"Then the firecrackers went off, hitting the table and sending the cake splattering all over the carpet." Hong Kong recounted, hitching the strap of his messenger bag up his shoulder.

"No way…" Iceland breathed quietly, turning a corner leading to the Newspaper club while staring wide-eyed at the Asian, "What did you do?"

"Ran away, hid in the garden behind the-"

"DUDES! DUDES, WAIT UP!"

Turning around, the two saw a tall blonde boy with a cowlick bouncing up to them with papers in his hands: America. Once he screeched to a halt in front of them, he shoved two of the papers out.

"I'm having a wicked party at my place this Friday; you guys totally have to come!" America exclaimed, nudging the papers towards the two again, "Everyone is going to be there so, it's gonna be amazing!"

The two slowly each took a paper before giving the blonde a hesitant smile.

"Thank you, America, we'll uh, get back to you on that." The brunette replied.

His response was met with a beaming smile, "Awesome! I'll see you guys at the party then! I still got to invite some more people; later!"

Giving a quick wave, America ran down the hallway, flyers waving in his hands.

The Icelander glanced down at the flyer, skimming over the words.

"…Are you interested in going? To the party, I mean."

Iceland glanced up at his friend, watching his eyes quickly flicker back the paper in his hand. His posture was lacklustre but Iceland could tell that some of the vapidity in his voice was just for show.

He paused for a while before answering; "Honestly, no. I'd much rather stay home quite frankly."

Hong Kong nodded at this, making him continue, "But…there is a chance Norway may drag me to it, saying it will be good for international relations to 'mingle' a bit."

The Asian arched an eyebrow, "Really, he tries that on you too? China's the same. It's like they forget the party hosted by a couple plastered teenagers, grinding on anyone and everyone to crappy house music, not a summit meeting."

Iceland snorted, "Yeah because of course after waking up smelling like alcohol, sweat and shame; the first thing you think of is: 'Wow…I am so glad I talked to that Icelandic kid about the political standpoint of Starbucks last night.'"

The brunette gave a wry smile, "Your sarky bluntness is what I love the most about you, Ice."

The Icelander laughed, patting his arm, "Thanks, the feeling's mutual."

"OH MY GOD! IS THAT A LOVE CONFESSION I HEAR~?"

Before they can even turn their heads towards the sound, Iceland watched his friend get swept up and lifted off the ground in a whirlwind of blonde and blue.

Denmark…oh god.

"I accept, I ACCEPT! Oh my gosh, welcome to the family~!" The Dane exclaimed, twirling and hugging the Asian (quite obviously, if Hong Kong's look of pain is anything to go by) tightly.

"Denmark…" Iceland warned wearily.

"I wasn't so sure because I hadn't met you yet but if Icey's confession and Norge's lack of protest is anything to go by then you have to be a good kid!" Denmark babbled quickly.

"Denmark."

"Sweet little Icey doesn't have a lot of friends and it seems the sex drive of a dead sloth so if you can get that rusty engine going and stick around for a chat afterwards then more power to ya, my friend!"

The Icelander blushed a bright red, "Denmark!"

"Honestly, who wouldn't want that face? I mean look at him!" The blonde exclaimed, turning the Asian's face towards Iceland, "He's adorable! He gets it from me, you know? Norge always tries to choke me when I say that but I know it's true~"

Iceland heaved a sigh and muttered, "If only he appeared right now…"

Denmark set the Hong Konger on the ground, facing him and his gaze suddenly turned intense, "You agree with me, yeah? That Iceland is perfect in every single way and there's no one you want more than him, hm~?"

The Dane put a hand on the Asian's shoulder, towering over him and giving an intimidatingly calm, sweet smile, "Because if I ever see you looking at anyone else in a way that is not strictly platonic, I will be forced to break every bone in your body, okay~?"

"Oh, for the love of-!" Iceland quickly snatched Hong Kong out of the Dane's reach, pulling him back by his side before turning to glare at his attacker, "There's no need for your ridiculous, cliché threats, Denmark; we're not dating."

The blonde lifted his arms in surrender, grinning teasingly, "Now, now, Icey, calm down. I'm just having a chat with him, no need to get all territorial on me~!"

The silver haired teen groaned, looking to his friend. His cheeks were slightly pink and his soft, chocolate hair looked a bit messy from Denmark's twirl hug, falling into his eyes but he was in one piece.

"Sorry." The Icelander mouthed.

Hong Kong gave a small smile, mouthing "it's okay" back.

"And by the way, you don't to lie to me." Denmark chattered on, "I know when people are dating! You see, last year-!"

Iceland glanced back to the Asian, pointing his fingers to his head like a gun and 'firing' it. The melodic laugh he got in return seemed to wash out every single other sound around them, even Denmark's idiocies.

"We're going by the way."

The silver haired looked up from his book toward his doorway, where his brother was standing, giving him a confused look, "What? Going where?"

"To America's party," Norway replied, sipping from the mug in his hands, "This Friday, we're going as well."

Iceland blinked, processing his brother's words.

'Hong Kong said China will probably drag him there too…'

"…Okay." Iceland replied, looking back to his book.

Norway's mug froze mid-way from his lips, ready to taking another sip. Silence filled the room, making Iceland glance up seeing Norway staring back.

His brow frowned, "What?"

"That was too easy…" Norway stated, giving the teen a levelled look, "You wanted to go, didn't you?"

The Icelander looked away, letting more silence fill the room.

"Hm, as I thought… Well, he's coming too, in case you were worried." The Norwegian continued, "China is 'dragging' him there as well. But I'm sure that won't be too difficult either, after seeing your reaction."

A flip of a page is Iceland's only acknowledgement. He kept his eyes on the page, maybe if he didn't talk, he'd go away.

Minutes passed as Iceland waited for the sound of retreating footstep, waited for that feeling of being stared at to stop.

The Icelander whipped his head back up, ready to retort an angry 'what do you want?!' but what he saw made he stop short.

Norway was staring blankly at him with a bit of…concern?

"…You're okay, right? You know what you're doing?"

Iceland sighed, closing his book; the blonde didn't have to say his name to know who they were now talking about.

"I'm fine, Lukas. There's nothing to do about anything because nothing is happening." The teen stated firmly, "We're just friends, alright?"

"But that's not all you want, is it?"

Norway's retort is met with silence. He sighed, "Just let me know if you get in over your head, okay?"

The Icelander quickly turned away, "I can handle it myself but fine, whatever."

Norway stared a little more before sighing and turning to leave the room.

'I hope you do, Týr. For your sake, I hope so…'

Author's Note: I'm sorry. No excuse, I'm just...sorry. :/

((Thank you for ready and reviews = love! ))