Black Coffee :|: America x Russia :|: Countryhumans

Act III, Chapter Forty-Two

"STUPID FUCKING BOOK!"

"Heeey, what did that book ever do to you?"

"It killed my parents and gave me superpowers."

Russia raised an eyebrow with a patient smile, "I thought superpowers were a good thing?"

"Did you hear the parent thing at all or do you just ignore half of everything I say?"

Russia chuckled and reached over America's lap to point at the equation he had scribbled out, "That should be a two."

"Oh! Thank yooooooou," America hugged Russia's side quickly, startling the taller country.

"Y-you're welcome?" Russia stammered, making America laugh as he worked through the equation again.

"Gosh, you are so handy, you know that?" America sighed, relaxing into the soft pillows of his bed as he finally got the right answer. "You should just come along to all my classes and tell me what the board says."

Russia opened his mouth to speak but jumped when America shot up like a broom that had been stepped on, his eyes wide with excitement and his body practically vibrating. He grabbed Russia's hand and stared up at him with a big smile and wide eyes

"You should join me! At college!"

"What?" Russia asked skeptically, leaning back.

"You're great at all this math stuff, I'm shit at it. I'mgreat at engineering, you can't change a tire to save your life -- we can help each other!!"

"Ok, it was ONE TIME and I told you, I couldn't find the nuts!"

"You've always wanted to be an astronaut," America reminded him, ignoring his defensive statement. "This could be your chance! And we can graduate at the same time too, since I had to do a part-time degree."

Russia bit his lip, "I dunno, it's all pretty expensive..."

America snorted, "Doesn't your dad own a law firm? He's loaded! Plus, why would you come here if not for college? Y'all are Slavic, you don't need to move to the US. But everyone knows that Anello University is the only college in the world that's countryhuman inclusive."

"What does that even mean? We can pretend to be human."

"Yea, but y'know! It has lessons catered to us like parlimentary stuff."

Russia sighed, resting on the bed frame behind him, "Ok, yea. We came here because Bel wanted to go to that uni."

He shifted, looking to the side to avoid America's gaze and shifting uncomfortably, "But...now that she's done with her degree...we're gonna move back."

"What??" America cried, going on his knees to give himself extra height over Russia's slumped frame. "What about Ukraine and Canada?"

Russia shrugged, "Ukraine was just planning to stay here with your brother. Didn't your parents tell you?"

"But- but-..." America trailed off, falling back on his haunches and looking down at the bedspread splattered with stars.

Russia sat up straight and frowned, putting his hand over America's.

"I'm sorry, Meri--"

"Well this is an even better reason to get you to go to uni!" America grinned, his attitude picking up again as he squeezed Russia's hands. "You don't wanna leave right? I'm sure your family's just looking for a reason to stay! This can be it!"

Russia blushed, looking to the side, "I mean. I guess?"

"And I can pay for it if you need!"

Russia snorted, "You mean your dad can pay for it."