Too Cold To Be With You // Countryhumans RusAme

Chapter 10 - The Final Piece

Sounds of tires screeching against the muddy snow and the foul stench of city air was all Russia could focus his attention on. He balanced himself against the railing of a bridge, watching as the broken ice tiles moved in odd, but calming patterns below him. They clashed against one another as they melted and broke further apart, initiating the start of a new season.

Something about it made him glad that he couldn't see his own reflection right now. His eyelids felt heavy, and his mouth wouldn't bother to speak a word. He wanted to feel something, to say something, or maybe even to remember something he used to treasure, but it felt as if anything that held on to him moments before had just evaporated into thin air.

A sudden gust of wind made him look up for a moment—just a moment. It passed by him quickly, but somehow it made him reminisce on the thought of his father. He couldn't understand why he decided to forgive him, maybe it was because of the longing pain that afflicted him for so long. Letting go of everything made him feel better, lighter, and renewed as a person. He didn't want to think about it for long, however, knowing what the inevitable awaits, and dug into his jacket to reach out something that would keep his mind elsewhere.

It was a tiny snow globe. He saw it in his apartment and decided to take it with him. If he could remember correctly, this was a small birthday present he received from America a couple of decades ago.

He observed it and let his hidden feelings for him overcome his depressive state of mind. America's smile, his kindness, his charismatic personality... it made him feel as giddy as a first grader just from thinking about him. He can also be cute at times too if he wasn't usually so stubborn.

It made Russia genuinely smile. America's presence brought joy to his heart every moment he laid eyes on him, and Russia was well aware of that. As much as he'd try to wear the mask on an emotionless sad man, he'd still find the heart to deeply care for everything that America has done for him. Everytime they'd talk Russia would forget all the mental pain that inflicted him only moments before, and that was truly something no one has ever been able to do for him.

Just thinking of him made Russia forget about his family dilemmas for at least a moment, but that mere moment would stretch into an entire eternity; an eternity of love, fulfilment, strength, and perseverance. It brought him a new kind of confidence in himself that his family never allowed him to have.

In short, America was important to him, whether he was going to blatantly admit it, or not. He put the tiny thing back into his jacket pocket and let out a long sad sigh.

Hearing sudden footsteps becoming noticeably louder behind him, he turned around to see who it was.

With panted breaths, America had his hands on his knees and the most disturbing face expression Russia has ever seen on him. It displayed a mixture of regret, sorrow, and maybe even a little anger. Relaxing his shoulders, Russia huffed a short sigh.

Something about America's rare look of seriousness on his face gave off a tiny inkling on what might be wrong. It may be small, but the worry of it was big enough to scab at a sensitive place in Russia's heart.

"A-America?"

The shorter country stood up slowely, wavering in one place. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, even just a word, but no audible noises of any kind escaped his shaking lips. He was completely mute for a second. Even America looked confused for a moment and looked down at his trembling hands which he then curled into fists out of frustration.

It was so hard to be strong and content with yourself when the mentality of another person was at stake. But not even just a regular person, but someone who you love and cherish—someone who has already been hurt for so long.