Small Things Hurt Most

Privacy

"What do you mean Denmark? Why's he so upset?" Finland finally said.
After Denmark had trudged out of the bathroom after Sealand, eyes red rimmed and puffy, no one had said a thing. Finland and Sweden were both visibly confused, Sweden still a bit annoyed for Denmark breaking down the bathroom door. They were going to have to pay the hotel for that later. Ever since he had first been texted by Iceland about Sealand's... episode, Sweden had been on edge. He didn't like not being able to understand what was wrong. Sealand was his child, it was his duty to take care of him.  But right now, that's one thing he could not do.
"Ugh... he needs some love right now, that's all I can really say right now,"  Denmark mumbled. Sweden didn't like the older being so solemn. It was so unlike him to be so obviously sad. Then again, the same went for Sealand.
"What does that mean?" Once again Finland was the first to speak up. He had his arms crossed and was waiting for an answer from the Dane. Denmark just walked over to the couch and flipped down on on it.
"Just..." he started. "I'm gonna let him rest for now. I'll talk to him some more in the morning."
He mumbled into the pillow he had pulled to his chest.
"That didn't answer my question."
"I know that, alright? It's just a bit to process, and I don't know how bad the whole story is. I don't want to assume something and have it completely wrong." Denmark sighed heavily.
"Well, at least tell us why the attack happened!"
Denmark thought for a while. He knew why, but he now also knew that Sealand was more than he let on most of the time. He could be a mature person that deserved privacy, that he entrusted Denmark with. And besides, maybe the self-loathing could be helped with a few compliments. Maybe it went no further than angry words. But then again, maybe it didn't. And if it did go into more... physical problems, it was a good reason to break that privacy.
He struggled with whether to tell them much for a good few moments. Either risk Sealand's trust and him just being in a rut and losing that trust, or risk his trust, stop him from doing anything stupid and still probably lose his trust. Neither option sounded very good.
But with a sigh, Denmark knew he would rather lose his trust than lose Sealand.
"He hates himself."
The other Nordics seemed surprised at this. Immediately Denmark felt guilty for saying anything, but he didn't want to risk his little friend getting worse.
This time it was Norway who spoke up. " What? Are you sure you're talking about Sealand?" His voice was skeptical. Finland had uncrossed his arms and Sweden looked concerned, but still said nothing.
"Yes I'm sure! He really does feel bad about himself, guys! And... and I don't want him to." Iceland stood up from his spot on the couch. He scrunched up his eyebrows, clearly in thought. Denmark felt horrible. He didn't like messing with Sealand's privacy, it was his life after all, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
"When he was with me, he kept saying he was fine. Even when he was sobbing, he denied he was. He didn't want me to see it," Iceland said. Denmark realized Sealand has done the same to him; not wanting him to see him upset.
"Wait," Finland started, " What do you mean hate himself? Is he embarrassed or something? Did someone say anything?"
Denmark wished he could answer their questions, but he couldn't. He didn't know what was inside Sealand's head. He knew he would figure it out eventually, but not now. He didn't want to jump to conclusions on just what the problem was.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. " I'm gonna find out, but for now, I don't want to assume anything."
After that Denmark grabbed a beer and began to watch TV. The others wanted to continue the conversation, but Denmark obviously wasn't going to say anything else. And as he watched them go to bed one by one, Denmark wondered if he had made the right choice.
To be honest I'm really hating this story right now. It's too confusing and scattered, I really didn't plan for it to go this far. I have other stuff I'm working on that's a lot better, so I'll get that out sometime after this story is done.