brag pulled him away from the binoculars.  "If Edith Piaf was alive today, she would definitely win against zhose two amateurs!"

"Excuse me, but the French don't win against anyone!"  Arthur sneered.

"Yeah, dude.  Plus, no one even remembers who that chick is anymore."  Alfred shrugged and put the CD back.

Francis let out a high-pitched screech.  "Take it back!"

"Nah.  No one knows who she is..."

"I cannot believe zhis!"  Francis yelled dramatically, falling to his knees.

"Hey!"  The three men turned to see the short female shop owner glaring at them.  "Buy something or get out."

You and Matthew were sitting on the American flag blanket, having just finished off the sandwiches that Francis had made. The scones and two McDonald burgers sat untouched in the basket.

"They may be crazy,"  You said.  "But they really are nice brothers..."

"Yeah..."  Matthew had to remember to say thanks the next time he saw them.

You yawned and rubbed your eyes with balled fists.  You were still really tired from the night before.  This whole time you'd been trying to hold in your yawns, but to no avail.

"_______, are you tired?  Do you want to go back?"  Matthew inquired, noticing the yawns.

"I'm fine!"  You lied.  "We'll do what ever you want!"

"I...."  He hesitated, then looked straight into your eyes.  "I want to do s-something that will m-make you happy... B-because if you're happy, then I'm happy."

You were mid-yawn when you gasped at his words.  The result was you coughing and freaking out like you were choking.

"________!  Are you okay?"  You heard Matthew ask.

You began to get a grip on your breath.  "You...are the most...adorable...person..."  You took a sip of water to sooth your throat.  "I'm fine."

"Okay...Are you sure you don't want to go back?"  He asked.

You sighed and picked yourself up.  "All right, let's go."

Matthew followed suit.  He packed up all the picnic food while you folded the blanket up neatly.  After you put the blanket in the basket, Matthew picked it up for you.

He started walking, and you fell into step right beside him, making a point to go on the side of his free hand.  You waited for his hand to swing forward.  That's when you reached out and grabbed it, without warning.

You felt the muscles in his hand tense.

"U-uh..."

You just looked up at him and smiled.  He relaxed his hand and smiled back.

"That lady needed to take a chill pill."  Alfred complained, glancing resentfully at the music shop.  The tree brothers were standing in the mouth of an alley.  They couldn't see you and Matthew all that well, but it was close to the park.

"Get over it."  Arthur told him.  "By the way, Francis, aren't those binoculars a bit...much?"

Francis leaned out of the alley, focusing his binoculars.  "Non, why would you say zhat?"

"...Because, this is a date, not actually a spy mission."  The Brit pointed out.  "I'm pretty sure some boundaries have been crossed when it comes to personal space..."

"Pah!"  Francis exclaimed, waving a hand.  "Who believes in such urban legends, like 'personal space'? ...Prude Brit..."

"...There's something wrong with yo-"

"Oh no!"  Francis suddenly yelled.  "Zhey're leaving zhe park!  Zhat iz not according to plan!  Zhey're supposed to go ice skating next!"

Arthur and Alfred looked around the corner to see you and Matthew walking out of the park.  You were both chatting happily.

"Wait a second..."  Arthur said.  "Are they holding hands?"

"What?!"  Francis focused the binoculars.  "...Zhey are!"

"Dude!  Score!"

The three guys leaned back into the alley.  "Well, it seems zhat our Mathieu 'as succeeded before schedule."  Francis said with a twinge of pride in his voice.  "It must be because he iz such a smooth operator, like moi."

"Yeah, I'm positive that's it..."  Arthur drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Our job 'ere iz done, men."  Francis sobbed, completely ignoring the comment.  "L'amour...It iz such a beautiful zhi-!"

"Bloody hell, not again!"  Arthur groaned.

The three men waited until you and Matthew passed the alley before exiting and going on their merry way.  As always, they were bickering to no end.

You plopped onto Matthew's couch and started taking off your combat boots.  The cushion you were on went down even more when Matthew sat next to you.

"Did you want to watch something?"  Matthew picked up the remote.

"Sure, I'll watch anything you want to."  You said while throwing your boots off to the side.  You were too tired to really care about it.  You settled back on the couch,

Matthew wordlessly browsed through the list of movies on Demand for a couple minutes.  Just when you were about to fall asleep, he asked, "You mentioned liking this movies, right?"

You forced open your eyes to read 'My Neighbor Totoro' on the screen.  "Yeah!"  You told him.

He immediately selected it, and it started playing instantly.  He set the remote down on the coffee table and relaxed back on the couch.

You didn't even make it through the opening credits.  You shifted yourself closer to Matthew and leaned your head on his arm.

The last thing you remembered before falling asleep was Matthew gently grabbing your hand.

You cracked open your eyes, looking around the room.  You were still in Matthew's living room, but the TV was turned off, and outside the window looked darker than before.

You tried to shift yourself on the couch, but quickly realized that something was keeping you in place.  Looking up, you discovered that it was Matthew.  He had his arm around you while your head rested comfortably on his chest.

Your movements must've woken him, because he mumbled something and opened his sleep cloudy eyes.  

"________...."  He muttered, seeing that you were awake.  Then he realized that his arm was around you.  "A-ah, I'm sorry...."

"No, it's fine."  You said quickly, not wanting him to move.  "I like it."

"Oh..."  He seemed to be deep in thought.  He averted his gaze.  "_-_____...?"

"...Yes?"  You started to feel nervous about what he was going to say next.

"I...I really, really like you..."  He almost whispered.  "U-uhm, will you go out with me?"

You were about to explode with happiness.  Somehow, you managed to control your emotions and answer him like a normal person.  "I really like you too, Mattie."  You told him.  "..And of course I'll go out with you!"  You buried your head in his chest and snaked your arms around him.

He didn't say anything, just wrapped his arms around you and held you close.

You and Matthew decided to make a homemade dinner for Francis, Arthur, and Alfred to show your gratitude.  The dinner catered to the food preferences of everyone there.  You were quite proud of the work you and Matthew had done to make the dinner, because it ended up perfect.

Francis raised the wine glass to his lips.  As he set it down, he grinned.  "You two are so cute!  You look so 'appy togezher."  He suddenly gushed.  "L'amour!  It iz beautiful!  I'm so happy for you-"

He suddenly leaned forward.  "'Ave you kissed yet?"

"W-wha-?!"

"What the heck kind of question is that?!"  You finished for your boyfriend.  You fixed Francis with a glare.

"I'm telling you, personal space doesn't exist to this man."  Arthur told you.  "It's hopeless."

Alfred just laughed obnoxiously and elbowed Matthew.  "Dude, you would tell me if you two had done anything, right?"

"U-uhm..."

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned unpleasant.  "Anyzhing?! Ohohohonhonhon~!"  Francis raised his eyebrows.  "If you know what I me-"

Arthur elbowed him in the gut.  "No one wants to know what you mean!!"