Cover page drawn by the lovely kaffeogte ;*

Iceland and Finland were standing in the stiff winter cold on a cliff of the fjords. They stood side-by-side, shivering in their parkas. They were lucky that the North Sea was so unusually calm today. It was a good day for a funeral.

But Iceland and Finland didn't see it that way. They didn't care for the vibrant orange sky as it transitioned to the deep purple of dusk. They didn't notice the first rays of the aurora borealis as it tinted the world below in greens and blues. All their attention was set on the three lit barges drifting farther away from them with flames licking a cloudless sky. There hasn't been a viking funeral in centuries, but it felt more fitting to have just one more. Just this once.

Even the bitter cold barely fazed them in their current state. They felt raw with emotion and numb from the shock of the suddenness of what they had to experience. It happened so suddenly. They thought they had more time.

And now they only have each other left.

Finland had become hyperaware of Iceland's behaviour and emotions, so it didn't come as much of a surprise when Iceland started sobbing, his body heaving violently as he tried desperately to breathe through his tears.

Finland mechanically put his arm around the younger nation's shoulders. He wanted to break down too, but as much as he wanted to drop any pretense of composure, he wanted — no, needed — to stay strong for Iceland. So seeing him crying of a broken heart made Finland's own heart wrench and twist into his gut.

Iceland just felt guilt and pain. He felt guilty for every useless, pointless argument he ever had with his brother. He felt pain, because he would never have the opportunity to make it up to him. He couldn't understand why Finland was so unnaturally calm. Didn't he care? His three closest friends died and yet he was so unnatural calm. So still. Suddenly frightened, Iceland looked up at Finland. He had his head bent forward, his lips were shut tight and his breaths were shallow.

"Fi—Finland…"

He lolled his head up and looked down at Iceland. For the briefest moment, Finland's eyes were shrouded and soulless. Before Iceland could register what he'd seen, it was gone, and replaced with the usual cheerfulness that was so familiar to him. The smile that hung loosely on his lops wasn't very convincing though.

"Just look on the bright side, Ice," he said as he squeezed his shoulders. "Now you'll finally be able to grow big and strong."

Iceland couldn't hold back the look of horror and disdain on his face. How could Finland be talking like this now, so soon after they died? They barely started to grieve.

"Now you'll have Denmark's and Norway's lands and resources. Your economy will improve. Oh! And—"

"Why are you talking like this?"

Iceland's harsh tone stung Finland.

"I just hate seeing you sad and I wanted to cheer you up." He didn't mean to offend.

"I don't want cheering up. I just want to grieve." Iceland's brows were furrowed with frustration. He didn't know why he was angry, and he knew he shouldn't be taking it out on Finland. After all, they only had each other now, but somehow, it couldn't really be helped. "I don't want to grow big and strong. I just want my brother back!" His hands were balled into fists now. He didn't want to fight. Not now.

"Ice, I'm sorry. I know. It's hard. It's ha—" He couldn't end his sentence. The lump in his throat had grown too big.

And then he started to cry as well.

It was hitting him so hard.

He was never going to see Sweden again.

Both of them are crying now, and they held on to each other so tight, they were both suffocating with grief.

It all happened so fast. It isn't fair.

Finland wasn't able to keep his composure. He broke down in ugly sobs and gasps. His legs buckled, and Iceland fell with him.

They were both cold, sore, and hurting. With their hearts broken and their bodies stiff from cold, they clung together and slept under the glittering stars, until the northern lights no longer lit the sky and the pyres were extinguished at sea.

"Why does growing up have to be so painful?" Iceland whispered half to himself.

"Because you're strong enough to handle it," came Finland's half-hearted response.

They only had each other left. No one was going to be able to step over them. No one was going to get between them.

They will be strong. They will be brave. They will live with Norway's, Denmark's, and Sweden's memories, and they will be better for it.

This is not the end. Only a new beginning.