Small Things Hurt Most

It's Alright...right?

All Sealand could focus on was the fact that he couldn't breathe, and that there was someone at his door. And when it called out, "Sea? Answer me, please!" He knew it was Iceland. He would have thought about it more, if not for the fact he felt as if his lungs were trying to collapse. Sealand grasped his blankets tightly. He really didn't want to look weak in front of his brother, so he tried to stifle his heavy breathing with the fabric. 

"G-go away!" He whimpered. 

"Sea, calm down."

Sealand heard him. But he didn't answer. All he could think about was he couldn't breath, and it hurt.

" Breathe, Sea. Alright? Just breathe."

The micronation felt his heart tear in half. Why was Iceland trying to help him?

" Breathe in, one. Breathe out, two. Breathe in, three. Breathe out, four..."

OooOooOooOoo

Iceland repeated the mantra through the door like one of Norway's chants. He had learned long ago that the most important thing when panicking was to get ahold of your breathing and heart rate. Because when you can't think between gasping for air and the thudding of your heart, it makes it hard to reason.

While repeating the phrase, thoughts ran through his head. Why was Sealand panicking in the first place? Actually, when was Sealand ever even sad? Iceland sighed when the sobbing behind the door quieted down to a low cry. He sat down and leaned against the door.

"Sea? Can you let me in? Please?" Iceland questioned. When he didn't hear any footsteps from in side, he pressed his head to the door. "Sealand, you know you can talk to me, or any Nordic. If anyone hurt you, or was mean to you, we can handle it for you." Then he remembered something.

"Okay, maybe not Denmark. After the whole beat-the-guy-who-called-Finland-a-pansy thing, but other than that-"

"No."

No? What did he mean, no? He was trying to help! 

"Sea, seriously. I want to help you. But I can't if you don't tell me what's wrong." Iceland was getting frustrated now. Why can't Fin and Sweden be here? I suck with kids...

"Nothing is wrong!" Sealand shouted from inside. Iceland fell back from the door when it was quickly pulled open. After getting up, he was shocked at the look on Sealand's face. It was angry and sad at the same time, with obvious tear tracks on his cheeks. And Iceland hated it. It wasn't natural.

"See? N-nothing... nothing is wrong." Iceland could tell the younger was still winded by his heavy breathing. But at least it was somewhat normal now. Sealand scrunched up his eyebrows. "So can you go now?" His tone was angry, which Iceland was still getting used to. He didn't like an upset Sealand. But he was still impatient.

"Do you think I'm like that dumb Dane? I'm not an idiot. People don't get panic attacks for no reason. So tell me yours."

Even though he didn't mean it to, it came out a lot grumpier than the nation had meant it to. Instead of answering, Sealand looked down at his feet. Iceland sighed again. For what felt to both of them was years, they stood there until Iceland noticed Sealand's eyes start to droop.

Should I? Would he let me? Actually, I don't think I really care. I am.

With a short cry of protest from Sealand, Iceland scooped him up in his arms. But Sealand finally let himself fall limp. He was so tired...

Iceland carried him back to his bed and set him down. He untwisted the blankets, set the pillows back up and pushed the linen over the now sleeping kid. And for a while he just watched him sleep. Though soon he got out his phone. He had to text Finland and Sweden.

OooOooOooOoo

Sweden couldn't believe what he saw on the phone. Sealand? Panic attack? It didn't exactly make sense, but he was worried. And after a short talk with a very aggravated Germany, he took Finland and hurried to the hotel room.