Hello! :D These oneshots are all from prompts I received on my tumblr, norxcoffee, so they will be quite short. They are mainly centred around the Nordics, as they're the characters that people requested! Enjoy :D

Prompt: 'Why do you keep lying to me?'

Sweden tossed the letter he had just received into the fire, frustration creating a dull ache in his skull. For five centuries, five painful, bloodsoaked, and sometimes beautiful centuries, Finland had been a part of his country. More recently, a part of his empire. Now that was no more. Russia loomed large to the east, chipping away at Finland's land as often as he dared. But we always held on. No matter what. And this letter- it destroyed all his pride, all his strength, with just a few scribbled words.

'What's wrong?' Cool hands slid across his shoulders. Hands I will never hold again. Hands that rightfully belong to someone else.

'There was a letter...from Helsinki. From the commander.' He could not bring himself to say the rest.

'And? Has the city fallen?' Finland's breath tickled his ear, soft as feathers.

'No,' The lie made Sweden's chest clench in pain. But if he told the truth, then everything they had- an alliance forged in more than mere oaths- would fall away like leaves on the wind. The hands dropped from his shoulders. Light footsteps sounded behind him.

'Tino-

'Why do you keep lying to me?'

'What?'

'You're lying. Helsinki's fallen, hasn't it?' He turned about slowly, and Finland's face sent a thrill through him as it always did. To think that he was mine, once. This soft, smiling man with eyes like wild heather on a heath- he had belonged to Sweden. And now I have unleashed the iron within.

'Yes.' The lenses of his glasses were clouding over, but he dared not take them off, because then his weakness would be laid bare. Finland laughed bitterly. He spread his hands wide, crooked smile faltering.

'What am I supposed to do, Ber? You can't protect me forever.' He clenched his fists, face set with determination. 'If Russia has taken my land, then I am bidden by law to live in his country, as his subject.'

'But that's not you- Tino, you were never meant-' The rest of it stuck in Sweden's throat, and he let the tears spill out unchecked. Never meant to be someone's property. Meant to be free, free as the wind or the stars, more dazzling than either.

'I have to go now,' whispered Finland. Sweden made as though to embrace him, but he stepped back, biting his lip. 'Please- this is hard enough. Don't make it more difficult.' A choked laugh burst from Sweden's lips.

'You were always the strong one, weren't you?' And suddenly Finland had to wipe away tears of his own.

'Yes. One of us has to be.' He stared up at Sweden- tremulous smile in place, eyelashes darkened with the fruits of his sorrow.

'Goodbye, Ruotsi.'

'Come back to me.' This had always been Finland's way, to duck away from emotions before they swallowed him, say his goodbyes before something could make him stay. That morning he had woken up next to Sweden. Neither of them suspecting, knowing. Now the truth was laid bare. But they had their time together. Sweeter, lighter, than the dark passion of Denmark and Norway. Sweden caught Finland's last word just as he left the room:

'Always.'