Chapter 3:
Ivan found himself in several feet of snow. His legs are numb but he continues marching, several comrades thrown across his shoulders. Tears stream across his face…it's not that much further. However, Ivan's legs couldn't take much more and give out. The soldiers he was carrying fall in front of him, their bleeding wombs soak into the snow. His soldiers, his citizens, his children lay in before him dying and Ivan could do nothing to save them now. Ivan's human body was giving up on him. He feels his blood slowly pools in several areas as his heart ceases to beat. As his body dies, Ivan's consciousness remains. Soon his nerves stop giving of the sense of pain and his tears freeze to his face.
Yet, he still has his senses. He can see, hear, smell, feel, and to his displeasure taste. The sound of boots crushing the snow in front of Ivan. A hand grabs Ivan's hair and pulls his head up from the snow. General Winter is knelt before him, Ivan tries to speak but remains unable. The General shakes his head.
"You are nothing." Winter sighs, "I really expected you to make it this time. Can't even save your citizens, such a shame."
Ivan couldn't move nor could he weep. "Please…let me go…" Ivan begs in his thoughts, "You've made suffer…so much…"
The new sound of someone running towards them, calling out in English. General Winter lets out a sigh and says, "You got lucky this time, little Ivan." Then dissipates leaving Ivan's head to fall back into the snow. The English speaker reach them and calls out to others that must have been nearby. Ivan is turned over and comes face to face with Canada. Matthew's soft purple eyes look down at him with concern, his own soldiers surround the small group of Russians and gather them up.
"You're going to be okay, Ivan." Matthew says to the frozen body in front of him. The Canadian picks up Ivan and throws him over his shoulder and starts to run towards the camp Ivan was in search for.
This fact jolts Ivan awake from that dream. He sits up in his bed and lets out a sigh of relief knowing that all of that was a dream...or was that a real memory? Racking his brain, all of that event seemed as if it really happened. Ivan gaze pans to the sleeping form next to him. Matthew lays still in deep sleep, facing Ivan. That's strange…usually the people who lie with him face away from the Russian. Watching Matthew sleeping somehow brings Ivan's heart rate back down as it was still racing from the nightmare.
Matthew's face was soft and angel like. His hair fell almost perfectly across his face with that one rebellious curl bouncing in front. Ivan watches as the nation's chest rises and falls, in and out through his nose. So at peace, a kind of peace that Ivan could only wish for. Since the horrors of war pelage his dreams as well. Ivan lays back down, facing the Canadian. Ivan notices the paleness of his comrade's skin as the moon shines on them from the window behind Matthew. It was beautiful fresh snow, only much warmer to the touch. Ivan moves closer and wraps an arm around the other's hip. Matthew's sleeping form responds accordingly by moving closer to Ivan and resting his head against Ivan's chest.
Everyone has their own beauty, Matthew's words raise in Ivan's mind. He couldn't have really meant what he had said. Ivan was not beautiful; scars cover his body and his nature is that of cold cruelty. The warmth from his companion's body reminded him that it was only could be for this evening. Matthew will wake in the morning and leave as fast as he could. All the people Ivan had shared his bed with has done that, lover or no. Ivan closes his eyes and allow himself to drift back in slumber, enjoying the warmth of the man next to him knowing it will gone the next he wakes.
As he expected, Ivan wakes up alone. However, Ivan noticed that Matthew's glasses still lay on the night table. There was a sound coming from the bathroom…and it wasn't a real pleasant one. Ivan gets up and walks towards the closed door to the bathroom. Placing his ear against it, Ivan hears someone violently throwing up.
"Matvey?" Ivan cracks open the door to see Matthew hugging the toilet as if it was his last strap to life.
"HULGK!" Matthew's response was less then desirable. After that blast of vomit, Matthew raises his head and looks at Ivan. His eyes red and puffy from crying, his nose was dripping with what Ivan hoped was snot, and a string of spit hangs off his bottom lip. Matthew cracks a clearly half made smile, "Well this is… *hic*… embarrassing."
"Oh, Matvey." Ivan grabs a paper towel and kneels next to Matthew, "How bad is your hang over?"
Matthew didn't respond till Ivan had finish wiping his face, "It's quite awful. I almost didn't make it to the toilet in time cause my vision was doing backflips. Sadly…I did get throw up on your pajamas…sorry."
Ivan looked at Matthew and saw that there is a splatter of vomit across the upper chest of his night shirt and a little on the pants. Sympathy grows in Ivan's heart and he gives a small smile. Ruffling Matthew's hair Ivan offers, "How about I run you a bath so you can get cleaned up? It will also help that headache."
Matthew sniffles, "What about the pajamas?"
"Don't worry about them. I can replace them, da."
"Okay…" Matthew remains at the toilet as Ivan starts the bath.
Ivan grabs a bottle of soap and shakes it, "Bubbles?"
"Oh, yes, please."
"You're still a child."
"Says the man who owns bubble bath soap." Matthew chuckles softly.
As the bath fills, Ivan turns his attention to Matthew. He assists with removing Matthew's shirt and toss it aside. Ivan takes notice of scars that are places across Matthew's pale chest. Most are from bullet wounds but…there is a large slash that went from his left shoulder to his right hip, from Ivan's view. What could have caused that? Torture? Plane crash? Did he wrestle a bear?
Matthew lets out a sigh, "Don't worry about that Ivan."
"How did you get that?" Ivan ask with great curiosity, "War? Accident? Abuse?"
"How did you get the ones on your neck?" Matthew snapped so suddenly that it was like being slapped. Oh, it must be sensitive…
"My apologies, Matvey." Ivan hangs his head, "I shouldn't pry."
"I'm sorry too…" Matthew says calmly, "I shouldn't have snapped."
Ivan leans forward and kisses Matthew's forehead, "You had every reason too. Come on let's get you into the bath before it overflows."
Ivan helps Matthew wiggle out of the pajama pants. A quick glance at Matthew's boxers, Ivan couldn't help but to chuckle.
"What?" Matthew asks.
"Maple leaves?" Ivan smiles, "Matvey, I think you may have a problem."
"I do not!" Matthew huffs, "Anyway. I think I can handle this from here."
"Da. Call if you need any help, okay?"
"Alright."
The two of them share another understanding smile and Ivan gets up, leaving Matthew to get into the bath. Ivan walks down stairs and starts to make breakfast. He still wish Lithuania still worked for him since cooking was not Ivan's strong suit. Ivan also made a quick call to his personal assistant to go to Matthew's hotel and gather his things, and pay off the hotel debts for Ivan's new guest. He disliked the idea of Matthew having to go back to a hotel, especially in the condition he is in! What would England think if Ivan let his most loyal son be taken up by anyone shady? Clearly, Ivan was doing this for the best of Matthew's interest. Ivan finishes up the meal he was making, and plates it. Surely Matthew will be a bit puckish once he leaves the bath.
It only took about ten minutes until Ivan's assistant to show up with Matthew's suit case. Ivan happily takes the case and hurries up the stairs and into the master bedroom. Setting the case on to the bed, Ivan opens it and then moves to bathroom. His friend lays in the tub with closed eyes, the bubbles still a plenty.
"Mr. Canada." Ivan smiles.
"Yes, Mr. Russia." Matthew says with a hint of false annoyance, keeping his eyes closed.
"Breakfast is ready, sir."
"Really? What's on the menu?"
"Eggs and toast, with coffee of course."
"Lovely. I'll be down in a bit then."
Ivan smiles to himself and walks out. Making his way down the hall, Ivan hears a loud thud and a small cry of pain. A quick 180 turn and Ivan was back in the bathroom where Matthew had fallen out of the tub. Blood leaks out of the Canadian's nose and Ivan quickly attends to him. Wrapping a towel around Matthew's hips, Ivan helps Matthew too sit up.
"Don't worry…" Matthew takes a few deep breathes, "I just stood up to quickly…"
"You've got to be more careful, Matvey." Ivan says looking at Matthew's nose.
"Is it broken?"
"Nyet. Just busted a bit, should be fine in a while."
"Alright. Mind helping me up?"
"No problem." Ivan gently wraps an arm around Matthew's waste and Matthew wraps an arm around Ivan's neck. It was a slow rise in so Matthew wouldn't get dizzy, but it made both of them a little uncomfortable. It would be so easy for Ivan to "accidentally" make Matthew's towel drop and catch a quick look at his vital areas…maybe get a bit more. Ivan does a small shake of his head to bid rid of those horrible thoughts. What's wrong with him? Matthew clearly wasn't interested in Ivan and even if he was this wouldn't be a good time. The Canadian used Ivan to keep himself steady.
"Are you alright?" Ivan asks.
"I'm good." Matthew nods and pats Ivan's shoulder lightly.
"Should I let go now?"
"I dunno, should you?"
Ivan gently moves away and Matthew stood on his own, the Russian couldn't help but to blush a bit from embarrassment. He left Matthew rather quickly so that the Canadian could get dress. Ivan made his way to the dining room and waited for Matthew to come down. The food had gotten cold which Ivan didn't like. He wanted Matthew to be treated like a Tsar while here, and the Tsar's food should never be cold. Ivan flicks the eggs on his own plate, cursing himself. The light, muffled step of Matthew snuck up behind him and Ivan got a bit startled when his guest pulls his chair out.
Ivan looks up and sees Matthew seated at the other end of the table. The young man is dressed in dark blue jeans and red sweater, his hair is still flat and wet. Matthew thanks Ivan for cooking and starts eating his meal slowly. The fork rose and fell in a somewhat rhythmic pattern, broken only by the occasional ship of coffee. It kept the Russian in a trance almost; giving him some peace. That's the thing Ivan could never understand about Canada, and his people. They're so peaceful, kind, and warm. Every Olympic Games, Ivan will see the Canadians smiling and waving to everyone in sight. Each meeting, Matthew will do his best to greet with the host whether they noticed him or not. That brought back the oddness of yesterday with him not greeting Ivan.
"Matvey, care if I ask why you didn't greet me at the meeting yesterday?" Ivan questions.
"Oh…that." Matthew says, "I just didn't think you would notice me. And when I notice you had…I felt kind of guilty. It's not like me…"
"Oh, that's okay." Ivan reinsures him, "Nothing to feel bad about."
They sat in silence for a while and let the awkwardness die down a bit. Once it was gone, Mathew spoke first, "Ivan."
"Hm?"
"Care if I take up my favor?"
Ivan smiles, "Of course! How can I be of serves?"
Matthew blushes, "I want you to take me ice skating."
"That's an odd request, but if it will make Matvey happy then I shall be oblige to fulfill it! When do you wish to go?"
"As soon as possible. I want to miss the meeting…I want to have some fun."
"Ditch a meeting?" Ivan smiles even more, "I don't know why but I think I like this development of you Matvey."
