Hanatamago looks like she's sleeping.
The illusion is shattered, though, the moment Iceland touches her.
Stiff. Cold.
Lifeless.
"How's Finland taking it?" He asks Norway.
Norway is silent for a while before murmering, "He seems to still be in shock. Otherwise he wouldn't be this calm."
Iceland glances out the window and watches Iceland talk to Sweden, breaking the depressing news. They were too far to see their expressions well, but the emotion was easily conveyed in Sweden wrapping Finland in a hug.
Of course he was already preparing for Finland's meltdown, as he'd already faced a few before.
His record was twelve in one week. Iceland wondered if Finland would break that this time.
"He was really attached to that dog. This one might be his worst yet," Norway predicts, reading Iceland's thought.
You never knew how he would react with these things. With the fish in the wrong type of water he was distraught, while the sick parakeet smoothed over surprisingly easily. Neither one was as loved as the little white puppy, though.
Denmark slips in the door, and even his expression was downcast. "Want me to dig the hole?"
"Yes." Norway answers. "The sooner this is over, the better."
It sounded insensitive, but it was the truth. If they didn't carry it out while Finland was too numb to react, he'd probably lose it.
They head downstairs as Sweden and Finland open the door. Sweden takes one look at the cheep cardboard box in Iceland's hands and mumbles about building one himself, then heads into the garage. Finland stands there blankly for a few seconds before tears roll down his cheeks and he begins to sniff.
Theae tears were almost superficial compared to the ones to come. They were far more like the ice built inside him was thawing. The storm remained untouched on the horizon.
Denmark hooks his arm over his shoulder and guides him to the table to sit down, murmering kindly to him. Norway takes over after a few minutes so Denmark can start the hole.
Leaving Iceland standing alone holding a dead dog in a box. He exchanges a glance with his brother before moving quietly outside and out of the way.
Denmark glances up at him as he walks outside. "Y'know you could help out by finding some flowers or something."
"Alright." Iceland agrees and starts the task, eager to avoid feeling so awkward.
When they were all finished, Finland comes out with Norway to attend Hanatamago's funeral.
Iceland watches silently, taking in all the details, like how carefully put together the tiny coffin was by Sweden's loving fingers, how the hole's depth and width seemed near perfect oddly, or how Finland was still crying quietly.
Sweden pulls Finland to his side, one arm around his shoulder, with expressionless Norway on the other side, rubbing his other arm.
Iceland doesn't pay attention to Denmark's little funeral speech, already thinking about the events to come. He hadn't ever been present during one of Finland's episodes, though he had heard about them from Norway and Denmark, and he was worried about what to do.
The funeral ties up, and they walk back to the house in silence broken only by Finland's crying.
When they go in, Finland claims he's tired and goes to his room, but Sweden stands watch by the door in case Finland tries something. The remaining three divi up and go to their own rooms, and Iceland can't help listening for the inevitable until he difts off.
After all, they all knew how bad Finland was at handling death.