Mattias spent the night in a state of shock. The feeling hadn't left him in the morning too. He opened his eyes and the first thing he did was frown.
Last night Norway, or rather Lukas, came to his suite and apologized profoundly for hurting him.
It made no sense.
For as long as he knew him the other nation was aloof and very prideful. He had a more caring side but it came out only for Iceland (although lately it became a little overbearing for the poor kid) and if one of the other Nordics was sick or injured or generally unwell.
Denmark was by no means unwell lately. The contrary, to be honest. He was happy like he hasn't been since... gods knew.
Norway should be as well. If one were to listen to everything he's been telling the Dane for years and actually take that to heart then everything pointed to one conclusion – Mattias' withdrawal from Lukas' life should make the latter content. It seemed that the effect was the perfect opposite.
Instead of ignoring him further Norway started looking for him. He started paying attention to what he was saying on the Meetings. His icy eyes traced his every move. And then...
When he heard someone knocking on his door Denmark expected it to be one of his friends. Lars he had bid goodnight with a kiss only half an hour prior so he was unlikely to be the one.
He was still more of a possibility in Mattias' mind than his actual guest.
Norway's sight made him tense. He couldn't remember one time the Norwegian came to him if it wasn't to complain about their union or politics or if somebody close to them both was in dire need for help. So when he saw him on his doorstep he was sure something bad must've happened and his mind went into overdrive trying to think of a possible problems and ways to take care of said problems. He was coming up blank and it made him nervous.
Confusion followed suit after Norway parted his lips, those lips he had been fantasizing about for hundreds of years, and started speaking. Of all the things in creation nothing could have surprised him more than what he'd heard.
At first it made him oh so happy. To hear that he was appreciated and cared for by the man he'd been pursuing for so long.
But then reality caught up with him and he found his head yet again spinning with the ravel of emotions he had no idea how to sort out. At the end of his wits he decided to go to sleep because, as the saying went, everything was brighter in the morning.
He had no choice but to agree because once he woke up, calmed himself down and started thinking rationally Norway may have come and apologized but those were only words. He'd said he was sorry for years and years of harsh treatment.
Not to be dramatic because Norway could be a good friend if he wanted to but the majority of the time he just didn't want to and Denmark, being a daft fool in love with him had taken everything very much to heart.
That in mind though it still were only words. Half an hour of a talk would not erase anything that had happened in the past, only dull the bitterness of his memories.
That was still a start though. If Lukas could make himself realize his mistake and then come and be so nice and polite and apologetic then surely he could change his ways. Maybe there was a future for their friendship yet.
Because Lukas started, hopefully, changing but – too late. A week ago Mattias would've started wishing and pushing for something more. Now he had Lars and he was happy with him.
There was still that twinge in his chest when he thought about the Norwegian. But it was not Lukas who has seen how Denmark felt and acted on it. It wasn't Lukas who made sure that after that exhausting meeting he would have something to eat and drink and he wouldn't have to search for a place – it was already waiting for him because Netherlands was kind enough to alert all his friends that he would need it and took it upon himself to prepare it.
It wasn't Lukas who kept him company when he felt lonely. And finally it wasn't Lukas who searched him on his own and eased all his insecurities showing him that he was liked, needed and even loved.
Sure Netherlands told him of his feelings. But Mattias wouldn't have believed him if he hadn't seen and felt that the other man truly cared for him.
He was no fool, after all.
So that was it, he decided rolling out of the bed, content now that his feelings were all cleared. Norway was nice and good for all of the world but however nice he was Mattias was staying with the person who had yet to let him down and that was Lars.
/txtbreak/
An hour later and he was on his way to the dining hall in quest for breakfast and his friends. He felt like he hasn't been spending enough time with them lately, and after they helped him with his 'coming-over-Norway' period. So he fully intended to spend the day with them and with his boyfriend doing something nice.
Nothing in particular came to his mind but New Zealand, such a beautiful and exotic place and they were going to be there for only a day more, since all the Meetings were now over.
Halfway there he ran into America, the bubbly man was yawning and rubbing at his sleepy eyes but greeted him with an exuberant smile and a powerful pat to the back. It almost knocked Mattias off his feet.
"Hey man! How ya doin'? Heard you found yourself a nice little sweetheart!" the American exclaimed.
"Not sure I can really call him little but yeah, I did. Hi, Alfred." said Mattias smiling brightly.
America's grin softened and the look in his eyes grew a bit more solemn.
"Well it hasn't been long but you're already looking better. Keep him, Mattias." he said and then added with his usual mischievousness "And don't forget this needs to be celebrated properly! I expect you with him at my place sooner or later, there will be beer and hamburgers!"
Denmark snorted.
"I'll be there." he said grinning.
America threw open the dining hall doors and marched inside then, Denmark trailing behind him. Their entrance caught the attention of every occupant of the room. Some of the nations just rolled their eyes or smiled minimally and turned back to their meals. Prussia, who despite his seemingly messy and boisterous was as neat and orderly as his younger brother, happened to be the type of person that rises with the sun, was already seated and in the middle of his breakfast. As soon as he saw the two of them he went to say something and choked on whatever he was currently chewing.
America chortled and pounded his back to help him. By the time Denmark got there Gilbert had tears in his eyes and he wasn't sure if it was because he choked or because of Alfred's help.
Either way the albino man kicked a chair out for him grinning and Denmark plopped into it gratefully.
"Congrats, Mattias! First night with a boyfriend, you're a real man now. I'm so proud of you!" Gilbert said saucily. Denmark rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless.
"Yeah, our little friend is all grown up!" America snickered. Suddenly a new voice chimed in, quiet but confident.
"Alfred, Gilbert, you better not be perving during breakfast!" Canada said, his eyes gleaming behind his wired glasses. "Hello, Mattias, congratulations." he added.
"Hi Matthew!" Denmark smiled at him while America and Prussia swore they were nice and good and how Canada could ever accuse them of such things, in the common dining hall with so many nations present!
Matthew paid them no mind, instead sitting down beside Gilbert and immediately going for the conveniently prepared pancakes.
"So Mattie, you decided to sleep in?" Prussia said catching Gilbird and forcefully removing him from the pancakes' immediate vicinity.
"Yeah, figured now that all the Meetings are over I'm allowed to make up for all the sleep I lost because of them."
"Not because of them but because both of you are incorrigible. You should deal with the paperwork as it comes and not wait for the last possible minute." Prussia admonished.
"Incorrigible! Gilbert I didn't know you knew such words!" America joked. Denmark had a permanent smile on his face while he devoured his food listening to his friends' bickering. He nodded back to Spain, France and Veneciano who all smiled at him in greetings.
Suddenly Gilbert rammed an elbow into his ribs making him gasp and accidentally inhale a gulp of his coffee. He was trying to get his breathing under control while glaring daggers at his obnoxious friend when a deep voice spoke up behind him and he immediately felt better.
"Mattias, are you okay?" Lars asked lifting a brow at the nations laughing around the table.
"Yeah." Denmark croaked. "Fine. Hi, Lars." he said smiling with tears in his eyes from coughing.
Netherlands rolled his eyes and greeted the rest of the nations sitting around the table who welcomed him friendly (Canada) and moved their brows with idiotic grins (America and Prussia).
"Good morning, Mattias. Do try not to find your death at the breakfast table." he teased with a completely straight face.
"Nah, having too much fun~!" the Dane retorted and then dived back into his meal. "You want some scrambled eggs?" he added after a few seconds.
"No, thanks, the sandwiches with fish are fine." Netherlands said calmly placing the fish stripes on his bread.
"Suit yourself. Man New Zealand sure got the food good." Denmark moaned happily. Netherlands made an effort not to look at his boyfriend but his cheeks took on a pink tinge at the almost pornographic sound. Prussia almost landed under the table from laughing so hard.
Thankfully Canada kicked him in the ankle effectively shutting him up. The rest of the meal passed in a blur of friendly talk and jabs at the new couple. All in all Denmark couldn't remember a more pleasant meal in a long time now.
"So" he started as everyone made sure to get the last crumbles of whatever they had for breakfast "what did you have in mind for today? Because I could use some social fun time. Think we could maybe go swimming or something?"
The idea was met with enthusiasm. All of the stressed and tired nations were up to some down time and such a refreshing activity as swimming appealed to them all.
And that was why Denmark choose that specific way of relaxing. Not because that way he could get Lars out of his coat and scarf.
Not at all!
And even if it was then that was his own business and anyway he had a right now because Lars was his boyfriend! His tall and muscular stoic boyfriend who looked and often acted like he didn't care but deep down hid a gentle and caring heart. His emerald eyes betrayed that, gleaming from under his spiky blond fringe.
He made sure it was the only blonde his imagination went into overdrive for anymore even as America went to ask Sweden and Finland if they would want to come. There was a big chance that Norway would also be where they were and maybe tag along, maybe even Iceland.
Well, Denmark would be happy to see them all, after all they were his friends.
/txtbreak/
I'm terribly sorry for the delay! My computer refused to cooperate with me and I had to have my uncle take a look at it. As soon as he proclaimed it good to go and I got back from school I got to finishing this chapter and uploading it :)
Big thank you to every sweetheart out there that followed, favourited or reviewed this story, you guys are awesome! :)