Black Roses

Chapter 9

Rica stared at himself in the mirror, groaning a bit. He buried his face in his hands. At this rate he'd be getting nowhere.

"Why are feelings so hard?" He groaned, Canada lightly chuckling.

"Come on, surely you can tell me at least a little about how you feel?" He said, sitting down next to him and patting his back.

"I don't know how I feel! I really like him but-" Before Rica could finish his sentence Canada interrupted.

"THEN TELL HIM!"

"I CAN'T JUST TELL HIM! WHAT IF I MESS UP?"

Now it was Canada's turn to groan and bury his face in his hands.

"Rica, you can't just sit here and think about it all day. You'll have to go out and tell him at some point!"

"I know but what if I just really like him as a friend! Maybe I don't actually have feelings? How am I supposed to know?" Rica said, trying to defend himself.

The two continued to bicker, going back and forth. Around half an hour passed before there was a knock at the door.

"Shit he's here!" Rica immediately hid in the corner of Canada's room, deciding that behind the laundry basket was a good place.

"Coming!" Canada called, giving Rica a small side glare.

"You get out here right now!" He whisper yelled, pointing a finger at Rica. After Fuca shook his head Canada rolled his eyes, quickly flipping him off before running down the stairs to meet Russia.

"Rus! Hey! How are you?" He greeted happily, shaking the man's hand and letting him in.

"I'm doing well, you?" He said, smiling and stepping in. He wasn't really here for Canada though, he was here for his best friend...new best friend. Rica was certainly different than the old America, but to Russia he was no less enjoyable.

The Russian man frowned a bit as he looked around, not seeing the person he was looking for.

"Did Rica cancel?" He asked, a bit confused.

"Oh- no he's here!" Canada said, laughing nervously.

"I think he was just using the restrooms." He said, loudly enough for Rica to be able to hear upstairs.

"Shit!" The American whisper yelled. [Hehe, literally]

"Ah I see." Russia said, now a bit embarrassed.

America on the other hand, was freaking out. He quickly went to the Bathroom, pretending to be doing his business. He flushed the toilet and washed his hands before coming downstairs, a flustered smile on his face.

"Hey hey hey, it's me America!" He said, making some finger guns. Canada looking like he wanted to facepalm, though resisted. Russia politely smiled, standing up a bit straighter.

"Hello Rica." He greeted looking down at the smaller country.

"So, everybody ready to go?" Canada asked, looking all around. Everyone nodded.

"Alrighty then! Let's get this show on the road!"

— — —

Sure, the official reason for this little excursion was for Rica and Canada to get new suits for the trial, but at least they were having fun while doing so. Distracting themselves from the looming grim topic at hand.

Currently though, they were eating lunch in the mall's food court. Rica had gotten sushi, since he really liked it the last time he had it. Russia had gone simple with some ramen, and Canada got fajitas. The three joked around as they ate, it was notable how much it felt like a date between Russia and Rica, with poor Canada being the third wheel. He didn't seem to mind though.