Epilogue

Emil and Tino silently sent each other contented looks full of self-satisfaction. It's been two years since the attack on Greenland; most importantly, two years since Denmark swore to stop sighing after Norway. The resulting emotional roller coaster almost ever Nordic went through since that time has finally come to an end.

Mattias and Lukas were holding hands.

Such an innocent gesture but to those who knew them it was huge.

It was Denmark who'd asked Lukas out. The Norwegian, for his part, didn't exactly do anything but every chance he got he played just right. He knew right after breaking up with Netherlands and still recovering himself and Greenland from the attack Mattias wouldn't be in the mood for a new relationship. Hell, he probably wouldn't exactly be in the mood even after taking care of that. So he waited, patiently and faithfully, and showed Mattias on every step that he cared for him. He sent clear, subtle signals and they were noted.

Mattias was still tentative, so everything between them was tentative because Norway didn't want to spook him. He's learned to pay attention to Mattias' needs and he did his best to never again hurt him like he'd been doing before all this. He still was liable to snap when he was exceptionally annoyed and his expression had the tendency to slip into his "bored out of his mind resting" look. Mattias too worked to be a better partner for his new lover. Slowly, but surely they were getting better at this whole "relationship" thing.

Tino and Emil felt self-satisfied because they also had a part in it. Emil, as the good, supportive little brother always was there to keep Norway on the right path straight to Mattias. Tino, with his gentle encouraging did the same for Denmark. The Dane would come to his and Berwald's home, all nervous and worried. Sweden, ever the romantic, would sit and listen, grunting when required and trying to be helpful, but it was Tino that did the talking for the both of them, calming their sibling and gently guiding him.

All that work paid off a month ago. The Nordics still quietly rejoiced at Denmark and Norway finally coming together every time they saw them.

As for Netherlands, he was still single. However, lately he's been talking to one Iberian country, Portugal. They had a lot in common and he even liked the other Nation, but he didn't want to rush into things, lest it all ended the way it had with Mattias.

Portugal was tentatively hopeful. At first he didn't even want to go up to the somber Netherlands but Romano called him a stronzo and a coward and a thousand other derisive names (while Antonio did nothing to stop him, the bastard), and then Canada dared him to go and so he had to. He wouldn't let those kids make fun of him!

Well, maybe Romano wasn't a kid but Canada? Matthew was a baby, practically. A devious, cunning one that clearly got to know him a little too good.

Ah, whatever. As long as everything was going good he would take advantage. And if it ever worked out they better not hope to be given any credit!

THE END

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Holy shit guys, this is it. It's the end. It's FINISHED, finally! I'm sure you're all cheering because between how long this turned out to be and my horrendous, nonexistant posting schedule you're all ready to murder me, hehe.

Huge thanks to all those of you who stayed with me through this and liked or reviewed. Especially to Mx Akiyata and GothicKitty1313 for being there for me every chapter of the way :)