Chapter 4
"How silly of me."
The two of them continued on their way as Matthew pulled a list out of the pocket of his red hoodie.
"Okay~ I have to stop by the grocery store and pick up bananas, ice cream, cookies, strawberries, fish, and stuff for pancakes." Matthew said quietly with the barest hint of a smile.
"Da, sounds like fun." Ivan said before oh so causally putting an arm around Matthew's petite shoulders. Matthew tensed slightly, Ivan noticed this, grimaced, but decided to stay. After a few seconds Matthew relaxed and smiled. Ivan mentally breathed a sigh of relief. He was always over analyzing things, worrying over everything. He needed to be careful around those he loved. Patience. Go to fast and you'll scare them away. Just like everyone else. He had to forcedly shove those dark thoughts from his mind. Instead, he focused on Matthew. He was talking about the game they went to last night for their date.
It still made the new feeling of happiness to bubble inside of him whenever he thought about it. They were officially dating. It was unbelievable to Ivan. It made him indescribably happy just to be near his Little Maple Leaf.
Ivan had wanted this for so long. At first, Matthew meant nothing to him. At least thats what he told himself. He had always been at least vaguely known of Matthew existence. He had had to, eventually he would be one with Russia like everyone else. It would be rude for him to not even know his name when he was living in the same house. There was something strange though. On Russia's master list of countries, (the one with all the countries, a brief description, list of weaknesses, and a picture) Canada's had no picture and had a harshly scratched out useless description. Something along the lines of
Hair like sunflower petals, so very soft.
Voice like an angel, quiet as a moth.
Eyes of purple, sparkle and glow.
Together, forever, we will watch the snow.
What in the world was that? He had no idea who had messed with his book, but when he found out, they were in for a big shock. Well, the strange entry was one of the main reasons he had actually searched Matthew out. That was decades ago. Since then he has found himself honestly enjoying his time with Matthew, looking forward to seeing him, and missing him when he was gone. It took him years and several talks with his sister to find out that what he was feeling was actually love.
He took a sideways glance at the man talking animatedly, quietly next to him.
It was love, but...
~TreesAndCheese~
"She's so nosy sometimes. Honestly, it's like she's never seen a polar bear sleep in a pocket of petunias. And then she tries to convince me that it's illegal to keep a polar bear. Mrs. Kearney is just-" Matthew rambled on as he examined a jar of pickles closely.
"How's her cat?" Ivan asked automatically.
Matthew tensed and stopped talking. "She hasn't had a cat in thirty years." His eyes had unfocused and he was staring at a back wall before looking down at the floor. "How did you know she used to have one?"
"You...you told me about it in a meeting once? Her bald cat that would always eat your turnips." That had to be right. How else would I know. Must have said it after a meeting... right?
Matthew nodded and murmured and, "Of course, silly me." They finished the rest of their shopping in silence. Despite the fact that neither were loud countries, this was very unusual. They always had something to talk about, at least in the last ten years that Ivan had tried to get to know him. There was an unusual distance in Matthew. In reaction, Ivan had put back on his calm smiling mask. On the inside he was freaking out. He recognized the signs of unhappiness. Which usually meant he was going to be left alone. Again.
His mind was in a flurry. What did I do wrong? Did I say something? Was it that cat? I thought he would be happy I remembered details of his life? Questions whirled around in circles. He had to fix this, and fast. But he had no idea how to do that! He was horrible at damage control and making people happy on purpose. He still considered it a miracle that Matthew was giving him a chance at all!
He tried his best to keep the panic that was swirling in him at bay. Now was not the time to lose control. If he did... who knows what could happen! Never anything good, and most likely something embarrassing. He just hoped no one got hurt, emotionally or physically. He would rather die then hurt his precious Matthew. He might not be mine for long. Only one date and he is already furious at me. It was just a matter of time.
As Ivan thought this over throughly, they stiffly made their way over to the cash register, payed, and made their way out the door. The walk back was full of awkward silence. Neither of them looked anywhere near each other. Every once in a while Ivan would steal a glance at Matthew, just to see him looking intently at the ground.
It was soon, yet felt like an eternity, that they made it back to their house. Matthew walked up the drive way and started unlocking the door without so much as a glance in Ivan's direction. The very moment the door opened and they walked in Ivan scooped Matthew up in his arms.
"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry! Oh, Matthew, please please forgive me. I don't know exactly what I did, but what ever it was it won't happen again. Just tell me what it was and I swear it won't. Please. I'm so so sorry." Ivan was blubbering as he clasped his arms around his waist. For a moment Matthew just stared in shock. No in the history of ever had to deal with Ivan in this state.
Luckily, the day was saved. Thanks to Kamanata!
"Hey, you." The little poplar bear said from at their feet.
Matthew looked down. "What Kumaflaff?"
"You got a thing." He said gesturing to a box a few feet away... near some rags. "What happened?" Matthew asked in confusion.
"Mail dude came by. Tried to leave with thing. Said be back later. I stopped him. Thought there was food. None." Kumajirou then turned around and walked in the direction of the kitchen. That was actually the most he had said in a while. He probably stopped him by grabbing onto his pants. Which would explain the random rags.
Matthew carefully untangled him self from an oddly still Russia and walked over to the mystery box. Looking at the label he saw it was in Russian.
"Ivan, I think it's for you. Can I open it?" He looked over his shoulder to see him give a small nod. Matthew got out a pocket knife from his pocket and opened the box. On the very top there was a short letter in English.
Russia,
Since you were so insistent that you need a break from the office to deepen your political ties with our comrade Canada, I thought you wouldn't mind if I gave you all the paper you were to do this week. You seemed so happy to be able to do your job and refused to just admit you weren't taking an unauthorized vacation. I'm sure you are thrilled and I can't wait to see it all completely done by the time you get back.
It was signed by his boss. Matthew giggled and looked at the large box in his living room.
"Well, it seems you have things to do so I'm going to get started on that scarf." Matthew gave him a small kiss on the forehead.
I can't believe I completely lost control like that. At least it was pitiful crying instead of anger. I never, ever want to hurt-
He looked up to the bright room he was in when he heard the door close.
"Where am I? Who brought me here?" Ivan wondered out loud as he looked around the completely unfamiliar room. "Whoever it was they shall pay dearly, da?" He brought out his iron pipe and kolkolkoled softly under his breath. Stood up, grinning creepily, to find the poor nation that thought they could take him down.
Hey! Uh this is TreesAndCheese,
I was gonna make this longer bu~ut I deiced it was long enough and I would just split it into two.
Anywho~ I'm off from my break. I also started another chapter fic called Doll's Curse if you want to read it. I think i'll do a few oneshots before updating either of these.
Disclaimer: This wasn't mine last chapter and it's still not.
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Tons-o-love
TreesAndCheese