Norway was awake.
He has been awake for four days now.
He has been watching Denmark as he slept. Fighting his illness.
Nations hardly ever got sick. They could but it must've been something tough to make them. Usually it was war. A long and hard war. But Denmark was not at war. He was one of the better prospering countries! What happened to him to make him this sick?
Norway did not know but he couldn't believe that the nation so strong and always happy was now in such a state. As far as he could remember there was only one time in the history that his Den was sick. It was when they left him. When he was left alone...
Wait... his Den?
Left alone...?
Was that it? It was true they didn't pay much attention to him. But it wasn't that they didn't like him! Sweden and Denmark fought all the time but they were brothers! Finland of course stayed with Sweden because they loved each other. But he still loved Denmark! They were just too occupied with each other to spend much time with him. Iceland too had a boyfriend now. Besides he was just like Norway - he didn't like to show his emotions. And was a little mean. They both were. But making fun of Denmark was so entertaining! Den always took everything they said so seriously!
Wait... no... it couldn't be... that he thought...
Oh no...
Those were their characters - they sometimes liked doing cruel things for fun. Of course they never were serious! How could they be telling Denmark to "stop being annoying and leave them finally alone, this time for good!" or "go and drop die!"...
But if he really had been taking their words seriously for the whole time...
No! That's impossible! He was always smiling and laughing and wanted to hug!...
Not for the past week. Was that it? That he was tired of this? Of their cruel words and cold attitudes? Of being always happy? Of being... himself?
Oh no... it was true that they neglected him. But if so... if it was their fault that he was in this state... then it was mostly his own fault.
Norway knew that among the whole world Denmark preferred the most him. His presence, his expressionless face, his emotionless voice... and that made him uneasy. He was embarrassed and didn't know what to do with the honest affection he was given. So, in self defense, he was trying to push Den away.
Seems like he succeeded.
It was true that the Dane was annoying. Irritating. Loud. Obnoxious. All true. But he was their brother. One of the Nordics. The one who always took care of them. And when for once he needed help they left him. All alone.
This time they won't make that mistake. Now they are here. This time they won't leave him! This time... Norway won't run away... This time he'll stay as long as it's possible and help with all his might! Help him recover. Help his Dane...
No use in denying. Why he was always so embarrassed in Den's presence, why he had a tendency to blush a little when Denmark did something stupid but adorable for him, why he always observed him secretly?
Because Denmark's feelings were mutual.
He was in love with the Dane. Truth be told for quite some time now. But he was always too scared to acknowledge it. Even to himself. But now... He just couldn't go on and lie to himself and to others. His fairies told him million times to stop being an idiot but he refused to listen. Now though, it has gone too far and he was going to do what he should have many years ago.
He'll admit his love aloud. Stop being a coward and face reality. He'll tell his Dane how he feels.
But first Denmark had to wake up. First day, when they found him, he had a fever of 40.7°C, was dehydrated, thinner than he should be and he was violently shivering under several blankets they threw on top of him. If he wasn't a nation Norway honestly would think that Den will die. But he was a spirit of the country of Denmark so it was only a question of how long he is going to be asleep. And the record was Poland's 123 years when first Prussia, Austria and Russia divided his lands between them and occupied them, then WWI in which he was able to wake up and fight his lands back and then WWII and long occupation after it ended. In fact he recovered only recently... with great help of his Lithuanian boyfriend. And to think that once they had ruled together a good chunk of Europe...
Norway sighed. There was no war and even Denmark was not so sensitive to be so sick because of his feelings. There must've been something else... these economic papers he was working on on the meeting. He must have got some economic problems. But what is it? That he couldn't guess. Maybe Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Hong Kong will find some answers. He is not going to even try. Not now. Not after that last coughing fit. Not when Denmark needs him.
... But he was so tired...
This time he awoke to two sets of quiet breathing. One was quick and it's owner was very near him. The second was quieter, steadier and a little farther than the first.
After a little while of listening he struggled to finally open his eyes. For the first time since he came back home from his boss' office. How long ago was that? His head wasn't hurting so bad now and he felt something - a cold cloth - on his forehead easing his fever. And he was very comfortable in his bed, something warm pressed to chest, near the heart.
His bedroom was dark, curtains closed over the windows. When his eyes adjusted he carefully lifted his head to see what was that thing on his chest and smiled. Finland and Sweden's little puppy was sleeping soundly giving him some of her warmth. He lowered his head again trying not to move so that he won't disturb her. Then it hit him - if she was here that means her owners were too. At least one of them. He smiled and remembered that last time he awoke he heard Sweden and Norway talking. So this wasn't a dream! Norway really was worrying over him! Maybe he even is near!
Curious, Denmark, turned his head slowly and what he saw was Norway huddled in the chair next to the bed, hugging his bent legs to his chest with a pillow in-between and his chin resting on top of his knees, apparently sleeping. His brows were furrowed and he had large bags under his eyes. He looked tired and so utterly beautiful and adorable Denmark couldn't help but smile a really wide and bright smile. He had never felt such joy in his whole life.
Just then Norway gasped and shot up sitting straight. His bloodshot-red eyes went to Denmark's face and then he saw his opened, joyful eyes staring at him for the first time in almost week.
For a second he was frozen to his his chair in shock and just stared, not daring to believe his own eyes, but then emotions overtook him and he shot out of the chair to hug his best friend, big brother, his love with tears of relief welling up in his indigo eyes and happy little smile on his lips. This woke Hanatamago up and so she licked Den happily on the face and scampered out of the room leaving Denmark alone with his love.
First Norway was just relieved and happy. Den was finally awake! But then Denmark chuckled and hugged him back. Norway, all embarassed, sat up and saw his happy face.
Instead of confessing, he felt sudden urge to punch that face for making him so worried. Old habits die hard...
Denmark was still ill though, so he settled on yelling.
'You idiot!' Denmark's smile fell a little but then he started laughing. 'You think it was funny!? Do you know how worried I was?' Denmark only smiled brighter which made Norway more angry. Angry? He was furious. He restrained his strength a little as not to hurt the sick idiot too much but still he aimed the punch to be painful. He delivered one after every word but Denmark only laughed. 'How. Could. You. Make. Me. So. Worried!' He yelled. 'We all spent here almost a week! A goddamned week and the first thing I hear from you when you finally wake up is a laugh?!' Norway started punching the bigger nation again but then the door burst open and Finland with Sweden and Hanatamago in tow entered the room.
When Finland saw Hana in the kitchen he knew something must have happened in the dark bedroom. Sweden said that Denmark is doing better so maybe... maybe he finally woke up! Fin ran up the stairs with his lover and puppy behind and threw the door open to see... Norway on top of one laughing Dane, punching said Dane on the chest! Sweden immediately appeared right beside the bed and caught Norway's arms and pulled him off of Den, placing him in his chair while Fin hugged Denmark, relieved, with tears in his eyes, and quickly checked if he was okay after Norway's outburst. He was, so both Finland and Sweden let out relived sighs.
'Finally.' Sweden said. 'Took you long enough.'
'We are so happy you are awake! Wait until I tell Ice and Hong! We were so worried!' Finland exclaimed.
Denmark was shocked. They were... all here? Even Iceland and his boyfriend? As long as he could remember Iceland didn't like him so why was he here? "Aw heck it" he decided watching as Finland hugged him once more and then ran out to find the remaining two with Hana's help. Then his gaze wandered to where Norway was.
His love was once again sitting in the chair beside the bed, Sweden having released him from his grip to stand nearby and watch the both of them. Norway was still angry. His fury radiated from him in waves making Sweden feel... uneasy whilst Denmark was laughing it off; seemed like he was already used to Norway's antics.
Just when the situation was becoming almost unbearable for Sweden Finland appeared once again, this time bringing Iceland and Hong Kong along. They both looked relieved when they saw a laughing Denmark and a little surprised (not Iceland though) at the sight of Norway.
'Hey!' Hong exclaimed. 'How are you?'
'Much better now!' Den smiled.
'That's good to hear.' Iceland said in emotionless voice. Immediately Denmark's gaze was at him. It was curious. 'What. After all you are my sibling and it's not like I spent these four days here with you.' Then he added with a smirk 'Norway did.'
This time Den's gaze went to pierce through Norway making him blush furiously. Norway never ever showed any emotions and now he was so embarrassed because his little brother revealed so easily that he was with Denmark the whole time...
Wait...
'Yeah!' Finland helped 'He was watching you all the time, 24/7! He didn't even want to sleep! And when he had to leave to the bathroom he made one of us stay here with you just in case! That was so sweet!'
'Norge...?' Denmark whispered, almost teared up. This question lingered in the air between them. Noway even wanted to say something but words stuck in his throat.
'Hey Den!' Finland rescued Nor 'I'll bring you something to eat okay? You must be very hungry!'
'Thanks Fin! I'm starving!'
'That's good!' Finland laughed and grabbed his lover's hand. 'We'll be right back!'
While waiting Hong and Den chatted about some stupid things, as both brothers labeled them, and Norway glared at his smirking little brother. Denmark had that stupidly happy smile on his face and Norway was feeling more and more insecure with every passing second. Finally Finland returned with Sweden who was carrying a huge tray of food.
'We brought something for everyone!' he announced happily. Everyone dug into their food and praised Fin who prepared it and now blushed in delight. Unfortunately Denmark ruined everyone's good mood when, after thanking Finland for a delicious meal, he decided that it's time to work. According to what they said he was asleep for almost a week and for his country that was unforgivable. So he tried to stand up. Finland paled, anxious that he'd ruin his barely recovered health, but fortunately Hong Kong decided it was a good time to speak up:
'Hey man! Japan gave me lately some really good horror movies! Wanna watch?' Denmark looked unsure for a moment but then Hong showed him what he had and Finland said that he is afraid of horrors so he and Sweden went to sleep in one of Denmark's spare bedrooms. Hong Kong started the film and Iceland snuggled up to him (he wasn't really the one for horrors but he didn't want to be considered a coward) while Norway tucked Den into the bed once again and sat in his chair beside him already dozing off. Before the film ended he was already asleep so Hong Kong helped Denmark place him in Den's huge bed and then left with Iceland who was unable to fall asleep. Denmark couldn't help but smile widely when thought about what will Norway do when he wakes up. And with that thought and smile he happily fell asleep.