((authors note: Hello Everyone! This is my first attempt at a pairing between these two characters, I thought I'd give it a go. If you like it don't forget to give it a review!))

*I DO NOT OWN HETALIA NOR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS INVOLVED IN IT*

Chapter 1

Matthew sighed deeply and pressed his head against the wall behind him. He was just outside the meeting room doors and was debating whether he actually wanted to go in or not. He was dressed for it, in his usual suit, tie and uncomfortable shoes, he had prepared himself for it, but slight dread still weighed on his mind. In his arms he held a small polar bear who was looking rather bored. Matthew lowered his head and nuzzled the top of the bears head gently.

"Go in?" Asked the small bear.

Canada sighed again letting his head go back against the wall. "It'll be the same as every meeting, Kumakichi… If I want to say something, someone is bound to interrupt me. No one notices anyway, whether I make an attempt or not. I should just go home, eh?"

He glanced down as the bear looked up at him. "Who are you?"

"I'm Canada…" Matthew said quietly as he directed his attention at the double doors. After a few seconds he bit his lip and nodded slowly. "Even if I don't get noticed… I still should attend. Besides, it's a good way to see everyone, eh?" He crept to the door and opened it a crack to peek inside.

Though it was ten to fifteen minutes before the meeting officially started, the room was still incredibly empty. Counting, there were only twelve other people in the room. England was arguing with France, as usual, by their respected seats. Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Estonia were standing in a far corner talking amongst themselves. Matthew's eyes didn't linger on them; the old Soviet Union countries always gave him a bad feeling. Next were four of the five Nordics; Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. It looked as though the brothers were arguing while Sweden and Finland were in deep conversation. Close to the doors, Germany was scolding Italy who was whining loudly.

Sighing again, Matthew stepped unnoticed into the large room and began to walk grudgingly towards England and France. He stared longingly at his chair as he walked past it, wanting nothing better than to sit and get the meeting over with so he could hurry back to his own home, but he knew better. If he didn't at least make some attempt at being noticed by either of the older countries, they would gripe on him for hours for not saying hello. It always happened.

As he drew nearer to the two, his eyes met Arthurs'. "America!" The Brit said, shoving Francis aside. "Please tell this frog that the only reason we are in this country of yours is to talk about how you are dragging us all down with your horrible government!"

"Uhm," Matthew started, feeling the familiar weight in his chest as he took a step back from the furious Brittan. "You see—"

Francis smacked Arthur over the head. "How many times must I tell you? That is Matthew Williams—Canada! Not his egotistical brother."

"Bollocks," Arthur said after a closer inspection of the younger blonde. "I'm sorry Canada! You just look so similar," he forced a laugh.

Matthew forced a smile, "that's okay…" Arthur smiled at him then turned and smacked Francis across the head with a folder he was holding. As the two started bickering again, Matthew walked to his seat, mumbling, "I'm used to it…"

Sitting heavily, he leaned his head back to rest on the back of the chair, closing his eyes as he did. He wondered, if he willed it, if he could actually turn invisible. If he concentrated hard enough, or even maybe stopped trying at all, if he would simply vanish. I might be able to leave then, he thought. I might never have to show up for another one of these stupid meetings again.

He felt a weight in his lap and looked down to see that the polar bear had jumped up and was now curled up against his legs, trying to fall asleep. Matthew smiled and gently ran his hand over Kuma's head, enjoying the feel of his soft fur running through his fingers. He heard someone sit in the chair next to him and he glanced over at them before looking back at Kuma.

Matthew jumped so hard Kumajiro nearly fell out of his lap. Russia was sitting in the seat next to him looking annoyed, terrified or very angry (he couldn't tell which) but the emotion vanished behind a childish smile as violet eyes met Matthew's blue-violet mix.

"You wouldn't mind if I sat next to you, da (yes)?" the much larger man asked, giving him—what he might have assumed to be—an almost persuasive look. "I do not think Natalya would get very upset if I sat here."

"Uhm…" Matthew looked over at the corner where he had last seen her. The smaller country was glaring daggers in their general direction as she pulled a small knife out from a fold in her dress.

"Da, she won't be coming over," Ivan said with a small sigh. "I am believing so. You are not a threat."

"Er," Matthew looked back at Ivan then down at Kumajiro. The polar bear was giving the other man a very cold look then looked up at his owner with another annoyed expression. Matthew looked back up at Ivan to see he was wearing an impatient one. "Oh, um," he hurried, "yes—I mean to say, you're fine to sit there." Matthew felt his cheeks warm slightly, embarrassed as he fumbled over his words.

"Da, spasiba (thank you)," the larger man smiled as he turned away from him.

Matthew looked at Kuma, who had curled up in his lap again. An awkward silence settled on him. Should I strike up a conversation? He thought feeling more nervous than he should. What would I even bring up?

"They don't really notice you, do they?" The voice coated in the familiar Russian accent sounded at his side.

"Quoi (what)?" He looked over feeling slightly alarmed.

"Those two," Ivan gestured towards Arthur and Francis, who were still bickering.

"Oh," Matthew glanced at Ivan wondering if he was teasing him. "Yea, it happens."

"That doesn't bother you?"

"I'm used to it."

Silence.

What was that about? Matthew thought to himself staring hard at the table. Why did he ask? Is he trying to make me angry?

A loud bang filled the room as someone kicked in the double doors. "The Hero has arrived!" came a rather obnoxious voice. Matthew groaned internally as looked over and saw his older brother stride into the room.

Ivan muttered something under his breath. Matthew took a peak at him and felt a cold chill crawl down his spine. The man's warm smile had been replaced by a cold glare as a strange dark aura seemed to seep from him. His violet eyes flashed dangerously as he glared at America, a murderous look on his face.

Matthew quickly looked away, feeling terror grip at him. He wanted to move, but his legs seemed to lock. He panicked internally about being stuck in the seat next to a very angry Russia, who was continuing to mutter under his breath.

Arms wrapped around Matthew's shoulders and he jumped again waking Kuma for the second time. The polar bear growled then hopped onto the floor, disappearing under the table.

"Hey bro!" a loud voice sounded in Matthew's ear. "How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages! Why're you sittin' next to a commie?"

"Alfred," Matthew started, trying to shove his loud brother off of him. "You saw me—"

"There you are America," Arthur's voice sounded behind them.

"You finally got it right," came Francis' voice, sounded highly sarcastic.

"Um… guys?" Matthew tried to get their attention, Alfred doesn't have to be so rude to Russia, even if he doesn't like him. He glanced over at Ivan, feeling the embarrassment that only his big brother could cause, ready to apologize but found that he wasn't there.

Matthew stared at the empty seat then looked around the room, trying to locate him again. Alfred's beaming upside down face suddenly blocked his view. "Hey! Why don't we all go out to eat after the meeting? I know a great restaurant down the block."

"I could go for something to eat," Arthur said thoughtfully.

"If it's going to be another one of those Chinese food places," Francis snarled at Alfred.

"Hey, Dude! No! This'll be Italian!"

"I can't," Matthew started, once again struggling to remove his brother who was practically on top of him at this point. "After the meeting—"

"Not cool, bro," Alfred frowned down at him. "Why not? It'll be totally lame if you don't go! You have to go! I haven't seen you in, like, forever! You have to tell me all that's happening up there, you know? The moose and geese and stuff? C'mon it'll be fun!"

"It's not really—"

"I will have to go. It will be the last time I will get to see mon chère (my dear)," Francis pulled Alfred off of Matthew, who straightened and stifled a sigh of relief. He only had that second before Francis draped his arms around his shoulders, pulling Matthew into his chest. "He is getting so handsome after all! Don't you think? I will have to take all your time!"

"Papa—"

"Get off of him, frog," Arthur yanked on the back of his clothes, pulling the older blonde off of the much younger one. "You're making the poor lad uncomfortable!"

Francis rounded on him, reached out and pulled on a lock of Arthur's hair. "Stop telling me what to do! Besides, how else am I supposed to show my affection towards mon chère? Though I could always kiss him…" he trailed off with a loving look at the larger country whose eyes widened with shock.

"Not by doing that, wanker!" Arthur snapped.

Matthew watched as Francis' attention was drawn back to Arthur and they began to bicker again while Alfred was unusually quiet looking from the arguing couple to him. Ignoring Alfreds' lopsided grin he sighed deeply and leaned forward, bringing his arms up to rest against the surface of the table then placed his forehead against them. Please let this meeting go quickly, he opened his eyes then tilted his head up slightly to rest his chin on his arms. He blinked, Ivan was sitting almost directly across from him with Belarus hanging on one of his arms. He was speaking to her in a low voice a small terrified look on his face as he tried to pull her off of him with no avail. His violet eyes briefly glanced up and caught Matthew's stare.

Ivan stared at him, unblinking for several long moments, then swiftly glanced at Alfred, Francis and Arthur behind him before looking back at the younger blonde. 'They don't really notice you, do they?' Ivan's question spun around Matthews mind and he felt his cheeks burn as they flushed with an angry red. He broke eye contact with him then lowered his head back into his arms as the room filled slowly.

Once they were all settled, Alfred grinned at Matthew. "I'm up!" He stood and started the meeting opening with a small statement. He went on to explain why they were all here, what was going on within his country and what might happen to others if his economy were to crash. Quietly, Matthew pulled a pen and a small notebook from the inside of his suit jacket to started taking notes.

The meeting seemed to drone on and on. Alfred wasn't helping with his many obnoxious remarks and boastful laugher while Arthur, Francis, and Ludwig shouted their disapproval. Out of the entire room, Francis and Arthur seemed the most heated about what would happen to their countries if Alfred didn't get a grip on things while Ludwig shouted for them to 'speak one at a time!'

When it was finally over, Matthew had barely taken a page and half of notes. Partly because there wasn't anything remotely important to jot down and partially because he couldn't concentrate. Ivan had not moved seats, even though he usually sat clear on the other end of the table and his question had repeated like a bad echo in Matthew's head. As soon as Alfred and Ludwig had dismissed the meeting, he slouched in his chair and Kumajiro came out from under the table.

Matthew smiled. "Kumatchi," he murmured as the bear hopped into his lap. He scratched him lightly behind the ears, as he leaned further into the chair. Trying to avoid looking at Ivan, he watched as the room slowly empty, wanting to wait until everyone left before he tried.

"Canada!" The loud shout made Matthew groan outwardly. "Hurry up! We're going to get some food! Remember?" Alfred appeared next to him and pulled on Matthew's arm, tugging him roughly from his chair. He half dragged him across the room, through the double doors, all along through the long main hallway then outside. The loud noise of New York blasted him and he flinched slightly.

"Alfred—"

"Yahoo!" Alfred exclaimed thrusting a hand into the air. "I love New York! So much stuff is going on! Right, Mattie?" He elbowed his younger brother.

"So, where is this restaurant?" Arthur's voice came from somewhere behind them.

"This way!" Alfred started forward letting go of his younger brother's arm, "just follow the hero!" Matthew straightened his suit slightly, watching the unbearable blond waltz off.

"May as well go get this over with, oui (yes)?" Francis' accent sounded behind him and he looked over seeing his once contributor standing behind him.

Arthur strode forward sighing slightly. "I hope the food is good at least."

Francis placed a hand on the younger males' shoulder and gave him a large smile. Matthew sighed then walked forward with him. "You would know all about decent food wouldn't you, Arthur." Francis said as they fell into step behind Alfred.

"Was that sarcasm?" Arthur snapped, turning his head to glare at him.

"All I am suggesting is that you wouldn't know a thing about decent, votre nourriture est terrible après tout (your food is terrible after all)," Francis said somewhat absentmindedly, as he winked and gave a rather charming smile at a group of American girls who blushed and giggled.

"What did you say, you frog?!"

"It means your food sucks, dude! You don't need to speak French to know that!" Alfred chimed in from ahead.

"You wouldn't know anything, Yankee!" Arthur snapped at his laughing brother.

Matthew watched the three of them bickering feeling a little sick. No one so much as looked at him now. Maybe I could sneak off? He glanced down to see the familiar face of Kumajiro looking back at him, but the polar bear wasn't there. Matthew's heart dropped and he felt panic flood him as his body froze. The people behind him shot him annoyed looks and shoved him forward, forcing him to keep walking.

"Kuma!" Matthew shouted looking around, trying to see if he could get a glance of white fur anywhere but couldn't see him. He's back at the building, probably still in the meeting room! He reached out and grabbed Alfred's sleeve. "Alfred, Kumajiro—" his brother shrugged the sudden unknown tug on his sleeve off. A sharp pain stabbed Matthew's chest and his eyes widened as he watched his older brother laugh at Arthur.

He looked at the second country. "Arthur?" Matthew asked hating the way his voice shook. Arthur glared daggers at Francis who was laughing at him with a slight crazed look. "Papa?" Matthew's voice rose slightly quivering. He watched the three other countries argue with each other, the pain in his chest becoming worse. He stopped walking and this time the people around him simply brushed past. No one looked at him, no one spoke to him, and no one saw him. He watched the three people that he was closest to, his family, walk on ahead laughing and yelling without looking back.

Pushing the tears that were threatening to break from his eyes, he rushed back to the office building where the meeting had been. He swung open the door and nearly ran into Natalya and Sofia. He jumped back from the door, holding it open as the sisters stared at him, one with a glare the other with a small spacey smile. "Désolé (sorry)," Matthew murmured, wondering if they noticed him or knew who he was.

Natalya gave him a dark glare before walking through the door and moving onto the crowded sidewalk. Sofia smiled at him. "Thank you, Matvey," she said before rushing after her younger sister.

Matthew watched them vanish into the crowed before hurrying into the building feeling a little lighter, at least Sofia remembers me. He hurried through the hall of the now empty and quiet building when a thought occurred to him. Russia wasn't with them... that's a little strange, he shoved the thought away as quickly as it had come. "That's not important right now." He approached the double doors, praying that they weren't locked. "Kumajina must have been knocked off my lap when Alfred pulled me," he murmured, feeling relief when he opened the doors and stepped inside.

Inside he saw there was only one person in the room. Ivan sat in a chair reading a small book with Kumajiro curled up in his lap fast asleep. The man looked up when he heard the door open and smiled when he saw who it was. "Ah, comrade Matvey I was thinking you would show up soon."

"Kumajiro…" Matthew murmured, completely taken aback, as he walked slowly into the room. Kuma never likes anyone… he won't even let Alfred pet him sometimes let alone sleep in his lap; he stared first at Ivan then at the small polar bear. Kumajiro stirred a little then lifted his head and looked up at his owner who had stopped two feet away. "Kuma?" Matthew asked feeling slightly scared of the blank look the bear was giving him.

"Who are you?"

For the second time that night, a sharp pain stabbed at his chest but this time the pain took all the breath from his lungs. Several of the tears he had earlier suppressed, now slid silently down his cheeks as it took him a few moments to catch his breath. Matthew knelt and held out his arms to the bear. Kumajiro slowly stood, hopped down from Ivan's lap then walked into the embrace.

"I'm sorry," Matthew whispered hugging the bear close as his voice cracked. "I'm so sorry…" Kuma nuzzled into him, wrapping his small paws around his neck.

"I found him asleep under the table," Ivan's voice reminded him that he wasn't the only one in the room.

Matthew stood, quickly whipping the tears from his face hoping that Ivan hadn't seen. When he looked him in the face, Ivan gestured with his book under the table. "He looked quite disgruntled and I was in the thinking that you would be looking for him, da?"

Holding Kumajiro close, he glanced at Ivan then back to his bear. "I didn't mean to… I'm sorry…" he said quietly, burying his face in the soft fur as his eyes started to itch again.

"I am glad that you came for him," Ivan continued as he looked back to his book. "I wouldn't know what to do with a polar bear."

Matthew glanced up at him and as he watched the larger man read a thought came to him. "Russia?" he looked up, "er… I saw your sisters leaving when I was coming back into the building… are they looking for you?"

Ivan's face paled slightly but was quickly masked by his all too familiar smile. "I am going home at a different time, da?"

"O-oh…" Matthew fell silent watching Ivan read.

Kuma shifted in his arms. Matthew looked down at him to find the small bear was looking up at him. "Dinner?" Matthew saw Ivan look up at Kumajiro's words.

Blushing slightly, he nodded. "O-Oui, we should go get something to eat." He turned to leave but paused looking over his shoulder at Ivan who was watching him with a blank look. "Russia…?" Ivan's brow lifted slightly. "Would…you like to join us? I'm not too sure where we could go but you're welcome to come along with us."

"Nyet (no)," he smiled his dark smile. "I'll be fine. Vs ravno spasiba (thanks anyway)."

"It'll be my treat," Matthew pushed. What am I doing? He asked himself feeling a sudden trepidation. I just asked Russia out to dinner… Russia. As Matthew watched Ivan who was staring at him with his darkening smile, his thoughts came to a conclusion. He did stay with Kumajiro until I found him… this could be my thanks.

"Da," Ivan said standing, storing his book inside his large jacket. "If that is the case, I will come." Matthew smiled up at him feeling suddenly intimidated. He turned quickly and led the way back to the streets of New York, a part of him wondering if he just made a mistake somehow.