Chapter Two
And dear, my love, haven't you longed to be free?
When Iceland got home a few hours later, he was surprised to find Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark all taking up space in his living room, waiting for him, if hazard a guess.
"What are you doing here?" he asked the group, slipping off his shoes and placing them next to the couch.
"We want to know what happened!" said Finland.
Iceland frowned and gave them all wary glances. "With what? You were all at the world meeting."
"You know that's not what we're talking about," said Denmark with a grin, stepping over to Iceland and clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"I would prefer it if you would just leave," he said, pushing Denmark's hand from his shoulder and turning to go to the kitchen.
Norway moved in front of him, stopping his path through the doorway.
"We're not leaving until you give us answers," he said, his tone serious, but nonthreatening, his face surprisingly expressionless.
Iceland sighed. "Is this really necessary? It was just ice cream," he said, turning to look at the rest of the group.
"You went out for ice cream?" said Finland excitedly from where he sat on the couch next to Sweden.
"Yes, we did," Iceland said calmly, though there was a hint of annoyance. Really, was it so important that he went to ice cream with Switzerland and Liechtenstein that it would prompt this… onslaught?
They all looked at him expectantly and he sighed, what more did they expect of him? It's not like anything much had happened.
"So, how did it go?" Denmark asked.
Iceland cast him a glance.
"Come on little brother. We've watched you stare at her for months, tell us how it went," said Norway from behind Iceland.
Iceland was silent for a long moment as they waited. Finally he sighed.
"I asked her out to eat after the meeting, she asked if I wanted to go out to ice cream with her and her brother instead and I accepted. We went out, we had ice cream, we chatted, it was all very nice, the end," he said, turning promptly around and nudging his way around Norway and into the kitchen.
"Will you see her again?" Iceland recognized Sweden's deep voice as it drifted in from the living room.
Iceland was silent for a moment as he opened the cupboard and pulled down his stash of licorice. Really, what was with all of these questions? But he found himself unable to be annoyed as it was a rather decent question. As he put the lid back on the container and lifted it back into the cupboard. Was he going to see her again?
He could feel the others watching him through the doorway, waiting, expecting an answer.
"I asked her out again and she refused," he answered.
"That didn't answer the question," Norway prodded.
Iceland cast him an annoyed glance, was nothing good enough for these guys?
He took a bite of licorice and chewed slowly, mulling over the answer. He had been rejected, yes, but he wasn't going to be heartbroken or defeated because of it. Perhaps he had moved too fast, even if it couldn't be love, he had at least decided that he enjoyed spending time with the young woman.
After swallowing he looked up and met the eyes of the rest of the Nords.
"Yes," he answered.
The knock at the door that disrupted the Swiss from his tea came as a shock. But what came as more of a shock was the Icelandic boy that stood waiting patiently on his doorstep when he finally opened the door.
"Hello, Switzerland," Iceland greeted casually with a small nod.
Switzerland frowned, he could tell immediately that this was not the same boy he had taken out to ice cream several weeks ago. That boy had been nervous, and childlike, eager to impress and careful not to anger or annoy. But now, here he was, the Iceland that Switzerland was more accustomed to seeing at meetings from time to time. Cool and collected, with a far of maturity that contrasted his young looks.
"Hello, Iceland," Switzerland greeted, a touch bitterly. How rude to show up here unannounced, acting like the Swiss was completely oblivious as to why he was there at all.
"May I come in?" Iceland asked, any fear he had of Switzerland before was either gone or now well hidden.
"Hold on a moment please," said Switzerland, he glanced back in the direction of the sitting room where Liechtenstein was sitting happily, casually working on her sewing before stepping outside and closing the door behind him.
Iceland was forced to take a step back, but refused to take any more. "I simply wanted to say hello," he said, mildly annoyed by Switzerland's behavior.
"And hello would be fine if that was all it meant," Switzerland countered.
Iceland frowned, he had come over to Switzerland's house in hopes of simply talking with Liechtenstein, but that was appearing to be harder than he thought.
"I just want to talk with her," he said, his annoyance growing. When it didn't seem like Switzerland was going to budge, he continued. "I have no ill intentions towards her, I just want to get to know her better. I want her to know me. If it doesn't go anywhere, then fine, we can be friends, but I'm not really going to wait for your approval. It's hers that I'm after, not yours."
Iceland worried for a moment that he had gone too far before Switzerland gave a small, annoyed exhale and stepped aside.
"She's in the sitting room. Down the hall, second room on your right," he said. He watched the Nord give a small nod, relaxing slightly as he entered the house. Switzerland followed after him. He had to admit, he was impressed, the boy had spoken firmly and stated his intentions directly, as much as those intentions and that firm attitude bothered Switzerland.
Liechtenstein looked up from her sewing as she heard somebody enter the room. She expected to see her brother, but was mildly surprised to see Iceland instead.
"Oh, hello Mr. Iceland," she said with a smile, setting down her project into her lap.
"Hello, Liechtenstein," he said, "And as I said before, just Iceland is fine."
She continued to smile and nodded. "Can I get you something? Tea, perhaps?" she asked. She set her sewing down in front of her, making to stand.
Iceland stepped forward and shook his head. "No, that will not be necessary," he said as Switzerland entered the room behind him, sitting back down to his own tea.
"Why don't you have a seat, Iceland, there is no need to stand," Switzerland said, not looking at Iceland. His voice was polite and courteous, but lacked the friendliness that was usually expected when entertaining guests.
"Thank you," Iceland said, moving to sit in an empty arm chair across from Liechtenstein. He didn't dare sit next to her on the couch.
Switzerland eyed him, relaxing slightly when he didn't sit next to Liechtenstein as he had expected.
"So what brings you here today, m-" she hesitated, cutting herself off. "Iceland?" she finally finished.
Iceland gave her a tiny, but what he hoped was a comforting smile, doing his best to ignore the pointed look that Switzerland was giving him, a look that clearly read 'answer carefully.' Managing to maintain his usual calm demeanor, Iceland answered with a small shrug.
"I know you said that you didn't really want to go out, so I thought that maybe I would come and see you instead. I'm sorry that I didn't let you know in advance."
He glanced at Switzerland from the corner of his eye, seeing the man tense but remain shockingly indifferent.
"Oh no, it's not a problem. Company is always, nice, isn't it Big Brother?" Liechtenstein looked to her brother with a gentle smile.
He simply grunted in response, taking another sip of tea as his sister remained unphased by the rather rude response.
Liechtenstein turned back to Iceland. "What is your home like, Iceland?" she asked.
Iceland perked up slightly at the question. "It is very beautiful. We have volcanoes and hot springs that are wonderful for relaxing in, especially during the winter," he answered, pleased with the way her face lit up.
"Hot springs sound very nice!" she said. "I would like to visit one sometime."
"We have hot springs here," Switzerland muttered.
"The Blue Lagoon," Iceland continued, sitting forward in his seat. "Has water the color of the sky on a bright day and it's one of the most popular attractions."
"That sounds beautiful!"
"You can even see the Northern Lights in the winter and when you have an eruption at the same time, it's spectacular."
There was a hint of worry at the mention of erupting volcanoes, but it was quickly replaced with a sense of awe as Liechtenstein drifted into daydreams.
Iceland could tell that Switzerland was annoyed, but completely ignored it as he told about the beauty of the mountains, or the way the Northern Lights would light up the whole sky in multi colored glows. He described the refreshing mists from the Waterfall of the Gods, the lava fields covered in soft green moss, the Westfjords that made home to gallant cliffs and families of puffins. She sat raptured, lost in her own imagination as Iceland told his stories, prompting him again and again with questions and comments.
"My capital is also home to the Althing, the oldest Parliamentary Institution in the world still in existence."
At this, Switzerland interrupted by standing from his seat as he excused himself to get more tea.
Iceland glanced at the clock that sat on the hearth and was surprised to find that a little more than an hour had passed. Liechtenstein looked down at her lap and realized that she had been distracted from her project. Calmly picking it up, she once again began to thread the needle and thread through the fabric.
"What are you working on Liechtenstein?" Iceland asked as he watched her.
She glanced up from her sewing. "Big Brother tore a hole in his shirt so I am fixing it for him," she explained before looking back down to where her needle was going.
Iceland glanced over at Switzerland who had returned with his tea and was now rather focused on it. The Swiss nation seemed unbothered, if not a touch annoyed.
"I am perfectly capable of doing it myself, but she always insists," he said, annoyed that he was explaining himself to the boy.
Iceland just simply nodded, as calm as ever. He watched Liechtenstein's hands move, entranced by how quickly and smoothly they did so. Moments later delicate fingers tied a knot in the thread and cutting it loose from its tail, she set the string and needle aside and lifted the shirt to inspect her work.
"There, all done," she said with a proud grin. "How does it look Big Brother?" she asked, turning the shirt around to show him.
Switzerland stared at it a moment, leaning over an inspecting the stitches. "It'll do," he said.
Iceland would have thought that this was an insult, or a really weak compliment at best, but when he looked over to Liechtenstein, expecting to see hurt on her features, or at least disappointment, he was shocked to find her beaming as if Switzerland had given her first prize on her work. She gently folded the shirt, still smiling.
"I'm so happy you like it," she said.
"Of course, just set it on the bed in my room," he said.
She gave a small nod. "Please excuse me," she said.
Once she was gone, Switzerland finished his tea and set it down on the table with a quiet thud.
"Just say it," Iceland said, looking to the blonde nation.
Switzerland gave him a look of mild surprise.
"I know there are things you are just dying to tell me, so just get it out already," Iceland stated, his legs crossing at the knee, a sign that he wasn't about to go anywhere.
Switzerland sighed. "I was trying to refrain myself, for Liechtenstein's sake, as well as yours, but if you insist."
He turned slightly in his chair, looking directly at Iceland.
Iceland tensed slightly against his own will, but stayed firm, ready to take whatever it was that Switzerland had to say to him.
"I do not feel comfortable with your pursuits after Liechtenstein," he stated directly.
Iceland shook his head lightly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Well that was obvious," he muttered, loud enough for Switzerland to hear.
"You're the one that demanded that I state it outright. Now before you get all bothered, I should state that I am not pleased with anyone coming after my sister. You're just the first one stupid enough to try this hard."
"Stupid?" Iceland scoffed, offended. "I am not some lecherous old man," he snapped. "Since you seem so keen on making me out to be."
"Exactly," Switzerland retorted. "You're just a child. How could you possibly protect her?"
"I was neutral in the Second World War, just like you," Iceland growled.
It was Switzerland's turn to scoff. "Barely. You let the British invade you and eventually gave over to their demands and soon they were replaced with American troops, no matter what you call it, that's hardly neutrality."
Iceland opened his mouth the make a snide remark in return, but Switzerland continued as if not noticing.
"You are an island nation. Defense of a land locked nation is much different. There are no drifting mines to protect you here. I brought her in when I had nothing and still made it through just fine for the both of us. She has no military and no way to defend herself, she relies solely on me and I protect her just as well as myself. I have great doubt that you could do the same."
Iceland finally stood. "Are you saying that I am incapable of protecting her?" he snapped, his tone stony.
He glanced over and caught sight of Liechtenstein standing in the doorway and briefly wondered how long she had been standing there, but then focused his attention back on Switzerland, too worked up to care at that point.
"I am simply saying that you are too young and too isolated to be able to take care of yourself as well as another nation across Europe," he said calmly, but with a dark tone.
Iceland let out an angry breath. "I am no child," he growled, but before Switzerland could have another world he turned and marched from the room.
As he passed by the confused and slightly frightened Liechtenstein, he slowed down pausing slightly.
"I'm sorry Liechtenstein, good bye," he said softly, staring at the floor, not wanting to face her. He then picked up his pace again and disappeared out the front door.
"Big Brother…" she said softly, turning to face Switzerland.
"I simply told the boy what had asked to hear. He brought it on himself," Switzerland stated, finally standing.
Liechtenstein frowned and gave a worried glance at the door. She grabbed the cup and took it to the kitchen to be washed and for the rest of the night nothing more was said on the matter.
Well now, not off to the best of starts, are we? Anyways, thank you for reading and thank you to my wonderful friend who helped with the Iceland info and the editing/revision! Please review and favorite if you can, thank you!