Despite his most sincere wishes Denmark couldn't, for some reason, act the same as always. Not during the party and not afterwards, especially since he was so worn out. This in turn meant that as soon as the usual two days meant for recuperation after a meeting were up he had Finland on his doorstep.

That wasn't surprising given how the Finn was a close friend, a brother even, to both him and Norway. What did surprise him was that he came alone.

'Well we did want to come, you know, all of us.' Tino admitted. 'But we decided that that would be unnecessary and overwhelming and most of all awkward so myself was chosen to come and talk to you. We are worried.' he stated firmly.

'Yeah, I thought so...' Denmark admitted popping open two bottles of beer.

'It's about Norway, right? He didn't come to the party and none of us missed how tense you were when you showed up. What happened?' the Finn asked training his sharp gaze on his tall friend, willing him to speak.

'No beating round the bush, are you?' Denmark grimaced minutely, reluctant. They were both silent for a couple of minutes, Finland waiting for him to speak, Denmark unwilling to open his mouth.

'Mattias, you will tell me what's wrong.' the petite man said calmly with the undercurrent of steely determination in his voice. 'Or you will face the consequences. You are not going to like them.'

Denmark snorted earning himself a light glare and relented. There was no winning with Finland when he was in that particular mood.

'Okay so... you... know how I've been in love with him for... gods know how long now. What's it been? Three hundred years?' he begun hesitantly. Finland nodded, listening intently. 'Well after the last meeting he... was not exactly pleasant. And normally there would be no problem because he can be nice but most of the time just doesn't want to. But this time it wasn't that he wanted to tease or something. He just... exploded at me about such petty things that I just... He wasn't fair, you know? He could've said something, anything, and I'd do everything in my power to aid him. But I'm not a damn mind reader, I don't know if his head's aching when he won't say anything. I'd have shut up the instant he alerted me to the problem.

And it's not something that qualifies as a problem if Iceland decides to skip the party and go for a walk with that Hong Kong kid. He's old enough to do things on his own and that particular Asian is actually the best one for him, you know. It was kind of predictable that they'd become friends anyway.' Denmark went on. 'And Lukas just let me talk, let everything just build inside of him and when he was completely furious then he started shouting.'

Finland frowned. Now he could see the problem. And it wasn't Denmark, by any means.

'So he pushed you away with more force than needed and you're hurt. Also, you're not going to him and begging for forgiveness, which you shouldn't' Finland assured quickly seeing the Dane opening his mouth 'so now what?'

Denmark was silent for a short while and the slowly spoke up.

'I decided it was holding us both back.' he said and the Finn blinked, uncomprehending.

'What was-'

'The... love thing.' Mattias grimaced.

'Love... thing? Mattias-'

'No, no just let me finish. It's been centuries, Finland. Hundreds of years. And for us time may not be flowing as fast as it is for our citizens but even for us a century is a long time...' he paused and then looked his friend dead in the eye, with sorrow so deep it hurt looking at. 'All that time and he's said nothing, done nothing that would indicate he's feeling the slightest bit the same as I. He treats me as a friend, a brother at most. And I just can't-' Denmark's eyes closed, threatening to overflow with tears he refused to shed.

'I can't do that anymore. I can't spend my life dedicated to him when he's so obviously not interested. I can't hold him back like that, I can't make myself take that anymore. It's hurting us both and I won't-

I have to let us both move on, you know?' he finished quietly, hunched under the weight of his feelings.

Finland stood up, his face twisted in sympathy and understanding and pain for his friend and he pulled the Dane into a warm embrace, wanting, needing to provide comfort.

'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that it's happening to you, Denmark. I'd do anything to help but I can't, I-'

'I know, Finland, I know and you're already helping. You care and that means a lot to me. I just need to take my mind off of things, you know? I need to not think for a while. And preferably to do that... away from him...' Denmark said, his voice barely a whisper threatening to break.

Finland tightened his arms and tucked his friend's head under his chin. He held him like this for a while and then let go feeling him place a hand on his chest.

He pulled away and sat back down following with his eyes the patterns on the coffee table giving Denmark time to compose himself.

'Thanks for coming and hearing me, Tino.' the Dane said finally breaking the silence. 'You can tell the others, just omit the... really unmanly … parts, please.' he smiled shakily and Finland grinned at him.

'You got that. Now you said something about America's new 'kickass' film that he gave you last week. How about we start with that?' he said and Denmark nodded enthusiastically. The time for confessions was over, now his mission in life was to grant Denmark his wish – not think about Norway for as long as he could.

Tomorrow he was going to meet up with Sweden, America and Prussia who were anxiously waiting for his report, and tell them what he learned. They were in for a real blow but he was confident that once they knew the problem they would help Denmark. Yes, the man had nothing to worry about, not with them at his back.

He brought more beer and some peanuts he found in the kitchen over while Denmark finished starting the CD. They settled on the couch and the rest of the night was spent on laughing at America's crazy ideas.

Finland left in the morning promising Denmark to visit again soon. He waved back and got into the cab.

He had a meeting to attend.

/txtbreak/

Hello everyone! I hope you like this new chapter and I'll try and update this story once before New Years although that might not happen because I'm going away to my grandparents' and they don't have access to internet. No kidding.

Anyway let me wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay happy and healthy and see you soon!