Sleep Deprivation
Lithuania hadn't been sleeping lately; or so his fatigue and the dwindling coffee supply in his cabinet seemed to attest. He was always knee-deep in papers whenever Russia came over, frantically reading, collating, and signing... He refused to admit it, even thought it was written all over his face; he was a mess.
"How do you feel?" Russia asked quietly, shifting his shoulder a little to make a more comfortable spot for Lithuania's head.
"All right." Lithuania muttered. "Just... A little bit tired."
Russia nodded. Then, meant more as a subtle suggestion than an actual question he asked: "Are you turning in for the night?"
"I wish." Lithuania laughed. "Mmn- keep- keep doing that please," he sighed, urging Russia's fingers back to where they had been absent-mindedly massaging his scalp. "But- no, I'm just gonna lie down for a few minutes... Hah... That feels nice... I think I wouldn't mind a day off if I could spend it like this..."
"You need one. You're exhausted."
"Yeah, I guess. But it can't be today. I've got work to do later today... Same goes for tomorrow..." he yawns, snuggling up against him. "An' you know what happens when you put off work one day... It only gets twice 's heavy... th' next..."
"Toris, please. Just one day. You can't go on like this."
"I'll be fine. I'll have some coffee 'n a short nap, 'n maybe I'll sleep in on th' weekend, okay?"
"No." Russia frowns. "It isn't okay."
Lithuania shrugged, closing his eyes. "Forty-five minutes should be enough."
A few minutes passed by unnoticed in which Lithuania's breathing grew steadily quieter. Russia looked down at him solemnly; at the dark rings underneath his eyes, and wondered at what point his Toris had turned so stubborn.
Smiling ruefully, he picked up the clock on the night stand and knocked the batteries out.
