Ivan woke up to the sounds of his alarm clock. He swiftly got up from his warm bed to freshen himself up for his long work day at the studio. He appeared to be somewhat sleepy. In an attempt to be alert, he would take a hot shower. Even in the middle of his daily routine, he couldn't stop thinking of Matthew. He was still sceptical about his claim that he was a spirit.
When he was dressed, he headed down to his living room. He paused for a moment to scan his surroundings. His mouth formed a small frown at the no-show spirit.
He went to turn on his TV and dashed to the kitchen to fixed up some breakfast.
The daily news channel started to run.
"In other news, there has been a victim that succumbed to the terror of organ trafficking," said the blond newswoman. She was displeased at the sight and she continued, "It was a small little boy named Peter who was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago because of a rare heart disease.
"We now go live to Hetalia Hospital to speak to Inspector Arthur Kirkland for information."
The TV now showed another newscaster asking questions about what had happened.
"So far, we have only concluded that this is happening at this hospital and we have no leads on who would do this," Arthur stated briefly. The newscaster nodded and paused, waiting for Inspector to continue.
"Fortunately, the boy lives but he is now in a coma. His liver has been taken." Arthur's expression was neutral but the newscaster could see his distress. "We are going through protocol to ask some questions and seek information though the staff and patients of this hospital."
"Thanks so much for your cooperation," the newscaster said before declaring that the channel was going on a small commercial break.
Ivan turned off the TV to think about what he had heard. This horrendous crime was still going on and it was disheartening to hear about the boy's unfortunate fate. The Russian checked his watch to see that he going to be late if he didn't prep for his show.
When Ivan reached his destination, he was was greeted by his three assistants: Eduard, Raivis and Toris. Toris was his personal assistant, and he was the one who managed all his dates and schedule. Eduard was the technical manager behind the studio, making sure all the channels ran smoothly without any difficulties. Raivis was his spot boy/intern. He simply did all the work that Ivan did not want to do.
All three of them started to speak simultaneously, making it much harder to understand what was going on.
"Ivan, there is a problem! Apparently the show's guest cancelled on us without any explanation!" Toris said in a panic.
Raivis had forgotten to bring his coffee and was apologizing excessively while Eduard was speaking technical jargon, somehow explaining that the broadcast wasn't receiving the signal or something. Ivan didn't understand it but he was getting a headache hearing them.
He simply raised his hand to signal the trio to stop talking and it worked.
"Da...what is the problem? One at a time," Ivan ordered. Once he understood, he easily dealt with all the issues.
"Toris, go and find another person to interview...It can be the Ukrainian women again." Toris was hesitant at first about agreeing to the idea, but Ivan had an idea to make the show interesting. He would make some phone calls.
"Eduard, call technical services to help you get the signal running." The geek nodded and rushed to complete his job.
"You get my coffee, tall and black with no sugar. Don't mess it up," Ivan ordered, and the youngster cried in gratitude. "Pick up my dry cleaning while you're at it."
Ivan was glad it was over until he saw someone watching the scene.
Matthew gave him a small smile and walked towards him. Ivan blinked twice to make sure that he was actually seeing him and not dreaming.
"What are you doing here?" he spat out, and it caught the attention of the people on set. They all stared at him, wondering why was he speaking to thin air.
"I'm here to prove to you that I'm a ghost," Canada explained sweetly, but his eyes had a mischievous glint. Ivan picked up on it but played it cool with disguised interest.
"Da, and how will you do that?" the star host asked. "If you are what you say, how will you prove it?"
Canada was about to speak when another person entered the room.
It was the producer. The albino did his signature laugh.
"Ivan, why the hell are you speaking to yourself?" Gilbert chuckled. "Did you have too much vodka?"
"One can never have too much of Russian water," Ivan said. "I'm not talking to myself, I'm speaking to Matt—Matvey." He didn't know why he tried to protect his identity but he thought of the nickname on the spot.
"Ohhhh, I see," the albino said in mock seriousness. "Hello there..." He jokily waved and Ivan growled.
"I'm not lying!"
"Sure, and I'm the personification of Prussia," Gilbert teased, and Matthew couldn't control his giggles.
Ivan glared at the younger male, but it only made his situation more hilarious.
The rest of the crew members couldn't stop watching. Some were laughing while some snickered, adding their commentary.
When Matthew stopped laughing, he vanished. Ivan only saw the smirk on his face just before he disappeared.
"Bastard," the Russian man muttered under his breath. Just what he needed; now his co-workers thought he was a nutcase, as if the vodka and the strange fascination with sunflowers weren't enough.
"Anyway...I know a guy, from another guy whose brother's friend is a shrink, some korean dude who can—"
"Nyet," Ivan growled, and he proceeded to ignore his producer to go to his private room to be alone and to get the eyes off his back.
He was pissed at what had happened back there...but he couldn't believe how far he had gone and made himself a fool.
He sighed quietly and had to accept that Matthew was a ghost. He rationalized that it would be highly unlikely for Gilbert to put in enough effort to get the entire studio to pretend Matthew wasn't a real person.
Ivan recalled his last conversation with the albino when he had claimed that he had not hired him, so he was not an actor.
"It's like he exists only for me," Ivan said to himself while he looked at the mirror to contain his shock.
Matthew had reappeared a few moments earlier after hearing the star admit that he was wrong to not believe him and that made him smile.
"I'm sorry about doing that...I had no other way to convince you," Matthew apologized.
Ivan regained his compose after having said something quite embarrassing. "Da...I believe you, but now I'm wondering why is it that only I can see you?"
Matthew was unable to answer that question, but he decided to look down as if he was unsure of what to say.
Ivan went closer to ask, but was interrupted when he heard a knock on his door.
Toris announced that the show would begin soon and that luckily they had found their replacement guest.
"Da, I will come in a second." Ivan never glanced back, his eyes still on Matthew.
Matthew changed the subject and asked him, "Why did you call me Matvey? My name is Matthew."
Ivan simply answered, "It seemed to work...But I like it."
Matthew sighed at the roundabout answer but blushed slightly at the nickname. He assumed it was a Russian equivalent of his actual name.
"You must go now...or else someone will think you're acting crazy again," the Canadian teased. Ivan grinned as he left, a part of him hoping that he was still around. He was now curious about who Matvey was and how he had become a ghost.
He was tired of being alone and was glad for new companion. He had an inkling that this would be an interesting experience for him.
Meanwhile at Hetalia Hospital
A man in his thirties was sitting beside a patient and firmly grasping his hands.
His face was filled with sorrow and his eyes were slightly red, indicating that he had cried some time before. He whispered softly, "It is okay...you will come back to me, mon lapin." His grip tightened. "You are strong-willed and I have faith that you will come back."
There was a knock on the door and the man looked up to see a German appear.
"Doctor, how is it? Will Matthew come back?" The German known as Ludwig paused before answering, "We ran some tests and it seems that he might not make it...I have concluded that he is now in a coma."
Francis, shocked and enraged, shouted, "What...But—"
The doctor interrupted him to further clarify the problem. "Mr. Bonnefoy...I understand your situation, but you must understand the possibility that he may—"
"Don't you dare say it," the Frenchman growled, but Ludwig continued to speak.
"Its very rare for coma patients to awaken...unless a miracle happens," the doctor said while carefully slipping a paper into Francis's hands.
"I don't want it now, but when you change your mind," Ludwig said, and he dismissed himself to leave the other man alone with his thoughts.
Francis stayed silent, choosing instead to look at his now comatose son.
Owari
A'N: Guess who's back? I'm not on hiatus no more. If anyone who reads Taking Lessons yet , please do so! Thanks for those who reviewed my author notes and gave me encouraging words. Thanks again for all the love and support. I received fanart for Taking Lessons so check my profile to see it. If anyone is interested to draw feel free to just PM me okay? (It can be any of my ruscan fics).
Reviews greatly appreciated !