Annoying. That was the only word Norway could think of to describe Denmark. He was always loud. Annoying. Always hyper. Annoying. Always proclaming to be the King of Scandinavia. Annoying.
With all these things in mind however, The Dane had his good points too. No matter what time any of the other nordics called him he would be there. He always had a bright smile on his face that could rival the northern lights. He even helped Norway raise Iceland all those years ago, taking over when Norway was forced to go with Sweden.
" HEY NOR! " a loud familiar Danish voice broke Norway out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Denmark coming towards him. Norway had been relaxing outside since the weather was perfect for it. "What is it Dane?" Norway replied in a monotone voice. "I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WANTED TO GO HANG OUT AT THE LAKE WITH ME TODAY!!", Denmark seemed very excited about invited Norway to a day on the lake. "Your too loud, and besides I'm content right where I am." Norway looked straight at Denmark hoping his message didnt get mistranslated.
In reality, he wanted to hang out with Denmark. He just wanted to do it in private, with out the possibility of a crowd that was sure to be at the lake this time of year. Norway had developed a small crush on the loud Dane in the past century. The only problem was the shy Norwegian was unsure on how to tell him.
"B-but Nor", Denmarks expression fell. Norway studied his features carefully. Very few time had he seen Denmark upset, and everytime it never meant any good. Norway sighed and walked over to the Dane. " Den", he started putting his hand on Denmark's shoulder. "I don't mind hanging out with you, I would just much rather do it in more of a private setting and not so much around the summer crowds". Norway hoped he had assured his friend that he wasn't trying to abandon him.
"Well, ok, HEY! YOU STILL GOT THAT OLD CHESS SET??" Denmarks expression once again raised showing that bright smile Norway was used to seeing. "I think so, Let me put on some coffee and I'll go look for it." Norway turned to head back towards his house.
Later that evening, after what felt like the fiftyth time playing chess, Norway started to notice something off about Denmark. The least little comment Norway made would make Denmarks smile fade. He was sighing more than usual, and a couple of times he thought he saw tears in Denmarks eyes.
Finally Norway had to know. "Mathias, is there something the matter?" Norway asked gently, only a hint of monotone in his voice. Upon hearing his human name Denmark looked up. He had been staring at his hands for the last five minutes, which was what was the final straw for Norway. "Lukas, am I a monster?" Denmarks voice was barely above a wisper. "Why would you ask that? You're far from a monster" seeing Denmark anything but happy and confident worried and worried Norway to no end. "Do you remember all the people we caused the death of? All those raids, the violence... " Denmarks voice trailed off. "Why do I have to remember everything? Every scream. Every cry for mercy... " Denmark broke down tears falling from his eyes. Norway got up from his spot at the table and walked over to Denmarks side. Leaning over he pulled Denmark into an embrace. "Your not a monster", was all Norway could mannage. He was just shock that the normally happy Dane was sitting at his table crying, no breaking, over things that happened centuries ago. Things none of them had any control over.
When Denmark calmed down a little Norway broke the embrace offered him a few paper towels. Denmark took them and blew his nose. The breakdown had lasted a good ten minutes or so. "Mind telling me where all this is coming from?", there was a hint of anger in the Norwegian's voice as he thought somebody had said something to bring on these feelings. For once in Denmark's life he didnt say anything. He just stared at Norway as he held his hands.
Norway let go of Denmark's hands and embraced him yet again. "Your no monster, you were following orders. The same as all of us. I know you well enough to know that you would never do that today. How long have you been thinking this? " Norway was almost in tears at this point. How long had his friend, the man he loved, been harboring these feelings of self hate? Norway looked at his friend with concern.
In all the centuries Norway had known Denmark he had always been the happy one. Always loud, obnoxious, and above all always smiling. When one of the other nordics were down Denmark would be there with a big goofy grin trying to cheer them up.
"About a month, why" Denmark looked a Norway noticing the tears in his eyes. He thought he might of been seeing things as the Norwegian never showed even the slightest hint of emotion, but when he saw a single tear fall knew what he had saw, and felt horrible about it. "Look, im sure you have more important things to do so I'll just leave" Denmark couldn't stand the thoughts of the man infront of him tearing up, let alone crying. It was especially painful knowing he had caused it by being down himself. He got up and started to grab his coat when Norway stopped him.
"Sit down. Your not going anywhere untill you tell me why your thinking this way!", The ever quiet Norway raised his voice. There was a hint of anger in it and Denmark felt a rush of fear come over him. It had been so long since he heard his best so much as show emotion and now he was even raising his voice. "Why should you care?" He glared down at the shorter man. "All I am to you is ANNOYING!!" Norway started to protest but before he could Denmark dashed out the door.
Norway stood there in shock for a moment. His mouth agape small stuttered breaths escaping every so many seconds. He felt as if he had lost his best friend. Shaking he headed for the door to run after denmark only to stop short right outside the door at the sight of a sobbing Dane. "go away" Was all Denmark could get out between sobs. Norway studied him for a moment. "First off this is my house I'm not going anywhere. Second yes, you are annoying and obnoxious. Third, with all that being said your the most thoughtful person I know. " Norway sat down next to Denmark and put his arm around Denmarks shoulder. " If its any consolation, I still hear the screams at night too, from time to time" he looked at Denmark as he confessed. Denmark coughed a little clearing his throat. " how do you deal with it? " his voice was raspy from crying. " I rationalize to my self that Im not a monster, I did those things because the boss I had at the time had me to. You know as well as I do none of us want to hurt anyone" Norway inhaled shakily. " I'll be honest, I just want a normal life far from nation life, I want a relationship I dont have to end after a year or so, and ... " Norway's voice trailed off. He knew he had spoken to much already.
"Nor? No Lukas, I want the same thing." Denmark sighed the sobbing being reduced to silent tears. " I want to retire to the countryside." Denmark looked straight into Lukas' eyes, "And I want it... with you."