Twelve Drummers Drumming
Japan had finished putting on her dress and delicately put on the camellia hairclip. She took the present for her picked recipient and rides the elevator to arrive at the floor where the ball was to be held. On the way, she had caught up with Netherlands and Belgium. She had given Japan a hug and Netherlands gave her a pat on the head. The trio decided to walk together to the ballroom.
"You look so cute in your dress, Japan!" complimented Belgium as Japan responded with a smile. "Thank you."
Italy catches up to her and compliments her on the dress. Japan says a thank you. They talk about the decor of the place and the food the staff are putting into the room. She later asks about Prussia and he answers that the albino is hiding from Hungary, again. She notes it.
Japan goes to the rest of Asians who were caroling. Pakistan and India make an excellent duo with their own instruments. The micronations, too, are joining in by dancing jovially to the songs. The grandfather clock in the hall dinged, signifying it was an hour before midnight. Belgium noticed that Japan had started to look tense.
"Japan?"
"Yes?"
"Don't be nervous! Act like this is like a romance novel coming to life!" Belgium said, holding both Japan's hands in her own. The smaller woman blinked. "Okay?"
"Yep! Don't be scared!" Belgium reminded her, a bright grin on her face. The doors the ballroom opened, prompting everyone to go in. Belgium gave Japan a pep talk until America happened to pass the ladies.
"Hey Japan! Looking cute in that dress!"
Japan nodded, "You look neat as well, America-kun."
"Thanks, dude! That clip's awesome!" America complemented, noticing the camellia hair comb. Japan corrected him, "It is a hair comb."
"Yeah, whateves, there can't be that many hair accessories for girls, is there?" Japan and Belgium shook their heads. America blinked, "So there's a lot?"
"You have no idea," Netherlands said, shaking his head. America waved at him, "Hey-o!"
"Japan, there you are!" the four nations in conversation turned to Taiwan. She grinned, "We're supposed to go to our table now!"
The Nipponese bid goodbye and she, along with Taiwan went to meet the other East Asians. They met up with China, South Korea, North Korea, Macau, and Hong Kong. South Korea, wanting to go inside already, pulled China and North Korea inside, the other Asians following suit.
They were amazed by the grandeur placement of the decor. As they walked, Hong Kong lightly nudged Japan. "Look."
The younger male pointed to their right and Japan immediately saw the trail of purple rose petals. She quickly bid them an "I have to do something," before going off and following the trail that led to the balcony. She arrived there to find a table with some beverages, several chairs, and Christmas decors. She was to sigh in disappointment, not before she felt a presence behind her.
She took a deep breath in and turned around. There in front of her, stood a man in a tuxedo. He wore a deep blue undershirt with a blue tie. He also wore white gloves and a top hat, along with a blue mask. The mask was simple, it being only a plain blue with blue feathers to the top of it. She could see the man's pale cheeks tinted with a cherry pink.
Japan barely managed to get a greeting out, "H-Hello…"
The man clad in the neatly pressed tuxedo merely nodded, the mask obscuring most of his face, but Japan could still see red-tinted glow of his cheeks. He took her hand and placed a feathery kiss on her knuckles which made her blush. He straightened his back and positioned himself in the closed position. He gingerly put his arm at her shoulder blade as she went along, putting her hand on his shoulder. Both could hear the light dance music from the Baltic band which somehow was in the correct timing for the waltz.
They danced for several more rounds of dance songs. Long after, the mysterious man gestured to his mask. Japan was confused, "Do you want me to take it off?"
He nodded and gestured to her eyes. "…with my eyes closed?"
He nodded once again. Japan took a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting the man's gentle hold guide her hand to his mask. She took hold of it as the man's tender hold disappeared. A few seconds of cloth being rustled and the sound of elastic gently bring drawn back was heard. She had barely heard the quiet whisper. "Pull."
She gently pulled the mask from his face and opened her eyes.
"Hello."
"I…" Japan took a shaky breath.
"Hm?"
"I don't get it…"
"What is it?" He allows a gentle smile on his face.
"I don't get it, how are you "S"?" Japan asked, extremely bewildered.
"You never asked me my human name which is Sigurd Thomassen," Norway explained. Japan pouted, "You were never big in my list."
"I guess I did a good job of hiding my identity, correct?" Norway asked. Japan nodded but smiled anyways. Of course, she had suspected the Nordic when the initial hadn't arrived. But she immediately removed him from the list once he had given the initial. Norway sat her down on some conveniently placed chairs on the balcony. She passed her a glass of water to which she accepted happily. "Who did you suspect anyway?"
"My prime suspicion was Switzerland but England also suspected Prussia," she told him. She shivered a bit, her dress being sleeveless and all. Norway scooted over and took off his cape and wrapped it around the Asian. She flushed but she said thank you in Japanese.
Norway scrunched his nose, "I cannot imagine Switzerland nor Prussia doing that."
She silently nodded, leaning a bit more into the Norwegian. She took note of strong scent of coffee which surrounded him. They sat in silence for a few more moments before Japan asked to go inside, the cape unable to keep her warm any longer. Before they completely left, Norway remembered the bouquet and quickly rushed over to the almost forgotten flowers. He gave them to her, smiling himself once Japan's face lit up with a corresponding blush and smile.
They entered the ballroom as France was asking everyone to sit down in their assigned seats for the exchange gift. They parted but Norway promised they'd hang out afterwards. When Japan was walking to her seat, she almost got tackled by Prussia, who was running like a madman. Fortunately, she had sidestepped him in time and he rammed his face into some poor nation's torso, the poor nation in question being Netherlands. The tall Dutch man glared at him but Prussia just thanked him for not allowing his (awesome) face to be rammed into a wall (ignoring the eye roll from both Japan and Netherlands).
The albino had noticed the bouquet and all traces of pain had dissipated. "Did you find out who your awesome secret admirer is?!"
Japan nodded, "It was Norway."
Prussia raised an eyebrow, "I don't have the ability to think of him as romantic!"
Japan chuckled but they parted ways as France asked everyone to sit down the umpteenth time. Once she had sat down between Taiwan and Macau, the East Asian table had gone up in chaos. After several more minutes of restraining China, everyone was finally ready.
"Tres bien! We'll be doing it by table starting with the North American Table!"
People went around and when it got to the Western European table, Japan felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Spain who had a bright smile on his face and was holding a red and green gift bag. "Feliz Navidad, Hapon! I asked Netherlands a bit and he told me you liked gardening so I got you a garden trowel and several flower seeds there and a tomato plant starter!"
Japan smiled politely, "Thank you, Spain-kun."
Soon the East Asian table was called to give their gifts to their picked recipients.
"メリークリスマス, Switzerland-kun!" Japan greeted, handing him her gift which was in a gift bag. Switzerland nodded, asking, "What is this?"
"I asked Liech and I decided to give you a new jacket," she answered. Switzerland did a small smile, "Danke."
The festivities soon ended at four am, with several nations passed out from drinking. However, both Japan and Norway left at 1:30 am, right after a drunken Austria had started to strip. As they walked back in silence, Japan had been meaning to ask some things.
"I am still confused about the ninth day."
Norway flinched, "I had to ask the idiot trio to help since France saw me having a panic attack."
Japan raised an eyebrow, "I could never imagine that."
They arrived at her room's door. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yes. Um, could you turn around real quick? Japan asked, her face flushing. Norway raised an eyebrow but he did as he was told. He felt arms wrap around him, pulling in him for a hug.
"Thank you."
Hooookay, I kinda took inspiration from my best friend and nephew since they like each other, and they really did remind me of Japan and Norway tbh. Since they're both really shy and stuff. My quota for this finishing chapter was 1,200 words and hooray that I've surpassed that. Thank you to everyone who read this far!
I bet no one was expecting Norway!
(I'm not going into the details of the dynamics of this pair since me and my family gonna be busy preparing for Christmas. I find them both shy when it comes to showing affection in public, but in my headcanon, Norway can be really sweet when it's just him and his special one.)
Chapter Notes:
Tres bien (Fr.) - Very good
Feliz Navidad, Hapon! (Sp.) - Merry Christmas, Japan!
メリークリスマス (Jp.) (Read as: meriikurisumasu) - Merry Christmas
Danke (Ger.) - Thank you
White heathers, lavander and red roses, and peonies - A wish come true, first love, true love, happiness
Special Thanks:
Thank you everyone for reading this far! I would like to express my deepest thanks to: BlackChain96, KittyMagic, SakurAndrea, mssunnymuffins, pastaadict, ElricGurl the Hetalian, and BlackWolf96. I wish every one of those who read, favorited, and reviewed on this story a Merry Christmas and a Less Sucky New Year!
