Handling a Crisis

Chapter Forty: The Interview

Chapter warnings: medical talk about someone's condition, talk of racism, talk of genocide, mention of the Korean War, mention of the Vietnam War, Spanish Empire being a racist, sexist bitch, talk of slavery, talk of horrible things the southern United States did leading up to the Civil War, mention of pedos, mentions of zoophiles, and mention of necrophiles. Read with caution.

America stood by NATO's hospital bed. It's been two days since the incident and NATO still hasn't woken up. America visits him once or twice a day– once in the morning and/or once in the evening.

How was NATO? Well, he was on life support to keep him from dying while in his coma. He'd broken his ulna, so the doctors had to set it back in place and put his arm in a cast. NATO had several stitches and the device that had shocked him and sent him into v-tach had been removed. Nobody knew what it was or where it came from. They sent it to forensics for further investigation.

America had placed his phone in front of NATO. His kids were facetiming him, or, more rather, facetiming a comatose NATO through America. When America came back home that day after being dropped off by Russia, who decided America was in no state to drive himself home, he told the kids what had happened and told them NATO said hello. Everyone was devastated by the news, worried for their brother and for America and Confederacy's safety. They, after all, still had to go outside. What if one of them didn't come back? What if both of them didn't come back?

Ah, let's not fall into that dangerous downward spiral and instead pay attention to what's happening.

"–and Florida had to run out of the stables with the deer chasing after him. I don't think I've seen Florida run that fast in months," North Dakota said, trying and failing to smile.

"I'm right here," Florida reminded him.

South Dakota sighed. "You would've laughed so hard, NATO."

"Apple and I came up with some things we can do for Halloween," Louisiana piped up. "Your suggestion for what we could do was really good."

"Yeah," New York agreed. "Thanks for the ideas."

There was a knock on the hospital door. America's kids muted themselves while America flipped his phone over and activated his disguise. "Come in," America told the visitor. The door opened and in walked a certain "Brit," who closed the door behind him. America turned off his disguise and flipped his phone over again, giving his kids a thumbs-up. "Hey, Russia."

Russia deactivated his disguise. "Привет, Merrrik," he replied. "Hello, everrryone." The kids all greeted Russia. However, instead of receiving their usually-chipper greetings, this one was somber and lifeless.

One of America's kids cleared their throat. "Hey, Dad, we have to set up the table. Dinner's almost ready," Wisconsin told him. It was probably a good idea. It was eight at night, after all.

America nodded. "Yeah, you go do that. I'll see you guys later. Take care of each other and listen to your Uncle Confederacy, okay? I love you guys."

The kids all gave some form of goodbye before one of them ended the call. America pocketed his phone and turned to Russia, who placed two bags he'd brought with him on one of the chairs. America was staying overnight, but he didn't want to be alone with his thoughts, especially since the incident had brought back some... unpleasant memories, so he decided to ask someone to stay with him if they were comfortable with it. America wanted Confederacy to stay at home with the kids, he didn't currently have the energy to face his family after not telling them about NATO, and he knew Canada was recovering from his daze. Russia was the first person he could think of to contact that wasn't related to him, and since it was on-record that Oliver and Charlie were engaged, Russia was allowed to stay overnight with America, so that all worked out pretty well.