Book 4 - Spring

XXIX - Sass

'I need to go upstairs.'

Russia tries to push himself up, only for a hand to shove him back down. He moves to shake it off, only to look up and see Finland standing above him.

"Do you really think you can make it to the stairs?"

"What?"

"You won't be able to make it there, or climb them."

Russia scowls.

"Don't try," Finland warns.

Dixie sighs loudly beside them, and Russia freezes for a moment.

"Amy needs a moment to calm down anyways," Dixie says, not looking up from his papers, "if you try to talk to him now, he won't listen to you."

Russia reluctantly relaxes into his seat.

"Besides, you shouldn't be walking around unassisted," New York adds, giving Russia a cold look.

Russia meets New York's gaze but soon drops it.

"Why did you say anything anyways?" Dixie asks, looking at Russia with a sad look.

"I didn't want him yelling at you."

"But I de-"

"You don't deserve to be yelled at," Russia states plainly.

Dixie goes quiet for a moment before returning to his papers.

"When can I go home?" Egypt asks from a doorway.

Russia's head whips up to meet him, and Egypt stumbles back at the intensity of the look. Russia blinks and offers a sheepish look.

Dixie's hand stills for a moment before he turns to New Jersey.

"Could the two of you get the countries in here please?"

New Jersey nods and grabs New York by the forearm, dragging him out.

'Why? Is he going to convince them to stay?'

'I don't have enough money to convince Ukraine to leave. But I don't want him getting hurt.'

Russia watches as Ukraine enters, his eyes narrow.

"Okay," Dixie says, his words slightly slurred, "who wants to go home?"

"What?" Mexico asks, "you don't want us to stay here?"

"Why would I?" Dixie asks with a laugh.

"What he means," Alabama cuts in, waving a hand, "is that y'all can take care of yourselves, and we wanted to help you get home."

"Sounds good to me. Buy me a ticket."

"I want to go home!" Philippines announces, waving a hand in the air.

"I would like to go as well," Egypt says.

"I'm staying," Finland says.

"I'm going," Nigeria says, "but I have to say my goodbyes first."

"Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time for that," New York says tiredly, opening a laptop.

"I-" Ukraine starts before meeting Russia's eyes. Then, he smirks. "I'm staying."

"But you could get-" Russia starts.

Ukraine scoffs.

"Since when were you in charge of me? Fuck off with that. I can do what I want."

Russia scowls. Ukraine smiles.

"You ready for what that means?" Dixie asks.

"Sure," Ukraine says confidently.