A/N: Someone asked for more of this so I said, "Hm, I could squeeze another one of these out, ok"
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"Alright now, listen up."
Russia paused in eating his ramen to raise a brow at the country opposite him.
Ukraine pushed xir salad away to fold xir hands on the tabletop, giving Russia a hard stare.
"I've known you all your life. Some parts of it were...not great, but that's not the point. When the fuck did you start putting holes in your ushankas?"
"Oh. Is that all? You made it sound so serious."
Ukraine raised a brow.
"So I may have started taking sewing lessons. It's not a big deal?"
"Fine. I also wanted to say you seem to be in a better mood lately. Something good happen?"
"Sewing is fun."
"I'm serious, Rus."
"As am I. Maybe, Ukraine, I found a good, creative outlet and have been a better person because of it."
"Fine. Who are you learning from? You know Kaz could've taught you?"
"From France. They're a nice teacher, too."
"Why did you ask France?"
"Because, uh, because America...suggested it."
Ukraine furrowed xir brow, "America?"
"Yeah."
"...And...you agreed?"
Russia shrugged, "Kind of."
"...Uh-huh. Well, I'm, uh...happy for you. Are you and America getting along?"
"He's tolerable. And good to talk to. Or, rather, he talks. Good to listen."
"That's good to hear," Ukraine smiled softly, "it's been a while since I've seen your ears. You don't show them a lot."
Russia nodded, but looked sheepish.
Ukraine wanted to ask to touch them. It's been true to say xe hasn't seen them in forever. Russia was very sensitive about his ears, ever since an accident he'd had as a young adult that resulted in a missing chunk of his left ear. After that, he kept them covered in public most of the time. Now, all of a sudden, he had cut and sewn holes in his hat for his ears. So, of course Ukraine had questions.
"Hey, Russia!"
Russia perked up at the call.
America jogged over with a smile, Canada walking a short distance behind him. America clapped a hand on Russia's shoulder as Russia returned his greeting.
"Oh, hey to you too, Ukraine!"
"Hi," Ukraine greeted politely.
"Canada and I are meeting up Mexico for drinks right now. Just wanted to say hi," America explained.
Canada chose to talk to Ukraine instead, much to Ukraine's pleasure.
"Hey, Ukie, how are you?"
"Fine, I've been agonizing over organizing some events at the park, so I'm glad to be out of the house doing anything else. I swear, people just make up problems for me to solve."
"I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle. You seem to be able to do just about anything, it's pretty amazing," Canada praised.
Ukraine smiled gratefully, but xir eyes caught sight of Russia and America's interaction.
Xe noticed how America had his hand still on Russia's shoulder the whole time he talked. Russia didn't seem to mind, and only smiled warmly at the other.
America would say something and laugh, and Russia would just watch him, maybe a laugh of his own, and only ever so often say something back.
Canada took note of Ukraine's occupied attention and looked at his brother and Russia.
"Oh, yeah, they've been getting along pretty well lately, huh? Did I tell you that Russia comes to our Maman's house with America, sometimes?"
America suddenly looked further up to Russia's head and gasped. He took hold of Russia's ear flaps, squishing them against Russia's cheeks, pulling them down to see the top of his head closer.
"Oh, wow! You put holes in your hat! I've never seen your ears before, dude, they're adorable!"
Russia bashfully looked away and nodded, "Thank you."
"This is like probably pretty personal and very invasive but all I can focus on is your ears right now, so, like, can I touch them??"
Russia seemed to hesitate, and Ukraine fully expected him to say no.
But Russia pulled back only to take his hat off and tilt his head down. America bounced on the balls of his feet when he realized Russia was allowing him to feel his ears.
Ukraine watched, open-mouthed, as America gingerly touched the tips of his ear. Russia flinched in automatic response, but reminded himself to chill. He stood still as America pet the outer shell of his ears. America closed his hand around one ear and rubbed his thumb against the ear.
America thought of petting his ears like he would a dog's, or a cat's. He scratched softly at the base of his ears and with his thumb and forefinger, held his ear softly and rubbed up to the tips.
Ever so slightly, Russia's shoulders loosened and he became less tense. He tilted forward more and hunched over so America could reach his ears better. He could feel his face burning hot. He hadn't had anyone else touch his ears in such a long time, it was a most foreign feeling now. But it was nice, and America was really good about it.
Unable to help himself, Russia stepped up to place the whole top of his head in America's hand, nudging it, eager for more petting.
America couldn't hold back an "aww," at the display. Russia, big and intimidating as he was, looked so tiny and cute when he was like this. America ran his fingers through his hair, scratching the scalp with one hand and petting one ear with the other. America knew for a fact that if Russia's tail was longer, it'd be wagging.
Canada "aww'ed" at the sight, kind of happy that America and Russia were so comfortable with each other. It was undoubtedly wholesome, and Canada was more than surprised.
Ukraine, on the other hand, was just plain shocked. Russia kept himself covered and guarded most of his life. Belarus was the only one who'd seen his ears in all this time, but petting was a whole other thing.
It wasn't just his ears. They stood for all of Russia's defensive nature. They showed just how much he trusted everyone else, which was not a lot. He was scarred, and refused to make himself vulnerable as a result. Ukraine felt...left out. Hurt. Maybe jealous.
Xe was his sibling, his family.
"I don't get it," xe said, "America comes along all of a sudden, shows Russia some kindness, and now Russia decides to reveal himself?"
Canada looked sympathetic to Ukraine's hurt expression.
"Don't feel so bad. America's a bit of a force of nature. He's a dick, for sure, but he's pushy in the most un-alarming way. Maybe it was what Russia needed to feel safe. Someone who just talks and talks and lowers your guard. America is good for those who don't want or have too much to say. He was good for me, I have to say."
Russia, having finally snapped out of his little daze, stepped back and put his hands on America's chest to keep him at a distance. He cleared his throat and looked away again, the blue of his cheeks darkening in color. America wasn't hurt by the action, he'd already seen enough to know Russia more than liked it and he could rest easy with that knowledge.
Ukraine sighed. Yeah, it's not like xe had been sibling of the year. By no means, did Ukraine think that. It just, kind of, made xim feel like we should've been.
"You have plenty of time to be better to him, you know," Canada assured xim, "and who knows, maybe his opening up to America will allow him to be open with others. It usually starts with one."
"...I hate that you're always right," Ukraine grumbled.
