Severely dehydrated. Suffering from starvation. Weak from exposure and exhaustion.

If Canada were human, the doctors said, he would have died.

Matthew lay asleep in a hospital bed in Moscow, the starch white sheets tucked around him carefully to keep him warm. His condition had been stabilized, but the doctors said it would be best that he stay for a few days while his body regained it's strength. There was an IV drip attached to his arm, giving him medication and fluid to help him recover.

Three nations stood watch over him. Two were at the end of his bed, while one sat close beside him in a chair, holding his hand, entirely focused on his sleeping face.

"Belarus must have known he was in the country as soon as he crossed the border." Lithuania's voice was quiet, as all voices were hushed to near silence in a hospital.

"That makes sense.. she has access to the Internet and the news, just like the rest of us. She would have known about Russia crossing into Latvia, then into Lithuania." America answered.

Toris moved to sit on the edge of Matthew's bed and gazed at the blonds face. When Ivan had carried him back to camp unconscious, his skin had been deathly pale. Now his cheeks held colour, and his lips were pink and parted slightly in his sleep.

America was drinking a coffee with one hand. The other was wrapped in a cast and hanging from his shoulder in a sling. His face was patched up where he'd been cut or scraped, and he was badly bruised with two black eyes.

"There's no way to know if she caught him and tortured him or something?"

Russia shook his bandaged head. His own face was banged up. The side of his head where America had kicked him had needed stitches. His face was just as bruised.

"She did not catch him. He would be in far worse state if she did. He must have run through woods.. stayed hidden in forest.. all that time."

"Damn." said America.

Matthew's hard twitched in Russia's, squeezing very lightly. A moment later, violet eyes framed by long lashes fluttered open. They took a moment to focus, looking glazed over and confused, but when Ivan cupped his cheek in his hand and turned his face towards him.. the little blond smiled.

"Vanya.." his voice came out scratchy and weak. He licked at his dry lips. Russia leaned in to place a sweet kiss on his mouth, giving him moisture.

Alfred stared, his expression one of disgust and anger.

Toris stood and cleared his throat. He took America's arm and tugged him towards the door.

"Let's go and see if we can find something to eat?"

Alfred gazed at his brother and his enemy for a moment longer before nodding. A great sigh left his chest and he allowed himself to be led out of the room. "Does Russia even have hamburgers?"

The door closed behind them.

Ivan broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against his loves. Matthew cupped his cheeks and laced his fingers through the silvery hair. He touched the bandages around Russia's head and inspected each of the cuts and bruises on his face.

"Did Alfred do this to you?" he asked, his eyes full of concern. Ivan chuckled.

"Da, but I deserved it."

Matthew traced his fingertips over Russia's features, mapping him out carefully as tho he wanted to make sure he was real. Light touches along his chin, his brow, his cheeks and eyelids. He traced the outline of the nose he loved so much, then down over his lips. Russia took his hand and kissed the tip of each finger.

"I was scared.." Matthew's eyes began to shine and his bottom lip trembled. "I was so angry with you.. and scared."

"Shhh, I know. It's alright, my little Matvey. I'm here now. We're together."

Russia used his thumb to carefully brush away tears as they fell. Matthew struggled to sit up, still weak. Russia helped him, being careful of the IV. The little blond wrapped his arms around Ivan and buried his face into the larger mans chest, breathing in his scent.

Ivan hugged him carefully, gently, resting his cheek against the golden curls of Matthew's head. He closed his eyes.

"Vanya?"

"Hmm?"

"I still need to know why. Why me?"

Russia pushed him back only far enough to look down into violet eyes so much like his own. He pet the hair back from Matthew's face and smiled.

"I have told you already why, Matvey. It is because you are like pet.. like Koshka. Quiet, and soft. You are so beautiful, but no one pay attention to you because you are timid. You were lonely and no one appreciate you. I bring you home with me and I take care of you. I give you happiness and attention. You keep me company.. and I love you."

Matthew gazed up at Ivan, who looked back at him with eyes full of such honest and open feelings. Slowly.. a happy smile lit the blonds face.. and he hugged Russia as hard as he could.

Lithuania was right.. he doesn't think or act the way others do. And I don't want him any other way.

"I love you too, Vanya."

Russia's smile was gentle and happy. He gathered Matthew up into his arms and sat down on the bed. He cradled the blond in his lap and pulled the white sheet up around him.

"You sleep, my little Matvey. Get better so I can take you home."

Matthew yawned and snuggled in, closing his eyes. He drifted to sleep listening to the Russian's heart beating steadily in his chest.

A week went by before the hospital felt Matthew had recovered enough to be released.

He stood amidst an ever moving crowd of people, rushing to and fro, hurrying to catch flights. A Russian voice spoke over a loudspeaker, announcing the last calls of departures for various planes going to various destinations. It announced that flight 142 leaving for New York City was now boarding.

He was wrapped in a new red cloak, embroidered with white maple leaves and a hood that was trimmed with white fur. The air outside the airport was still very chilly. Winter would not give up it's fight and allow in the warmth of Spring. Matthew guessed it was about the same in Ottawa, and since he was still a little weak, it was best to dress warmly.

"Are you sure this is what you want? I mean.. I know you kinda like it here." Alfred said, putting an arm around his shoulder.

Matthew smiled and nodded.

"Yes. It's time to go back home. My boss has had it up to his eyeballs with all my provinces fighting. He needs me."

America pulled his brother into a tight hug and sighed.

"Call me if there's any trouble, ok?"

"Ok.. but.. I'm sure we'll be fine. Don't worry." Matthew kissed Alfred's cheek.

"Koshka, no! Bad kitty!"

The yell caused the two blonds to turn and see a Russian who was desperately fighting to keep a very large and angry cat inside a plastic carrier. Koshka was apparently strong enough to push the plastic apart. He squished through the crack to escape and ran off through the airport.

"Koshka! Come back!" Ivan yelled again, chasing after him.

Alina, who had been making sure all of their luggage was together and properly labeled, gasped and ran off after the nation and the cat.

"Oh no! Matvey, help!" She called over her shoulder.

Matthew blinked, then turned an apologetic look to his brother.

"I.. uh.. I better go."

America doubled over and had himself a good, long laugh. He patted Matthew on the back.

"My flight is gonna leave without me anyway. See ya, Mattie. It'd better really be you who emails me next time, kay?"

"Kay!" Matthew laughed and ran off, chasing after the servant girl, the nation, and the cat.

They fortunately caught Koshka before their own flight left, and the airport supplied them with a sturdy, extra strong box to put Koshka in. The cat yowled pitifully, and Matthew did his best to reassure him that he would like it in Canada. Canada had as many mice as Russia did, and he might even make a new friend called Kumajiro.

Alina was excited to be going to an English country. She'd bought a Guide to Canada book and talked endlessly about all the sights she wanted to see, all the foods she wanted to try, and all the different people she wanted to meet. Ivan needed more reassuring, however.

Matthew snuggled up to him after they'd boarded the plane, and reminded him that Canada was every bit as cold and snowy as Russia.

"But Summer is coming, Matvey.." Ivan had looked at him with a childish pout, and Matthew kissed him with a laugh.

"I think we can maybe find something to make you comfortable in Summer, too."

They were flying to Canada to stay. At least for a year. After that they would go back to Russia to stay for another year. They agreed to go back and forth, and share each others lands the way they wanted to share eachs others lives.

Matthew's house was much smaller than Ivan's, but his property was vast and surrounded by forest. He hired workers to come and build a guest house for Alina, who was beside herself with delight and thanked him thoroughly with kisses.

They dug a flower garden and Ivan planted sunflowers that grew tall and yellow and beautiful. He was very pleased.

Koshka did indeed like it very much in Canada. Kumajiro chased him all over the yard and house, and they shared meals of fish together in the evenings.

Alina met a Canadian man almost immediately and fell in love. When she married him, she proudly claimed that she was the luckiest girl in the world to have two nations attend her wedding.

The Russian felt a little out of place in Canada at first, but eventually he came to love the country that looked so much like his own. And of course he had his little Matvey.

His Canada.

Only Canada.

The end.

Ok.. so now's the part where -I- cry. I hate to end this story.. it was so much fun to write.

Thank you all for the comments. I hope you enjoyed.

Yes, I'll go back to working on Don't Be Jealous. Or maybe I'll write a Ruscan oneshot that's floating around in my brain. I can't leave Matvey and Vanya behind for long. These two live in my head now. ^_^