Wonderful people. As you probably know, I recently pulled a very obnoxious stunt in a desperate attempt for reviews. Somehow, my shameless whoring worked, and I got many wonderful responses to this story. I want to thank everyone who has reviewed this story, if I haven't already replied to you. I adore you all, and hope that this addition will not disappoint.
About this chapter-I was thinking about all the cliches about love and how untrue they tend to be, especially for odd couples like Denmark and Norway. These are a series of thoughts about how this relationship defies cliches. And in doing that, I do believe I used various other cliches, and inordinate amounts of fluff. I do apologize.
Rating: T, because I cannot stand writing a fic without curse words and oblique references to sex.
Genre: Mostly pure fluff, with hints of angst, but not much really, so don't let that bother you.
Disclaimer: If I ran an anime series, it would collapse due to my lack of focus. Consider yourself lucky that I don't own Hetalia.
As always, I adore reviewed, and will shamelessly grovel at your feet if you leave me a note. You will probably get a PM back and some random and spastic thanks. If that kind of thing appeals to you, please review. Or you know, if you like the story.
Much love, and please enjoy!
Neither of them could stand clichés. While Denmark was prone to doing ridiculously sweet things, and Norway was susceptible to blushing at them, they could not stand the trappings that came along with typical "love stories." When you've been alive for hundreds of years, you realize that such an elusive thing as love cannot be quantified and captured in so many poems, quotes, and novels. While humans, in their short and reckless lifespans and infinite capacity for folly, had never stopped trying to define the nature of love, Denmark and Norway had long since ceased giving value to such futile efforts. Besides, whenever someone came along with a new platitude, their relationship, which had statistically, lasted much longer than any of the ones these humans carried on, quickly and easily refuted it.
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."
-Dr. Seuss
Another thing that these humans seemed to go on and on about was the nature of dreams. Were they predictive, indicative of hopes or desires, or simply random neural impulses? Norway didn't know, and didn't particularly care. He did not dream of Mathias, except during their separation during his tenure as Sweden's property, and never had. Somehow, his subconscious rejected the idea of dreaming lustfully or even affectionately about his loved one. Before they were together, his dreams were of a decidedly mundane variety, and afterwards, it remained much the same. Reality and dreams were simply incomparable. But even after he and Mathias had been together for dozens of years, Aleks never seemed to succumb to Suess's saying. In fact, it was much easier to fall asleep in the arms, or even the presence, of his lover. Wakefulness was for new lovers who simply could not believe their good fortune at finally finding happiness. Sleeping soundly was much better, because he knew that Denmark would not be spirited away during his dreams, and his rest was a testament to the unspoken trust that when the morning came, his lover would still be there, much less perfect than a dream, but so much more tangible.
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."
-Judy Garland
Mathias knew that his lover was not the most demonstrative person in his affection, even in private. As such, he treasured every gesture, every smile and brush of skin. Maybe this made him a hopeless romantic, but he didn't really care. Besides, if he were truly a romantic, he felt that he should agree more with Ms. Garland's musings, but in reality, they just made him laugh. The thought of whispering sweet nothings to someone's heart was all fine and good, but to imbue every show of affection with such significance was a tall order. And when you stay with someone for as long as only nations can, not every kiss can be one that sears the soul. When Mathias and Aleks kissed, it was simply a kiss-a meeting of lips, and not the soul. The physical affection was pleasant, and neither would deny that, but it was not the basis of their relationship, and most of their soul-sharing came in subtler forms. One of the things that delighted Denmark most about being able to kiss Norway was not the kiss itself, but the trust that Norway implicitly gave to him through that action. Every night they spent together was a reassurance that he was forgiven for the past, for his subjugation of Sweden and Finland and yes, Norway too. But all this was understood. He did not think of trust every time he kissed his lover. More often than not, his mind was on baser matters, and his heart and soul were not really active players. That is not to say that he didn't love Norway with his heart and soul, but that fact was so firmly established that it didn't need constant reiteration. They had survived the dungeons of World War II together, and much more besides. That cemented all the heart and soul stuff. It remained present, like a constant undercurrent to their relationship, a given. When Mathias whispered, it went to Aleks ears, and when they kissed, it was their lips that met, while their hearts and souls simply watched and smiled.
"Love means never having to say you're sorry."
-Love Story
Norway was not one to use crude language, but if he did, he would, in Denmark's words, 'call BS.' As a member of a multigenerational love story, he could attest that the ability and the willingness to say sorry was perhaps one of the most important foundations of a relationship. A heartfelt, 'I'm sorry' was one of the sweetest phrases he'd ever heard out of his lover, whether it was sheepishly muttered after tracking mud into their shared house or whispered in the middle of the night. Really, when you love someone, you're bound to fuck up sometimes, and saying sorry is the best way to show that you understand that you hurt the other person, and you can't stand it. Some couples tended to substitute 'I love you' for apologies, but personally, Aleks thought that doing that devalued both phrases. I love you should be an affirmation, not an apology, and even people in love should face consequences for their actions. Sometimes the terms could be used in tandem, but each in their own sphere. When Denmark and Norway had first reunited after Norway's forced stay with Sweden, it was all they could seem to say. Mathias composed symphonies composed solely of sorries and laid them at Aleks' feet. Only when he gained his bearings enough to look his lover in the eye did he say I love you, quietly and fearfully. And Aleks had whispered it back, a mantra of forgiveness. The flood of sorries ceased and was replaced by silent waves of gratitude as Denmark reverently caressed Norway's hand.
"I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you."
-Roy Croft
Personally, Mathias thought that Roy Croft must have been a very self-centered man to tell his lover that their relationship was based, not on him loving the other, but on him loving himself. Mathias did like himself better around Aleks, but he also liked himself less. He may be softer and kinder around the other man, but he also could see how obviously flawed he was. Norway's constant calm seemed to magnify Denmark's restless energy, and his lover's silence made his words echo all the louder. No, Mathias did not love Aleks because he loved himself, or even because Aleks loved him. He loved Aleks because Aleks was wonderful, and would be so regardless of what Mathias was. He would not and could not describe his lover in terms of himself, instead singing Norway's unique and singular praises which were purely his own. Aleks was witty, he was kind, and he was genuine when his emotions manifested themselves. Mathias loved the way his hair looked in the sunlight and how he fiddled with his hairpin when he was nervous. He adored the way that Aleks could cook perfectly well, but could just as easily yell at Mathias to get off his lazy ass and make dinner himself. He loved how Norway looked in an apron, how he looked in a sailor suit, a business suit, a bathing suit, or in nothing at all. Denmark loved Norway's laugh, and how rare it seemed to be. He loved Norway for being Norway, simply put. In regards to himself, he simply marveled that such a perfect creature could stand all of his imperfections and left it at that. Somehow, Norway must love who he was, and so he spent no more time agonizing over it.