Handling a Crisis

Chapter Six: They're Alright (Maybe?)

America visibly paled at what Pennsylvania said. "What's wrong?" he asked. "What happened? How did it happen? Do you know if it's serious?"

"H-he was just hanging ou-out with us when j-just co-collapsed!" Pennsylvania managed to reply. "W-we don't know wh-what to d-do! He's ou-out like a li-light! He w-won't wake up!"

"Alright, I'll be right there. Watch over him until I do, okay?"

"O-okay, Dad. Just hurry!"

America hung up and stared at the tile floor for a moment, trying to calm himself down enough to act rationally. He had to breathe. If he acted irrationally, then something could happen to him, which would not be good for his kids, especially right now. Nobody knew what exactly was wrong with New York, so if they heard that America was hospitalized or dead, they'd all lose it and his country could fall into chaos.

Russia, who saw how worried America had become, cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the smaller country. "Do you vant to go home?" he inquired.

America's expression changed into a slightly-hopeful one. "Can I?"

Russia nodded and held up a hand to Kiribati, who was passing by. "Can ve get ze cheque and two to-go boxes?"

"Of course," Kiribati replied.

"Zank you." After Kiribati left, Russia looked at America. "Ze call seemed imporrrtant. If somezing like zat happened to me, I'd vant to leave as soon as possible as vell. Vhy vould I not let otherrrs do ze same zing?"

America smiled at him. "Thank you so much, Russia. I promise I'll make it up to you as soon as possible—"

Russia held up his hand, signalling for America to stop. "Тебе не нужно. You don't need to pay me back."

"Are you sure?"

"Да. Again, don't vorrry about it."

America wanted to give Russia a hug, but he didn't know if Russia would be okay with him giving him a hug, so America instead settled for giving him a bigger smile. "Thank you so much, Russia."

Russia smiled back at him. "Of kourrrse. Vhat arrre frrriends forrr?"

"Wait, we're friends?" America did a tiny victory fist pump. "Yes," he whispered loud enough for Russia to hear.

"You'rrre such a dorrrk."

"Hey, you were the one who befriended this dork. Now you have to live with the consequences."

"I rrrescind my frrriendship."

"Uh-uh-uh, no take backs. You're stuck with me, Ruski." Russia groaned at the nickname, making America chuckle.

Kiribati came back with the cheque and two to-go boxes. Russia thanked him and took the cheque, only for it to be snatched out of his hands. "Hey!"

"No, no, Russia, I'll pay," America insisted. "You're already letting me go home on such a short notice. It's only right that I pay for the meal—"

"Нет," Russia replied. "I'll pay—"

"No, I'll pay."

"Amerrrika—"

"Okay, okay, fine, since we obviously both want to pay, how about fifty-fifty?"

"Fifty-five and forrrty-five."

America wanted to argue more, but he had to hurry; there could be something seriously wrong with New York. "Alright, Russia. You drive a hard bargain. Fifty-five and forty-five it is."

America took out his wallet, took out a card, and wrote down the amount he was spending onto the receipt. Once he was done, he placed his card in the cheque and gave it to Russia. Russia was about to pay fifty-five percent of the price when he saw that America had already done that.