Chapter Text
It was Canada who gave up first.
He stared at the kettle long after it had finished boiling, the quiet click echoing through the kitchen. With a slow sigh, he turned it off and rested his forehead briefly against the cabinet.
“This is stupid,” he murmured to himself.
From the living room, Cuba heard it.
He hesitated, then stood up, padding quietly toward the kitchen. “You gonna say that out loud,” he asked, leaning against the doorway, “or just keep thinking it really hard?”
Canada startled slightly, then huffed out a weak laugh. “Guess I’m not as subtle as I thought.”
Cuba shook his head. “Nope.”
They stood there for a moment, facing each other properly for the first time since they got home. No crossed arms. No sharp edges. Just tired.
“I don’t like fighting with you,” Canada said finally. His voice was soft, but steady. “Even when it’s over something dumb.”
Cuba’s shoulders dropped. “Yeah. Same.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry I snapped. I didn’t mean what I said earlier.”
Canada swallowed. “I’m sorry too. I wasn’t listening. I wanted you to like it just because I do.”
Cuba stepped closer, tentative. “I do like it. Just… not freezing my ass off.”
That earned a real smile from Canada this time.
Cuba exhaled, then opened his arms slightly, unsure. “Come here.”
Canada didn’t hesitate. He stepped into the embrace, arms wrapping around Cuba’s waist, face pressing into the warmth of his shoulder. The tension drained out of both of them at once.
“See?” Cuba murmured. “Not that hard.”
Canada let out a quiet laugh. “You’re warm.”
“Obviously.”
They pulled back just enough to look at each other. Canada leaned in first, a soft, brief kiss, more reassurance than anything else. Cuba returned it easily, thumb brushing against Canada’s sleeve.
“Truce?” Cuba asked.
Canada nodded. “Truce.”
Cuba grinned. “Good. I’m craving ice cream.”
Canada blinked. “…In this weather?”
Cuba squeezed his hand. “See? You’re learning.”
They ended up on the couch, legs tangled together, sharing a single tub of ice cream between them.
Canada held it steady while Cuba dug in with two spoons, claiming one was “for efficiency.” The heater hummed softly nearby, warm enough to keep the chill away without melting the dessert too fast.
“This is actually really good,” Canada said after a bite, pleasantly surprised.
Cuba smirked. “Told you. Trust my judgment on sweet things.”
Canada hummed in agreement, leaning slightly into Cuba’s side. Outside, snow continued to fall quietly, but inside, everything felt settled. Comfortable. Right.
Canada took his spoon in hand, and took a scoop of ice cream; the cold making him shiver slightly. Cuba noticed immediately.
“Hey,” he said, tugging him closer. “Share the warmth.”
Canada didn’t argue. He leaned in, resting his head against Cuba’s shoulder, the chill forgotten almost instantly. They ate in comfortable silence after that, trading the spoon back and forth, bumping knees and hands now and then.
Outside, the world was still too cold. Too hot. Too much.
Inside, though, everything felt just right.
Canada glanced up, smiling softly. “Next trip,” he said, “we’ll plan better.”
Cuba laughed, pressing a quick kiss to his temple. “Deal. But no matter the weather-”
Canada met his gaze, amused. “-we’ll complain together.”
“Exactly.”
They clinked the spoon gently against the tub, a quiet truce sealed in sugar and warmth, and stayed there until the ice cream was gone and the cold, at least for now, didn’t matter anymore.