Morning came and Matthew had not slept.

A few times in the night he'd nearly nodded off, but Ivan's nightmares woke him. The large man was twitching in his sleep and mumbling in Russian. The few words Matthew made sense of were 'please', and 'don't leave'.

He'd kissed Ivan's frowning forehead each time and whispered back in Russian that he was there, it was alright.. and Ivan would settle down again.

When the sun lit the room by peeking in through the windows, Ivan opened his eyes. Matthew thought the man looked as unrested and tired as he felt.

They quickly bathed together, without speaking. Canada was glad, because he wasn't sure what to say.

Russia reached far back into his wardrobe and pulled out a business suit. It was the one Matthew had been wearing the day he'd been kidnapped. It had been washed and pressed.. and apparently had been hanging in Ivan's closet, forgotten, all this time.

Matthew took it and put it on. The material felt stiff and strange to him. And as he gazed into the mirror he thought he looked weird wearing it. Like he should be dressed in a tunic, with detailed embroidery stitched on it's front and sleeves.. not this uncomfortable western-style... thing.

His hair had grown longer. He brushed it out and tied it back with a ribbon. There. He looked presentable enough for a meeting with world leaders. And.. with his brother.

Ivan had dressed in his own business suit, much different from the usual military-style uniforms he would put on to go and meet with his government. He looked just as uncomfortable.

"Will your boss be here as well?" Matthew asked, watching as Russia did up his suit jacket's buttons.

"Da. He needs to be present to approve of whatever decision is made."

Matthew lowered his gaze to the floor.

Whatever decision is made.. Does that mean Vanya's boss has known all along that I was here?

Of course he had. Russia's boss had come to the house on occasion to speak with Ivan. He'd seen Matthew. Once he'd even nodded in greeting as Canada had been shoo'd from the room along with Alina.

Is this a meeting to decide what happens to me?

Matthew peeked at Ivan through his blond locks. The larger nation was doing his best to tame his silver hair.

Or is this a meeting where I decide what happens next?

A knock came at the door. An older servant called in, telling them that America, his boss, and Canada's boss had arrived along with Russia's boss. They were downstairs in the dinning room, waiting.

Ivan called back a 'thank you', then turned to look at Matthew. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Matthew thought he looked nervous.. and stressed.

Ivan opened his eyes.. and his arms. The little blond immediately went to him, burying his face in the larger mans chest and breathing in. He was wrapped in such a tight embrace he thought he heard his ribs cracking.

After a long moment, Russia pushed him out at arms length.

"You are mine, Matvey." He said, his eyes filled with seriousness. He took Canada's chin between his thumb and finger and held his gaze. "Don't forget that."

"I wont." Matthew whispered back.

Ivan pulled him into a gentle kiss, then with his eyes closed again, he just stood still and quiet with his forehead pressed against Canada's.

They couldn't delay any longer. They had to go downstairs.

Matthew felt his heart starting to pound in hs chest as they went to the dinning room. He hooked his finger into the collar of his shirt and tie, pulling on them in an attempt to breathe. He felt as tho he were choking on his own nerves.

Ivan pushed open the dinning room door and then they were all standing, shaking hands, sharing greetings.

Canada's boss grasped his hand tightly and clapped him on the back.

"Good to see you, Canada." He said, then winked before leaning in close to whisper into Matthew's ear. "Don't be too worried about all this. We both know better relations with Russia are good for our country. We'll get it worked out."

Matthew said nothing.

Next he shook the Russian presidents hand, then the American present. Finally.. there was Alfred.

He chewed his lip as he looked into Alfred's eyes and shook his hand. It was all so formal. The American looked like he'd been terribly worried and like he had so much to say.. but he couldn't. Not in front of their leaders.

Ivan was shaking hands too, and when everyone had properly greeted each other, they all sat down for their meeting.

Alina and the other servants were coming and going from the room quiet as mice, serving a rich breakfast. Matthew caught Alina's gaze and she sent him a tiny, encouraging smile.

America's boss began the discussion, getting right to the point. America was worried about national security and interests. They didn't like that Canada was getting so friendly with Russia. They were upset that they hadn't been consulted or even told about this until recently.

Canada's boss countered that to be honest, it wasn't America's business. These were times of peace, and there was no danger in a closer friendship with Russia. They were already close friends with Cuba, whom America did not like, and there was absolutely no harm there whatsoever.

Russia's boss interjected that they had no designs on anything other than shared wealth with Canada. Canada and Russia had alot in common, he said. They held the worlds majority of trees and fresh water. They were both rich in oil and other resources. By working together and combining their natural riches, they could in turn work to benefit the rest of the world.

America's boss worried that with great wealth would come more military power.

Canada's boss reminded them that Canadians were peacekeepers and had little interest in military power.

Russia's boss accused America of being paranoid of losing his superpower hold over the world.

Matthew felt like plugging his ears, closing his eyes and going 'lalalala'. A glance at Alfred and Ivan told him that they felt the same way. Meetings with their bosses were always like this. Talk, accusations, talk, flaunting of wealth, talk, threats of sanctions, talk.

Blah blah blah.

The nations themselves might as well not even be in the room. They were nothing more than things to the leaders.. pawns to be commanded around a global chess board.

Canada's boss was becoming upset. They had stood shoulder to shoulder with America for decades. They were brothers, friends, family.. how could America not trust them to conduct their own business safely?

America's boss countered that Canada was never safe and it was America who looked out for all of North America.

Tempers began to flare.

Matthew wanted to sink beneath the table.

The 'meeting', which was really more of an argument, lasted for hours. Unlike the G8 meetings or world meetings between the nations themselves, it had nothing to do with solving world problems, saving people or helping anyone.. it was entirely focused on national interests, security.. and money.

Alfred, Ivan and Matthew were given little chance to say much of anything. Alfred, being the loudest of the three, tried to say he was worried about his little brother. Ivan said there had been nothing to worry about - Matvey had been happy and well looked after during his stay in Russia. And he didn't want to leave.

Matthew said nothing.

Finally.. it was settled. Canada would continue it's relations with Russia, but the American government would be informed of everything from that point on. Oh, and lumber had to be cheaper, too.

The three national leaders shook each others hands and left the dinning room, leaving America, Russia and Canada to finish working out whatever personal details they had themselves.

Alfred sighed, massaging his temples.

"Russia.. can I have a few minutes alone with Matt?"

Ivan glared at him. He began to shake his head and say that everything should be stated out in the open with the three of them present in the room.. when Canada finally opened his mouth.

"Vanya.." He said softly, placing his hand on Ivan's arm. He looked into the larger mans eyes, his own pleading. "Let me talk to Alfred.. please?"

Ivan fell silent and stared back at Matthew. Emotions flashed over his face.. worry, anger, mistrust, fear.. then finally.. sadness.

He pulled his hand away from Matthew and stood, turning to leave the room without another word.

The little blond felt his heart begin to ache, like it was being slowly pulled apart.

The dinning room was empty, save for himself and his brother.

"Mattie.. holy shit, Mattie.. are you ok?"

Alfred stood and hurried over to where Canada sat. He pulled his brothers chair out from the table and turned it, then bent to one knee. He cupped Matthew's face with his hand and studied him closely.

"I'm ok, Al.." Matthew said softly. He closed his eyes and leaned forward, wrapping his arms around America's neck. Alfred hugged him back, tightly, and Matthew savoured the moment. He hadn't seen his brother in months. He'd missed him.

Alfred stood, pulling Canada up with him.

"That wasn't you writing those emails, was it?"

The little blond chewed his bottom lip and sighed.

"No."

Alfred's embrace grew stronger.

"Shit.. he's had you all this time? Did he hurt you? When did he get you? Must have been right after the meeting.."

"I wasn't at the meeting, Al."

"Huh?"

Canada wriggled out of America's arms and stepped back. He frowned at his brother, angry and hurt.

"I was never at the meeting. You didn't know I wasn't there.. and neither did anyone else. So does it matter if Russia hurt me? Do you even care?"

Alfred blinked.

"Of course I care! I.. you really weren't at the meeting? I'm.. I'm sorry, Mattie.. I didn't.."

"You didn't notice. I know. It's ok. I'm used to it."

Matthew hugged himself and swallowed back the urge to cry. Alfred reached for him again, and carefully pulled him back into a hug. He kissed the top of the little blond's head, and then Canada couldn't stop his tears. He sniffled and cried onto his brothers shoulder.

"It's ok.. no worries.. we'll take you home and it'll be better, ok?" Alfred was rubbing his back and shoulders. Matthew's jacket and shirt collar had come loose, just a little.

"Hey.. what's this..?" Alfred hooked his finger into Matthew's shirt collar and pulled it down, revealing the deep, purple bruising on his neck. Ivan's mark from the night before. There was also a tiny silver chain. It wasn't like Canada to wear jewellery. He grasped the chain with his fingers and pulled out the little snowflake necklace.

"Don't touch that!"

Matthew jerked away from him. The sudden motion snapped the delicate chain from his neck. The snowflake fell to the floor, bouncing under the table. Matthew cried out his despair and dropped to his knees. He reached for the snowflake, grabbing it and examining it to make sure it was ok. Thankfully only the chain had been broken. The pendant was alright.

He glared up at his brother.

"I'm sorry.. It was an accident! We can fix it.." Alfred began to say, but Matthew shook his head.

"You need to leave, Al. I'm not going back with you."

"What? Mattie, c'mon! Be serious!"

Alfred grasped his brothers arm, but Matthew swatted at his hand. He stood and backed away from America, shaking his head.

"Go home, Alfred. Please.. just go home."

America stepped towards Canada slowly, carefully. His blue eyes were wide, and full of concern.

"You're not talking sense, Matthew.." He reached for Canada again, but the little blond yelled sharply.

"GO HOME!"

Alfred held his hands up in defeat.

"Ok.. ok.. I'll leave. ...Damn."

He gazed at Matthew and shook his head as he headed for the door. He paused before he left.

"Just.. promise you'll call me.. if you're in trouble.. ok? I'll come right back for you."

America sighed, then turned and left the room.

Matthew waited until he knew it was safe, then ran from the dinning room. He didn't stop to say goodbye to his boss or the other leaders. He ran up the stairs and down the hall to the little bedroom he'd first been brought to. The chain was still attached to the headboard and his blue blanket was still there.

He slammed the door shut, then threw himself down on the bed, and buried himself beneath the blanket. Sobs began to wrack his frame. The shock of what Ivan had done, the stress from the meeting, seeing his brother, and his utter confusion over what he should do about it all. It was too much, and he cried until he had no more tears. When the sobbing subsided.. he fell into a deep and mercifully dreamless sleep.

When he woke, the room had darkened. He wasn't sure how many hours had passed, but the sun was going down. Night was coming. He'd slept the entire day.

He rubbed sleep from his eyes and yawned. Then he realized he was not alone in the room. He looked up to see Alina sitting on the side of the bed. She smiled sadly at him.

"Are you alright?"

The little blond sat up and pulled his knees to his chest. He would really rather be alone, but if he had to be in someones company, he was glad it was Alina.

"I've felt better.." He sighed.

She brushed his hair back from his face. He closed his eyes, enjoying her touch. The gentleness of the action reminded him of Ivan. The larger nation had been so careful and kind to him, and so sweet. But..

But.. taking his laptop and.. pretending to be him.. conducting his business.. it was unforgivable. And.. Matthew found.. he couldn't forgive himself either.. because he'd let it happen. He'd allowed himself to stay there, in Russia's house, for so long. He'd ignored the fact that he'd been forcibly kept here, and allowed himself to be caught up in some twisted Russian fairytale where the silly little pet falls hopelessly in love with his master..

Matthew jolted, letting out a little gasp.

...love..?

No. He quickly pushed the word away from his mind. He wouldn't think about that. He couldn't think about that.

Alina took his hands.

"Please forgive Russia, Matvey.." She said softly. "He is.. sick.. in his mind."

Matthew looked at her, surprised that she would say such a thing about the nation she loved so much. She shook her head.

"He has done many terrible things. And he has had many terrible things done to him. He is old.. so much older than me, older than Babushka.. even so much older than you. But.. he has mind of child. He is sweet and gentle.. but so angry and sad at same time. He has been alone for so long.."

Her eyes began to well with tears.

"I am too young to know Soviet Union.. it ended before I was born. But Babushka remembers for me. She tell me stories. She was here in Russia's house."

"She was.. here?" Matthew blinked. Alina nodded.

"She worked for Father Russia when she was young, like me. He was kind to her too. She tell me all about him... and about his sisters.. and Baltic nations who lived here with him. He was happy then, she tell me. He had family. He had Lithuania. He loved Lithuania."

Matthew felt his cheeks beginning to flush. He turned his face away. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear about this.

"But then everyone left. Father Russia was sad. He was alone. Babushka cried when she left him too, but she had to come home to village because I was born and Mamka needed help. When I grew up and I wanted to come here, she was so happy."

Matthew remembered the end of the Soviet Union well. He'd been one of the first nations to recognize the independence of each Baltic nation, as well as Ukraine. He, along with America, had worked hard to help lift the Iron Curtain. They'd felt they were setting free an oppressed people from Russia's rule. But.. he'd never stopped to think about Russia the man.. and what it must have been like to lose everyone he'd kept so close to himself for so many years.

"I.. I need to go and talk to him."

Matthew pushed the blanket back and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"No!" Alina grabbed his arm as he stood. Matthew looked at her, confused.

"No, not now, Matvey. Now is not good time. Is better to wait until morning, da?"

"Why? If he's sleeping I'll just wake him up." Matthew tugged his arm free and went to the door.

"He is not sleeping.. he is in office. But please, please Matvey.. listen to me and wait!"

She hurried and blocked the door. Matthew frowned and reached around her, gently moving her away.

"I'm sorry, Alina.. I've waited long enough to talk about this with him. I need to know why he kidnapped me. I get that he's lonely, but I want to know why ME."

He headed down the hall and down the stairs, and Alina was on his feels, grasping for his hand and begging him to stop, not to go in, please don't go in. She was nearly crying in her desperation.

Matthew stopped outside of the office door. He turned and pulled her into a hug. He kissed her cheek and gave her a smile of reassurance.

"It's ok, Alina. I'm not going to make him sad.. I promise. I just.. I need to ask him why."

He left her alone in the hall. He opened the office door and stepped inside.

There were empty vodka bottles strewn about the floor. A couple of them had been smashed and broken glass was littered everywhere.

There was no warm fire in the hearth. The heavy curtains, normally open wide for sunlight to gather during the day, were pulled closed. Papers and books were tossed about. The loveseat was upturned, laying on it's back. The room was dark except for one small lamp that sat on Russia's desk.. and Russia himself sat at the desk, with yet another vodka bottle grasped tightly in his hand.

There was no kind, gentle smile on his face when he looked up to see Matthew standing in his office. His eyes were rimmed with red, and his cheeks were flushed dark.

He's drunk..

Matthew watched as Ivan pushed himself to his feet. He wavered, as tho he might lose his balance at any moment.

He's.. completely trashed..

"Vanya?"

Russia lifted the bottle and drank back the liquid that remained inside it. Then he tossed the bottle aside. It hit the floor and shattered.

"Vhy you still here?" Ivan's voice was low, slurred, and heavily accented. "You vant go back to home. You leave me."

"I didn't leave you.." Matthew felt nervousness creeping up his spine as Russia made his way over, his steps uneven and awkward. "I came to talk to you."

"Vhat to talking about?" Ivan came closer, and Matthew couldn't stop himself from taking a few steps back. He was afraid.

"I.. I just wanted to know.. why? Why.. did you bring me here?"

Ivan cursed, becoming angry. To Matthew he seemed like a frightening and unpredictable bear.

"All this time I give you everything you vant.. I treat you like tsarinna and you vant to know vhy?"

Russia was terrifying him. Matthew had backed up to the wall, and he had nowhere else to go. Ivan bore down on him, yelling into his face.

"You are stupid little fool!"

Ivan backhanded Canada hard enough to send him tripping sideways. He crashed against a bookshelf and fell to the floor. Books fell down around him and onto him. The impact left him dizzy, but he scrambled to his feet as quickly as he could in case Russia was to come at him again with fists flying.

But Ivan stood still. He was staring at Canada, his eyes wide. He looked shocked as he gazed at the trail of blood that dripped down from where Matthew's cheek had been cut open. He'd scraped his face against the bookshelf.

Tears gathered in Russia's eyes and spilled down his face.

"Vanya.." Matthew said, unsure of what to do as the larger man wept silently. He was shaking.

"Get out." Ivan whispered.

"...what?"

"GET. OUT."

Russia balled his fist and came at the little blond as if he were going to hit him again. It was all the encouragement Matthew needed to turn tail and run, dashing out of the office and slamming the door behind him.

He ran past Alina, who was crying in the hallway.

"Matvey!" She cried, picking up her skirt and running after him. "Matvey, wait! Please!"

He ran to the front hallway and threw open the closet door. He searched for his boots. When he found them he hurried to put them on.

"Matvey! Matvey please!" Aline ran to him, grabbing his cloak from it's hanger before he could take it to wrap around himself. "You can't leave. You can't!"

"I can't stay here anymore." Matthew's bottom lip trembled and he held out his hand, wanting her to hand him the cloak. "I'm going. If you don't give that to me I'll be cold."

Alina sobbed as she handed him the cloak. He found himself crying too, and once he'd pulled the material around his shoulders he wrapped his arms around her. They cried together, trembling and unwilling to let go. She realized he was bleeding and she pulled a kerchief from her dress pocket and dabbed his cheek.

"He loves you.." She whispered.

Matthew felt his heart breaking. It hurt..

Oh... how it hurt.

"I'm going." He said again, finally pushing her back.

He turned and opened the front door, then ran out into the Russian night.