AN:I can see some of you typing. "Why Canada/Italy? That's a weird ship." *shrugs* it's cute! I like it! That's all there really is to it. and yes, I added a tag because I CAN.

It didn't surprise Matthew that he and his brother were the last to show up to Russia. It really didn't surprise him when England—Arthur—grabbed Alfred by his ear almost immediately. "Oooooow!" Alfred whined when Arthur pulled him around.

"I have some words for you, Mister!" Arthur hissed as he pulled Alfred by the ear. "I know it was you that mailed that stupid glitter bomb to my new king!"

"You don't know that!- ow! " Arthur wasn't amused as he tugged even harder on Alfred's ear and started to lead him away.

"You signed it , you git , not only that but you used red, white, and blue glitter!"

"It could have been France framing me— tch! Ow, England! "

Matthew snorted as he watched the two go. It didn't matter that Arthur was a good inch or two shorter than Alfred, he proudly yanked Alfred down to his level and continued to berate him. " Matthieu! " Matthew hardly had time to react when Seychelles hugged him.

"Lillie!" He greeted his sister by returning her hug and even lifting her a little off the ground. Lillie giggled as she lifted her feet up and then quickly put them back on the ground again. The two separated.

"Riley!" Lillie smiled as she hugged Riley just the same. "Look at you! You're looking good! Is my brother treating you well?" She inquired as she rubbed her cheek against Riley's.

"Of course." Riley responded but because of Lillie it came out more along the lines of "Ob 'ourse."

"He better!" Lillie giggled as she then slugged Matthew in the shoulder, it didn't hurt, not in the slightest. "Papa is looking for you, by the way. He wanted to talk to you about…" Matthew started to drown Lillie out when red hair caught his eye. He let his eyes follow as Italy and Romano were actually walking away from him. They were about a hundred feet or so with their back to Matthew, both had luggage rolling behind them, telling Matthew they arrived not too long ago.

"Hello!" Lillie chopped a hand against the top of Matthew's head. "I'm talking to you!"

" Ow ." Matthew whispered as he rubbed the top of his head. "Sorry, sorry, I got distracted."

Lillie pouted almost immediately. "I swear if I turn around and I see Italy …" She told him matter of factly and then she turned around, but luck was on Matthew's side. Right before she turned her head Italy and Romano had vanished inside of an elevator. " Hmph ." Lillie grunted.

"I still don't see the big deal." Riley felt the need to pipe up, this caused Matthe and Lillie both to look at him. "Both Feliciano and Matthew are consenting adults. I know I've said this more than once, but they should be able to see one another without all this… you know, Hub-bub!"

Matthew laughed a little as did Lillie. "You'll understand one day, I'm sure." Lillie told Riley. "You're still new and still..erm… human in nature?"

"Don't talk down to me." Riley huffed and put his hands on his hips.

"Riley." Matthew put a hand on Riley's shoulders and looked at Riley with soft eyes. "Our bosses don't want us together; other nations don't want us together. It's causing unneeded conflicts and stress. It's best this way." Matthew dumbed it down for Riley.

"But…" Riley bit the inside of his cheek. "You were happy with Feliciano." He said and that made Matthew nod.

" Oui , I was, but like I said. It was causing conflicts with others who are particularly close to Feliciano and I, we don't want to damage reputations."

"Or accidentally cause World War three." Lillie chimed in and Matthew nodded.

"That too. The first two were bad enough." Matthew couldn't help but huff. "I know it's confusing, and I know you don't understand completely, but just know it's best this way."

Riley sighed. "I suppose so." He whispered.

"Well, I should get going, I need to check in and so do you two." Lillie smiled at Matthew. "Go talk to Papa!" She yelled while she marched away. Matthew watched her go and then shook his head.

"Ready, Squirt?" He inquired while the two of them walked towards the concierge.

"Yeah, where'd Pierre go?"

"Probably already checked in; knowing him."

"Yeah, you're right." Riley nodded. "So, we won't be bunking him like last time?"

Matthew thought about it then shrugged. "I guess we'll see."

Matthew then approached the concierge. "It should be under Williams?" He told the kindly woman and she started to type away pretty quickly. As she typed Matthew felt his head start to tilt as he stared at this woman. She was dressed in a crisp and clean black uniform, a standard for this hotel, Matthew was sure. Yet there was something about this woman that felt oddly familiar to him…

"Ah, there you are!" The woman chirped in a Russian accent. "Ah, I see you must be someone's high graces, you are in our Royal suite."

"Eh!?" Matthew nearly leaned over the counter to look at her computer for himself; just make sure he wasn't just hearing things. "Isn't th-that—"

"The best, yes!"

Riley whistled loudly. "Wow… either Ivan is feeling generous or he's buttering you up."

The woman looked at Riley. "Are they with you sir?"

"Of course, they're my Mi—" He covered his slip up with a cough. "They're with me."

"Then they must be with the other children. The children all have their own room." The woman told him with a smile.

" Oh ." Matthew felt a little confused as he scratched at his head. "That's not usually how it goes. I don't understand why Ivan felt the need to do that, but yes, they're also under Williams, Riley Williams."

"Okay, just a second," The woman then started to type. Riley and Matthew looked at one another in confusion; then they just shrugged at one another and looked back at the woman. "Yep! There you are, you are in a twin room on the fifth floor." and then the woman turned and handed them both their keys. Matthew and Riley both looked at one another again and then just shrugged again.

It wasn't until they were in the elevator and alone did Riley speak. "It's odd that you have, what I'm presuming to be, the best suite, but your boss doesn't? But America doesn't?"

"It is odd, I will agree. I mean I'm flattered he remembered me, but not like this." Matthew looked at the key in his hand.

"Can I come and visit you—"

"Of course. I'm going to be so lonely in a massive suite by myself, hell, if you don't even want to go to your own room, you don't have to."

Riley sniggered. "I'll think about it. I'm curious about having my own room, I won't lie as he looked at the key in his hand. "Matthew, I just realized something."

"Yes, dear?"

"...I'm Trans."

"...You just realized this?" Well, that smart ass comment earned Matthew a sharp kick to the shin.

"I'm not done!"

Matthew laughed at this as Riley didn't kick him hard. "Apologies! Please, resume."

Riley snorted. "I'm trans and in Russia . That's…That's a problem isn't it?" And just like that Matthew became serious.

"Listen to me, while you're with me, you're safe. That's why I want you to listen to me here and now: You are not to be alone while on Russia's land. If you're with the others? Fine. If you and the other micronations want to go and do something? I don't care so long as you're with someone. Understand?"

Riley nodded. "Yes."

"Good and be wary. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, find me, or another adult you trust. We'll protect you. I promise. In fact, as much as you might not like it, I already emailed both France and England to keep you in their sights. Not to keep an eye on you, but to just watch you. If it were almost anywhere else, I wouldn't be doing this, but you know…I kinda like you, kid." He laughed.

"Psh. Kinda ." Riley then hugged Matthew's arm. "I kinda like you too. You're not bad… For a weirdo." Matthew patted Riley's head.

The elevator doors opened and the two of them separated as they walked down the bustling hallway. Riley recognized a few nations who were all busy either getting to their rooms or just hanging around chatting. Riley did give Finland and Sweden a little wave as the two of them were busy talking with Denmark and Norway respectfully. Sweden didn't see him, but Finland did and he returned the wave.

"Hm." Riley hummed.

"What?" Matthew inquired.

"I just noticed that I hadn't seen Sealand or Ladonia with Finland or Sweden."

"Maybe they finally got wise and hired a sitter, at least for Sealand. We are in Russia after all."

"Ew. Don't say it like that."

It took Matthew a minute before he snorted. "Bad, Riley, bad." He then gave Riley a little push.

"Let's see…" Riley then stopped walking as he looked at his key. "I think this is my room." He told Matthew as he pointed to the shut door.

"Oh, alright, well, I'll be on the top floor if you need me, like I think this is the entire floor." Matthew whispered as he stared at his key. "Regardless, if you get lonely, you know where to find me."

Riley nodded and Matthew turned around and went back towards the elevator.

Riley watched his guardian go and smiled to himself. "A whole room to myself, how exciting."

Quebec floated down. "Yes, at least now we don't have to be quiet when we want to talk to one another."

"You said it." Riley whispered as he then turned and unlocked the door. He was then quickly proven wrong . He had misunderstood the nice woman at the desk. She had said "Children have their own room." Riley took that to heart and thought he would be given his own room. No . ALL of the micronations were cramped in a teeny tiny room with only two beds. One of which Sealand was jumping on when Riley had opened the door.

"Quebec! " Everyone had shouted all at once upon seeing him. Quebec looked at Riley and Riley had to make it a point not to look back him in return. Quebec gave Riley a peace sign and then proceeded to literally peace out and vanish.

Everyone was making the best of this rather cramped situation it would seem. Seborga was sitting on the floor and was playing a game of cards with Ladonia. Kuegelmugel was sitting on the other bed and drawing, and Wy was on the floor next to Seborga and was browsing the channels on the TV.

Sealand jumped from the bed he had been bouncing on and with no warning rushed to Riley. "It's good to see you again! Now all the Micronations are back together!"

"You're forgetting about Molossia and Slowjamastasn." Wy didn't skip a beat.

"Yeah, well America didn't bring them!" Sealand then stuck his tongue out at Wy.

Riley was honestly thankful for that. Not that he didn't like Molossia or Slowjamastan, but with this tiny room? And stuck with Slowjamastan on top of it? No way.

"It's good to see you too, Peter." Riley greeted his uncle of all things properly. Yes, as weird as this was. Riley did the family math there, Peter came from England as did Matthew, therefore Peter was technically Matthew's brother, making him Riley's uncle. It was… crazy to think about in all reality. Riley just had to keep telling himself that Peter was technically sixty.

Peter went back to the bed and didn't jump on it this time, but rather sat and bounced up and down. He then giggled. "We got our own room! Russia must see us as nations!"

"More like Ivan didn't want to deal with you and decided to keep us Isolated." Wy grumbled.

"Took the words right out of my mouth." Ladonia grunted.

Riley honestly debated turning around and going to join Matthew in the master suite, because what the fuck? There weren't enough beds for everyone in this tiny room.

"Ah, you win!" Ladonia called out as he put his cards on the ground.

"Of course, you play poker like a ten year old, Sven." Seborga laughed as he grabbed the cards and then started to shuffle. This made Sven pout. Seborga paid no mind as he looked at Riley. "It's good to see you again, Riles. How do you fancy a game of poker?" He asked as he held his cards up. "We can all play."

Well, now Riley felt bad, but that being said …

"I dunno know how to play poker…" Riley confessed as he tossed his bag with the other bags in the corner.

"I'll teach you!" Seborga smiled. "Maybe you'll do better than Sven."

"I think a toddler could do better than Sven." Peter giggled from the bed and Riley had to do a double take. He had a juice box in his hands now. Where did he even get that? Sven growled, grabbed the pillow he had been sitting on and chucked it right at Peter's face.

"Shut up! I'd like to see you do any better! I heard Momma say you have the intelligence of a paper cup!"

"That's not true! Mom loves me!"

"Only because he took pity on you!"

"Boys." Wy rolled her eyes as she turned the TV off, deeming nothing worth watching. "I'll join too."

"The more the merrier." Seborga said while he started to shuffle the cards. Riley sat on the floor next to Wy.

"How have you been, Wendy?" Riley asked and that earned him a shrug.

"Good, I guess."

"Enough small talk! Let's play! C'mon Sebastian!" Peter demanded impatiently to the red head.

"Calm down." Seborga laughed as he started to pass out the cards. "Now, Riley, how you play is simple…"

Matthew exhaled slowly as he looked at the door to his room. His room took up almost the entirety of the top floor. "This is insane ." He whispered to himself. "Maybe they mistook me for America?" He wondered. It was a possibility but he told the woman his last name, so that wouldn't make sense. "Why would I get this suite?" Matthew scratched at his head, finally he shrugged, and opened his door with the electronic keycard. The door blipped and unlocked.

Matthew stepped inside and could safely say he was instantly impressed. This room was massive ! Not only massive but it had its own sauna and a large balcony that overlooked all of Moscow, and it had a giant dining room. Matthew almost felt bad he had this giant room to himself…

That was until he saw a suitcase sitting on the lone bed in the bedroom.

"Huh?" He stopped and tilted his head to the side.

It was like this person was waiting on the cue as the bathroom door opened. Matthew turned and his smile dropped when he was looking at Feliciano.

Feliciano opened his eyes for just a moment, probably to make sure he was looking at Matthew and Not Alfred. Then he shut his eyes again. "Ve~" Feliciano sighed softly. "Well…" He inhaled softly and then exhaled again. "I wasn't aware I was sharing this room."

"Me neither…" Matthew whispered just the same. "Maybe all of the G8 are sharing this room!" Matthew thought rather hopefully. Feliciano looked just as hopeful, but that hope was dashed fairly quickly when he said a simple sentence.

"Lovino isn't with me, Ivan gave us separate rooms, which was odd … at first…" He then tutted his tongue. "Be honest with me, do you think he has a camera somewhere in this room and is laughing at us?" Feliciano sounded like he was half joking with that question.

"I don't know. Ivan never showed any sort of approval or disapproval of our relationship in the past, in fact, I don't think he cared one way or the other." Matthew sat in a nearby chair. Kuma walked up to Matthew and gave a huff at Feliciano.

"Garlic breath. " Kuma greeted Feliciano and then just walked right past him without another word.

"But everyone knows we've broken up." Feliciano whispered as he sat next to Matthew on the couch.

"And everyone's been making sure we stay apart."

"That's the truth." Feliciano almost laughed. There was a silence between them. The air suddenly became heavy. "What are we going to do?"

"...I don't see an issue, personally." Matthew suddenly said as he stood up. "We're friends, right?"

" Si! "

"There you go! We're friends, who happened to be in a relationship two years ago, but aren't anymore! And so what if we share a suite! We can be professional !"

"Yeah! We can!" Feliciano declared with Matthew.

"Good! Great even!"

"...Now what?" Feliciano inquired as they looked around the giant suite together.

"That's a great question." Matthew whispered and then looked outside at the balcony. "Wanna have a smoke with me?"

"Sure!"

So, that's how the two of them were sitting on the balcony overlooking Moscow at a table. "Light me." Feliciano instructed when Matthew pulled out his lighter. Matthew was more than happy to oblige. Their cigarette ends met and Matthew lit both ends ablaze with his lighter. Roughly three seconds later they were separated both inhaling on their respective smoke. It was at that moment, when Italy had pulled away, did Matthew realize that was the closest they have been in the last two years. To be fair, usually at this point someone would have come in to pull them apart. Still, Matthew decided for his own mental health not to ruminate on it as he exhaled.

Feliciano suddenly coughed as he pulled his cigarette away from his mouth. The cough wasn't a long one, but it was rather hoarse. When he was done he shook his head. "Have you considered vaping? I know Alfred offered me a hit off of his vape once, it's not nearly as harsh as cigarettes."

"I've vaped. Not for me. I don't know, you just can't beat cigarettes. Though, I do remember smoking out of a pipe."

"Oh, Si ! I've smoked out of pipes before as well, that was way before cigarettes."

"Yeah when Tobacco was just that and not…well…" He gestured to the cigarette in his hand and Feliciano understood.

"Brr…" Feliciano shivered when a breeze swept by them and he tightened his jacket around himself a little tighter. "Isn't it odd that we haven't seen Ivan yet? He's usually here to greet us by now. Well not us …you know. He'd be in the lobby!"

"I know what you mean. It is a little strange." Matthew gnawed on the end of his cigarette. "He's probably busy. I'm sure he'll greet us tomorrow at the summit, and maybe laugh at us —" Matthew gestured between himself and Feliciano. "—while he's at it."

Feliciano snorted and inhaled on his cigarette before looking out at the red square. At the people below them. "How's Riley? Is he here?"

"Oh yeah, of course he's here. He's in his own room. Like you and Lovino, we got separated. I'm sure he'll be glad to see Sebastian again."

"...A human turned Micronation…" Feliciano shook his head. "Never heard anything like it, you know? I mean I'm beyond glad he survived, please don't get me wrong."

"I know what you mean. It still baffles me to this day. Though, I feel like I should be concerned."

"Oh?"

"More than once I've caught him talking to himself. Not like he's excited about something and just can't contain himself, I mean, I've heard him carry on full sentences . Like he was talking to someone else. Yet, everytime I confront him about it…" Matthew shook his head. "He clams up."

"Hm, that is concerning. Have you considered getting him a therapist?"

"Considered? He has one." Matthew almost wanted to laugh. He then exhaled a plume of smoke and let out his own hoarse cough as the thick smoke flew around him. "I don't know. I'm sure he'll tell me when he's good and ready, but I've been saying that for three years now."

"You could always do to him what Mr. Austria did to me when he owned me."

"Oh yeah?"

"Step on him! That often straightened me right up! Mr. Austria's boot was… heavy… "

"I'm sure if I do that Riley is going to actually bite me. Riley won't just roll over; this kid was born to rebel!"

They laughed while Matthew waved his hand to try and get the smoke away from his face. Then Feliciano spoke up again. "You're right. Besides, times are different. Back then punishment was brutal, no matter how small the crime or offense. Especially under Mr. Austria. I heard he's a little more relaxed with Kuegelmugel than he was with me."

"Well, here's to that, I suppose; you're right though. Times are different and the most I can do is just…wait. Wait and see if Riley will open up to me."

"Yeah."

There was another silence between them. The two of them enjoying their smoke in relative silence while people watching from their view above. It was when they snubbed their respective cigarettes out in a complimentary ashtray on the table did Matthew ask his own question. "How's Germany and training going?"

"Hm? Oh good! He's been training me hard every day! I feel like I'm back in the forties!" Feliciano told Matthew.

"And Albania?"

"..Er…"

Matthew leaned back against his chair and tilted his head to the side. Feliciano then shook his head. "A great friend, of course." and he let the subject drop. Matthew respected this. "

"That's good."

Feliciano exhaled and looked back out at Moscow. "Albania and I have always been close since he became independent, I'm sure you know this."

"You protected him during world war one if I remember correctly?"

"Yes, Lovino and I both did. So, he's very close to me and his opinion matters a lot."

Matthew reached over and touched Feliciano's hand. "I understand. The last thing I want is to put strain on any of your relationships."

"Good… because Albania despises you."

"Oh trust me, Sweetheart; I'm very much aware ." Matthew laughed as he took his hand back. "You don't need to tell me twice. I know they mean a lot to you, however; I know you saved them back in '97 when their communist regime fell as well and I'd never ask you to choose."

Feliciano sighed. "Yeah and I'm glad you understand. I just wish…" he shook his head then. "Nevermind. I love this view." and just like that the subject was changed as Feliciano leaned back in his chair to look at the Red Square.

"It is a nice view." Matthew put his hands in his lap as he too leaned back in his seat.

They would stay out there in pure silence, just listening to the ambience of Moscow, before they would both go back to their shared room. "Are you going to unpack? I know I'm not." Matthew inquired when he shut the balcony.

"Nah, we're leaving tomorrow actually. Well…not really tomorrow , so to say. But we booked a flight for nearly three in the morning."

"That's so early."

"Yeah, we all want to get home as soon as possible." Feliciano explained while he went for the minibar. "Not only that but after what happened…" He sighed.

"You're talking about Julian?" A small shiver ran down Matthew's spine as he spoke Julian's name for the first time in years .

Feliciano swallowed hard. " Si ." He then opened the fridge to see what was in it. "After… that …we felt it best to leave the day of when it comes to meetings."

"This way if something does happen…you won't be there."

"Si ."

"I don't blame you. Maybe I should talk Pierre into doing something similar… though, to be fair … we weren't supposed to be at that meeting. It's that stupid leak that forced us to be involved."

"Isn't that the truth? I think about it sometimes, you know? If we weren't at the hockey game when the leak happened, if we were at home like we were supposed to be… would any of it happen in the end? You adopting Riley? Julian Cobrick dying? Any of it?"

There was a pregnant silence. Then Matthew shrugged. "Let's not think that hard about it. In the end I suppose everything worked out the way it's supposed to be."

Feliciano looked at Matthew and then nodded. "I suppose so. I think I'm going to have some of that wine on the table. Want a glass?"

Matthew looked at the dining table and saw the complimentary wine in a bucket of ice. One red and one white. "Sure, I'll go for white."

"Good choice!"

While Feliciano poured the wine, Matthew looked at him and then tilted his head to the side. As sad as it was, this was the first time Matthew looked at Feliciano. Feliciano's back was too him and Matthew picked up on small things. The way Feliciano's shirt, a shirt Matthew had seen him wear before, hung just slightly off of him. The way it looked too big. At Feliciano's khaki pants. How those too seem to look just a bit too big. The new belt that was around his waist.

"Feliciano?"

"Hm?"

"Have you lost weight?"

Feliciano wasn't heavy, truely, he wasn't. He was at a healthy weight, but the more Matthew looked the more he realized yes , Feliciano did look thinner. If Feliciano had lost weight it wasn't good. It could mean his people were starving.

There was another silence before Feliciano put the wine bottle on the table. "Wow… you're the first person to actually notice. Not even Romano or Sebastian noticed. Not even Germany noticed. Then again, they are the people who see me the most

"Is something wrong? Do you need aid-"

Feliciano put a hand up. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Of course."

"My people aren't starving, if that's what you're wondering." Feliciano then started to walk away from the dining table. Matthew followed right behind him. He went for his suitcase and Matthew leaned against the doorframe and watched him rifle through his things. "I…I nearly had a repeat of a few years ago, you remember, where I didn't do any of my world summit paperwork?"

"Yes, of course, that was a catalyst to our relationship."

"Well, my boss got wind of it and scolded me, and then Ludwig scolded me, and then Lovino…scolded me…you get it."

"Yes, I do."

"So, I decided to do something about it and—" Feliciano found what he was looking for, there was a rattle and then a familiar orange bottle was tossed in Matthew's direction. Matthew caught it and then looked at the label. He read it and then read it again, and then one final time to make sure he was reading it right.

"Adderall?..." Matthew whispered in complete shock. "I thought it was still banned in your land?"

"They lifted the ban last year. Now, it wasn't easy getting my hands on it, but after a lot of back and forth… here I am. My work is completed for the first time in centuries, no help required. I also finished a lot of my paintings and reorganized the house probably about five times in the year I've been taking this."

"... That's why you can't sleep, isn't it?" Feliciano leaned forward with his arms on his knees. "And Lovino doesn't know that something's different? Nobody does? I mean Lovino lives with you!"

"Lovino, Seb, and Ludwig, they're all just happy I'm finally getting my work I'm not slacking off anymore and I get it. I do. Besides, we're all so busy now. I can't blame them for not noticing in all honesty. It's been a tense year for all of us."

"I understand. Still, you've been taking this for a year and I'm the only one to notice that something was different?"

"Like I said, it's been busy, and not only that but you don't see me everyday, they do. They're not bound to notice I lost…er… twenty pounds in the span of a year."

"Twenty?!" Matthew gasped.

" Si ." Feliciano sighed. "My pants sag off of me and my shirts feel like tents… to be fair …" Feliciano shut his eyes. "I've been hiding it. If they knew I was taking this stuff they'd freak all of them! It feels like I can't win sometimes! I don't take the drugs, I'm all over the place and don't get my work done, I take the drugs and that's bad because it's a strong drug to take!" He then raked his fingers through his hair and stayed leaned down.

Matthew sighed softly and gently patted Feliciano's shoulders. "I'm sorry you're going through this, but it's going to be okay."

Feliciano sniffled. "I hope so, because some days it doesn't feel like it. Some days I think about flushing these stupid pills." He grumbled weakly as he looked at the bottle in his hand. "But I never do. Mainly because these things are pricey and I have been doing actual work! Continuously, for the first time in centuries! My boss hadn't yelled at me in months and- and!…" He trailed off. Matthew reached over and put his hand in Feliciano's. Nothing needed to be said between them as Feliciano leaned his head against Matthew's shoulder and nothing more needed to be said.

AN: "Adderall?!" I see some of you maybe typing out. Ye. I've always had the head canon that Feliciano has ADHD. He shows a lot of signs to me. Or maybe I'm projecting, regardless put your pitchforks down.

I am not hating on Adderall. Not in the slightest in fact. I understand it's a hard drug, but I also understand it's helped a LOT of people. Which is why I felt the need to toe the line. He's not abusing it, but he knows if his friends see him with it they will FREAK. Moreso I feel like Lovino would the most with Germany being a good second simply because of how hard of a drug it truly is. It's not because it's helping him, just the fact that it's a HARD drug. Like he could grow addicted, he's not, but he could and that's the scary part.