Hello, author here. Just wanted to shout out to all the Favs, follows, and reviews for this story. It makes me feel good to know you guys can put up with my fucked up attitude and mediocre writing skills.

That being said, I feel obliged to give another warning because I do not wish to offend or trigger anyone. This story gets very real from here on out. If you are faint of heart or mind I strongly suggest you tread no further than chapter nine. Not much of an ending but there are a lot more triggers from here on out. Flames for content will absolutely be untolerated, you have been warned.

Dragon does not own hetalia.

Iceland

The Icelander struggled to keep his composure as he held Denmark's spasming limbs as still as he could. When Norway had left them, going on two months ago, Denmark had gotten steadily more ill and steadily heavier in his pregnancy. These seizures had become more and more frequent as his body prepared to sever from his nation to past it, and the Dane's life, onto the child. That was what the doctors had said at least.

The seizure passed as suddenly as it had come, leaving Iceland with a twitching unconscious Denmark to take care of. Iceland waited on the floor with Denmark, as he did not have the strength to lift the Dane on his own. He mused over his thoughts in a moment of quiet and allowed Little Mathi, Denmark's cat, to cuddle up with them. He and the cat had gotten used to each other, and he was not bad company on bad days like these when Denmark was down and out.

Sweden and Finland had been helping as much as possible, but Iceland had not heard from Norway since the incident in the doctor's office. It was a good thing too, because on the first day after, when he could hardly get Denmark to stop crying, The Icelander had vowed to rip the Norwegian offender's balls off for causing so much pain to Denmark's fragile mind. Denmark's smile had still not regained its luster, even after the three weeks it took Iceland to get the Dane to a place where he could smile again.

Iceland brushed a lock of Denmark's once lustrous blonde hair away from his face. Normally, it was spiky enough that it didn't hang in his face, but nowadays, even the Dane's wild hair had been tamed by sadness and sickness. The teen then played Denmark's head in his lap and looked around his home.

Denmark proposed the solution he and Norway had come up with the day after the fated doctors appointment. Iceland talked it over, and so long as their work got done, and Denmark was health enough for travel, neither of their leaders minded if they traveled back and forth between their countries. Iceland feared however, that the ladder of those two requests was soon to be unmet. Denmark was by no means a healthy man right now with more and more of his strength being sapped from his limbs everyday.

"Nugh... Ow... I-Icey?" Denmark said groggily as he woke. He normally had these moments of confused panic when he first woke up. The Dane's biggest fear right now was waking up alone.

"I'm right here. I am not going to leave you." He said softly as he kissed the Dane's forehead.

Denmark's tense body relaxed instantly, but he got a faraway look of sadness in his eyes, "Nor did. Again."

"Yes. But as I have said, I am not Norway, and he is a dick." Iceland snipped.

"Ya shouldn't curse." Denmark said.

Iceland huffed, "well you shouldn't let an egotistical ass hat make you feel bad about yourself so we are even."

"He said he loved me. I don't understand. Why did he lie? Why couldn't he just tell me the truth if he hated me so much? It hurts.." Denmark lamented as he broke into tears.

Iceland hugged the Dane and rocked him slowly to comfort him. He made a mental note to kick the crap out of Norway even harder.

"Don't think about him. He doesn't deserve you." Iceland said. Even to him his voice sounded venomous.

Denmark shook his head, "Yer right. He deserves much better than me. I just want him to be happy."

"Mat, that isn't what I meant and you damn well know it. He doesn't deserve you because you're to good for him not the other way around." Iceland retorted using Denmark's human nickname. The two had spent so much time together now, that they either used nicknames or their human names when referencing each other.

Denmark wiped tears from his cheeks, "I don't think that's true... But thank you for staying with me Icey.. I'm not good enough for you either I know that..."

Iceland looked into Denmark's sad eyes and saw only anguish and self loathing. How could Denmark just feel that he was so... Worthless? Someone so loving and cheerful, and funny, and loyal, and all those things that made Denmark, well Denmark. Sure he wasn't perfect the Dane was hopelessly naïve, he was a bit on the loony side, and he had the attention span of a goldfish on crack, but no one was perfect. And just because Norway was acting like a total Asshat shouldn't make Denmark feel so terrible. Denmark was not the one who had done wrong he had been the one wronged. The one who cried for days afterward because he felt he wasn't worth loving. Iceland still hadn't been able to pull Denmark completely out of his sea of despair.

"Denmark that isn't true. You're the most kind loving and compassionate person I know. You deserve a little love and kindness back." Iceland stated firmly. He was getting overwhelmed. The Icelander couldn't think of a way to help Denmark overcome this pain.

Denmark remained silent, but Iceland could still tell that his words and action were at least easing Denmark's mind a little. Iceland sighed softly. 'Baby steps,' he thought, 'eventually I can help him get there.'

"Do you think you can stand Mat? It isn't very comfortable here on the floor." Iceland asked.

Denmark got a determined look and nodded before taking a shot at it. As Iceland had expected the Dane's legs shook weakly under his weight and gave out before he could get up. Iceland lunged to catch the Dane.

"Agh... Ow... I-I'm sorry I-Icey... D-dizzy..." Denmark mumbled face pale from the effort and his skin clammy from sickness and a developing fever.

"You're getting a fever. And you just had a nasty seizure. It is to be expected after all. I don't think I can pick you up without help though... Sweden? He is far away it'll take awhile for him to get here but I can't lift you on my own and I don't think that fever is going to get better before it gets worse..." Iceland reasoned mostly to himself.

Denmark was panting softly as his fever began to take hold of his reason. He mumbled something in Danish that Iceland could not quite catch.

"I'm calling Sweden" Iceland said calmly while internally freaking out.

The phone only rang twice before Sweden picked up. The Swede had apparently learned to answer Iceland's calls. 'That's good,' Iceland thought to himself, 'I'd hate to have to burn his goddamn house down.'

"H'llo?" Sweden asked. In the background, Iceland heard the car and someone who he assumed to be Finland.

"Sweden? I need your help. Bad. How soon can you get here?" Iceland said straight to the point. There wasn't any sense in beating around the metaphorical bush.

Sweden grunted then said, "bout f've."

"Hours?" Iceland asked thinking that Sweden must have already had a flight lined up.

"Min'tes. Ya d'dnt n'tice us cr'ssin?" Sweden said.

Iceland blinked. He hadn't noticed. He must have missed the feeling wording about Denmark. Now that he thought about it though, he certainly could feel two other nation's present in his country.

"No I didn't I was a little distracted. But I'm glad you are." Iceland said. They hung up, but true to his word, Sweden and Finland came into the house not five minutes later.

"Iceland! Denmark!" Finland's sweet voice called.

"In here!" Iceland returned. He heard the couple quickly approaching. Finland gasped when he saw the panting feverish Dane.

"Oh no! Is he ill?" Finland yelped kneeling at Iceland's side.

Iceland nodded, "He had another seizure and... Well the fever just started. But he can't get up and he is loopy. I can't lift him."

Denmark blinked slowly at Finland as if just now realizing he was there, "oh- Finny. Fin... What's Fin here for... Ya.. Come to see me Fin? Is Sve with ya?"

"'M here D'n. I gonna t'ke ya t' b'd now." Sweden said.

Iceland watched the Swede gently slide his arms under Denmark and lift him bridal style. He laid Denmark in Iceland's room where the Dane had been sleeping. Denmark still couldn't handle sleeping alone so he and Iceland slept together. Iceland, who had always fancied being alone, found that he actually liked the company.

Iceland sighed worriedly and looked at Finland who looked equally as on edge as the Icelander felt.

"What happened?" Finland asked softly.

"He is getting sicker and sicker. I don't know what to do." Iceland said in a burst as he huddled to Finland's chest.

Finland sighed and put soft comforting arms around Iceland, "There is not anything you can do Islanti. Not anything else anyway. You are doing everything you can, and you are doing a wonderful job."

"I don't want him to die Finland! It isn't fair!" Iceland cried with Denmark out of earshot.

"I know honey. None of us want Denmark to have to die. But this... Was his choice to make. And in his shoes I don't think anyone with a heart could say they would have done anything differently. All we can do is make sure he knows we all love him as we see him off. He has spent a lot of time feeling unloved so I think we are finally doing right by him." Finland said rubbing Iceland's back.

Iceland managed to calm down a little as he held his head against Finland's chest. The familiar scents of cinnamon and coffee that always were present when the Finn was around soothed his frayed nerves.

"We should've been there for him all along. Things could have been different." Iceland said bitterly.

"You are right about that. No matter how we wish for it though, we cannot go back in time. We must move forward and learn from our mistakes. Don't lose hope Islanti. Never that. We might find a way to save Denmark. Prepare for the worst, but do not give up hope." Finland replied softly.

Iceland nodded, "Thanks fin."

Finland kissed Iceland's head and let him go, "Everyone needs a little pep talk now and then. It was not the big deal. Now, I have brought the things to make hot cocoa. Would you like some?"

Iceland nodded quickly and followed Finland into the kitchen. Finland's cocoa was the best.

Sweden

The Swede easily lifted his Danish brother into his arms. Denmark's body was far too warm, and his cheeks burned from the fever. He laid the Dane down in Iceland's bed, as he was sure that they had been sharing a room, then stared resentfully at Denmark's swollen belly. As much as he tried, Sweden could not find it in himself to love the child that was sapping the life out of his brother's body.

He wouldn't be like Norway though. He wasn't about to run away just because things got hard. Even Sweden knew that was what Norway had done. And in a way, it was worse than if he had never tried to help Denmark in the first place. The poor Dane had been absolutely crushed when Norway left him for the second time. In made Sweden sick to watch Denmark pray for that stupid Norwegian to return even as the strength ebbed from his body.

Even worse, Norway had broken Iceland's fragile trust as well. Iceland had never before been forced to deal with such a betrayal, and the boy had not taken it well. Sweden thought that if Denmark and Iceland had not been together to comfort each other, they both would have fallen into that unreachable despair. Sweden sincerely worried about Iceland's ability to cope with Denmark's impending death, but he supposed that was a bridge to cross later.

For now, Sweden let Finland take care of Iceland. To tell the truth, Iceland was still upset with Sweden for not answering when he had called for help, they had only just started making up. Not to mention that Finland would just be naturally better at comforting the Icelander. Finland's was a sweet motherly man. Sweden would be much too awkward and intense.

He put a cold wet cloth on Denmark's forehead. Denmark groaned and shivered in his sleep then began to mumble in Danish. Sweden watched the scene. He was aware that the Dane was likely having a bad dream, but he hasn't the slightest idea of what he could do to calm the Dane, so he just decided to wake him up.

"Hej Den, g't up." Sweden grunted giving Denmark a firm shake.

The Dane groaned but woke up. His eyes; however, were glazed over and Sweden knew he was not in his right mind.

"Ya okay?" Sweden said concerned. He was beginning to think that maybe Finland was better suited for helping both Denmark and Iceland.

Denmark just clinged to Sweden and began to cry. Sweden had absolutely no idea what to do so he rubbed Denmark's back slowly. He definitely needed Finland.

"Den… 's okay d'n't cry…" Sweden said in what he hoped was a comforting tone.

Denmark tried to calm down the Swede could see that he did but he fell shor and continued to cry. Sweden for lack of a better course of action held Denmark as he cried. It seemed to take forever but finally the Dane calmed.

"Sorry Sve…" he mumbled.

Sweden shook his head, "s'ok. Ya were ups't."

Denmark nodded, "Do ya think Norway will at least acknowledge the baby?"

"I dunno D'n." Sweden sighed, "It d'esn't m'tter. We c'n t'ke care 'f it w'thout h'm."

"I don't want my child to not know her father..." Denmark mumbled.

"..." Sweden didn't know what to say, or how Denmark was so sure his baby was a girl but he did know that he was no good at this. He had no clue how to comfort the Dane.

".. Sve... I am probably not going to live. I just... Want her to know at least one of her parents." Denmark said softly.

"Ya are g'in' t' l've Dan. Ya aren't all'wed t' die." Sweden persisted.

Denmark laughed but even Sweden could tell it was forced. The poor Dane just wasn't himself anymore.

"Ya don't need him y'know. Ya g't us." Sweden said a little more coolly than he had intended.

"I know Sve. I love you guys. But soon ya will all want to go as well. I just... Want to make sure someone will take care of her." Denmark mumbled.

"Den, we aren't g'in' anywh're! We are st'yin' r'ght here w'th ya no m'tter wh't. And yer g'in' t' t'ke c're of th' b'by w'th us." Sweden said.

Denmark smiles wistfully, "I hope so... I really really do Sve."

Sweden sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He was very worried but at the same time he knew firsthand how strong the Dane was when he wanted to be. He had no doubt the man could make it through this.

The Swedish man a almost sighed with relief when Finland and Iceland came in. Both he and Denmark were given cups of cocoa.

"Tak Finny." Denmark said taking a sip. Chocolate of any sort was his weakness. In fact the only thing Sweden knew of that Denmark didn't like sweet was his coffee.

Sweden looks at Finland in what he hoped was a thankful manner. There was still something they needed to talk about with Denmark and he knew he would need help to get the point across.

Finland

He sighed and sat down beside Sweden. Iceland went to Denmark and got comfortable in the bed beside the Dane. Finland sighed once more and tried to think of how to start.

"Ta-san we have something to speak about." Finland started.

Denmark looked frightened, "okay... What is it?"

Finland shifted, "it is about the meeting. You didn't go to the last one. The other nations will begin asking questions if you miss this one too. Not to mention with you condition as it is... Well it would be better if you told them all in person tomorrow."

"That's all? Ja I get what you mean... But I can't really travel like this." Denmark said logically.

"Sweden and I had it relocated to Stockholm. It isn't far. We have to leave tonight though to be on time." Finland replied. He had not expected that to be so easy.

"Okej. I should get ready then." Denmark said.

Iceland helped the Dane up, "You will need some help…"

Finland and Sweden shared a wary glance. They both knew this was going to prove to be a much bigger task than it seemed. Norway would be at the meeting and gods above knew how Denmark would react to it. More importantly there was the manner of their announcement.

With so many things poised to go wrong it was only a matter of how many things could possibly do so at once. But Finland for one did not like that sort of thinking. He always prided himself as an optimist. And if things started to turn for the worst, Finland vowed that he would stop it. Denmark and Sweden weren't the only vikings in the room after all.