Book 3 - Retrievers

XXVIII - Cheap Drinks

Russia stands at the wall, feeling almost stuck. He could sense America on the verge of a breakdown, but he's sure that most of them were. And with America busy comforting Massachusetts, Russia wasn't sure there was anything he could do.

'I wonder where Dixie went.'

Russia stands a little taller and begins to walk through the house when color catches his eye from outside. He stops and looks a little closer to see Dixie walking a few steps into the path, hidden from most of the windows.

Russia walks out the back door and is surrounded by sounds of the outside. The air is crisp, but not unpleasant. Then he catches a whiff of cheap alcohol in the wind.

'I wonder if I could have some.'

He walks closer and sees Dixie tucking himself into the grove of a large tree, his back to its bark and to the house itself. He's holding a bottle of wine that's already half empty. Russia takes a seat next to him, tucking himself as best he could into the underbrush.

"Hey Ruski," Dixie says. His voice sounds so tired.

"Hello," Russia replies.

"Got a reason you're out here?"

"I was looking for you."

"Me?"

"You're important to America. And I was worried when you left."

Dixie laughs dryly. He throws his head back and drinks from the red-stained bottle. Russia watches in longing. Dixie catches his gaze and offers the bottle. Russia accepts the offer and takes a few mouth fulls before handing it back. It tastes stale and bitter, but it's better than nothing. Dixie laughs.

"Yeah, I know it's pretty cheap, but it's all I had in the house not for medkits."

Russia hums. Dixie sighs, and he slumps over, his head hanging in defeat.

"Can I tell you something?" Dixie asks.

Russia nods.

"I didn't always have this," Dixie starts, waving the bottle around, "this family. Any of it. Technically, I'm supposed to be dead. Hell, I tore 'em apart and nearly tore the country in two. Amy just didn't have it in him to kill me. Sometimes, I think he should have."

Russia bites his tongue to keep from commenting.

"And I promised myself I would protect them if they ever let me stay. And they did. Honestly, Amy is far more forgiving than he should ever be. And the states warmed up to me, which I thought was impossible, you know? I nearly killed Kansas and Missouri. I sent them to death's door."

Dixie sighs and takes another drink.

"And they forgave me. I didn't deserve it. Never did. Still don't. Amy really should've left me to rot in that damned hut. Hell, I was already half-dead when he found me."

Dixie laughs dryly and wipes his face with the back of his hand.

"I don't know what he saw in me that made him want to do a thing. At that point, I hadn't eaten or drank anything 'cept for binging on alcohol for so long, my stomach couldn't handle any real food for a while. And even then, he tried so hard and practically nursed me back to health. And somehow, he convinced the kids to help."

Dixie takes another drink and chokes. Russia looks away while Dixie coughs for a second to let him regain his composure, at least, what was left of it. Once his coughing calms down, Dixie continues.

"I don't think the crumpled-up apology letters I was surrounded by really helped my case much. Most of 'em weren't even readable. Too covered in tears and booze."