Chapter Three

I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you

Something was bothering Liechtenstein. After living with her for so long, it was easy for Switzerland to notice. She was trying to hide it, but the way she seemed more distracted and scatterbrained than usual made it blatantly clear. She didn't seem to smile quite as much either and Switzerland found himself worrying slightly as well, though it was more for his sister than whatever it was that she had found herself concerned over. He didn't like it when Liechtenstein got into these moods, it proved to be rather bothersome. He never knew what was going on in that head of hers and sometimes it lead to strange things that he didn't quite understand. He loved her, he really did, but sometimes he just wished that she would tell him what the issue was so they could solve it and move on.

For the next several days, Switzerland debated whether he should confront his sister about her distracted thoughts, or just leave it and hoped it passed, as it sometimes did. He waited for over a week, but when her 'symptoms' didn't change, he decided enough was enough and finally sat her down across from him for dinner.

This in itself wasn't unusual, they almost always ate dinner together, but even Liechtenstein could feel the slight tension in the air as Switzerland readied himself to speak.

"Liechtenstein," he said firmly.

The younger girl looked up from her food, a little surprised by his tone. She knew that tone, it was the one he used with her when he got serious and wanted her to pay attention.

"Yes Big Brother?" she asked.

He pursed his lips, taking a drink before setting down his cup, debating what was the best way to approach this.

"I've been wondering what has been bothering you lately?" he asked.

She looked a little shocked by the question. Clearly, she hadn't expected him to notice.

"W-why nothing, Big Brother," she said, her face flushing slightly as she fidgeted with her hands under the table.

Switzerland sighed. "Please don't lie to me Liechtenstein," he warned calmly.

The small girl frowned. "Well, in truth, I really am worried about Mr. Iceland."

He brother frowned. "Why on earth would you be worried about that boy?" he asked, trying to keep annoyance from his tone.

"Well, since he visited a couple weeks ago, I haven't heard anything," she answered.

Switzerland picked up his drink again, taking a sip. "That's hardly a reason to be worried Liechtenstein," he replied. "It's very likely that he got busy or some such." He set down his glass once more and picked up his fork to begin eating.

"But he left here so upset…" she said softly.

Switzerland paused with his fork pressed into his food. So that's what this was about. "And you're afraid that he might still be so," he finished for her.

She nodded.

The room was silent a moment as they both returned to their meal.

"Alright then," Switzerland finally said. "You may contact him and make sure that he is still not upset with me." Honestly, she could have done so without his permission. She was perfectly capable and there was little he could do to stop her. Still, he knew that she always did her best to make him happy and she wouldn't contact Iceland if she thought it would upset him.

With that said, Liechtenstein brightened slightly. "I would like to do so after dinner if that's alright," she said.

He nodded, filling his mouth with food. "That's fine," he replied once he swallowed. He only hoped that this would clear her worries as well as his own. And a nudging feeling in the back of his mind had him hoping he didn't regret this either.

It had been a few weeks since Iceland had any sort of contact with Liechtenstein. While it wasn't uncommon for nations to not talk to each other for periods of time, and a few weeks really wasn't that long, Iceland knew that this silence was more than that.

"You're avoiding them," Norway pointed out at some point, and while the younger nation vocally denied it, annoyed by his older brother's nosiness, he knew it was true. Well, not completely. He wasn't avoiding Liechtenstein, honestly, she was the last person he wanted to avoid. No, it was her older brother that bothered him. Iceland wasn't usually one to be bothered so much by people and/or their opinions, and the fact that Switzerland had worked his way under his skin only irked the island nation more.

It was still too early to be able to tell what his relationship with Liechtenstein was, or would be, but this was more than that. Weeks of thinking had Iceland realizing that this was more than just where he wanted to take things with the tiny landlocked nation, this was beyond the need for her to be protected. Switzerland had hit something personal with his words and accusations. Just because he was more isolated than most nations didn't mean he was weak, and it was far from meaning that he was incapable. As more and more time passed, Iceland was more determined to prove it.

When the phone rang, it didn't come as much of a shock to Iceland. Most likely, it was Nor or one of the other Nordics, they could be a little bothersome at times. He let the phone ring for a few moments, hoping they would give up and leave him alone, he wasn't really in the mood to talk. After a few more rings, he realized that they weren't really getting the hint and decided that it was probably best to answer it.

With a sigh, he stood from the couch and pulled the phone from its dock.

"Hello?" he answered, not bothering to hide the annoyance from his tone.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, Mr. Iceland," came a small voice from the speaker.

Iceland blinked, surprised. "Liechtenstein?" he asked, though it was obvious that that was who it was. He never expected her to call him. "Sorry, how are you? You're not being a bother," he said, quickly gathering back his composure.

"I am well, Mr. Iceland," she said, sounding a little more relaxed.

"Just Iceland is fine," he corrected.

"Oh, yes, my apologies," she replied.

Iceland shook his head, even though he knew that she couldn't see. "It's fine. Is there something you needed?"

"Oh! Yes!" Liechtenstein said, making it clear that she was just now remembering the reason for her call. "I felt really bad for the last time you visited. You left really upset and Switzy said I could call to make sure you were alright. I'm really sorry for the way things ended and that we did anything to upset you."

Iceland was silent for a moment. Had that really been bothering her all this time? "I'm fine," he said with a small smile. "Though I do appreciate the apology." It was sweet and unexpected, but Iceland couldn't help but be bothered by the fact that Liechtenstein wasn't the one who should have been apologizing.

"I'm relieved," she said and Iceland could hear the smile in her voice.

"I'm glad I could relieve some of your worries." And truly, he was. "But really, you shouldn't have been so in the first place."

She was silent for a moment, but he could hear her fidgeting and Iceland wondered what kind of face she was making.

"How about I make it up to you?" He asked in a last minute and daring decision.

"Oh, you don't have to—"

"I'll come over tomorrow night and we can put things back on the right foot again. Things like this are better to do in person after all, right?"

"Yes, that would be nice. I look forward to seeing you, Iceland. I'll tell Big Brother you are coming."

"Alright, I might be a little late so don't hold dinner for me or anything."

"Alright Iceland, I will see you tomorrow. Have a nice night."

"Yeah, you too." As he hung up the phone, Iceland felt nervous. He only prayed that this was actually a good idea.

Alright, first off, apologies, I'm really sorry that this took sooooooooo long to get out, especially when I was doing my best to get them out a month at a time. Unfortunately, this chapter proved to be more of a challenge than I expected, also college kind of got in the way. Hopefully the next chapter will be up faster, favorites and reviews are always appreciated for those of you who have the time. Thank you! Please look forward to the next chapter and thank you for reading!