Thank you to all of the people who have read this, commented on it, favorited it or even thought about it XD This is the final chapter for "My Prisoner", and I hope you enjoy it!
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America sat on the couch, face buried in a magazine. He was staring at pictures of airplanes and the pilots around them, a childish fascination filling his face. Airplanes. His airplanes. How much more awesome could Disney get?
He adjusted his position, lying down with his head on the arm. He crossed his legs, turning the page. It had something about blood vessels on it. America was about to skim over it when he saw something interesting.
So, apparently, the reason blood went to your head when you were upside down was because of valves and things. As a true American, he had to test this.
"Upside down, how to get upside down…" he mumbled under his breath.
He flipped himself around on the couch, so his legs were up on the back, knees hanging over. His head leaned back down the front of the seat, and he held the magazine above him. His hair hung down, giving the illusion that it was sticking straight up. Almost immediately his face started getting red.
He stayed that way for a moment, blood rushing to his head. It started to feel strange, like it was about to burst. Then the doorbell rang.
America jumped, dropping the magazine. He nearly fell of the couch trying to collect himself. While attempting to sit up, he ended up putting too much weight on the back of the couch, making it tip unsteadily. He felt his stomach drop as the couch fell over backwards. It created a large thud, jarring the blonde nation.
"America?"
Russia? Russia! America forgot at once about the couch, dashing to the door. He flung it open, a smile on his face.
"Hey!" he said happily.
"America, I just wanted to…are you okay?"
America realized that his face must still have been red, and his hair was sticking up in odd places. That added to the couch made a strange scene.
"Oh, sorry," he said, grinning, "Magazine." As if that explained anything.
"Ah," Russia said, obviously still confused.
"So, you wanna come in?" America stepped to the side, allowing the larger nation into his house. As Russia passed, America quickly looked in the small mirror by the door, adjusting his hair and glasses.
"So, what's up?" he asked, turning. Russia was picking up the couch, putting it back in its proper position. America came forward to help, but before he'd taken a step the large piece of furniture had already been moved.
"We have not seen each other in a long time," the taller man said, smiling. America noted that it was the fake smile, used on everyone else.
"Yeah, since we got out of the hospital," he agreed.
"Da. Do you think it has been too long?"
America opened his mouth, but the double meaning came to him just before he said anything. Too long? Did Russia mean that it had been too long since they'd…did he think that things would have changed? It was definitely a possibility.
"No," America said, carefully plotting his answer. "Not too long."
"So you would like to wait longer?"
Darn it. So either answer would have been a trap. "Do you think it's been too long?" Take that.
Russia smiled, but it seemed a bit sad. "Never."
"Considering the circumstances, I'd rather not be anywhere near Belarus the next time I see you."
"Understandable," Russia said, his smile warming up a little.
"In fact," America smiled evilly, "I'd rather not be near anyone the next time I see you."
Russia looked surprised for a moment before raising his eyebrows. He stepped toward America, who was still by the mirror. "I do not see anyone else now."
"Hold your horses, big guy. We have some catching up to do first."
Russia got a strangely devious look on his face. "First?"
"We'll get to that. Sit down."
Russia sat down, a slightly amused look on his face. "Well then, what would you like to catch up on?"
"I dunno. Stuff. How's your back doing?"
"Fine. Next question."
"C'mon. Don't be a smartass."
"I will be whatever I wish."
"But it's no fun that way."
"Alright. How is your nose?"
"Good. I just got the stuff off of it a few days ago. Hurt like hell, though."
"I see."
America sighed sharply. "How about we talk about…"
"America?" Russia interrupted. America stopped talking, looking at the other man in surprise. "I came here with a question."
"Oh," America said, giving an apologetic smile. He came over to sit down across from Russia, in one of the beige armchairs. "Ask away."
There was a pause. "Do you still feel the same way?"
Oh, how had he seen that one coming? America stared at Russia for a second, biting his lip. The thing was, he didn't exactly know how to answer the question. Not that he hadn't thought about it. He'd just never quite reached a conclusion.
But honesty was the best policy, right? That's what Abe Lincoln would have said, so it must have been a good idea. So now he was going to be honest.
"I don't know," he said, his chest clenching with regret for what he was saying. "In all honesty, I don't really know if I ever did."
There was silence. America avoided looking at Russia for a moment, before his conscience got the better of him and he looked up. His eyes met purple ones, and he immediately felt angry with himself. Note to self: Honesty is not always the best policy.
Suddenly, America felt the need to say something. "Um, but it's not like I didn't…" he trailed off, unsure of exactly what he was trying to say.
Russia shook his head, his usual smile plastering itself back onto his face. "It is okay. What did you want to talk about?"
Goddammit. America could almost see Russia closing himself up, reverting back to the usual attitude he used when around others. There was the slightly pleasant look there, the one that America hadn't seen at all the last time he'd been with him.
"No, I didn't mean it that way, okay?"
The look on Russia's face turned a little darker. "Then how did you mean it?"
America truly didn't know. He bit his lip nervously, his mind immediately flicking back to the dream that he'd had more than a month ago. It had faded a bit with age, but now it came back in perfect clarity. Russia being so depressed…
"Not like I said it. I mean, I wanted it then, I know that, but…it's not like I was leading you on..." Even though that's exactly what it sounded like. America internally cursed himself.
"I understand," Russia said politely. "It was just an experiment, after all."
Suddenly, the image of Russia, bleeding and about to collapse flooded America's vision. Russia's eyes had been so deep, so expressive. And then he'd said…he'd actually said…
"Dude, I'm sorry. That wasn't the way I wanted to put it."
"Different words, same meaning."
"But that wasn't the way I meant it."
"Once again, then: How did you mean it?"
"I'm just not sure, okay? I didn't mean…and the last time, we kind of figured it out, but then you left and I wasn't really sure anymore…" God, what was he saying?
"I would not want to make you do anything you were not sure about."
"But…"
"I'm sorry I troubled you," Russia said, standing. America felt entirely helpless as he watched the other man walk across to the door. "It was nice to see you again."
"Come on, you don't have to go," America said, following Russia to the door.
"I leave when I have no more reason to stay."
"No!"
America leaned forward, planting his hand firmly on the door. Russia sighed heavily, his breath containing what seemed to be irritation.
"America, you know I am stronger than you. Please go sit down."
"No," America said stubbornly, putting more weight on the door for emphasis. "We have to talk."
Russia closed his eyes, the hint of a smile reaching his lips. "I think we have said enough."
"I can't just let you leave like this!"
"How would you like me to leave, then?" Russia asked, his voice suddenly loud and biting. "Pretending to be satisfied with a lie?"
"It's not a lie, okay? I kind of like you!"
"Oh, that changes everything," Russia said, his voice filled with fake mirth. "I will only be 'kind of' despondent now."
America made a small noise of annoyance. "Okay, I more than kind of like you! I like you a lot!"
Russia's face was dark now, filled with both anger and…sadism. He had a bit of a smile on his face, but there was no happiness. "I do not believe you."
"It's true, okay? I don't lie!"
"Oh, of course not. Not a false word leaves your angelic little lips, da? I, on the other hand…"
"Just stop it, okay?"
"Am I irritating you? Oh, I am sorry…"
"Just shut up and listen to me—"
"I will make sure that your majesty does not have to deal with me anymore—"
"I love you!"
Silence.
Russia had his mouth open, no doubt about to make another biting comment, but he didn't say anything. America looked up at the other nation, eyes wide. Oh, God, don't let him laugh, please don't let him laugh…
"America…" Russia stared blankly at the door. He took a deep breath. "You are just saying that."
America took his hand off the door. He looked down at the floor for a second, mind wiped completely clean. "No," he said quietly, his arms wrapping around Russia's chest.
They stayed that way for a moment. Russia looked down at the younger nation, who was now burying his face into the former's coat.
"Are you…" Russia began, swallowing. "Are you telling the truth?"
America looked up, eyes wide. "Mmhmm."
For a second there was no answer. And then, "I love you, too."
"I'm sorry," America said quietly, leaving the embrace. He bit his lip. "I was kind of a dick."
"Not any more than I was," Russia said, smiling a little at America's choice of terminology. Then he put his arm around the shorter nation. "Were you really telling the truth?"
America nodded, looking up into Russia's eyes again. Where they had been harsh before they were now light and happy. Almost involuntarily, he smiled.
Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. "You know, this is the part of the movie where you kiss me," he said, smiling sweetly.
Russia seemed surprised, but he quickly hid it. "Is that right?"
"Yes."
"And we are in a movie?"
"At the moment, yes."
"Ah," Russia said, smiling. "It is best we do not disappoint the viewers, then."
"Exactly. Do it for the viewers," America said, grinning. He looped his arms around the back of Russia's neck.
Their lips met, lightly at first. Then, America pushed himself up closer to Russia's body, reveling in the touch. Russia pushed his tongue past America's lips, deepening the kiss.
America made a small noise, melting into Russia's chest. A tingle went from his lips down to his groin, a tingle that turned into a constant buzz. He discovered, with slight amusement, that just this kiss was turning him on to a great level.
After a few seconds, America felt Russia's lips wandering from his own. They started across his jaw, planting feathery kisses in a trail down to his neck. His tongue darted out, touching lightly the sensitive skin on America's neck.
America took in a sharp breath, his hand coming up to rest on the back of Russia's head. The taller nation continued up and down America's neck, each touch and kiss eliciting a new reaction. His hands wandered to the hem of America's shirt, gently tugging up.
America immediately lifted his arms, allowing the shirt to be pulled off and discarded. He pressed himself up against Russia again, the feeling of the smooth fabric of the long coat on his chest. Russia, however, had other ideas.
He pushed America away slightly, bending over a little so his lips could touch down on America's collarbone. Then he started going lower, finally brushing across one of the smaller nation's nipples.
America made a noise that sounded like both a gasp and a moan, his fingers tightening in Russia's hair. Russia smiled a little, letting his tongue swing around in a circle.
"You shouldn't be allowed to do that," America said quietly, his breath picking up. Russia chuckled a little, dragging his tongue over to the other side of America's chest.
"Until it is illegal," Russia said, smiling. His hand trailed down America's back, the backs of his fingernails running lightly across the skin. America's back arched a bit, and his hand went down to clutch at Russia's arm.
The feeling flooding through his body was something he'd never really experienced before. The dream…the dream hadn't had half of the sensation. He felt Russia's lips moving down from his chest, leaving tiny kisses as they went.
They reached the hem of America's jeans, and he immediately tightened his grip on Russia's hair.
"Ah…don't…" America said, biting his lip. The biting lip habit was coming back now, wasn't it?
"Of course," Russia said, standing back up. His scarf, usually up over his chin, was down below it, and for the first time in a while America was able to see his entire face.
"I-I mean, it's not that I…" America tried to explain. Russia quieted him by pressing their lips together.
"I understand," he said. America felt a tingling go down his spine. Was he this sensitive now just to Russia's voice?
"Are you cold?" Russia must have seen the shiver.
"Um…" America weighed the possible answers. Yes seemed to be the most promising one. "Yeah."
Russia smiled, momentarily letting America go. The younger nation watched as he undid the clasps on his coat, pulling it open. He was wearing a loose shirt.
Carefully, he pulled America into his embrace again, this time enclosed within the coat. Only as Russia's unexpected warmth flooded him did America realize how cold he'd actually been.
He tucked his arms into his body, leaning against Russia. He let his eyes close momentarily, basking in the warmth and comfort.
And then the door opened.
Russia jerked his head up, eyes wide. America looked up, an expression of complete shock on his face. He half expected it to be Belarus.
Instead, it was Lithuania.
"Hey!" he said happily, smiling at them as though he didn't notice the position they were in. "How are you doing?"
"Um…" America watched in confusion as Lithuania nearly started bouncing across the room. He was grinning, something that rarely happened with him.
"Litva?" Russia seemed genuinely confused. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, I just wanted to say hi and I had something to tell America," Lithuania said. He hadn't started stuttering, and he didn't seem intimidated by Russia's presence.
"What?" America asked, making no move to break out of Russia's embrace.
"Well," Lithuania said, nearly shaking his hands in excitement. "I'm going on a date with Belarus!"
He seemed like he was about to explode, grinning ear-to-ear. Russia raised his eyebrows. "Do you not remember the last date?" he asked, actually sounding concerned.
"Well, I know that last time she broke a few of my fingers but that was just then and this time she promised not to hurt me," he said quickly, smiling. "And that includes psychological pain. I made sure. So we're going to go out to see a movie and then we're going to have dinner and it's going to be amazing!"
America fished one of his hands out of Russia's coat to flash Lithuania a high-five. Only then did the two of them realize the awkwardness of the situation. Russia let go of America, who quickly stepped back.
"Oh, sorry!" Lithuania said suddenly. "Was I interrupting you?"
America gave a strange smile. "Not at all. Have fun on the date."
"I hope Belarus has fun…and look, I know she was kind of bad to you guys, but—"
"Kind of?" America asked, eyebrows raised.
"Well, a little more than kind of but she and I talked a lot and now she doesn't hate me anymore I don't think. And she's really sorry for what she did to you guys and I promise she's turned over a new leaf! So, the date's tonight and I'm really nervous," Lithuania said. America wondered where he was getting time to breathe.
"I'm sure you will be fine," Russia said. Lithuania looked at him in surprise. An encouragement, from Russia? Maybe America really was good for him.
"Thanks!" Lithuania was smiling again. "I have to go now, but I just had to tell someone and I was around here, so I just decided that I'd come to your house, and I'm sorry and you can go back to whatever you were doing now. Bye!"
And he was gone.
"No more caffeine for Toris," Russia mused, watching the door.
"No more stress for Toris. Or more sleep." America corrected, reaching for his shirt. Russia grabbed his wrist.
"I do not think you will need that for a while," he said, giving the smaller nation an evil grin.
America smiled, cocking his head. "Speaking of things we won't be needing…" he said as he pulled Russia's coat off his shoulders.
"True," Russia said, his hand coming up to America's cheek. "Very true."
And so began their fifth kiss.
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*cries* It's over! This is officially the first non-oneshot fanfic I have EVER completed. In my life. In fact, this is the longest story I have ever finished in my life. Yeah, I need to work a little harder :P
Thank you to everyone who reviewed this. Special thanks to everyone who reviewed more than once (you know who you are ^_^).
If you find any typos you win the internet.
Please review! Did you like the chapter? The whole story? I love you all! *huggles* (Unless you find that creepy; in that case I love you from a respectable distance.)
ps. The song playing as I finished this was very much a victory song :D It was "Great Spirits" from Brother Bear XD Yay for animated movie soundtracks?
