Dispute | Countryhumans AU | RusAme/AmeRus

7

"Thought you ditched us," Canada joked, thumbs in his pockets. "Naw, we ain't that lame, are we?" Australia asked.

"Nah, sorry. Just needed to check something with Russia..." America grinned sheepishly, before adding in a softer voice, "Y'all got my message?"

They bobbed their heads up and down. "Shall we go? I'm hungry," New Zealand complained.

"Jeez, fine. Let's go," Canada shrugged. "Where exactly are we going to eat?" Russia asked with a strained smile.

"Some café we found while exploring the town. I think they sell burgers, coffee and the sort... typical cliché café stuff." America replied. "Western propaganda," Russia muttered.

"Hey, I caught that— keep saying that and I'll make you eat McDonald's," America said. "Nooo, you wouldn't," Russia groaned. "Not McDonald's..."

They chatted as they walked, enjoying the cool weather until they arrived at a red brick building with ivy growing around the front of the shop.

A blackboard at the front showed the item of the day. The inside of the shop was pleasantly warm and cozy, and they took off their coats, draping it over the back of their chairs as they took a seat.

Almost as soon as they had settled down, a waiter went over to their table to take their orders.

"Hallo! Guten Tag (Good afternoon). What would you like today?"

"Германия? (Germany?)" Russia blurted out. "Ah, Russland! Didn't expect to see you here," Germany raised one of his eyebrows good-naturedly.

"America invited me to have lunch with everyone here— I didn't know you worked here— how's your brother?" Russia said.

Germany flinched, closing his eyes for a few seconds. "Oh- sorry... sometimes I forget," Russia apologised. "Kein Problem (No problem)," Germany said, brushing it off.

"Sometimes I do, too. Well, um... Polen worked here first, and he told me they were hiring. So I decided to join, because I had time to kill anyway." He lifted his chin in the direction of another waiter who had pearly white feathers.

Said country had piercings on his left ear. Poland nodded at them, flashing a small smile before he got back to taking orders. "I see," America chipped in.

"Yeah- I guess," Germany shrugged. "Anyway, what would you like?"

They ate, occasionally conversing with each other, Poland and Germany when they came over to their table.

Russia swallowed each bite with some difficulty, anxious. When he ate the last bite of his food, he cleared his throat. Everyone at the table went quiet. His eyes darted around, scanning all the faces there.

This was the moment he'd been dreading. America, who was seated beside him, patted his hand under the table.

America tapped his finger on the table in morse code, giving the Russian encouragement.

"Um... Украина, извини (Ukraine, I'm sorry)... I'm sorry for being an ass and a terrible brother and saying all the things I shouldn't have that day," Russia said.

Ukraine stayed silent, neither glaring nor smiling. The tension at the table was so thick that it could have been sliced by a knife. Then, suddenly, Ukraine stood up and took a step towards Russia.

"Uki..." Canada mumbled. Ukraine ignored him, and continued towards Russia.

He lifted his hand.

Russia flinched and the table erupted in a panicked chaos, ready to pull Ukraine off Russia if Ukraine started to hit his brother.

But no impact ever came.

Ukraine had pulled Russia into an embrace.

"У-Украина?" Russia spluttered. "Я тобі прощаю (I forgive you)," Ukraine sighed. "That was all I needed to hear. You were a good brother... We were cold, tired and frustrated that day. I'm sorry for shouting at you too."

Russia exhaled and returned the hug. The rest of the group, stunned into silence, burst out clapping. "You did it," America whispered, punching Russia lightly on the shoulder.

I did it, Russia realised, warmth flooding his feelings as Ukraine smiled at him. Russia grinned.

Poland swung by. "Good job," he said, clapping both Ukraine and Russia on the shoulder. He left again, exchanging a few words with Germany before moving off again.

They left a while later, reaching the campus half an hour before their next class. From there, they all went their separate ways.

Russia was in his room, skimming through his class notes. America, on the other hand, was in the bathroom.

"God, I'm stupid. I think I gained weight," he hissed unhappily, glaring at his reflection. The American stared at the mirror for a while longer before he stuck his finger down his throat, touching his uvula and activating his gag reflex.

Russia walked past the bathroom door as America made a ragged sound and vomited into the toilet bowl. He stopped before pushing on the door lightly.

It was unlocked. Russia opened the door and knelt beside America. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked gently, taking some tissue paper and passing it to America.

"Must've eaten something bad earlier," America lied, coughing as his throat burned from the stomach acid. He thanked Russia as he accepted the tissue paper.

"Do you want to see the school nurse?" Russia murmured as he helped America up.

"No," America said, slightly panicky. "No, it's okay."

Russia frowned. "Okay, what about skipping the rest of your classes for today? I can explain your absence in cl—"

"Russia, it's alright. It's just me vomiting," America said, "Thanks for your concern, but I'm fine."

"Okay... you should eat something since you just vomited."

America froze for a split second. "No thanks, I'm good. I'm not hungry."

Russia's brows remained furrowed but he said nothing. Then, as he turned to return to his room, he said, "Promise you'll go to the school nurse if you're not feeling well, okay?"

America nodded. "I promise."

"We better grab our bags and start walking to class now," Russia advised. "Don't wanna get into trouble."

"Yeah, alright," America grunted, getting up from the floor and cleaning up.

They ended up running to class, America flushed and wheezing. "Are you sure you're okay?" Russia asked. "I've never seen you like this before... maybe it's better we take a break and walk the rest of the way."

"Ah, no, I think it's better if we're not late for class," America refused, taking a deep breath.

"Screw classes, if they can't put a student's well being before their grades then there's something wrong with the education system and the school," Russia snapped. "I don't want you falling down or passing out or something."

America stared at him, his mouth slightly opened.

"Because, that would mean I'd have to drag you to the school nurse," Russia added on quickly. "Nothing else."

"Uh huh..." America said, "Yeah, alright."

"I'm serious," Russia insisted, crossing his arms across his chest. "Okay, fine, we'll walk. I'll grab a salad or something after class, happy?" America grumbled.

"Good, you've gotta start taking care of yourself," Russia huffed. "Oh, yeah? And who are you to tell me to take care of myself?" America said, glancing at the white linen bandages that covered Russia's arms.

"I do, uh, take care of myself— I just fight bears and-" Russia argued.

"Well, then take care to protect yourself from the claws of the bears you fight then," America interrupted.