Epilogue

"I can't."

Iceland looked down at his boots so he wouldn't have to meet England's furious stare.

"What in the hell do you mean: you can't? You don't get to say you can't dammit!"

"I wish that I could pay you," Iceland said quietly. "I'll be able to eventually, but I can't right now."

"You think you can just burn all our money, bail out your own citizens, and everything is perfect!"

Iceland clutched the edge of his seat, and pressed his chin to his collar, as if trying to collapse in on himself. He should have known that he couldn't go out even a day without running into England. The climate change conference had been going fine, until the older nation collared him and backed him into the empty conference room, and sat him into a chair in the corner.

Now, England loomed over him, glaring as if he wanted to physically harm Iceland. Netherlands lurked in the corner, watching as Iceland was berated.

"I can't pay," Iceland repeated. "I'm sorry for everything that's happened. But, my entire infrastructure will collapse if I don't prop it up with every cent I have."

"You should have thought of that before," England inisisted. "I reimbursed my citizens, now you have to pay your loan."

"I never agreed—"

"We're way beyond that, Iceland. Brussels might think that you're within the law, but I want my citizens fully paid back for your stupidity."

"You have more citizens in your capital than I have in my whole land," Iceland pleaded. "And more are leaving. I can't afford it. I borrowed money from Russia, and I still can't pay you back the entire sum. My banking system is igone/i. What would you do in that situation?"

"I wouldn't get myself into it," England spat. Iceland bit back the urge to remind the other country that he was just as taken in by Icesave as he was. "I want my money," England continued unequivocally.

"I can't," Iceland repeated.

England gripped him by his thin shoulders, tight enough to bruise. "I don't care if you have to suck off every country in Europe for pocket change, you pay off your debt! Or I swear—"

"England."

All three of them turned to look over at the door to the conference room. Iceland's heart swelled gratefully as he saw Hong Kong leaning against the doorframe, one hand on his hip, staring dispassionately at England.

England let go of Iceland's shoulders and stood up. "I'm in the middle of a meeting, Hong Kong."

Hong Kong ignored him, twisting his head to see Iceland under England's arm. "Are you all right, Iceland?"

"Fine," Iceland said quietly. He smiled to himself. Why didn't he know that Hong Kong would come to help him out? Two weeks after their first date, when Iceland had first worked up the faint courage to kiss Hong Kong, as they stood in the sleet outside of the café, they spent most of their free time together.

Somehow, against all odds, Iceland had managed not to screw it up.

"He still hasn't paid me back," England blustered.

Hong Kong raised an eyebrow. "You know he can't do that."

"That's what he's been saying."

"And, he's right. You can't expect him to bankrupt his citizens—his 300,000 citizens—even if his regulatory system failed. And, I might point out, it does take two to tango." He shrugged over at Netherlands. "Three if you count him."

"I think I'm gonna go now, England," the other nation said quickly, pushing off the wall. He ignored Iceland completely, as if bored with his toy. It was plain that he wasn't quite as furiously gung ho about the return of funds as England was, though he still was willing to join England.

Something about the nation reminded him of his brother Denmark. Annoyingly so.

"What the—but—"

"I know a losing battle when I see one." He walked to the door and waved at Hong Kong. "Seeya, whoever the hell you are."

"Hm." Hong Kong stared ahead at England. "Do you really think that this whole rigmarole will help you? Letting a nation a few hundred kilometers from your coast collapse? It couldn't hurt you to forgive Iceland's debt in the interests of your shared security."

"Why the hell do you even care?" England exclaimed. "It's not your damn problem."

Hong Kong shrugged. "It would be if you had your way, if I remember."

England glared. "Don't bring up ancient history."

"Then, just consider this advice from an old friend." England at least had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. With the little that Hong Kong had alluded to about his history with England, Iceland would hope that he did.

Hong Kong glanced away from the old colonizer, and over at his boyfriend. "Would you like to go now, Iceland?"

"Yes," Iceland said gratefully, jumping up from the chair and hurrying around England over to the door. Hong Kong slid his hand into Iceland's.

"I'll be talking to you again, Iceland," England said.

"Not if I'm not there," Hong Kong said, and now there was a sharp edge to his voice. Iceland moved closer to his boyfriend, feeling more secure than he had in weeks.

"Goodbye, England," Hong Kong said, already starting to tug Iceland around the corner.

Iceland had only one more glance of England glowering before he and Iceland were into the hallway and near the top of the stairs. "He shouldn't do that to you," Hong Kong said, sounding genuinely angry.

"It's my fault," Iceland said quickly. "I should be able to pay him and Netherlands."

Hong Kong shook his head. "He's just trying to save face. He does that."

"It's okay. I'll—I'll figure it out."

Hong Kong stopped and stood in front of Iceland, placing his hands gently on Iceland's shoulders. "I don't want to think about him threatening you like that."

Iceland smiled slowly. "You're so protective."

"Sorry," Hong Kong said quickly. "I—"

"Thanks," Iceland interrupted. He shyly placed a hand on Hong Kong's hip. "I'm glad you're… we… you know. I…"

"You too." Hong Kong leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

Hong Kong and Iceland sat on the top rung of the stairs, gently kissing, running their fingers through each other's hair.

Iceland felt his chest beginning to itch and pulled away in time to keep from coughing into his boyfriend's face. "S—sorry," he choked, turning away from Hong Kong.

While he was still getting his breath back, Hong Kong grabbed his chin and pulled him back. He pushed a small, yellow cough drop to Iceland's lips, and then leaned forward to kiss him again. Iceland felt their tongues sliding around the sweet-tasting sphere.

When the cough drop had dissolved to a tiny dot, Hong Kong pulled back and pressed a kiss to Iceland's forehead.

"You'll get better soon," he whispered.

For the first time, with his boyfriend's arm around his waist and the taste of artificial lemon on his tongue, Iceland let himself believe that.

"Eventually," he said quietly, smiling.

"Eventually." Hong Kong kissed him again. "I'll wait until then."