Chapter Two: Food
Food.
Who knew one little word would disgust him so much?
Norway stared at the plate before him, hands clenched in his lap. It was a Norwegian dish, and while he appreciated Denmark's efforts, there were so many calories in that one plate. Feeling sick to his stomach, Norway pushed the plate away from him. He looked down at the scratches in the table.
"Norge," Denmark pleaded. Norway hated to hear his almost-lover so pained, but he hated calories even more. He knew it was wrong, he knew that he had to eat – but the calories would make him fat. He'd become big and ugly again, and then Denmark would never want him, and Iceland would be disgusted by him.
He sat stiffly in his chair, face blank. He couldn't eat the food. He just couldn't. He heard Denmark sigh. He closed his eyes. He hated disappointing Denmark. He wished he wasn't so pathetic. But if he hadn't been fat in the first place, this would never have happened. Things would have never gotten out of control.
"Norge, just eat half of it," Denmark begged. Norway shook his head.
"I can't," he said, voice cracking.
"Tell me why you can't."
Norway shook his head.
"Norge, tell me why you can't!" Denmark shouted, eyes watering.
Norway jumped. He opened his eyes but didn't look up. "Because I'll be fat again," he admitted. "I know I went too far, but I really did need to be skinner."
"No you didn't!" Denmark yelled, slamming his hands on the table. "You were perfectly healthy before you started starving yourself."
"But compared to you –"
"We're different people," Denmark said, taking a breath. "You don't have to look like me, just like I don't have to look like you."
Norway didn't know why Denmark would ever want to look like him, but kept his thoughts to himself. He resumed glaring at the plate of food set before him. His eyes glanced up at Denmark, who stared at him, waiting for the shorter blond to eat.
Norway bit his lip, knowing that Denmark wouldn't leave until he'd eaten. He reluctantly picked up his fork and took a small bite. He barely tasted the food. He chewed exactly ten times before swallowing. He took a drink of water. He glanced up at Denmark. Denmark continued watching him. Norway took another smaller-than-bite-size piece. Chewed another ten times. Took another drink of water. Repeat.
After what seemed like forever, half of the plate was gone, and Norway felt close to bursting. He shook in self-hatred and anger and pain. So many calories. He'd be fat in no time. How could Denmark even stand to look at him?
But then he saw Denmark smile, albeit a bit sadly, but it was still a smile. "You did good, Norge," Denmark told him. "We'll try again later, okay?"
Norway nodded jerkily. Denmark didn't let him out of his sight until he knew Norway had digested the food. Norway closed his eyes, tears pricking behind his eyelids. It was going to be difficult. He knew that. But seeing Denmark smile made it worth it.