It must be nearly seven or eight when he wakes up. In fact as he rolls his head over to face the alarm clock he's surprised to see that it's actually almost nine. Norway groans. Of course… daylight savings… no wonder.

A small shift of the body beside him brings the Norwegian out of his silent grumbling. This is perhaps the second time this week that he's woken up with the Dane next to him. But then, probably the first when he's actually looked at Denmark when he woke up. For a moment he simply lets that sink in. Letting his mind dwell on the fact that in this very moment, for the first time in quite a while, he feels fine with the Dane next to him. Sleeping in the same bed. Trusting one another enough to allow such vulnerable moments to be within reach of each other.

The idea, he supposed, was something he hadn't thought of in some time. Not since before the last world war in fact. Even then, he didn't welcome the thought at the slightest. But none the less, Norge had to admit that Denmark lying next to him, so quiet and peaceful was something, he dares say, enjoyed. It was so different from his normal aptitude. Well, take away yesterday and the last couple of days… those being something that had altered his emotions to the point where the poor persona was nearly a train wreck. Whether the ex-viking would admit it or not. The sore lack of glee in his eyes had been plainly present and even when Norway found himself at a point of in-between consciousness and unconsciousness he could clearly see that.

But now, right now that is, they look at him thoughtfully. Mulling over something so strange in his head, so new and foreign. Perhaps it is guilt or forgiveness of one's self, Norway does not know. They don't reflect much else to him and he's tempted to ask and Mathias looks tempted to tell. But he says nothing, a quietness has taken him, one that he hasn't let rule for a long time. Thankfully, the Dane doesn't seem sad or at the very least tearing himself apart. He's just there, thinking and staring.

Norway wishes he would stop that but before he can request it, Dan's hand entangles his own. Fingers gently wriggling their way between pale, healing digits. Grasping at knuckles and hanging onto them tightly as if he's almost scared that Norway will flee. There's no possessiveness to the action though, not like when they were younger countries with little to think about other than conquering another's grounds. There's a plea in the movement a way he touches the skin and allows for his eyes to show one thing. To say, "Stay" with all their wideness and silence. Lukas finds it odd that for once in his life Denmark manages to say something without uttering a word or opening his mouth.

They stay like that. They stay like that for hours. Just lying there in the silence and the sunlight of the oncoming day, thoughts run through their head but at the moment they simply enjoy the other's presence more than anything.

It's probably eleven or twelve when they drunkenly wander down the stairs. Still feeling drained and the kind of tired you can't sleep off. Finding a place in the kitchen where Iceland is staring at them haphazardly. Eyeing his brother with a sort of skepticism in his violet eyes. Watching his movements, evaluating and calculative. It's a look Dan has rarely seen and he can't help but start to giggle under his breath. That added to the dark circles that are under the younger persona's eyes and Norway is aware that the younger was up all night. And from the way he watches him, he'd assume he was worried about his brother or at least thinking about him.

He would almost call it fretting the way that Iceland subconsciously starts doing things here and there for Norway. The boy had been scared, for whatever reason he'd been damn near terrified. But Lukas wasn't about to pry right now. Not while everything is still fresh and on the surface. Instead he pours a pot of coffee and enjoys what he can of it. As the kitchen fills and people begin to shuffle in for food and drinks everyone simply settles in silence. Tired, awkward in the slightest and suddenly alive to the sight of the sun rising higher above their heads.

There's jokes, there's flirting, there's smiles and there's laughter. The smell of eggs and toast not the mention milk and orange juice. Norway feels like he's a family again, like how they were at just before the union and at the beginning of it. He doesn't think of hatred in that moment, nor pain or sadness nor does he feel hollow and empty inside. There's happiness around him and caring people who love him.

There are people there to help and there to help him cope. He doesn't have to be alone anymore. He feels the dampness in his eyes grow as he watches them and as an arm slips over his shoulder and a whisper of comfort slips into his ear he allows himself to curl up against the Dane. "I'm alright," Norway mutters, "I'm better than that actually, I'm loved."

…FIN…

Holy hell that took way too long to finish and I am sorry for that hella long a** delay. This doesn't even make up for the time. Probably doesn't even wrap it up nicely but it's where it's ending. I may add on later to make it a little more nicely put up in a bow. But for now. The end is here, I've done it.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT, REVIEWS, FAVES AND FOLLOWS. YOU'VE ALL HELPED ME THROUGH THIS AND MANAGED TO KEEP THIS GOING ON. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

~EarlyMorningMassacre~