Chapter Five:
Take My Hand
As memories of the previous settled in her mind, Liechtenstein wasn't quite sure what to make of them. Was she happy? Iceland was a very sweet boy and that kiss… Well she wasn't sure how to describe it, but it had certainly been nice. The more she thought about it the more her lips tingled and the more certain she became that she would not mind another. It had been her first and something told her that it had been Iceland's as well. The way their lips had met in such a nervous but gentle fashion had a warmth flooding through Liechtenstein that she never wanted to go away.
Making her away around the house, keeping herself busy with some light dusting, Liechtenstein hummed a little tune as she wondered what this meant for her and Iceland. One thing was for sure, she definitely wanted to see him again. Tell him how nice last night had been, despite the oddity of it. Still, her brother gave her pause. She knew that he would not be very happy if he found that Iceland's charms were actually working and she was actually falling for the older boy.
She could understand Switzerland's worries. Iceland was such an isolated country compared to most of Europe, and being an island was much different being land locked. Still, it hurt that she had to either hide or chose. She was sure Switzerland would come around in time, all he wanted was her happiness and safety after all. Never before did she realize that eventually she was going have to choose one over the other, there was no way Switzerland would see a possibility for both.
"I finished dusting Big Brother. I'm going to go meet up with some friends if that's alright," she said, a little nervously.
Switzerland looked up from his book with a cynical frown before sighing. "Alright, don't be too long," he said.
If she was being honest, Liechtenstein had not expected Switzerland to let her go so easily. Of course she was allowed out on her own and she often went out to visit Ms. Hungary or Ms. Ukraine or any of her numerous friends, but it shocked her that her brother didn't even question who she was visiting.
She smiled at her brother and nodded. "I'll make sure I'm back in time for dinner!" she said happily. Putting the duster away, she patted her dress clean, kissed her brother on the cheek and headed out.
Liechtenstein had never been to Iceland's house before but it was easy to find. She stood outside the building nervously. From the outside it wasn't very big, but it was very homey looking.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door, hoping the sound was loud enough as she stepped back and waited for an answer.
It took a little while to come but just as soon as Iceland was beginning to think that maybe she try again, a little louder this time, the door opened.
"Oh, hello mr. Denmark," she said, a little surprised that it wasn't Iceland that had opened the door. She may not have known the Nordic country personally, but he was easy to recognize.
"Liechtenstein?" Denmark seemed just as shocked himself to see her on the door step but soon an energized grinned spread across his face as he stepped aside to let her in. "Come in!" he urged.
As the young girl did so, the Dane's smile swiftly turned to more of a smirk.
"Hey Icey! Your girlfriend is here!" he called down the hall.
Liechtenstein's eyes widened and she gasped lightly. Even without a mirror she knew for certain that her face was now a bright shade of pink. Is that what they were, is that what Iceland told people? What if Switzerland heard? Something like this could spread-.
"Den! I told you not to call her that!" Iceland's voice cut off Liechtenstein's train of frantic thought.
As he finished the chastising statement, Iceland rounded the corner with calm but hurried footsteps. He slowed slightly when he saw Liechtenstein, giving a small smile. It was clear that his face was close to the same shade as hers.
"Sorry about Denmark," he said, his tone a little annoyed as he came to a stop in front of her.
"It's quite alright," she said, but her voice came out much meeker than she intended.
"Do you want to go to my room? These guys can be a bother," he said, casting a glare in Denmark's direction.
Denmark chuckled and headed to the kitchen where he could be heard talking in hushed tones to somebody, most likely one of the other three Nordics.
"That would be fine," Liechtenstein, giving him a comforting smile.
Iceland seemed to relax a little with Denmark gone and without thinking, took the girl's hand and led her down the hall.
Liechtenstein blushed lightly at the contact and wrapped her fingers lightly around his.
Once they were in his room, Iceland dropped her hand and closed his door behind them. The room was rather bare, a book shelf, a dresser, a closet, a nightstand next to the bed and a desk that was stacked with books and notebooks and writing utensils as well as a computer. He sighed and turned to her.
"I'm sorry, if I had known you were coming I would have tried harder to send them away," he said.
"Oh, should I have come at a better time?" Liechtenstein asked nervously.
Iceland's eyes widened ever so slightly. "No, you're fine," he said.
She nodded, taking a seat on the edge of his bed, it was strange how natural it was to do so.
"I actually wanted to talk to you if that's alright," she said as he joined her.
He frowned, obviously a little worried. She could only imagine what was going through his head.
"About what?" he asked, his voice soft, nervous.
"About last night."
He visibly tensed, and Liechtenstein quickly moved on before he could work his nervous up too much and before she could back out because of her own.
"It was nice!" The words came out in a rush and she quickly let out the pent up breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "That's… that's all I wanted to say. It was nice and… and I would like to do it again sometime if that's alright with you." She looked at him nervously, hoping that after all his efforts in pursuing her, he hadn't suddenly changed his mind and decided to give up.
He let out a slow breath and a small smile spread across his face. "I would really like that Liechtenstein. "
She smiled and leaned in for a kiss but at the last minute changed her mind and placed her lips to his cheek instead.
Iceland seemed a little shocked by this, but blushed lightly all the same.
"What about your brother?"
She frowned. "That was another thing," she said softly. "While I return your feelings, my brother is unaware of this. I don't know if we should tell him yet. I think he has to get to know you first. If he knew you could keep me safe he would be okay with you. He just worries about me is all."
"Well he's rather stubborn about it. How can we convince him, Liechtenstein? You know him better than anybody else." Iceland took both her hands into his gently, his eyes pleading slightly.
"I… I don't know," Liechtenstein answered with a small frown.
"We can't keep it a secret for forever. I won't make you chose, but I know that you care very deeply about Switzerland and lying to him might be hard on you."
She blinked, looking down at their hands, she had only known him a short time, but Iceland seemed to know her so well.
"I'll figure it out," she said with fresh determination.
He nodded, relaxing a little. "Can you stay?" he asked.
"Only for a little bit, I have to be back by dinner," she answered.
Iceland nodded and moved a hand to her shoulder, pulling her close. Liechtenstein moved in until their lips touched, her fingers lacing through his.
Yes, she would figure it out. There had to be a way that all three of them could be happy and she could feel a new determination build with every moment the kiss went on. If there was a happy ending to a situation like this, she would find it.