In the garden...

The break commenced. Matthew decided that perhaps getting some fresh air was a good idea, so at the same time, he could try and not freak out over what was yet to be read. It was a private journal, and reading from it felt so invasive and rude... Canada — unbeknownst to almost everyone — had two such journals of his own, however. One contained more mundane things and what he classed as 'my average day', and the other had a lot less in terms of content, but the detail and emotion of it was so much more intense. If the first one had been discovered by whoever had the guts to go around and pry into people's private business, then Matthew wouldn't mind too much. Everyone else was experiencing the same. But he couldn't help but worry that the second journal had been uncovered, despite its extremely secure and secret hiding place.

It was bright outside, the midday sun beating down with a warmth that Matthew liked to make the most of when he could. He was so used to the snow. Everyone else was inside the building, either talking among themselves, consoling each other, or sorting out refreshments (though, given that Italy and Germany were doing that, it was questionable how much would actually get done if they were busy with each other instead...). The sweet scent of flowers drifted through the air.

"I personally think roses are very boring flowers."

Matthew turned to his new peer. "Why's that?"

"They're popular." Arthur replied. He sat down on the bench next to the Canadian. "For me, roses are just too widely used to have any real meaning. Valentine's Day, funerals, birthdays, congratulatory occasions, gravestones... I almost find it distasteful. If I were given a bouquet of lilies, then I'd be happy."

"So why do you grow them here?" Matthew asked. "If you don't like them, what's the purpose? Surely growing clematis plants or tulips would be more your style, right?"

"My personal garden is overflowing with all sorts of flowers... But here, I like to think that the roses can be used for all occasions without me needing to complain. They smell nice, and thus relax you. They look pretty, and make you smile. They're covered in thorns, so you have some means of defence against overly clingy Frenchmen who never shut the bloody hell up."

"I see." Canada smiled meekly. "So... Why'd you come out here?"

"To make sure you're alright. I know you're normally quiet, but I feel like there's reason today..." Arthur mused. "Are you worried? About... You know..."

"Yeah, well, that'll no doubt be revealed in due course." Matthew sighed. The break was almost over, and he was dreading walking back into that room for his secrets to be spilled along with his tears.

"Well... I suppose they were going to find out eventually."

"Arthur, please-"

"Look, I know you don't want to tell them. I didn't want to talk about my incident in London from all those years ago, but I did. What you went through was different, but at the same time, it wasn't... I'm sorry, Matthew, but you can't keep hiding it... He'll find out eventually." Arthur said. He stood up once more, glancing at his watch. "Three minutes and it's time for part two. Are you coming?"

Matthew let out a sigh and stood up, nodding. He had always known that his secret would never stay one. If the people behind the journals hadn't done something, then he was sure that Arthur would've accidentally said something at the wrong time in front of the wrong people. Matthew just wanted to protect his brother. Was that too much to ask?

...the kitchen...

"I made some little cakes for everyone. I hope that's OK!"

"That's absolutely fine, Feli. Thank you."

Italy smiled and began to move the dainty, spongey treats from the hot tray onto a plate. He'd decided against making pasta for now, figuring that it'd be better for the evening when people would maybe want a proper meal. Besides, who didn't love cake? No one! He hummed to himself merrily as he worked, and the world around him ceased to exist for a few moments.

Meanwhile, Germany was sorting out a small array of drinks, from tea to coffee, water to beer. Something for everyone. While he was getting what he needed, he couldn't help but notice how his gaze fell upon the oblivious Italian every now and then without meaning to. He was feeling a bit embarrassed about what he'd done earlier on, kissing Feliciano on the cheek like that without any warning. Sure, they seemed to care about each other in the same, but that wasn't the issue. The problem for Ludwig was that it had taken someone else to basically give him a kick up the backside and finally confess. In his eyes, that made him a bad person.

"Ve, do think I've made enough?"

"Hm?"

Ludwig looked back over at Feliciano, who had managed to stack what must've been something like thirty cupcakes — of varying flavours, might I add — onto a single plate in a neat and precise pyramid.

"Ja, I think that's plenty." he meekly smiled.

"If you say so, Luddy!" Feliciano smiled back. He took a pinch of what Germany assumed to be icing sugar, and he sprinkled it over the cake pile. "There. Now everyone can have something to smile about while we continue reading!"

Ludwig thought for a moment. "Italy, have you had an entry read yet?"

"No, why?" Feliciano asked, wiping his hand on a tea towel. "Does that matter?"

"Well, doesn't it bother you? What if it's something bad?"

"What if it's something good? It doesn't matter what gets read, you know..." Italy said, his voice a bit quieter than before. He wasn't sad, he was just being more thoughtful and broad-minded. "So long as it is accepted by the person it belongs to and those who listen, everything we hear can be taken positively and learnt from, sì? We have nothing to be afraid of. Now, everyone is probably waiting, so let's go!"

Feliciano picked up the plate, smiling as brightly as ever. Ludwig loved that smile. It was always so refreshing and warm... So perfect... Just like Feliciano.

...the hotel...

"It's Canada's? The entry?"

"Yep."

"Uh... Are you alright?"

"Yep."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

Of course it was a lie. Gilbert's mood had been worse than usual all day long, as to be expected given the sincerity and seriousness of the journal. But now it had plummeted further. Inside, he felt a bit jilted that Matthew hadn't told him anything. He thought they were close, but after reading that entry, he wasn't so sure. It hurt. It was hard for him to not go to Matthew and confront him as soon as he'd read it the first time, let alone the second time, and Peter had barely managed to convince him to wait.

'It's for his own good, Gilbert. You're not the only one he hasn't told. You're not alone in this...'

"I'm sure there's a reason he stayed quiet." Peter said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Gilbert sighed. "That's not the point,  squirt."

"Yeah, well, as long as he doesn't come chasing after us with a chainsaw, we're helping him. Maybe this will be good for him and those he's close to." he offered.

"Maybe..."

'Or maybe he'll just hate me forever...'

...and the meeting room.

Everyone else was sat down, talking among themselves. France and Spain were talking and laughing with each other, both commenting on how they wished their other friend was with them. America had surprisingly taken up conversation with Russia. It seemed civil, so no one was particularly worried, but what was that thing people always said about the calm before a storm? Yes, they silently decided to keep an eye on those two. Just in case. That left Japan, China and Romano. An unlikely trio, but they didn't seem to take notice of that. Instead, they just decided to quietly talk about what had been revealed so far and what was to come.

"Do you think there'll be more than one entry for everyone?" Japan asked them both.

"It wouldn't surprise me." Romano sighed. "This is really the last thing I want to be doing right now..."

"Join the club." China said. "But if we keep pushing these things away, do you think they'll disappear? No. It's just like America's debt... Never-ending..."

The doors into the conference room opened and the four missing nations wandered into the room. Italy placed down a plate of cakes onto the centre of the large table, and Germany began to distribute the drinks as they'd been requested. Within a couple of minutes, everyone was back in their original seats and ready to proceed with the reading.

Kiku reached for the leather book, pulling it towards him across the table and then opening onto the necessary page. He wasn't sure how comfortable he felt about reading out personal entries as opposed to observations, but at the same time, he figured it would be better if everyone did their bit. There wasn't a better time to show global solidarity, really.

"Alright, we will continue for another two hours or so before deciding what the plan is." Ludwig said.

"What do you mean?" Alfred asked.

"At the rate we're going, we won't finish this by this evening." he replied,  pointing to the book. "There's a lot of content. Chances are we'll be-"

"Does that mean we'll have a sleepover?" Feliciano beamed.

"That depends. London is full of hotels, Italy." Arthur replied. "If not, I'll probably have room at my house for everyone."

"So long as you're not cooking breakfast, dude."

"And that now means you'll be sleeping outside in the shed..."

"Fuck."

"Can we continue now?" China huffed. "I'm tired of waiting! I'm old enough as it is!"

Ludwig nodded. "Japan, if you would be so kind."

"Hai. This next entry is long, so it may take me a while to read it. I apologise." Kiku stated, fiddling with the corner of the page in his hand. He hated the destruction of privacy. "Maybe I could pass-"

"Whose is it, dude?"

Japan looked at the name at the top of the page. Now he really didn't want to read it. He glanced at the nation it belonged to and gave an apologetic look. Matthew's eyes widened in panic and fear, and he tried to avoid eye contact with anyone. Sadly, it wasn't a discreet effort.

"Mattie?"

He didn't respond. Alfred looked from his brother and then to Kiku. He asked for the book, which Japan hesitantly passed onto the American. Matthew scanned the page as his brother did, and he felt like his heart had been ripped to shreds. It was that one entry. The one thing he wanted to keep a secret. Alfred ignored his brother's words and with a heavy heart, he read what was in front of him.

"Canada. May 5th, 2017."

<><><>

S: *gives a rose to Canada*
C: What is this for? There's no special occasion.
S: Oh, don't worry, it's for your funeral ^w^
C: Oh :l

Speaking of funerals, if I don't update by Thursday, you have permission to kill me~
^ಒ^