Chapter Four

With wide eyes Norway watched as the doctors placed Denmark in his room at the nordic house. The Dane was still unconscious due to the strong sedatives he was placed under. The medics filed out of the house with the exception of Dr. Tomsen who remained to scribble a number on a post it note.

"Here,"

He said, tearing the page off and handing it to Norway.

"If anything important happens, call right away."

Norway pocketed the paper and nodded. He watched through the wide upstairs window as Dr. Tomsen drove away. He sighed and turned back to face the slumbering nation.

Denmark was pale and had dark rings bordering his eyes. The bandages that looped around his head were a fresh, pristine, white color. Norway had been instructed to change them every few days until the wound was healed completely.

Instead of panicking, Norway was tranquil. He had devised a plan to re-introduce Denmark back into he old life. It might take some getting used to, but Norway was determined to make it work. On that note, the Norwegian marched downstairs to talk to the anxiously waiting trio.

The three were huddled around the kitchen table, each holding a cup of steaming liquid. Norway felt their eyes follow him as he made his way over to the coffee maker and poured himself a mug. He sipped it, closing his eyes in content as the warmth from the coffee spread throughout his body. He opened his eyes when Finland began speaking.

"What happened back at the hospital?"

Norway felt his throat tighten and blinked to keep tears from pooling under his eyes. This was bound to come up sometime, he just didn't expect it to be their first question. The other nordics were curious and concerned as to why Norway came stumbling through the door with red eyes and a tear streaked face.

" All I did was tell Denmark that he was coming home with us. Then he freaked out and tried attacking me. He had to be sedated."

The only nordic shocked by this sudden change in events was Iceland. He was too young to remember Denmark's burst of anger during the Kalmar Union. Finland shakily sighed and Sweden merely grunted at the news.

"When will he wake up?"

Finland questioned.

"Within a couple days."

"What if he reacts badly to waking up here?"

"I have a plan."

Norway could almost hear the imaginary crickets that chirped in the silent kitchen. After a while of nervous staring, Sweden spoke.

"Wh't is y'ur pl'n?"

"I was thinking it would be easier if only one of us were present."

Norway blushed as they all stared at him. Iceland smirked knowingly and quickly agreed to his statement, causing the Norwegian's cheeks to flame red. However, the Finnish man was harder to convince.

"But—"

"Denmark would be more comfortable if only one person was here with him. It's easier to learn to trust one person rather than four."

Norway interrupted. Finland couldn't argue with his logical statement, so with a heavy heart he sullenly agreed to leaving. But not before he made Norway promise to call when Denmark's mind was healed.

If his mind heals.

The Norwegian banished the thought to the back of his head where it lingered and spread like a rotting cloud.

—

Throughout the span of a few hours Sweden, Finland, and Iceland packed their bags and readied for their trip north. They had decided to take shelter in a Swedish town called Malmö. It was a few hours drive from their current abode located in Dragør, Denmark. If anything were to arise, the trio could be there in three hours tops.

While the three were packing, Norway spent his time at the foot of Denmark's bed. He simply sat there and counted the freckles that splashed across the slumbering nation's nose. The Norwegian's mind was chaos. He forced it to calm and settled for dealing with one matter at a time.

The first issue, was Denmark's name. Norway would have to remind himself constantly to call the Dane Mathias, never Denmark. That would serve to freak the other nation out and he might get violent. He would also have to watch what he said about countries in general. Talking about nations like they were real people sounded like a really bad idea. Norway was disturbed from his musings by the flicker of Mathias's eyelids. He held his breath, waiting for him to open them, but the Dane just groaned and rolled onto his stomach. He twitched a bit, and then lay still.

Norway let out a soft snort of amusement. Denmark could easily sleep through nuclear war, it didn't surprise him when it became apparent that Mathias could too. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts Norway didn't notice his brother's approach.

"You really like him don't you."

It wasn't a question, both Iceland and Norway knew the answer. He jumped up and spun around to meet the other nation's steady gaze.

"I just came up here to tell you we are about to leave."

Norway nodded.

"Ok, I'll be down in a second."

A small smile crossed Iceland's face as he turned to leave. When he reached the exit, he paused to run a hand over the smooth doorframe.

"We have complete faith in you. If anyone can bring back Denmark, you can."

Norway was stunned. A compliment from Iceland. This kind of occurrence happened once in a blue moon, or even less often than that. Norway was gratified, and let it show through his eyes rather than speak. Iceland clearly received the message, and allowed the smile to widen before pulling it down into his usual grumpy expression and headed downstairs.

Norway studied Mathias's features for a few precious minutes before padding down the staircase. He crept into the entrance hall and faced the other nations. Goodbyes were brief, Norway was eager to get back to Mathias and the others were ready to get the road trip over with. Sweden grunted farewell and went out to start the ignition. Iceland hesitantly hugged his brother before chasing Mr. Puffin into the car. Finland wrapped his arms around Norway, his mouth close to the Norwegian's ear.

"Go get 'em Norge! Good luck!"

Finland stage whispered. Norway flushed crimson and hastily shut the door behind the cheerful man. Good lord, did everyone know about his small infatuation with the Dane?! He sighed. There was no point in denying it anymore. If Iceland and Finland knew, then Sweden already knew as well, or would find out soon.

Norway trudged up the stairs to the Danish man's room, this time only staying to check that Mathias was still sleeping peacefully. Now that the other nations had left, Norway was faced with a complicated and dangerous problem. Boredom.

The Norwegian ran through a mental list of things to do before settling on reading. There was never a quiet moment in the nordic household, but with three gone and one indisposed, all was silent. Norway decided to enjoy the serene silence to the maximum extent. He made a pot of coffee, and grabbed the fuzziest blankets he could find. Norway wrapped himself in a cocoon, book in one hand, coffee mug in the other.

No more than thirty minutes had passed before Norway was startled by a shout. He coffee went flying and landed in a steaming mess on the carpet below. Norway cursed , and readied himself to yell loudly at the buffoon who caused this mess. Before the Norwegian could bring himself to shout, he snapped his mouth shut.

Oh shit.

Norway madly dashed towards the staircase as the sound of incomprehensible screaming reached his ears. His pace increased tenfold when he heard a thump, and the shouting was abruptly silenced.

—

I adore cliffhangers. Sorry no bloopers this time, I couldn't think of any good ones!