Rusger Oneshots

Knowledge: Assignment

1996

"So um... Russia. What's your education level?"

"Huh?" Russia answered with a blank look on his face, absolutely clueless as he chewed mid-bite on a piece of steak. "You know, your latest degree of study." Germany gestured, poking at some of his baked potato as he stared right back at him.

The restaurant noises continued around them, people bustling around eating and talking about their own conversations. Russia looked away first, trying very hard to comprehend his question but also faintly having a small idea of what he was asking. 

He didn't remember the last time he stepped into a proper school, to be honest.

He probably finished high school. Maybe not. He didn't remember much of his adolescence before he joined the army. Does the army school count as study? He did become a junior lieutenant, which did include a lot of theory work besides the practical's.

"S-sorry, I don't know how to explain it in Russian, I'm still trying to learn though." Germany apologized, making him quickly snap his head up and look at him again. "No- no it's fine. I understand what you're asking." He said, putting down his fork and knife on the plate.

"It's just... I don't really- Remember?" Russia pressed a hand against the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed now. Germany was an intelligent man, full of knowledge. Neat, composed, glasses settled on the bridge of his nose, standing next to him Russia wasn't quite sure what he himself was. Definitely nothing compared to him.

"So, it's probably been a while then?" Germany started to smile from where he sat across the table. "Yeah. It has." Russia smiled back awkwardly. Despite the years past already, he still couldn't help seeing an inking of East Germany in him.

And right now he couldn't believe that they were on their fourth- or third Official date.

"Well, thing is, you probably already know that I have a PhD in Economics now, right." Germany clasped his hands together over the table, face shyly ducked down as he spoke. Russia nodded along numbly, feeling quite self-conscious right now sitting with such an intelligent creature.

"And... I was wondering if you'd be considering... well going back to school?" Honey golden eyes flinted up to glance at him, the low light catching on the lenses of his glasses.

"I don't mean to offend, it's just- Knowledge is something really important to me. Learning to be better and to help my people." Germany continued softly, staring at his hands.

"I can tell." Russia spoke up just as quietly, also looking at his hands. Golden from his flag colours, the skin smooth. In contrast to his own, an angry red and littered with scars. He looked away flustered just before he was caught staring.

"Have you ever thought about it before? Going back to school to learn." Germany said.

"Not until now..." He admitted, poking around at the remains of his dinner. If it was that important to Germany, and if he wanted a good shot at dating him, the two points really go hand in hand, don't they.

"Really? Well-" Germany said in a surprisingly excited voice, making Russia look up at him, both of them staring at each other before laughing softly at the dumbstruck expressions on their faces.

"Um- what are you interested in? I can definitely tell you about several degrees of study you could pursue." He continued, a soft smile still hovering over his face as he spoke.

Russia could listen to him talk for hours.

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