didn't answer.

frowns and pulls out her cell phone, calling his number.

didn't answer it but saw who was calling, and texted her a few moments after. [Sup?]

...sighs before replying as she starts to walk home. [Nothing, misdialed.]

frowns a bit. [... That's a first.]

stops and takes a breath before she types. [Is that boy in Thora's house your Iceland?]

sighed. [Ja.]

frowns and stares at her phone. [I am happy for you then.]

frowned a bit. [... Why don't ye come over here?]

[Where are you?]

[At home. The doors unlocked.]

hesitates before walking the few steps back to the door and stepping inside. [Here...]

blinks, surprised by that. He got out of his room and headed downstairs, smiling faintly. "Hej..."

tucks her cell phone away. "I knocked earlier."

smiles a little. "Sorry, I didn't hear. I've been in my room mostly..."

nods a little. "..." She didn't really know what to say.

coughed into his arm lightly as he headed to the kitchen. "Come. I'll make some coffee and pastries."

notices the cough. "How are you feeling?"

shrugs. "Fine enough." He washed his hands before getting the coffee started, then worked on the pastries.

stands at the entrance to the kitchen. "...How did he get here?"

shrugs. "He just showed up. He said he was lookin' for us, but... we've been on the lookout for him. So I'm not sure."

sighs faintly. "I have officially looked everywhere Thora could be... if she's in this world."

nods a little. "I'm sure she's still in this world... I've not heard of any of ye returning." ... Though, now that he thought about it as a possibility for Astrid and stopped mid-stir.

shakes her head. "There's been a few... I even looked with Russia and she told me that she didn't think Thora would avoid me... or us. Thora needs other people as much as she tries to say otherwise..."

nodded a bit. "I know... that's why I was surprised we couldn't find Ari."

looks at the ground. "She is probably safe wherever she is."

nods. "She's not a risk taker. Not unless one of us are around." He put the pastries in the oven and brought some coffee over to her.

sits at the table. "I will never stop worrying about her but..." She frowns and holds the coffee mug tight in her hands.

sipped some coffee himself, coughing a bit more after. "I know. Neither will I. Even if she's not nearly as close to me as she is to ye, I worry for all us Nordics..."

sips at her own. "If it's true your Iceland just showed up... maybe I should stop looking for her. I will not forget her and I will always worry. But if it is something I cannot change, I should live on..."

rubbed her back lightly. "I'm sure she's still here." He smiled faintly. "Don't give up hope, Gjertrud. Thora'd make fun of ye for it."

shakes her head. "I know she is not. I have looked and she would have looked. I am not giving up I just... I know if she was still here, she would be with us in this room right now."

sighed a bit and sipped his coffee. "Ye can't always think like that... ye gotta be optimistic. Even if it is lonely."

narrows her eyes at him. "Thinking she is still here is the pessimistic view, it means something's wrong and I can't help her or she's avoiding us. You can think whatever you want. Just let me think my own way"

pouts a bit but nods. "But if ye keep like that it'll change ye."

grips her coffee cup tighter. "No. If I keep thinking the way I am now, it will only make me more depressed and more reclusive! You forget that I've been separated from her before..."

nods a little. "Ja, I know... trust me."

"Then do not try to tell me how to cope. I would never forget her and she will never stop being my sister and closest confidante."

nodded as he pulled out the pastries and put them on a plate on the table for them.

drinks a little more coffee. "I just... I can't let my life revolve around her..."

nods. "Ja. Ye need to be yerself still... even if it hurts at times. Ye can't let it control ye."

nods. "And I haven't been myself lately..."

hums. "Ye need a hobby. I could help ye find one."

rolls her eyes a little before grabbing a pastry.

leaned more on the table, looking down into his coffee.

nibbles at it as she watches him.

held in a few coughs as he closed his eyes a bit. "Wanna stay for dinner?"

raises an eyebrow. "Only if you tell me what is going on with the coughing."

rolls his eyes as he got up and went to check the fridge to see what he had. "Nothin' out of the ordinary."

watches him. "Sick?"

kept quiet as he headed for the door. "I gotta go out and shop for food."

stands up. "I will go with."

smirks a bit. "Ye don't have to. I won't be long, the store is just down the street."

doesn't say anything but she goes to pull her boots on.

didn't mind the help really. He guessed it wouldn't hurt in case anything happened to him. He got bundled up before heading outside, walking towards the store.

might be worried about him going out with a cough like that... She follows him in silence.

hummed quietly with his hands in his pockets as he looked around. "I love winter..." Even if he did cough after that.

nods slowly as she watches him. "You should do something about that cough before it turns into something worse..."

sighs a little. "I've kinda tried... I've staye at home mostly. So it's not like I've been out in the weather."

frowns ever so faintly. "Is it a cold?"

shrugs a little as he held in a few coughs. "Either that, or the flu that's been goin' around lately... it's really hit Copenhagen."

sighs under her breath. "You need to take better care of yourself."

sighed. "I try. It's just hard when I don't even notice. When Astrid was around, she'd force me to bed.. now I don't even notice I'm gettin' sick until I get the chills or cough." He got to the store not long

after and got a basket, putting different ingredients in as he walked around.

walks with him, frowning. She punches his arm lightly. "Idiot..."

laughs a little, coughing into his elbow. "M'use for people bein' around to tell me stuff. S'different when m'on my own." He finished gathering everything. "Ye got anythin' special ye want?"

shakes her head. "Tch, I guess I had better stay over to make sure you don't do something stupid and die."

rolled his eyes as he went to go pay. "I'll be fine I guess. Besies, I don't wanna be a burden."

rolls her own eyes in response and follows him. "Really? You were practically begging me to stay over at the holiday party."

sighed and nodded. "Ja... 'Cause parties are to be fun. And I didn't want ye to feel alone."

looks away from him. "Ah..."

headed home once he took the bags, shivering a bit. "I can't wait to get the oven on..."

walks with him in silence, keeping an eye on him.

got home soon after and brought everything to the kitchen after kicked his shoes off. He rubbed his hands toghether and blew on them lightly before starting to organise everything.

slips off her boots and coat and looks at a few pictures hanging on the walls.

mostly had photos of the male Nordics, though he had taken a few sneak shots of the females. All tasteful, the ones that weren't he kept for himself, and only were of Astrid. He was a strong believer in keeping

family portraits after so long...

frowns faintly when she sees one of Ari. There was a few of Thora, too, but she was still a little upset that their Iceland was back before hers.

felt bad for her still... but he knew she'd be back, eventually. He just wanted her to be happy. He wanted everyone to be happy...

wanted him to be happy, too.

happy. He was always happy~

worried about him more then she would let on.

didn't see why, he was fine. Just a little sick now.

worried about her Denmark and was starting to worry about him, too.

wondered why she was worried about Dorthe. She seemed to be doing great.

always worried about Dorthe and Thora. It was her job as their big sister.

thought that was kind of cute. He doubted his Nor cared about him that much.

thought he probably did and just didn't show it.

wouldn't put it past him. He was emotionless like that. He got started on dinner in the mean time, taking a while so he didn't slip up.

straightens a few things...

did plan on getting more photos of the Nordics...

wouldn't be terribly opposed... As long as there weren't too many of herself.

would include her some, but not too much. He only had a lot of his Nor because they were best friends. But he'd be a little more generous to Gjertrud and not over step his bounds.

wouldn't let him over step her bounds. She wasn't going to hold back on hitting him just because he was the male version of Denmark.

wouldn't blame her. He got some fish into the oven and worked on some veggies soon after.

wanders over to the kitchen. "...You shouldn't be making all this if you're sick."

smiled to her. "It's okay. M'goin' slow. I don't wanna accidentally cut myself and contaminate everythin'."

"That's not what I'm worried about..."

raises his brow. "What is it then?"

rolls her eyes. "Don't push yourself too much, you'll get worse."

smiles as he went back to making dinner. "That's why I'm goin' slooowwww~ If I didn't care 'bout my health, I'd be goin' quickly." He stepped back a moment to cough into his elbow again, waiting a moment after

before getting back to cutting the last of the veggies. "No one to take care of me anyhow."

"Would you let someone else take care of you?"

shrugs. "Dunno. M'use to doin' it myself, and I don't wanna take someone away from their life to help me 'cause of my stupidity."

sighed quietly, annoyed. "Idiot..."

smirks. "It's true. Would ye wanna stay here a week, lookin' over me when ye could be runnin' yer own country and lookin' for Thora?"

stares at him. "You really are an idiot..."

just smiled widely at her before putting the knife down and stepping back to cough into his hands. Once he finished coughing he sighed and washed his hands carefully, putting the veggies into some pots.

rolls her eyes. "Fine, you've left me no choice. I am staying over."

laughs at that, though it turned into a bit of a coughing fit. He thought she was joking.

never joked. Well, mostly never.

took a while to recover, his throat killing from that fit. He rubbed his throat after and just smiled at her.

smacks his arm none too gently.

made a sound at that and held in a cough. "Ye're funny." He went to check on the chicken and veggies.

sighs. "I'm not joking."

hums. "Uh huh. 'Cause ye have nothin' better to do that to be here."

shrugs. "Not really."

still thought she was joking.

still wasn't joking.

still thought she waaaass. He pulled the chicken from the oven and licked his lips. "Looks good."

doesn't see why he would think that. She starts to help set up the table.

got everything set up food wise before putting everything on the table so they could pick what they wanted. "Dig in~" He went to get a beer for himself before sitting down, glad to be off his feet.

sits down and dishes herself some food. "Thanks."

nodded as he got a small amount of food for himself. Now that it was all done and made, he didn't actually feel that hungry...

figured he wouldn't be if he was sick.

ate quietly regardless, pouting a bit after. "How does it taste?"

nods as she eats. "It is good, thank you."

smiles a little. "Good... m'glad ye like it."

dishes herself some more food.

quietly picked at his own, drinking the beer more so than drinking.

"I'll go back to my house to pick up a few things after dinner."

.. looks to her. "Why?"

rolls her eyes. "Because I'm staying over."

sighs. "I thought ye were jokin'... ye don't have to, really."

"I'm not joking and I'm not doing it because I have to."

pouts. "Then why're ye doin' it?"

shrugs. "I want to?"

nods a little. "But normally ye can't stand me."

rolls her eyes. "Idiot."

finished eating, though not finishing all that was on his plate. "So, ye're serious?"

nods. "I wouldn't joke about it."

shakes his head as he slowly got up and started cleaning up the pots and pans. "Ye really don't need to... I'll be fine on my own."

sighs. "Just shut up, I'm not changing my mind."

pouts a bit. "Ye'll make me feel bad though..."

rolls her eyes. "Why would you feel bad?"

shrugs as he coughed a bit, wraping up his plate and putting it in the fridge with the left overs. "Keepin' ye from home..."

sighs. "It's not like there's much different there."

sighed as he finished off his beer, coughing after it before leaning against the counter. "Ja, but..." He couldn't think of a reason for her to leave.

shrugs. "Besides, it'll be a nice change."

raises his brow. "How will it be nice? Ye're stuck with a not-healthy Dane."

covers her mouth. "Sorry, slip of the tongue. It will be a change."

smirks a little at that, closing his eyes a bit. "That's more like ye."

sighs. "You should probably take a nap."

nods a little as he headed for the couch. "Ja... I feel warmer than normal..." He almost felt over dressed with a t-shirt on.

frowns. "It's not a good sign if you are running a fever."

nods a little as he got to the couch and sat down. "It'll pass soon I figure... they always go..."

nods slowly. "Just take a nap for now and I'll go get my things."

nods as he watched her. "... Tak." He laid down, resting his head into the pillow as he stared at the ceiling.

watches him before starting for the door.

wasn't about to just get up and run around the house. He was sore and tired and all he wanted to do was rest to get rid of this fever.

pulls on her boots and coat and starts heading home.

curled up a bit as he listened to her leave, secretly hoping she'd not take long. He felt bad for taking her away from home, but at the same time he missed having company, and someone just being around.

packs a few things when she gets home before leaving again. She didn't really like just moping around her house and was looking forward to a change.

would be happy to know that this was benefitting both of them. He'd try to be a good host for her.

doesn't really want him to be a good host. She just wants him to get better. She walks back to the house and lets herself in.

heard her come in and smiled, though he began coughing after that. "I-I can get yer room set up... a bit later..."

rolls her eyes. "I can do it myself, just sleep."

shakes his head as he sat up. "It wouldn't be fair. Besides, I can't sleep."

sighs. "You need to rest. I'll set it up on my own."

frowned a bit. "It's gonna be dusty and stuff though. And cold, the vent's not open." He carefully got up, holding on to the couch to try and stay stable.

"All the more reason you should just rest and not go."

sighs. "I just... wanna help, kay?" He hated being sick because he felt weak and lazy.

"You can help by sitting down and resting." She starts to walk towards the guest room. "If you come into my room, Frigga will bite you."

made a small sound and stopped. He didn't doubt the rabbit... He just smiled faintly and nodded. "Ye can leave the door open for a bit then, that'll bring in some heat..." He went to go sit on the couch after.

knew Frigga wouldn't bite, let alone care if Soren came in the room. She nods and steps into her room, setting her things down.

coughed and put a hand to his throat, trying to calm down. He hoped it wasn't too cold for her...

would be fine, she was certainly used to the cold. She set about cleaning up, finding it a bit relaxing.

coughed quietly on the couch, feeling himself warm up more. He just kept bundled up, not wanting to move.

listens as she cleans and unpacks. She figures as long as she doesn't hear any crashes or doors opening, he was staying still.

didn't want to mooove. He felt cold one minute then hot the next. He just wanted to rest until that stopped happening.

walks back to the living room. "Need anything?"

coughed quietly into his hands. "Just... w-warmth... Or tea..."

nods and walks to the kitchen.

felt bad for making her do stuuuuffff. He wanted her to relax.

didn't mind helping him. She was used to helping Thora out so it was nice to be able to help someone again. She starts making some tea and starts making some butter cookies.

closed his eyes and breathed calmly as he waited. He wasn't use to being looked after, which was why he had so much resistance.

brings him a cup of tea and some cookies, setting them on the table next to him.

made a quiet sound before sitting up so he wasn't taking up all the space on the couch. "Tak..." He took the tea and sipped some of it carefully.

nods and sits down across from him, eating some of her own cookies.

kept bundled up as he smiled faintly. "This is good. Tak. And the cookies look yummy."

nods slowly. "They are good."

grabbed one, his arm shaking a bit before he nibbled it and smiled more.

frowns faintly when she sees him shaking.

barely even noticed it, his mind now focused on the tea and cookies. It didn't take long for him to reach out and have another.

drinks some coffee she made for herself, keeping an eye on him.

wiggled a bit, both out of cold and excitment. "These are good. I didn't know ye could bake this well." He said half jokingly.

shrugs. "Who would have guessed?"

chuckles a bit, coughing into the blanket a little. He leaned against the couch more after, wanting to rest some more. He just kept hold of his tea in his hands, liking how warm it is.

makes a mental note to try not to make him laugh too much...

liked laughing though. It hurt worse to not laugh than to deal with the cold. He sipped more tea and hummed. "So... Is yer room okay?"

nods. "It's fine, thank you." She eats another cookie.

nodded at that, finishing off his tea. "That's good... I've not been to the guest rooms in a while, so..."