He held his head above the chlorinated water, eyeing the people around the pool curiously. It was a hotel pool, so of course there would be humans, but what was even more interesting was how the countries present for a meeting interacted with the humans. Some flirted, some simply talked, or some ignored. They had to blend in, naturally. No one wanted to be targeted by some wild nationalist or crazed history student.

"Svein!"

He looked over at who was calling his name. It was no other than Denmark. Or should he say Mathias. He was surrounded by women, some looking barely legal, who were gawking at his muscles and his tight swim trunks that housed his…marvelous personality. The Norwegian rolled his eyes and fell backwards into the water. Underwater, he could see numerous legs and feet of hotel inhabitants as well as some familiar pairs of legs. Svein swam like that for a while longer before breaking the surface for air.

He heard a surprised gasp as he blinked water out of his eyes. In front of him was a slim auburn hair teen he remembered from long ago. He nodded to her, accidentally splashing her with drops from his hair.

"Faroes," he said.

"Nor—I mean, Svein, we're in public." She put her hands on her hips, which was really pointless when they were rib deep in water. "Address me by my name."

"Valdis."

"Nei, nei!" She shook her head, sending her hair bun bobbing. "Anina. Anina."

"But Valdis is your name."

"Was my name. Until Dan—I mean, onkel owned me, remember?"

He blinked, feeling a bit embarrassed at such a mistake. "Right."

She sighed before smiling mischievously. "It's alright. I can't expect an old man to remember everything, can I?"

"Old man?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Like a grandpa," she laughed before swimming off.

He swam after her, staying by the pool steps as she went and got herself a towel. He dripped in the sun, watching herself ring out her hair, the light reflecting off of it making it look like fire. He hadn't noticed he had moved until she jumped up with a shriek, recoiling from sitting on his wet lap unexpectedly. Svein blinked indifferently at her from the wet lounge chair as the others around them laughed at her surprise.

"What's wrong?" Iceland had run over with a concerned Finland and looming Sweden.

"N-nothing," she nearly mumbled, blushing with embarrassment. "Norge scared me, is all."

They shared a grin, chuckling at her. She scowled and stomped her foot.

"It's not funny!"

"He hadn't done that since you were little, An!" the Finn laughed.

"He c'n be pr'tty qu'et."

"Ja, ja," she huffed. "Jus' shut up."

Norway watched embarrassment color her cheeks as she made a small pout. He sighed and pulled her back over to the lounge chair. She sat without a sound this time, though looked a bit uncomfortable as she sat between his legs. He wrapped his arms over her almost protectively. She closed her eyes, seeming to become more comfortable.

"Stop it," Svein ordered. "Can't you see she's embarrassed enough without your help?"

The blonde couple nodded and walked off. Iceland stayed and stared at them for a minute. Svein closed his eyes before cracking one open to peer at his little brother.

The hell. The Icelander mouthed to him, a frown on his face.

Jealous? He mouthed back to him with a small smirk.

Iceland shook his head and rolled his eyes in disgust before walking off.

Svein smiled inwardly, resting his chin on his ex-colony's head.