In sickness and in health (Countryhumans Sickfic)

Chapter 4

When America saw Ussr coming into to the lobby, he wasn't sure if he should groan or cheer. The others had already gone out with their partners but America had to wait for Ussr.

It wasn't like he'd waited for that long, only about ten minutes, but it was enough for him to want to berate the other country.

"You took your time." America mumbled under his breath when Soviet finally stopped next to him.

"Whatever, let's just go already." America couldn't help but notice that Soviets voice was... off. But he didn't have time to ponder as the other had already begun walking towards the door.

"H-hey! Wait up!" America quickly grabbed his jacked and phone before jogging over to catch up with Ussr.

The outside air was lukewarm and the sun could be seen hiding behind some clouds, illuminating the city in its light.

America waited for Ussr to say something but the other country stayed oddly quiet. America sighed, thinking it was only to annoy him.

"I think we're supposed to go over here first." America pointed to a museum on the other side of the city. The map on his phone wasn't the greatest but it was easy to read.

Ussr only nodded in response but said nothing else. This pissed America off a little. At least he was trying. But he pushed his anger down, not wanting to make a scene so early in the day.

America insisted they walk, since it wasn't that far—only a 20 minute walk if you kept up a good pace.

"The weather is nice as well, so might as well walk."
Soviet didn't answer, in all honesty he didn't think the weather was nice. He felt like it was freezing outside and regardless of how much he tried to stop it, he couldn't suppress the shiver that went through his body.

America saw Ussr shiver and thought it was a little odd, but quickly forgot when he realized he'd been the only one trying to have a conversation so far.

"You know it wouldn't hurt if you tried to talk to me, we're stuck together for today so there's no reason for trying to be a jerk." America's tone was a little harsher then he meant it to be but he hadn't expected Ussr to actually flinch.

"Fine, we can tal—" All of a sudden Soviet felt the familiar feeling of his chest tightening and for a split second, he panicked. He didn't have much of a choice other then to try and muffle and push back the coughs as best he could.

It still didn't stop his body from going into a painful and harsh coughing fit, that left him feeling dizzy and out of breath.

America just stared at the other country as he nearly bent over coughing. To be honest he wasn't sure if he should say or do something, so he just waited for it to be over.

When Ussr stopped coughing and finished catching his breath, America awkwardly asked if he was alright.

"Just-cough-some dust. I'm-cough cough-fine." His voice was hoarse and starting to sound congested, which was only made more apparent when he sniffled only a second after his sentence.

America wasn't exactly convinced, but this was Ussr and he's probably never even had a cold before. If he said he was alright he probably was, besides it might just be to piss of America anyway so why should he care?

The voice in the back of his that told him that Ussr would never show weakness in front of others if he could help it told him he might be wrong though... oh whatever, it's probably just dust like he said.

"Okay then, let's take bus or something instead, too early to walk anyway." Ussr only looked at him and America tried to ignore the fact his eyes looked glassy and tired.

For a moment they both just stood there and America realized that Ussr wasn't about to go first he almost clumsily started stumbling before walking ahead.

America didn't mind being the one to 'lead', as a matter of fact it made him feel good. He just thought it was weird that Ussr wouldn't want to be the one to take the lead.

America shrugged it off as he saw a nearby bus stop come into view.

The bus stop was empty and they both sat down on the bench inside the bus stop. America looked behind him to check the routes, hoping that the next bus wouldn't take too long to come.

"The next bus that can take us to the museum should be here in about ten minutes." America wasn't sure if Ussr was listening or not but he supposed it didn't matter.

Neither talked more to each other, the only sounds were the few cars driving by and the occasional cough and sniffle from Soviet.

It unnerved America to hear Ussr make sounds like that. Not because it was gross or anything, but because he's never heard him of all people sound so... human?

America was in deep thought, so he hadn't heard Soviets quiet hitching breaths.

"hih..ahh...Ht'nxght! Nn'gshh!!" Even though the sneezes had been stifled and pretty quiet all things considered, it had still startled America who had not been paying attention.

America was so surprised and startled he almost forgot to say:
"B-bless you...?" Americas eyes were probably the size of saucers at this point. He never thought he'd hear Ussr sneeze, like ever. It was surprising to America the other country even could sneeze, much less that his sneeze wasn't loud as hell.

Soviet only looked away and America wasn't sure if he was embarrassed or if the slight flush in the others cheeks had been there all along.

America wasn't sure if he should ask if Ussr was really okay or not, this was technically his enemy. But he was also supposed to 'bond and become friends'...

"So how's Maja?" America had been meaning to ask that anyway, besides if something was really wrong there's no way she'd let Ussr go out, right?

"She's fide... Why do you care?" Soviets voice was quiet, scratchy and definitely congested.

America huffed.
"Cuz I like her, she's cool and nice. Still have no idea how she ended up with you." The last part was meant as a kind of joke but Ussr glared at him in response, clearly agitated by the remark.

"It was just a joke dude." America tried to lighten the mood. It didn't exactly work.

"Just—cough cough—shut up...sniffle" Soviet looked away from America after giving him one last death stare.

America might have screwed that up a little but if Ussr was actually sick like he suspected he'd probably say something, it's most likely just dust like he said...