FOrigve me! *Bows* I had issues with my account and then when I finally fixed the account issue... I realized that the chapter wasn't quite a finished. So I finished it.

Enjoy!~

Dinner was awkward that evening. Kumajiro and Matthew were seated across from Ivan who barely even looked at them. Well, Kuma was eating while Matthew slowly stirred the soup. He wasn't hungry nor was he even sure if he should be there. The atmosphere in the room was dark and it felt like Iv-Russia regretted taking care of him. Matthew eventually put the spoon down and waited for Russia to finish or say something.

Ivan was eating his own meal slowly. He had about half of it before he lost the desire to feed. Lifted his eyes he noticed Matthew had hardly touched his own soup. "Is the food not to your satisfaction?"

He said something! Matthew shook his head, "I-It's fine... I'm just not too hungry right now... sorry."

"You do not need to apologize Canada. If you are not hungry now, you can simply have it later."

Nodding, Matthew was about to say 'thank-you' when he felt another coughing fit coming. He grabbed a napkin and held it to his mouth and turned to the side. He really was getting tired of this cough!

"Are you alright?" Ivan asked, unsure of what to make of the others a cough. "Do you need-" He was interrupted bu Matthew's rib busting cough. He got up and went around to Matthew's side and rubbed his back. "Perhaps you should rest and I'll have someone bring you your medicine later?"

"I think that would be a good id-" Matthew struggled to finish what he was saying as he kept coughing. But he couldn't figure out why Ivan seemed so distant now? He seemed to be very interested in Matthew before and now... now Russia didn't really want anything to do with him. Did he think of Matthew as a toy that was only worth something when it was new? Did he lose his appeal to Russia that quickly?

"You okay?" Kuma asked as he nudged Matthew's leg.

Matthew opened his eyes and looked at his friend, "Yeah... I just... need a moment..."

Ivan looked over to one of the maids and told her to escort Matthew to his room and ensure he was comfortable.

The maid in question nodded and walked over, "Follow." She said as she held out her hand, her English wasn't good but she knew enough to be of service.

Matthew looked up at her than to Ivan, he felt silly for even thinking that Ivan would be the one to help him. But of course, he should have known better. Russia was busy and caring for a sick nation wasn't going to be high on his list of things to do, maybe it was when they were back at the meeting but now... Matthew was a mere burden to him. He turned to the maid and nodded, "I'm coming." He said as he took her hand to stand up.

She was kind, haven been given orders to ensure that Matthew was comfortable and she was aware that he was sick.

Ivan stepped back, "I will be in my study and I'll have someone bring you some medication later."

"Okay... thanks..." Matthew said as he and the maid started walking away, "I'm sorry for being a burden..." He said silently, neither Ivan nor the maid could hear him.

Kuma followed close by, sensing Matthew's confusion for the bigger scary man. Well... Kuma felt Matthew's feelings towards the large nation, it used to be fear than it changed to a nicer warm feeling like they could be close if they could learn to trust each other more. But now... all Kuma felt was confusion and regret.

The maid brought Matthew out of the dining hall, and Matthew did his best to see things more. He noticed more details such as how everything was so clean and organized but it felt... sad. He didn't know how to explain it, it was like the house was ready for the guests that would never come. Like the birthday party, where friends and family were welcome and wanted, that was forgotten.

Matthew was brought into his bedroom and the maid helped him to the bed. "Thank you."

The maid smiled, "you are very welcome, the name is Anna if you need more help."

Matthew nodded, "Thank you, Anna."

Kuma watched as the maid left and went climbing onto the bed using Matthew's suitcase as a step ladder. He sat down as Matthew stripped to only boxers. He figured Matthew was too tired right then to change as his human climbed under the thick covers. He walked closer to Matthew's shoulder and laid down, his muzzled laid just over Matthew's neck. It was a sort of way that Kuma protected him, and it would help keep him warm.

Feeling his companion beside him, protecting him help Matthew to fall asleep.

Probably about an hour or so later, Ivan finished almost all of his paperwork, and what needed finishing only needed a signature from other's so there wasn't much he could do besides send the paperwork to them.

He looked at the time and grumbled, he had taken longer than he thought and Matthew more than likely asleep. He quickly put his papers away into their folders and was about to shut off his computer when he noticed an email from Alfred or America. The subject line read 'Question commie?' so he ignored it. The screen went black as it shut down and he stood up. Knowing the time, Ivan decided to just head to his room and go to sleep, he would check on Matthew in the morning.

tell me about your thoughts please! I'd love to read some reviews from ya'll! Anyways, my cats a dork who keeps trying to sit on my keyboard while I type.

Review, fallow and favourite please! *Sweet kitty cat eyes*

Until next time

~Meow!