Expectations (Rusame)

uhh part seven

good news: i updated

bad news: who knows when the next update will be

It was an invitation to a party.

Greaaat. The American thought. As much as he appreciated the gesture, America did not want to attend another party. It would just be another night where he had to be on his best behavior. Another night where the expectations were far too high.

Whatever. All he really had to do was go there, thank the Empire of Japan for the party, then try his best to avoid any human interaction.

He had a week to mentally prepare for the party. He could do this.

At least it wasn't another masquerade ball.

---

The day of the party arrived.

It was the standard procedure. Wake up, get ready, and go. America didn't even have any time to eat breakfast before his parents dragged him to the celebration.

When they arrived, the Empire of Japan greeted them. America barely had any time to thank the host for his hospitality before Japan whisked America away on the dance floor. As he spun around with Japan, he felt his brain go on autopilot. He could barely concentrate on the girl in front of him, and instead noticed all the soft lights emitting from the chandeliers, all the clinking of glasses from toasts, and the atmosphere becoming a whole lot stuffier as more guests flooded in.

When the dance ended, America thought it was his chance to slip away. He was wrong.

People started crowding around him and congratulating him for his "courage" and "bravery." For a moment, America didn't know why he was receiving all this attention, but then realized that the Empire of Japan literally hosted this party to celebrate his heroic feat.

America felt dizzy. It was hot and stuffy and he could barely think straight with all the noise. I need to get out of here was America's only coherent thought. He desperately searched for an exit, and after stumbling around for a bit, he finally managed to slip out to the Empire of Japan's garden.

It was quite and peaceful outside. He could still hear the white noise from the party ourside, but it was muffled. Here, he could have a moment to himself. As he breathed in the cool night air, he allowed his muscles to relax.

Finally some peace-

"Fancy seeing you here."

America yelped. He was not expecting someone else to be outside. He spun around only to be face to face with an all too familiar country.

"Oh. Hello Russia," America said flatly. He didn't mean to sound rude, but he just wanted to be left alone and instead had the fright of his life. "You have got to stop sneaking up on me like that."

Russia chuckled. "My apologies. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," America answered, brushing some dirt off his pants. They remained silent for a while, maybe admiring the beauty of the moon, before Russia initiated some small talk.

"So,what are you doing out here?"

"Just needed to take a breather," America responded. "It was stuffy in there."

Russia only nodded, and America started to tense up. The only reason he went outside was so he could escape all the "being fake polite" bullshit, but it seemed as though he would have to put up his act for a little longer.

Russia glanced at America and noticed the other country's discomfort.

"Y'know," Russia started slowly. "Sometimes when I'm feeling a bit...anxious, I like to have a drink or two. Just to calm my nerves and such. It may be a temporary solution, but it helps me loosen up a little..."

America looked up at Russia. He wasn't expecting that much honesty from a country he barely knew. It was surprisingly refreshing.

As Russia continued to ramble, America found that he was genuinely paying attention to what the other country had to say. He was so used to mindlessly talking to others that he forgot how fun genuine socialization could be.

Russia finished his speech and looked down at the American expectantly. When the other country didn't say anything, Russia reached into his coat, pulled out a bottle of vodka, took a swig, and offered some to the American. "Want some?"

America stared at the bottle in Russia's hands. His father would kill him if he accepted. He was supposed to be on his best behavior tonight.

Then again, he was supposed to be on his best behavior every night. And he was tired of it.

It was like putting on the same performance every night. Everyone always stuck to their script and never tried anything new. There was no thought put into it, no sincerity, almost as if robots were the ones doing the acting and not actual human beings. It was so repetitive that every show merged together into one big play with no bows or standing ovation. He never got a break.

Just for one night, he wanted to break free from all the acting. He wanted to stop putting up a facade and actually have a conversation with someone, like he did with Russia just now.

He wanted to stop caring about all the expectations.

And Russia was offering that to him right now.

America knew it was a temporary solution and wouldn't fix all his problems.

"Ah, what the hell." America said, accepting Russia's offer.

---

hey guys! sorry for taking so long to update. i honestly don't expect that many people to read this cause i've been dead for so long, but i hope you enjoy this chapter! 

thank you for sticking with me <3

7/21/2020