A/N: The following chapter makes references to self harm and sex. Viewer discretion is advised.

By the time Norway turned to face the kitchen table, two mugs of black coffee in hand, Iceland was still staring at something in the distance. His elbows wobbled on the surface, the journal placed neatly between them.

The brother was remorseful for scaring the teenager. It didn't take much for the island nation to be spooked, and the activities of the day had definitely drained the energy out of him. Iceland wasn't used to confrontation, that was for sure. The man had to remind himself that he was capable of being aggressive and persistent; once a Viking, always a Viking. He set the dishes in the center of the circular table and took a seat across from the occupied chair.

Norway cupped the beverage with both hands and took a generous sip. He gave himself a moment to choose his words, waiting until the teenager reached to grab his own coffee.

"Am I annoying?" It wasn't exactly what the elder wanted to ask. He didn't expect it to come across as a pitiable apology.

Iceland set his cup down, coffee untouched. He chewed his lip and looked away.

"Uh, er, no." Their eyes met once again. The younger quickly grabbed for his drink, as if a result of an afterthought, and took a sip. "You're not annoying. Why would you be?"

"Because I'm always checking up on you," Norway stated, scratching the back of his head. "I just want what's best for you."

The teenaged nation fingered the handle of his cup. A few seconds of silence commenced before he opened his mouth again. "Why are you in my house?"

"I'm the one asking the questions here-"

"Why are you in my house?" Iceland repeated.

Could Norway tell him? Would his brother even believe him?

He inhaled sharply. "To give you your Christmas gift," he lied, taking a large swig of his coffee.

Iceland's eyes widened, however his tone was soft. "Christmas is next week. Aren't we all meeting at Sweden's house for the holidays?"

The Norwegian knew he had him. What a child. He nodded, but he couldn't continue his defense without being cut off.

"If I didn't know any better, you showed up to my house unannounced to snoop around and see what I already own so you don't accidentally give me something I have," The teen continued, now moving his hands to his book. Norway watched his fingers dance around the binding. Quarreling was pointless; there was a more serious matter at hand.

"Watch it, Den."

Iceland made a face in response. Did he always have such an attitude?

"I have Viking intuition. Besides, we're here to talk about that." He gestured to the book. "Now show me your arm."

The island flared his nostrils. His arms made their way under the table, his brows knitting.

"It was only one time-"

"No, it wasn't-"

"I've stopped-"

"No, you haven't." Norway pushed his chair back and readied himself to stand. Iceland followed suit and headed for the front door, keeping his hands behind his back. The teenager's chest heaved as his brother approached him.

"Why don't you believe me? Go ask Fin if you need proof!"

"...Fin?" Norway's frustration was replaced with confusion.

"Yeah uh..." Iceland cautiously moved his arms to his front. He inspected his sleeves before slowly rolling up his left arm. "He caught me doing it back in November. Remember when we all stayed at Denmark's house before the last meeting, and you all thought I was sleeping in?"

The man recalled the incident clearly. His younger brother was an early riser-just like him-and the other Nordics had found it odd that he was still sleeping once eight o'clock struck. Norway suspected he stayed up late doing whatever it was he did at night. Finland, who needed to wake Sealand and Ladonia, offered to check on him while the others prepared for the world meeting. Surprisingly the two boys made it down the stairs before Fin and Ice, but now the reasoning was clear.

"I was feeling this really bad anxiety when I woke up so I just...started doing it. You get creative with what you can find. I checked the clock after and realized it was almost eight and I panicked. That's when Fin barged in and saw what I was doing. He cleaned me up and promised me he wouldn't tell anyone if I stopped permanently."

The teen rubbed his forearm before revealing the skin underneath. "I'm surprised you didn't read about it," he said softly.

Norway wrapped his cool fingertips around the other's wrist. The marks were hardly visible and could almost pass as scratches from his pet puffin. He traced around a few short lines, making Iceland retract. The younger brother rushed his sleeve back down and crossed his arms. Norway mentally recalled a recent conversation he held with the Finnish nation. They had been discussing their plans for the upcoming holiday when Finland mentioned the youngest Nordic.

"Hey, how's Icey doing?"

"He's doing good, I'm sure."

"Have you talked to him lately?"

"No. You know how he is, being a teenager and everything." The Norwegian had been preparing lunch when the phone rang. He stuck a finger in his mouth to taste the seasoning stuck to it.

"Oh." Now that he thought about it, Finland allowed a sigh to release before he continued speaking in his usual, jolly tone. "Well, ask him if he needs anything and let me know!"

"Am I on the nice list too?"

"Har har, you're too funny Nor!"

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Norway could feel something land in his stomach. He searched for something in his brother's eyes. What it was, he wasn't sure, and he wouldn't be able to find it. He was a Viking once; surrounded by gold and pillaging, brawls and sex, he spent most of his adolescence as a warrior. Norway didn't have the chance to fight internal battles when all of his were external. He understood why the other Nordic wouldn't tell him about his brother's self harming habits. Finland had a maternal instinct, and he couldn't do anything except appreciate him for taking care of the wounds presented.

"He kept his promise."

"Yup." Iceland passed the elder and took his seat at the table. Norway did the same.

"Who else knows?"

"No one. Just you two."

"What about your friends?" The man finished his now lukewarm drink. He watched the other's expression transform from defensive to solemn.

"They don't know either. That's not something I really talk about."

"No shit."

A hint of a smile crept onto Iceland's soft face. It disappeared when his gaze met the journal in front of him. "How much of this did you read?"

The nation smirked and leaned on his resting arm. "Enough to know you went on your first ever date."

Iceland was speechless. His mouth gaped as his cheeks became a hot shade of pink. "Yeah uh, yeah I did."

"Ice, why didn't you tell me? That's so cute!"

"No it's not! It's just a date."

"What is she like? Are you still seeing her?"

He nodded and sobered up with a gulp of coffee. The teenager described Blue in great detail. Norway learned that she was a small country like himself. She was tall, she was an island, and she too broke out with acne when a volcano was going to erupt. He even mentioned their second date, where they watched a movie on his couch.

"Did you use protection?"

"Gross. You sound like Denmark."

"But did you?"

"I'm not into that kind of stuff."

"You don't want to contract anything-"

"-I meant sex. I'm not interested in having it anytime soon. God, you stopped reading before it got juicy."

Once Iceland opened up, he surprised his brother by offering to show him pictures of his friends. His phone held an album of their faces, and the Norwegian found himself focusing hard as he recognized each teenager. The Nordic country was pinched into most of the group photos, but he looked like he belonged. He was looking at a group of close friends, and for once it seemed Iceland blended in with others. Iceland was an immortal nation, but he was also sixteen. There wasn't a need to grow up so quickly. How can you act like an adult when you haven't acted your age?

Orange light began to shine through the kitchen window by the time they finished talking. Conversing about their lives took up most of the afternoon. Iceland's cup of coffee grew cold as he informed his brother about his anonymous life, painting the picture of a teenager who was finally exploring the outside world. The elder mentioned his remark about Estonia being a 'bowl-cut freak', and he was pleased to finally share a laugh with the other country after years of isolation and distance.

"You know, I think I'm feeling better."

"That's good." Norway retrieved his coat from the other's bedroom and took his time buttoning it shut on his body. He turned to the front door and placed a hand on the doorknob.

"Sorry for yelling earlier." The younger sibling collected the mugs from the table and placed them in his empty sink.

"No, I should apologize."

"Don't. I needed it, I think," Iceland stated, meeting him at the entrance. There was a noticeable bounce in his step as he walked towards the country. Norway suddenly didn't feel like opening the door. He wanted to wrap his brother in his arms and hold him like he was a child again. His face held a kind of innocence to it.

"Can I tell you something?"

"What's up?"

Ah, teenager talk. "Being a country is hard. Some days you feel lucky, while other times it feels like the whole world is against you. We're all in the same boat here."

"I'm just an island. I'm not a superpower or even remembered on maps most of the time. Why am I even necessary?" The younger croaked as he finished his words.

Norway reached his other hand out to his brother and grasped his shoulder, shocking both of them.

"Ice, I don't think I could have made it this far without you. Any of us, actually. I'm not saying you have it easy, but a lot of us nations act the way we do because we wanted to create a better world for you and your friends."

Iceland opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off.

"You have plenty of time to make an impact. Don't stress too much over it, okay?"

"Okay." The younger nation gave him a shy grin. The other removed his hand from his body and pulled his gloves onto his calloused hands. He noticed Iceland's smile and couldn't help but see some of Denmark in his features.

"Wait, where's my gift?"

Shit, that's right. I told him I brought something, didn't I?

Norway watched the setting sun shrink from the sky. He turned the doorknob and welcomed the winter air into the house. The coolness from within was replaced with the crisp, chilled air. He swung to face his teenaged brother one final time.

"I just gave it to you."