Matthew felt a whole range of different emotions during the dinner hour. By the end of the night he knew he would be exhausted.

The same maid who'd served them tea in the afternoon had come to knock on the office door again, informing them that it was time for dinner. Russia signed one last document, then rose from his seat and stretched. Matthew set his book aside and stood as well. He tucked the leash behind his back, hoping that Ivan would have forgotten about it. But.. no such luck.

The Russian turned to him with a smile. He tilted the little Canadian's chin up and carefully shifted the metal collar around so that the leash hung at the front. Then he took the leash and tugged Matthew along out of the office.

Matthew followed, turning his face away from the maid so he wouldn't have to see the expression on her face. He was sure she must be laughing at him.

His head sunk lower as they entered the dining room. There were all sorts of servants waiting for them, making final dinner arrangements. The table was long and formal, but there were only two places set. A large, beautifully carved wooden chair at the end, and a smaller, simpler one to the right of it.

Russia pulled out the smaller chair for Canada to sit, as if he were a gentleman being polite to a lady, and Matthew felt his pride crumpling into an even smaller ball inside his stomach. But he sat down anyway. Ivan took his seat at the head of the table.

Dinner was served.

Canada quickly realized that thankfully none of the servants were paying any attention to him. It was all much too formal, much too.. synchronized. Almost like a dance. Dishes were presented to Ivan and he shook his head or nodded depending on what he wanted to eat. His approved dishes were quickly served up on his plate, and onto Matthew's plate too. It seemed whatever was good enough for Russia, was good enough for Canada. Glasses were filled with water, and then other glasses were filled with fine wine. Still, more glasses were filled with vodka. No surprise there.

Ivan lifted a wine glass and gazed at Matthew. Matthew took his own glass and lifted it as well, gently 'tinking' it together with Ivan`s.. tho he couldn't imagine what the man wanted to toast.

"To us." Ivan smiled, then took a drink.

"...us.." Matthew repeated quietly, then carefully sipped at the wine. It tasted very good, but Canada knew he should be careful not to drink too much. After what happened in the bath, he didn't trust himself. He didn't want to become drunk and even more vulnerable.

Matthew turned his attention to his plate and the food that had been chooen for him. It was all completely foreign to him, except for maybe the sausage. Canada was no stranger to different foods. He was a multi-cultured country, afterall.. but he had to admit that Russian food wasn't very common. He couldn't remember if he'd ever seen a restaurant that served Russian food, even in Toronto. He was sure there were some, but he'd never been to one.

"Eat."

Matthew glanced up at Ivan, who was now sipping from his glass of vodka. When the blond continued to hesitate, the Russian set his glass down and picked up Matthew's fork. He scooped up a bite of food and held it to Matthew's mouth.

Canada grimaced, feeling silly. He peeked around to make sure none of the servants were watching - they weren't - and opened his mouth to accept the forkful. Ivan watched as he chewed. It did taste good. Different from the meat and potatoes he preferred to eat for dinner at home, but it was very tasty all the same.

"Is good, da?" Ivan asked, and Matthew nodded. He took his fork from Russia and began eating on his own.

Russia was silent as they ate, and tho he kept his eyes downcast to his plate, Matthew could feel the larger man watching him.

After the main meal came dessert, and Canada didn't need any coaxing at all to eat that. Sweet cake and more fresh berries with honey, mmmm.

Ivan drained the last of his third glass of vodka, then rose from the table. Matthew knew he shouldn't have been surprised that the larger man wasn't drunk, but he was anyway. He'd barely touched his own alcohol, save for the water.

What he wouldn't give for a cold beer..

He stood as well, and as Russia took his leash and started to lead him from the dinning room the servants descended on the table to begin clearing it. One of the maids, a young woman, looked at him as she passed. Matthew met her gaze for a fraction of a second and she smiled at him. He blushed and looked away.

Russia led him back to the office. He had Matthew sit down on one of the loveseats, then went to build the dying fire back up. The sun had set by then and the room had grown dark and chilly.

Canada watched as Russia added wood to the fire, then shoved the logs around with a poke. The flames grew, and the light inside the room increased.. as did the warmth.. but only slightly. Matthew wrapped his arms around himself and tried not to shiver. He felt silly to be so cold here when it was just as cold back home. He nearly jumped out of his seat when a large, furry grey thing suddenly jumped up onto his lap.

"Ah, Koshka!" Ivan gave the logs in the fire one final shove, then set the poke down and brushed his hands off on his pants. He came to settle down on the loveseat beside Matthew and began scratching behind the cats ears.

"Good kitty. You like Matvey?"

Koshka purred and butted his head against Canada's chest. Matthew squeaked out a laugh, breathing out the last of his startle, and began to pet the cats soft fur.

"I.. didn't take you for a cat person." he said softly.

Ivan smiled and wrapped his arm around Canada's shoulders. Koshka lifted his chin when Russia began scratching him there next. He was so large his purr was vibrating Matthew's lap.

"Koshka was sad kitty with no home. I found him wandering street. He was hungry and lonely, so he come with me. Now he keeps mice from house.. and keeps me company."

Koshka began kneading against Matthew's leg. Canada squinted his eyes shut as ten sharp little claws poked in and out of his pant leg. Eventually the cat settled into a large ball and fell asleep in Canada's lap. Matthew let out a sigh of relief and leaned his head back against the back of the loveseat. He was a nation who kept a polar bear as a pet, yet Russia's oversized cat just had him fearing for his skin.

Ivan's fingers tangled themselves in his hair, then began massaging the back of his neck beneath the collar. Matthew knew Russia was watching him again. He turned his head away and gazed at the moonlight through the window.

"Are you comfortable, Matvey?" Russia asked. Matthew wasn't sure how to respond.

Physically, yes. Emotionally, no. I want to go home.

Russia reached for Canada's hand and took it. He raised it to his lips and kissed the back gently. Matthew resisted the urge to make a fist and punch him in his big nose.

"What can I do? How can I make my little Matvey happy?"

"Let me go."

Matthew turned his gaze back to the larger man. He frowned at Russia and pulled his hand away.

Ivan shook his head.

"No. You are staying here. You belong to me."

"I don't belong to you!" Matthew cried, upsetting the sleeping cat on his lap. Koshka lifted his head and eyed him, as if Canada were the worst sort of evil that he should be loud and disturb his sacred rest.

Matthew sighed and pet the cat. He noted that the feline had a long, broad nose.. just like his owner.

"You do belong to me." Russia said, his fingers closing around the chain at Matthew's neck. He tugged on it lightly, as if reminding Matthew of his position. "You are like Koshka. You are.." the Russian was quiet for a moment, searching for the right word. "...a pet."

Matthew's eyes were wide as he stared at Russia. Shock sent a pins and needles sensation all over his body. Outrage heated, then boiled in his blood.

"A.. a pet? I'm not a pet! I'm Canada! You can't keep me like you keep your cat! I'm a nation!"

Koshka had had enough. He jumped off Matthew's lap and disappeared into the darkness.

Matthew shoved Ivan's hand away from his collar and jumped up off the loveseat. The leash swung out behind him like a tail as he made for the fire, grabbing the poke from where Russia had left it. He spun around and waved it threateningly.

"I've had enough of his nonesense!"

"Put it down, Matvey." Russia said calmly. He stood and carefully stalked around Matthew, putting himself between the blond and the fire. He held his hand out. "Give it to me."

"No!" Matthew yelled, taking a swing at Ivan who moved out of the way just in time. But still he advanced, slowly, and Canada backed away.

"I want to go home!" Matthew swung the poke again, more out of desperation than as a true attack. He was more frightened now than angry. The fire made Russia's eyes glow. The man was huge, and Matthew feared for his life.

"You are home."

Matthew furiously shook his head, still backing away, then yelped in surprise when his leg hit a small stand. He tripped and fell over it, knocking it to the floor along with the vase that was sitting atop it. The vase smashed and the poke flew out of his hand. Matthew scrambled to get back to his feet but it was too late.. Russia was on top of him.

The air in his lungs was crushed from his chest when a heavy knee trapped him face down on the floor. He struggled as hard as he could, twisting around and grasping at whatever he could to try and get away. Shards of glass from the broken vase dug into the palms of his hands, embedding themselves deeply and drawing blood.

He coughed and gasped for air and Russia stood, pulling the little Canadian up after him. Free to breathe again, Matthew struggled on. Ivan held him fast, grabbing a wrist and twisting it painfully behind the blond's back. He bunched a great handful of Canada's hair and pulled his head back so that Canada was off balance.

"Calm down, little one. It's ok. I'm here."

The gentle words spoken to him as tho he were a child only served to infuriate Matthew even further. He kicked and tried to punch and bite and.. anything to get away from Russia's grasp.. but it was all in vain. Ivan had him in a vice-like grip and would not let go no matter how hard Matthew fought to get free.

Eventually.. the blond tired himself out. When his struggles calmed, then ceased.. Russia released his hair and arm.. and pulled Matthew back into his embrace.

Canada couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He burst into tears.

"It's alright." Russia gathered Matthew up into his arms and lifted him. "It's over now. It's ok."

Matthew wrapped his arms around Ivan's neck and sobbed into the mans chest. Russia carried him from the office and up the stairs. He kept speaking in a soothing voice, reassuring him that it was ok, he was there, it would be alright.

Ivan carried Matthew to the bathroom and set him down on a stool. Matthew kept crying. Through his tears he saw his bloodied palms. He was a mess.

Russia took a little kit from the cupboard and opened it, taking out a pair of tweezers. He wet a washcloth with cold water, then knelt before Matthew. He took the little blonds hands and carefully dabbed them with the washcloth, cleaning them before using the tweezers to pick all the little shards of glass from his palms.

Matthew's tears subsided into sniffles. He watched Russia caring for his hands and wondered how this same man, so gentle and kind, could be so cruel and call him a pet. But then.. maybe it wasn't cruel to Russia. Ivan had said he was like the grey cat.. hadn't he? Koshka had been hungry and lonely.. but now he was obviously well fed and cared for.

Ivan finished with his hands and set the tweezers aside. He stood and guided Matthew to the sink where he rinsed away the rest of the blood. Canada's hands were gently wrapped in gauze, then bandages.

Matthew was exhausted. He followed Russia from the bathroom and back into the little bedroom that was his. He made no objection when Ivan unlocked the leash from his neck and replaced it with the chain. He was chained to the bed again, but Matthew was too tired to care. He let Ivan push him down against the mattress.

Russia tucked Canada's blanket around him, then sat down on the edge of the bed. He pet Matthew's hair back from his face. Matthew watched him through half-lidded eyes.

"You belong to me." he said softly, and Canada turned his face away again.. but Russia took hold of his chin and turned it back. "Say it."

Matthew closed his eyes. There was no more fighting it.

"I belong to you.. Vanya."

Russia smiled, then leaned down and placed the softest kiss on Canada's lips.

"Goodnight, my little Matvey."

He stood and left the room. He left the door unlocked and open just slightly.

A few minutes later Matthew felt something jump up onto the bed with him. Koshka stepped onto his chest and settled down for a sleep. Matthew was too tired to pet him, and his hands were too torn up. The cat didn't seem to mind tho, and purred anyway.

Canada, lulled by the purring, fell into sleep himself.