Book 3 - Retrievers

XV - Adventure

The next day begins shortly before dawn. Russia is shaken awake by America, who is sitting up against the headboard and looks awake, but not excited.

"Come on," America says gently, "we have to get going."

Russia nods, his mind muffled with the lingering effects of sleep. He gets ready and shoves his hat over his hair and the rest of his things into his backpack.

"Come on y'all! Or we're gonna leave without you!" Georgia announces from the front door.

Russia helps America hurry down the stairs. They walk outside, and Russia takes a moment to admire the sunrise. The yellows and light blues shine brightly. Russia stares for a moment at the colors until America tugs on his arm.

"We should go," America says, "do you want to drive or do you want Penn to?"

"I can drive," Russia says with a yawn.

"I've got snacks and drinks!" Georgia announces, holding a large bin.

Texas walks just behind her, looking bleary-eyed, with a few decks of cards and his hat in his hand. Russia chuckles at Texas' bed head, though he's sure his hair isn't any better.

Everyone piles into the car, and New York looks to be the only one who didn't just wake up. America slumps into the passenger seat with a sigh. New Jersey takes up residence in the seat just behind the center console and hands out some disposable cups.

"I made yours how Dad likes it," New Jersey says, handing Russia the first one.

Russia takes it.

'I wonder what this is.'

He takes a sip and realizes it's pretty sweet coffee. New Jersey crawls into the back seat behind the driver, and New York sits next to him. Russia opens the cap a little to let out the steam. He puts the car in gear and pulls out from the grass and onto the gravel road. The car is quiet for a little while.

Russia glances into the secondary rearview mirror at his passengers, he sees that Texas and New Mexico had fallen back asleep, leaning against the seats: Texas' head is leaned back, and New Mexico seems to have curled up on herself. Pennsylvania is playing on his phone and Finland watches out the window at the passing trees. New York is listening to music and lending one of the earpieces to New Jersey. Georgia is contently reading a book, leaning away from Texas and toward the windows.

America reaches over and takes Russia's hat with a smirk, holding it in his lap. Russia smiles lightly and opens the windows, and enjoys the feeling of the wind in his hair. It's a little chilly, but Russia finds that he doesn't mind. He holds his hand out the window and enjoys the early morning winter air.

'At least it's warmer here.'

Soon, they make it to a popular interstate. Russia turns into the early morning traffic. It was nice not being alone, but a creeping suspicion still grows in the back of Russia's mind.

America dawns his sunglasses, and Russia could almost pretend that none of this was happening, that they were just hanging out, driving around, and having fun. America turns on the radio and belts out the lyrics to the pop song playing. Russia smiles and tries his best to sing along.

Soon, Texas wakes up, and he and New Mexico begin to speak in a language that Russia assumes is Spanish. America starts dancing, as much as he could with his current injuries, and Russia watches in his periphery.

'He's so cute.'

"Where are we going?" Russia asks, watching the exit signs pass.

America turns down the music before answering, yelling over the wind.

"I'll let you know when to get off, but otherwise, just follow this!"

Russia nods and taps the steering wheel along to the beat of the music.

"Pennsylvania, stop touching me," New York says.

"But I'm not touching you."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not. Seeee?"

"Penny, fuck off!"

"Don't call me Penny!"

"Boys!" America exclaims, "quit the fighting!"

"Fine," the boys say.

America shakes his head with an annoyed look. Russia chuckles.

They stop in a large town a little later to collect any last-minute supplies. They start walking through a large supermarket, and Russia, on impulse, grabs some waterproof supplies, like bags and flashlights, and Georgia grabs some glow sticks.

'Now it's time to save Ukraine.'