Iceland's eye twitched.

Norway looked out of the plane's oval window staring mournfully at the passing clouds. His big brother was a strange one, that's for sure. But Iceland could deal with it just fine, he had lots of experience in ignoring Lukas' mood swings. If only...

A sigh escaped the blond's lips again and Iceland gritted his teeth in annoyance. If only Norway would stop this pathetic sighing. And anyway this particular low has been going on for a couple of days now and Iceland was sick of it.

"Norway." he said but the older nation payed him no mind. "Norway!"

"Huh? What? What is it, little brother?" Norway blinked at him like he was waking from a deep sleep.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" Iceland said narrowing his eyes at him. "You've been brooding like a teenage girl for these past few days. Pray tell what happened, or at least stop these pathetic noises."

Norway squinted in irritation. "I'm not brooding."

"Sure." Iceland's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "We can call it moping, if you prefer instead. Terminology aside you've been sitting around with your head in the clouds and sighing like you wanted to keep the air on the planet circulating all by yourself. What's with the attitude?"

Norway shifted. "Don't be a smartass, little brother." he said declining to comment on anything else and Iceland had a sudden craving to bash someone's head through that window. Preferably Norway's but his own would suffice.

"I asked you a question, Lukas. It's rude to ignore people's questions."

"It's rude to pry in other people's own affairs, Emil." Norway shot back and Iceland hissed.

"Well you're disturbing other people with your moping so knock it off."

"I don't see anyone else complaining."

"Because they're trying to ignore you and I'm trying to deal with the problem. What is going on with you?" Iceland asked on his wit's end.

"Nothing." was the curt answer he got and his fingers curled into fists of their own accord.

"You're stupider than you look if you think that's going to work." he growled. Norway scrunched his face but after a few seconds he slumped, defeated.

"Do we really have to do this on the plane?" he asked, stalling. Iceland rolled his eyes praying to the old gods for strength and patience.

"What's the problem? I told you half the people are trying to ignore you and the other half can't hear us at all. Your secrets are safe, Lukas. Now tell me what the problem is because I swear if I hear you sigh one more time I'm going to drag you to the exit and throw you out without a parachute."

Norway bit his lip, then sighed in resignation.

"Have you ever heard the phrase 'Never know what you have until it's gone', Emil?" he said and Iceland almost rolled his eyes again. Almost. But he knew that his brother really was hurting so he made himself act solemn.

"This is about Mattias, isn't it?" he inquired knowingly. Norway nodded with a gloomy sigh, averting his eyes.

"Am I that easy to read?"

"No, I just know you very well." The younger nation assured him. "I know you both very well."

Norway shrugged looking at his suddenly completely captivating palms.

"Lukas."

He lifted his gaze reluctantly and met his little brother's eyes. They were full of compassion but steely.

"It bothers you that he got together with Netherlands?" Emil asked looking into his very soul with his piercing, blue-violet eyes. Norway decided to go with honesty.

"I guess I always took him for granted." He shook his head self-deprecatingly. "And never noticed that his needs were going unfulfilled because I never bothered to take his feelings into consideration. And now that he took matters in his own hands and stopped waiting for me to stop acting like a douche I'm the one left alone, because before he was a constant for me. I didn't have to do anything because he was always there. And now he's not and likely not going to be again."

Iceland tilted his head sending his brother a sad little smile.

"Before this trip I would've been delighted to find that you pulled your head out of your ass and noticed what was in front of you. You wouldn't take any hints, stubbornly ignoring how your relationship looked with him. I feel like I should've pushed more for you to open your eyes and just see it. I would've been happy to be the one to deliver the kick you needed. Unfortunately Mattias did it himself..."

For a few seconds they were both quiet, Iceland silently comforting and Norway trying to not let the storm of emotions in his head and heart overwhelm him. He was too dignified to break down on a plane full of people.

"Lukas, don't loose hope." Emil said suddenly. Lukas' eyes shot up to his, staring in disbelief. "I mean it. He's been in love with you for a couple hundreds of years. As much as he may be suppressing that now with his feelings towards Netherlands, I bet it can't be easy. And it may never really go away. What if it doesn't work out with Lars?"

Norway shook his head frantically.

"Emil, I can't be like that! He's happy! I can't go and say I changed my mind about him and us when he freed himself and got involved with somebody else!"

"Calm down, Lukas, and listen to me! I'm not saying you go declaring war on Netherlands. I'm just saying that time will show if you may still have a chance. Don't let it go by you, brother" he added putting his hand on Norway's shoulder.

He would do anything to wipe that look of defeat and self-loathing from Norway's eyes, even if his brother was the only one to blame for his situation. What was family for though? Iceland was fully prepared to have his brother's back come hell and high water.

Lukas nodded gratefully as his little brother's hand tightened his hold on his shoulder and then let him go.

Time will show, Emil said. He's gotten wise, Lukas thought fondly feeling slightly better now that he knew he wasn't alone.

He had his family, his little brother, with him, always there would he need him.

And one day, maybe, he could have Mattias too.

He would do anything to achieve that.

With that little flame of hope and determination rekindled in his chest, Norway turned back to the window to look out upon the world. Somewhere there under there under that cloud is the earth. I may not see it now but it's there. Time will show. He thought to himself.

Iceland studied his brother carefully. Better. He'll be alright. They will.

When they parted on the airport Lukas embraced his brother before going away, his head held high and gaze steady.

He'll be alright.

/txtbreak/

I feel like I'm better at writing Iceland than any other character.

Anyway, more Norway self-hating, yay! I'm a little torn though. I mean Denmark and Netherland's relationship is great, you gotta admit. At the same time Norway and Denmark is the ultimate happy.

... so who wants a threesome?