opened a window in the kitchen, then opened the front door to let the smell be slowly whisked out. He remained on the doorstep, absently and happily reflecting on how good the catch had been so far.

had a feeling the other was around, but was still a little doubtful. Regardless, he decided to give the others house a visit. Just in case.

's eyes focused when his thoughts were abrupted by the sound of feet on gravel. He snorted quietly when he saw the taller man, the only sign of recognition, and didn't move from where he stood.

quickly saw that the other was there an a smile was instantly on his lips. He quickened his pace to get to him just that much quicker. "Hej~"

looked him over; it had been a while, but seemingly little of notice had changed. He nodded, "Hallo igjen."

stopped in front of him, chuckling a bit. "Ye and Ice really do have somethin' in common, ye know that."

seemed to take that as a compliment, though it only showed briefly on his face. "So I've heard.. What now?"

shrugs. "Ye both smell like fish. And it's makin' me hungry."

rolled his eyes, and stepped aside to let him in. "Then I guess we're lucky you haven't taken a bite of us." He gestured into the hallway toward the kitchen entrance. "I don't know what to make of 'em yet, so_

I s'pose you're free to make suggestions."

playfully bit around him before licking his lips and walking inside. "I love the smell of freshly gutted fish. Nice and fresh and deliciousness~" He waited for the other, still with that idiotic smile on his

lips. He had really missed him. Truth be told.

waved a hand at his face in dismay. "Child..." He followed him in and lead the way to the kitchen, rolling his sleeves over his wrists again. There were four fishes in the sinks, half-way through preperation. _

"Hungry for any particular dish, then?"

shakes his head as he looked them over. "Nej. I'm not even expectin' to stay... But now that I'm here, I can at least help ye."

sent him a look as he went over to the sinks, picking up the knife he'd used. "D'you have other plans today..?"

shakes his head. "I was hopin' ye were home. I didn't actually expect to find ye, so I was just gonna wonder around the city." It was lonely, yes, but that's what he'd been lately. He hummed and went to the

sink after to wash his hands, eager to help even though he knew the other didn't need it.

opened a drawer and picked out a knife for him, handing it over carefully. Somehow Denmark managed to cut himself if there was something to be cut on a surprising amount of times. "Well.. there'll be dinner _

here if you want." For some reason he felt uncomfortable when the Dane avoided his company. He moved two fishes to the counters and made room for the other, then started to skin one of them.

chuckles quietly as he took the knife. "Dorthe would hit me if she saw I had a knife in my hands." He went to carefully skin one of the fishes he was in charge of, not feeling that uncomfortable. There was a

bit of tension in the air he could feel, however.

secretly hoped he'd stay for dinner, but he said nothing more on the subject. "Mm.. That Danish woman, right. Seems more sensible than givin' you one." He scraped the scales off on one side, and turned it over.

stuck his tongue out at the other, even if he knew he'd not see him since he was occupied. "She just said I can't 'cause I'm too dangerous with 'em. Though, the last cut I got was from some glass, so." He went

quiet after that, still working on his one side of the fish. No matter how much he practiced, Norge always seemed to be better and quicker than him. But he tried his best to be as perfect to the other as

possible.

nodded a little in agreement. "You are, but these knives are hardly sharp enough to do much damage." Besides, it was a matter of food. He raked the last scales that would come loose easily, then picked on the _

more stubborn ones.

finally finished his one side an flipped to the other to work on it. "So... how've ye been?"

put his fish back in the unoccupied sink, then returned to scoop the scales off the surface. "Fine." He did look healthier than he'd been doing earlier this year. "Goin' outside's done me some good.. You?"

smiles, finishing off one fish and started on the next after moving the scales to the side. "That's good. M'glad ye're good... ye look great, too. Maybe next time we can go fishin' together, or

somethin'..." He picked at a scale that got under his nail before going back to his work. "I've been great, as usual." He said it with a bit less luster than he had in the past.

pressed his lips into a firm line and hummed in acknowledgement. He didn't like talking about emotional things, and had started to feel bad for how he'd stressed his best friend with his previous dark mood. _

"Really..?" He wasn't entirely convinced as he started on the last fish.

smiles and nods. "Ja. Of course. When am I not great?" He worked on a few of the stubborn scales that were still on the fish before flipping it over, putting more focus on his duty.

glanced at him while he scraped the scales off, holding back the comment that he'd seen him before in a couple of moments of 'not great'. "So.. What've you been doin'?"

shrugs as he thought about it. "Walkin'. Readin'. Spendin' time in the city... the usual, I guess." He had mostly been walking since he hadn't been able to find anyone to talk to.

didn't think that sounded too bad for holiday activities.. then again, they sounded like lonely activities, and he knew that wasn't good for people like him. ".. With your girlfriend?" He asked casually, and _

began on the other side of the fish.

chuckles and shakes his head, keeping that classic smile still. "Nej. She's been on a trip most of the month... I saw her durin' the first week, though. She might be back soon..." He tried not to think too much

about it.

nodded, dropping the subject but also the conversation entirely. He never had been skilled socially. He finished the fish and slipped it into the sink with the others, then went to throw the scales in a bin.

knew the other wasn't good at conversations, and he normally picked it up by talking more. Right now though he couldn't really focus, and soon enough he stopped working with the knife and just blankly stared

at the fish.

washed the sticky scales that wouldn't fall in the bin off his hands in the sink, frowning lightly when he turned the faucet off and noticed how quiet it had gotten. He looked over to Søren, his expression _

showing the faintest hint of worry as he joined him. "Here, go take a seat." He said quietly as he took the knife gently from the others hand and nodded towards the table.

nodded faintly as he let the other take the knife without issue, though he just shifted enough to get out of the way. He closed his eyes and took a few deep, but slightly shaky breaths.

only kept the knife for a few moments, putting it down while his concern grew more evident. "Danmark..." He took hold of his wrist, gentle yet firmly enough for the other to know that he was there for a _

certainty.

staye where he was for a moment or two before breaking the others hand off him and just as quickly hugging him. He buried his face into the others neck, trying to control the shakyness of his breath. "F-fanden.

I m-missed ye..."

started when he wrenched free of his hand and didn't have time to collect himself before he was fiercely embraced. He simply stood there in shock for a few moments, before letting out a calm breath and lifting_

his arms to hold around him. ".. I'm sorry, Søren..." He said softly around the lump in his throat. Damn it, Dane...

buried his head into the others neck more, and visibly tightened his hold on the other. He knew the other needed space and time to himself, but he himself needed more attention than he was willing to advertise.

swallowed thickly, and focused on keeping calm; he needed to be strong for his friend. He knew well enough that he needed company more often than he himself was comfortable with, but he had kept to himself _

unfairly long this time.. He muttered another apology, one hand stroking his back.

slowly brought his head back to lean on the others shoulder, instead of keeping it buried. His hold loosened a bit, but was still firmly around the other. "Can I s-stay the night...?" He really didn't want to

leave, but he felt he might have acted too aggressively in his need for the other.

kept the motion going slowly and soothingly. Denmark, besides Iceland, was the only person he'd not feel awkward around acting like this. He noticed how he started to calm down a little, and barely had to _

think on his answer. He nodded, then hummed approvingly if he hadn't felt it.

smiled faintly, but it was hard to see since he was chewing lightly on his lip. "Tak... Tusind tak, Norge..." He pulled back finally, letting the other have his personal space back as he quickly wiped his

eyes with the back of his arm.

let himself share a small, encouraging smile, then reached up to lightly pat his cheek. "No problem, Dan.." He took a step back and glanced towards the fish. "How 'bout we get this dinner done then, hm?"

smiled and nodded, his eyes still vibrant from the faint tears he had surpressed. "Ja. What do ye want me to do?" He was eager to help the other again, this time nothing to hold him back.

glad to see him on the right track again. He gestured towards a lower cupboard while picking up the knife again. "You choose a pot or pan, whether you want to fry or cook it." He figured he knew enough to go

from there, while he parted the fish.

went to pull out a pan, figuring that a nice fried fish dinner would be nice. He got some oil in the pan and turned it on to heat up. "What kind of veggies do ye want with this?"