The nation's use human names so no one discovers their identities. (obviously)

Denmark - Mathias

Finland - Tino

Iceland - Emil

Norway - Lukas

Sweden - Berwald

Chapter Two

Norway frantically scrambled towards the body of Denmark, the other nordics following close behind. Several other firefighters and paramedics had arrived at the scene, and were preparing to heave the limp form onto a stretcher. Shuffling around the crowd, Norway was able to glimpse the Dane's still figure. He gasped at the mangled sight.

Denmark was covered head to toe with soot and ash. A serious-looking gash trailed across his face and over his left eye. Blood spots were visible on Denmark's shirt, signaling severe injuries could be found underneath the lightweight cloth. The Dane's coat had not been spared, it was burnt beyond repair. His rapid breaths were shallow and barely detectible. Norway noticed something looked off when Denmark inhaled. Broken ribs? The Dane's eyes were closed, but his brows were scrunched in obvious pain. His skin was sallow and pale, taking on a milky quality.

Norway lunged forward shoving his way through the crowd, desperate to reach Denmark. Firefighters held him back, trying to explain that the unconscious nation's condition was fragile and he needed attention right away. As Denmark was carried off, Norway stopped struggling in favor of trailing after the parade of medics. Just as he was about to force his way into the ambulance Denmark was placed in, the Norwegian felt a hand on his shoulder cease his forward movement. It was Iceland.

"Norway, let the medics do their job. They cant help Denmark if you are in the way."

His younger brother's words made sense, but the rational side of Norway's brain had switched off in panic. He started forward again, intending to shrug off the bothersome hand. Norway's irritation increased when the insistent hand just tightened its grip. Iceland tried again.

"Denmark needs help immediately, Norway. Ride with us, we'll be right behind them."

Norway ignored his brother and once again tried to walked forward, and was halted for the third time.

" Norway, Denmark is dying! He needs medical attention fast and what you're doing is just getting in the way!"

This time, Iceland's words pierced deep into Norway's heart. It took him a couple seconds to comprehend what he had just heard. Denmark… dying? Denmark was definitely not dying, that was impos— oh my god. Denmark was dying.

Shadows were gathering at the edge of Norway's vision. He blinked to clear them and met the horrified gaze of Iceland.

"No, big brother I didn't mean it! Denmark is fine! I'm sorry, look at me, Norway, I didn't mean it!"

The Norwegian nodded rapidly. For what felt like the hundredth time today, Norway found himself blinking away tears. He was pulled into the warm embrace of his brother who slowly led him to the car where Sweden and Finland were waiting, not unwrapping his arms once.

When he was nudged into the back seat, Norway finally got a good look at himself through the rearview mirror. The Norwegian's hair was matted and blew around his face without his clip to keep it back. There were purple bags underneath each eye which were made more prominent by Norway's already pale skin. Smudges of ash were visible on his face and clothes. Staring at the monster in front of him, Norway came to the conclusion that he looked like complete and utter crap.

The Norwegian was exhausted yet refused to sleep even when Iceland offered his lap as a pillow. He was determined to stay awake to see the beloved Dane.

The drive was shorter than usual, cars were practically jumping out of the path of the speeding ambulance. Sweden drove close behind, making it clear to the pedestrians that the nordic's car was involved in the accident. They zipped by numerous buildings, each one to blurry for Norway to make out. Or was that just the effects of his sleep-deprived mind?

Norway allowed his eyes to un-focus as he gazed unseeingly out the window. He daydreamed of better times when the Dane was still upright and lively. His best memories were with Denmark, and Norway couldn't help but wonder if he would be seeing him again. Norway snorted and pushed the negative thoughts to the back of his mind.

As he did this, the Norwegian noticed the car had stopped in front of a strict looking building. Casting a glance around to find empty seats, he clambered out of the car and followed his family unsteadily into the hospital.

Everything was white. How dull. Not a splash of color decorated the plaster walls except for the occasional small portrait of a scenic image. Security cameras were wired to every corner, and Norway couldn't help but feel slightly self-conscious as the four nations made their way to the front desk.

After standing awkwardly in front of the desk for five minutes without being noticed, the four silently elected Sweden to be the one to talk while the rest stood behind as backup. The Swede cleared his throat.

"Excus' m' ma'am. We ar' look'ng f'r Mathias Kohler. C'n y'u direct us th're?"

The woman behind the desk let out a bored sigh and began to type the name into her computer. Blinking lethargically she looked up.

"Mathias Kohler, blond hair and blue eyes. Involved in a house fire. He arrived here a couple hours ago, correct?"

Sweden gave a nod of confirmation.

" The doctors are just finishing up with him. His condition has stabilized for now, you will have to wait to see him. You can take a seat over there."

She nodded in the direction of a group of hard, uncomfortable looking chairs. The others seemed satisfied with it, but Norway was in no way pleased with the answer the woman delivered.

"That wasn't what we asked you. Where is he?"

The lady blinked in surprise. Clearly she had never been spoken to so harshly by a visitor. Her eyes darted over Norway's face, and then scanned the saddened expressions of the nations behind him. The woman's eyes softened in sympathy and she turned her attention back to her computer screen.

"I'm sorry. Mathias Kohler is in the ICU."

'…The Intensive Care Unit?'

Norway's swirling train of thought froze and yet a little voice in the back of his mind told him that this was to be expected. He has seen with his own eyes the taller man's condition. Why wouldn't he be in ICU? The Norwegian nodded mutely, a little paler than usual. Knees shaking, he stumbled over to a chair and sat down heavily. He then proceeded to tune out the other nordic's callings in favor of studying the pattern of the ceiling tiles above.

Norway could tell by the silence around him that the other nordics had given up trying to make contact with the unresponsive nation. Stealing a quick glimpse around, the Norwegian saw his companions in varying stages of depression.

Finland had silent tears steadily dripping down his face. The nation didn't bother to clean them up, but instead rested his head against Sweden's shoulder. The Swede looked down at his 'wife' and ran a soothing hand through Finland's hair. His eyes were downcast and filled with sorrow.

Iceland was absent-mindedly playing with Mr. Puffin's feathers as the bird settled into his lap. The Icelandic nation simply stared off into space as he waited for the go-ahead to see Denmark. The Dane was like an adopted big brother, not that Iceland would ever admit it out loud.

Soon after they had settled, a doctor walked out of a room and into the hallway. He reviewed his clipboard and called out,

"Family of Mathias Kohler? You are free to see him now. A full diagnosis of his ailments will be delivered to you within 30 minutes."

Norway didn't wait for the doctor to finish his speech, the nation was already up and running towards the door the doctor had retreated from. His hazily heard the doctor call out to him but the Norwegian simply ignored him. He tugged open the door of room 605 and stepped inside.

Iceland turned to face the hassled looking doctor. He was currently yelling at Norway to not go in the room quite yet. During the operation, the doctor had noticed there were some unforeseen injuries that had been inflicted upon the Dane. Wait, what did that mean?

He would have asked exactly that, if Finland hadn't beaten him to it. The normally chipper nation was now glaring fiercely through his tears at the doctor.

"What do you mean unforeseen injuries?"

The Finnish man question sharply, taking a stride forward so he was nose to nose with the other man. The doctor stepped back, a nervous expression evident on his features. He looked down at the dreaded clipboard again and began speaking in a slow, empathetic voice.

After the doctor was finished talking, Iceland sprinted towards the room Norway entered with the other nations running at his heels.

Norway looked upon the bed ridden nation. His glorious blue eyes had opened and were studying the room around him. The ocean-like orbs had jumped towards Norway as soon as he had stepped through the doorway.

The Norwegian felt a thrill throughout his body. He had hoped and prayed to see those eyes again. The negative thoughts that had began to eat away at his brain evaporated at the sight of the Dane's blue irises.

What shocked the Norwegian was that Denmark hadn't made an attempt to speak yet. In a normal situation, the Dane would blabber on about crappy hospital food or how stupid it was that he couldn't get out of the itchy gown the nurses had dressed him in.

'Maybe this ordeal was more traumatizing than I thought.'

Denmark was probably still in shock from his near death, so talking steadily might be hard for him. With this thought, Norway opened his mouth to question the Dane on his wellbeing. If all went according to plan, he would then yell at Denmark for being an idiot and running back into the house, and later apologize for sending him there since it was technically Norway's own fault that Denmark and been injured. Once the Dane fell asleep, Norway would kiss his forehead and everything would be back to normal. His perfect dreams were shattered when Denmark bluntly interrupted his inquiry.

"Denmark are y—"

"Who are you?"

Man, I live for suffering and torture.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add a disclaimer: I don't own hetalia, the characters, yada yada yada.

~ anti-pineapples.