Years pass and Matthew begins to see the fairies that follow Arthur around. He doesn't say anything since Alfred doesn't seem to see them and neither does Gilbert, so he keeps it to himself. Though one night after he is put to bed he wakes up to a nightmare. Instead of screaming and running or calling for help he curls into a tight little ball and hides under his covers and pillows, hands over his head and whimpering. One of the fairies, a petite blonde with long wavy hair held in pigtails and violet eyes, drifts down close to him and wriggles her way under the covers to illuminate Matthew's hiding place. When Matthew takes notice of her he stops whimpering and she smiles at him.

"There now you're safe." She reaches out and pats him on the head softly, as a mother would her child. The fairy continues to talk to him, answering questions he asks and telling him her name.

"Madeline is a pretty name."

She smiles and flits about in the small space. As Matthew begins to fight sleep she encourages him to lay down and relax. Eventually he does and comes out from under the covers. He is still scared though and asks Madeline to tell him a story. Smiling kindly she settles down onto his pillow and begins to tell him of a fairy named TinkerBell and the human boy she taught to fly. at the end of the story, and just before Matthew fell asleep, he drowsily asked if Madeline could ever teach him to fly. She hums and says she could try. By the next morning Matthew has forgotten his request but not his new fairy friend.

Matthew also continues to go to school like any other human child. He stays friends with Christine and they make a few other friends, though he keeps Madeline and the other fairies a secret. With his friends Matthew is able to improve his English and soon he is speaking it fluently. However this does not prevent the bullies from tormenting poor Matthew, but his friends are always there to defend him.

When Matthew reached the summer of his fifth grade year he begged his brother to take him with him to the world meeting. During the school year they had started studying Social Studies and Current Events. Matthew had been fascinated by these subjects and he was even more intrigued knowing his big brother was involved in them. So he wanted to go with his brother to see how much fun he had when he went to them, meeting all sorts of interesting people and all.

"No Mattie, you're too young to go."

"But Al." Matthew's voice picked up a whiny tone to it. "I really want to go though. You keep telling me I'm like you, so why can't I go. Arthur goes to these meetings and Gilbert used to go too."

"Wait how do you know Gilbert used to go...? Oh, nevermind. Listen its too dangerous, you can't go."

Matthew pouts and the two stare at each other for a while before Alfred sighs and rubs the back of his head. "Fine, you can come. But there are some rules you need to follow."

Matthew smiles and nods, waiting for Alfred to continue.

"Rule one: Don't be alone with anyone but Arthur, Gilbert and myself. Rule two: These meetings are like school, so take notes on what is said and raise your hand if you have a question or comment. Rule three: If I tell you to do something you listen. Understand?"

Nodding Matthew responds, "Yeah." He gives his brother a tight hug while smiling broadly.

With that decided Alfred takes Matthew out to find him a suit to wear and they easily find a few in his size. Alfred also gets Matthew a small briefcase to hold a notepad, pencil and pen. Those readied Alfred helped Matthew pack to go to the World Conference. He also called Gilbert and Arthur and told them about the change in plans and asked Gilbert to ask his brother if he could sit in on the meeting to help keep and eye on Matthew.

"I'll try, but I don't think he'll let me."

"Trying is good enough."

After talking with them Alfred called the Canadian Prime Minister to inform him.

"Do you really think he's ready?"

"No, but he does, so does it really matter?"

Silence is his answer.

"Look I'll still be there as his assistant." Here Alfred has to chuckle a bit, "When I told him I had a presentation I was going to be giving for him he got all huffy and demanded that he present it himself."

"Will he be making the presentation himself?"

"I figured it wouldn't hurt anything to let him, and I'll be right there if he needs any help."

"Alright, I suppose you have everything under control then. at some point this summer though I'd like you to bring him by Ottawa so he and I can chat and I can see how he's doing."

"Don't worry. I'll bring him by."

With all of that worked out Alfred got the last few things taken care of before bundling MAtthew into the car and heading for the airport so they could catch a plane to the Peace Palace where all world conferences were held. Matthew did well on the plane and was bouncing happily as they walked to their hotel near the building the meeting was held in.

While they were settling in Gilbert and Arthur came by the room to welcome Matthew to the meeting.

"Hey there little buddy. You enjoying yourself so far?"

Matthew giggles as Gilbert lifts him up onto his shoulder like he was a sack of potatoes. "Of course I am, Gil. This place is almost as awesome as you!"

"Keseses. That's why you're awesome Vogelchen." He swings Matthew around and sets him down.

"Alfred are you sure about this?"

"Everyone is asking me that. I'm sure he'll be fine, He wants to make his presentation."

Arthur gives Alfred a look that just screams 'Are you insane!'.

"Don't look at me like that. How often does anyone actually take these presentations seriously. Honestly sometimes I think all these meetings are good for is getting us all out of our bosses' hair for a week."

"Ugh, you have a point there. Still..."

"I'm going to be standing up there with him if he needs any help. So don't worry so much."

Arthur continued to grumble after that but the conversation ended there more or less. Once the brothers were settled into their room Gilbert suggested they go out to eat and the others agree. The evening is spent relaxing and preparing for the next day in which Matthew makes his debut as Canada.

That next day comes all too quickly for the three adults and one excited child. With the morning upon them Matthew wakes up bright and early before jumping on his big brother to wake him up.

"Alfred! Al! Alfie!" Matthew pouts as all his brother does is groan and pull the blankets more tightly around himself. Suddenly his face brightens as he decides to try something he had seen Arthur do once that had his brother jumping to attention. "America!" It was said in his loudest voice, which was pretty loud and could probably have rivaled Arthur's angry tone. As soon as the word left his mouth Alfred bolted up and looked around in startled confusion, with a slight amount of fear, knocking Matthew back into a roll off his lap and nearly off the bed. Matthew giggles at the tumble and gains his knees under him before grinning madly.

"Alfred!"

"Wha? Mattie? What's going on?"

"Today's the day. You said I could go with you to your meeting and make that presentation in front of everyone." Matthew starts to bounce in excitement.

Alfred groans and falls back onto his pillow. What happened to the quiet, shy and, most importantly, calm brother he remembered from before all of this happened. "Oof!" Alfred felt his brother jump on his stomach, straddling him now over the blankets. Glancing up reveals his brother frowning and a pout forming on his lips. "Fine, fine I'm up." Alfred watches as his brother smiles again and jumps off his stomach and to the floor before running around to get his clothes out for the meeting. Meanwhile Alfred slowly removed himself from the bed and headed for the shower. Just as he was going past the closet to head into the bathroom he felt a tug on his arm and looked down to see Matthew frowning up at him.

"You hung my clothes in the closet last night after Arthur ironed them. I can't reach."

"Oh right." Scratching the back of his neck Alfred reaches in and pulls down the hanger with Matthew's suit on it and hands it to him. "If you need any help with anything just wait for me to get out, ok?"

"Ok." Matthew takes off with the suit and begins to take off his pj's as Alfred goes into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

Alfred hurried through his shower before stepping out into the room in just a towel, his hair still slightly dripping from under a second towel over his head. Stretching Alfred grabs his suit from the closet and silently thanked Arthur for coming over and ironing their suits last night. Heading into the room proper he sees Matthew mostly dressed in his suit, his tie laying next to him and the cuffs of his sleeves unbuttoned, and watching television quietly. Alfred doubted Matthew understood what was being said since everything was in Dutch. Shrugging Alfred went about drying off before putting on his own suit.

"Ok Mattie let me help you with that tie."

Matthew hops off the bed he was sitting on and grabs his tie before hurrying over to his brother and handing over the article of clothing to the older man. ALfred takes the tie and loops it around Matthew's neck before quickly tying it and cinching it up snuggly.

"There, now for your cuffs. Hands out."

Matthew smiles and puts his hands out for Alfred to secure the buttons on his cuffs. That taken care of Alfred gives them each a once over before deeming them ready and gathering up their briefcases, handing Matthew his, and heading out the door.

Matthew follows after Alfred as he leaves the hotel room, a big grin on his face as he shares his excitement with all those around him. Finally he was being treated as a big kid, like his brother. He couldn't wait to meet all the interesting people he was sure his brother worked with. He was practically bursting with excitement at the prospect of going to work with his brother.

As they left the hotel Alfred stopped them and reiterated the rules he had laid out for Matthew before they left the states and took his hand for the quick walk to the Peace Palace from their hotel.

When they reached the Palace they saw several others milling about in the front courtyard, most ignore the pair but a few saw America with a young boy and grew curious. One such person to gain an interest was Russia. He saw the pair and grinned coldly as he changed his course to intercept the pair of blondes.

"Privyet Amerika. I did not realise that you had begun running a daycare."

America stops, his grip on Canada's hand tightening slightly as he lifts his gaze to meet Russia's. "I don't see how it matters to you at all Russia."

Canada looks up at the taller man curiously. He can sense the hostility towards his brother and shuffles closer to him but tries not to cower behind him, he wanted to be brave like his big brother.

"Da, but these meetings are no place for children. You should have left him with his parents."

America glares at Russia and holds back a biting remark, not wanting to stoop so low infront of Canada. "He belongs here just as much as you or me. So just back off."

At that statement Russia frowns slightly and looks down at the boy holding tight to America's side. "So he is like us, some micronation you are taking an interest in, da? You know as well as I do that they are not welcome to these meetings without having scheduled a meeting to plead for nationhood."

America scowls deeper. "I'm not explaining him to you." America smirks as he begins to head around Russia with Canada, "You'll just have to find out when I tell everyone at the meeting."

Russia's frown deepens as America makes his escape. He had noticed that America had refrained from insulting him and also noted how it had not been as much fun to verbally spar with the other when lacking those heated words.

As they hurried away from Ivan Matthew looked up at his brother curiously, confused by what had just happened. He glances over his shoulder to look back at the tall man his brother had been talking to.

"Matthew, I want you to be careful around Russia, ok? He can be dangerous and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Ok. I'll be careful."

"Good. Come on, let's go get in our seats for the meeting."

When they reached the meeting hall Alfred waved to Arthur who was seemingly yelling at a boy about Matthew's age. The two seemed to be scowling at each other. Alfred chuckles and herds Matthew over to a pair of seats, one seems a bit decrepit though, like it has been neglected for years and could fall apart at any time. Seeing the state of the other chair Alfred sighs and looks around. He spots Gilbert chatting with Francis and Antonio.

"Oi Gilbert, could you grab me a spare chair?"

Gilbert pauses his conversation with his friends to look in Alfred's direction. He sees Matthew standing beside him and grins before nodding. "Sure, the awesome me will get you an awesome chair." Gilbert excuses himself from his friends to get the requested chair. Antonio and Francis watch him go curiously before looking over to Alfred who is helping a boy climb into the good seat of the two at their spot at the table. Francis seems to stare in shock for a moment before making his way over to the brothers as Alfred pulles the decrepit chair out from the table and pushes it back against the wall.

"Salutation, mon ami. Who is this adorable bebe with you?"

"Huh, oh hey Francis. I'll tell you with everyone else during the meeting."

Francis seems to frown as the boy sits up on his knees, peeking over the back of his chair, to watch the two adults talk.

"You know he looks very familiar to me Alfred." Francis glances over at Matthew and smiles kindly at him.

"If you recognize him fine, but I won't give you details before I tell the rest of the world what's going on, got it?"

"Oui." Francis turns to Matthew with a smile on his face. "Comment faites-vous mon petit?"

Matthew stares at Francis for a long moment before turning to brother with a confused look on his face. "Why does he talk funny?"

Francis frowns at the question while Alfred doubles over in laughter at it.

"I do not see what is so funny about this. 'E should know my beautiful language. I do not understand why he doesn't."

Alfred manages to compose himself enough to answer Francis. "Dude, he had to learn English the old fashioned way. There hasn't been anyone around to teach him French."

Francis looks appalled by this knowledge, "You could have found someone! Or you could have asked me, he is mon fils."

That had Alfred ceasing his laughter immediately and getting a very serious look on his face. "No. You think I told anyone that didn't absolutely need to know about him that he was like this. Hell no. An Francis, I'll warn you once, try anything and you'll regret it."

Matthew fortunately hadn't been paying attention to his brother as he warned Francis off, his attention drawn by the white haired Prussian coming towards them with a chair.

"Gilbert!"

"Heya there kid. Hey Frenchie. Got your chair Al."

"Thanks."

"Gilbert, Gilbert! Look, look, Al got me a suit to wear for the meeting. And he told me I got to talk in front of everyone. And he got me a case just like his too." He holds up the little briefcase his broad gotten him."

"Ja, ja, you showed me last night, remember?"

"What! You told Gilbert about him but you didn't tell moi?"

"I needed a sitter during meetings. Gilbert was the only one could trust with it."

Francis continues to glare at Alfred before huffing and turning to leave. Once he was one Matthew went back to chatting with Gilbert about how excited he was to be there. At the same time Arthur walked up and addressed Alfred.

"What did the frog want?"

"Wanted to know about Matt. Got kinda pissy when he found out Gilbert knew about him before he did. I almost told him you knew, just to ruffle his feathers further."

Arthur rolls his eyes. "You're here rather earlier than I expected you to be."

"Yeah well Matt woke me up by jumping on me and yelling in my ear. He was way too excited for this."

Arthur chuckles at Alfred's predicament. "I see, that's certainly unexpected but it got you here on time."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Not long after that the small conversations that were spread around the room began to die down as everyone took their seats and Germany took his place at the head of the table to start the meeting.

"Alright, quiet down. It is time to bring this meeting to order and begin." Germany paused and glanced quickly around the room his gaze settling on Russia, who had raised his hand calmly. "Russia, do you have something you would like to address before the meeting begins?"

"Da. I am curious as to why Amerika seems to have brought a little one with him and seems to be convinced that he belongs here."

All eyes turn to America and the child sitting calmly in the seat next to him, America meanwhile is glaring at the Russian.

Germany clears his throat, "Ja, I think we would all like to know that as well. America?"

America glares for a bit longer before letting out a breath and standing. "I was planning to explain him to everyone, I was just waiting for a chance to bring it up on my own." At everyone's continued silence America continues. "Nine years ago the personification of Canada died. I don't know how many of you remember him or even noticed he wasn't here but there were a few I'm sure. After his funeral I went to his house to check on his bear since I was pretty sure he would be there. I was partly wrong, he wasn't there, but he came back after I had been there for a few minutes. He came back carrying a small child." Here he placed a hand caringly on Canada's head. "That was the replacement for the former Canadian representative and the boy you see here now. As for why I am only telling you all of this now, since I know you all want to know. The Canadian Prime Minister as well as myself and my own boss believed it would be safer for Canada if we waited for him to be a bit older before telling the world he was back. I've been raising him these past nine years with help from a few others that found out early on. Canada requested that I let him come to this meeting and he made a very good argument for me to bring him along. So that's why he's here, representing Canada."

The rest of the world sat in shocked silence before erupting into their normal chaos. Though this chaos was more focused on bombarding America with questions about Canada.

A loud bang shook the room and all eyes were drawn to Germany. "I can understand you are all curious but none of this has anything to do with why we are here today. Please hold your questions for America and Canada till the break or after the meeting. Now if there is nothing else let's get on with the real reason we are all here."

When Germany had calmed down from his rant the meeting continued along at a more subdued pace. When America was called to give his report on global warming and its effects on the polar bear population in Canada, Canada himself made his way to the podium with America following a few steps behind. Most people in the room giggled slightly when Canada reached the podium but couldn't see over it. Fortunately Prussia seemed prepared for this and, grinning, presented America with a chair for Canada to stand on. Canada continued then to give the presentation, stopping every now and then for help with things he didn't understand and needed America's help for. By the end of the presentation everyone had 'awwed' at least once and they were all impressed with how well behaved he was given what they had heard about him being raised by America. When Canada left the podium and went back to his seat, America following after, Germany took it once more and called for a break. Immediately the other nations swarmed America and began to bombard him with questions. Canada grumped at the sudden crowd and tried to get his brother's attention so he could find Prussia or England and get out of the tight press of bodies. When he couldn't he pouted, that is until he spotted the fairy Madeline flitting about. Smiling he made his way over to her and she helped him get out of the crowd. Once he was out he tried to ask Madeline if she knew where Prussia was, but before he got a chance France had come up to him and was smiling at him in a way that made Canada feel less than comfortable.

"Are you looking for someone mon petit fils?"

"Uh... I wanted to find Gilbert, er, I mean Prussia?"

"Ohohon, you don't need to be so formal with me mon petit. We are family and Gilbert is one of my oldest friends."

"Oh... Can you show me where he is then?"

"Oui, I can do that. Follow me then mon chou."

Francis held out his hand to Matthew and Matthew slowly reaches out to take it. He notices Madeline flitting about him, upset about something but ignores her as he's trained himself to do around people that can't see the fairies. Francis grins again before leading Matthew off and out of the room.

Meanwhile Madeline is frantic. She knew Francis was not to be trusted with Matthew and she had tried to get Matthew to not go with him but he hadn't seemed to pay any attention to her warnings about the tall Frenchman. Seeing them leaving the room she quickly calls to the only other fae she can find to find Arthur and tell him Matthew is in trouble as she flits hurriedly after the two just making it out the door before it closes behind them.

The fairy Madeline had managed to get the attention of before flying off was a short blonde fairy with her hair up in pigtails. She went by the name of Alice and was usually dressed in green to compliment her eyes. She had watched as Madeline went after Matthew and Francis before flying high into the air and circling around looking for Arthur's distinctive mop of hair. Spotting after a moment's search she dives for him, nearly crashing into him.

"Arthur!"

Arthur tries to ignore her but he finds it very difficult, especially when she continues to call for his attention and explains what is going on.

"He did what!"

At Arthur's exclamation the person he had been talking to and those in the nearby vicinity pause and look at him strangely for the outburst.

"America! America!" He begins to push through the crowd towards the taller blonde, searching around him for Matthew as everyone seems to stop at his erratic behavior. "Where's Matthew?"

Alfred opens his mouth to answer as he looks around him for his brother but closes it as worry begins to overtake him when he doesn't spot the smaller blonde.

"I I don't know, we must have been separated by the crowd. Shit!" Those around the two blondes begin to fidget and look around them for the small boy they had all been asking about.

"Its, I think Francis may have lead him away somewhere. We should hurry."

Arthur makes to head for the door when Alfred grabs his arm to stop him. "Why do you think it's Francis?"

"I I just have this hunch. Trust me on this Alfred, if I'm wrong you can laugh about it later but right now do you really want to take that chance?"

That seems to get through and soon Alfred is following out after Arthur, a few other nations head out as well, concerned for the boy and wanting to return him safely to his brother. One of these people is Ivan. When he leaves the room the meeting was being held in he looks both ways and sees Alfred and Arthur going one way and he decides to take the other. It isn't long before he is alone in a part of the building with many smaller rooms branching off from the main hallway.

Now despite what many others may say or claim Ivan was one of the few nations to possess the gift of sight that allowed them to see mythical creatures, this includes the fae. And currently Ivan was taking notice of a very distraught fairy fluttering about outside one of the doors in the hallway. Smiling Ivan approaches that door and taps the fairy on her shoulder with his finger.

"Privyet little fairy. You would not have been following Mattvey about as he was led away, da?"

The little fairy squeaks but nods and points at the door before her. "Francis led him in there."

"Ah, did he now? That isn't very appropriate. Let me help with the door, da?"

With that Ivan pulls out his trusty pipe and begins to beat on the door.

Back with Matthew and Francis. Matthew was looking around as Francis led him away from the meeting room and into some secluded halls with lots of rooms. He seems to pick one at random and heads for it.

"Mister France, is Gilbert in there?"

"Ah, oui, he is. And Matthew you don't need to be so formal, call me Papa."

Matthew frowns at this, wondering why this adult wanted him to call him 'Papa" when he was clearly not his papa. In fact Matthew hardly knew the man but he had said he'd help him find Gilbert and he had been talking to Alfred earlier.

When they entered the room Francis made sure to shut and discretely lock the door behind them. As soon as he did his smile shifted to something more predatory as Matthew took notice that Gilbert was not in the room with them.

"Mister France, I don't see Gilbert in here. Are you sure he's in here? Maybe he's in another room."

"Non. Mon petit chou, mon fils. This is the right room. Though I am sorry I had to use such a rouse to get you here." Francis' hands then shoot forward and grab onto Matthew's arms gripping them tightly as he pushes him back against the table in the middle of the room. He shifts his grip so he is holding both of Matthew's wrists in one hand and begins to force him to bend over the table. Matthew tries to fight, kicking and crying out until Francis' other hand gives him a firm smack on his rear end before soothing it with a gentle rub.

"There, there mon petit. You shouldn't struggle so, Papa is going to make you feel very good very soon."

The free hand began to wander and Matthew knew he was being touched in all the bad places he wasn't supposed to let anyone touch him. He struggled silently to be released before they heard a series of consecutive bangs on the door to the room. This caused Francis' hand to still though he kept it in place.

A few more bangs and the door splintered before giving way to reveal Ivan standing in the doorway. He seemed to be frowning at the sight that greeted him and stepped through the remains of the door.

"Ah, privyet France. You will let Matvey go now, da?"

Francis pouts at the intrusion. "Non, if you want to have some fun with him yourself you will just have to wait your turn."

Ivan grins in a rather sickly sweet manner before bringing his pipe down on the table with enough force to crack it. "Nyet. You will release him before I do to you as I have done to the door and table, da?"

Francis is shaken by the display of power but does not let up on his captive.

"Non, he is mine. I had him before anyone else, it should have been me that raised him when he was found this time. But non, that selfish American had to step in and keep him from me."

Matthew whimpers as the grip on his wrists tightens some. Ivan notices the whimper and grits his teeth.

"Did it ever occur to you that he was kept from you for the very same reason I am here now? To stop you from hurting the boy with your lusty appetite. I am very fond of children France I will not stand by as you hurt this one in such a way. Now release him before my pipe makes acquaintances with your head."

That final sentence combined with the look Ivan gave Francis had him releasing Matthew. Matthew didn't even slump after being released, he immediately ran to hide behind Ivan, stumbling along the way. Reaching him he completely disregarded what Alfred had said earlier about being careful around the Russian and gripped tightly to the back of his coat.

"You are not harmed, da Matvey?"

"I'm fine, he just was touching me in the bad places."

Ivan growled at Francis when hearing this but made no moves to attack him.

"Come then, we will take you back to your brother. He is worried and looking for you."

Ivan turns and lead Matthew from the room and begins to head back for the conference room to return Matthew to the care of his brother.

It doesn't take them long to reach the conference room and Matthew spies Alfred frantically pacing in front of the large doors with Arthur and Gilbert trying to calm him down.

"Alfred!" Matthew jumps into his brother's arms and Alfred, though surprised, catches him.

"Mattie! Oh god, Mattie you had me so worried. Where have you been?"

"France said he was going to help me find Gilbert since you were surrounded by all those people." Matthew frowns, "He lied though and took me to a room and started touching me, but Mister Russia came and helped me to get away."

All eyes turn to the Russian who just grins childishly. "I am very fond of children and I do not like seeing them get hurt."

As they take this all in Alfred grudgingly agrees that Ivan isn't a bad person and they go back into the meeting to continue it now that Matthew was returned and safe.

XXXXXXXXX

A rather abrupt end but it works. Wow this was long and I realize Matthew may be slightly OOC but come on he's like 11 or 12 and getting to go to work with his big brother. He's excited, wouldn't you be acting like a hyper little monster too if you had something that big happening. Anyway please review.

Also I know this usually updates on Saturdays but I will be out of town this Saturday and won't be able to post so, early posting!