Chapter 1:

Ivan walked through the streets of Moscow, humming calmly to himself. Today will be a good day, he tells himself as he sips a fresh coffee. A world meeting was being held in his home for the first time in years! The crunch of snow under his heavy boots pleases his ears as he approaches the government building. None of the other nations have arrived yet, thus giving time for Ivan to set up the room how he liked. The meeting room was on the fourth floor, and naturally the elevator is broken. Ivan rushed up the steps and makes his way to the room set aside for the nation's need.

"Mr. Russia!" Ivan's personal assistant rushes to his side. The young man hands over the files to Ivan and says, "So, these are the notes the president wishes for you to discuss. And the room is already set."

Ivan let out a disappointed sigh, "That's wonderful, thank you."

"It's my pleasure, sir! Good luck, sir!" As quickly as the young man came, he left.

Ivan enters the meeting room to find the tables set up in rows of 2 wide and 3 long. A podium stands in the front of tables, with the name tag "Russia" sat on the top of it. A small snack table sits in the lower right corner of the room. The smell of fresh pastries and hot coffee warms the Russian's heart as he looks around. Name tags on the tables where in the places Ivan liked. France and Britain are going to be sat together in the front alongside that bastard America. Hopefully a good argument breaks out between the three of them and call the meeting short and go out for drinks.

The sound of shuffling feet and mixed languages catches Ivan's ears and he rushes to the door to greet his fellow nations. He shakes hands with Mr. Germany and Mr. Italy and they exchange a few light comments then the other two make their ways to their seats. This repeated with the rest of the nations…all but one Ivan noticed. As he greeted Britain and America, Ivan's eye caught something that made him think he was seeing double. A young man that looked very much like America, moves swiftly past the three of them. This America doppelganger was slightly different, he was dressed more professionally in a dark brown suit and red tie. Ivan did his best to rack his mind to remember who that man is. However, Ivan's sudden silence displeased his Cold War rival.

"Dude, did you just have a stroke?" America scoffs, "Or are you just ignoring us?"

"My apologies." Russia mumbles as his eyes follows America's double, the young nation takes his seat next to France's right. That's when it clicks, seeing the similarities of hair with France and placing that with the similarities with America it wraps up in Ivan's head. That's Canada. Why didn't he greet with Ivan? It's not like Canada to be unpleasant and would always meet with other nations before the meetings. Perhaps he still has jet lag from the flight in, so Ivan shrugs it off and walks over to the podium to start the meeting. Leaving America and Britain without finishing their previous conversation. Ivan heard America grumble something harsh as he took his seat next to Britain and France.

The meeting wasn't anything exciting and Ivan got bored quickly. Half way through he lets the other nations to continue the discussion on their own, which turned into a tennis match of ideas. Looking at the bickering back-n-forth was more amusing to Ivan than a true meeting. Soon his eyes fall on the man who hadn't made a peep yet. Canada sits in his chair unnoticed by his peers, fiddling with a small white teddy bear. That was odd, where was his real bear? Canada's pet polar bear was almost always with him. Ivan knew that bear was trained as an emotional support animal for Canada's PTSD. All the nations have one, all personally trained by Mr. Germany. Tensions in the room was building rapidly and Ivan started to notice Canada was straining to remain calm.

"Everyone!" Ivan called out. The room died down and turned to him, Ivan makes a motion as if he was patting the air, "I think this meeting should be dismissed for today, da?"

The rest nod in agreement and gather their stuff. Canada moved quickly and remained unnoticed, but Ivan couldn't help but to follow the younger nation. He followed at a distance and watched as Canada stopped at the largest window on the floor. It gave the best view of Moscow in Ivan's opinion. Ivan approaches the young man with caution.

"Mr. Canada?" Ivan says with a soft tone.

"I-I'm alright, Mr. Russia." He responds still staring out the window.

"Please, just call me Ivan."

"Alright…" Canada's voice trails off into the distance.

Ivan moves slowly to Canada's side, "Pardon me, comrade, I don't remember your name. Would you care to remind me?"

"Matthew." He says softly and his hands brings the stuffed bear to his chest just as if it was his real one.

"Matvey, I like that name. Mind if I ask you Matvey, where is your pet? It is quite odd for him not to be with you, da?"

"It's breeding season, and Kuma wished to continue the survival of his species and all." Matthew kept his eyes out the window and didn't turn to Ivan. Ivan decided to turn his attention towards the city as well. The sprawl of the city was a beautiful sight at this time. It wasn't sunrise or sunset, but midday. The sun made the buildings shine and the snow looked like warm white blankets on top of the buildings and sidewalks.

Ivan gives a small smile, "Beautiful view, da?"

"Yes." Matthew softly agrees.

"I can see my favorite bar from here, but I do prefer to drink at home."

"Lovely…"

"Oh look, your brother is leaving now. He looks so small."

"He does…"

Ivan looks at Matthew and the young nation has closed his eyes, taking small breaths, the white teddy bear clung to his chest. What's wrong with him? Did the meeting stir him up that badly? Ivan's thoughts mix around trying to figure out what to do to cheer up his fellow nation.

"Would you care to come to my home and have a few drinks? I believe there's a hockey game on tonight. We could, as you Americans say, "kick back and have a cold one", da?" Ivan offered.

That caught the young nations attention, Matthew looks at Ivan and smile, "That sounds nice. I've been needing a small break…"

"I will send you my address, see you at, let's say, 6?"

"I will see you then." Matthew nods and hurries off. Leaving Ivan with a blushed face, realizing what he just did.