Book 4 - Spring

VIII - Laughter to Tears

"Dad?" South Dakota asks.

"Yeah, kiddo?" America replies, his voice exhausted with forced enthusiasm shining through.

"...what do we do now?"

America looks down but avoids Russia's eyes. Russia's heart sinks at the pain in his eyes.

"We move as soon as we can," Finland chimes in, shifting slightly, "but with the injuries and illness, we can't right now."

"I want to go home," South Carolina says in a shaky tone, his voice an octave higher than normal.

Russia looks up to see South Carolina staring at America with tears spilling from his eyes.

"I just wanna go home," he says, a sob escaping his chest, "I shouldn't have come. I just wanna go home."

America tenses. Texas tightens his grip and appears to try to hide.

"Hey-" America starts with difficulty.

Russia reaches out with a sore arm and places a hand on South Carolina's cheek. He numbly notices the fur that covers it. South Carolina looks down at him in shock before beginning to weep. He hugs Russia's hand to his face in a tight grip that pulls the fur in painful directions, but Russia holds off from commenting.

"You will go home and back to your siblings," Russia hoarsely promises, "Okay?"

South Carolina vehemently nods, sniffling and hiding his face as much as he could into Russia's arm and hand.

North Carolina hobbles over and sits behind her brother.

"We're gonna be okay, Scar. Dad's gonna make sure we get home okay. And Papa will too," she says, her voice calm and sweet, rubbing his shoulder.

South Carolina doesn't respond, his shoulders shaking with restrained crying.

"What a mess," America says with a watery laugh.

Russia glances back up and sees America looking around at the teens, a shaky smile and tears adorning his face. Russia feels his heart crack.

"We will do it," Russia says, his throat burns from use, "Stars, we are going to get out of here."

America forces a laugh that makes Russia flinch at the fakeness of it.

"Damn right," America replies, his tone far too soft to match the phrase.

"No, look at me," Russia says, an iron-y taste paints the back of his throat, "we got this far. We survived this much. We can do this."

America lifts his hand from Russia's head and covers his mouth as if to hide the expression growing across his face. His eyes seem to smile, but the tears continue to fall.

"We better get home cuz this would be a stupid way to die," Ohio says venomously, waving his hands around.

Alberta bites out a surprised laugh.

"You sure you don't just miss Michigan?" Kansas jokes lightly.

Ohio's face goes flush with anger and he spins around, snarling. Kansas steps back with his hands in the air and a nervous smile.

"Shut the fuck up about that cunt!"

"Ohio!" America shouts in a scolding tone.

Ohio scoffs, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

"So Spiderman and our cousins get to say it, but I don't?" he hisses.

"You know exactly why that's different," America replies, "your uncle's culture is different."

Ohio huffs.

"What's going on?" Brazil asks.

Russia's head spins around to see Brazil walking out from the trees with Mexico on her tail. The two hold kindling and rocks.

"Ohio is being a dick," Kansas says bluntly.

"Hey!"

America sends Kansas a warning look. Kansas shrugs indifferently. America sighs and his hand drops.

"Kandy, can you not rial up Buckey for like two minutes? Please?" North Carolina asks.

Kansas sighs dramatically.

"Fine..."

Ohio hisses and Kansas backs up.

Russia looks up to see America furtively trying to wipe the tears away from his face. Russia reaches up with his free hand and brushes the tears from America's cheeks. America's eyes go wide.

"It's going to be okay," Russia says gently, his voice falling below the ever-present ringing.

America smiles gently with a sniffle.

"Okay," America seems to whisper.

Russia takes America's free hand and laces his fingers between America's. America seems to giggle.

'We will get home. I will make sure of it.'