🇨🇦.:|Chapter 4 - Aftermath|:.🇬🇧

                                    

                                          
Canada got home at 5:45pm that night. The shopping trip had been fun. He didn't know what he expected but he did know that he never thought it would actually be interesting. China hovered over him most of the time but North Korea was pretty calm. They went to a few clothing stores and even ate at a small cafe in the shopping centre. In Canada's opinion they have the best coffee. Chile and Belarus even offered to pay for the drinks, Canada refused but was grateful for the offer. China dropped Canada off first out of the group.
                          
They pulled up to the curb and let him out. North was in the passenger seat, while Canada, Chile and Belarus were in the back.
"Thanks for the lift home China, see you guys tomorrow!" Canada said as he waved them off. Chile wound down his window.
"See you tomorrow 'Nada!" Chile yelled as the car drove off. Canada giggled softly to himself and shifted his bag on his shoulders. He might have bought one or two outfits but he really liked them so he didn't mind.
"Ahem." Canada quickly spun on his heels to face Britain staring at him from the doorway.
                          
"Oh- Papa... H-How are you?" Canada said, trying his best to play it cool. Britain looked grim yet content, however that could change quickly. Britain opened the door to let Canada inside as whatever he was going to say probably wouldn't impress the neighbours.
"You are home late, the school says you skipped the last two periods, your bank account has $170 withdrawn and you wonder how I am doing?" Britain said. Canada didn't reply as he knew nothing could help him. Australia was painting at the kitchen table when they walked in but decided to immediately pack up.
"I was just hanging out with some people... sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
                          
Britain stared at Canada for some time, anger clearly growing on his face. His gloved hands gripping each other tightly, threatening to rip the other off.
"French-Canada. You disappoint me. You lying little bastard, you are just like your mother aren't you? Waiting for me to make a mistake. Well, a gentleman never makes mistakes." Britain roughly grabbed Canada's arm and dragged him upstairs. Canada was moved so fast that he nearly tripped on the stairs.
"P-Papa-! Stop it! I'm sorry!" Canada yells. Britain ignores his cries and forces him into his room. America could hear his brother crying in the hallway but he thought he'd just make it worse if he went out to help.
                          
"I was going to test this on your useless brother but I have decided to make him my heir. He did show potential... you on the other hand." Britain said as he locked the door. Britain's room was elegant yet gloomy. There was a bed in the middle with rose gold curtains draped over the frame. Canada hated this room. It had his father's personality and his mother's old life. Britain slipped the backpack off of Canada's shoulders and sat it down on the bed.
"Papa... please I... I am sorry. It won't happen again- just please... don't punish me." Canada whimpered softly.
"Calm yourself boy. I will make sure this doesn't happen again." Britain said.
                          
America slipped downstairs once he heard the door lock. He felt bad for his brother but he couldn't understand why Canada was so late today. 
"Hey Aussie? Whatcha doing?" America said to the younger. Australia was sitting on the couch watching some educational channel. When France was around they used to have the cartoon channels but Britain decided that time spent in front of the television should be spent on education.
"Watching the history channel. It's a documentary on the Aztecs." Australia replied it a monotone voice, clearly bored out of his mind. New Zealand usually keeps him company but she refuses to come home.
                          
"That's cool dude!" America said as he sat next to the younger country. America was wearing his loose shirt and pants while Australia hadn't changed from school. The bruises still ached in his side but he refused to let Australia notice it, they were after all his learning spots. Dinner was already made and eaten, Canada being the only one who hadn't eaten yet. Australia gently leaned against America and closed his eyes, the boy looked exhausted from the day.
"Are you alright Australia?" America asked with concern, he loved his brothers and his sister more then anything in the world.
"I am just... tired is all." Australia replied, he wanted to go to bed but he hated going upstairs when someone was in trouble. America sighed and gently petted the small country as he understood living here wasn't always glamourious.
                          
Australia had fallen asleep in America's arms about ten minutes ago. America didn't mind it at all, in fact it made him feel like he could protect him, even if it was just while he slept. America softly hummed a song his mother used to sing to him when he was younger. It was a soft calming melody that had the power to make your eyes close. It was one of the few things he remembered of his mother. Britain came silently down the stairs like a shadow, if you didn't know what to look for, you wouldn't know he was there.
"My, look at the time. Nearly 7:30, you two best be off for bed now. School in the morning." Britain said as he wondered over to the two boys.
"Ah, it seems like one of you are already asleep. America? May I ask something?" Britain said as he put Canada's dinner into some tupperware. America nodded before muttering a 'yes father?'.
                          
"Well it's really two things. One, could you move French-Canada's things into the hallway? Just along the side of the wall. Second, could you find out who French-Canada was with the last two periods?" Britain asked softly. America wanted to know why he was moving Canada's stuff around but he knew better then to question him.
"Of course Father." America automatically replied, almost as if it was instinct. America carried Australia upstairs quickly, he didn't want to wake him up. America attempted to twist open Australia's door but for some reason it was locked.
"Oh, Australia can sleep in Canada's bed tonight. Now off to bed please." Britain said before opening and closing his bedroom door. As Britain closes the door America swears he sees Canada still in there.
                          
America wakes to his alarm at 7:15am the next day. He clicks it off and wakes Australia.
"Come on Buddy, up up up!" America says as he starts moving Canada's stuff into the hallway as Britain asked him too. At first it was just his bedding, school stuff, clothes and that weird taxidermy beaver thing. Australia helped but was confused on why they were doing it.
"Why are we moving Canada's stuff?" Australia asked politely.
"I don't know, Father wants it in the hallway." America started. "But now that we are done, let's go make some food." America and Australia went downstairs and started making toast for breakfast. America also made some sandwiches for lunch and packed some snacks.
                          
Britain came down at around 7:45am. That was strange in America's opinion as Canada and Britain are always down first. Britain poured himself some tea and opened today's newspaper. The silence was unnerving but Australia was determined to connect with his father.
"Dad! I got a B in English the other day. It was for that essay on human rights." Australia anouced happily, hoping he'd at least get a 'well done'.
"B for English, your first language. Honestly, try to play attention to something other then sport." Britain said, his eyes not leaving the newspaper. America sighed as he packed his lunch. He glanced over to the sad looking Australia and felt his heart break.
"A B in English? Dude you're super smart Aussie! You'll have to start teaching me soon!" America said as Australia smiled brightly.
                          
"Well, you two better be off now. America? Don't forget to find out who French-Canada was hanging out with okay?" Britain said as he sipped from his tea cup. America nodded, he wasn't sure how he was going to find that infomation out but he needed to try.
"Is Canada not coming down for school? Is he sick?" Australia asked as he put his backpack on. Britain shook his head slightly and signaled America to take Australia.
"Come on Aussie... we have school." America said, leading the younger outside. Britain sat at the table for some time. His monitor was on and he was just watching the camera feed. Canada was still in Britain's room. He hadn't done any acts on the boy, just a normal punishment.
                          
Britain clicked the monitor off and made a tray of breakfast. Two slices of toast, butter, a cup of tea, milk and some fruit. He needed to make sure last night's activities didn't make their way to France.
"French-Canada, are you awake yet?" Britain said as he brought up the tray of food. Canada was sitting on the floor next to the bed, his head resting on his forearms.
"French-Canada. It's rude to ignore people. We acknowledge the other person when they are speaking." Britain said. Canada mumbled a soft 'yes papa, sorry papa' under his breath. Britain sighed.
"I brought you some food French-Canada, you're welcome." Britain said as Canada moved over to the table. The table was in front of the window, one of the few decorations in Britain's room.
                          
"Thank you papa"
                          
.:|1618|:.