Lukas waited for Mathias to sink into the water before slowly opening his eyes. He looked around the dimly lit room. The walls were made of stone and in some areas exquisitely carved with designs. The floors were also made of stone but most of it was covered by a large carpet. Around the fireplace there were two chairs, one of which he was sitting in. A wooden dresser contained Mathias's clothes, Norway guessed- but then again it seemed like that was only the purpose. Most of Denmark's clothes seem to be on the dresser rather than in. Then his eyes strayed onto the wooden basin, where a clothesless Mathias was bathing. Shuddering, Lukas squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face in the mattress. He could feel a slow, creeping blush spread across his cheeks, heating his face which was already burning with fever. Trying to collect his thoughts, Norway replayed his bath in his mind over and over again. The way Denmark's fingers brushed against his skin, the soft rag cleansing him of the last few months of neglect and abuse. How gentle the feeling had been! When Mathias started washing at his thighs, drawing closer and closer to… that, Norway could feel the tension and the anxiety emanating from the Dane, the fear, the guilt. But Lukas hadn't minded. As the hot water swished over his body, he used all his strength not to sigh in contentment. Still, though, as Denmark's fingers rubbed over his body one last time, he had slowly exhaled in relief. And that kiss on his forehead. It was something he'd never admit, but it was today probably best thing that he could remember in the centuries he had been alive.
His face grew even hotter. In annoyance at himself, Lukas turned back, face-up to cool himself down. Slowly, he kicked off the covers, welcoming the cool air. As soon as he did so, he regretted it. He froze.
Denmark had just finished. He stood up and started to dry himself, turning slightly towards Norway. As he did so, Norway jerked himself under the covers, his heart pounding. There was no reaction from Denmark for a long while, relaxing him. Just as he was about to turn around and check that Mathias had left, he heard footsteps.
Mathias's breath brushed his cheek. Then he felt two fingers draw over the hottest area of his face. There was a soft snort.
"Lukas." Norway ignored him. Another small laugh.
"Lukas. I know you're awake." Still, he remained unresponsive. "Aw, okay. If you're not gonna respond I'm gonna kiss you. You'll be okay with that, right? 'Cause you'll never know- How cute, Lukas is blushing in his sleep because he can totally hear me. Alright. No more talk. Here comes the k-" Norway groaned and opened his eyes.
"Okay, you win. I was awake. The whole time." Denmark, for a second, looked almost hurt.
"Why were you ignoring me?" he asked, confused. The way Mathias's clear blue eyes focused on Lukas threw him off and eliminated his ability to answer. "Hey, you still there? Norge… c'mo-" His words were cut off short. Norway's lips kept Denmark's from forming words.
"I promise I'll kiss you harder when I'm not sick," he murmured. Pulling Denmark into the bed, he whispered,
"Don't leave me."
Then the tears started coming.
