Matthew slept fitfully throughout the night. Hunger pains kept waking him from various nightmares. He couldn't get comfortable on the bare mattress. He was used to sleeping buried under thick, fuzzy blankets surrounded by lots of pillows. Add one little polar bear to the mix and you've got a big pile of warm, snuggly comfort. Plus Canada always wore flannel pyjamas to bed. Being naked for any length of time was not something he was accustomed to.

He rolled from his stomach to his back to both of his sides, then back to his stomach again. The chain tangled around his neck and in his hair and he cursed in French at the horrible thing. Eventually he gave up on sleeping altogether and took to pacing beside the bed instead. The movement warmed him up at least.

The night seemed to go on forever.

Eventually the Canadian wore himself out pacing. He curled back up on the bed and finally fell into a deep sleep. The first light of day chased away the dark shadows in the room and Matthew slept on through the very early hours of the morning.

Russia unlocked the door and walked into the room to find a sleeping blond curled up in the far corner of the mattress. He tiptoed quietly to the bed and set the tray he was carrying down. The little Canadian didn't wake. Russia carefully sat down on the bed.

Matthew didn't stir until he felt a hand in his hair. Gentle fingers threaded through his golden tresses, taming stray strands and untangling knots. He make a soft sigh of pleasure as those fingers massaged into his scalp. The skin along the back of his neck turned to gooseflesh. He shifted into the comforting touch, wanting more.

A light chuckle brought him to full waking and Matthew opened his eyes. There was Ivan, gazing down at him with that same gentle, almost innocent smile.

With a small yelp he scrambled into motion and put as much distance between himself and the Russian as he could. The chain rattled as it dragged with him, and the glass of milk which sat on the breakfast tray sloshed around from the bouncing motion of the mattress.

Ivan 'tsked' and used a napkin to wipe up the spill. Matthew resumed his usual covered-up sitting position and eyed the Russian and the food on the tray. This time Ivan had brought him something that looked like crepes. But they were folded up almost like envelopes, and were stuffed with berries. There was a bowl filled with an amber liquid, with a small wooden stick resting in it. Matthew gazed at it, wondering what it was.

Ivan noticed his interest and lifted the small stick from the bowl, revealing the end which was shaped like a mini bee hive. The liquid was thick and it oozed it's way down from the wooden hive and melted back into the bowl. It was honey.

"Matvey likes sweet things, da?" Ivan smiled, "This is blini. It is similar to your pancakes. We do not eat so much maple syrup.. only what we import from you. But we very much enjoy honey."

Matthew licked his lips. He could smell the sweetness in the air. The blini filled with strawberries and blueberries looked heavenly. His stomach rumbled painfully. He could almost taste them..

"We have many varieties of honey in my land," Russia went on softly. He twirled the little wooden hive so that the liquid stopped dripping and only glistened in the morning sunlight now streaming in through the window. "This is wildflower honey. It is rare and especially sweet."

The little Canadian met Russia's gaze. Ivan's eyes were light violet and beautiful, Matthew thought, like the first lilacs of Spring. They were soft and coaxing, like his voice.

"Try some?"

Ivan held out the wooden hive for Matthew to take.

The Canadian felt a part of his resolve to resist crumbling down inside him. In spite of himself.. and for the sake of something sweet.. he reached and took the wooden hive from the Russian's hand. He brought it to his lips and poked his tongue out to taste.

It was unlike any honey he'd ever tasted before. It was thick and strong and pure. Not like the over-processed and refined stuff he had back home. It was.. delicious.

He put the hive in his mouth and sucked all the sweetness from it. His stomach growled ferociously, demanding that he have more. Matthew's face flushed and he pressed a hand against his middle, trying to quiet the noise. Russia chuckled.

Ivan picked up a fork and knife and started cutting up the blini. He took the wooden hive back from Matthew and dipped it back in the honey, then drizzled the amber liquid generously over the plate. Setting the wooden hive aside, he took the fork and lifted a bite to his mouth.

Matthew nearly cried out in despair. Did Russia intend to eat the food in front of him as he'd done with dinner the night before?

Ivan chuckled at the horrified expression on the little blonds face. He took another bit of the blini onto the fork and held it up for Matthew. Canada went to take the fork, but Ivan pulled it out of reach again.

"Matvey must tell me first." He said.

Matthew frowned, frustrated.

"Tell you what?"

The Russian only smiled, and waited patiently for the blond to understand.

Oh. That.

The little Canadian kept his mouth shut and turned his face away again. No. He wasn't going to play Russia's little game. No way.

Ivan put the bite into his mouth and chewed. He made a sound of content. Matthew's stomach growled again, loudly.

He sighed and closed his eyes, lowering his head.

"Vanya. I'll.. I'll call you Vanya."

Ivan made a sound of delight and scooped another bite onto the fork. He held it out to Canada, who took it and devoured it as tho he'd been starved for two months instead of two days. He made short work of the blini. It was just as good as the pancakes back home, and even better than the crepes he loved to eat in Quebec. He ate every last piece of the blini, then stabbed at the berries that had escaped, popping them into his mouth as well.

When he was finished he set the fork down on the tray and picked up the glass of milk. He drained the glass in only a few large gulps, then set it down and leaned back against the mattress with his eyes closed. The feeling of food.. good food.. filling the emptiness inside him sated him and caused him to temporarily forget where he was.. and who was seated on the bed with him.. watching him with interest.

After allowing Matthew to relax for a few minutes, Ivan gathered up the breakfast try and set it down on the floor beside the bed. He then settled on his side on the mattress, his head propped comfortably on his hand, his elbow bent.

Matthew peeked an eye open and realized the Russian was close to him. Too close. He began to inch away, closer to the wall. Ivan grabbed for the chain and pulled. Canada resisted, but that only resulted in choking from the collar around his neck. The Russian dragged the little blond closer, and Matthew began to cough. He struggled, his fingers grasping at the mattress.

"Easy, little one." Ivan purred, grabbing hold of Matthew's arm once it was within reach. He pulled the blond fully into his embrace, releasing the chain. Matthew ceased his struggling only long enough to fill his lungs with much needed air. Russia used his chance to tighten his arms. He threw a leg over both of Matthew's and leaned down over him, trapping him against the mattress.

"Let me go, Russia!" Canada cried, fruitlessly pulling at his arms to free them and kicking his legs. Ivan was too strong for him, and the larger man made soothing noises and spoke soft words.. as if he were providing comfort to a frightened animal.

"Shh. It's ok, Matvey. It's alright. Vanya is here. Shhh."

Eventually Matthew wore himself out. He lay quiet beneath the Russian, panting and trembling. Sweat had broken out on his brow from his efforts. His matted hair clung to his face.

Ivan waited until the little blond's breathing had calmed. He slowly lifted his leg, freeing both of Matthews. When Canada didn't resume his struggles, Russia eased his grip around the blonds arms.

Matthew stayed where he was. He was tired, but not too exhausted to struggle against the Russian again.. but he knew it was useless. The man was too strong. Ivan could do as he pleased, and the thought started another wave of trembling up and down Canada's spine. When the Russian's large hand began to rub his back and shoulder Matthew clenched his eyes shut tight. He bit his lip when he felt Ivan's nose bury itself in his hair. Lips were at his ear.

"Don't be frightened." Ivan whispered. "Just relax."

The hand continued its work, rubbing and massaging at the tense muscles in Matthew's shoulder. Matthew was pushed forward and he didn't resist as he lay on his stomach. This gave Russia access to rub both of his shoulders, all of his back and his neck.

Oh, how good it felt. Ivan's hands were skilled and gentle and the little blond felt all his tension and soreness being driven away beneath deft fingers. When those fingers buried themselves in his hair again he hitched and the breath caught in his throat. Russia smoothed the golden hair back from his face. He ran his fingers through the wavy curls and pet Matthew until he was nearly lulled into sleep.

Ivan bent and placed a kiss in the centre of the Canadians' back, right between his shoulder blades. Then he left the bed and gathered the breakfast tray from the floor.

Matthew rolled to his side and wrapped his arms around himself. He shivered. He hated himself for it, but he missed Ivan's body heat. Tho Russia hadn't touched him in any sexual way, or forced him into anything too physical, he still felt as tho he'd been deeply violated. But.. that violation... had felt good. He was relaxed and comfortable.. but chilly from being naked.

He watched as the Russian made his way to the door. He closed his eyes and swallowed back some pride.

"Vanya?"

His voice was only decibels above silent but Ivan had good hearing. The Russian stopped at the door and turned to gaze at his pretty little Canadian.

"Da?"

"May.. I have a blanket? Please?"

Ivan smiled.

"Of course, my little Matvey."

He left the room, then returned with two things - a soft, fuzzy blue blanket and a pillow.

Matthew took the pillow and hugged it as if it were his little polar bear. He buried his face into its softness and felt a terrible pang of homesickness welling in his chest. Russia wrapped the blanket around him, careful to push the chain out of the way.

Once Canada was comfortable, Ivan bent to place a kiss on his forehead. Matthew forced himself not to flinch.

"I have business this morning," he said softly, petting Matthew's hair again, "But I will be back this afternoon. We will give you bath, da? Then if you are good there will be clothes to wear and you may eat with me downstairs."

Ivan grinned, then rose to leave the room. The door shut behind him and Matthew was left to himself with a headful of crazy, confusing thoughts.

A bath. We will give you a bath. Did that mean Russia was going to take him to a bathroom and allow him to shower? Or was he being literal? Like.. fill the tub with water, force Matthew to get in, and wash him himself. Soap and hands everywhere..

Canada closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands. He wanted to laugh like before, but all the mirth seemed to have escaped him.

This was nothing surreal and amusing about this situation anymore. Now it was just.. strange. Matthew felt himself becoming confused. The thought of clothing and the possibility of going downstairs - leaving this room - were things that he wanted. But Ivan had said if you are good.

Being good meant not struggling. Not trying to escape. Not fighting.

It meant doing as he was told. And calling Russia by his name.

It was useless to struggle and fight, wasn't it? Ivan was too strong. And there was always the fear that the larger man may hurt him. He had a reputation for being unpredictable and violent. Matthew had heard stories about the Baltic nations. How Russia had used them as servants and forced at least Lithuania into sex. He had a taste for smaller, pretty nations..

Matthew blinked and looked around the room. He wondered if this had been the very bedroom the Baltic nations had shared while they were under Russia's rule. The bed was large enough for three people..

He pulled the blanket around his chin and closed his eyes. It didn't matter. The Baltic nations weren't there now. Only he was. And wasn't it even sort of.. nice? In a twisted.. bizarre sort of way. He was the entire focus of Russia's attention. No one had ever paid so much attention to him before..

Those were dangerous thoughts.

Canada took a breath and forced himself to think about something else. Like hockey. He played a game in his mind, and soon he began to drift into sleep. The players around him on the rink in his dreams all had violet eyes and silver hair. One of them grabbed him and tore off his helmet. It was Ivan.. and he pulled Matthew into a sweet, lingering kiss.