The day of the conference had finally come. All the nations were arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport, and Matthew was waiting for them with his team of officials and security officers. He welcomed each country individually, and introduced himself to them as Canada.. in case any of them forgot. Which did happen.. alot. He ducked just in time as Cuba tried to punch him in the face.
"It's me, Mr Cuba! I'm Canada!"
Cuba blinked at him and rubbed his eyes. Then he laughed and slapped Matthew over the back. "I'm sorry, Canada! I thought you were -"
"America. I know." Matthew sighed. He had thought growing his hair out would have helped him be more easily distinguishable from his brother, but apparently it hadn't. "If you'll just follow this lady here, she'll take you to your transportation."
Cuba eyed the cute woman who was motioning for him to follow her. He wandered off after her, and Matthew turned to greet the next countries.
Iceland, Ukraine, Austria, South Korea.. Italy came arm in arm with Germany through the gate. Spain, Norway, Finland, France.. Matthew hugged his papa hello.
"Father England is waiting for you in a limousine outside, Papa."
Francis pinched Matthew's cheek, then kissed it before moving off towards the exit.
Brazil, The Netherlands, Japan, China.. America had arrived yesterday and had spent the night at Matthew's house again. He was already waiting at the Tower. But.. where was Russia?
Peru, Mexico, India, The Philippines, Denmark, Greece..
The little Canadian was starting to worry. Maybe something had gone terribly wrong with the plans for the Olympics and the Russian wouldn't be able to make it? Matthew pulled his cellphone from his pocket and checked it to see if there were any messages. There weren't. He gazed back at the gate again.. and then there was Ivan, tall and imposing, walking towards him. A terrified airport attendant was carrying the Russian's luggage, trailing along behind.
"Matvey." Ivan smiled, and Matthew hurried into a bear hug that lifted him right up off the floor. He wrapped his arms tightly around the Russian's neck and closed his eyes, breathing in his scent.
How he'd missed Ivan! These long periods in between the meetings were getting to be too much.. and Matthew knew it would get worse before it got better. With the Olympics only weeks away, Canada knew he'd hardly get to spend any time with Russia at all. They'd already discussed taking a long vacation together once it was all over and done with. A nice trip to someplace warm.
Ivan bent to kiss him softly on the lips.
"Are you ready, little one?" The Russian reluctantly set the Canadian back down on the ground, then looked him over. Matthew smiled, stepping back and allowing himself to be admired. He was dressed in his smartest black suit and his hair was neatly tied back with the red ribbon. On his lapel was a single red maple leaf pin. Matthew thought he looked dashing.. leaderlike. Nevermind that Alfred told him that morning that he looked just SO adorable.
"I think I'm ready. I'm nervous tho.. what if I forget what to say?"
Ivan took Matthew's arm and headed towards the exit. The airport attendant followed along behind nervously, still hauling the Russian's luggage.
"You will do fine if you relax. Keep mind calm."
Their limousine was parked outside the doors along with about a dozen others. Each car had various flags on them, sticking up from their hoods, indicating which country was to ride inside. Their car had two flags on it, Canada and Russia. Ivan opened the door to let Matthew duck inside first. He followed after, and the limo driver shut the door behind them.
Once they were seated in the privacy of the car, the Russian pulled Matthew close and kissed his lips a little more thoroughly. The little Canadian sighed, melting into Ivan's warm embrace. He felt his worries easing away, if only for the moment. He had a long day ahead of him, but at least for the duration of the limo ride to the CN Tower he could relax and enjoy his lovers attentions.
The CN Tower had been cleared of tourists for the day. The staff were only allowing the visiting nations to enter the structure and take the elevators to the top where the conference was to be held. Canada's mounted police kept curious onlookers at bay and directed the nations from their limousines and then inside. At the top was the meeting room. The conference was scheduled to begin at 9AM. There would be a short break at 11AM, and then the meeting would run until 1PM in the afternoon when lunch would be served. After lunch the conference would resume, and would not end until all nations had said their piece and all the world's problems had been properly discussed. Depending on who might have alot to say, sometimes the meetings could last well into the evening hours. Matthew hoped today's conference would be short.
As the host country, Canada was expected to lead the meeting. He was to dictate who's turn it was to speak, and control any arguments that might arise. This was something the little blond was not sure he could do. It was at Ivan's encouragement that he'd asked for the meeting to be held here in the first place, but now, looking at the room full of nations, he felt his stomach going down into his shoes.
'It is good for Canada to have conference,' Ivan had said to him, 'Stand proud and show them who you are.'
America would never have suggested he try something like this.. but with Russia now at his side, Matthew knew it was time to make a difference in how the world saw him. But still.. he never was good at public speaking outside of his own country..
"M-maple.." Matthew whispered to himself as he peeked inside the crowded conference room. All the nations were seated with their nameplates in front of them. They were chattering amoungst themselves, and sipping at the coffee that had been served. The seating had been carefully arranged so that every nation had their place and no nation that didn't like another nation had to sit close by. The table in the centre of the room was reserved for the host country and his closest allies. In the middle was the empty spot Canada would be occupying whenever he worked up the nerve to go in. To the left sat his brother, America, who was stretched out over his chair with his head leaned back and his arms behind his neck. He looked as tho he were snoozing. To the right was Russia. Ivan was sitting straight and attentive, his smile in place and his documents neatly stacked in front of him. Subtle twitches in the Russian's face told Matthew that Ivan was highly annoyed with America sitting so close. Canada felt bad to put him there, but Alfred was still his brother and closest friend. America and Canada would always stand together.
The clock ticked. It was 8:57. Three minutes and counting until he was due at his table to start the meeting. Matthew swallowed at a lump of nerves in his throat that refused to go away. He really should be sitting at his table now, organizing his notes. But his feet wouldn't budge. He felt glued to the floor.
He chewed his bottom lip. Ivan was looking around the room for him now. He wanted to duck back before he was spotted but.. he couldn't move. Then the Russian's violet eyes found him. Matthew gave him a weak expression that said, 'I can't do this'. Ivan discreetly crooked his finger in a 'come here' motion, and Matthew suddenly found he could walk. Obeying his lover was always more important than anything else that might be on the little blond's worry list.
The chattering didn't stop as he entered the room and headed for his table. He was momentarily grateful to any gods that might be above that at that moment he was invisible. He took his seat between Russia and America and checked his watch. 8:59. It was time to call the meeting to order.
He felt a soft squeeze on his thigh. He gazed at Russia, looking for his strength. Ivan smiled back at him. A real smile. Matthew felt a nudge in his side and turned to look at America. Alfred was sitting up at attention now, grinning at him. The American gave him a 'thumbs up'.
Matthew drew in his courage and got to his feet. He cleared his throat.
"I'd like to call this meeting to order."
To his surprise his normally soft, gentle voice was strong. It carried around the room. The chattering died down, and all eyes were on him. He felt nervousness creeping up along his spine but he willed the feeling away.
"On behalf of myself, and my allies, Russia and America, I'd like to thank you all for joining us here in Canada."
He'd practiced these words hundreds, no, thousands of times, with Ivan over the phone. He'd practiced with Alfred in person, tho his brother always seemed more interested in playing games.. or trying to feel him up.. to be overly helpful. Even Papa France had pitched in to help him when he'd come to visit a couple weeks ago.
His voice remained strong as he went over the meetings itinerary. He watched as the nations began to take notes. He picked up his own notes and read aloud the points from the last conference that had been discussed. Then he opened the floor and welcomed the nations to begin speaking, beginning with Germany.
Once the meeting was well underway with discussion, Matthew sat down. The tension of public speaking had held back the trembles, but they came now, in full force. He shivered hard, his nerves overtaking him. Russia reached for his hand under the table and took it, lacing their fingers together and squeezed. Matthew felt his shivering start to ease.
Everything was going well. The meeting conducted itself for the first hour and a half in a very civilized manner. The nations discussed their ideas, plans, and current events. Russia was one of the main focuses' of attention. He had dozens of questions to answer regarding the safety and well being of all the Olympians who would soon be in his country. Matthew remembered four years ago, in 2010, when many of those same questions had been directed at HIM. But he thought the questions coming at Ivan were a little harsher in tone, a little more suspicious. No one quite trusted Russia. The little Canadian worried Ivan would begin to lose his temper.. but he handled it well. Matthew could see he'd prepared himself for this. He'd expected it.
An argument broke out.
Two countries began disagreeing on where their teams would be staying in Olympic village. They were too close together. They wanted to be further apart. Russia calmly stated that arrangements could be changed, this county could be closer to that country instead.. but the suggestion only fired up another nation. The disagreement grew deeper. A shouting match began.
Matthew's eyes were wide and he looked from America to Russia. Ivan was shuffling through his papers, clearly looking for a solution to the problem. Alfred tilted his head, motioning that it was time for Canada to stand up and end the argument before it got out of hand.
Matthew slowly got to his feet. He was trembling again. The anger in the room was too much. It always terrified him when the other nations were angry and shouting. He felt like hiding, as he normally would, but this was his conference. He had to do something.
He cleared his throat.
"Um.. e-excuse me.." his voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "If e-everone could.. j-just.. c-calm down.."
No one heard him. One nation was slamming their fist into their table and threatening to leave.
"Please.. t-there's no n-need to.."
Another nation threw their arms into the air, shouting insults in both English and in their own language.
"I.. I... t-think we all j-just need.. to.. to.. " If it was possible, Matthew's voice was even more quiet. He felt the world crashing in around him as the conference fell into total chaos. Shouts and insults filled the room.
"EVERYONE. SHUT. UP."
As if someone had taken a remote and hit the 'pause' button, the noise and commotion in the room instantly stopped.
Russia was on his feet. Matthew stepped back and tripped, falling into his chair. Ivan was a huge and angry mountain before him. Violet eyes were glaring, fixating on each and every nation that had been involved in the fight. When he spoke his voice was not the same, gentle, sweet tone everyone was so accustomed to hearing him use. It was low and dark, full of menace and authority.
"We break for twenty minutes. Excuse yourself from room, and do not return until you are ready to speak in civilized manner."
No one argued with Russia. Chairs scuffed against the floors as the nations got to their feet and began filing out of the room. Ivan closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. When he opened them and looked for Canada.. he saw that the little blond was already gone.
Matthew was as far away from the conference room as he could possibly get.. which wasn't very far, considering it was at the top of the CN Tower. The top was nothing more than a large, round structure. There were windows all the way around so you could see the whole of the city of Toronto, but even the aerial view of his beloved city did nothing to calm the little Canadian down. He leaned his forehead against a window, his shoulders slumped and his eyes tightly closed against the tears that were threatening to come.
Why did he ever think this was a good idea? He should have told Ivan no. Matthew couldn't control a crowd of angry nations. He was too shy. He was useless when it came to world politics. He much prefered to just sit quietly in a meeting and wait patiently to see if there was a chance for him to say something. Not that he ever really had anything he wanted to say..
He sniffled. "I wish Kuma were here.." He'd left the little bear back in Ottawa.
"You wish for polar bear over me?"
Matthew jumped, startled, and spun around. Ivan was there, smiling at him. The Russian opened his arms and the little Canadian automatically went into them. Canada hid his face in the Russian's chest.
"It's alright." Ivan said quietly, rubbing Matthew's back as he began to cry. Canada shook his head, his hair coming loose from it's tie. He clutched at Ivan's jacket.
"It's not alright. It's a total disaster! Everyone was fighting and I couldn't make them stop.."
He lifted his shamed, sorrowful blue-violet eyes up at Ivan. Tears rolled down his cheeks. The Russian brushed them away.
"Fighting at conference is normal, Matvey. You know this."
"But I'm supposed to be able to make it stop. I have to tell them to shut up like you did.. or start yelling like Mr Germany always does."
It was Ivan's turn to shake his head. He chuckled.
"I do not think yelling is little Canada's style." He tilted Matthew's chin up and kissed him softly. "You need.. different method."
"How do you do it?" Matthew sniffled, feeling hopeless. "How do you stand up and speak in front of everyone without feeling nervous?"
Ivan's face grew pensive, lost momentarily in thought.
"I imagine them on ground, begging for lives. They have bruises.. deep cuts and bleeding faces."
Matthew's stared up at the Russian in utter shock. His mouth hung open and he couldn't speak. He was sorry he'd asked. Ivan chuckled at the look on Matthew's face. He turned the little Canadian around and pulled the ribbon loose from his hair. He began using his fingers to comb the messy strands back into place.
"But perhaps this is not good method for Canada either. I think maybe.. you picture them with hockey stick."
"Hockey.. stick..?" The little blond said with confusion. He was still having trouble getting Russia's violent description out of his mind. Ivan's fingers deftly worked through his hair, untangling knots and taming stray curls.
"Da. They are playing game. You are referee. They start to fight over puck, who tripped who, who hit with stick. You come and make them play fair."
The Russian tied Matthew's ribbon back into place and pulled the little Canadian back against his chest. Matthew was silent as he thought about Ivan's suggestion. Picture the meeting as a hockey game and everyone as players. He would be the referee, there to make sure everyone played fairly.
"I.. dunno.. maybe it's a little silly?"
Ivan leaned down and began to kiss at Matthew's neck. The little blond sighed and leaned his head to the side, allowing the larger man access. The Russian's teeth grazed his skin, nipping gently and sucking.
"Matvey could picture this instead.." Ivan nestled his mouth close to Canada's ear and whispered something deliciously naughty. Matthew felt his cheeks turning dark with flush. His felt his pants getting tight. He pulled himself away from the Russian's embrace and put his hands up.
"No, no! Hockey is fine. Hockey is good! I'll picture everyone as hockey players."
Picturing hockey wouldn't mean he was standing in front of the entire world with a noticeable 'problem' down below.
Ivan laughed at the expression of embarrassment on Matthew's face. After a moment, Matthew began to laugh too.
"Hey! Mattie!" It was Alfred. He'd appeared around the corner, impatiently tapping his foot and looking at his watch. "It's time to go back to the meeting, bro. You'd better hurry up. And bring your big dumb boyfriend along too, ok? He's got more shit to answer about Sochi."
Matthew felt Ivan stiffen beside him. He grabbed the Russian's wrist before the larger man could stalk off in pursuit of his brother. He cringed when, for a brief moment, Ivan whirled around and looked as tho he might take out his temper on Canada instead.. but then the Russian took a deep breath and visibly calmed down. He placed a hand at Matthew's back and steered him towards the conference room.
The rest of the meeting went much more smoothly. Matthew did as Ivan suggested and pictured the conference and all the nations as a hockey game. Because of that he found it much easier to intervene whenever a disagreement began. His voice was steady and strong as he imagined himself dealing out penalties.. instead of directing a meeting. Russia finished answering questions about the Olympics, and everyone had their say. The next meeting was scheduled to take place in Japan, a month after the Winter games were finished.
When the conference was adjourned, the nations shuffled out to enjoy the rest of their day as they pleased. Some went to take the arranged tours around the city of Toronto. Some made arrangements to leave right away, having business to attend to at home. Some left to go to their hotels. Others opted to stay at the top of the tower to enjoy the view.
Matthew was helping Ivan pack up his documents. He was grinning, proud of himself for his accomplishment that day. He'd organized and led a world conference! Not just a G8 summit, but an entire world conference!
"I did it! Just like you said, eh? I got through the meeting like it was a hockey game! I can't believe I did it! I bet everyone will know who I am next time they see me! I did really good, didn't I? Maybe not as good as America but.. still! I did really good! Eh?"
"I am proud of my little Matvey." Russia smiled, tapping his papers against the table to straighten them before putting them away in a briefcase. Matthew tugged at the sleeve of his jacket, so excited. He was rather childish with all this chattering, but Ivan didn't mind. He was happy to see his little Canada coming out of his invisible shell.
"Hey, let's go to the glass floor!" Matthew suddenly suggested, "We can have our picture taken."
Ivan blinked and hesitated, his hands stopped midway from doing up the clasps on the briefcase. Matthew didn't notice the hesitation tho, and only tugged again, giving the Russian his best, most wide-eyed puppy look. He clasped his hands together. "Please?"
The Russian gazed down at him.. then slowly nodded. "Da."
The glass floor of the CN Tower was two and a half inches thick. Large multiple panels gave a straight down view the ground below the tower. It was so high up that if anyone plunged through the glass they would surely fall to their deaths.. but the Tower claimed the glass floor could hold the weight of 14 hippos together. In spite of all this.. Canada found he was having a hard time convincing Ivan that it could hold the weight of a single Russian.
Ivan was standing at the edge of the glass floor, with an expression on his face that Matthew rarely saw in him. Fear.
Other nations were out on the floor. Some were gazing downwards. Some, like America and Japan, were laying down together on it. Alfred was chattering on about something and Japan was listening silently. Neither were the least bit afraid.
Matthew was standing halfway out onto the glass. He gave a little hop to show Ivan that it was ok. "See? It wont break. It's alright." The little Canadian smiled. He held out his hand for Russia to take.
"Matvey is much lighter than I." Ivan took the little blond's hand. He took a very nervous, tentative step out onto the glass. He couldn't look down.
"Mr Germany isn't much lighter than you. Look, see? He's doing ok." Matthew motioned to where Germany had just stepped onto the glass. Italy, of course, was with him. The smaller nation looked so amused by the glass floor that he started jumping up and down, saying 'Ve' every time.
The Russian quickly stepped back to the normal concrete floor. Matthew pouted. He was about to apologize for not having realized that this might not have been a good idea when America piped up from behind him.
"Ha ha ha! So mighty Russia is afraid of heights, huh?" Alfred laughed. He grabbed his little brother around the middle and dragged him out further onto the glass, away from Ivan. "Come and try and get Canada now, commie!"
Matthew inwardly groaned at his brothers actions. America was starting yet another situation to try and piss the Russian off. Why did he always do this?
"Al.. stop being stupid." He said quietly, watching as his lovers face grew dark. He knew it wouldn't take much to spark another ragefit from the Russian. America ignored him. He was wrapped up into a tight hug and hands began to roam over his chest and back.
"America the hero has saved Canada from the evil clutches of Russia once again!" Alfred drawled on, laughing. The taller blonds eyes were set squarely on Ivan, enjoying the way the Russian had begun to seeth and stalk at the corner of the glass like an angry bear trapped in a cage. He still would not step out tho.
Matthew squeaked when his brother's hand came to a rest on his bottom. He pushed the hand away, but America only laughed and leaned down to kiss his cheek. The little Canadian could see Japan out of the corner of his eye. The dark haired man was watching the scene with a slightly saddened expression in his eyes. America was still laughing and Ivan had begun to curse out threats in Russian.
Ok, that was it. Matthew had had quite enough of this nonsense. He knew his brother thought this all was just a joke, but Alfred had brought this onto himself.
Canada grabbed America's shoulders and gave him a hard shove. At the same time he hooked his ankle through Alfred's legs, sending him tripping forward... right to within Ivan's grasp. The Russian fisted the front of Alfred's jacket and dragged him up. Angry violet eyes glared down into icy blues that were now wide with surprise. Then fear.
"H-Hey, Russia-! I.. I.. uh.. was just kidding..?" Alfred tried to give his usual, cheeky grin.
Ivan smiled as he held the American in place with one fist, then pulled his other fist back.. and punched the American hard enough to send him clear across the glass floor. Alfred went 'smuck' right into Italy who was still jumping on the glass. The two tumbled to the floor together at Germany's feet.
Ivan cracked his knuckles, rolled his shoulder, and turned to walk away.
Matthew watched to make sure Japan was going to tend to his brother, who was now holding his bleeding mouth and spitting out expletives about stupid commie bastards. The little Canadian sighed, then hurried off to catch up with his Russian.
He took Ivan's arm and they headed for the elevators. As they waited to go down, he snuggled against Ivan's side. The Russian's arm rested around his shoulders.
"Thank you for not killing him." Matthew said softly.
Ivan only smiled.
