𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬

Friends

It was at least a 20-minute drive to wherever Russia was planning, but when the two of you arrived Russia was cackling like a maniac. Or a crazy old uncle. You couldn't really tell.

When you looked out the window, you looked to be at an... airport? Russia helped you out of the car and took you inside the airport, holding your bag for you.

He barely had to go through any security, and by extension, you didn't either, as he just grasped your hand and manoeuvred you through the crowd of people staring and gawking at him.

Russia brought you into the terminal and landed you first class. The plane started and you were absolutely flabbergastingly confused. Why were you on a plane? Where were you going?

Russia turned to you and sighed. "Are you alright? Do you have a history of plane sickness? I can call someone to get you medicine or something, maybe something to knock you out for the flight,"

You answered that you wanted something to knock you out for the flight, and Russia nodded, flagging a flight attendant and asking her to get you some melatonin.

You were knocked out cold the majority of the flight, only opening your eyes a few times drowsily before falling back asleep.

At one point, you opened your eyes to a particular situation. Your head was laid on Russia's lap as he gently petted your head and spoke on the phone. You were barely conscious as the words passed through your mind.

Russia seemed angry, much more than he'd ever seemed with you, and he seemed to get more and more agitated as he tried to remain quiet.

"Why do you keep insisting on calling me, you Capitalist Pig? I keep blocking you and you keep getting new numbers, it's like you're just begging to bug me!"

Russia hung up and blocked the number, huffing as he shoved his phone into his pocket. Russia continued to pet your head as he took deep breaths, attempting to calm himself down from the unwanted call.

Then you fell back asleep.

After what felt like hours of deep slumber, you were gently roused awake by a soft voice. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, you realised it was Russia, leaning over you with an indifferent expression.

As your surroundings slowly came into focus, you noticed the gentle hum of the plane's engines and the subtle vibration beneath your feet.

"We're about to land." he hummed as you gazed out the window at tall buildings that towered over the city, their lights flickering in the night sky. You were indeed not in Russia anymore. "Welcome to North Korea,"

The plane came to a stop and the two of you went into the North Korean airport, once again having bystanders and citizens staring and gaping. Russia momentarily sped up after seeing something, grabbing your hand and rushing you over.

"Мой друг! Мой друг! Давно не виделись!" Russia smiled and let go of your hand, wrapping his arms around someone. When he let go, you were met with the sight of someone.

It was a man with the flag of North Korea as his face. His hair was coloured with a blue colour, one of his eyes was red while the other had a red star as its iris.

After the Russian and Korean concluded greetings, the Korean turned towards you. "Who's this?" Russia looked over at you, then back at the Korean.

"A friend of mine. Didn't want to leave her home alone though, so I brought her." The Korean nodded and put his hand out to you for a formal shake.

"A friend of Russia's is a friend of mine. I'm North Korea." North Korea shook your hand firmly then turned to Russia, motioning him to follow. "China should arrive soon."

Russia nodded and followed North Korea over to a different terminal, before the plane unloaded, North Korea turned to you and whispered, "I'm unsure if Russia told you this yet, but, China is an ally. The kind you pat down before letting within 10 metres of you."

You were unsure of what that meant but kept the warning in the back of your mind nonetheless. The plane unboarded shortly after, and the two countries greeted the new arrival.

He was a man — a relatively tall one, but not as tall as Russia — with the flag of China as his face. His hair was red, and so was one of his eyes, while the other eye was a golden star as his iris.

"Who's that?" Again, like North Korea, the Chinese man was confused as to who you were supposed to be.

Russia turned to China, introducing you. "This is a friend who needed some company. They'll be staying with us for a while," he explained to China.

China eyed you warily, clearly not convinced, but he nodded in acceptance. "Very well," he said, gesturing for Russia and North Korea to follow him.

As they walked away, you were left standing in the bustling airport, before Russia turned back at you, telling you to follow. You quickly did so, walking fast to keep up with them.

"I'm starved," China noted to his comrades, North Korea sighing and Russia shrugging in response. "What do you want us to do about it?" North Korea asked.

You were relatively good when identifying body language — and from observing this trio you'd already picked up all of their gestures and movements.

Russia had a relatively calm and slow stance but with a few undertones suggesting a more unnerving self. You'd noticed that he'd always have a bottle of vodka in his grasp, as well.

North Korea had a more controlled and disciplined demeanour to him, his movements very stiff and automatic. Almost mechanical. His arms were neatly folded behind his back as his gaze lingered on anything that could be considered a threat. Including you.

China's movements were rather fluid, not slow like Russia's nor stiff like North Korea's. His movements were like leaves blowing in a soft breeze. It sounds funny, but it's the best way you could describe it.

China hummed, "Let's go to a restaurant or something," The other two countries nodding in response.

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