Loose Ends

[mystisk_norge]

Who: Norway mystisk_norge, Iceland til_himnarikis
What: Checking in on little brother...
When: Back dated to January 6th, midday
Where: Basement; The Pool
Rating: G

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[til_himnarikis]

Iceland had unfolded the message from his brother with a little trepidation. On the one hand, he missed Norway's company immensely, but on the other some part of him was worried and frightened of whether things would be awkward - where they stood with each other had never been in question, but he felt that something was changing along with their surroundings. It was almost as if he felt himself growing older; things were getting better at home, he thought, he was feeling stronger and better but his mind was plagued by uncertainty, and this change added to that feeling

[mystisk_norge]

Norway's reverie was broken by the soft sound of foot steps approaching from the distance. Blue eyes fluttered open and with a slow turn of his head Norway looked over at Iceland. For a moment he thought he might be uncertain about seeing him but this was not the case. As he took in the sight of his brother the older male felt an ease settle within his chest. He was glad to see him, and relieved that he wasn't feeling anything particularly negative. Aside from worry. Yes, worry that Iceland might not be as at ease as he was.

With little effort he withdrew his legs from the water, letting his rolled up pants slide back down into place.

"I didn't even think to bring a swim suit." Norway admitted lightly, walking over to Iceland. For a moment he was silent, trying to search the youth's equally unreadable expression for any sign of what he was thinking.

"...We haven't talked so...I wanted to make sure you were still okay." He finally spoke up.

[til_himnarikis]

"You didn't need to," Iceland said quietly, drawing the towel more protectively over his shoulders, "I just figured, since we were here..." He trailed off a little. They were supposed to talk, not distract themselves with swimming. It was a cold day so he didn't expect people to come to the pool, but the heated water and the cold air outside gave him a familiar and nostalgic feeling and he liked it. It made him feel, well, comfortable, he supposed. With his brother standing in front of him, he felt his fears melt away ever so slightly. They were talking, just as they always had. It was good.

"I'm fine," he said, relieved to face his brother and admit it. He was shy, slightly embarrassed, but he was also the truth. He paused for a moment, "What about you, Nor..? Are you okay?"

[mystisk_norge]

As Iceland spoke to him normally, like they were used to, Norway felt more at ease. Nothing had really changed had it? And even if it had it didn't make his caring for Iceland diminish any. So there was no point in dawdling on awkwardness or reasoning. Everything would be alright after all, he was sure of it. He had to be.

He listened to the youth speak and noticed the slight hint of embarrassment in his voice but it didn't seem necessarily bad. A smile threatened to tug at the corners of Norway's lips but he kept it at bay. When his own status was questioned he didn't say anything, instead bringing his arms around Iceland and hugging him against him. This was better than words, better than what he was even capable of articulating. Which really wasn't saying much but...it felt good to hold his brother again. Sentiments aside he loosened his hold so that Iceland could withdraw when he wanted to.

[til_himnarikis]

Iceland didn't loosen his hold, he just hugged his brother tighter, burying his face in the cloth of Norway's shirt. He missed him. It hadn't really been that long since they'd talked, but it felt like an age. Then again, that's how it was - perhaps he didn't realize or want to admit just how much he needed the other at times like this. It was, perhaps, his own sense of pride that spoke outwardly, but when it was like this, he could tell the truth with just actions.

The towel slipped off his shoulders as he moved against Norway, taking in his warm embrace despite the humid air and the drip, drip of heated water. He looked up. "I'm glad you're with me," he whispered, suddenly hearing it echo across the empty swimming pool. He didn't mean it to be said, let alone amplified; he didn't want his voice sound so needy, but its sincerity was there and he buried his face in his brother's shirt again.

Perhaps nothing had changed, and yet everything had. There was a feeling that wasn't there before, but it just made things sweeter.

[mystisk_norge]

Norway enjoyed the hug for a while longer, feeling his heart swell at Iceland's words. There was just something in that sweet voice that made him at ease. Now was a time to enjoy his brother's presence and the comfort they both brought each other. He wondered if they could maintain this same sort of relation if...no, when, they escaped from this place. How would his care for his brother fare in the real world filled with politics and economical disputes? Those were unwanted thoughts for the moment so he swiftly shooed them from his mind

[til_himnarikis]

Iceland nodded. He was a little red-faced after the embrace and embarrassing slip, but otherwise feeling much more at ease and a lot more comfortable. He watched Norway take off his shirt and quickly gathered and folded the towel he still half-clutched in one hand, putting it to the side of the pool. He didn't suppose that the orderlies would be particularly happy with him for swimming in his normal clothes, but it was far beyond him to protest. It would be fun to swim together - despite the artificiality, it brought him back to his childhood. They used to play in the cold water of the fjords, shivering but happy, their weekly bath times seeming more of a treat than a punishment in the summer months

[mystisk_norge]

Norway glanced over at Iceland as he felt the hand take hold of his own. Though that blank expression remained there was a brightness in his eyes that was often absent within the confines of this prison. At the suggestion of a race he nodded and surveyed the water. It wasn't the fjords back home but it was well built for races. Plus it would feel good to stretch the muscles that he'd felt he'd been neglecting since being brought to the asylum.

"Then...on three." He glanced to the other, locking eyes with him as he spoke. "One...two...three."

On three Norway let go of Iceland's hand and dove into the water, his feet kicking and arms moving as he swam skillfully. Ah it felt good. Despite the warmth of the water he had to admit that swimming was invigorating and he was already enjoying himself as he cut through the water. He wouldn't hold back of course, he knew Iceland wouldn't like it if he let him win after all.

[til_himnarikis]

For a short moment after Norway jumped, Iceland simply stood there blankly, stunned by the clinging warmth of Norway's hand before realizing that the race had started. He dove into the water headfirst, propelling himself as far as he could, remembering with familiarity the movements that would give him a chance at catching up with his older brother and taking the race. The warm water parted as he gained speed and he pushed himself hard, only a little way behind Norway.

He was feeling so much better now; it was heartening to be able to compete with the stronger nation like this, as if nothing had changed, and even though he felt weak and out of practice when compared to Norway's smooth strokes, he tried his hardest and found himself catching up, almost level with Norway. It surprised him, a little, but he wanted to see whether he could get that edge and finish, just that much ahead - it would probably be a miracle, but he could try. It was for himself, and for Norway, too, to make him proud.

[mystisk_norge]

To his surprise Norway could feel Iceland catching up to him. He didn't dare look back for he knew doing so would cost him speed and possibly the race. Even if he would be proud if Iceland won it wouldn't be the same if it was by some small technicality. Though even being able to keep up this much was proof of how much Iceland had grown up over the years. He could still remember when the other nation was much smaller and had to yell at him to wait up

[til_himnarikis]

Iceland was right behind Norway as they both kicked off from the back wall. He was starting to tire now; the swimming pool was long and he was still smaller and weaker than his brother - with ragged breaths, he pushed himself and felt his arms weakening a little, causing him to fall ever so slightly behind. He didn't want to burn up his energy yet, though, so he kept his pace as best he could until they neared the last stretch, where he struck out with as much ferocity as he could in a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand.

It was futile. As Norway stopped and looked around, Iceland emerged from under the water. It wasn't clear because it had been close, but Iceland knew he was a fraction of a minute later than his brother. That in itself was an achievement, though, he thought. Soon he'd be able to beat him - it was so close, and he wasn't at full health - so maybe if... no, when they got out of this place, they could do this again, properly, in the fjords or in the thermal beach at his house, and he'd finally, finally be

[mystisk_norge]

From what he saw Norway was uncertain of whether he had won or if it had been a tie. It seemed too close to tell but at Iceland's words he nodded anyway. If the younger male was certain than he would be too. Still, the race had been an agonizingly close one and he found himself rather pleased with Iceland's abilities. Despite the war he'd grown stronger over the years, and that was something Norway could be proud of, even if they had been separated for a time.

"You nearly did." The older male agreed, holding onto the edge of the pool still as he worked to catch his breath. It had been an invigorating race regardless of the winner and he was glad he'd decided to jump in despite forgetting a swim suit.

"...you used to have to yell for me to wait up." Norway mused, in a voice that anyone else would think was just blank seriousness but Iceland might recognize as teasing.

[til_himnarikis]

Iceland was silent for a moment, fondly remembering the awkward splashing and floundering he'd done when he was still learning to swim. The frustration he'd felt when Norway was laps ahead of him, the ineffective reach of his arm and the feeble kick of his small legs... he remembered wanting to grow up quickly, hurry up and be able to show everyone that he could be a great nation too. Back then, his greatest wish was to be victorious in battle, like his big brother was, but now...

"Don't be mean. I don't have to shout any more..." He grumbled, only the slightest hint of a pout showing on his face. Still, Norway was only teasing. Listening to his voice, Norway would know that he was fairly satisfied with himself. There was a hint of nostalgia in his voice, as if despite everything, he missed those old days...

"You're still better." He said, checking himself and his thoughts. "I'll beat you one day..."

[mystisk_norge]

Norway just watched Iceland, amused but of course it was always hard to tell that. The pout was also adorable and even more reminiscent of their days together when Iceland was small. The entire moment dripped of nostalgia and it was making his mind foggy; but in a good way. It blocked out the rest of his worries for the time being. At the last added comment Norway almost, just almost smiled. One could see in his eyes that had he been someone else it would have been there