Chapter Sixteen

Norway crept forward and with wide eyes and watched as Denmark stood up from the ledge he had been crouched on and slowly rotated to face him. The setting sun illuminated his features and shone on his golden locks, giving him a regal and composed air. His eyes looked everywhere but the Norwegian, opting instead to remain fixed on the sidewalk below. "Norway, I—"

"What the hell Denmark?!" The Dane broke off his staring contest with the pavement and jerked his head towards the disgruntled Norwegian. He furrowed his brow and bit his lip, chewing it nervously. Norway clenched his teeth as his face flushed red, not even bothering to conceal his anger. "Who gave you the right to run off and then act like nothing happened?!"

"I'm t—"

"No! You don't get a say in this matter!"

"Norge, I'm tr—"

"Just shut up you stupid Dane! I don't want to hear—"

"NORWAY I'M TRYING TO APOLOGIZE!"

Norway paused mid-rant to stare dumbly at the Danish man's furiously blushing face. Denmark sucked in several calming gulps of air and shoved his hands into his pockets. "When I first remembered that I was a country, I was furious at you for putting me through all that shit." Norway scowled and attempted to protest his statement, but the Dane plowed on. "Then I started to recall everything else that happened. I remember you, Sweden, and I running around as vikings, I remember all of the fun and exciting times that we've started, and I remember being a douche to you guys during the Kalmar Union. But above all, I remember you, Norway."

The Norwegian gazed up at the Dane, trying to decipher the mix of emotions that spun and fought for dominance in the depths of his stunningly blue eyes. Denmark's stare became warmer as he stepped closer, his smile melting into one of affection. "While I was sitting, everything I love about you came back to me. It was like I was seeing you for the first time, sarcastic attitude cast aside." Denmark eyes took on a mirthful gleam as Norway snorted in agreement. It rapidly faded, morphing into a serious expression in a matter a seconds

"Your eyes, your hair, your habits and quirks, everything that makes you who you are, I love that about you."

"I love you."

Norway's breathing quickened as he searched for any sign of deceit to appear on the Dane's face. He dared not hope Denmark had been sincere. There was no way, not possible… "Are you lying to me? Because if you are, I swear to—"

Color burst to life on the Norwegian's cheeks as he felt hands cup his jawbone and pull him into a deep and passionate kiss. At first he stared on in shock, studying each freckle that adorned the Dane's face until he felt Denmark begin to pull away. Norway quickly grabbed the Dane's face and captured his lips in his own, fusing together like the last piece of a puzzle. The kiss was sweet, warm, and loving, just how Norway had imagined it to be.

Time seemed to slow down as Norway broke away, gasping as he filled his starving lungs with much needed air. Once the depleted organ had been filled, he turned to the awkwardly fidgeting Dane. "Soooo, does this mean—" Norway cut him off with a harsh whack to the back of his head. He then ruffled his hair with a fond sense of affection as Denmark whimpered like a kicked puppy.

"Of course, idiot. I love you too."

Denmark instantaneously straightened from his bent position and beamed blindingly at the Norwegian. He bounded forward and wrapped the protesting man in a bear hug, taking precautions not to muss the Norwegian's hair. After a few short seconds, Norway finally admitted defeat and leaned onto the Dane's chest, hiding a smile in the red and black fabric.

For how long the two stayed frozen in that position, Norway couldn't tell, nor could he care much to figure it out. All that mattered was that Denmark was back, and in his arms. The Norwegian's only movement was to text the other nations their location and guide Denmark over to a nearby bench. He then proceeded to doze on the Dane's shoulder, allowing warm fingers to comb through his hair.

In no time at all, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland were rushing up the path towards the seated nations. Norway shut his eyes with a groan, answering more questions was the last thing he wanted to do. Feigning sleep was obviously the most suitable option. Denmark saw right through his act, and to Norway's immense gratitude, brushed away the bombardment of inquiries with a nod towards the 'sleeping' Norwegian.

It was then the comfortable atmosphere proved to much to handle as Norway felt his consciousness slip away. Enveloped in the pleasant equilibrium of the warmth that radiated from Denmark's trench coat and the chill of the night, the last thing the Norwegian felt was soft lips brushing his forehead and heard three whispered words.

"Love ya, Norge."

—

Norway stood in solitude under a lone tree, thinking back to the chaos that had occurred four months prior. After he had fallen asleep on the park bench, Norway found himself blinking sleep out of his eyes in his room and Denmark leaning over him, sun shining through the window behind him. The Dane had explained that all had been resolved overnight, the other Nordics had been filled in and had their fair share of time to yell at him.

The Norwegian breathed a wistful sigh as he remembered when interaction between Denmark and he was less awkward. Norway was lost and flustered when the Dane walked into the room, now that his feelings had been unveiled. It wasn't hard for even complete strangers to realize how in love the pair were, but the two weren't exactly dating either.

Norway leaned back on the tree and tilted his head upward, shouting his eyes and reminiscing on easier times. He was promptly jolted out of his thoughts by the tell-tale sound of footsteps snapping the grass underfoot. The Norwegian blushed once he realized who it was, yet rapidly stowed it away when Denmark approached. "Hey, Norway! What're you doing?"

Norway slid his eyelids open in order to locate the tall idiot. His tall idiot. Denmark bounced up to the tree and wrapped the smaller man in a one-armed hug. Norway returned it gratefully, the Dane's presence was enough to comfort him and chase his tumulting thoughts away. "Just thinking."

"What about?" Norway's only response was to shrug and lean further into the Dane's built frame. The Norwegian was content to stay in the position they were in, and grunted in dissatisfaction when Denmark shifted away. His protests faded into nonexistence when a large grin erupted on the Dane's face.

"I have something special for you, Norge." Denmark ignored the Norwegian's inquiries and deliberately pulled a crudely wrapped package out of his coat pocket. The Dane pressed the paper encompassed gift into Norway's cupped hands. The package was small and compact, fitting easily into the palms of his hands.

Norway carefully tore off the far end of the gift, shoving the excess paper into his pocket so as not to litter. He upturned the package and froze as a metal object tumbled out of the wrapping and onto his hand. The Norwegian stared dumbly at the cross in his palm, identical to the one he had melted all those months ago.

Norway was shaken out of his paralytic state when his view of the cross was covered as a milky pale hand grabbed his. "Norway, you okay? I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I can take it back if you want!"

"I— No, I love it. Denmark thank you, it means a lot." The Dane beamed widely and brushed his lips against Norway's own. Norway returned the gesture with a heavy blush, clenching his hand around the cross possessively.

Norway pulled away from the kiss and he threw his arms around the Dane's neck, tugging him closer to the point where he could see each individual streak of blue in his eyes. Denmark grinned down upon him, gently grabbing the cross from the Norwegian's hand and clipping into his blond bangs. It was then that Norway did something he hadn't done since three long months.

Norway rested his head on Denmark's chest… and smiled.

—

The End. I don't know whether to laugh or cry, seriously, I'm feeling very conflicted. Please review, I really appreciate it. Speaking of which, thank you so much for your support through this whole story, logging onto this website and reading your amazing reviews always made my day without fail.

In the span of a week, I will be posting a new story called Notoriously Tactical. I'm really proud of it, if I do say so myself. It's also a Dennor fic, so keep posted and check it out when I post it!