Expectations (Rusame)

part tree

I honestly don't know if Britain should be called UK or England.

"How did things go?" Britain asked America, patting his son on the back. The party finally ended and guests were quickly exiting the house.

America bit his tongue and restrained from telling his father about the stranger he met that night. "Fine." Was all he responded with. He wasn't lying; things did go fine. He somehow managed to track down Japan, which was hard considering there were hundreds of countries at that party and they were all wearing masks. He talked to her and showered her with compliments, earning some giggles and blushes from her. Near the end of the night, America asked her to dance, and she agreed.

Despite things going fine, America couldn't stop thinking of the country he had met. It was so strange. People don't just ask you to dance with them without an ulterior motive.

America pondered it for a while until Britain broke his train of thought. "You'll be happy to hear that Japan and her father are spending the summer here. They have a cottage a bit south-east from here. You'll be able to spend the entire summer with her. I'm expecting you'll show her around."

Great, America thought. A whole summer of being a suck up and pretending to like someone.

"Also," Britain added. America groaned, wondering what else his father could possibly have to say. "I invited her here tomorrow. I was thinking you could show her around the garden."

America stopped himself from saying something snarky and instead said, "Alright."

---

"A flower for m'lady," America bowed, handing Japan a rose. She gasped and happily accepted the gift.

America was currently showing Japan around the flower garden, carefully following his father's orders from the previous night. It was an incredibly hot day and America was starting to regret wearing a black suit.

Personally, America hated going to the garden. There were bees and bugs flying around everywhere, and it was always so dirty. Despite America's hatred for the garden, it appeared as though Japan was enjoying herself. She happily sniffed a flower and smiled to herself.

America crossed his arms and watched Japan wander off as she chased after a butterfly. He sighed, I can't believe I have to spend a whole summer with her. He allowed himself to tune out his surroundings and become lost in his thoughts.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Someone said in a thick russian accent.

America jumped back in surprise and spun around, he had no idea that someone had snuck up behind him. He quickly regained his composure and nodded.

It took America a few moments to realize that the stranger standing right in front of him was wearing an ushanka and that their face was decorated in white, blue, and red lines.

Weird, America thought. Just like that country from last night-

His eyes widened and he stumbled backward. "You-you're that guy from... from the other night!" America accused, wildly pointing his finger at the man. It took all of his self-control to not beat the other country up on the spot. "What are you doing here?"

"My family owns a cottage a bit up north from here. I'm spending the summer here." The other country calmly explained.

You have got to be kidding me.

There was a long pause between the two countries, as America was lost in thought.

"I'm sorry about last night," The other country broke the silence, all the while interrupting America's train of thought. "It occurred to me that last night I may have come off a bit... rude."

America snorted. He was about to say something incredibly offensive until he saw the look on the other country's face. It looked so sincere, so genuine. America sighed, silently cursing himself for going soft. "You're lucky I don't hold grudges," He murmured to himself, but loud enough for the other country to hear.

The taller country chuckled, then realized something. "Oh! I don't think I've introduced myself yet. My name is Russia." He said, extending his hand towards America for a handshake.

America stared blankly at Russia's hand and furrowed his brow. Something felt awfully familiar about the other country's name, but he couldn't quite figure out what. He shook his head, deciding it probably wasn't important. "America," He smiled, taking Russia's hand and shaking it.

The two countries stood there for a while, awkwardly smiling at each other.

"America!" Japan yelled from across the garden, interrupting the silence. America and Russia both looked at each other, wondering what Japan could possibly want.

"Well, that sounded pretty urgent. So, I uh, gotta go!" America politely excused himself from Russia and headed in the direction where he last remembered Japan calling for him. 

---

6/4/2019