"You're all following the plan so far?" Britain clarifies.

Canada glances at the men sitting next to him, waiting for them to speak. Quebéc exhales heavily and crosses one leg over the other, simultaneously folding his arms in front of his chest. He brushes off his blue vest, his white shirt as clean and pressed as his black tie, his overall appearance very sophisticated.

Ontario shoots the fellow province dirty looks every now and then, fiddling with the slightly-oversized brown suit he has on; one of Arthur's hand-me-downs and a last-minute resort.

"I don't get why it's even needed," Ontario huffs. It's no surprise to anyone in the room that he makes his opinion known first. He stands up, shifting as he fixes his jacket as best he can. "I'm doing just fine as Upper Canada."

Québec laughs, running a hand through his sandy brown hair as his pale eyes flicker to the blond. "Oh hon, now that is hilarious," he scoffs. "The rebellions are still affecting you just as much as they are affecting me!"

Canada lowers his head, clenching his hands together in his lap at the mention of the rebellions. Before the peaceful nation can say a word, Britain gets to his feet and smacks his fist against the table, silencing any further outburst from Ontario.

"May I remind you, but those blasted rebellions are the reason we are having this meeting!" he snaps. The provinces look at their laps, although their eyes dart sideways and narrow when they catch the other looking. Britain sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Seeing as our conversations so far have gone nowhere, we'll reiterate and then decide."

"You gave America responsible government when he was practically a baby," Ontario says, adjusting his glasses. "We ask for responsible government between the three of us, but no, you couldn't give us that!"

"Maybe because America has always been your favourite," Québec utters, hardly trying to disguise the bitterness in his tone.

Britain's face turns red with rage as he grits his teeth. "How dare you accuse me of picking favourites! I raised you lot from tiny colonies to where you are now. Is that nothing?"

Québec laughs again, the sound so much like his big brother's that it makes Britain shudder. "Oh, right, I'm supposed to be thankful."

"You Frenchmen are all the same," Britain nearly growls, his eyes like pits of fire as he glares at Québec. "Ungrateful—"

"Britain, he's trying to make you upset," Ontario warns, focusing on his big brother. "It's not your fault France just handed Canada over to you just so he could keep Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Gorée, and some Indian factories."

Québec clenches his jaw as he lifts himself to his feet, knuckles turning white as he clenches his hands into tight fists. Canada is the only one still seated now. The blond feels his eyes itch, but forces whatever sorrow he feels back. He can't think about that now. Now is a time for different negotiations.

"Québec, I think—" he starts.

"He could've kept raising us if you hadn't stepped in and decided to fight over Canada!" Québec shouts, although he sounds more hurt than angry. "If you hadn't forced him into that decision—"

"Don't attack him, he made you better!" Ontario turns on the French province, nearly bristling. "France abandoned you, Laurent. He doesn't care. Arthur cares. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

"Like that would be such a horrific loss if an egotistical brat like you never existed!" Québec throws back, his shoulders quaking.

Canada noticeably flinches at that. "H-Hey, that was really uncalled for!" he tries to shout.

"The both of you are acting like utter children!" Britain scolds. "Sit down and let's get this meeting back on track!"

Neither province listens, starting to throw more and more insults at one another. Québec even dissolves into angrily screaming in rapid-fire French. Canada grits his teeth, cheeks turning red, and steels himself. Enough is enough.

"HEY!" he screeches, the sound surprisingly loud as he launches himself to his feet. Québec and Ontario stop in a heartbeat, their hands clasped on each other's shirt collars as their eyes go wide. Canada's face flushes with slight embarrassment, but he doesn't stop. "That's enough! Québec, I know you're still bitter about Francis leaving us! I think we all are at times, but now isn't a good time to let that old anger out. Ontario, I get that you're trying to defend Britain, but insulting Québec is not the way to do it!"

"Canada, I just—" Ontario starts.

"We were talking about responsible government. Maybe I do think that Britain likes America more than me, but I'm used to him ignoring me completely so the two of you don't need to worry about that anymore," he continues, pointing at both his friends as he says it. "You two need to talk about what's going to change without fighting. You aren't going to like it, but you need to suck it up and act like responsible adults. Otherwise, Britain will never respect us and you'll never get the responsible government that your people killed each other over!"

With that, he sits back down and bows his head, his shaggy blond hair falling in his face as his odd curl bounces. The other three men gape at him in shock, eyebrows lifted and mouths hanging open.

Britain clears his throat. "Um...well, yes, thank you, Matthew," he stammers. His attention flickers to the provinces. "You two are both dealing with some troubles. Upper Canada," he addresses Ontario. "You're near bankruptcy due to a lack of stable tax revenues. You need the resources of the more populous Lower Canada to fund your internal transportation improvements."

Ontario pouts and crosses his arms, but nods. "Yes...I do."

"The way I see it, the only way that this problem with your economies can be solved is through a union."

Québec makes a gagging noise in his throat. "Oh mon dieu, you want me to unite with him?" he exclaims, jabbing a thumb at Ontario.

"You would become one single province of Canada," Britain says, giving him an answer while simultaneously continuing his previous sentence, "and therefore have one government with equal seating from both sides for your representatives. Responsible government...it's a possibility."

Québec stands up, placing a hand on his forehead as he shuts his eyes. "I need a smoke. I'll be back in a few minutes," he mumbles.

He heads for the door, pulling a packet of cigarettes from his pocket before shoving the door open and disappearing into the hall. Britain relaxes only a little once he's gone, whilst Ontario lets out an incredibly unnecessary sigh of relief as he slouches in the chair.

"I can hear myself think!" he says. "Finally!"

"Gentleman, now would be the best time for me to tell you of the other reasons I have for unifying the Canadas," Britain says, a brief look of guilt crossing his features. Ontario falls silent. "Unification might be able to swamp the French vote by giving each of you the same number of parliamentary seats, despite the larger population of Québec's Canada. It would take away some of his influence."

Canada gasps. "What? Britain, I don't know if that's a good idea..."

Britain ignores him and continues speaking. "The Act's main provisions are an establishment of a single parliament with equal representation from each constituent section, which will be called Canada East and Canada West." He eyes Ontario. "You will be Canada West. Québec will be the East." He clears his throat and continues. "It will also include consolidation of debt, a permanent Civil List, the banishment of the French language from official government use, and suspension of specific French Canadian institutions relating to education and civil law."

Again, Canada lets out a small gasp. "This is incredibly anti-French. I don't think I can agree to this!"

"Unfortunately, Canada, your voice is not important in this argument," Britain states. "This is about a union between Laurent and Oliver, for the betterment of your future." His green eyes lock on Canada's violet ones as he purses his lips. "Québec and Ontario have to make their own decision. You and I have to step back."

Canada stiffens, looking away as he feels a knot of disappointment and anger tighten his stomach. He mumbles something about checking on Québec before he too gets up and leaves the conference room.

Outside, he wipes his eyes hastily as he heads down the long hallways, trying to keep himself together. It's all just too much to handle all at once; the reminders of France leaving, the shouting, the French hate that obviously lingers amongst Britain and Ontario. Britain must be serious about removing France's influence from Canada's land.

"Matthew."

The country stops abruptly, not having noticed Québec leaning against the wall next to a lovely painting. He takes a drag of his cigarette, exhaling it away from Canada's general direction so as not to disturb him. The province sighs as he taps the ash into a nearby dish.

"Are you holding up okay?" he asks, his tone softer than before.

Canada shuffles closer, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I...I don't know anymore."

Québec lifts the cigarette to his lips again, although he doesn't inhale any smoke. His gaze is distant, his light brown eyes swimming with memories.

"Canada, I'm aware that they're trying to assimilate my culture," he says, opting for French instead of English. Matthew guesses that it's because he worries for the Anglophones in the other room somehow overhearing. "Hell, they're doing it to First Nation as we speak. Europeans do that to cultures unlike their own."

"I know, and I hate it," Canada agrees, settling onto the wall next to his friend. He leans his head back and takes a slow breath. "Métis tells me about her mother getting sick more and more, about what's happening with the Aboriginal children..." His face twists with sadness that he can't hold back. His violet eyes fall on his oldest friend. "Laurent, I don't want to lose the French culture that I have. It's all I have left of France."

"And you won't lose it," Québec says, resting his cigarette between his teeth as he too puts his hands in his pockets. "My debt is smaller than Oliver's, but he needs me more than he wants to admit. Plus, unifying could mean a better future for you."

"I don't want to do it if it's unfair to you."

Québec shuts his eyes, his cigarette shifting in his mouth as he smirks a little. "You're too good for this world, Mattie. You're so nice." Canada chooses to remain silent, knowing that his kindness can be seen as a weakness. "I've got Adalene on my side with the French thing. I've got more people than Ontario. I won't let my culture die out just because some British twit thinks he can make it happen." He takes the smoke from his mouth, holding it between his elegant fingers. "This is just the next step to making you a country that people won't forget. I'll do what I must...for you, Matthew. Ontario is important to this family, even if I hate him."

Canada laughs at that, but it fades quickly. "All families have their rough patches, eh?"

Québec nods in agreement. "So I'll unite with Upper Canada, we become a single province, and we try to work out this equal government." He fixes a pointed look at his friend. "You know, Artie isn't gonna give you responsible government."

Although he already knew, the words still make Canada's chest ache. He lowers his head. "Yes...I know. He doesn't think that I'm as strong as Alfred."

"Even if you don't seem like it, I believe you are. We just have to work at it and one day..." The Frenchman stops as he gives the ceiling a wistful look. "One day, you'll be just as strong or stronger."

"I doubt it. Alfred's a lot cooler than me."

"That's a matter of opinion, my friend. I personally like you a lot more." He glances down the hall and sighs. He bunches the stub of his cigarette in the ashtray and straightens up. "Let's head back. I need to announce my decision." Canada nods and stands up next to him. Québec smiles sadly and adds, "Oh, and...I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't want to make you upset. I just wanted to piss off Ontario."

"I get it," Canada says. "I'm used to people fighting like that."

Laurent's eyes crease at the corners as he smiles. "Very well. Come on, I've got to get this union over with."

Together, the two head back down the hall.

Thus, the Act of Union was passed in 1840. Unfortunately, while it would help things like Ontario's debt, the equal government would cause quite a few more problems in Canada's future. But, like all things, those bad spots can lead to some great new opportunities.