#i was acting kinda weird and stuff cuz i was exhausted and everything hurt and i was disassociating and all that fun stuff yk

[buggs-in-my-soup]

Hate lying to people dude I really hate lying to people about all this

[scribbling-stiks]

AAR - XIII - Fever

Russia watches the door with vigilance, or at least as much vigilance as he can manage as drowsiness fills his mind with a mild buzzing feeling.

The knocking had stopped maybe an hour ago, but Russia can't convince himself to get up to check. The two sit in silence, waiting for someone else to wake up.

There's shuffling off to Russia's left, and when he turns to look, he sees Texas sitting up on the bed.

Russia turns away, and looks back at the door, holding his breath for another knock to ring out against the wood.

"Dad?" Texas asks.

America hums.

"What are y'all doin'? Is everything okay?" Texas asks, walking over to the chair.

"We woke up to some knocking, and something almost make Russ let in whatever was outside," America explains, threading his fingers through Russia's hair.

"'Made him'?"

"Black-eyed children and their influence," America mutters.

Texas nods in understanding.

"I'll take over for y'all. Maybe then y'all can get some sleep."

America chuckles. "Make sure no one tries to open the door while we wash up?"

"Sure thing Pops."

America shifts slightly, and Russia gets up.

"You can go first," America says, and the two take turns getting washed up and dressed.

When America stumbles back to the chair, Texas disappears into one of the bathrooms and the other kids begin to stir. Russia drops back into the chair and pulls America into his lap. More quiet shuffling follows and soon, Alabama and Mississippi are seated at America's feet.

"Mornin' Dad," Alabama mutters.

"G' mornin'," Mississippi mumbles.

"Good morning you two," America says with a smile, ruffling their hair, "did you two sleep okay?"

"Nah, felt kinda restless. Heard someone tryin' to get in, but figured y'all would deal with it," Alabama replies.

"Yeah. Heard weird things last night," Mississippi adds.

America sighs before getting up, stumbling around Alabama and Mississippi to peek out the curtains on the window, only to sigh and return to the chair.

"What's wrong?" Russia asks.

"The things are hiding out just out of my magic view. We'll be stuck here for a while," America says with a sigh.

Alabama groans.

"What are we gonna do?" Mississippi complains.

"Nothing... at least for now. We're just gonna wait. They can't pass any closed thresholds," America explains, "I'm sorry, kiddos."

"Well, are we going to be figuring out what we're going to do?" New Hampshire asks.

"What do you mean?" New Mexico asks with a yawn, "aren't we just planning to get to the base and search for clues?"

"That's a stupid plan and you know it," New Hampshire rebuttals, "we need to know where they're looking and when we should interfere."

"Do you, like, have any ideas?" California asks, repainting her nails.

"Well, we have to figure that out," New Hampshire replies with a scowl.

Philippines moves in between the two, ready to break up any potential fights.

Russia tunes out the argument that festers between the siblings. He looks down at America had notes that America had drifted off, his head tilted back over the arm of the chair.

'That can't be comfortable.'

He scoops America up, and America curls up close to him. America's breathing sounds a little off as if he was congested.

'Is he sick?'

He brings America to their bed and lays him down. He pulls away and is about to return to the chair when he hears America whine from behind him. He goes back to America and sees that his face has scrunched up.

Concern bubbles in Russia's chest

Russia crawls into the blankets and sits against the headboard. He pulls America's head into his lap and begins stroking his hair. America relaxes a little, and his whining stops. Noticing the sweat in his hair, Russia places his hand against America's forehead, and America nuzzles it.

'He seems feverish,' Russia notes with worry.

"Can you make sure Dad's okay?" Wyoming says, a nervous look on his face.

"What do you mean?" Russia says.

"We ain't the smartest," Mississippi says, "but we do know that Dad ain't acting right. I know he don't sleep enough, but this is weird. Cuz even when he do catch up on sleep, it ain't never this much. He normally don't got any problems with stayin' up, 'specially after sleepin' well before we left. "

"And, like, he only gets this clingy when something's wrong," California adds.

Russia nods. The kids look around at each other and seem to agree on something unspoken. New Hampshire shakes Kentucky awake and they retreat to the other room. Texas turns on some cartoons on the television and turns up the volume. Kentucky eventually gets up and waddles over to join them, all wrapped up in a blanket with only his head visible. Arizona also hops up and jumps onto the bed in the other room, zooming around Kentucky and almost knocking him over.

Russia smiles.

America begins to shift a little before shooting up, frantically looking around.

"Meri? Meri," Russia says, "look at me. They're okay, just watching television in the other room."

America finally meets his eyes before slumping over, leaning fully against Russia.

"Are you okay?"

"...no."

"What's wrong?"

America whines again and buries his head into Russia's shoulder. Russia cradles him in his arms. America shakily grabs one of Russia's arms and guilds his hand under his shirt and up to around the middle of his stomach. Russia nearly pulls away, not expecting the heat radiating off of him.

Russia pulls America off in a panic and pulls his shirt off, revealing irritated and swollen lines of pink scar tissue surrounded by an angry red rash. America sways without Russia's support.

Russia mutters under his breath, grazing his fingers against the alarmingly warm scar. "What is happening?" he questions.

"I'm not sure. Please... just don't leave me alone like this," America mumbles, "I don't wanna be alone."

"I'm here. I'm here," Russia says, kissing America's forehead. America hums. Russia keeps his hands on America's shoulders to steady him.

"Something's wrong. My people aren't happy," America mumbles, "and my government...so wrong."

"Why did you fight yesterday?" Russia questions, annoyed that America would even try in such a state.

"I wasn't going to let my kids get hurt," America defend horsely before his talking lowers to a whisper, "and I didn't feel that bad. I guess it hit me last night, but I didn't want to leave you alone. Not with those things outside."

"How long has this been bothering you?"

"It's been escalating. I know my boss would make the transition hard, you know? But I didn't expect my own people to fight against me," America admits quietly, "fight against my ideas, my constitution. I know I'm not perfect, but..."

Russia waits a second for him to elaborate, but America doesn't continue.

'Why didn't you tell me? How long have you been pushing yourself this far?'

He looks into America's eyes, preparing to question him, only for his throat to go dry. America stares back with tired eyes and flushed cheeks. Russia dismisses his own questions and his face softens.

"What do you need?" Russia asks, placing a hand on America's cheek.

"What?" America asks, looking completely baffled.

"What do you need?"

"You're not angry I didn't tell you?" America mutters, wide-eyed.

Russia sighs.

"I am upset that I didn't know. But right now, that doesn't matter. I want to help you. What do you need?"

"I can't do much to fix it right now," America stammers, shock still in his voice, "I need to rest. I'll be okay after I get some sleep. I'm just... I don't want to be alone."

'Has no one asked you this before?'

"What do want me to do?"

"Just hold me. Please," America pleads.

Russia wraps him up in his arms and pulls him in. America curls up a little, bringing his arms and knees to his chest, and leans against Russia in the fetal position, shivering. Russia leans into the stiff pillows against the headboard.

"What are we going to do?" Russia asks.

America hums for a second before answering.

"I am going with you and the kids. You guys are not doing this by yourselves."

"You are ill."

"I don't care. I'm not leaving you guys to do this by yourselves."

"...I do not think that is a good idea."

"Well, we already got this far, and I am not backing out now."

"... will you be able to?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

Russia gives him a skeptical look.

"Hey, really. I'll be okay. I just need some rest," America insists, "I'm only like this now because of not getting enough sleep."

"If you are sure, then that is what we will do. But I do have a question."

"What?"

"The states say you do not normally sleep very much. How bad are you?"

"'How bad am I?'" America mimics with a laugh. Russia feels his face grow hot.

"You know what I mean."

America giggles a little before answering.

"The stuff that's been going on has been wearing me out. I'm just tired. Don't worry."

"If you don't worry about yourself, I will," Russia mutters into America's hair, "and you seem feverish."

"I'll be fine, okay? Listen, I'll stay back if I can't fight," America mumbles with a yawn.

Russia sighs before leaning back a little. He meets America's eyes.

They share a brief kiss. It brings butterflies to Russia's stomach and a smile to his face. America pulls away and gives him a loving smile.

"Thank you," America whispers before settling back against Russia, snuggling into his shirt. Russia holds him with one hand and gently brings the other one up and down America's back, moving his fingers along a pacifying, repetitive path.

Alabama pokes his head around the doorframe and gives Russia a curious look. Russia offers a small nod, and Alabama disappears back into the other room. Then, the television turns off and the teens flow into Russia's room, looking concerned.

"So, what's goin' on?" Alabama asks, perched on the edge of the other bed in the room.

"Your father is not feeling well," Russia replies, "conflict has been exhausting him."

"At least he ain't clingin' to one of us," Texas says, leaning against the headrest, his boots kicked up on the bed. New Mexico shoves his feet off.

"He only clings to you cuz you let him," Arizona remarks, bouncing in place in the middle of the bed and pointing at Texas. Texas blushes.

"Well, I couldn't just leave him sufferin'! I can't stand how sad he looks when he ain't with anybody," Texas replies defensively, crossing his arms, "besides, I ain't the only one who sits with him."

"Oh, will y'all stop?" Kentucky interjects, glaring at his siblings, "Dad does the same thing for us. All y'all sit with him when you're sick, even when Dad's busy with paperwork. I know Ari insists on being carried around when she ain't feeling so good, and most of y'all do too, so be quiet."

The states and Philippines calm down slightly, sitting on a bed together and turning on the television in front of them, turning down the volume. Russia moves his hand from America's back and begins to play with America's hair.

"Does he make you stay with him?" Russia asks.

'I don't think he would,' Russia thinks, as if to answer his own question, 'never.'

"Nah. Never. Most of the time, he wouldn't even ask. Most of us just kinda sit next to him and he'll let us go if we get up, but most of us feel bad if we leave," Wyoming admits, "it's just kinda annoying being stuck in place after you let him latch on. Honestly, I don't get how he can still get stuff down when one of us latches onto him."

Russia hums.

'Hopefully, you start to feel better soon,' Russia thinks, watching America with admiration in his eyes, 'then I can yell at you for not telling me.'

~

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Table of Contents

[tanginae]

Modern!Tropang Nerds Headcannons, Part I

this ended up longer than it should be... also, yes i know it’s weird ‘cuz it’s in English but trust me, i realized that mistake too late and i apologize

anyway, it’s under the cut because i got  little carried away 

BASILIO:

His eyes are black, but theyre anything but boring: his gaze can pull even the toughest of people in, either fascinating them or scaring them; and Isagani's probably written a verse or two about them after he sees how gorgeous they are (Basilio probs thought it was weird, but he still found it flattering nonetheless). Actually very expressive, you just have to know how to look. Has permanent eyebags (from late-night study sessions) and long eyelashes framing them (he gets it from his momma). They may be deep, dark, and mysterious, but the way his eyes light up when he laughs, getting all crinkly and stuff is just… beautiful.

HE WEARS GLASSES. FIGHT ME ON THIS.  

His nose isn't too flat, just enough to hold up his glasses so it doesn't slide

His bottom lip and top lip share the same thickness, and are plump enough to make one wonder how kissing them would feel like. Also, he'd probably have the habit of biting off the skin when it gets chapped (dammit basilio get some lip balm)

His usual, stoic face looks otherwise to other people; he gets really surprised when they tell him he scares them. He often gets told he looks like he's going to slice open the next person who bumps into him. He's confused, most of the time, because "im literally not mad, guys?? What??" He also gets told he looks hot. He doesn't know how to react to that

If he looked hot wearing his normal face, he's pretty fucking cute when he's joking around, smiling and laughing. He looks all boyish, easygoing, and mischievous, a far cry from what people see when they first meet him

He's never going to admit this, but he doesn't have to because it shows: he loves dressing up real good. He won't spend too much on clothes, but it's just enough so that he looks like he stepped out of a magazine or something

He looks especially good in hoodies, probably because he rarely ever wears them

His blood is 75% coffee

Loves horror and gore movies only because he gets to point out its scientific flaws, they're practically a weird mix of reviewing and comedy to him

He probably keeps an old picture of him, Crispin, & Sisa for motivation, he looks at it whenever he feels taxed by the shit he's going through

He isn't religious or superstitious, though being raised in the province means he knows a considerable amount of folk tales and urban legends

Science Nerd

He's actually lowkey talkative and loves scientific discourse, get him started on it and he won't be able to stop. Probably loves biology and chemistry

Surprises people by his encyclopedic knowledge of obscure and morbid topics such as the best weapons to kill someone quickly, the most venomous substances know to man, etc. Isagani digs this. He's like a fountain of knowledge for when he needs something scientifically accurate for his writings

Has the patience of a saint

Hates fights and arguments; only a handful of things ever piss him off and it's when a) people use his past against him (the only people who can do this are Simoun and Isagani, and there is no way in hell Isagani's going to do that to him) and b) when people hurt/talk shit about the people he loves and cares for

Has ridiculous big brother instincts; which means he's very protective over his friends and close peers (even more so when they're younger than him)

Probably good at reading people; can detect whether they like him or not

He's that one student who starts assignments and projects weeks early

Never procrastinates

The type to obsess over something (a particularly difficult concept, a lengthy and complicated lesson, etc) until he knows it like the back of his hand

Nervous ticks: it's hard to tell when he's nervous since he's cool as a cucumber, but you'll know it when he fusses over stuff and people a lot more than he usually does

Has ridiculously steady hands that probably never tremble

Probably plays Amateur Surgeon for shits and giggles. He probably also gets four stars on every level, too

Great at handling money; really thrifty and frugal

Lowkey makabayan

Tends to show his affection through the little things; like getting them the food they like, sticky notes with sweet nothings on them, Jollibee burgers with the said sticky notes, stuff like that

He would make sure anyone he genuinely cares about never feels alone or lonely

He takes a little while to get past the initial awkwardness at the beginning of a relationship (any type of relationship, tbh), but when he does he's lowkey clingy as shit. He's going to fuss over them to no end until the other reminds him he has to take care of himself too

Probably gets detached as a defense mechanism when he feels as if people are about to walk out of his life

Highkey independent

He deserves all that is good and pure in this world

ISAGANI

Tall as fuck and bulky as shit, just enough muscle to make my panties drop

Probably has no abs. he's pretty soft and hard at the same time

And because he's bigger than most people, his hugs are The Best™

His eyes are probably a dark brown, framed by perpetual eyebags and rich lashes. Highly expressive, you can always tell what he's feeling just by looking at his eyes. It practically lights up whenever he laughs, smiles, talks about something he loves, that kinda stuff

HE WEARS GLASSES because of all the reading and writing he's doing

His lower lip is thicker than his upper lip, making him look like he's perpetually pouting. He always, always smiles with his teeth showing, and it's pretty much enough to charm the shit out of anyone

HALA TANGINa ANG POGI NIYA

He has chubby cheeks (because I'm assuming he DOES have a little chub), but that only softens his otherwise harsh features

Really nice and likable to everyone he meets, but will literally verbally whoop people's asses when the need arises

Has a low tolerance for bullshit, you know he's pissed when he's dead set on roasting the other person until they're nothing but a pile of ash

He's pretty impulsive, sometimes acting without thinking of the bigger picture (or thinking, in general)

His hands almost always have pencil lead  and/or ink stains

Probably owns a fountain pen. That dweeb

Owns a journal where he writes down his writings, but the said writings still end up on loose pieces of paper, café tissues, hell, even his own hand

He keeps his school notes poem-free, but they're anything but immaculate--his handwriting is probably messy and scrawl-y, especially when he's writing down things in a rush

He's only sociable when he needs to be. Otherwise, he's really quiet, preferring to observe people rather than talk to them

He indulges himself in coffee shops (he hates Starbucks, though); he's that one person you see actually reading and writing and/or studying there for hours and hours on end

He can and he will lose days of sleep over his assigned readings

He won't stop until he's finished everything and/or until someone tells him to stop and take a nap or something

He would most likely be a debate team member

He recognizes the oppression of minorities and will actively fight the said oppression; dreams of equality for everyone

Nothing annoys him more than people who claim to be against oppression but end up creating some form of oppression themselves (kinda like those feminists who are, in reality, just misandrists; those kinda things)

Legitimately wants to make his country a better place, and every time he feels exhausted in all aspects he just thinks of the future of his country, the one he's actively working for, and he finds the will to fight and continue

He will literally die for this country when he needs to

Highkey loves the sea and always, always feels at home there

He's a huge beach person

He is definitely the jealous type. However, he never manifests his jealousy in the form of violence, he just cries and/or sulks somewhere

Will willingly lower his pride and apologize even if it's the other person's fault; he almost always wins his arguments but when it comes to his special someone, he would gladly lose bless his soul

Definitely a blusher and would get nervous as fuck over meeting/talking to the person that he liked

He's the type to stumble over his words and sentences whenever he talks about something that he likes; it's a joy to talk to him about the things he enjoys because he's practically vibrating with happiness. It's adorable and contagious

He would be the type to take his bf/gf out on a beach date. If it were in the day he'd organize a little picnic, if it were during the night he'd probably just show them the stars and hold their hand and tell them random little stories he's never told anyone before. He'd make them laugh and it'd be the most disgustingly sweet thing ever

(help I just died writing that)

He's also the type to just… stare at his special someone when they're sleeping, reading, or doing something mundane because he thinks they’re just so damn beautiful and he's lucky to have them

He's also the type to tell them they're beautiful when they least expect it

He can be blinded by his own optimism, and when he's disappointed, it just crushes him

When he stands for or against something, there's no shaking it. His principles are as tough as stone

He's brave, never failing to do what he thinks is right. He's pretty reckless, though

part ii