Tumblr prompt: (i-should-be-writing-my-book) "Russia and Canada"
Three things
After Arctic Council meetings three things happen:
First the Nordic nations leave together. That's fine, they're an understood unit anyway. Matthew doesn't mind.
Second Alfred dials whoever his newest interest is: girlfriend, video game partner, boyfriend, baseball player, whatever this week's fancy is. That's fine, his brother has always been like that and it makes the American happy. Matthew doesn't mind.
Third Ivan sits at the desk quietly, shuffling his papers and lining up their edges with such precision that Matthew recognizes the signs. And that's not fine because Ivan isn't that bad of a guy, not anymore really, and Matthew does mind this.
Today, he decides, today he's going to do something. He marches up to the Russian who raises his face, eyes shining hopefully, ever-present grin becoming a little more genuine. "Hello Matthew," he says with his thick accent in French.
"You shouldn't have to be alone!" the Canadian blurts out in one quick go in English, Ivan staring at him in confusion before finally discerning the words.
His smile falls a little.
"That is quite alright," he continues in French. "I am used to it by now."
"Do you want to go to the museum?" That one comes out in a jumble of Canadian French that would make Francis cringe.
Ivan's smile grows.
"Lead the way." He never asks what kind of museum.