+004 [Action // closed to Norway]

[likeaniceberg]

Comments

[lutefisk]

[[ooc: c-calling me out I see how it is! /tsuuuun]]

[And unbeknownst to the younger Nordic the aforementioned nation had also viewed the crystal over Iceland's shoulder, having quietly approached his brother when he spotted him nearby. For now it seemed rare not to come across any one of them, or at least after a certain point. While Norway himself had not been avidly searching for or avoiding them that didn't mean he would remain untouched. Ah, but how constricting was the description of only containing one's memories?

After all, Sweden's own experience was curiously inaccurate, but it may have been nothing more than an exclusive thought. Or maybe there was a mental interconnection between him and a doppelganger from an alternate universe. Hm.

He quietly watched the contents, and though his own collection of memories was quite large, the flashback was a memorable occurrence. It'd been a hectic but simpler time back then, when even his own nation suffered from the issues of a proper unification with himself. Yet there were instances like this that brought him peace of mind, and Iceland was someone he'd always deeply cared for. Of course, as a proper sibling-even if not blood-related-it was only fitting to bring out the worst of situations like this.

Which meant making it unbearable for Iceland.]

Almost like you never grew.

[likeaniceberg]

[ At the sound of Norway's voice, Iceland jumped a little in shock and accidentally touched another crystal. Thank goodness whoever was up there still had mercy on him, because the memory the second crystal played was an everyday memory. Specifically, when he was walking briskly home from the Parliament, a day prior to his arrival in Discedo. He wouldn't know what to do if it showed another embarrassing memory.

After the crystal was finished playing his (short) memory, he turned around in a fast motion, mainly because of shock. Since when was his brother was standing there? Since the beginning? How come he doesn't realize his presence? Norway certainly had a quiet presence, but it doesn't mean he can't perceive it. ]

Wh- what- when- how- since when you were there?

[ Like the flight or fight instinct, during times like this, his automatic response was to stutter. How unfortunate of him. ]

[[ooc: but it was a looooong time ago... ]]

[lutefisk]

[Norway didn't immediately acknowledge the question, instead focusing on the new fragment and the memory it'd recently played. To most the scene would seem mundane at best, but it was what Norway preferred with good reason. The time itself didn't seem familiar, the nearby architecture both old and new-was it the future? It seemed nice, particularly for the war-weary.

In the end the Nordic found that he'd enjoyed this view as well, dull eyes finally meeting his brother's frantic gaze and responded in his usual calm manner.]

Long enough ago. [He briefly flicked his gaze back on the fragment.] Like calling me 'that'.

[A pause.]

So... you're due.

[likeaniceberg]

[ The scene was mundane; a slice of Iceland's life, and there's nothing particularly interesting about it. It's just like any other day in his life. Norway's reaction, though, was interesting, and Iceland watched his brother's reaction with subtle curiosity while trying to calm himself down. He's trying to tell himself that it was nothing; that the other country would soon forgotten about it. But of course it's not true. ]

Th- that was the past. The past is the past, it's over now.

[ He unconsciously made a face and looked away. ]

...huh?

[ Those words automatically made him shift his gaze back to his brother with a genuinely confused look upon his face. He couldn't quite understand what Norway was trying to imply. ]

[lutefisk]

[Oh, Iceland couldn't possibly get himself out of this that easily. Norway turned his gaze to meet his brother's just as the latter glanced over at him, quietly amused at the confused expression he procured from the other Nordic, though he did little to really show it. Instead he answered simply, forgoing the subtleties in favor of getting straight to the point.]

Bror.

[likeaniceberg]

[ The confused expression slowly fades away, and was being replaced with a shocked one. He should have known. Oh, what terrible luck he had. Being kidnapped into a hellhole, got stuck in an apartment with Denmark, having the worst birthday ever, and now...this. To be honest, he'd rather enjoyed the trip down to the memory lane, for the sake of laying his eyes on the place he called home again, but his brother's sudden arrival had successfully decreased the enjoyment by a notch. Now he regretted his action of touching the stupid crystal.

He was raging silently. ]

No.

[lutefisk]

[What was this? Iceland was denying him this simple request? He supposed blood couldn't even penetrate pride if the motive was strong enough, but was this so appropriate between them? It'd been centuries since he listened in, heard those words himself. In the end it would only make the end result all the more gratifying, especially if it were of Iceland's own volition.

There was time to waste, if anything. Pushing was an option, but for now he was fine as is.]

Does the reason justify?

[likeaniceberg]

[ It's not a simple request for Iceland. For some reason, he'd rather shoot himself in the head than call Norway...that. Not because he doesn't consider the other Nordic to be his brother, blood-related even, but more because he thought that it was childish. Norway had no right to force him to call him brother, because he's not a child anymore.

But he was inherently surprised when Norway didn't push him to do that. He was secretly glad that his brother respected his decision, though. ]

Yes.

[lutefisk]

[Pushing was one thing, but respect was an entirely different matter. Norway respected Iceland to an extent; after all, no one learned nothing after nine hundred or so years. Throughout that Iceland's learned to be self-sufficient, maturing to the point of gaining his independence and maybe even more. The longer they lived the more the gap of centuries that'd previously set them apart will wane. Yet he knew there was a part of him that'll always see Iceland as the younger brother, the one who's meant to endure his teasing as the elder. It was habitual, almost natural, and something he believed that just couldn't be outgrown.]

All right.

[He'll let it slide for now, but certainly not forever. With that he continued:]

Promise one thing?