STOP: If you haven't read my old story, Maple Flavored Gelato/ the sequel Italian season Poutine you're going to be confused. However, if you don't want to read those two stories, that's okay! I'm going to catch you up to speed right here and right now.

Riley is an OC. Riley is a FtM trans teenager. He WAS human, but thanks to a corrupt prime minister and Canada the soul of Quebec is inside of him and keeping him not only alive but immortal. Quebec and Riley have a sort of Yugioh-esque relationship. What do I mean? They talk to one another telepathically and Quebec is always watching but Quebec cannot take over Riley's body. Quebec is a micronation who managed to break away from Canada when there was no Prime Minister in office, therefore Riley (and Quebec) are a micronation.

Canada adopted Riley from his parents which was a whole ordeal. (Canada also lowkey kidnapped Riley at one point but to be fair he had to and Riley actually begged him to do it.)

Canada and North Italy were a couple, and there will be snippets of that here, however them being a couple isn't the main focus of this story, in fact, spoiler, they're broken up now, but are still flirty.

I have returned from a four year respite and I come back with a vengeance and a new story!

Canada stood focusing on the target in front of him. He inhaled softly as his hands shook ever so slightly. Then when he was sure the shot was lined up he let go. The arrow flew through the air and missed the bullseye by a good bit and Canada gave out a soft snort at that.

"Hey, not bad." Came Riley's voice, Riley was sitting on a lawn chair reading a book. Riley was sitting outside in a tank top and sweatpants. His chest was binded, but he was being careful so as to not actually hurt his land or people by binding too tight. A lesson he learned the hard way. Riley swept some of his light blonde hair out of his face and over to the other side of his head. His hair was cut into an undercut with enough hair left on top for Riley to swipe it to one side or the other.

It's funny, when Canada first met Riley just a few short years ago, Riley had dark brown hair, but much like the miracle that was Riley, a human, turning into Quebec, Riley's hair color changed on top of his eyes. Much like his hair, his eyes were once brown, but now were the same purple as Canada's.

Canada only gave another snort as he went to retrieve his arrow from the target. "Not bad but could be better." he told Riley as he returned back to his spot.

Riley smiled at him and then dog-eared his book so he could shut it. "Why are you taking up archery again?"

"I told you," Canada hummed as he took his position and drew the arrow back. "I'm getting rusty." He grunted as he lined the shot up with the target. Riley watched as Canada, or rather Matthew Williams, sucked in a slow but shaky breath as his arm shook slightly, then he let the arrow go and just missed the bullseye by a good inch. That made Matthew sigh and then look at Riley and then smile. "Wanna try?" He asked and offered his bow to Riley.

It wasn't like an old long bow, but rather a modern state of the art bow with a scope.

Riley looked at him for a moment before shrugging. "Alright." He put his book off to the side and then approached Matthew. Matthew went and grabbed the arrow from the target before returning to Riley.

"Okay, first you want to be in the proper position." Matthew helped Riley get in the proper archer's position. Honestly, being this close to Riley showed Matthew how much Riley had grown these last few years. When they first met (In a mental facility of all things) Riley had been this slightly pudgy fourteen year old, but now he had gained some muscle and most of all had gotten the more masculine body he's always wanted. His skin, which was darker than Matthew's own skin color, was absolutely flawless and he seemed to be glowing with each day.

Matthew handed Riley the bow and showed him how to hold it and then handed him the arrow. Riley immediately fumbled a little with the bow and looked unsure. "Don't worry; it takes practice. Hold it like this." Matthew then corrected Riley's hold on the arrow. "Now pull the arrow back." He ordered and Riley suddenly looked hesitant. After a second; Riley went to pull the arrow back. Then suddenly he realized just how out of his element he was when he immediately let go of the arrow, unable to keep it pulled back.

"Oh!" Riley gasped when he accidentally let go of the arrow and it whizzed off missing the target and hitting the ground instead. "Sorry!" Riley gasped and Matthew gave a small laugh.

"It's no big deal," He walked over and grabbed the arrow and they tried again. "It takes a bit of strength to keep it pulled and steady." He then helped Riley with the arrow again. Matthew had both of his strong hands on Riley's and helped keep him steady as they both lined up the shot. "It requires arm strength and patience." Matthew then let go of Riley's hands gently and Riley's arms immediately started to shake at the strain. Riley tried to line the shot up, really, he did, but in the end, like last time he couldn't hold the arrow and let it go. The arrow flew and hit the ground seconds later.

"Man!" Riley cursed as he looked at the arrow. "You make that look easy."

Matthew chuckled a little as he went to retrieve the arrow. He brought the arrow back to Riley. "It takes a lot of practice, don't forget I was raised by both France and Native America." He reminded Riley. "I'm also old and remember a time before technology."

"...I thought you were a hundred and fifty?" Riley asked.

"No? I gained my independence a hundred and fifty years ago, but I'm been around for a long time, Riley."

"I suppose that does make sense. So, how old would you guess you are?" Riley inquired as Matthew took the bow for himself to inspect. He turned it in his hands a few times before he pulled the arrow back and lined up the shot. He stared at the target for a few moments.

"Well…" Matthew suddenly felt a pang of sadness in his chest as he stared at the target. "Technically, I'm nearly five hundred…but…" He trailed off and continued to stare at the target.

"Keep your eye on your target." Native America instructed as Matthew had his arrow at the ready and the shot lined up. Only, his name wasn't Matthew back then, was it? No. It was something he had long since forgotten. "Aim for the liver, like I taught you. We do not wish for this animal to suffer."

"Why does he get to shoot it?" His brother protested.

"Because you hunted last time, it's your brother's turn." Native America told him sternly before she focused back on Matthew.

The target was a moose, a big one, one that would last their people a good while. Matthew's arms were starting to shake and he sucked in a big breath as he tried to steady his shaking hands.

"But he's no good with the bow and arrow, I am." Alfred continued to protest quietly. "He'll probably miss—"

"Silence." Native America hushed Alfred with a simple word. She then turned to Matthew and gave him a nod. "Take the shot." She instructed.

Matthew's hand quivered. 'Aim for the liver…' His hands were unsteady as he stared at the peaceful moose grazing off in the distance. He lined the shot up the best he could and fired.

Matthew struck the bullseye and gave a happy sigh. "Who knows in all reality." He turned to Riley. "I remember a time before I was a colony if that helps, and I remember my mother."

"Native America, right?"

"The very same." Matthew then looked at the sky and saw it starting to set. "Look at the time. I suppose we should pack up and I'll get dinner started." Matthew then walked by Riley and patted his head before picking up his things.

Riley smiled at this as he also looked at the sky turning a pretty dusty shade of pink. This was always his favorite time of day. Riley returned to his lounge chair and grabbed his book. "You coming in?" Matthew asked as he hoisted his target up one handed while his bow was slung over his shoulder.

"Nah, I still have some daylight." Riley told him with a hand wave as he opened his book. "You go on ahead."

"Alright." Matthew then left Riley alone.

Riley frowned when a familiar presence made themselves known. 'This book sucks.'

"Just because you don't like the genre doesn't mean I can't enjoy it." Riley huffed at Quebec as he got comfortable in the chair.

Quebec, Aka: Riley's savior and Canada's clone, floated beside Riley and only gave a snort at the book in question. They looked at one another, as far as Riley was concerned he was the only one who could see Quebec. Riley harrumphed and then crossed one leg over the other. 'Can't we at least read the french version?'

"Noooo." Riley responded as simply as could be.

Quebec gave a small huff at that as he floated upside down beside Riley and then dipped his head back. 'So, are you ready for the world summit in a week?'

"I suppose so." Riley whispered as he started to read where he left off. 'Though, there isn't much I will be doing. You know they just lock us Micronations away while the actual nations talk, right?'

Quebec snorted as he lazily put his arms behind his head and looked at the sky. 'I suppose so. Still, you'll get to see your friends. So, that has to count for something, right?'

Riley thought about it and then smiled. "Yeah, I suppose so. Even though Sealand is a little twit, but, I'll get to see Seaborga and Wy again. Same with Auntie Monaco." A happy sigh left Riley's mouth. "I do miss them."

"Riley?" Matthew poked his head out of the sliding glass door and that made Riley jump in surprise. There was a second as Matthew looked around. "Who are you talking to?"

"Oh! Sorry, I was just talking to myself!" Riley laughed nervously as he ignored Quebec now making goofy faces to try and slip him up. "I was just thinking about how excited I am for the world summit in a week."

Matthew smiled at him. "Yeah, I bet you are! You'll get to see your friends again."

"What about you? You'll get to see your friends." Riley finally accepted that reading wasn't going to happen and simply walked up to Matthew to go back inside.

Matthew snorted as he shut the door behind Riley. "It's a little more complicated than that."

"I suppose it is." Riley sighed. "I still say you should rebel and just befriend whoever you want."

Matthew snorted. "If only." He shook his head. "One day you'll understand. C'mon, help me pick out what to have for dinner."

Riley smiled at him when he went to ruffle his hair. Riley reached up and grabbed Matthew's hand in his. Matthew's hands were strong but yet soft. "Coming. I'm coming."

Pierre Mccoy, the Prime Minister of Canada, sighed as he looked over the paperwork before him. "Not good, Canada, not good." He commented to Matthew as he swirled around in his chair to face Matthew who was standing beside him.

Matthew sighed. "Is it ever?"

"Tell me about it." Pierre then looked at Matthew as he put the papers down. "At least it won't be as bad as last year's meeting." Pierre sighed.

"Don't curse me, please." Matthew took his seat across from Pierre and then leaned back with his hands clasped in his lap.

"Hey, I'm sure this year you won't be having to save France from a fifteen-story drop." Pierre smiled at Matthew.

"To be fair. I love Papa, but he had it coming. I told him not to splash Russia with his wine. I also told him not to drink in general, but alas."

Pierre snorted and then tapped the papers on his desk to straighten them up. "You know I have to ask about—"

"We broke up two years ago. You know this."

"But you're still talking."

"I'm not just going to ghost him, Pierre. He means a lot to me."

Pierre only sighed as he leaned back into his chair yet again. "You and North Italy, never thought I'd see it for myself, if I'm going to be honest. I guess there's no harm as long as you're broken up. I just want you to be careful. You know how people talk. The last thing we need are whispers of 'secret alliances'. Again."

Matthew snorted. "Yes, the most horrific alliance of Canada and North Italy. I see it now, world war three happens as quickly as it started." He then lost his smile and looked out the window at the bright cloudless sky. "That being said…I do miss him."

North Italy, Feliciano Vargas, and Matthew had a relationship for a short while. In fact they even both ran away from their jobs to be with one another. It was a whirlwind of a relationship between them that only grew. However, The longer their relationship lasted it became clear that several nations still weren't happy about it. Albania being one. Albania was close to Italy in a number of ways, namely in trade, and he really let his displeasure show with the relationship. It wasn't just Albania either. England, while not as harsh as he was in the start, was begging Matthew to end the relationship nearly every day, Even France wanted the relationship to end because of that dreaded whisper of 'secret alliances.'

So, finally after two years it was decided that they should break up. It was mutual and there's no anger or animosity amongst them. Still, it sucked, at least they were still able to text one another but that's the most they can really do. During world meetings they were often kept away from one another and should they attempt to talk; someone always pulled them away.

It was rather sad, but such was the life of a nation. They had their lands to look after and even though a relationship would be nice it just wasn't meant to be and they accepted that. Yet…

Matthew only shook his head. He was a nation and he had to act like it. At the very least he could be happy that he wasn't invisible anymore and that was all thanks to Italy. So, that was nice.

"Are you listening to me?" Pierre inquired as he stood up from his chair.

"Nope." Matthew admitted and that made Pierre snort.

"As I said: Regardless if you miss Italy or not, it's better this way. Besides, you have Riley now."

"That I do." Matthew smiled. "That I do. Are we done?" He asked as he scooted out of his seat.

"I suppose we are for the time being." Pierre sighed. "Stay away from reporters, yeah?"

"I'll do my best," Matthew laughed. The nations having their own bodies wasn't a secret anymore. The whole world knew and now because of that they, unwillingly, became celebrities, meaning Journalists, reporters, and paparazzi were almost always trying to get a picture of him and Riley. Especially after Canada officially adopted Riley from his parents, that was a disaster that he will hopefully never have a repeat of again.

"Right, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Stay safe." Pierre called when Matthew left and shut the door behind him.

Matthew sighed softly once he was in the hallway. Still, he put on a smile before too long and walked. "Have a nice day, Mr. Williams." a security guard bid him goodbye.

"You too, Mr. Dubois." He waved to the man and went for the elevator. Where a woman held it open for him.

"Hello!" the woman greeted him when he boarded on it. The woman was a new hire, if he remembered, a secretary. She smiled at him and he smiled back as the doors shut.

"Thank you." He pressed the ground floor button and down it went. It was just the two of them in the elevator. The secretary, a woman who looked to be in her thirties, looked at him for a moment before focusing on the door. She looked like she wanted to say something but was fighting with herself on it.

Matthew looked at her with a tilt of his head and she blushed before holding her laptop just a little tighter. "Can I ask a question?" She finally inquired as she looked down at the floor of the elevator.

"Oh, of course!" Matthew smiled at her and she cleared her throat.

"You are the nation of Canada, correct, you are…the landmass? But in a human form?"

Matthew nodded. "Yes, ma'am, don't be afraid of me, I promise you, I don't bite."

The woman gave a bit of an awkward laugh as her face stayed a bright red. Then she managed to clear her throat. "W-Well, it's just that…" She inhaled quickly and exhaled just as quickly. "You are the landmass of Canada… How are you able to stand in an elevator? I mean I assumed you'd be…heavy. Not like fat! But like.. I heard you guys have powers and that you may be the actual weight of your land! Then again…" She looked thoughtful.

Matthew chuckled at the woman. "I understand what you mean, ma'am. Don't worry, you didn't offend me. Eh." He then gave her a shrug. "We're strong, we even have certain powers that reflect our current state, but we're not heavy. We weigh the same as a human." He explained to her. "Besides, if I was as heavy as my landmass, every step I take would make craters in the ground would it not?"

She nodded quickly, her face still staying a bright red. "Y—yes, I suppose so!" She then gave an awkward giggle. "I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking."

"That's okay." The elevator opened and they were at the ground floor. "I'll see you around. Mrs…?"

The woman continued to stay red as she smiled. "Rosa! Rosa Williams!"

"Williams, huh?" He smiled. "Small world and a common last name. Matthew Williams, at your service!"

Then he left without waiting for a reply.

The world summit was in a week. It will be held in Russia this year. So, Matthew had to brush up on his Russian and learn the laws as well. The last thing he wanted was to be disrespectful. He'd also get Riley up to speed on the laws.

I'm bored.

Matthew smiled as he read that text from Feliciano. Here Matthew was, outside as the sun was setting. He had a cigarette in between his fingers on his left hand as he scrolled with his right hand. Matthew had literally just lit up his cigarette when Feliciano texted him. He looked at the time on his phone, it was nearly five pm now meaning it was… Matthew had to do some quick math. Nearly eleven at night!?

Matthew wasted no time texting back.

Go to bed.

He inhaled on his cigarette and felt the vapors flood into his lungs as he watched a series of texting bubbles pop up to signal that Feliciano was typing, before too long he got a picture in response.

It was a picture of Feliciano sitting outside in the dark next to Lovino. The two of them had a cigarette in their mouth. Lovino looked shocked at the sudden picture, he was clearly in the middle of lighting his own cigarette and had looked up at the camera. What was funnier was that Feliciano clearly still had his flash on because this made Lovino's eyes glow red in the photo. It was dark out and the flash didn't help, if anything it made it look like they were sitting at a table in the void. The flash also showed the bright end of Feliciano's cigarette while it showed the flame that Lovino was trying to protect with his hand.

Night time smoke first!

Matthew snorted at this as he chewed on the end of his cigarette. Then he took a quick picture of himself with his own cigarette in his mouth and was clearly lit. Me too. He smiled as he sent the picture to Feliciano.

Matthew looked at the setting sun as he exhaled a big puff of smoke from his lungs. The air was turning crisp but it didn't bother Matthew, if anything he loved the feeling of the cold on his skin.

His phone vibrated and he looked down at the new message. Now the picture was of Feliciano with a new bump on his head where Lovino had clearly hit him. Lovino didn't like that. :(

Matthew smiled at that as he inhaled on the end of his cigarette and then exhaled just as quickly. A thick smog of cigarette smoke expelled around him and clung to his clothes and hair.

What are you guys doing up so late anyways?

Matthew looked at the setting sun as the darkness started to encroach on his land.

Neither of us could sleep. So, we decided to have a smoke.

Matthew nodded, he understood, there were many nights where he couldn't sleep and often found himself on his deck having a smoke to try and calm his nerves down.

That's fair. Matthew sent back in reply before thinking about it and adding. Are you ready for the world summit? It's in Russia. I'm researching laws just to make sure I don't end up like America last time.

He got arrested, right?

Yep! That is not going to happen to me.

Fair!

Matthew exhaled another cloud of smoke before he leaned back in his chair so two legs were off of the ground. He let the hand holding the cigarette drop down beside him. Then after a prolonged breath he exhaled a plume of smoke.

"Are you trying to kill us all?" Came Riley's voice as the teenager opened the sliding back door.

Matthew smiled at him and leaned his chair upright. "Of course not, of course not." He then snubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray before Riley could inhale any smoke. He never smoked around Riley and never would. It didn't matter if Riley was a micronation or human. "Just a nightly smoke, nothing more, nothing less."

Riley snorted at this as he approached Matthew once the cigarette was snubbed out properly. "Sorry, I just noticed you disappeared and wondered where you ran off to. Is everything okay?" Riley asked as he took a seat across from Matthew.

"Oh yeah, you? How's school?"

Riley made a small face at that mention. "It's okay, I mean, I'm passing." Riley was thankful that Matthew got him into an online school, meaning he didn't have to interact with people, but school still wasn't his favorite thing in the world.

Matthew smiled and reached up to pat Riley's head. "As long as you're passing."

"Tell me, am I going to have to do college as a forever fourteen year old?"

"Only if you want to." Matthew smiled at Riley. "I went to college; many times.."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, a few decades ago, I think in the nineties, at least that's my most recent diploma. I got a doctorate in business. Just in case if I wanted to start a business one day."

"And? Have you?"

"Non. I didn't really find anything to sell."

Riley looked at his guardian for a few seconds and then he smiled. "I can see you owning a bakery or a candy store." Matthew looked at Riley in confusion.

"Really? Why?"

"Because you're so sweet!"

There was a second of silence between the duo before Matthew smiled and then let out a soft laugh with Riley. "Cute, but no thank you."

Riley leaned back on his chair the same way Matthew had just moments before with two legs off of the ground. "Do you think reporters are going to be at the world summit?"

"Always, even before we were found out, they were there to talk to our bosses." Matthew told Riley. "Only now it's even more annoying as they're trying to get us to talk to them. Well, you would know."

Riley only nodded. "I just didn't expect you to punch that journalist last year."

"They grabbed you. I felt punching them in the face was an appropriate response." Matthew smiled.

"The look on England's face? Priceless." Riley also chuckled at the memory. "You knocked the guy out with a solid hit."

"He tried to sue me, you know? Turns out suing the whole nation of Canada didn't work out for him."

"So, that does bring me to my next question. You're Canada, but you're also Matthew Williams. Sure, he can't sue Canada but can he sue Matthew?"

"Now that's a question. Hard to say. He didn't know my name, in fact he, like almost everyone else, mistook me for America. But once he realized I was Canada he tried to just sue me as Canada and not Matthew. Who knows, maybe he would have had a case if he tried to sue Matthew, but he didn't. He tried to sue all of Canada and that didn't work out too well."

Riley smiled and looked out to the woods that weren't too far from them. "You know Kuma has been gone for a while."

"He'll be back by tomorrow, he likes to hunt for himself every now and again, you know."

"Yeah, I know, I'm always a little worried that one day he just won't come back."

"I know what you mean, for a while I was the same way, but as time went on and he stuck with me for this long, it's safe to say he'll come back. Besides, he knows there's a summit coming up. He wouldn't miss it."

"That's fair. That's perfectly fair. How old is Kuma?"

Matthew shrugged. "I dunno if I'm being honest, about as old as me? Maybe younger?"

"How'd you even get a Polar Bear as a pet anyways?"

"He just showed up one day."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Riley looked out at the woods again. Then he ran his fingers through his hair. "I was told that nations, micronations, the works, they all have a pull to one another. Maybe that was the same thing between you and Kuma?"

Matthew looked over at the woods with Riley. "I get it, and maybe? But it's hard to say for certain." Matthew then looked at the darkened sky and stood up. "I suppose that's my cue to get back inside. You comin', Eh?"

"Of course." Riley stood up just the same and the two of them went back inside the house. Matthew shut the door behind Riley.

"Hey, the hockey game is on tonight!" Riley smiled at Matthew. "Let's say you and I get a couple of brewskies and get it going!"

Matthew gave a laugh. "You can have a Root Beer."

Riley snorted at this. "C'mon, I'm technically seventeen! You know this! Just one?"

"Nooo.~" Matthew told Riley matter of factly. "Besides, as Quebec, you're technically three."

Riley pouted but then sighed. "Fine, fair point. A root beer sounds fine, popcorn?"

"You know it!"

They would leave for the summit early in the morning the day before and would stay in Russia for three days. By early morning, Matthew, Riley, and Kuma left the house at the darkened hours of three AM. The car was already packed with their items and they were soon on the road to the airport. Matthew yawned louding as he drove down the road. Riley was leaning against the glass of the window, Kuma in his lap as they both were passed out almost immediately.

Matthew smiled at this as he drove in the silence. He let the radio stay off to allow Riley and Kuma some quick respite before they would get to the hustle and bustle of the airport. There were no hiccups along the way, so they got there relatively quickly. Matthew shook Riley awake and Riley did groan out in protest, but awake nonetheless. Riley yawned a big yawn and got out while holding Kuma. They got their luggage and Matthew shut his trunk and then locked his car.

Matthew paid for the three days to keep his car in the airport parking lot, and then he put the ticket for his time under his windshield wiper. "Okay, let's go." He urged a sleepy Riley along.

"I'm going…" He yawned another loud yawn and followed behind Matthew without another word.

Matthew had both of their passports and thankfully because of their special access they were able to skip the CATSA, which caused a few bits of protests from those that were grumpy and waiting to get to their plane.

"Ah, Matthew, there you are!" Pierre greeted them as he approached.

"Mmmm…" Riley grunted and pushed himself against Matthew's side while he held onto Kuma with both of his arms.

"And a good morning to you too, Riley."

"Mmph." Riley greeted Pierre. Matthew laughed and wrapped an arm around Riley to pull him in.

"It's good to see you Pierre, are you ready for the summit?"

"Of course, of course." Pierre sighed as he walked with Matthew. They weren't alone, of course, there were also the secret service agents walking with them, but these agents were dressed like everyday people so it looked like they were just walking along.

"Is the jet ready?" Matthew inquired.

"It's like you don't know me, Matthew, of course the jet is ready. There's just one thing?" Pierre gave Matthew a little awkward smile.

Matthew raised an eyebrow at this he suddenly didn't like this—

"Hey bro! It's ya bro!"

Both Riley and Matthew let out the same groan of annoyance as they looked over at America, or rather Alfred. Alfred let out a loud laugh as he ran up to Matthew and Pierre. "I, in my ever growing wisdom, figured we could carpool!"

Matthew turned to Pierre. "I assume you were aware of this?"

"I may have known about it a while back. He makes a good point, you know? Less pollution?"

"Uh-huh." Matthew snorted and then looked at Alfred. "Hello, Alfie, always a pleasure to see you again." He said to his twin. "Hello, Mr. President!" Matthew called to Alfred's boss. The man, who was on the phone, gave Matthew a small wave in return before resuming his call.

"Riles! How are you doing, Bro?" Alfred asked as Riley walked with Matthew, and still had his face pressed against Matthew's side.

"Mmph. Early." Riley grunted.

They walked through the airport, now with even more secret service following them. "So, bro, are you ready for this summit?" Alfred asked.

"Of course, aren't you?"

Yep! It's going to rock!"

"Sure, Al, Sure." Matthew snorted.

The jet was ready and waiting for them, as Pierre said, and they boarded the jet with no issues. Riley and Kuma stayed by Matthew's side even when Matthew found a nice couch to sit on. This wasn't just any jet, this was Air force one, the US President's own private jet. Now the whole 'carpool' thing made sense. It wasn't Alfred carpooling with Matthew, it was Matthew carpooling with them.

Once Matthew got comfortable; he accepted the fact he wasn't going to be moving anytime soon, as Riley wrapped his arms around Matthew's middle and laid with his head in Matthew's lap. He then promptly fell asleep with Kuma being right beside him as the bear took up Matthew's right.

"Wow, they are just attached to you." Alfred commented as he stretched himself out in a recliner chair.

"They're both tired." Matthew shrugged as he had a hand on each of their heads.

"How is the little sprout? Thinking of getting him on testosterone?" Alfred inquired as the door to the jet shut.

"Not until he's officially eighteen." Matthew explained. "And I do mean eighteen, not Quebec's eighteen."

"I see. So, in a year?"

"Yep. He'll be an adult. Kinda. Well, you know."

"That I do… but you know he'll still look fourteen, will a doctor condone it?"

"My doctors are not like yours. They will." Matthew grabbed a book from his bag and opened it.

"Thinkin' about top surgery?"

Matthew sighed a little at this. "I did and so did Riley, but in the end we opted not to."

"Oh?" Alfred just couldn't tell that he was kinda pushing it with the questions.

"Alfie, I'm going to say this as gently as I can. Riley is like us, he heals. He heals fast. Think long and hard why top surgery wouldn't be the best idea."

That Alfred did. He sat there and thought long and hard, for almost ten minutes actually. It was nice as the plane went off into the air, and Matthew got a few pages into his book, before Alfred snapped his fingers.

"They'd grow—"

"Yes, Alfie, there's a chance the surgery could reverse. Good job, have a candy." and Matthew, without looking up from his book, would hand Alfred a candy from his bag.

"Ohhh~" Alfred smiled. "Maynards, nice! Thanks." Alfred then opened the bag and started to eat. The candy proved a nice distraction as he munched away without so much as another word.

Pierre and America's president spoke quietly with one another and that made Matthew lift his eyes from his book, but not move his head. He watched the two speak. They were whispering, he couldn't hear what was being said.

A stewardess came by and asked if anyone wanted breakfast, it was just shy of five in the morning now, and Matthew had to think about it. He knew the food on air force one was prepared by the best chef money could buy, it wasn't just simple airplane food, far from it. He decided he could go for some breakfast, and the woman even asked what he wanted.

He had a simple breakfast of hot cereal of weetabix and fruit.

"Weetabix?" Alfred scrunched his nose up after he finished ordering his breakfast. He had about everything a person could think of for his breakfast; he had the works. "When did you start eating like England?"

"A little fiber would do you some good, for starters, and I'm really not all that hungry in all honesty. Maybe when I wake up a little more." Matthew explained as he turned the page of his book.

"Alfred." The president called for Alfred and immediately Alfred turned to attention.

"Yes, President Hill?" President Hill beckoned Alfred with a finger and Alfred was out of his seat in a second.

Matthew, once again, didn't look up from his book as he watched this happen. He did let his eyes wander from the page before he reached down and put his hand in Riley's hair. Then he went back to his book.

Riley would wake up later in the day, he would realize just what plane they were on.

"A-Air Force One? Am I dreaming?" He whispered excitedly to Matthew.

"You are not. This is in fact Air Force One."

"Holy shit." Riley whispered in amazement. "If you would have told me three years ago that I'll be flying on Air Force One? I never would have believed you." He then shook his head. "Wowza."

"You get used to it." Kuma said as he stretched himself out. "Also, I'm hungry, feed me." Kuma demanded of Matthew.

"Yes, yes, here you go, complimentary of the chef." Matthew reached over and gave Kuma a plate of pancakes.

"Yum." Kuma didn't hesitate to dig in.

Riley stretched his arms above his head and looked over at Pierre and President Hill. His eyes went wide. "That's the president of the United States." He whispered to Matthew..

"That is the President of the United States." Matthew said as he then looked over. "They've been talking to each other for a long time."

"Without you?" Riley asked in shock.

"More common than you think, love." Matthew looked over with Riley. "Besides, I don't feel like talking about politics right now." He said rather matter of factly. "We'll be touching down in Russia soon enough anyways." Matthew sighed as he looked out of his window. "I hope you've brought warm clothing. It's going to be cold."

"Did you bring warm clothing?"

"I just so happen to enjoy the cold, thank you very much." Matthew smiled at Riley.

Riley leaned against the couch and looked like he was going to say something, but just then Pierre whistled softly to Matthew. Matthew, like Alfred, tensed and turned to his boss. Pierre beckoned Matthew over the same way Alfred's boss had. "Hold that thought." Then Matthew was gone. "Yes, Prime Minister Mccoy?" Matthew sat next to his boss obediently.

Riley immediately toned them all out. It was nothing but political talk about trades, no doubt. At that moment Quebec made himself known as he floated down and looked out the window with Riley. 'Excited? Isn't this your first time in Russia?'

'Yeah, it is.' Riley answered back. Still, he frowned as he continued to stare out the window.

'Is something wrong?'

'I don't know.' Riley admitted to Quebec. 'I really don't. I'm excited, perhaps it's just nerves.'

'Perhaps. I'm sure it'll be fine.'

Riley nodded to himself. 'Yeah, you're right. We're going to be just fine.'

He convinced Quebec, but for whatever reason Riley just couldn't convince himself. A sense of dread sunk into his stomach as he stared ahead at the outline of a landmass off in the distance and the hair on Riley's arms rose. Still, he did feel a little more at ease when he felt Quebec's ghostly hands touch his shoulders. 'You'll get used to it eventually.'

'Yeah, you're right.'

There were no hiccups upon landing in Russia outside of them all having to wait on the plane as the secret service did a quick sweep of the area. Once they were given the all clear, they were all promptly flanked by plenty of agents until they were whisked away into a limo that would lead them to their hotel.

Riley knew he must have had stars in his eyes as he stared at Moscow. Moscow! He never ever thought he'd ever get to go to Moscow! "Wow…" He whispered in amazement as they passed the Red Square.

"Psh, it's not that impressive," Alfred grunted as he stared at the buildings.

"Don't be mean, Alfie." Matthew sighed as he looked at the passing Red Square with Riley. "It is rather pretty. It's almost fairytale."

"Psh," Alfred scoffed as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared out of his own window. "Don't know why we had to go to the commie's land." He mumbled.

"Alfred, you are aware that Russia stopped being communist in the nineties, right?" Riley inquired as he looked back at America. "That was like forty years ago."

"..." Alfred let out a sigh as he looked out the window. "Maybe so." Was all he had to really say about it.

"I am looking forward to talking to Russia's boss." President Hill said as he sipped his drink. It looked to be a diet coke if the silver can was anything to go by. "I have big plans."

"Hm." Pierre hummed in response to that before he and Matthew shared a look. Matthew leaned back in his seat; a frown on his face, and that made Riley frown. The rest of the ride to the hotel was rather quiet between everyone after that.

Yet, any and all awkwardness faded when the driver dropped them off at the hotel they would be staying at and Matthew whistled. "I knew Russia would go all out, but I didn't expect The four seasons." He laughed as they looked at the building.

"Is it a good hotel?" Riley inquired as the secret service got out first and foremost.

"Only one of the best." Matthew told Riley as he reached over and fixed Riley's haphazard shirt. "Remember to remain on your best behavior here, okay? Do not let Sealand talk you into one of his crazy room temperature IQ schemes, please? The last thing I need is for you to get arrested because of Sealand. Remember, Russia may be an ally but he has some strict laws, understood?" Matthew reminded Riley and Riley nodded. "Good."

The door to the Limo opened and a secret service agent leaned down to greet them. "All clear."

"I'm a little surprised." Alfred suddenly said once he was out of the limo.

"About?"

"I just figured that Russia would be here to greet all of us at the very least." Alfred shrugged. "Oh well." He then grabbed his bag from a secret service agent and walked towards the hotel. "Let's go greet the others!"

"I'm not going to lie, Mr. Braginsky, I figured you of all people would put up more of a fight." The figure leaned down into Russia—Ivan's— face and gave him a smile. Ivan's eyes were glassy, his mind sluggish and weak as some sort of drug coursed through his system. "But now that we know this drug works wonders on you, it's time to put our plan to fruition."

Ivan's hands twitched but his limbs felt like concrete. He tried to open his mouth but nothing could come out. The man smiled as he sat on Ivan's work desk and leaned back on his hands. "Now, we just wait for everyone else to play their parts." The man then sighed. "And to think, all it took was a nice hot plate of pelmeni. Think of all the others when they walk into the summit tomorrow and see that feast waiting for them?"

The man laughed a mirthless laugh as he continued to stare at Ivan's. Then he leaned down so he was in Ivan's face yet again. Ivan's dark eyes were vacant, but he was still very much there, at the very least he could hear. Still, the man smiled a rather crazed smile. "This is going to be so fun, Mr. Braginsky. So chin up."