Weeks passed, but not leisurely as Mathias had thought and wanted. While at first the mysterious child proved quiet and easy to calm and control, she quickly showed her true colors - if she wasn't getting paid attention to, she made a commotion until she got what she wanted, and she often became quite a displeased little thing when left alone to nap. One even made a comment about how her personality was a lot like Mathias'- bossy, demanding, and obnoxious until she got her way, and then once satisfied, she'd remain quiet and sated.

Though the nation received some help with her, he insisted on doing most of the work himself, as it only made sense - he took on the responsibility himself. Though he began to wonder if taking in the child was the right decision, as he lost much sleep. He never in a million years thought he'd be saddled with such a responsibility, but there he was. But as time passed, the two grew more and more attached to each other, and the excited squeals and tight hugs she gave upon seeing him helped quell any feelings of doubt.

She was growing quickly - her hair became longer and fuller, her eyes larger and brighter, and more curious of her surroundings, which Mathias encouraged. She began to walk and talk, often picking things up from the floor and handing them to Mathias, saying, "Here ya go." Though she became quite the troublemaker once she was able to move around freely. Everyone was right - she was a feisty little thing. The girl reminded Mathias so much of himself, to his dismay.

As what was once a small fishing village continued to grow flourish, so did she. And it was then that Mathias began to see a connection. She wasn't just an ordinary child. Was it possible that he had found a new nation? Or micronation, even? Or, as crazy as it sounded, a representation of the city?

Who was she?

No matter, he couldn't wait to see the looks on the other Nordics' faces.

Speaking of...

He could barely contain his excitement when he answered his door and found the younger nation, his lillebror, Lukas standing there.

"Hei Dan." Lukas' tone was relaxed, casual.

"Norge! I'm so glad you're here!" Mathias greeted him back before the Norwegian could get another word in, reaching for his hand and tugging him inside. "I've got someone I want you to meet."

Oh, what was it this time? He thought. Initially, Lukas hadn't expected much, as he'd always known the Dane to get overly excited about...well, pretty much anything.

What Lukas certainly didn't expect that day, though, was to see him emerge from the other room with a small child on his hip, staring at him with wide, curious eyes. She turned her head back to the man holding her, pointing to the new person she was being presented to. "Who dat?" she asked him.

Lukas' eyes were the size of saucers, and it took every fiber of his being to keep his jaw from hitting the floor.

He took a moment to compose himself, taking a deep breath and clearing his throat, his face quickly returning to its usual stoic expression. "When did this happen?"

"What do you mean?"

"The child, you oaf." Lukas gestured to the little girl sitting in the crook of Mathias' elbow then folded his arms over his chest. "Who's the mother? I know you've been around quite a bit."

"Have not!"

"You got drunk and bedded half of the women in this town."

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you, lillebror? It's not like that."

Lukas raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? She looks just like you."

Mathias shifted the girl in his arm to get a better look at her. "She really does, doesn't she?" he said, as though finally coming to the realization.

"Faen i helvete Dan, we've talked about this," Lukas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "About having relations with humans? You outlive your partner and all your children and it ends in nothing but heartbreak-"

"Norge," Mathias interjected. "I told you it's not like that. I think she might actually be, you know, one of us."

Lukas paused, his mind immediately going back to the day Iceland was found. "Oh. I see."

A little noise came from the girl then, and both men watched as she turned and reached her arms out towards Lukas, and a broad grin broke out on Mathias' face. "Oh, you want to see Uncle Norge?"

"Oh, I don't-" Before the Norwegian could object, the little girl was plopped into his arms. He grimaced slightly, initially awkward about holding the child - they stared into each other's eyes for some time, before she finally reached up and gently poked his cheek. "Dut."

Lukas' expression softened then, the corners of his mouth curling upward into the slightest hint of a smile, and once he got used to the feel of the soft baby in his arms did he begin to hold her close and admire her tousles of blonde hair and facial features.

Lukas was still trying to wrap his head around the current situation. Mathias had just revealed a whole other side of him that he had never seen in all the years he'd known him. A ruffian such as him was the absolute last person he'd ever imagine to become a parent, whether human or young nation or capital or whatever. It just seemed so out of character for the Dane that it was actually a shock to his system that he was still reeling from.

"She likes you," Mathias said, his trademark grin still ever-present.

"She's really something," Lukas responded, smoothing down the little girl's wild hair. "Does she have a name?"

Mathias' grin quickly dissolved. The question had caught him off guard. To tell the truth, he hadn't the frankest idea of what he was going to name her. "No." He shook his head.

Lukas nodded. "Name her whatever you like, granted it's not stupid."

Mathias stood and thought for a moment. What to name her, what to name her... and then Mathias got an idea, eyes brightening as he turned to the shorter man with a barely contained smile tugging at his cheeks.

"København. It's fitting for this city, isn't it? As for her human name... Mathilde. Mathilde Louise Køhler."

"It's...wonderful." Lukas looked from Mathias to the little girl he was holding and she beamed up at him. "Welcome to the family, little one."

Lukas stepped forward then and handed her back to Mathias. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this."

"I could see that."

"I really hope you know what you're getting yourself into," Lukas continued.

"Have a little more faith in me, bror." Mathias held a little hand that was currently trying to grab at his face. "I... I love her so much already."

Lukas felt a little pang of guilt at this, and was again reminded of the day he met Iceland. He had immediately fallen for the child. He was his little brother, and always would be. "You're right. She's a wonderful girl already, and I'm sure she will grow into someone extraordinary."

Mathias smiled. "Thanks, Norge."

"Just please be careful."

"Don't worry."

The pair exchanged a glance before Lukas stepped towards the door. "Well, I'll be off now."

"Leaving already?" Mathias asked.

"Ja," Lukas replied, rubbing at his temples. "I think I need some more time to...process."

Mathias grinned down at Mathilde, who was now looking in the direction the other man was leaving. "Can you say 'goodbye'?"

She smiled and waved. "Hej hej."

Lukas gave a small smile and gingerly waved back.