Finland heaved the last of his luggage into the back of the van, then grabbed the top and slammed it closed. He walked up to where Sweden sat sideways in the driver's seat, his long legs stretched out into the parking lot. On his lap their son slept dead to the world, his head slumped against Sweden's shoulder. Having shouted himself hoarse at the game, jumping up and down with every goal scored, until finally dozing off in Sweden's arms, still wearing his white and blue hockey jersey and Finland's bronze hockey medal hanging around his neck.
"Ready?" Sweden asked.
"Yep! Everything's packed."
"You s're you don' wan' t'stay? There's goin' t'be a party for the winners after t'morrow's match."
"Nah. We've stayed long enough. Besides," Finland stretched his arms over his head and yawned, wincing as his left shoulder ached in protest. "Sealand's not the only one who's sleepy. I just want to get home and sleep in my own bed, you know?"
"Right." Sweden handed the sleeping boy over, then swung his legs inside the van and started the ignition. Finland slid open the passenger's door and laid Sealand inside, buckling him in and adjusting a pillow under his head while in front Sweden browsed through the unfamiliar radio stations.
"If you still want to party, I overheard Denmark saying he was holding a surprise party for us when he got back to Copenhagen. He and Norge are supposed to be leaving tonight, too," Finland said as he climbed into the other front seat and slammed the door behind him. "Of course, now it's not a secret anymore because he was really drunk and yelling it to the whole bar, but still, if you want...to go...uh, Svi? What's wrong?"
Sweden's face had taken on 'that look'. Nothing had changed, exactly, because Sweden's face never really changed, even when he was upset. But there was something about the way the corners of his mouth drooped and his eyes became even narrower than usual that, besides from making him look angry and terrifying, also suggested total disappointment.
"Nothin'. Jus' had other things planned."
"Like what?"
Sweden backed out of the parking lot and turned onto the highway. "Jus' other things. Things t'do when the kid's no' around."
Finland felt a twinge of disappointment himself; after all, they took Sealand to the sauna all the time. Then it dawned, and Finland suddenly became very interested in the lifeline running across his palm.
"I see! That's a good idea, too."
Sweden's face returned to normal, and Finland knew he was happy by the way he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel to the music.
He couldn't resist one last tease.
"Then we can visit Denmark, right?"
All in all, Finland thought later as the plane began to take off, it was probably a good thing they didn't spot Denmark at the airport.