On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
Iceland, much like his name, was ice and cold. Even though his country was covered with volcanos, he still cloaked himself in the icy cold mist. Outwardly he was cold and unforgiving, but inside a tiny flame flickered: his Aurora Borealis. But he kept it hidden for if there was one thing Norway had taught him, it was how to keep others at arm's length.
America, the fabled land of the free. He was all fire and loud noises, but deep inside was the biting cold that the poorest of all his people felt. He longed for someone to warm that tiny cold place inside of him, and that was when his eyes first landed on the young Nordic nation.
Iceland had tried everything to keep America away but if Alfred was nothing if not persistent. But he had to work this Christmas leaving Iceland alone in his cold and ice. Normally this wouldn't bother him but since America, he now felt alone, almost abandoned. Sighing he curled himself into a ball and tried to ignore the tapping on his window.
"What?!" he snapped flinging away the covers as the Aurora burst through the window, illuminating the two birds perched on the window. Crawling out he nudged open the window and allowed the two doves into his house. Picking the card that they held together in their beaks and opening it, Alfred's voice echoed out.
"Dude, I know I hafta work and trust me I don't wanna leave you. So I'm gonna rush through this work and get it all done so I can see you on Christmas Eve and Day! Love you Ice and keep your flame alive, yeah?"
"Idiot…" Iceland mumbled, returning under his covers as the doves fluttered to the bedframe and perched their nestled together.
Alfred crept silently into the house and up to Iceland's room where he lay silent and unmoving. Pulling off his shoes and jacket he lay next to his ice-cold love and pressed his warm hands to Iceland's fluttering heart. Above them the turtle doves cooed once more and tucked their heads under their wings to sleep.
…Two turtle doves