Days began to pass.
A routine established itself. Russia came early every morning to unlock Matthew's chain, trading it for the leash. He never had to tug Canada along behind him anymore. Matthew followed willingly. He had no more will to fight back.
Each morning there was a bath. Ivan washed him with sweet smelling soaps and shampoo, then rinsed him clean. Matthew stopped being embarrassed over it. He couldn't wash himself anyway. His hands were sore and would take time to heal.
The Russian never tried to touch him 'there' during the baths, and for that Canada was grateful. Ivan could do whatever he liked - Matthew knew this - but he was being nothing but gentle. The amount of care Ivan was dedicating to his well-being almost made Canada forget how truly bizarre and wrong the entire situation really was.
With each passing day it almost became normal.
After the baths, he was given clothes to dress in. He never wore the same outfit twice, and he was beginning to feel like a doll. Russia dressed him in fine materials and colours, and always something Russian-style. Some of the outfits were even slightly feminine, adorned with beautiful patterns and even flowers, but Matthew never complained. He was just happy not to be forced to go around naked.
Breakfast was served in a pretty little nook of a room which held a huge window that faced the wintery garden outside. There was always fresh fruit and sweet honey. Tea and milk and blini that had been fattened up a bit a Ivan's request to be more like the Canadian's beloved pancakes.
Lunch was taken in the office, where Russia filled out his paperwork at his desk and Matthew sat behind him at the window seat, reading his book. He had learned the Russian alphabet and a few simple phrases.. at least in theory. Over dinner Russia would sound out the letters and some words with him, but he had little time to sit down and truly teach the language to the blond. Not in the way languages should be taught, and Russian was not an easy language.
So most of their conversation throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner was in English. They talked about hockey, about their fellow nations, and about the cold.
"When will it get warm?" Matthew asked.
"Spring begins in April, same as in Canada." Russia answered.
Ivan talked about the beauty of his rugged countryside, and Matthew told him he longed to see it for himself. The Russian promised to take him out soon, but for now there was too much work to be done. The little blond believed him - he saw the mountains of paperwork and watched as Russia made his way through it - but he also knew Ivan would not take him away from the house until he could be trusted not to try and escape.
And so Matthew's world was made up of the few rooms in Russia's house that he was allowed in. The bathroom, the dinningroom, the breakfast nook, and the office. Ivan was always with him. The only time he was by himself was at night, when he was brought back to the little bedroom and chained to the bed to sleep.
There were touches. Russia would wrap his arm around Canada in the evenings when they had tea before the fire. Fingers were always in his hair, petting and twirling the wavy locks. Matthew often found himself wrapped up in a hug whenever he did or said something the Russian approved of. At first he was uncomfortable, but he gradually came to love those hugs. He began to do things and say things he thought might please Ivan. He felt warm and special whenever he was rewarded with strong arms embracing him, holding him tightly. Ivan smelled wonderful and Matthew would bury his nose into the the larger mans chest and breathe in deeply.
He watched Russia whenever he had the chance.. whenever Russia wasn't watching him back. He studied the mans face. His gaze lingered on the thick mop of wispy hair that once must have been ash blond. Time, decades of war and harsh winters had turned it silver. It framed Russia's pale face and Matthew thought it suited him. His chin was strong and his nose, of course, stood out prominently. His cheeks always seemed to have a slight blush about them, and his lips looked soft and full. Matthew's own face would blush deeply when he caught himself wondering how those lips might feel against his own and he'd quickly turn his attention to something else. Like Ivan's eyes.
My God, those eyes.
The colour was violet and so similar to his own, but the soul behind them.. the depth and the expression displayed in those sad, haunted eyes.. Even when Russia smiled there was sadness there, and Matthew wondered how anyone could ever think it was difficult to read the Russian's mood. He quickly learned what Ivan was thinking and feeling.. just by looking into his eyes.
"Matvey.. read your book." Russia smirked at him one afternoon, and Canada blinked. He realized he'd been staring and blushed. He whispered out an apology and shoved his face back between the pages of 'Cyrillic for Beginners'. He was on the last few pages tho. He would be finished very soon, and then what? He needed to practice what he'd learned. He'd sounded out the alphabet to Koshka, who often sat with him on the window seat, but the cat only flicked his ear.
Ivan found a solution.
Matthew was gazing out the window when a soft knock came at the office door. A servant girl walked into the room, her eyes shyly downcast at the floor. She came and stood before Russia's desk, and Ivan rose with a smile.
"Matvey, this is Alina."
Matthew peeked around Russia and saw it was the same servant girl who'd smiled at him after dinner days ago. She curtsied politely, but did not look up. She was young.. she looked to be no more than eighteen human years old. She was pretty, as all Russian women were pretty, with light yellow hair, blue eyes, and pale skin.
"As it turns out, Alina can speak English." Russia's tone was slightly scolding, and the servant girl's face grew red with shame. "She will teach you Russian. Da?"
The girl bowed to Ivan, then turned and went to sit on the floor beside the fireplace. Matthew blinked from her, to Russia. Ivan motioned that he should join the girl, so Matthew picked up his leash and went to sit on the floor with her. He brought along his book and she took it from him and opened it to the first page.
"Please speak Russian alphabet." she said, her eyes on the pages of the book. Matthew swallowed and began sounding out the letters. She stopped and corrected him periodically, and he practiced with her until he got everything perfect.
Russia sat back down at his desk and continued his work. Music from the phonograph played softly.
Later that day Russia's boss came to see Ivan for business. Matthew was sent to another room with Alina to continue practicing.. and to be out of the way. They were given a small sitting room decorated tastefully with dried flowers, soft chairs with cushions, and paintings of mountains. With the door closed, their lesson continued like normal. Matthew was learning to hold a simple conversation in Russian. After a few minutes tho.. when he was sure Ivan would not be returning for them any time soon.. he switched to English.
"Did he give you trouble?" he asked the young girl. He played with the collar about his neck.
Alina blinked up at him from the book, her eyes confused.
"Russia." Matthew said, "Were you in trouble with Russia for speaking English?"
The girl slowly nodded her head.
"He say.. I should have told him when I came to work here."
Images of Ivan beating the girl for insubordination flashed through Canada's mind and he felt terrible. It was his fault she'd been in trouble.
"Did he hurt you?" he asked, gazing over the girls face and arms. He didn't see any bruises.
Alina tilted her head, her eyes still full of confusion. When she saw the look of concern on Matthew's face she suddenly began to giggle. She set the book aside and folded her hands in her lap and smiled at him.
"He didn't hurt me, Matvey. He say 'I wish you told me sooner', then tell me he give me more pay to teach you Russian."
"...pay..?" Now Matthew was confused.
"Da. Russia gives good pay. I was so happy to come work for him. My family is poor. I send money to them, and even have some left to save. I learned English because I want to travel someday to English country. Britain or America.. maybe even Canada." She smiled at him shyly.
Matthew sat back in his chair, feeling a little dazed. He'd half expected that Russia kept his servants like slaves and beat them with whips in a dungeon when they disobeyed him. He tried to think back to what he'd heard about the three Baltic nations and the way they'd been treated during their time under Russia's rule. The rumors about the way Lithuania had been beaten and raped.. but.. those were different times.. and Lithuania was a nation.. not a human.
He looked at Alina again. She was smiling and cheerful, and seemed much more relaxed now that they were alone.
"Russia is so happy since you are here, Matvey." She reached for his hands, squeezing them. "Everyone can feel it. Winter doesn't seem so cold when he is happy. The children smile and laugh, and the old have less aches and pain."
Matthew couldn't help but smile for her. He was glad for her and her people. He knew that a peoples combined sense of peace and wellbeing depended on the nation that represented them. If Ivan had been pleased these past few days it was clearly reflected in Alina's cheerful smile.
He had to wonder about his own people tho, and worried for them. His fear and anger and sadness must have affected them too. He hoped they were ok. His smile faded as he thought of his home.. and of his little polar bear. He knew Kumajiro would be ok without him but.. Matthew missed him. Missed holding him in his lap and snuggling into the soft, white fur.
Alina cupped his cheek in her hand, and Canada met her eyes. She smiled at him, silently reassuring him that it would be ok. He decided that he liked her. He told her so in Russian, and she giggled. She picked the book back up and their lesson continued.
Later, Russia came to collect them. Alina was sent off to help with dinner preparations, and Matthew was wrapped in warm clothes and a cloak and given a pair of boots along with a pair of furry mitts to protect his still healing hands.
"We're going outside?" He asked, watching as Russia pulled on his own warm clothing. Ivan nodded.
"Da. After visit from boss I always feel need to be in open air. Freedom."
I can relate to that.. Matthew thought to himself. He did his best to stay out of his own boss' way. He hated politics in his own country almost as much as he hated attending world meetings. He knew he should try to be more involved.. more of a leader.. but he was shy and quiet. He never liked to make a fuss.
Ivan opened the door that led outside into the garden and Matthew would have dashed ahead if not for the hand that held his leash. He walked out behind Russia and breathed deeply of the fresh, clean air. The sun was setting and snow was falling gently from the sky.
The snow was knee deep and even tho there was a shoveled path leading through the garden, Matthew jumped into the snow and walked in it instead. He jumped through the drifts, out as far as the leash would allow, and enjoyed the way it squeaked and crunched beneath his boots.
Being holed up in the house for days had Matthew wishing he could run around and build a dozen snowmen.. but Ivan walked calmly beside him, looking off into the distance as tho he were lost in thought.
I wonder if his boss was tough on him.. Matthew thought. He'd heard that Russia's bosses were always hard on him, always demanding more and more.
Matthew blew out a breath of frosty air and frowned. It was no fun to be outside while Ivan was being silent and pensive.
He rolled up a ball of snow.. and threw it.
Smuck! Right into the back of Ivan's head.
The Russian gasped in surprise, his shoulders drawn up tightly to try and prevent the freezing cold from dripping down his back. He'd dropped the leash. Matthew hooted out a laugh and danced away to a safe distance. He rolled another snowball and threw it, but missed. Ivan had turned and was staring at him as if he were confused by what had just happened.. but a third snowball that hit him in the arm snapped him to attention and sent him into action.
A huge smile broke over his face and he bent to make his own snowball. Matthew ducked the frozen missile, then ran off laughing. He was faster than Ivan and outran him to the end of the garden. Russia gave up the chase and launched more snowballs instead, hitting Matthew on his backside. Canada ducked behind a tree for protection, hurrying to ball more snow to retaliate. Once he was re-armed, he stepped out from behind the tree to aim.. but a snowball smacked him in the shoulder and knocked him off balance. He'd dropped his ammunition and when he scrambled to pack more snow Russia used the moment to charge. He caught Matthew in a tackle that sent them both sprawling into the snow.
Their laughter echoed through the garden.
The little blond squirmed to try and escape the Russians grasp, but Ivan held him trapped beneath his body. He caught both Matthew's arms and pulled them above his head, holding them captive. Matthew gazed up at the man who held him and found himself captive in another way. Russia was beautiful. His silver hair was lit by the setting sun. His cheeks were rosy with the cold and his eyes were alive with the fun they'd just had together.
Ivan gazed back down at him, then leaned down to brush his lips across Matthew's. Canada's breath caught in his throat and he froze, unsure of what to do.. or think. Russia's lips were warm and soft, patiently waiting for the little blond to respond. Matthew closed his eyes and hesitantly opened his lips and began to kiss back.
Ivan released his wrists and instead cupped his cheeks, tilting his face up to allow better access. When Russia's tongue touched his bottom lip, asking for entrance, Matthew opened his mouth and the kiss deepened.
He felt a warmth growing in his belly.. one that pooled between his legs and made him shift involuntarily against the larger man above him. He traced his mitted hands up along the Russian's shoulders and grasped at his jacket. He brushed his own tongue along Ivan's lower lip and shivered when the response was a moan.
He shivered harder.
Russia broke the kiss and pulled back, gazing down at Canada laying in the snow. Matthew's cheeks were flushed red and his hair was covered with white. Even his eyelashes were sticking together with snowflakes.
Ivan kissed the little blond once more, then pulled them both up and off the ground. Matthew's teeth chattered. Russia pulled him into a warm hug. He kissed the top of the blond's head, then took his hand.
"Come, my little Matvey. We will go inside, warm up, and have dinner."
As he was led towards the house, Matthew tried not to think about what had just taken place. But despite how absolutely frozen he felt from being outside and laying in the snow.. the warmth of Russia's kiss remained.