Mikkel Køhler – The name I liked best for Denmark (because I find the popular fandom name for Denmark, 'Matthias', is too similar to Canada's name, Matthew). Mikkel's English equivalent would be 'Michael'.

One ought to note that 'Hygge' is a Danish term best translated as a social Nirvana of some sort.

Disclaimer: Nah, I don't own Hetalia… *sighes*.

This is dedicated to the lovely and ever wonderful LadyRaven83. Thank you so sososo much for your friendship, kind words, and the support you have given me ever since I began writing for Hetalia… which, oh my goodness, has already been for over a year now! Ahhh! Can anyone believe it? … And yet I still feel so new to the fandom…

In any case, I hope you enjoy this!

And Happy, Happy milestone Birthday to the beautiful country my family and I are lucky enough to call home, Canada! May it celebrate 150 more years, and counting.

Et un petit quelque chose en Français : Bonne Fête, mon cher pays bien-aimé, le Canada! Sache que la Montréalaise – et conséquemment, la Québécoise – derrière ces mots t'aime énormément.

Canadian Hygge

SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR

"…No no no! Canada is dating America. Didn't you know?"

"What? No way!"

"Yeah, they've got some type of freaky North American thing going on. And apparently, whenever America is frolicking around with either Australia or England or whoever, Canada bangs the Netherlands on the side."

"Huh, interesting. I don't blame little Canada though. Willem's a damn good lay."

"Mmm, that he is. Speaking of good lays, Canada seems like the type to be pretty gifted in that sense, too."

"Oh, I know right? What I wouldn't give to have that sweet little Canuck in my bed…"

Denmark stood frozen in place, back against the door of an empty conference room, as fading footfalls on the other side marked the renaissance of his solitude.

It hurt. It hurt bad.

He had been minding his own business, simply walking down the hall with the intent on procuring lunch for himself when he had heard them: voices he knew to belong to two of his fellow European nations.

Immediately upon hearing the name 'Canada', he had launched himself through the first open door available to hide (he had snuck out of the world meeting early and dreaded getting caught) – and, of course, to hear the rest of what was to be said about the darling Canadian his heart so irredeemably longed for.

He regretted doing so, now.

Because long after they had left, Denmark remained frozen in place, back against the door of that empty conference room.

And it still hurt. Bad.

He most definitely did not feel inclined to lunch anymore.

PRESENT DAY

It was Thursday.

Like tonight, and every precedent Thursday spent together since the start of their relationship (the European thanked his lucky stars every single day that Matthew had said 'yes' all those months ago… almost 10 months to be exact), Denmark and Canada favored going out in the town to drink – mostly because bars and/or clubs were relatively quiet on this particular weekday.

As a result, one did not have to wait as long for their drink, nor have to stand up for the duration of their stay because of a lack of tables, nor risk getting as pushed around by the large amount of people in attendance as what would occur on Friday and Saturday nights. Regardless, it had, in a way, become tradition by then – to go out on Thursdays, that is. In any case, today they found themselves in a semi-casual, semi-formal bar-club located smack in the middle of downtown Ottawa. The establishment in question owned pool tables, and as such, the Dane had consequently challenged Matthew to a best out of three. Loser had to be slave for a day, not that either minded; it was a typical 'punishment' they were both able to do.

It was nearing the end of the third – and last – game, each having won a game in the set. Mikkel played solids whilst Matthew was stripes.

The Dane had just pocketed his last ball and was now aiming for the 8. Moments later, he 'awwed' in disappointment as the black ball rolled mere inches away from the targeted pocket, to then smirk at the Canadian. "Guess it's your turn, Matt." The grin grew crooked at his next words, "Though, how 'bout you call it quits now? You have two balls left, and we both know I won't be missing my shot next time."

Ignoring the European, Matthew quietly chuckled to himself before muttering, "If there is a next time."

Competitive? Ha! The Canadian was very much so.

Indeed, to the Dane's utter astonishment, Canada successfully pocketed his yellow 9 ball, and soon later, in went the 11.

With a wink, Matthew bent over slowly, chest nearly skimming over the velvety surface of the table as he luxuriated in the feel of a fast-approaching victory. "Now for the money ball. Watch and learn, Mike." Patiently, steadily, he aimed for the 8.

Though just as he made his shot, something – someone – groped him from behind, sending the cue ball off course and away from its intended target.

Miffed, the North American turned on himself only to see his Danish counterpart blinking at him innocently – once, twice – sunlit-blue eyes wide as if to say 'Who, me?'

"I can't believe you! You sharked me! We're not even betting money on this one, and you sharked me," Matthew accused, pouting.

Denmark simply laughed boisterously. "I did not cheat. You merely failed to specify that ass-grabbing was a source of distraction to you."

At that, Matthew stifled a chuckle, trying in vain to muster up as much anger as possible to direct towards the Dane, only to fail at the sight of the ridiculously satisfied grin the latter had plastered on his face.

"Anyways, I believe it's my turn now?" The Scandinavian nation took his sweet time in doing just that, making a grand show of his coup de grâce. The moment he sent the 8 rolling into the nearest pocket, a wide, gleeful grin graced his lips. "Hmm… guess this makes you my little slave for today. Oh, the fun we will be having once we get back to your house…" he sighed dreamily.

Violet eyes stared disbelievingly at the currently daydreaming blond. "Excuse me? Whattaya mean by today?"

Mikkel's grin – if it were even possible – merely seemed to grow at the last query. "In case you didn't notice, it is now 2 AM in this wonderful capital city of yours, which means we find ourselves at the beginning of a brand new day!" Before the Canadian had the chance to contest, he explained, "We agreed that winner could choose any day he pleases to make loser slave, and we made that agreement yesterday, at precisely a quarter past 10 PM. Thus, I believe I am within my rights to request today as the day I want you to do my bidding."

Horror replaced the disbelief in Canada's eyes, before he shook his head in defeat. "You're a terrible, terrible individual Mikkel, you know that? You've been made fully aware of the important meeting I have with my boss 'today' regarding my 150th birthday preparations. I'm going to be dead tired for it, and you don't even care," he lamented.

"Aww, c'mon babe. I promise, I'll make it real good for you," the European teased, kissing Matthew's forehead. "Don't I always?"

With an eyeroll, the North American chose to refrain from commenting and, placing the cue sticks back on their rack, headed towards the exit. Mikkel meanwhile trailed behind, amused chuckles spilling from his smiling lips.

End of the First Chapter – Fin du Premier Chapitre

A/N: Denmark x Canada…. Yes! Finally! I adore this pairing! I've been wanting to write this for over a year now… May of 2016 when I spent a day in Ottawa for the Tulip Festival, to be exact. But, I had a real difficult time finding a way to start it. I had the plot just about figured out, but didn't know where to begin if that even makes sense, haha.

In any case, I hope that those of you who are Canadian and reading this are also celebrating our wonderful nation's 150th year since Confederation! And if you're not Canadian, well celebrate anyways! Have yourself a yummy piece of cake or something, m'kay? :)

With utmost love from Canada,

~SailorHikarinoMu