Ivan was the last to join his sisters and servants in the foyer, where they were all getting ready to brave the cold to go and meet with Matthew. Aya reluctantly pulled on her jacket and gloves. She had on a thick sweater and a pair of trousers, but she could still feel the winter air. Ivan already had on his winter coat and his scarf securely tied around his neck, hiding the lower half of his cherub face.
"Let's get going already!" Gilbert yelled impatiently as he threw the door open.
Aya cringed and hid behind Ivan, using his body as a shield against the wind. The others just walked out casually, leaving the pair in the foyer.
Ivan reached back and hugged the slender girl. "It's okay, little one. I do not like the cold either."
Slowly, he took her gloved hand in his and led her out into the snow.
:~:
Matthew, followed by the beast who was carrying his polar bear, walked briskly through the snow. His boss was already in his "meeting" with Stalin, so he was free to go and meet with Ivan and his group. His boss was leaving the next day, but Matthew had arranged to stay for two weeks. He began to think about what he would be able to do during that time, and if he would be able to speak with Gilbert privately.
The Canadian was taken out of his thoughts when he heard familiar snarling next to him. Matthew crouched down and slowly pet the head of the beast.
"Please, we'll see them soon."
Matthew stared in shock as the beast gave him a pained expression. He scratched behind his tall ears, then continued walking to their destination.
It didn't take long for the trio to reach the small cafe. Toris had suggested that they meet here and decide what would happen after.
Matthew got many incredulous looks due to the two creatures following him, but he shrugged it off. Gently, he pulled off his tan coat and set it on his seat. Kumajirou got off of the beast and climbed into his own chair, as the former stayed on the floor.
"And now we wait, eh?" he smiled at his companions,
:~:
Ivan and his group were still trudging through the snow. He could feel his younger sister's glares as he held Aya's hand. He was smiling under his scarf, and a genuine one at that. The Russian was happy that he and Aya had been developing a semi-functional relationship as of late.
But that's when it happened.
He felt Aya suddenly stop next to him and turned back to try and comfort her. From what he'd managed to get out of Gilbert, Aya was used to the cold, since her homeland got very cold at times but nothing like a Russian winter.
"What's wrong?" he asked, bringing his gloved hands to her face.
As soon as his hand left hers she took off running past the entire group.
"Aya!" Gilbert and Toris called after her.
Ivan just stared in front of him in shock.
And there she goes Vanya, Russia laughed at him. Didn't I say this would happen?
"Fuck!" Gilbert yelled as he took off after her.
"Brother!"
Katyusha's voice snapped him back to reality. He pulled out his metal pipe and began running. He could still see Gilbert and Aya in front of him. He could feel his subconscious taking over.
"You won't get very far, little one!" his voiced called out after her.
'Do not stop!' she told herself.
:~:
The trio sat peacefully in the small cafe until the beast started barking.
Matthew jumped in his seat. "What is it?"
The beast just continued barking, earning them many concerned looks before he bounded from their table.
"Where are you going?" the Canadian yelled after him.
The beast didn't stop.
Matthew threw on his coat and grabbed Kumajirou and ran after him.
:~:
Ivan was catching up to her, and she could feel it.
Her heart beat wildly in her chest and her legs ached from the sudden burst of activity, but she pressed on.
'I can feel him,' she thought. 'Where?'
She was jolted back by a hand on her coat collar. Colliding with a broad chest, she knew who it was.
"Did you really think you could escape so easily?" Ivan's childish voice sent shivers down her spine. "I cannot let you leave like the others, da?"
Ivan immediately pulled her arms together behind her back. Aya began to struggle in his grasp, making him tighten his grasp around her supple neck. The others began to catch up to them.
"Aya, what the fuck?" Gilbert's crimson eyes stared deep into her's. He was pissed that she would try to ruin his chances of seeing Matthew.
Ivan held her in front of him, hand still around her neck, and continued walking.
"Did you think Canada would save you from me?" he smiled demonically at Aya.
I told you so, Russia mocked him. Ivan looked down at the struggling woman in his arms. 'I thought you weren't like them...'
Raivis was about to say something, but was stopped by Eduard.
"It's not worth it, Latvia. We know what will happen."
Raivis gave her one last sad look before returning his eyes to the floor.
Aya didn't relent. She kept thrashing in Ivan's arms, much to everyone's displeasure. Finally Gilbert had enough.
"Aya, did your mom really teach you to be this stupid?" Gilbert couldn't contain his anger.
Her head snapped in his direction. "She did not teach me to be a coward!" she yelled back, voice like acid.
So...viscous. I like it.
Ivan shuddered.
"Brother," Natalya tugged on Ivan's scarf lightly. "do you hear...barking?"
Ivan strained to listen. "Da, what is it?"
"It's Mr. Canada!" Toris called out.
"Watch out!" Matthew yelled out to them, surprising even himself at how loud he could be.
Aya mustered all the strength she had left and pulled out of Ivan's grip. As soon as she hit the ground she was tackled back by a black mass, knocking Ivan down as well.
Matthew approached them, out of breath, and quickly began explaining.
"I'm sorry Russia! Your dog followed me back from France!"
Ivan stared up from the snow, confused. "I do not have a dog, comrade."
"Eh?"
They all turned their attention to the huddled mass before them. Aya had her body covering another protectively.
"What are you covering, little one?" he asked as he moved closer to her. Immediately he shot back. The beast jumped from her grasp out at Ivan.
"I-It's a d-d-demon!" Katyusha cried hiding behind Toris.
Ivan stared into the beast's burning, golden eyes.
'Wait. Gold?' He watched as Aya threw her arms around the beast's neck, holding him back.
"Peace!" she called out to him.
They all stared in shock.
:~:
They all watched in disbelief as Aya walked before them, beast at her side jumping through the snow in wonder. Matthew had to admit that it didn't look half as intimidating next to the glorious woman, despite it being half her height. But his thoughts didn't stray too far from the albino who kept stealing glances at him.
When they arrived back at Ivan's mansion Aya threw off her coat and gloves as she led the beast to the fireplace. She placed a few logs inside and lit them. She sat cross-legged against the sofa while the beast curled up next to her, laying his head in her lap.
"And we always said that this separation was impossible," she whispered to him, stroking his head softly.
Ivan walked boldly after the two while the others decided it best to leave them be. He took a seat beside the pair.
"It was not very nice to try to run away, little one," he told her, failing at covering the hurt from his voice.
"Run away?" she asked, looking up at the larger nation.
"Da."
Aya took his large, calloused hand in her delicate ones and brought it to her chest. Ivan could feel her heartbeat, stronger than it had ever been.
"I was not running away," she gazed up at him, eyes alive again. "but I had to find my other half."
"What is that?" he asked, staring at the beast, who was glaring right back at him.
"This is my guardian," she smiled proudly at the beast. "Anubis."
