THIS ONE IS SHORTER TOO. OH GOD I'M SO SORRRRRRYYYY *SOB SOB SOB SOB SOB*

Hopefully it leads onto a longer one, yeah? It's leading onto something :\ It was more of a developmental chapter. Setting things up, y'know? XD ANYWAY. I haven't had much time to write, as I have had heaps of study, I'm just starting my final years of high school, so things are getting tougher. But I'm managing...so far. There is this new girl at school (I'm new, too, but, you know), and she's from America! I'm like, omg, you're got the coolest accent!

Ahaha, anyway, sorry about the swearing in this one. I had to get the emotion across, somehow :\

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Chapter Three: Money

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"Oh, my God," Norway put his head in his hands despairingly. "Why are you here again?"

"Hey," Denmark grinned, "I want to hang out with you,"

He had always been a good kid, what did he do to deserve this guy hanging off of him all the time? Couldn't he just go about his business as usual? And also, how thick was this guy, that he was oblivious to Norway obvious distaste? "My shift is over in about ten minutes, and then I have to do grocery shopping, so you won't get to 'hang out' with me for very long."

"I'll come shopping with you," He suggested, and Norway sighed. "Hey," He shrugged, "You brought it on yourself being an interesting and good-looking person,"

Ugh…that was the last thing he needed. "Are you always this forward?"

"Are you always this sour?"

"No, just to you," He smiled, trying to make him feel worse, and maybe get the message through that he didn't want his company.

But it didn't work, and Denmark's eyes widened as he jumped up from his seat, surprising Norway. "You smiled!" He exclaimed. "I've never seen you smile before!"

He quickly got rid of it, and poked out his tongue. "I'm going now, and if you want to come, come, I don't care."

--

"What do you mean, it's declined?" He asked, eyeing the cashier up and down. If this was some stupid attempt to annoy or embarrass him, he would be pissed off.

The checkout-chick typed something into the scanner, and then looked back at him, frowning, "I'm sorry, your balance is too low to purchase everything here," She motioned to the bags of groceries. Huh? What? He needed all that stuff; they barely had anything in their pantry as it was, and one more day without them, and they'd starve.

"Really?" Oh, smart question, Norway. "Shit, I get paid tomorrow and rent is due tonight." He was losing it now. What if they became poor? He and Iceland could be homeless! It was his responsibility to provide for Iceland. They could die! He could feel himself shaking, but he was determined not to lose face with Denmark standing there.

"Norway…" Said Dane offered, "I'll pay for the groceries,"

"N-no!" He hissed a little too loudly, "I don't need your charity," Denmark stared at him for a moment, not moving, and then handed his card to the cashier, despite the protests. He paid, and they left the supermarket. "Th-thanks," He turned his back to Denmark so he couldn't see the tears threatening to spill out of his eyes.

"No problems, Nor," He grinned, "Hey, are you okay?" He asked tentatively when he noticed Norway's shoulders shaking.

"No! I'm not okay. I couldn't even buy fucking groceries, so of course I'm not okay!"

"Don't worry," He attempted at comforting, "It only happened once, I'm sure it's fine."

"It's not fine," Norway growled, "I have no money, okay? If I couldn't even afford the groceries, what makes you think I'll be able to pay the rent, the bills, everything?"

"You're not going to die," He answered softly, "Look, if you're a little more civil towards me, I can help you financially,"

"I've been working full time since I was sixteen at a pub and a café with no other help; I think I can handle things myself." Who was he kidding? Denmark's help would be great, maybe they could get back on track financially.

"How did you manage to secure a job at a pub when you weren't even the legal age to drink?"

"I can be very…persuasive," He sighed, "And before you ask, no, I don't drink. When you get to see the effects of it every night, it kind of puts you off."

"You want my help, don't you?" He stated, raising an eyebrow.

He balled his fists up, and squeezed his eyes shut. As much as it pained him to say it: "Yes."

"How much do you need, and how often?" He pulled out his wallet once again.

"Only fifty every fortnight,"

"Sure," Denmark grinned, "But I have one condition,"

Norway bit his lip. He had to be grateful to Denmark now. "Yes?"

"I get to hang out with you."

Oh, kill me now. He thought. "When and for how long?"

"When are you free next?"

"On Saturday, that is my day off, and half of Sunday."

"Okay, we'll go out! Let's meet at that fountain in the middle of town at ten-thirty, okay?" He clapped his hands together excitedly.

"Eleven."

Ooooooh, could this lead onto a date? I don't know, as I haven't really thought ahead yet XD