Matthew lost all sense of time.
There were no meetings for him, no phone calls from his boss demanding that he come to parliament to mediate between provinces. There were no arrangements to go to other nations to meet and discuss politics and trade deals. There was no backlash from a people who were unhappy with healthcare or the fall of the Loonie against the Dollar. There was nothing but the passing of time which Matthew forgot how to measure.
His days were filled with Russia.
He spent most days by Ivan's side in the office. He curled up on the window seat behind him reading a book, or sitting on the floor by his feet with his head resting in Russia's lap. He slept in his bed at night, and rose when Ivan woke up in the morning. He played the violin whenever he was asked, and was delighted to learn that the larger nation could play the cello that sat in the corner. Alina loved to come and listen to their duets.
His bond with Alina grew stronger. He spent the days that Russia was gone with her, helping her with her chores, and learning to speak in Russian. He was not yet fluent, but he could understand almost everything that was said to him, and answer in short sentences.
He carried Koshka around the house with him wherever he went. The fluffy cat was pliant and happy to receive all the attention. Whenever he wasn't in Matthew's arms, he followed the blond from room to room and sat nearby.
Tho Matthew remembered who he was as a nation, he almost forgot that his name was Matthew.
I'm Matvey, he would think whenever he looked in the mirror. Matvey, who lives in Russia with Vanya.
He quite nearly lost all sense of who he'd been before.
He was demanding.
When Russia was busy with paperwork, he would plop himself down into the larger nations lap and insist on kissing until he was pushed down face first onto the desk. His pants pulled away, he would raise his hips and moan out his pleasure as he was penetrated. He took great pride in making a mess of Russia's work, papers strewn haphazzardly about as Ivan pounded into him from behind.
He would act huffy and upset whenever Russia announced he had to leave for the day. When Ivan returned home, there was always a gift for him.. flowers, chocolate, even an imported bottle of maple syrup. By the time Ivan carried him to the bed at night and made love to him, all was forgiven.
Russia indulged his every whim, taking him back to the arena whenever he wanted to skate. Taking him out to see more of the city, and even deep into the countryside to go for long, cold walks through the snow. There were hockey games, and visits to museums. There were snowball fights, music and sweet foods.
Matthew felt alive. He felt wanted, and needed. He felt..
He felt happy.
There was no more loneliness. Just as Russia had promised.
Winter slowly slipped away into Spring. The snow was melting, and the days were warming.. almost enough that you could go outside with just a light sweater instead of a heavy winter jacket. The trees were beginning to bud. The grass was coming alive again after it's long winter's rest.
Matthew couldn't wait to see all the flowers that would grow in Russia's garden.
"It is beautiful." Alina said one day while helping the blond into a pretty red folk dress. "I like daffodils best. Because they say 'it is warm' before any other flower."
Matthew poked his head through the neckhole, slipped his arms into the billowy white sleeves and pulled the material into place around his body.
"Are there lilac bushes?" He asked, hopeful. The little purple flowers that appeared for only a few weeks in the beginning of Spring were his favourite.
"Of course there are! Russia's garden is filled with many lilacs!"
Alina smiled and smoothed out some of the wrinkles from Matthew's dress. It had been specially made just for him, and all along it's skirt were little embroidered maple leaves in a darker shade of red than the dress itself.
It was time for the folk festival called Maslenitsa, and Alina had asked for the day off to go home to her village and celebrate with her family. When she'd told Matthew about the festival, also known as Pancake Week, the little blond begged Russia to go too. And so he was given a traditional dress to wear.. 'to blend in', Russia had said.
Matthew didn't mind. He quite liked his dress, and the pretty headpeice that went with it. It matched the outfit and was nestled on his head like a tiara. Alina called it a 'kokoshnik', and it was beautifully beaded and tied behind his with a pretty ribbon.
Alina wore a folk dress which was similar to Canada's, and also very pretty. It was blue, and decorated with Spring flowers. Her kokoshnik had been in her family for generations, she'd told him, and she wore it proudly atop her head.
When they were dressed and ready, they descended the stairs to where Ivan was waiting for them.
"Lovely lady." Russia took Alina's hand and kissed the back of it. She giggled, blushing. Then Ivan looked to Matthew. Matthew twirled on the spot, his skirt billowing out around him. He laughed, feeling a little silly, but Russia seemed to approve by the way he took the blond's hand and pulled him into a kiss.
"My beautiful Matvey." He said softly. Canada blushed, then stepped back so he could admire Ivan.
"Look at you! Wow."
Russia had on a red tunic with a black, decorative sash tied around his waist. The sleeves and hems of the tunic were stitched carefully with colourful shapes and decoration in golds and dark blues.
His pants were black and tucked into black leather boots. On his head sat a little black hat with a bright red flower on the side.
"You look amazing. Just.. wow." He glanced at Alina, who nodded her head quickly. She was admiring Russia too.
Ivan cleared his throat and turned away before either of them could see him blushing. He opened the door and bowed to them.
"My ladies, we should go."
Arm in arm, Matthew and Alina exited the house with Russia following after them.
They were driven to the train station, where they caught a train going eastwards. The trip to Alina's village would take a couple hours, but Matthew didn't mind at all. He loved trains. He would lose himself in thought as the world rolled by. He found it peaceful, quiet and comforting.. much less frightening than flying.
Ivan and Alina chatted quietly with each other, while Matthew gazed silently out the window as the Russian countryside unfolded before his eyes. It was beautiful and vast and as endless as his own land. Even more so.
He was distracted from the view only when Russia would take his hand and squeeze. A gentle reminder that the larger nation was there with him.. and that he cared.
They arrived in Vyazniki, and Matthew took Russia's arm as they exited the train. The air was colder here than in Moscow.. there were still snowbanks piled up in places.. but the breeze was fresh and smelled sweet.
He could smell Russian pancakes! And honey, and all kinds of other foods. He could also hear music and singing. Other people were exiting the train along with them, and the excitement in the air quickly grew.
"Vyazniki is old village," Alina smiled, taking Ivan's other arm when it was offered to her. They walked towards a horse drawn carriage that was waiting to take visitors to the festival. "There are cars here, but for today everyone will use horses."
Matthew was delighted.
Alina's village was little more than a nest of small houses and a few stores. Most people here made their living by farming or working in mines up north, Alina told him. Alot of the younger people had packed up and left for Moscow, like she had. Tho not everyone was as lucky as she, to go and work for Russia himself.
People and carriages were everywhere, all heading towards the centre of the village where the festival was being held. The singing and music grew louder the closer they got. Early Spring flowers decorated benches and lamp posts everywhere they looked. There were booths selling clothes, foods and other goods. There were children with brightly coloured balloons running and laughing with their mothers or fathers chasing after them, calling to slow down and come back.
Their carriage stopped at a corner and Ivan stepped down first, then held out his hand to assist Alina and Matthew. It was then that people began to notice..
"Russia.."
"He's here?"
"He's here in our village! It's Russia himself!"
Matthew heard and understood the whispers coming from the crowds of people who were beginning to gather and stare at them. He glanced at Alina, his eyes full of worry. Would there be trouble?
Alina took his hand and winked at him. Matthew chewed his bottom lip and watched.
"My children," Ivan bowed with a smile on his face, then spoke loudly in Russian so all could hear him, "Would you allow me to spend the day with you?"
Smiles broke out on the faces of all the people. They clapped and called out "of course, we would be honoured!", then gathered in close. Ivan greeted the men with handshakes, and kissed the backs of the ladies hands. They would curtsy or bow to him, then rush off giggling like little schoolgirls.
A little girl tugged at Ivan's pants, and he knelt down beside her. She smiled at him shyly, then handed him a little white flower. He took off his hat and tucked the flower alongside the one that was already there. He put the hat back on, then picked the little girl up and set her on his shoulders. He headed into the thick of the festival, with all the people following at his heels. Alina and Matthew followed too, hand in hand.
Suddenly, Alina gave a happy cry and ran off, straight into the arms of who could only be her mother. Next, she was gathered up in a hug by a burly man Matthew assumed was her father. An older woman with a red headscarf tied around her hair was next.
That must be babushka.
He smiled as he watched the family reunion, then blinked when Alina came to grab his hand, pulling him over.
"This is... Madalina. She is my friend."
Matthew swallowed and nodded to Alina's family as they said hello to him. Tho he knew enough Russia now to speak to them, he was afraid to say anything. He knew his voice was very soft and light, but he didn't want to take any chances on them finding out he wasn't really a girl. Or a human, for that matter.
"This is mamka, and papka, and this is babushka." Alina introduced them. They smiled kindly at him, but the old woman eyed him closely. He took his hand and patted the back of it, then wandered off muttering something to herself.
"She say you are prettier than Lithuania." Alina whispered, and Matthew blinked.
Does she know?
A man almost as tall as Russia walked towards them and Alina gave a happy laugh as she hurried to hug him. He was handsome with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
"Sergey!"
"Alina! It is good to see you, sestrenka. How have you been?"
Matthew's eyes and ears wandered as Alina visited with her family. He listened to the happy chattering of the people, and the giggles of the children as they ran around. He couldn't see Ivan anymore.
He must have gotten swamped with greeting his people..
"And who is this pretty girl?"
Matthew's attention came back when Sergey took his hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of it.
"You will dance with me later, yes?"
Matthew blushed, biting back the urge to speak. An arm suddenly wrapped around his shoulders and he was pulled back from Sergey's attentions. Russia, tall and possessive, stared down Sergey who quickly backed away.
"Father Russia!" Alina's mother exclaimed. She bowed to Ivan, along with Alina's father.
They began thanking Ivan for taking such good care of their little girl. They told him they wouldn't eat so well at night without him, and begged to know if there was anything they could do in return for his kindness. Ivan smiled and asked that they join him as he took up the festivities of Maslenitsa. They happily agreed, and the group made their way towards the tent that was serving the pancakes.
After having the best blini with the sweetest honey Matthew had yet tasted, they walked around the village square, watching as the people made merry. There were games of tug-o-war, sacks filled with stuffing to 'fight' with, snowball fights gathered from the remaining piles of snow, and a huge pole that men took turns trying to climb. At the top was tied a yellow flower. Matthew watched with interest as man after man tried climbing to the top to reach it.
"The one who gets the flower and gives to his lady will have successful marriage." Alina told him.
At the very centre of the festival was a large mannequin made of straw. It was dressed in a red and yellow dress, and had blue eyes and red cheeks painted onto it's face.
"That is Lady Maslenitsa," Alina smiled, "Later she will be set on fire."
Matthew's eyes widened in surprise.
"She is Winter. We burn her to say goodbye to cold, then bury her ashes in the ground.. to bring good crops."
The music in the air suddenly changed and grew louder. Cheers rose from the villagers and everyone began to hurry towards the sound. Dancers were starting to gather.
Handsome men and beautiful women all dressed in traditional costume paired up and began to dance, much to the pleasure of all who watched. Sharp whistles rang out from the crowd as they moved, and the women's skirts billowed out as they spun, their bright colours flashing.
Alina's mother clapped, then grabbed for her husbands arm to pull him into the dance with her. One of the male dancers held out his hand to Alina, a huge smile on his face. She accepted his invitation with a giggle and joined him.
Ivan stepped out and took Matthew's hand. Matthew gasped and quickly shook his head, pulling his arm back.
"Oh no.. no no.. I don't know how to dance like that!"
"I have seen Matvey dance before. Come. We have fun."
Ivan held out his hand again, and after a few more moments of hesitation.. Matthew took it.
He felt very awkward at first. Especially next to Russia, who was the best dancer in the crowd. He crouched with his arms crossed and kicked as well as any cossak. Russian dancing depended so much on the strength of ones legs. So many spins and jumps, crouches and kicks.
Eventually he learned the steps, or at least the female parts. He began to smile and laugh as Ivan spun him around, his skirt twirling around his legs. Everyone watching was clapping and whistling and when the song ended Russia picked him up and kissed him. Cheers rose from the crowd.
The rest of the day passed by in a flurry of music, laughter and pancakes. When it was time to say goodbye, each of Alina's family members hugged and kissed him. Except for Sergey. Russia still wouldn't let him near.
Babushka pinched his cheeks and muttered something Matthew couldn't quite make out.
"She say.. take care of our dear Father Russia." Alina giggled, and the little blond blushed.
He fell asleep against Ivan's shoulder almost as soon as they were seated on the train and heading home.
A car was waiting for them in Moscow and drove them back to Russia's house. Alina said goodnight, and Ivan carried a still snoozing Matthew up the stairs to the bedroom. He stayed on his feet long enough to be pulled out of his dress, then went to snuggle under the covers with Koshka.
Russia stepped out of his own clothes, then took his cellphone from it's spot on the nightstand to check for any messages. There was one. He dialed in his password and held it loosely to his ear to listen, yawning widely.
A moment later.. he nearly crushed the phone in his hand.
He threw it to the floor.
"Matvey." He said, his voice low. "Wake up."
"Mmm?" Nothing but a wayward blond curl was poking out from under the blankets.
"Wake. up. now."
It was the tone of Ivan's voice that pulled Matthew from sleep. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, then gazed at Russia who was so visibly angry he was shaking.
"Vanya? What's wrong?"
"Tomorrow. America is coming here tomorrow. To see you."
Canada's heart skipped a beat in his chest.