Chained Together (Rusame)

DEPARTION JOURNEY

America shot awake to someone shaking his shoulder. He blinked away the blurriness of sleep, his gaze darting about the room. His eyes landed on Japan, who was standing in front of him. He heard scuffling behind him, and saw more figures climbing through the window. He instantly recognized them as Canada, South Korea, and Germany.

"America!" Japan whisper-yelled with excitement in her voice.

"What are you doing?!" America hissed back at her, the distress apparent in his words.

The other countries entered the house through the window and gathered in front of him.

Canada stood beside Japan, looking stupid tall next to her. "We heard you got kidnapped by Russia. We're going to get you out of there!"

America gave Germany an incredulous look, knowing that he had attended the UN meeting and had seen the events go down.

"Where is he now? He really just let you sit here freely like that?" Japan continued, not noticing the suspiciously person-shaped lump underneath the blanket next to him.

The blanket stirred. Russia groaned softly, emerging from underneath it. His hair was disheveled and stuck up in odd places. He wiped some drool off his face and locked bleary eyes with Japan.

Japan yelped in surprise, and then covered her mouth in embarrassment.

"Uh... What?" Canada gawked at them, looking between the two of them in disbelief.

America silently cursed Russia again for ripping his shirt off. It's obvious how this could look— Japan will no doubt jump to conclusions. He knows what her mind is like.

Russia pressed his hand against his forehead, his head probably reeling from how much he drank last night. On his hand was a shining metal cuff, and with it came America's hand as well.

"Guys. Remember this?" America gestured to the handcuffs, sending them a flat stare.

"Japan and Canada weren't at the last UN meeting," Germany explained, "They insisted on coming, and we weren't about to let them do this alone."

"You guys never told me!" Japan exclaimed.

"We did! But you didn't believe us," South Korea reminded. "I mean, Canada did, but he went anyways."

"I had to make sure America was okay! How long has it been?!" Canada tugged anxiously at the sleeves on his jacket.

"Two days." America deadpanned. They were seriously overreacting. He's fine! Did they think he couldn't handle himself?

"Two days! Stuck with Russia! I'm surprised you both are... okay." He looked over at Russia, whose hand was no longer pressed against his forehead, but resting in his lap. He looked... bad. But maybe that was because he had just woken up and had a hangover.

"Well, we're still gonna take you home." Japan stated.

America looked to Russia, who stared back with dead, tired eyes. America shrugged. "Okay."

"Come on, then!" Germany called, already making his way to the front door.

America stood up, tugging on Russia's handcuff.

"Wait, you're bringing him?" Japan questioned.

America wondered if there was a limit to how many flat looks he could give someone in a day. "I cant just magically become unhandcuffed."

"But there's not enough seats. There's only five!" Canada stressed.

"They could... share?" Germany suggested.