A/N: World Cup's in full swing and the angst is in bloom. I have to say when writing this chapter I started to write all of France's dialogue, until I remembered I only rated this story T. And the angst is in full swing here... again... But I'd like to take this opportunity to note I do know France isn't Norway's older brother, but one of my favorite strips is "Manipulating Public Opinion with Big Brother France" hence why the title is what it is.

I don't own Hetalia, but I do own mad skills when it comes to falling off of a six foot tall box.


Confident he would be safe in his own room, Norway woke up in his bed at the hotel holding an envelope. He'd used basic print handwriting so Denmark couldn't decipher who sent it to him. Setting the letter on the table he took a hasty shower and got changed. He slung his curling bag over the shoulder then hastily left the room. He crept down the hallway and slid the note under Denmark's door before fleeing to the far end and heading down the stairs. He walked to the curling hall, one finger running along his beret praying his plan worked. After dropping his kit as usual, he ascended from the locker rooms to find France standing around, looking flashy as always.

"Ah Norway I see you've finally gained some elegance to your wardrobe." The scruffy nation smiled charmingly.

Norway shook his hand, "same old France."

"Aha, well I hear you have relationship troubles, ma fleur du nord." France flicked his hair while they slid down the misted ice.

Norway's normally neutral frown fell into his death glare. "First off, it's not my flower of the north, it's Norway. Second, it's not rela-" he paused. This was exactly what got him into relationship trouble in the first place. "Okay fine it is a relationship issue but it's none of your business."

"Mon Dieu, did you really think that I wouldn't hear? Half of the world knows about your lovers spat with Denmark." France noted as they started the first end.

"Just because you heard about it doesn't mean that I need your help." Norway replied coldly.

The taller nation gave another of his hearty laughs, "well I can see why you and Denmark hit a snag. Such an unlikable personality, no wonder he ran away from you." He paused to sweep then stood up, "if it were me, I'd-"

"Say Darnell; is it just me or Norway turning redder than a tomato?" Tenoh asked her brother confused.

He gazed at the Nordic for a moment, "no, it's more of a blood red."

Tenoh whipped out her cell phone and snapped a picture, "alright, I'll send this to Boss Hungary." She tapped out a phone number then attached the picture, then clicked send.

Back on the ice, Norway hit a blue screen of death, well a mental stopping point. Everything France had said was so kinky that he'd just about clocked the other nation. The other half was embarrassed about the fact he'd been involved with the scenario. The finale of the third end saw Norway tied up at two to two. He'd barely managed to shake off what the other nation had told him.

"Ma fleur du nord, you seem to be a bit ill. Shall I fetch you some water?" France flicked his bangs while a few sparkles filled the air.

"No... I'm fine thank you," Norway mumbled.

"Well in that case I shall aid you in your quest to capture the heart of Denmark." France giggled and kissed Norway's cheek before whispering, "Now after the match-"

Another photo from Tenoh's phone, followed by another text message. The fan closed her phone then opened it dialing before placing it to her ear. "C'mon pick up, pick up!"

"Hello! Hungary speaking," the nation answered.

"Boss Falcon, it's Corporal Demon Dog, we got a situation at the curling ring." Tenoh noted, stealing her brother's binoculars and holding them up. "We could have a love triangle, type two. Orders?"

Hungary paused from the conversation, "Go Austria! Oh sorry, is the match still going on?"

Tenoh checked the clock and nudged her brother, "how much time left?"

"One and a half ends to go," he replied.

She frowned, "'bout another twenty minutes. What're your orders Boss?"

"Monitor for now, soon as the match is over run interference." Hungary replied, "I have to go, Austria just finished his run."

"Over and out Boss," Tenoh hung up.

Norway had a headache but he pulled off a two to nine victory over France. He'd never felt such a strange combination of lust and annoyance. So when he shook hands with France he was surprised to have been swept off of his feet. France had one arm along Norway's back, while his hand clutched Norway's. Somehow in the space of a few seconds France had removed his shirt, leaving Norway wondering how the other nation had pulled it off without him noticing, for lack of a better pun. "And now we go to Belle's and celebrate!"

"Um... France, this is all rather very sudden," Norway replied, his eyes scanning to see if Denmark was around. With any luck this plan would get the other Nordic to come to his rescue.

As France leaned in to kiss him a large black something tackled the nation. Norway fell onto the ground rubbing his head as he sat up. A large black spirit dog sat on France's chest barking. The Nordic waved the dog over, it wasn't unusual to see spirit animals hanging around him. Though this was his first time seeing Surma, the dog that supposedly guarded the doors to Tuonela in Finnish myth. "Great I suppose I'm going to die now."

"Nah, I was fired from the whole 'God of Death' post for plotting to kill all the other gods," the dog replied and licked his face.

"Well you know I was expecting Denmark to rescue me," Norway noted scratching behind Surma's ear.

The dog let out a bark, "well considering he's not here, I thought you needed saving. But don't you have to go?"

He stood up and walked towards the locker room, "true. I'll see you later okay Surma."

"Later," the dog wandered off disappearing into a shadow.

Norway gathered his things leaving France lying there unconscious. He felt a little bad about it but not so horrible that he would actually go help the other nation. He returned to his hotel room, showering for the second time that day followed by putting on his nicest naval outfit. He put on some cologne, and then swallowed as he put in his Northern Cross beret in his hair. He got in the elevator and rode it down, exited the hotel, and walked to Belgium's bar.

Up in a tree, Tenoh swung by her legs holding a walkie talkie up. "Demon Dog to Pirate Queen, Lionheart has entered the den."

Belgium put a watch up to her mouth. "Copy that Demon Dog, maintain vigil for Warrior Bear." She set the plate down and kept circulating through the bar taking orders. Switzerland found himself helping take orders while Belgium's brother Luxembourg worked the kitchen frantically trying to cook for all the nations crammed into the restaurant. Norway had taken the reserved seat in the corner fidgeting with worry. Up at the bar, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Finland and Iceland had filled in. If something went wrong Italy could raise the alarm and send the rest into action. Poland and Lithuania sat with Estonia, Latvia and Sealand, while Romano and Spain sat at the table next to them. She wished that they could have gotten more people here, but Lichtenstein and Canada walked in smiling.

"Table for two please Miss Belle," Lichtenstein smiled.

Belgium led them over to the table next to Norway, who kept glancing up at the clock frantically. She sat them down with the menu, and then she walked over to check on Norway. "Can I get you anything Nils?"

"No it's okay... he's late is all..." He mumbled hanging his head.

She smiled, "don't worry, he hasn't stood you up."

Norway sighed and hung his head, "alright then."

He watched her walk over to the group by the window, and then stared up at the ceiling. The Nordic was sure that Denmark would at least have had enough respect left for him to show up before telling him off. Soon the minutes turned into hours, still without any sign of Denmark at the door. He glanced up at the clock again, it was nine at night. Denmark had stood him up after all.

He wandered up to the now deserted bar hanging his head. The Nordic felt tears running down his face while Belgium finished cleaning up, she held up her wristwatch, "Pirate Queen to Demon Dog, mission failed, go and get some sleep." She set the rag on the hook by the sink rooting around on the shelf pulling out the bottle of akevitt. She pored him a shot while grabbing herself a beer before she sat down next to him. "Nils, I'm not sure what to tell you."

"Not your fault Belle," Norway sighed and downed his akevitt in one go. "It was a mistake coming here, I'm finishing the tournament, and then I'll be out on the first flight to Reykjavík."

Belgium sighed listening to the sound of Switzerland washing dishes in the kitchen. "I'm sorry. Anything I can do to help you out?"

"You've been a big help already, more than I could ask for." He gave her a hug before setting his cash on the table. "I'm sorry for putting you and Vash through all this trouble for me."

"No problem, and if you ever want to talk, you know where to find me," she smiled at him sadly before he got up and left.

Norway walked through the door and the gently falling snow, wishing the snow would also freeze his tears. Part of his country crossed the arctic circle, so he knew cold, hoping that frozen land would help harden his heart against the turn of events. He hugged himself walking back up the stairs to his room. He opened the door sliding inside. Once in he took his Northern Cross beret out of his hair, hurling it across the room. He pulled off his hat and went face down on his bed crying. He knew he deserved at least part of this, but it still stung deeply. He finally stopped sobbing as he fell asleep.


A/N: I'd just like to point out that I cried writing this and decided that starting next chapter I had to stop being so depressing, you came here to see these two hook up, and some curling along with pants on the side. So starting next chapter things will be more optimistic or my name's not: Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gombigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andri Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser III. (If you know where this is from you will get a cookie.)