Enjoy. ^^

XXX

"Matvey"

"Da?"

"What is life like in Canada?"

Canada smiled softly as he continued to walk beside his new friend. The night wasn't too cold at all, in fact, it was actually fairly nice. The walk back was relaxing, and the air was perfect.

"Well, the land itself is huge, but the population is not, which makes things feel more... comfortable"

"...and?" Russia said as he looked at Canada, curious to know more.

"Well uh, the people are fairly nice, and the weather there may be a bit crazy sometimes, but when that perfect time of the year comes around, it's all worth it"

"Ah? What is the perfect time of the year?"

This, Canada never really took much thought into, but he quickly found a good answer.

"I guess, whatever time you like... for me, it would have to be a calm quiet day with soft winds and-"

"-Friends to talk to?"

Canada began to fidget with his fingers, a sad smile replaced his happy one.

"I guess..."

"You guess?"

"The only person that ever came to my house was America, but, he just barged in without permission all the time"

They walked silence. Russia, not knowing what else to say, and Canada, just thinking to himself. Canada was used to being forgotten and invisible, but even though that was true, he tried to keep a happy face on. Then, Canada giggled before looking up at Russia with a much more cheerful smile. He patted his shoulder, then jumped in front of him and started to walk backwards, hands behind him.

"Ok, I answered your question, now you answer mine"

Russia stared at Canada, blinking a couple times. Canada couldn't quite understand Russia's face expression, but it looked like he was confused for some reason.

"D-Da... go ahead"

"Ok, what do you dislike about your country?"

It was an easy question, but for a nation to say what they disliked about their own land would take a lot of pride swallowing.

"I think I've told you already before, Matvey"

"Eh?" Canada now, was the one confused.

Did Russia ever tell Canada, was Canada even listening when he said it? Canada felt a bit ashamed for forgetting, what was worse that the shame showed on his face.

"S-Sorry... I forgot" Canada whispered, as he stopped himself from walking any further.

Canada felt guilty, he never thought of himself as a forgetful person, but apparently he did forget from time to time. He held his own arm, and stared at the ground, the guilt rising. Until, he felt Russia's hand on his head. He looked up at Russia to see him actually smiling at him in a friendly way.

"Do not worry so much, Matvey... oh, and it is snow"

"Eh?"

"I dislike all the snow in my country" Russia took his hand off Canada's head and continued to walk forward, while Canada just stayed in one place, hand almost covering mouth.

Canada turned around and followed Russia before the leash could tug his neck again. He ran up to his side and walked with him again. When he looked in front of him, he found they were home. The house was in sight, but before they were close enough to the door, Canada felt he wanted to try something. Canada looked up at Russia, then at the snow on the ground. He wondered, maybe, if he showed Russia the positive side of things more, maybe Russia wouldn't be so untrusting.

"I bet I can get you to like the snow" Canada giggled.

"Ah?" Russia stared, probably wondering how Canada could do that.

Immediately Canada took Russia's hands and laughed as he fell backwards in the snow. Russia's eyes grew as he fell with him. Both were now on the ground in the snow. Canada giggled some more before opening his eyes. Russia stared, eyes wide as he lay on top of him.

"Lay beside me" Canada said with a soft, shy smile.

It took a while for Russia to realize what had just happened, but soon enough, he did as Canada said.

Canada turned on his side to face Russia.

"You see? It's not bad at all"

Canada turned on his back and lay flat in the snow. Russia stared at Canada a little longer before looking at the sky, watching the snow fall down. For once, being around Russia was nice, and Canada did not have to fear him, or perhaps, not for now.

"It's nice, right?" Canada said, watching the snow fall with Russia.

"...I guess" Russia answered.

Canada sat up and watched Russia as he lay still in the snow staring at the sky. It was clear to him that Russia wasn't going to like the snow anytime soon, so, he wondered; what if he could make Russia happy? What if there was a place that he could take him that would make his dreams come true... He got it.

"Ivan?"

"Da?"

Canada stood up and Russia did the same soon after.

"There is a place in my country... I-I mean, your country... now, that I'd like to show you"

Canada shuffled his feet sheepishly as he poked his fingers together. No answer from Russia yet. He glanced up shyly to see Russia staring back, as if waiting for Canada to say something else about this place he wanted to take him to.

"It's in Ontario, i-if you want to go, that is"

"...Da, I'll go"

Canada smiled to himself, he felt that having Russia trust him was the best feeling he had in his entire life. Becoming friends with this man itself was a huge accomplishment. Still, Russia's trust was probably still near the edge of distrust, but at least Canada was getting somewhere with him.

"Today, we rest and tomorrow, we leave" Russia said as he headed for the door to the house.

Canada followed. Once they entered the house they took off their coats and boots and was soon greeted by Lithuania.

"W-Welcome back Mr. Russia, h-how was your trip to China?" He said with a nervous expression.

"Terrible" Russia answered as he stretched.

Lithuania's face immediately changed from nervous to panic. So, for sure he tried to make things better to save his skin.

"I-I'm s-sorry to hear that s-sir! U-um, d-dinner's ready i-if you're hungry"

"Y-Yeah, it's very delicious unless you have terrible taste in food, s-sir!" Latvia said poking his head out of the kitchen.

"Latviaaa! Shut up!" Estonia shouted from the kitchen, his voice filled with fear for their lives.

"I-I'm sorry!" Latvia answered as he ran back in the kitchen to Estonia.

Of course, Russia only reacted with a creepy smile, the usual one that let the baltics know he was mad, or getting there. Estonia and Latvia came out of the kitchen and set the table for Russia and Canada since the baltics had probably already eaten anyway.

"Oh" Russia said, then turned to face Canada, "I forgot, you have a punishment waiting for you"

"W-What did he do this time!" All three baltics cried.

Canada felt maybe he was still safe, after all, Russia wouldn't really be able to bring himself to punish Canada anyway, right? Besides that, they were friends now and friends don't do that to each other... but did Russia know that? Russia approached Canada, then placed his hand under his chin and lifted his head. Canada didn't know what kind of punishment he had coming this time, but he tried his best not to panic. His eyes glanced down at Russia's hand that reached into his pocket, it couldn't be the gun, he left that on the train, which, was probably a bad idea in the first place. Then, Canada could see it as Russia took it out of his pocket, a key. Russia inserted the key into the collar. Then, Canada heard a click and the collar came off. Russia took the collar and leash and put it up where only he could reach.

"There, I'll keep that off of you until tomorrow ends, for now you can go where you please as long as you come right back here"

Another test of trust, that's what this was. Even so, Canada smiled and accepted it. Still, he was a little confused to why Russia wasn't punishing him, but at the same time probably knew why he didn't.

"B-But, what about my punishment?" Canada asked.

"Do friends hurt each other?"

Canada's eyes grew. Russia really was a better person than everyone else had thought. The look on the baltics faces made Russia smile. Now, they were the first to know that Canada was Russia's first real friend.

"U-Um, sir? W-What exactly happened on that trip?" Latvia asked.

"None of your business Latvia"

:::

After supper, Canada went upstairs, grabbed a towel and his pj's and entered the bathroom. He put his towel on the towel holder and turned on the shower. Phew, this week has been very stressful After undressing, Canada got in the shower and began washing his hair. He sighed. Well, after a long day of almost getting killed multiple times, I suppose a good thing to do would be to sleep. He smiled joking to himself. Canada rinsed the shampoo out of his hair, then just stood there, staring at the wall. He lowered his hands to his side. Ivan, he likes China still I'm betting... Eh? Canada shook his head, I-I have to stop thinking about this! It's not healthy.

"...uh oh" Canada said as he turned off the water, "Shouldn't keep the water running for too long"

Canada stepped out of the tub and dried himself with the towel he brought, then dressed himself in his pj's. Well, it doesn't matter, there's no chance I'm going to get that much attention from Russia anyway, besides I have tomorrow to look forward too.

Canada opened the door to leave the bathroom, but once he stepped outside the room he spotted Russia, who had just come up the stairs, at the end of the hallway.

"...H-Hello Ivan" Canada said shyly.

Russia, before even touching the door to his room, glanced in Canada's direction. A small blush on Canada's face that he tried so hard not to show, appeared and stayed there. He walked up to Russia, then looked up at him with shy eyes, and a soft smile. Russia stared at Canada like he did before when they were walking home, the confused look.

"Did you need something, Matvey?"

Just say goodnight, that's all...

"U-Um... g-goodnight Ivan"

With just saying that Canada turned to walk to his room.

"...Matvey" Russia said as he grabbed Canada's shoulder, "I have a question for you"

Canada turned and looked up at Russia once more.

"Why is it, when I said that China may not be mine, then you said I should just hope, that you started crying?"

Canada's mouth froze shut, he couldn't bring himself to lie to Russia, but he also couldn't simply tell him the truth. Russia would hate him for sure, or worse.

"U-Uh..."

Russia let go of Canada's shoulder as Canada took a step back. He wanted to tell Russia, badly, but would it be alright?

"I... It's because, I... I lo-" Immediately Canada covered his mouth. He turned and hurried to his room slamming the door behind him.

"...Ah?" Russia headed over to Canada's room, he tried to open the door but it was locked. He knocked on the door, hoping Canada would answer, "Matvey, what were you going to say?"

Canada, inside the room, lay his back against the door, hand on chest close to his heart. He could feel it beating faster inside his chest. Stupid me, I shouldn't have done that... I won't tell Russia, I just can't... not now, not ever. Tears began to fall from his eyes all too quickly, he hated himself for almost saying it to Russia, for almost telling him how he really felt. He couldn't do it, he shouldn't...

Little did Russia and Canada know that the baltics had witnessed this... Had seen what happened.

"D-Did you see that?" Latvia said with a surprised look on his face.

"Y-yeah... but, Mr. Russia is so clueless to what Canada was trying to say, I almost feel sorry for Canada" Lithuania sighed.

Estonia gave Lithuania a strange look before speaking.

"You almost feel sorry?" He said.

"Well, I think it's best that Canada doesn't say it. After all, Mr. Russia would probably kill him for it anyway. You know how he is around people who try to get too close to him, I mean, I know Canada and Russia are friends now but, I think that's the best he's going to get from him"

All three were silent for a moment, until Latvia finally looked up at both of them.

"Well, I suppose we should go to bed now, right?" He suggested trying to change the subject to something a bit less sad.

"Yeah, alright" Estonia nodded.

XXX

Wait till next update.