Well, first fanfiction and it's a yaoi. You've been warned. Don't like? Don't read.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC. Thank you and enjoy.

The air was cold, the wind that whipped around the icy tundra doing nothing to better the chilly atmosphere. If one looked in any direction they would only see long expanses of white; hills of ice and snow carving through the area to give it depth and interest, but not a single splash of color to be found. The crew on the boat that anchored at the edge of the ice gazed at this frozen environment with dread. "Captain, what do you expect us to find here? It's the Arctic! It's just a chunk of frozen land!" A few shouts of agreement sounded out from the crew.

"Something is different. I can feel it." The man bundled within the large furry coat, that was necessary for such a venture, did not take his gaze off the wasteland. He could feel it deep within his bones; there was another life here. Another nation to be precise. "No. We need to press forward. If it will make you feel more comfortable I'll go alone and scout." He smiled softly at his crew to only reinforce his statement.

The crew knew the man could fend for himself despite his dainty appearance and soft voice, what with him being a nation and all. The world's second biggest nation! "I…I suppose…" The first mate spoke somewhat hesitantly. The nation's boss would surely have their heads if anything happened to the personification that was Canada, so a certain degree of hesitance was of course to be expected.

Canada smiled, slowly pulling up the mask up to warm his already cold face.

"I'll be back soon."

He shivered violently, wrapping his bare arms around himself in some attempt to gather warmth to his frozen skin. It didn't seem to help much. Large, bright eyes looked around frantically, searching for some sort of clue as to his current situation. Nothing. Nothing but white. He already knew that he hated the color, or lack thereof. Pale lips parted in some attempt to make a sound, but the winter wind made him shut his lips tightly together once again as the cold temperature raced down his throat with the newfound opportunity. If it was possible, his body temperature only dropped lower.

It was all so confusing. He woke to cold; alone and without any knowledge of his predicament. How did I get here…? He wondered, holding himself closer without any further results. Slowly he crumbled to his side, bringing his knees up to his chest, and hiding his face within his arms. The cold permeated his thoughts and senses; he felt the snow drift to the ground, he felt icy water sloshing beneath the frozen surface of the land…the animals, people too, were felt trudging across the great expanse, far off somewhere…he felt it all at once.

"Hello?" He perked slightly at a sound of a voice. It was so soft it was barely heard above the wild wind that raced down the landscape. He would have thought it to have been a trick of cold seeping into his bones and muddling his thoughts had he not heard the voice again: only closer.

"Oh, Mon Dieu!" Came the soft exclamation, directly to the pale boy's side. The boy slowly looked up with half-lidded eyes. Color…little peaks of a beautiful golden yellow was above him, looking so much like the sun he subconsciously knew was hidden behind grey winter clouds. The man above him gazed down at him with appalled concern from behind the thick winter goggles and glasses behind those. It irked the boy slightly to be unable to decipher the color of his eyes. He wanted to see more of that color. Anything but white! "You must be freezing!" The strange new man scurried to pull a coat and blanket from a pack, gently pulling the boy up to wrap the material around his shoulders.

The boy looked up at him with a quiet curiosity, pulling the newfound warmth closer around himself, reveling in the feeling of something other than body-numbing cold. Canada tried not to stare at the new fledgling nation, but it was difficult with the boy staring at him with those bright, blue-green eyes. The splash of color in his countenance was shocking in comparison with his pale skin and pure white hair; he had almost didn't notice the boy amongst the snow and ice until he had shifted to a fetal position.

"Arctic…?" Canada slowly knelt down beside the boy, careful not to make too many sudden movements. "Would you like to go somewhere warmer?"

His eyes lit up, nodding frantically. "W-warm!" The boy's voice was soft and extremely raspy from cold, but held eagerness in tone.

The blonde nation smiled softly, gently patting the shaggy mop of white hair with a gloved hand. "You'll need a human name too…" Canada looked contemplative for a moment, mulling over the important decision in front of him. "Avery." He glanced back down, searching for a signal of approval from the small boy, which he received in the form of a small smile. "It's a popular one back home…French too, so Papa will like it I'm sure! Do you like it?"

"A-Avery!" The boy responded with enthusiasm, despite the stammering caused by the lingering cold. He leaned into the Canadian's warmth, "I-I like it!"

"Oh good!" Canada laughed softly, putting an arm around the young nation. Arctic was such a large nation as a whole, but a few older nations had already laid claims to the more inhabitable parts of the Arctic. His own brother, America, Denmark, Norway and he himself – Canada were those who had done so…but it wasn't these countries that worried him. Sure his brother might go on about some ridiculous notion about Manifest Destiny for a while, but in the end the cold would probably get to him and he'd forget about expanding his borders, and Denmark and Norway didn't worry him much (Canada himself just wished to help the poor, confused, fledgling nation).

Russia. Ivan Braginski. That was who he was concerned about.

Canada was certainly glad that it was he, and not Russia that had sensed the new nation's appearance first. Now…he would do what he could to keep the small boy safe for as long as possible. "Let me take you home Avery. Somewhere where it's lovely and warm."

"Matthieu~! Mon Cher~!" The voice was unmistakable as its owner burst through the front door of the Canadian's home, making the man jump in slight surprise, even from the kitchen. "Ah, whenever I come over it smells like pancakes! What happened to the beautiful French cuisine I taught you, mon petiteMatthieu? Like crepes!" France leaned against the arched opening to the kitchen, pouting softly at his former colony.

Matthew sighed softly, doing his best to focus on the task of getting the pancake in the pan to a perfect golden brown. "Crepes take a lot of preparation…and Avery likes pancakes, as does Kumajima." Once he was satisfied with the doneness of his creation, he plated the last of the pancakes and thoroughly drenched the three plates he had made with a healthy dose of maple syrup. The sight made Francis's pout deepen slightly. "Avery!" The Canadian called out (which was the equivalent of a normal person's voice). "Breakfast is ready!"

"O-okay!" Hurried footsteps came from the stairs of the porch and it wasn't long before a familiar mop of colorless locks entered the room via the back door. "Papa, the flowers are so –" Avery stopped upon seeing the older blonde in the room, freezing to the spot immediately.

"My, my, mon belle Avery…you've grown since I last saw you~" He cooed happily, taking a steps towards the smaller male. Immediately the boy scurried behind Matthew, clinging tightly to the fabric of his jacket and burying his face in his back. "Huh? What did I say?" The Frenchman blinked in surprise. How could he, the nation of Love, have his charms resisted and even REJECTED by anyone?

Matthew smiled softly, glancing behind at the painfully-shy boy for a moment before addressing his flabbergasted Papa. "He's just not used to anyone but me and Kumaki. Don't worry Papa; it's not just you…though you're the only one who has met him." He couldn't help but sigh. He'd been lucky so far; the other nations' forgetfulness of his existence finally coming in handy for something. But he wasn't naïve. It was only a matter of time before someone found out, and then he might get in trouble. The thought suddenly hit, sending a wave a panic through him. What if he accidently started a war with Russia because of it?

"Matthieu? Are you alright mon cher…? You spaced out there for a moment." Francis looked at him in concern.

"Y-yeah…I was just thinking…" He bit his lip gently, kneading it between his teeth unconsciously as he brought the plates over to the table; Avery still clinging to his back in an attempt to hide his face from France. "Go ahead and eat Avery. I'll take Francis out, okay…?" It took a moment before the tell-tale nod felt against his back occurred and the small boy pulled away slowly in order to take his seat. It wasn't until a certain polar bear climbed up into an empty chair and began to eat that the boy relaxed and commenced with his own meal. While he was distracted Matthew motioned for Francis to join him in the nearby living room.

"I'm worried." He mumbled softly, fetching the wine he knew Francis loved from a cabinet. "It has been three years, and Avery has grown a bit, but it's only a matter of time before one of the other countries takes notice!"

"Certainly not your brother." France chuckled lightly, taking the wine glass with a thankful nod. "Mon cher Amérique is quite the oblivious one, non~?"

"Yes…but Alfred is not who I'm scared about." He mumbled softly, staring down at the red liquid in his glass. "Finland, Greenland, Iceland and Alaska are definitely not part of Arctic because they've been claimed already…but Russia and I have the greatest portions of claim within his nation. So far I've not heard of anyone even aware of Avery's existence, but if it's found out that I took him…" The blonde held his head low, groaning softly to himself. "All hell could break loose…"

France laid a gentle hand on his back, "Ah mon cher, I am sure you are only doing your best! Il semble très friands de vous aussi. " He slowly leaned back in his seat, smiling up at the ceiling with an expression of nostalgia. "It reminds me of when you were just mon enfant."

Canada expression softened slightly, smiling over at his former caretaker, "That's really sweet to sa –" The blonde squeaked, standing quickly at the playful squeeze France had given his ass.

"But you certainly aren't a bébé any longer~" He chuckled, giving Matthew a saucy smirk. "Such a nice firm ass you have mon cher~" He couldn't help but delight in the rouge that spread across the younger's face; a signal that the Frenchman's charms certainly were not lost. Nobody could resist~

"Papa…?" The quiet voice broke the atmosphere, both of the blondes turning their attention to the small boy hiding in the doorway. "K-Kumajiro said there's a tall man coming towards the house. C-can I still go play outside?"

"N-non! Go to your room, okay Avery?" Matthew's eyes widened, quickly moving to usher the small boy towards the stairs. "Go on, hurry! And don't make a sound."

"Y-yes Papa." He mumbled, hurrying up to his room.

"C-Chit!" Canada swore as he hurried back to the living room to appear as if nothing was amiss, but barely got half-way back before a violent pounding started against the front door.

"Matvey." The thick Russian accent was unmistakable and never failed to send shivers down the spines of the nations that heard it. The silver knob turned rapidly, a precursor to the door slamming open and creating a large crack in the wall as it violently collided with it. The tall form of Russia's personification stood in the doorway with that ever-present childish smile on his face. "Ah, comrade Matvey and comrade Francis. I believe we have some things to discuss, da?"

"I-I'm not sure what you mean…" Matthew mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the intimidating man desperately.

"No? Perhaps I am not being clear…" He smiled innocently as he stepped towards the nations slowly. "You are hiding something here, da? If you still do not understand I will be more specific." Both Matthew and Francis did not miss the threatening nature of the water pipe that Russia swung loosely at his side as he walked. "It's come to my attention that there's a new little nation around. One that is part of Mother Russia~"

"I-I haven't heard anything about that…um…I…" Matthew did his best to swallow the lump that was forming in his throat. He was currently LYING to RUSSIA! Blatantly doing it too!

"Oh? How disappointing." Ivan leaned down, grabbing Matthew's chin with his free hand. "I am certain that he is here right now. Isn't that right comrade?" He smiled wider at the obvious shaking of the blonde's body. "Da, I am right~"

"H-he is as much mine as yours." France bit his lip to keep from further showing his obvious discomfort with the situation. "W-we own very equal claims in the Arctic."

"Really?" The Russian's smile faltered slightly. "Arctic is still part of Mother Russia. It is only fair that I see what is mine."

No matter how inwardly upset Canada was with the situation, he certainly didn't want to start a war. He bit his lip in brief contemplation of how best to assess the state of affairs, quickly coming up empty with anything that didn't involve compliance. "F-fine…" he pulled his chin from the leather-bound grip of the Russian, heading towards the stairs. "Follow me."

"Da!" That childish expression was once again back as he followed the smaller man. "I suggest comrade Francis leave when matters don't concern him~" The underlying tone was undoubtedly threatening. Despite this, Francis looked somewhat hesitant.

"It's fine Papa…"

France frowned softly, slowly headed for the doorway. "I am just a phone-call away mon cher. Don't hesitate to call." He gave Ivan a glare before hurrying to safety.

Avery sat on the bed, hugging Kumajiro close to his chest. He always loved the small polar bear; he was soft, cuddly, and reminded him of home. As much as he disliked the deathly cold environment and the lack of color, it was still his country. He could feel the Ice shifting, his people migrating across the barren landscape and the sloshing of the sea against his borders. He still loved his people dearly, even if they were low in amount and still very behind the modern world. All the same…

"Arctic?" The door opened slowly to reveal his caretaker, eliciting a small smile from the boy.

"Papa! Can I go play outside now?" He asked softly, holding Kuma closer to his chest.

"Actually…I would like you to meet someone first, alright?" Matthew swallowed hard, moving out of the way to let his guest's giant form past him and into the room. Immediately the boy let go of the polar bear and slid off the bed to hide behind it, pulling the hood of his fur-inlaid jacket over his head. Ivan blinked, glancing at Matthew with the silent question of 'what just happened?. "He is very shy…"

Russia just laughed. "To be expected if the caretaker is just as timid." He ignored the other nation's frown, slowly walking around the bed to where the cowering boy was visible. "Hello malyutka~" Ivan spoke softly, as if he were speaking to a cornered rabbit about to bolt. His smile widened at the small shudder that rippled through the small nation, but there was no indication that he was planning on running: progress already. "Stand up so I can get a look at you, da?" It was a demand, not a request.

Avery weighed his options. It was obvious his Papa was nervous around the tall man, which only heightened the young boy's natural anxiety. Shakily, Arctic stood, letting his hood fall back to reveal his full face. Ivan did not let the surprise he felt make it into his expression. His eyes are the color of spring…Those bright eyes looked anywhere but Ivan's form, shifting from spot to spot on the wooden floor beneath him. His pale cheeks and nose seemed to have a natural flush to them; standing out further due to the white locks that framed a thin face. By all accounts, the boy was certainly beautiful.

Ivan slowly smiled, "You will make a lovely addition to Mother Russia~!"

The boy looked up in slight panic, glancing at Matthew questioningly. "Now Russia, I-I never said he was yours!" Canada frowned, doing his best to appear assertive. That quickly died down with a threatening stare from Russia in addition to his ever-present smile. God, that combination is creepy! "Wh-what I mean is that this needs to be settled by more than just us! Denmark and Norway also have a claim in some of Arctic's domain…w-we should just bring it up at a later date…"

Ivan just smiled, "The next G8 meeting, da? It's at the end of the week. Bring little Arctic along…but because you've kept his existence from me, he will stay by my side at the meeting." Matthew, certainly in no room to refuse the demand, kept grudging silent. "Good~" He turned his attention back to the boy before him. "Come here Arctic."

The boy was obviously reluctant as he slowly closed the gap between them, opting to stare down at the ground rather than up at the tall Russian before him. He physically flinched as two very large hands settled themselves on his shoulders. Even if Ivan wasn't squeezing, the new weight on his delicate frame made the small nation whimper quietly. "P-papa…" Tears prickled the edges of his eyes as he began to shake.

"Russia, don't hurt him!" Canada stepped forward, biting his lip nervously.

Violet eyes flashed at the blonde. "I've done nothing. Now why don't you just go away now, da-" The threatening aura that seemed to ooze from the taller man finally reduced Arctic to tears. Russia gazed down at the sobbing child in surprise. He hadn't even tried to intimidate him…

With the giant's hands sliding off his shoulders, Avery bolted immediately to Canada's side, burying his tear-soaked face in the familiar red hoodie. His caretaker gently encased him within his arms, stroking his pale locks comfortingly as the small frame shook in his embrace. Matthew glared at the bewildered Russian. "Get out…please. This is too much for him to take in at once."

Canada was almost just as scared as Arctic at this point; he was silently praying that the Ivan wouldn't fly off the handle, kill him, and take the boy. War or not, Russia wasn't in the habit of giving up something that he wanted easily –

"…da."

It took a moment for the word to process. God was silently thanked over and over that the Russian hadn't chosen to reduce him to a bloodied heap on the floor. Ivan slowly walked towards the two, fitting his large frame past them to make it through the bedroom doorway. He paused, looking down at the small boy for a brief moment. "I still expect to see little Arctic at the meeting. I suggest not going back on your word…or lack thereof, da?" He smiled brightly. "Do svidaniya…"

With that the large nation left. Matthew slowly let out the breath he hadn't known he had been holding in, sinking to the ground with his small colony in his arms. "Mon Dieu…" What had he just gotten into?

Translations:

Mon Dieu (French): My God

Cher (French): dear

Petite (French): little

Belle (French): beautiful

Amérique (French): America

Non (French): no

il sembletrès friands devous aussi (French): He seems very fond of you too.

enfant/bébé (French): baby or infant

Chit (Canadian slang): Shit

Da (Russian): yes

malyutka (Russian) : little one

Do svidaniya (Russian): Goodbye

I'm going off google translate sooooo...yeah. Don't slam me for the languages, I'm doing my best. As for the story, it's my first fanfiction. I appreciate comments, but please keep them as kind as you can. Constructive criticism welcome.