America pulls Russia along. Russia smiles through the heat in his face. Butterflies flutter in his stomach. America points through the treetops, rambling about the stars. Russia listens to the rambling with a small smile.
Kansas, Ohio, and North Dakota had gone a little ways ahead of the group to scout. Brazil follows behind them without complaint.
Russia keeps his nose trained on the wind, tracking them the best he can. South Dakota walks with a purpose beside him, her eyes trained in the direction her siblings had gone.
"Guess that one," Texas prompts, his head tilted to the sky and his arms crossed.
"That's the Hydra, right?" North Carolina asks, waddling beside America and pointing to the sky.
Texas gives a decisive nod of approval.
"Yup!" America cheers, his face bright.
'Aww. He's so happy.'
"Are you cooing at him?" Ukraine asks from behind him, sounding bemused.
Russia feels blood rush into his cheeks. He closes his eyes and scowls, rubbing his face with his free hand.
'Damn it!'
"You were!" Ukraine exclaims with a laugh.
Russia grumbles into his hand, turning his face away.
"Hey!" South Dakota exclaims, "Dak found a mile marker!"
"Really?" America chirps, and his eye seems to glow with excitement.
Russia smiles softly.
'It probably would be if he had any magic to spare.'
Russia's joy falls.
'I hope his foot is okay. It stopped glowing a while ago... now it just smells like blood.'
Russia tries to shake off his concerns.
"Tiktac?" America calls.
"Yeah, dad?"
"Did Dixie give us a place to meet him?"
"Not that I remember," Texas says, rubbing the back of his neck, "Best I can reckon, the road is as good a place as any to start."
"Maybe we'll find some cell service to call him and ask," Mississippi suggests.
"I was gonna say that," Alabama complains with a playful pout.
"Well, I said it first."
America sighs.
"Let's just follow the road until morning, okay? Then, we can figure out the direction and give Dixie a call," America says, pain buried under his cheery tone of voice.
The kids cheer loudly.
"Are you okay?" Russia asks, glancing at America through his peripheral.
"What?" America blurts before wearing what Russia assumes is supposed to be a reassuring look, "Of course, babe, I'm fine."
Russia's face scrunches with doubt, and America doesn't meet his eyes.
"What?" America snaps, crossing his arms, "we need to keep moving. We can't stop now."
"We don't have to stop, but you look like you're in pain," Russia retorts.
"Not much I can do about it," America replies with a stiff shrug, "my magic is shot."
Russia scowls, annoyance building in his chest. He feels his gaze turn into a glare and he takes a step back with a sigh. He rolls his shoulders back and takes a deep breath.
'I shouldn't be getting mad at him,' he mentally scolds himself, 'he's hurt. That's probably why he's doing this.'
"Come here," Russia says calmly, his arms open.
"What are you gonna do? Carry me?" America snarks.
"Exactly. Now, come here."
America sputters, his face turning dark red. Even still, he stumbles to Russia, almost falling into him. One of the teens takes America's bag and Russia gathers America in his arms, holding him to his chest.
"Is there anyone else that wants to be carried?" Russia asks, looking around.
Every state present raises their hands, laughing. Alberta is quick to join the fun, smirking. Russia rolls his eyes with a laugh.
"Anyone with an injury?" Russia corrects.
The hands fall. Russia gives North Carolina a curious look. She smiles.
"Thanks, Russ, but I'm okay. I'll let you know if that changes."
Russia nods. He takes a few steps, littering America's face with small kisses. America giggles, playfully pushing him away. Russia smiles, ignoring the stare burrowing into the back of his skull.
Russia shuffles, pulling America onto his back. America squirms, but he doesn't try to get down. Once America is settled, Russia grabs his legs and starts walking. America tucks his face into the back of Russia's neck.
"We need to stay away from the road," Russia instructs, "we don't want to be seen."
"You got it, Cat Dad," Texas says with a self-assured nod.
Russia looks away, feeling flustered.
Russia adjusts and jumps a little, pushing America up further onto his back. America sighs into his neck and Russia shivers. Russia ignores the warmth gathering in his stomach, taking a deep breath and shaking his head.
'That's going to have to wait.'
Russia sighs slowly and takes a few steps forward, finding his footing with America's weight. It isn't much, but he does find that it throws off his balance a little. He turns his head and smells the air. It smells like iron, almost intoxicating.
'Where is that coming from?'
Russia looks America over the best he can and his heart sinks. Blood sluggishly drips from America's foot, leaving a dark red trail.
'I hope nothing follows that.'
It takes a little more walking before America is able to call Dixie to coordinate a meeting place.
"Hello?"
The worried tone in America's voice grows tenfold as soon as Russia hears a noise in response.
"Dixie? You don't sound so good."
America pauses and then hums disbelievingly.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
America squirms a little, adjusting his arms. Russia relaxes a little to allow it.
"Okay. A rest stop? What's the nearest mile marker?"
"Okay. We'll try to find that. We're heading southbound," America says.
America says more, but Russia's attention is suddenly brought to the unfamiliar smell of things hidden in the darkness. Russia's ears flatten to his head and his tail puffs up, swaying violently behind him. Florida releases it, and Russia growls in the direction of the scent. He hisses, and his back hunches.
He barely registers America's squeak at the readjustment. Russia steps forward to shield the kids.
"What direction are we going?" Russia hisses.
America answers by mutely pointing to Russia's right.
"Go that way and find Dak," Russia instructs over his shoulder, "I will be behind you. Meri, you might have to run if something happens."
"Got it," America affirms before turning to his kids, "go, just don't go too fast."
"I'm staying with you," Florida affirms.
America doesn't argue, so Russia decides it's not worth the fight.
'I have to get them out of here.'
Russia begins slowly backpedaling, snarling into the trees. There is a gap on his shoulder, and he turns to see Florida with his arms open, a confident look on his face.
'What is he-'
The brush explodes and a reptile twice Florida's size charges him. Russia takes a running step forward, his heart skipping a beat. America stops him with a firm hold on his shoulder.
Florida takes the thing by its mouth. He holds its gnashing teeth together with his elbow, cheering. It tries to thrash and shake him off in vain.
Florida kicks it hard in its chest and it freezes.
Florida swiftly gets up and grabs its tail, whipping it around into the trees. It sends another creature back, shrieking.
Then, there was quiet.
Florida turns to look up at Russia with a grin.
"Tada!" Florida cheers, throwing his hands in the air.
"Great job, kiddo!" America says with a laugh.
'He was picked to go for a reason,' Russia figures, shaking his head.
Russia turns to see another face looking at him. Alabama pokes his head around a tree, an excited but nervous glint in his eyes.
"Come on," Alabama says, "you gotta follow Sippy and me. We think we found the mile marker."
"Onward!" America exclaims teasingly.
Russia sighs. Florida runs forward a few steps and Alabama laughs. Russia swiftly walks after them, quickly making up lost ground.
"Dixie says they're around the rest stop area and to look for a school bus."
"A school bus?" Mississippi asks
America shrugs dramatically.
"I don't know kiddo, but at least we'll all be in the same vehicle."
"I wonder how they got it here," Alabama wonders aloud.
Mississippi shrugs.
"Come on! Stop lollygagging and get over here!" Kansas calls, waving them forward.
Alabama laughs and races past Mississippi, who spins on his heels.
"Hey! You're cheating!" Mississippi shouts, taking a running step forward.
"But I'm winning!"
Mississippi scoffs loudly and runs up, shoving Alabama into a tree. Alabama shouts, scrambling back to his feet. America sighs, amused.
"Get your butts over here!" Ohio shouts, "we found the mile marker!"
"We're coming, Buckeye!" Kansas shouts.
Russia starts walking forward, but North Dakota waves him back.
"(Don't be seen,)" she warns, her mouth moving.
Brazil and Mexico also step back. Finland reluctantly follows them.
America pulls out a phone and groans.
"What?" Russia asks.
America waves the phone in front of his face instead of answering. Russia tries to focus on the blurry screen. He squints before sighing and shifting America to free a hand to take the phone.
The screen blinks with disappointment.
'No service.'
Russia groans and hands the phone back over his shoulder.
"Shhh!" South Dakota hisses.
"What?" South Carolina asks, "Rush?"
"Dak heard something."
"I hear it too," Florida comments, looking around at the brush.
Russia's hackles raise and his ears pin back. His tail whips around behind him as he smells the air.
All that reaches him is familiar people and car exhaust.
'Shit.'
He slowly backs up, growling at the unseen things the teens had been facing.
'I feel like I'm fighting blind.'
"They have to be close. They have to be," America says, more to himself than the kids.
"What's going on?" Russia hisses.
"Fuck, you can't hear it, can you? I- okay. Just. There are tons of things on the bushes and all the other noises went silent," America rambles, "we're about to be in for a fight we aren't prepared for. Fuck... I was hoping we could avoid this."
America begins trying to get down, but Russia tightens his grip.
"No, you're staying with me. You are hurt and I don't want to risk you getting more injured."
America hits his back in protest. Russia ignores it.
"Dad," New Mexico says, "I really don't think we can do this."
"I know, kiddo."
"What else are we supposed to do?" Texas exclaims, clenching his fists.
"We could try to get Dixie to come find us," Alabama says reluctantly.
"But Tenny-"
"I know about the whistling at night thing. But what other choice do we have? It's Tuck and Ginny and Tenn coming to get us. They'll be mad, but they're probably more ready for a fight than we are."
Mississippi grumbles, looking very displeased.
"Dad?" Alabama says.
"What's your idea, kiddo?"
"The dinner whistle might work."
"It might."
"This is a very bad idea," New Mexico interjects nervously.
"So is standing here," Brazil retorts, "so whatever that whistle is, we should try it."
America takes a deep breath.
"Russ, you might want to cover your ears," Ohio warns, his hands clamped over the sides of his head.
Russia uses his free hand to cover one ear and America covers the other one. The states cover their ears, and Alberta follows suit, a knowing look on her face.
Then, even though the hands, an ear-piercing whistle rings in his head. A long tone with a sharp upswing.
'New York learned it from somewhere.'
Russia feels the ground rumble under his feet. He bares his teeth.
