Thank you all!
Well, Samu wasn't into co-operation so I couldn't post the chapter yesterday. We have spoke about this with Samu but I belive nothing will change since Samu is an inanimate object and our "talk" was mostly me cursing in three languages. I had a long, long trip but I'm now in Finland and getting freaked out everytime somebody speaks Finnish because it has been so long time ago when I was around other people who can speak it. I kind of started to think about it as my own secret language. I was also so dissapointed when the first Finnish I heard was Helsinki dialect. Sounds weird. So good the bus driver spoke my dialect.
This is a direct continuation to "The worst Christmas" -chapter. First and very last parts are about modern days but most of it takes a place in the past somewhere between 1947 and 1953.
When Norway stopped speaking, the atmosphere in the room had become much lighter than what it had been when he started. Iceland was stubbornly looking at anything else than his brother and Denmark was holding his laugh. Sweden and Finland looked both, surprised and amused, after hearing the story.
"That was funny", Finn admitted, "but what happened to Dan after you two left?" Norway glanced at the Dane who had to collect himself a moment before he could answer.
"They came about one hour after", he started, "we had a really nice and long talk about demons possessing and then they took me to prison. I of course made some ruckus, couldn't let them follow Nor and Is, so I got to spend my night in that cell. At the morning everybody realized that I didn't show up at the work and you couldn't believe what kind of chaos it was! I had a king himself looking for me before they found out I was put in the jail. I was quite okay and I had a nice talk with a crazy woman in the next cell, but that priest probably never tried to accuse anybody ever again."
"You didn't hurt anybody?" Norway asked.
"No", Denmark replied, "didn't need to. After I realized that you two were far enough to not get caught, I took it as a bit poor kind of holiday."
"I'm still embarrassed", Iceland mumbled and Norway reached forward to give him a comforting pat on back.
"It's not so bad", Finland too tried to comfort the Icelander, "I once locked Sve outside for hours by accident and then there was this one Christmas when I mixed up something and we all ended up having a food poisoning."
"Was it 1987?" Denmark asked a bit suspicious look on his face.
"Yeah", Finland said with a nod.
"I knew it wasn't a normal sickness", the Dane mumbled, "we should never had agreed to meet at your place."
"Now I actually remembered one another Christmas", Finland continued with a thoughtful voice and ignored the Dane, "it was definitely the best one I had ever had." Others seemed to be interested about it and they didn't have hurry anywhere so they stayed down.
"Care to tell about it?" Norway asked and Finland nodded with a smile.
"Sure", he said and leaned a back bit to rest against of the Swede who wrapped his arm around the Finn, "I'm sure you all remember it. It wasn't really long time ago and everything started with one phone call."
Finland was having a long, tiring day and he could feel his still sore scars hurting more now that he had been up and going all day. His head was hurting, he was in a bad mood and it was very cold because he had been forced to cut the heating from his house for a while in order to safe some money. That's why he wasn't in his best behaviour when the phone suddenly ringed. For a moment he thought he would just leave it, but he was needed. There was a lot of things that demanded his attention and, as a country that had just barely made it through of series of wars, he couldn't really have the luxury of ignoring the work. So he walked to the hall, keeping a blanket over him to warm him up a bit, and grabbed the phone.
"Finland", he grunted because only some selected people had his number and he didn't feel the need to be friendly for any of them.
"Hej." Finland stopped and frowned. This wasn't the voice he had expected. It was too unfamiliar but still well-known and it spoke Danish. He knew he hadn't give Denmark his number but it was sure that the voice belonged to the Danish nation.
"Hei, Tanska", he muttered, "what is it?" Whatever the Dane wanted it seemed to be something serious because he sounded so calm and took a moment before replying, like he was really thinking about his words before blurting them out. That was the reason why Finland didn't just close the phone and went back to real work. He felt that there was something important to hear and that keep him from leaving.
"So", Denmark said slowly and hesitating, "I was wondering if you could come for a dinner next week?" Finland was too busy to remember or care about the days so he had to check the calender on the wall. Christmas week it said. Next week was the Christmas week.
"Dinner? Why?" he asked because that was something he couldn't have expected. The Dane had never called him, if he didn't count that one time during the war, and for sure he had never wanted to have a dinner with him. Finland wasn't too familiar with Denmark and his memories were full of the wars and Sweden's campaing against the Danish nation. He really didn't know Denmark and he was sure the Dane didn't know him.
"Just…", Denmark said and now Finland understood it wasn't hesitation why he spoke carefully and slowly. He was scared, "I thought it would be nice. To have a dinner… With family." Family. Finland swallowed. He wasn't sure if he knew anymore which kind of family they were.
"Sounds nice", he murmured, though he wasn't sure what he was thinking, "have you called others?"
"Nor and Is are coming", The Dane said and sounded a bit happier now than Finland had kind of agreed already, "haven't asked Sverige yet. I hoped you could do it. You two are keeping in contact, right?" Keeping in contact was less than what they were actually doing. Finland and Sweden met rarely because of the work but still their relationship had turned to love after wars and there was no day without them calling to each other or meeting up somewhere.
"Yeah", Finland said, "we are."
"Just bring him", the Dane said with a pleading tone, "please." Never before Finland had heard him asking something so desperately. In his memories the Danish nation was always the one ordering and never asking. Maybe it was the astonishment or he was simply tired because of the endless work and his heart was still too soft to say no, he found himself answering yes. He would come to the dinner and bring the Swedish nation with him. It shouldn't be hard task because Sweden rarely declined any favours the Finn asked.
"Where we will meet?" he asked and picked up a pen from the corner table so he could write down the date and the place.
"I was thinking about Lund" , the Dane replied, "It is in Sverige's land but close enough to me. I'll rent us a place and deal with everything. All you need to do is to come with Sverige on 24th of December around four o'clock."
"Okay", Finland replied and then the line fell silent with only the normal background noise being still there. It seemed like they didn't have much to say to each other and, when it was just turning to awkward, Denmark quietly thanked and closed the phone without waiting for the reply from the Finn.
Finland was supposed to return to his work, but he noticed that it was suddenly difficult. He kept thinking about the call and few times he caught himself staring at the distance and not focusing on anything. There were many things he wasn't sure about but finally he gave up, walked to the phone and dialled Sweden's number.
It was awkward, Finland thought when he sat at the dinner table with other Nordics. Sweden was seated next to him and Norway on another side of the table. Denmark was oppositing Sweden and Iceland had got the place at the end of the table. Denmark had used a lot of time and money to the dinner. They had a own private room in the restaurant and it was not only quiet, but also styled up with a good taste and kept them safe from observing and too curious people. All the food was clearly coming from different places and the Finn wouldn't be surprised if the Dane had actually prepared most of it by himself. It was very interesting and a bit strange mix of different dishes and at the first glance it looked like there was no order or plan at all. After while Finland realized that Denmark had tried to make sure there was all of their Christmas foods at the table. Mixing up traditions from five countries had leaded to this slight disorder.
Still, the food wasn't the main reason why there was the awkward atmosphere all around them. It was brought there by the silence and the way how they all avoided to look at each other. The only sound was the cutleries scratching faintly on the plates when they ate and after the first greetings no one had said anything. They only ate quietly and the air seemed to become thicker and heavier after every passing minute. Finland noticed that it was hard to swallow and he stopped for a moment to look around. Nobody seemed to notice the Finn's observing.
Sweden was sitting next to him like normally. They had found their love quickly and, thought they still hadn't figured out all the details yet, their relationship was going on well. But despite of being calm, something in the Swede told the Finn that he was nervous and maybe a bit wary. He frowned after noticing it and moved his eyes to the Norwegian.
Norway was as calm as always. This was the first time Finn met him after the wars and it seemed like the Norwegian was still recovering. He looked exhausted and slightly sick but there was still the familiar strong look on his face and he sat his back straight. He was fully focused on his meal and all his movements were short and kind of mechanical, like he was just doing something because he didn't know what else to do. Finland didn't know how the Norwegian felt about others but he and Denmark were sitting close to each other so he guessed their relationship was good, though they didn't speak much.
Iceland had grew, Finland thought first when he saw the Icelander. Last time they had met, Iceland had been much younger and hided behind of his brother if anything strange or scary happened. Now he was older and his calm, slightly bored look would have been a copy of his brother's. He didn't seem to be scared or restless, it looked more like he simply didn't know what to say or he was feeling unsure and was hiding it so well than he could. Finland nodded after noticing it and glanced at the last nation at the table.
Denmark was scared. Finland saw it now clearly but still it was hard to believe. The Danish nation had always been strong and the Finn had heard enough stories from the past to understand that the man was fearless when it came to fight. But despite of all the stories, the way how the Dane avoided of looking at other, pushed his food around the plate and was keeping his head down like he was half expecting the blame to come and wasn't going to defend himself this time. Finland found himself wondering about what could have made the Dane so scared and while he did that, he let his eyes to roam the room. Slowly he started to understand when all the pieces found their right places.
Once they had been a family. Finland still remembered the time centuries ago when they all spent time together. Even before he and Sweden moved to Denmark's house, they often visited and it wasn't uncommon to see other three nations coming to Sweden's home too. They had connection and the Finn could still remember how he talked with Norway or listened the Dane telling stories about the past. He knew that Norway, Denmark and Sweden had knew each other since they had been born and it hadn't been hard to see the strong friendship they had. They had survived together for a long time and that had left marks on them.
But then it all had changed and their family had been broke up by all the wars between them. It had been going on a long time and finally leaded to this moment when they all sat quietly and awkwardly at the dinner table as independent nations instead of being under the same crown. It was understandable that they were acting like this. They simply didn't know anymore how to reach for each other and, though there was no hate between them, they were unsure about what would happen if anything was to mess up this weirdly balanced situation.
And when Finland looked at the Dane again, he knew why the man had called them. It was his last chance to make them to be a real family again and he feared nothing more than failing his mission. Finland sighed and hoped that something would happen. They needed something that would break the invisible wall between them. Anything.
But nothing happened and Finland started to feel the fear too. He was tired just like all of them, and he missed the happy times. He glanced at others once more and decided to be the one doing something. His chair scratched the floor, waking up other nations from their thoughts and making them finally to look at the Finn who was now standing. Finland saw how Iceland looked surprised, Norway seemed to finally get some live on his face, Sweden calmly stared at the Finn while Denmark gave him a scared look. Of course he was scared, he thought the Finn was going to leave and destroy this last chance they had. He didn't know Finland was doing exactly opposite and saving them.
"I'm Suomi and I'm Finland", he said and tried to keep his voice calm, though he could feel and hear it being shaky, "I have been an independent nation only for few decades and I think I might need some help." He wasn't sure if other understood and for while the silence continued. He hoped hard that at least one of them would step up too and, when he heard Iceland doing so, he felt the sweet relieve in his heart.
"I'm Ísland", he said and sounded much stronger than he had been before, "I have been independent even less time and I think I might need some help too." Norway got up almost immediately when Iceland had stopped talking. He had a determination in his ice blue eyes.
"I'm Norge", he said calmly but also strongly, "I have been a kingdom before too and got my independence back but I still think I might need some help." Finland smiled a bit when Sweden joined them too.
"I'm Sverige", the man said and looked at them, "I'm my own kingdom but I will appreciate help during these modern times." Denmark was now only one sitting and for a while all he could do was only to stare at them while a mix of surprise, happiness and confusion showed up on his face. Then he quickly got up and knocked his chair down in hurry to join others.
"I'm Danmark", he said with a careful and quiet voice, "I have been always independent but I think I need you all to help me." His hands were shaking and Finland glanced at the Swede, only to notice that the man was staring at Denmark and he just as unsure as the Danish man was.
"Family is about helping each other", the Swede finally said after a while, "right?" He sounded insecure but at least he said it. For a moment nobody repliedbut then the Dane moved. Quickly he stepped past the table and threw his arms around the Swede. He thightly hugged the nation who had been his enemy for long time but also his brother for much longer.
"Thank you, Sve", he said and let the tears of happines and relieve to run down his cheek and wet the Swede's shirt, "I'm so sorry about everything."
"I'm sorry too", Sweden replied and patted his back. Norway seemed to relax and Iceland was looking happier when Finland glanced at them again. They were not a perfect family but at least they were trying and on way to become that again.
"I think that was the best Christmas", Finland ended the story with a smile. Of course they all had been there but still nobody had interrupted him while he spoke. They only listened and occasionally some of them smiled or snickered when they remembered how awkward and stressing it all had been back then. Now they were already acting like they had been a long time ago before wars. Maybe they were even more family now.
"Dan?" Norway asked after he heard some sniffing and he turned to look at the Dane, "are you crying?" Denmark sweep his eyes and sniff once again before shooking his head.
"Of course not", he claimed, "I'm just so happy it all doesn't fit in me and had to come out somehow."
"Danmark", the Norwegian sighed but he sounded more comforting than anything else. He reached for the Dane who took his hand and smiled.
"I think too that it was the best Christmas", Sweden said, "we have been together since."
"And we will always be", Iceland murmured, "makes me feel better."
"So you agree that we are you brothers?"
"No."
"Oh well", Norway said with a shrug and a slight smile on his lips, "someday maybe. So, family, I think it's time to start to plan this year's Christmas dinner." They nodded and Finland took a notebook from the table so they could start to plan. No Christmas had ever been so good and awkward than their first one together after all that bad times, but they were still always looking forward to have some more time with their family.
Not sure if you have noticed but I'm really into the Nordic co-operation, also in real life. It might come from the fact that I have lived, studied and worked in three of them so I kind of want keep them working together. I know not all agree with me but I still believe, and know, that the relationships between Nordics are quite extraordinary and I want to keep it like that.
Denmark is one of the most active countries in Nordic business and Danes were ones that first started to talk about the co-operation. That's why I see the Hetalia Denmark being a very active on keeping his family together. Also I think he is the kind of person who simply needs other. Like he is very strong and fearless but if he doesn't have anybody to fight for, he would give up easily. I see Norway and Finland as opposite of that since I think they both are strong and kind of stubborns so they wold probably keep going even if nobody else is trying anymore. Sweden again seems to be a similar to Denmark, though maybe not as active and more letting things to go on their own. Iceland probably love his family but you know "teenagers"...
After World Wars the Nordics were more or less in chaos and I like to think that for personifications it was a hard time because they had done some awful things and then forcely separated. They simply didn't know how to act around each other though they still wanted them to be a family again.
Btw, Finland present himself with two names because both are officially his names.
I'm working on the last chapter and it will be published in about 2 hours. Its name is simply "Joulu" (you thought Finns are creative with names? Not this one!)