Hey guys! This is my first Hetalia fanfic and I'm super excited about it. It's a DenNor Viking AU based off the song Over the Hills and Far Away by Nightwish. I'll add the link in the next chapter for those who want to listen. It will be about 3 to 4 chapters and probably a total of 8k to 9k words. I hope you enjoy ^J^
"I wonder where they're going. Probably somewhere fun. Don't you think it would be cool to just drop everything, buy one of those awesome-looking boats, and take off on our own adventure? What d'ya say, Lukas? Just you and me and the vast blue unknown. No one to judge us or criticize the way we live. We could be together forever, just like we've always wanted."
A snort escaped the smaller blonde, the dusky rose colour of the setting sun glinting off his metal cross hairpin.
"You keep saying that and every time my answer is the same. It's never going to change, Mathias. Yeah, the idea sounds great but we can't just take off like that. Besides, how many ships full of adventurers have you ever heard of? That boat is either taking Vikings to go pillage another town or shipping prisoners off to the Russian wastelands. I doubt you'd want to be in with either of those crowds."
The larger blonde gave a playful shove to the man sitting beside him, his untamable hair splaying out in spikes from his radiantly cheerful face. Lukas rolled his deep indigo eyes, fixating a glare on the chuckling Dane. Sporting an exaggeratedly wounded expression, Mathias clutched his heart in pretend agony before chortling once more to himself and setting his sights on the undulating sea before them.
"Okay, maybe so," the Dane conceded, "But that doesn't mean I can't dream of being on one of those boats, speeding off to some foreign land. That will always be my heart's desire and I won't rest until I've lived it."
"I thought I was your heart's desire," Lukas quietly smirked as the blonde's eyes widened.
"How could I ever say such a stupid thing," Mathias lamented, pulling a spluttering Norwegian into his chest despite the other's muffled complaints, "Dearest Lukas, you will always be my heart's desire." Mathias placed a tender kiss atop his lover's head before finally letting him go, a crimson blush enflaming Lukas' cheeks.
The two men settled comfortably against each other before retraining their sights on the colorfully marbled horizon before them. Intricately carved Viking longboats continued to glide in and out of the dock below, the masterfully painted wooden shields that adorned the sides matching the vibrant colours of the fading sun. From their hilltop view, Mathias and Lukas could see almost every building that belonged to the small Danish town in which they resided. The eagle's eye view of the sturdy log buildings and peaceful, cerulean sea was precisely why the two paid visits to that hill every chance they got. It was their escape from reality, their safe haven far above the watchful eyes of the townsfolk. It was the place they could retreat to in order to simply be themselves.
A salty breeze carried in off the tumbling waters sifted its way up the cliff face and wound its way through Mathias' hair, causing his eyes to flutter shut in contentment. He'd always loved the grassy cliff since he was a young child, years before he began bringing Lukas to this sacred spot along with him. The hill had always played a special role in the Dane's life and he never once took for granted the way the smooth air and silky grass could calm him down no matter what was on his mind. It was as if the air up there had magical powers that enthralled him into a dreamlike trance and Mathias hummed softly as the another cool breeze washed over his face.
Unfortunately, the trance splintered as Lukas pulled him back into reality.
"People are starting to talk about it. You know we can't stay here much longer."
Mathias glanced at the smaller blonde, the worried creases of his face accentuated from the intruding evening shadows.
"Who started it?"
"Lars."
Mathias swore under his breath and squeezed his bright aqua eyes shut in defeat. Lars had been a longtime friend of Lukas and had harbored an unrequited love for the Norwegian since the first time they met. He had never been fond of the Dane for he knew it was he that held Lukas' heart, but circumstances forced Lars into accepting him. If only for Lukas' sake. However, the large Dutch man was slowly being driven mad by his unreturned affections, and both Mathias and Lukas knew it had only been a matter of time before he turned them in. As the saying goes, if he couldn't have Lukas then no one could, especially a pompous arse like Mathias.
"He wouldn't do that," Mathias lied, "Lars is your friend. He'd never wish to see you suffer."
The small Norwegian chortled humorlessly to himself. The sound caused shivers to sprinkle down Mathias' spine and he winced at the feeling. As the pink sun in the distance was painted with the inky purple of night, so too were their thoughts tainted with the ominous darkness.
"Stop pretending, Mathias. This isn't just a scenario anymore. He's going to go after you and you know it."
"Then we'll run away," the Dane exclaimed exasperatedly, admitting to himself that Lukas' words echoed truth, "Just like we've always talked about, okay? We'll leave this town tomorrow morning and head for Germanic lands. We could even go down to the Mediterranean, into Roman settlements. I've heard rumors they're more lenient down there."
Lukas simply shook his head and turned his face away from Mathias, fingers idly grazing his cross hairpin, something he only did when nervous. Without hesitation, Mathias enfolded the man into his arms and drew him into a deep, loving kiss. The moment their lips embraced, the separate feelings they had collided into one as trust coursed between their passionate connection. Mathias broke away and caressed a hand under Lukas' chin, tilting his head upwards to stare into eyes the same colour as the darkening sky.
"I made a promise to protect you, baby. I'll never let anything happen to you. We'll escape tomorrow and live the life we've always dreamed about, mark my words," Mathias forcefully reminded the blonde, his visage sparkling with fervor.
Lukas pursed his lips into a thin line and jerked his head once in understanding.
"Do you promise, no matter what happens to us, you'll always come back to me?" Lukas asked, too embarrassed at the emotion catching his voice to look the Dane in the eye. With hands light as a whisper, Mathias cupped Lukas' cheek.
"As sure as the rivers reach the seas, I will always come back to you."
Quietly yet contented, the two men rose from the comfortable grass and, hand in hand, leisurely made their way back to the little house they shared. The night was unusually quiet, even for the small village. The air was soft and sweet and silent, but the undercurrent carried with it an insidious fear. Mathias ignored the way the hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention and attributed the dread to nerves of tomorrow's escape. He tightened his grip on Lukas' hand and the pair continued without words into the late autumn night.
Upon reaching the wooden house, Mathias retrieved two burlap sacks from a chest of drawers. He flung one at Lukas and kept the other for himself, instructing the other man to put all his necessities into the bag for it would be all they could carry. Lukas nodded and scurried away to begin filling his bag.
The Dane remained near the entrance of the longhouse, stuffing his bag with cups, plates, and food for their journey. As he made his way around the room, he traced his fingertips over the furniture one last time. That house had been passed down from his father and his father before that and so on. Each piece of hand-crafted wood was a family heirloom and it made Mathias cringe to think he would be leaving everything he had ever known in the morning.
He hadn't shown his trepidation to Lukas, but inside he was just as terrified as the Norwegian. How could he not be? But he had to be brave for Lukas' sake. After all, he made a promise of safety that he never intended to break.
After filling his sack to the brim with every item he thought they might need, Mathias closed the material with a knot and traipsed to the back of the room for one last peaceful night of sleep. As he padded into the shadowy corner, he found Lukas sitting on the bed illuminated by the moonlight filtering in through the tiny window. Mathias noted the way his blonde hair appeared ghostly pale in the darkness and how his normally bored expression was marred by worried tautness.
A floorboard creaked beneath the Dane, giving his position away. Lukas swiveled his head and gave the other man a small smile, patting the bed in invitation. Mathias grinned with his usual cheerfulness and plopped down next to his lover.
"Seems weird to be leaving after all this time," Lukas admitted after a few moments of heavy silence.
"I know, but it's what we need to do. Think of it, baby, our own little place down by the Roman settlements. No one will bother us and it's always warm. No Vikings, no winter, and no need to worry," Mathias soothed. Lukas hummed in agreement and huddled into the Dane's side to reprieve his body of the chilly air.
"Just you watch, it'll be fine," Mathias mumbled as he pulled the Norwegian down to lay beside him, "Before you know it we'll be out of here and headed for Roman land."
To Be Continued...
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Here is the link to the song this is based off: watch?v=o8gXzDLNWl8