Chapter Text
America sighed, there was a reason he didn't like working criminal cases, and the person beside him was why.
Russia freaking Moscow. The reason that he left the criminal investigative field. He also loathed seeing the worst parts of the human race. Call him odd, but he much rather investigate a cheating husband than a rapist.
Russia wasn't.... He wasn't horrible. Not as a person, as far as he knew. He was just one of the worst people he'd had the displeasure of working with. He didn't really investigate properly. Accusations first then investigate. Russia was good at his job, but his process was all messed up. It was out of order.
He stared at the paper on front of him, hoping that maybe there was some way he could get out of having to work with Russia.
He didn't find anything, so just opted to glare at the paper. It was personally offensive to him.
It was about five minutes before someone, the client, he presumed- walked into the room.
"So, I take it you know why you're here?" They asked.
America made a mental note at that, they weren't the client, they were probably the contacter the client had hired. The way they carried themselves gave it away. This was not their first.
"So I take it you both understand what we're doing here?" They asked, knowing that they both should.
"Nooo, I didn't read the briefing" Russia replied in a sarcastic tone. "I fucking smelt it"
"I read it. And do I have to work with him?"America asked, in as polite tone as he could manage with the idiot beside him.
"Yeah, really. Do I have to work with him? He's always there. America is like mental illness with opinions"
"Yes you do, we need both of you on this. You are the two at the top of this field, and the client will take nothing less. and I agree. You both are probably the only hope we have of catching the killer."
America sighed but then nodded. He supposed it made sense.
"Understood. I will do my best to work with him to find the killer." America said simply.
The contractor looked at Russia expectantly.
Russia wasn't happy, but he complied and grumbled out an agreement. America internally sighed, Russia was still just as childish as he had been the last time America had crossed paths with him.
"I'd like a chance to look better through the case files, I don't think this is just a one incident. I have reason to believe that this is not a one off like the original detective seems to believe" America started, he'd read the details and it seemed like someone far more experienced and in the crime in question.
"You have a license, and he works for the department, I'm sure you both will have no trouble with that."
America sighed, but nodded, he could do this.
"I'm pretty sure this is a one off, seemed personal" Russia butted in.
"Then that's how we can treat it for now" America said, biting his tounge.
Russia nodded, seeming content with that.
"Wanna go to the crime scene?" Russia asked, sounding about as unprofessional as he always did.
"Yes, I would. I need to see more than what the photos showed. Do we have pictures from before the autopsy?" America asked, getting up to head for the door.
"Yeah, I'll get em for ya" Russia agreed, getting up.
"I'm going to want the autopsy report too" America said.
"Do-able"Russia hummed, walking towards the door with America.
"Could you both sign the papers please?" The forgotten contractor requested.
"Yeah, of course "America agreed, turning around and taking out a pen.
"Do I have to?" Russia whined, but also turned around.
The contractor gave them both a copy of the contract and instructed them where to sign. They both signed the copies, then the client copy as well.
America then went back over to the door to wait for Russia. While he waited, he took out his wallet and sorted through it for his license and his old badge from when he worked with the department. He moved both to a more accessible part of his wallet before closing it again and putting it in his pocket.
Once Russia was by the door, he opened it and held it open for him before following.
"We're going to the scene first, I want to get my own pictures and hopefully get a few clues" America stated while the two of them made their way to the parking lot.
"Yeah yeah, that should be fine." Russia agreed.
"This is going to be a long case, isn't it?" America grumbled.
"Probably for you" Russia responded with a chuckle.
"Fluff you, that was a rhetorical question."
"I know!" Russia responded smugly.
"I dislike you." America responded in a deadpan tone.
"Aww, too afraid to say hate~?" Russia teased in a mocking tone.
"Hate is too strong a word for how I feel about you. I think how I feel about you lands somewhere between apathy and dislike. So I dislike you" America stated, looking at Russia.
"Potato, potato"Russia responded with a shrug, holding the front door open for America. "After you."
America sighed but walked out. "I'll meet you there"
He went over to his car and got in, starting it up and pulling up the GPS to lead him to the right place. It was going to be about a thirty minute drive, most of which was on a highway, so he opted to pop in a CD he'd burnt his favorite songs on.
The first song to play was "A Good Song Never Dies" by Saint Motel, which he happily listened to and sung along to. He kept the music low enough to hear the GPS, but high enough so that the occasional silence didn't drive him insane.
He just followed the directions and hummed to himself while he drove.
He was able to relax for a while on the road, travel was always the most relaxing part of his job- unless he was tailing someone. Then it was a little stressful. But as it was at the moment, calming.
He hoped that he'd be able to do his thing once he was on scene, as being interrupted by RUSSIA would suck.