Brisk fully walking away from Denmark and Norway, Iceland let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding.

"That was close…" he whispered to himself. 'They almost met him…'

Well…Iceland didn't really mind Norway meeting Hong Kong (again) but him meeting Denmark; that's a whole different story. Okay, let's get one thing straight; Denmark is really annoying…! He's really loud, hard-headed and stubborn. And, to Iceland's confusion, he's weirdly protective of him. So, trying to keep Hong Kong away from that type of person isn't being ashamed or embarrassed of his 'family'; it was just being considerate!

'Yeah…considerate…' Pulling out his schedule, Iceland checked where and what his next class was.

'English...' He thought, 'Not bad.'

Working his way through the crowd and walking up a flight or two of stairs, Iceland arrived at his destination. Walking into the classroom, he saw that the majority of the students were already there. He walked to the back of the class and sat by the window. Taking out his books from his bag, his eyes moved to the clock.

Iceland sighed, setting his bag under his desk, 'Why can't today just be over already…'

"Hey."

Iceland looked up from under his desk to the all too familiar voice of none other than Hong Kong. 'Yeah, of course it would be him…'

"H-Hi…" The Icelandic replied.

"…Would you mind if I sit here?"

"Oh, no, not at all…"

After the Hong Konger sat down, things became eerily quiet between the two. Both sat faced forward, staring awkwardly ahead of them rather than each other.

But after a while, Hong Kong finally took a breath and turned to the Icelandic, "So um-!"

"Alright class!" The English teacher exclaimed, walking into the room; high heels clicking against the classroom floor. "Everyone, take your seats and open your textbooks please."

Hong Kong turned back to his desk and flipped open his books.

Iceland breath out in relief, 'That was close…'

Who knew avoiding talking to someone was so hard? Iceland didn't really want to but to keeps Hong Kong from thinking he wasn't a weirdo; Iceland had no choice but to keep his distance…

'Ugh…Why do I have to be so awkward?!' Iceland groaned in his head.

This was going to be a dreadful day…

Iceland couldn't have been more right; the more his day progressed, the shittier it got. Iceland had been avoiding Hong Kong for five classes straight so by the time the second break rolled around, he was exhausted. Sitting in the only class Hong Kong didn't have with him, Iceland started thinking over his 'master plan' from before.

'Avoiding someone to make sure you stay friends'? That was the worst idea he could have of! How does that possible make you get closer to someone?! All it really does is push them away. But it was too late now. The damage was done and by now, Hong Kong must have hated him…

As much as Iceland wanted to blame someone else for being so anti-social and weird, Iceland knew he did it to himself. No one had told him to run away and act cold towards the Asian, Iceland's stupid illogical thinking did it.

'There's no one to blame by myself…' Iceland thought, sighing and burying his face in his folded arms.

The bell rang, ending the class and Iceland's school day.

'I'm just going to go home and sulk…' he thought as he slowly gathered his things and walked out of the class.

Turning around the corner to the Newspaper club, Iceland saw Hong Kong standing there, leaning against the wall. His messenger bag sitting by his feet and his eyes fixed on staring out the window.

Iceland stopped at first but then started walking forward again.

'That's right, universe. Rub it in even more, I deserve it…'

Upon hearing the oncoming footsteps, Hong Kong looked up.

"Oh. Hello, Iceland."

Iceland froze. Wait…Hong Kong was… talking to him?

"H-Hi, Hong Kong" Iceland replied, slowing down to talk, "Waiting for China again?"

"Yeah, now until Friday."

Iceland raised his eyebrow, "Why until Friday?"

"I lost a bet. Now my so-called 'punishment' is to walk home with China for a week."

"Oh, I see…"

"And you?" The Hong Konger asked, "Did you lose a bet and are waiting here against your will?"

"Lost a bet, no. Waiting here against my will, yes. My brother always makes me walk home with him."

"Always?" Hong Kong repeated.

"Yes, every single day sadly."

"So…where do you usually hang out while waiting for your brother?" The Hong Konger asked, curiosity lingering in his voice.

Iceland shrugged, "The library. It's the best place to sit down and kill time."

"I see… So… if I can't find you, you'd be in the library?"

"Uh.. yeah, most likely." Iceland narrowed his eyes in confusion, "Why do you ask?"

Hong Kong shrugged and smiled a little, "Just wanted to know."

There it was; that feeling Iceland felt whenever he saw the brunette smile. It felt like his heart skipped a beat or just stopped for a second.

Iceland was starting to wonder if he had a heart arrhythmia…

"Ah, Kaoru."

Hong Kong and Iceland turned to see China standing in the doorway of the Newspaper club with his school bag.

"Oh, Iceland, it's nice to see you aru."

Iceland gave a quiet nod, looking at the two.

"So, what were you two doing aru?"

"Talking." Hong Kong said casually.

China's eyes widened, "Really?!"

Both Hong Kong and Iceland raised their eyebrows in slight confusion.

"Yeah… So, you're done now?" the brunette asked.

"Huh? Oh uh…no. No, I'm not aru."

"Then why do you have your bag with you?"

"Oh, I uh…have to do some research in the uh…outside aru!"

Hong Kong narrowed his eyes, "…'the outside'?"

"Okay, I'm going to go now aru. You two keep talking aru! Go to the library again aru~!" China called back, somewhat prancing down the hall.

Hong Kong and Iceland watched in confusion as the Chinese nation left.

…What the hell?

"Wow…"

Iceland looked beside him to see Hong Kong lightly shaking his head with a smile on his face.

"I knew he was desperate but honestly… He's not very discreet."

"Uh, what exactly happened just now?" Iceland asked slowly.

"Nothing, he's just being silly…"

Iceland waited for further explanation which eventually Hong Kong caved in and gave.

"My brother thinks I'm too much of a shut-in so, he practically jumps at any opportunity of me getting to know someone and becoming friends." Hong Kong explained, "This is just his way of achieving it; acting super weird and confusing people."

"So does that mean-?" Iceland stopped mid-way; he didn't want to finish that sentence.

"Hm?" the Hong Konger looked up at him, "Does what?"

"Does that…uh-"

'No, Týr, please don't do this! He somehow forgave you for acting like a jackass and avoiding him all day; do not ruin it by asking stupid, clingy questions!'

"Does that…-" Iceland trailed off again, looking down.

Hong Kong titled his head, looking at the Icelandic, "Yes?"

"… Are we friends?"

Iceland didn't mean to say it but it just came out. Iceland watched in nervous anticipation as he saw Hong Kong's look of confusion turn to a look of slight shock and then, much to Iceland's surprise, a look of amusement.

"Well, what a peculiar question… I don't know, are we?"

"…I think we are…" Iceland replied softly, making Hong Kong laugh under his breath.

"Good, I'd hope so."

Author's note: I'm so sorry this took so so long to update!T^T I'd like to make up a really good excuse right now but the truth is I got bored and forgot about the story. Thank you everyone who favourited and followed this story! I love you all and it really boosts my confindence of my writing skills. :) I'll start writting the 8th chapter right away!

As always, thank you for reading and reviews = love~!