Norway was seething.

He was now back in his hotel suite and preparing for bed. The day was long and tiring but for him it was also unusually irritating. And every time he saw Denmark it just got worse!

But the worst thing is that besides downplaying Iceland's voyages with Hong Kong there wasn't really anything the Dane has done wrong. No, in fact the man had barely spoke to him. He'd been bothering Sweden and, for some reason, Netherlands but Norway was Denmark-free practically the whole day.

Why was he so irked?

He remembered how his anger spiked on the meeting. Ridiculous. Denmark's giggling was not interrupting him, nor was it aimed at him. Technically it should've been as easy to ignore as any other thing the Dane's ever done but for some reason it was not.

Norway was getting what he's wanted since gods know how long and his own mind couldn't even let him enjoy it! It was like he had to have Denmark near at all time or-

Wait... This was totally wrong. No, no way did Norway need Denmark for anything other than practicing his most venomous spells. Simply as an outlet for frustration.

And his outlet for frustration was currently not around thus it was building. Solution? Find some other outlet.

Yes, Norway nodded his head thoroughly convinced his misery was now going to end. He only had to find something distracting but harmless and annoying enough to take his mind off things he didn't want it focused on.

He spent the next five minutes trying to think of anything that fell under all three categories but besides the cursed Dane nothing came to his mind. He was getting steadily more frustrated with himself and finally Norway decided that his room will not help him any.

Lets start with a walk, he thought to himself, and maybe then go from there.

/txtbreak/

It was clearly not his day. Why?

Because the first person he's met in the garden he's found and even started enjoying, was Denmark. Of course.

He was sitting on a bench, all sprawled loose (The idea of manners never appealed to you, did it?), his eyes closed and head tilted back. The spot he's found for himself was a sunny one and he looked like a napping cat.

Norway never would've thought that a personality so boisterous could fit in a place so serene and tranquil but here he was proven wrong. The Danish nation looked like he's always been there, on that bench, relaxing in the sun. He fit in the picturesque scenery among flowers and occasional shrubs.

Something in the scene made Norway's chest feel warm and there was a small smile threatening to move the corners of his lips upwards but before that could happen the tranquility was severed by another person appearing suddenly.

None other than Netherlands, and the tall man raised his brow at the sight Denmark made and sat down next to him with a book. Norway felt an overwhelming urge to step out of his shadowy hiding place and drag the newcomer away as so he wouldn't spoil the sight.

Just as he was catching himself and starting to wonder where exactly did that come from the usually loud voice of his Danish friend, now hushed and light, ended the silence.

"Hi, Lars." he greeted warmly not opening his eyes. He must've been waiting for him then. But wait a minute since when they're on the first name stage of relationship? And why does it bother Norway again?

He was meant to go and distract himself and look, he's standing there and spying on the very person he wanted to forget.

"Hi, Mattias. Nice place you've found." Netherlands said and Denmark grunted happily, stretching more in the sunny spot. "So how's it going?" he added after a couple minutes of companionable silence during which Norway really wanted to go but couldn't because the slightest move would be immediately caught by the two on the bench.

"Oh, you know. Slooow and it's getting better. That meeting yesterday sure was a tough one."

"That it was. You here to sleep it off? Normal room not good enough for you?" Netherlands poked.

"Nah, here is much more pleasantly. Fresh air and warm sun, it's like the old days..." Denmark admitted nostalgically.

"You miss them?" was the light inquiry.

"Sometimes." the Dane admitted. "Sometimes it felt like the life was much simpler than now. Although... we had little time for anything that wasn't fighting wars or preparing for fighting wars, occasionally picking up after a war." They both snorted. "Then again" Mattias continued "for some that might've been a good thing."

Denmark has yet to open his eyes but the gaze his companion leveled at him was heavy and he sure could feel it on his face.

Norway really wanted to be anywhere else. Curse the cute paths laid with freaking pebbles!

"I'm getting the distinct impression that you're talking about yourself here." Netherlands admitted and after his friend failed to respond he went on "I know it is probably, most certainly, not my place to ask, but Mattias, something had happened. And if you wish – I'm here to talk. And you better not treat this lightly because you're the first person I've offered that that is not my siblings or my royalty."

At this Denmark opened his eyes and Norway closed his.

The two seated nations gazed at each other solemnly, sparkling blue meeting stoic green, and finally the Nordic relented.

"It was unrequited. And shot down rather harshly. Or maybe I've been deluding myself since the beginning and there never was a chance... Point is that hard as I tried he was not interested in the slightest. I admit regretfully that at that time drowning myself in the blood of my enemies was quite a therapeutic thing." he sighed. "I've been clinging to that feeling for... a long time. But, I decided it was a lost cause and hopeless is not what I would like to call myself. So I had to let it go. It was not as easy as I anticipated but it had to be done... Or am I wrong?" he asked and he sounded so hurt and lost it broke the heart of both his listeners.

"No, Mattias. I don't believe you were wrong in your decision. In fact I think it was the best thing you could've done. Whoever it was he was not worthy of you if he couldn't see what he was missing. You're a good person and a good nation. Hardworking and caring and kind-hearted and lets not forget your fighting skills. Your axe is a weapon that to this day makes some of us shudder on the memory of how you raised it to protect what you held dear. Only a fool would've rejected a person like you."

It sounded... suspiciously heartfelt and they were all aware of that fact.

"Lars... are you-?" Denmark started with wide, slightly misty eyes.

"I would understand if you are not interested. I just wanted you to know so that we're clear. Should I go now?" Netherlands asked and there were some nervous tones creeping into his voice. Both he and Norway waited with bated breath for Denmark's next words. For his decision. Both their hearts were beating fast.

For a few seconds silence encompassed the garden and then Mattias smiled.

"No. You're very welcome to stay with me, however long you want, Lars."

The kiss that followed that statement was sweet and chaste, the words unusual for describing these two but oh so fitting this time.

Some shuffling accompanied it and Norway took the chance and darted off the path and onto the grassy parts of the garden as he sprinted far away from the two men kissing on a sunny bench.

His heart was lodged in his throat and he refused to acknowledge why.

/txtbreak/

I'm... really really sorry that this had taken me so much time. First I've been swamped with work for school and then I got that nasty writer's block and couldn't think of single way to continue so it would sound right.

Frotunately, thanks to wonderful aLoggenInReader and thenordic5forever96 my inspiration has been reignited and now I think I'll be able to go regular again :)

Thank you to all of you that followed, favourited and reviewed this story, it means so much to me!

See you next time!