"So," I say nervously, "Where do we go?" Sweden doesn't respond. We've been walking for more than an hour without stopping. I've been trying to make conversation, but the most response I've gotten is a nod or shake of the head. It's getting dark, and the moon is covered by clouds. I can't help but feel a little frightened, and Sweden's presence isn't helping. I hear a twig crack somewhere close and I shriek loudly. I feel Sweden's hand clasp mine tightly.
"Okay?" he says.
"Yes," I say quietly, trying to pull my hand away. He doesn't let go, which surprises me, but it makes me feel a little bit safer.
After about 5 more minutes of walking, we come to a clearing in the forest. Sweden stops and pulls a bag off of one of his shoulders. He pulls two rolled up sleeping bags out of the bag and sets them down on the grass. Yawning, I unravel one of them and sit down.
"It's nice out here," I say looking up at the sky, "Kind of scary though. Not that I don't like being with you!" I chuckle nervously. I am beginning to regret running away from Denmark with him. I crawl into my sleeping bag and pull it up to my neck, shivering.
"Sure is cold, huh?" I say. I turn around to see Sweden staring back at me. Scary! I think, Why did I do this?! Oh this was a bad idea, he's too scary! Should I try to run when he falls asleep? I laugh nervously.
"Goodnight," I say turning back around. Just as close my eyes, I feel Sweden's arm wrap around my chest. "Still cold?" he asks. You're such an idiot Finland, I think to myself. It's not too bad though. Imagine being all alone out here!
"This is nice," I say, laughing nervously, because well, it is. It has to be at least 15° out here, and Sweden's presence is feeling less and less scary and more, well, safe and protecting. I turn around. Sweden's expression hasn't changed all day. No wonder I've been so scared.
It's so hard to tell what he's thinking. But he stares into my eyes, and I feel like might have an idea. He brushes a piece of hair from my face, and I am caught off guard, and blush furiously. I smile weakly, pulling myself a little closer, blushing harder. Is this a good idea? Not at all! This is an awful idea! But I ignore the neurotic voice in my head. What's the worst that could happen? Bad idea! Bad idea!
Sweden smiles, and I am almost as surprised as when he first grabbed my hand. I smile back, as he pulls me a little closer. Our noses are almost touching. Any doubts that this might just be friendly have left my mind.
His lips meet mine. I gasp, shocked, but before I know it, I'm over it, sinking into the kiss. I put my arms around him in return, and everything feels perfect. Scary, terrifying even, but absolutely perfect. He stops, looking back into my eyes.
"I…" I stutter, my heart beating in my chest as if it were trying to escape, "I've just realized how much I like you."
"I've always liked you," he says. I blush, and Sweden pulls me in for another kiss, threading his hands through my hair and down my back. Heart beating fast, I pull his jacket off and put my hands on his chest, feeling his heart, which is surprisingly beating as fast as mine. He takes my shirt off too, feeling his way around my back. I never want to leave this moment.
But we slow our kissing, and eventually, I begin to fall asleep in his arms.
"Goodnight, Finland," Sweden mutters, kissing my forehead.
"Goodnight," I whisper, dozing off in his embrace.