Chapter 1

Mattie woke with a dull throbbing in his head. He knew something wasn't right. The smell of the area he was in had a slight mold smell, and he felt the chill sink into his bones. His eyes opened, but he couldn't barely tell. Pitch black. He could feel vibrations, but it took him a second to realize where he was.

In the trunk of a car.

He wiggled around, feeling his limbs still heavy from sleep, and his head felt groggy as if he couldn't quite think enough to put the thoughts together on what was happening. He had no idea how long he'd been in the vehicle, but found a hole leading into the back of the car, probably an air hole to make sure he didn't suffocate, but he didn't have the energy to look through. His body was wrapped in blankets and he realized that without them, he probably would have froze by now. "Hello?" He called out and was surprised to near a low voice, one that sounded altered, but familiar.

"Go back to sleep. We're not there yet." He groaned and nodded, knowing this situation was wrong, but he felt just too drained to fight it and allowed himself to drift back off.

The next time he started coming back into consciousness he felt the blanket wrapped over his face and shifted, panic starting in. "Calm down." He heard. "We're not in the house yet."

"Where am I? What's going on?"

"You've gotten yourself into trouble, little Matvey. I'm here to help, Da?" He spoke, but it was barely a whisper, as if he was afraid of being heard.

"Sounds like I'm in trouble, alright." Mattie sighed, closing his eyes. "What in the hell did you do to me? My legs and arms feel like weights." He grumbled and Ivan sighed.

"I had to drug you. I couldn't have you waking up too early. Mne zhal'." He sighed and Mattie felt steps of stairs as he trudged up.

After they got in Mattie was laid down on something soft, but awkward feeling on his head. He started to shift and heard the blinds pull. In only a few seconds all light seemed cut off and a lamp was turned on before the blanket was pulled back from his face, showing him a small room. "Privet, Canada. Welcome to your new home for the next while." Ivan sat on the floor, leaning back against the couch Mattie was laid on. "Sorry about this being so... last minute, but things happened, and it couldn't be avoided." He sighed and turned, seeing a television. Ivan crawled across the floor and flicked it on, but as he crawled back, his head lulled against the arm of the chair, making Mattie wonder if he'd only turned it on for the noise.

His scarf trailed behind him, his coat still came down over his knees, though one foot laid flat on the floor, causing the coat to hang open from the waist down. His arms wrapped over his stomach and he stared blankly at the ceiling.

"But... why am I here?" Mattie asked and Ivan's head shifted, showing off his large, violet eyes.

"It's better if you don't ask such questions, Da? I'll go make food." Ivan spoke before dragging himself to his feet and he started walking towards the kitchen. Mattie stood slowly, feeling his arms and legs nearly drag him back down. He made his way over to the door and frowned, finding lock after lock down the length of the frame. He turned to the window and looked beneath the blinds, finding metal bars across.

So he'd been kidnapped by Russia.

Why did this strike him as something he should be more surprised about? Russia had mentioned before that they should be closer. He'd mentioned Canada taking Alaska so they could be closer together, but it just struck Mattie as idle chitchat of the creepy variety. This was definitely a step beyond that.

He wandered through the house, finding a basement, two bedrooms, a bathroom and an attic, but he wasn't able to get into the space. As he made his way into the kitchen, Ivan turned, dark circles beneath his eyes. "I know this isn't what you're used to, but please bear with it for now."

"Bear, where's Kumajirou?" Mattie asked and Ivan frowned.

"With your brother. He's probably still asleep now. The people on the plane thought he was a plush, so they didn't hassle too much over it." Ivan said as he tossed something into a large stock pot. Mattie wasn't sure what it was, but it left blood red trails across the knife and cutting board. He stared in shock and horror for a moment before Ivan turned and sat down, taking what time he could to recover from the long drive. "I have some clothes that should fit you in the bedroom I've made up for you. You must never open the windows and never try to get out. It's important you realize this, Canada. It's not a rule to be broken and I'd hate to have to punish you." He stated with his eyes flat as could be, telling the other he was dead serious.

For the first time since he'd woken up, Mattie was afraid.

"Alright." He spoke in a dead quiet voice, but Ivan's eyes shifted down, a slight indicator he'd been heard. He knew the first chance he had, he would break down the door. He had to escape.

They ate and Mattie, still recovering from his drugging, fell back asleep at the table.

He woke in a bed and sat up, feeling remarkably better. He stood up and stumbled from the room, making his way to the bathroom he'd found the day before. He stumbled back downstairs, finding Ivan sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the television. "Dobroye utro. Breakfast is on the table." He spoke softly and Mattie nodded, sliding past, feeling goose pimples break out across his arms at the dead stare of the other man. He looked furious. His eyes seemed to latch to Canada the instant he saw him and he didn't, even for the blink of an eye, look away. Mattie sat down at the table, unsure of what in the hell was on the plate before him. He took a fork and took a bite, and after deciding it wasn't bad, he went ahead and ate. It tasted like pancakes, but it felt heavier on his stomach. Instead of the maple he was used to, it was doused in honey. He finished and cleaned the plate, finding the sink void of other dishes and made his way back to the living room. "I suggest we learn to get along while we're here." Ivan sighed, looking over, a little worry creeping into his own eyes as he watched Mattie.

"Russia, you kidnapped me, locked me into this house and chained the door and windows. You drugged me and threatened me with punishment if I try to escape. What on earth makes you think I'll try to get along with you?" His words were soft and as non threatening as he could make them, but Russia seemed furious. He stood, his hands clenched at his sides before he spoke.

"If that's how you see it, then I guess this is going to be very hard for us." Ivan's voice was much darker than Mattie was used to and honestly, Mattie wanted nothing more than to pull his feet up onto the chair and curl up into a ball. Ivan walked to the kitchen and Mattie stared, seeing the broad back leave the room before his muscles started to relax. How in the hell could another nation put so much fear into him?! It wasn't rational! He sat and stared at the television for a while. He eventually felt his arms and legs ache at the lack of movement and figured as long as he was there, he might as well start working out. He did so every day, well, except yesterday, but that wasn't his fault. He got through his second rotation before he felt eyes on him and dropped, looking around to find no one there.

"Hello?" He asked and looked around, surprised to hear a crash from the kitchen as Ivan ran in and looked around.

"Did you see anybody? Was someone here?!" He panicked, looking at the windows and over the walls, his paranoia causing Mattie to panic worse.

"No, I just felt like someone was watching me." He whimpered, seeing Ivan's eyes narrow as he looked around.

"If it keeps happening, tell me." Ivan growled out as he turned back to the kitchen.

Mattie stared at the doorway, suddenly terrified. Why was Russia acting like this? What had he gotten himself wrapped up in? He continued his workout, but when he felt the eyes on him again, he ignored it.

It had been a week since Ivan had brought Mattie here. He fell asleep last and woke up first every morning. He looked angry or tired all the time and Mattie had to wonder if he'd even slept at all.

Maybe this is why he seemed insane half of the time, if he wasn't sleeping properly.

The train of thought continued all day. After the sun had set Ivan sighed, looking up. "I have to go to the store. Is there anything you want?"

"Maple and beer." Mattie spoke softly.

"That should be fine." Ivan spoke as he stood. "I'm not just kidnapping you, you know. I do have a reason. I wish you'd trust me a little more." Ivan spoke, his tone sad and Mattie glared at him.

"I have no reason to trust you. If there's a reason, you haven't told me what it is." Mattie growled out, his nerves well beyond frayed at this point and Ivan sighed.

"I can't tell you. I'm sorry." Ivan spoke softly, his eyes showing anguish.

"Then you're either a kidnapper or a coward!" Mattie stood and Ivan winced at the words.

"I'm a coward, then. At least that I can live with." He turned away, leaving the room and snuck into his bedroom. Mattie couldn't figure out for the life of him, why when he heard the other's cries, he felt guilty.

When Mattie woke the next morning he sat up and glared at the door.

Today. He'd given up. He had to escape, and since Ivan didn't seem to sleep, he'd have to fight his way out. He stood and walked down the hallway, into the living room and found Ivan curled up on the couch, watching him with sad eyes.

"The maple's on the table, and the beer is in the fridge." He nearly whispered and Mattie stared, his anger bubbling. He'd gone out. There had been a chance to escape and he'd slept through it. He rushed forward, his fingers finding their way around Ivan's throat with enough force to push the couch onto it's back and Ivan's head met hard against the floor.

He was bleeding, but he was unconscious. That's all Mattie was worried about. He searched his pockets, but didn't find the keys for the car he knew had brought him here, but he could walk. As long as he could escape, he didn't care how. He ran over to the door and kicked hard four or five times, breaking the wood away, showing the iron reinforcement bars, and just kept kicking til that too broke away. He stepped out into the bitter cold and turned back, seeing his coat hanging by the door. He tossed it on before running down the roadway.

All this time, he hadn't realized the television shows that had been on nearly the whole time were in English. He stared at the distant horizon, seeing Big Ben and laughed. He ran forward, finally finding his way to Arthur's house and knocked hard. He turned, seeing a few people pass him on the street before the door was opened and Arthur stared at him in shock for a second before he reached out and grasped his shoulder, dragging him into the house.

"Matthew, what in the hell are you doing here?" He swallowed hard, looking out from the front window. "Were you followed? Where's Ivan?" He ranted and after realizing Mattie was frozen in shock he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell, calling Ivan's phone.

It answered, but he heard a groan before the words came out.

"Braginsky."

"Ivan, where in the hell are you?!" Arthur yelled, seeing Mattie tear up at the realization Arthur didn't want to see him.

"Waking up in a pool of my own blood. Matvey has some strength in him." He heard the dark chuckle over the phone and Arthur sighed.

"If this is too much for you-"

"No, I'll come and retrieve him immediately. I'll have to go somewhere else now, though. There's no saying if he was spotted."

"Agreed. I'm sorry about this." Arthur sighed and Ivan let out a friendly hum before hanging up.

"With what's going on, you seriously left Ivan's side to rush here to me? I can't protect you as well as he can, Matthew."

"Protect me from what?" Mattie cried out. "He won't tell me what's happening! I escaped because I thought he'd kidnapped me! What in the hell was I supposed to think?!" He sobbed and Arthur stared in surprise.

"We got a note last week. There's a police department dealing with a serial killer in town right now. This guy's sent in four pictures and within a month each one was dead. They sent in a fifth image two weeks ago. You're the new target. I sent you with Ivan to save you! I was the guard for the last one, Matthew. I wasn't able to help him." Arthur grasped his shoulders. "You're my son!" Arthur cried out. "I had to put away my pride and do whatever I could do to save you! Ivan's the strongest man on the planet, the only one I know can help you! Please, don't leave his side again!" He sobbed, wrapping his arms over Mattie's shoulders.

"He really was trying to help me, and I tried to kill him in return..." Mattie felt his bottom lip quiver as tears came to his eyes. "He wouldn't tell me! How was I supposed to know?!" He grasped Arthur back.

"Don't leave his side this time, alright?" Arthur grasped him, looking him in the eye and Mattie nodded, trying to wipe away the tears. It was only ten minutes til Ivan got there and Mattie met him with more tears.

"Why didn't you just tell me what was happening?" Mattie asked him once they'd gotten into the car.

"You seem very sensitive. Something like this, I was afraid it would hurt you." Ivan spoke softly. Mattie realized he was doing it to try and lessen the burden on himself and groaned, slamming his face into his hands.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I've been a target like this before, it wouldn't break me, you know. I fought beside you in World War II. I helped Arthur burn down America's capital. I do have some strength, you know."

"I know. I remember it all, Matvey." Ivan spoke softly, the corner of his mouth tilting up. "Instead of locking ourselves away in an old cabin, let's go lock ourselves away somewhere warmer, Da?"

"Yeah. That sounds nice, eh." Mattie sat back. He still felt guilty, but he understood it wasn't his fault that this misunderstanding had happened.

Ivan had to trust him. They had to learn to trust each other. He glanced over, seeing a drunken haze over Ivan's face and frowned.

"Are you drunk?"

"Concussed." Ivan corrected and Mattie winced again.

"Maybe I should drive. And maybe we should head to the hospital. Can't have you dying if you're supposed to be my guard, after all." Mattie spoke and Ivan shook his head.

"I'll repair it on the plane. We can't stop in case you were seen." Ivan sighed and Mattie nodded.

"At least let me drive."

"That makes you more visible as a target. I cannot allow that." Ivan spoke softly and Mattie frowned, looking forward for any sign that they were having trouble.

It wasn't long til they were on the plane and Ivan instructed the people at the gate to move his car to the green suite.

A long term parking area for government diplomats.

They wandered in and the woman behind the counter smiled as she looked at the two.

"Are there any planes leaving that only have two seats available?" Ivan asked and the woman stared before looking over her computer.

"No, I'm sorry. We have a plane leaving for America that has four seats, if that would work."

"No." Ivan frowned. "We'll need a private plane with an undisclosed flight path." Ivan spoke as he slid his passport across the counter and the woman stared in surprise for a moment.

A red covered passport was something she didn't see every day, but as an airline worker, she'd always been told the same thing.

Run to your manager immediately.

She returned with the woman a few minutes later who looked down at the passport with interest before looking up at Ivan and Mattie with a frown.

"You're not Arthur Kirkland."

"Нет. I am Ivan Braginsky, and this is Matthew Williams." Ivan spoke and prodded Mattie to put his passport down, knowing like himself, he always carried it on him. Mattie slid his passport across and the woman looked up with shock.

"Two..." She mumbled in surprise before shaking her head.

"Right this way, sirs." He stepped away, showing them the way to their next area.