Mandatory stuffs that I hope you read~

WARNING! IN FUTURE CHAPTERS THERE MAYORMAYNOTBE SOME HEAVY ANGST!

Established Fem!AmeRus / RusFem!Ame / Fem!America x Russia... You get the point...

Pretend for the sake of this story that America has always been female.

Characters, while I will try to make accommodations for their original personalities, will most likely be slightly OOC (out of character).

I MAY or MAY NOT use OC's (original characters) in this fiction. If I do and do not explain the purpose or back-story behind a particular character (and / or if the introduction of the character hindrances your ability to understand the major plot line or theme) PLEASE LET ME KNOW! (via review or PM [private message])

I DO accept constructive criticism! Any comments or concerns that you have with my style of writing (be it the writing itself, or grammar / punctuation errors), do not hesitate to tell me. I will never learn to get better if I am not corrected for my mistakes. HOWEVER, this will NOT be beta'd (if you want my reasoning, send me a PM and we could talk all night about it...) so if you will grant me a slight bit of leeway let it be known that it is appreciated.

While I appreciate constructive criticism, flames are another matter entirely. I am fine with you letting me know your opinions BUT if you make any attempt to harass or belittle me (or others I may or may not mention), you are under the risk of being reported. I show no hesitation nor mercy to those who purposefully knock others down for whatever reason.

I will not beg for reviews, but they are always encouraged and very much appreciated. To be completely honest, the reviews that I receive from my readers actually help my writing.

I ACCEPT SUGGESTIONS! If you have a suggestion for me, know that I will look at it and consider it. I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. (I do have some prerequisites for suggestions though: they MUST be sent through PM [or I will not respond to them], the suggestion is just that-a SUGGESTION-I may or may not actually use it, and [finally] I must ask you to give me some ideas on how to exactly put forth your suggestion in my story.)

I'm not going to apologize for any lack of updates. The stories I upload on here are just for fun.

DISCLAIMERS:

I, DeliciousKrabKakes of , do not own or have any affiliation with the creators of Hetalia: Axis Powers. All rights respectfully go toHimaruya Hidekazand Funimation Entertainment. I do not gain any sort of profit from the writing of this fiction, I simply write for fun.

Without any further delays on my part,

Trials of Togetherness

Chapter One: Are You Well?

Russia had always been a particularly heavy sleeper, but it never served as much of an issue because his wife was just as bad. She could sleep through an atomic war if she wanted to, so it wasn't a big deal that Ivan snored loudly. However, it was also known that when he had been holding someone when he fell asleep and aforementioned person was not next to him, it would immediately rouse him. Which is what happened on this not very extraordinary Thursday morning. He cracked an eye open and found that the bed was devoid of his partner, which was an oddity. It was extremely difficult to get Amelia out of bed in the morning and, if given the choice, would lay with Ivan for the day. Now, Russia never complained about this, so he found it puzzling when the bed, though still warm from her previous presence, was lacking a lovely blonde-especially at this ungodly hour.

That's when he heard terrible retching noises coming from the master bathroom that was attached to the bedroom. Now fully awake, the Russian rushed into the bathroom and found Amelia on all fours and in the process of emptying her stomach of what little it contained from the night before. Immediately at her side, the Russian held her unruly bed-head away from her face with one hand, using the other to rub her back gently. If America could give any indication of her gratefulness, she most likely would but as it were, she was a bit preoccupied with vomiting. It was a few minutes before she was simply dry heaving over the toilet. Now with a sore stomach, a pained esophagus, and the bitter taste of regurgitated bile in her mouth, Amelia stood unsteadily (with Russia's help, of course) and held onto the sink. She blinked blearily at her haggard reflection before deciding that she needed to brush her teeth. Ivan was reluctant to leave her alone for even a second, fearing that she would get sick again, but settled for warily watching her figure from the door frame. After a few minutes of vigorous brushing and rinsing, America stepped away from the sink and looked at her husband. Ivan took in her exhausted expression and the darkness under her eyes, which stood out more because she seemed to look a bit paler than normal.

"Ivan?" Amelia croaked, voice obviously not having recovered quite yet. Since they had been together for quite some time now, Ivan could read her like an open book. Getting the unspoken message, Russia took her in his arms and carried her (bridal-style) into their room. Having no energy, Amelia said nothing to this and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest. Ivan laid her down and cuddled next to her, relishing in the warmth that she gave off.

He pressed his lips to her forehead, under the guise of a gentle comfort when he was really feeling for a fever. The Russian frowned when he realized that she felt very warm. This was very unusual, especially considering that they were in their home in his country. He didn't want to upset America by untangling himself from her and leaving her alone in their large bed (and even larger home) but he also wanted to get her something that could bring her fever down, and possibly something to soothe nausea. Torn between the two, Ivan finally decided that it would be best to only have Amelia suffer temporary disappointment, rather than being miserable and mopey (due to illness) for days.

As gently and subtly as he could, Ivan pulled America's arms from around his neck and pushed her slightly away from him. Her reaction was immediate. Amelia sat up in bed like a rocket getting ready for takeoff. She noted that Ivan was slipping his boots on and wrapping his scarf around his neck (he only ever took it off when he was positively confident that he and America were alone and going to be so for an extended period of time). Amelia didn't really want to be alone right now, she still felt a little ill and was a bit reluctant to see her husband leave her side.

"Where are you going?" Her voice still sounded like crap, much to her dismay. Though she knew that Russia could see through every farce she put up, America loathed looking weak-especially in front of people. Ivan sighed heavily, tugging an overcoat over his large frame.

"Just to store. I vill be stopping to get you medicine. Anything else you vant vile I am out?" Amelia's face contorted at the mention of medicine. She remembered all the times in her colony days when she was ill; England would make her swallow a few tablespoons of the awful substance that he referred to as 'medicine'. France managed to sneak her sweets whenever she complied, though, which was always a bonus. America, as Ivan had discovered, could be as stubborn as she was loud when she wanted to be. So he was not really surprised when she slipped off the bed and began gathering her winter things to go outside with him.

"Nyet, Amerika. Rest, I vill be back soon." Ignoring him, Amelia slipped her petite feet into a pair of fuzzy white snow-boots. Ivan shook his head and walked to her side of the bed, where he grabbed her hands, firmly but gently.

"Amelia." When Ivan gained this tone of voice, Amelia knew that there would be no winning an argument. Looking up at his lavender eyes, full of warmth and concern, she slumped.

"I'm fine, Ivan." Amelia insisted, though her body was certainly not agreeing to this false statement. Ivan sighed, he didn't want to do this but Amelia left him with no other option.

"Vould you prefer it I stay," Amelia brightened, smiling at the thought that she had won, "and gall Art'ur?" And Francis and Matthew, but he didn't need to say those names-because she knew that when he brought up her family (the all-but-infamous FACE family), Ivan meant business. America wasn't leaving the house tonight. She let out a harsh breath, blowing gold-colored hair out of her line of vision.

"...fiiine..." Amelia relented, kicking off the boots and shrugging her coat off of her shoulders. Russia smiled in victory, causing America to stick out her tongue at him.

Ivan glanced over the many different medications for the common stomach flu. His eyes were falling on ones that would help with a fever, but also didn't taste all that horrid. He knew how much Amelia hated medicine on any given day, let alone the kinds of medicines that left her with a bitter taste in her mouth. He could remember her saying to him on one occasion that she 'would rather have tasted the vomit a thousand times over' than to swallow another spoonful. Biting his lip, Ivan settled on a generic brand of cherry-flavored syrup that would help with nausea, vomiting, fevers, and other symptoms that were associated with stomach bugs. He browsed through the pharmacy a while longer, in case he saw something that Amelia may need or want while ill. He knew how she hated being alone when she wasn't feeling one hundred percent.

In the end, Ivan ended up purchasing the cough syrup and some hot/cold packs for her fever. On his way home, he stopped and also got her some unidentifiable sweet drink whose name he couldn't pronounce for the life of him. He knew that Amelia preferred something sweet to eat or drink after taking medicines, having this tradition since the days when she was England's colony.

Though the trip couldn't have lasted more than a half an hour, it still was an agonizing amount of time to be apart, especially when one of them was ill. Though it hardly ever happened, when Ivan got sick, Amelia would rarely ever let him leave bed. She would cater to his every whim and desire, pampering him though it was not wanted most of the time. Whenever Russia mentioned to her that she could take a break, she would roll her eyes and hush him. Likewise, when Amelia was sick, Ivan did the same-though perhaps he was worse because of how protective he is over her.

Ivan rushed into the door and set the keys down on the rack, taking off his coat and boots, leaving them in their respective places in the front hallway. With his little bag of pharmaceuticals in one hand, and the cup of liquid sugar in the other, Ivan made his way up to their bedroom. He was extremely displeased when he heard the sound of the toilet flushing and heavy pants, as though someone had just finished running a marathon. Ivan didn't need to ask to know that Amelia had been vomiting again.

Setting the bags on the bedside table, he gently knocked on the door.

"Amerika? Everything is okay, da?" Amelia cleared her throat and Russia could see her straightening out her back and sticking her chin in the air. He knew how much she hated to be seen as 'weak'. Even though everyone viewed America as one of the strongest superpowers in the world, she was still quite insecure. This was most likely due to the fact that all of the nations that have held positions as superpowers have been male, Amelia being the first (and probably only) exception.

"I'm fine." Her voice was strained and the amount of force put behind it was obviously a farce. Ivan pushed open the door, finding that his wife was already smothering her toothbrush with more minty paste for her teeth.

After another round of teeth-brushing, Ivan led the ill nation to their bed, beside which was where the medicines and the sugary concoction were waiting. Though she could read that the medicine was flavored and probably wouldn't taste all that disgusting, Amelia still wrinkled her nose at the thought of the syrupy substance going down her throat. Grinning, Ivan decided that Amelia was well enough to tease.

"Ah, so you can get into wars with nations about the vorld and can even bear the burden of Mother Russia, but vhen it comes to taking medicine, Amerika is not strong enough?" Glaring, Amelia (probably just to spite Ivan...) took the bottle of medicine and took a hearty swig before capping it and setting it back down. Eye twitching and nose wrinkling again, America grabbed the drink (that Russia was glad for thinking to get) and down nearly half of it in an attempt to get the taste out of her mouth.

While it was a good deal better than the taste of bile, the consistency still irked her. Canada would probably have no problem downing a whole bottle of that stuff as it was about the same viscosity of maple syrup.

Sighing, Amelia set down the drink and tried to let her stomach settle before laying back down. Ivan, happy to relax now, discarded the remainder of his outdoor clothing before joining his wife in bed. He wrapped his arms around the small blonde, who eagerly buried her face into his warmth. Russia grinned.

"Such trouble you give me..." He could feel Amelia smiling against his neck and, unable to fight the contagiousness of her happiness, he began to smile as well.

That's all she wrote for now! I don't know exactly if or when I'll post another chapter. Maybe if I get enough positive feedback I'll consider writing up more. This COULD be a series of one-shots, but I could also probably make it into something with a plot. Who knows?

Until then, my friends,

Insanely and undoubtedly yours,

~DKK