OK! For one thing, I am really sorry for the heck of a long wait, eh. I told you Christmas took a lot of my time didn't I? |D Also I've had a bit of a writers block so I only hope this chapter turned out well. Secondly Now you know I'm not dead so don't worry about that. ^^0 Thirdly... Enjoy. ^^

XXX

Canada, already awake, rested in bed wanting to sleep in. Of course, he knew if he didn't get out of bed Lithuania or someone else would drag him out of bed instead. The room was a little colder than usual. Canada imagined someone had left a window open or something. He turned on his side to face the far wall. He was right, someone had left the window open. Canada groaned before rubbing his eyes. Soon enough, he lazily crawled out of bed and closed the window. Like some mornings, he yawned and stretched and was then ready to work. He headed downstairs, no expression, just making his way into the kitchen. Just then, before he could enter the kitchen, he heard a loud rough cough. He turned and looked in the living room to find Russia leaning against the wall, coughing once more before noticing Canada was there.

"Ah, good" He said in a weak tone, "You're awake, you can clean the kitchen after breakfast..."

Now Canada knew what Russia wanted him to do, but he was unsure if he should listen this time. Something was telling Canada to take care of Russia first.

"Mr. Russia" Canada said in his usual soft voice, "You're sick, I-I think you should lay down"

Russia glared at Canada, but weakly. Apparently getting sick was something that didn't bother Russia too much, but he didn't look well, nor did he sound well to begin with.

"Are you trying to tell me what to do, Matvey?" Russia tried to raise his voice, but it was too weak to be heard properly, it was a little quieter than Canada's voice.

Canada shook his head.

"N-No, I'm just saying, that it's probably better if you-"

"I won't lie down. I have a conference to go to..." Russia said before coughing again.

He seemed fine yesterday, why is he sick now?

"T...Then, I'll walk with you to the conference"

"нет, You will stay here and clean"

"нет, I should come with you"

Canada thought that maybe if he spoke more Russian it would get Russia to agree with him, but Russia's eyes only narrowed. He walked over to Canada keeping the glare on his face as he stared down at him. As frightening as his anger was, Canada knew this was just a scare tactic from Russia to get his way.

"Do you think I am too weak to make it to the meeting?" He scowled.

"N-No, I-I mean... well, sort of..."

If it really was just a scare tactic, it was working. Canada felt a trickle of sweat run down his face. The way Russia was looking at him now made him want to die a merciful death right there.

"I-I... j-just, want to h-help..." Canada whispered.

He hoped Russia could hear him, but at the same time he was hoping Russia wouldn't strike him. It was hard for possibly anyone to gather their courage to talk to Russia let alone try to get him to do something. The man was stubborn. Still, Canada pushed the thought of shutting up to the back of his head once again. He was prepared to be just as stubborn.

"I-I..." Not a very good start, but he tried again, "I think y-you should at least let me go with you, I'm just w-worried that you'll die before you even get to the meeting"

No answer, Russia only still gave him that same look.

"...W-Well, what i-if you collapse out there, o-or-"

"It's just a really bad flu" Russia interrupted, "I'll be fine"

Russia coughed again but this time it sounded a little worse than before. This conversation wasn't going anywhere as far as Canada knew. He had to get Russia to agree to take him with him. But how? How can a someone under Russia's control tell him what to do without getting whipped, beaten, shot or worse, killed. Canada stepped closer to the coughing Russian, then placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Russia took his time to breath before looking at Canada. Both of them waited for the other to do something. Canada decided to speak first.

"Please, you helped me, now it's my turn to help you"

Russia didn't seem too thrilled about this idea. His mouth opened, he was just about to say something, something to reject the idea, but he stopped himself.

"Fine" He mumbled.

Canada's eyes grew a bit, surprised that Russia gave in like that so easily. Not only that, but Russia didn't show any more signs of anger toward Canada.

"T-Thank you" Canada smiled.

"..."

Russia didn't speak, he just led the way to the building the conference was to be held at. Canada followed beside him. Both were quiet. Seconds passed and still neither of them spoke. Canada's eyes would peek up to look at Russia, just to make sure how he was doing every once in a while, and Russia would cough harder every thirty seconds or so, but that was basically it.

"S...so, how do you feel?" Canada finally asked.

"...I'm ok..."

"That's good..."

Back to the awkward silence. ...If only I was more talkative, I might actually be able to say something to him when I want to... Canada tried to think of something to say, something that might get Russia to trust him more. He knew Russia was already opening up to him, but he felt that wasn't enough. But why?

"Matvey..."

"Ye- I-I mean, Da?"

"Why do you insist on caring about me...?"

Russia's words were filled with worry and hope. To Canada, it sounded as if Russia wanted to hear 'because I'm your friend' or something along those lines. Canada felt he could relate, all Russia probably wants is a friend, a true friend... just like Canada. We're both lonely people... countries or not, our hearts can break too... I don't know exactly what he's going through, but I have a pretty good idea of what.

"Because, I told you, I care about everyone... whether they know I'm here or not"

"...How much do you care about me?"

"Eh?"

This question was a little strange for him to ask. How much did Canada care about Russia? No answer that Canada could think of seemed good enough, 'lots, a little, average' even 'tons' didn't sound good enough in his head. Why not? How much did he really care for Russia?

Finally they had reached the conference building. This gave Canada the chance to change the subject.

"Oh, we're here" He said as he headed inside, Russia following behind.

"Canada..." Russia said.

"Da?"

"Remember, you can call me by my real name at home, but not outside it"

"Ok"

The two walked down the hall and entered the room the meeting was being held in. Of course, America gave Russia an unpleasant welcoming. He immediately threw a water balloon at his face.

"Agh!" Russia wiped the water off his face, then looked at himself, his clothes were now soaked, it was bad enough he was sick, now he was probably mad too.

"Strike!" America laughed.

"You git! You don't bring water balloons to a conference meeting!" England complained.

"The jerk deserved it"

Russia glared and began to Kol making the baltics back away in fear. Canada knew he had to calm Russia down, if not, then he might end up killing someone, most likely America. Canada grabbed Russia's coat sleeve trying to give an indication that he didn't want Russia to get mad and that hopefully Russia would listen to his silent hint. Russia looked at Canada menacingly. It seemed as if he was still angry for that moment, but thankfully, he got the hint. He calmed, but he then turned away from Canada and coughed into his arm. The coughing seemed to be getting worse every time and once he goes outside it will probably be worse than before now that he's wet.

"Huh? Russia's sick?" America asked.

"Yes" Canada answered, sad faced. He went to Russia's side again and placed a hand on his back as he coughed, "Don't forget to breathe Mr. Russia"

Canada was too busy worrying about Russia, that he did not notice the confused faces that gawked at him. Though he did show fear to Russia when he was mad, Canada was not afraid of him in other situations. Right now, he just wanted to help Russia, and this is what perplexed everyone. If Russia was sick, the only thing anyone else would do is let him stay that way and hope he'd die of that sickness. For some reason though, Canada felt he couldn't just stand there and watch. He wanted to help him.

"England?" Canada said as he looked up at England, who was still a little baffled until his name was called.

"U-uh, yes?"

"Do you have cough medicine here? Anywhere?"

"I don't need it" Russia said angrily.

"Please Mr. Russia, it will help you get better"

"нет! I said I don't need it!" Russia growled as he straightened himself and slapped Canada's hand away.

"Russia, why do you have to be so stubborn all the time!"

The room fell silent. Russia only glared at Canada, until he stepped close enough to him he grabbed his shirt collar and leaned his face almost too close to his. America looked ready to kill Russia if he had to, watching him just in case he hurt his brother.

"Answer my question first, why do you care so much about me that you'd try and nag me to do something that will keep me from harm and don't say it's because you care about everyone, because you have never nagged anyone else as far as I've seen"

"U...uh..."

Canada didn't know what to say, it was true though. He never did really try to get anyone else to do anything, but Russia... All he wanted was for Russia to be safe.

"I... don't know..."

"You don't know, then why do you do it?"

"I-I just feel I should help you when you need it"

"I do not need your or anybody else's help, I can take care of myself"

"Not taking medicine when you have a really bad flu is not taking care of yourself... sir"

Russia's fists tightened on Canada's shirt. His glare turned fierce as he lifted Canada almost off his feet, leaving him somewhat on his toes, but Canada only returned Russia's glare with a sympathetic expression. He showed no signs of anger, but only a little of fear.

"Is it so bad that someone cares about you, Mr. Russia?"

Russia was silent for a moment. His anger faded a little, but not too much. His eyelids lowered as he looked away from Canada and lowered him on the ground again, but he did not let go of Canada.

"...You want to care about me, fine. That is, if you're ready to make enemies. You know as well as anyone else does that no one likes me"

Confessions, this was telling Canada that Russia trusted him, especially enough to say it in front of everyone else, though he did not seem to want to admit it. He did. Canada knew this was probably hard for Russia to admit, that he was all alone. Though everyone else knew this, it had to be Russia that said it.

"But it doesn't have to be like that"

"I will not let you be my friend, if that is what you want. You'll only get hurt" Russia glowered.

"I've already been hurt emotionally and physically, I think I can handle more pain"

For Canada, it was a little difficult to stay calm around Russia. All he wanted to do was just shout as loud as he could telling him to just give him a chance, just one friend wouldn't hurt him, but Russia didn't want that because, he didn't want to be hurt. That was Canada's theory anyway.

"Do you really want more pain? Just for my sake?" Russia yelled at the top of his lungs, but suddenly he let go of Canada, turned away once more and started coughing again. He held his hand to his mouth in a quick reaction, bent over a let out the worst cough Canada had ever heard.

The worry in Canada's heart grew. He waited until Russia was catching his breath, then walked in front of him and placed his hands on Russia's face lifting it so he could see his face better. Russia didn't look very good at all. If he doesn't get help, his sickness could get even worse, and probably to the point where... no I won't let that happen. Canada looked over at England with much worry on his face and in his heart. England nodded and went to the other room, came out with a bottle of cough syrup and a spoon and handed it to Canada.

This time, no hesitations, no fear, just do it. Even if I have to shove the medicine down his throat I will.

Then, Russia giggled a little, but weakly.

"Eh?" Canada stared confused.

"It's just a bad flu, Canada. Yet you worry as if I'm dying..."

"But you could, we walked through the snow and you got hit by a water balloon which will make you more sick if you go out again and you already sound bad enough"

"Yeah" America said, "and I've got more balloons where that one came from"

England gave America a weird look.

"Where the he** are you keeping those bloody balloons?"

"Someplace magical~" America joked.

Canada shook his head then looked back at Russia. He took the cap off, poured some medicine into the spoon and... tried to give it to Russia. Russia tucked his lips in his mouth and glared like a stubborn child.

"Seriously?" Canada complained.

France was giggling in the background obviously finding this very amusing. Canada himself found it a little funny as well, but he only smiled.

"Russia"

Russia un-tucked his lips.

"Da?"

"Please, let me heal you"

Russia's eyes looked away, he grumbled then looked back at Canada.

"...Ah" He said as he opened his mouth still not too thrilled about it.

Canada smiled a little bigger, then gave Russia the medicine he needed. Russia gagged soon after he swallowed the medicine, but it didn't last too long.

Canada was just happy knowing that Russia would be alright now, or, so he hoped.

"Good, now let's get this conference underway" England said.

XXX

This is probably the longest chapter here. Eight pages, Oh boy... Anyway, wait till next update.