Three hours later she's seated comfortably on Norway's sofa. A thick woolly blanket covering her legs as she sips hot chocolate - watching a nature program. It's all in Norwegian, yet the pictures from the fjords and mountains are a perfect background image to only half pay attention to as Norway does a voice-over for her.
She doesn't particularity care about the various eagles and owls shown on the screen, but listening to Norway speak is well worth it.
Occasionally he disregards the voice on the screen and adds little titbits of information himself.
The little stories shed light on little mysteries.
She now knows that there's a reason Norway feeds ravens. He used them to find land back when he sailed with his people as a viking. To him they've been useful, so he likes to repay them in his own little odd ways.
Giggling at his stories, she snuggles the blanket closer to her. It's not that late, but it's already pitch black outside. Norway's country becomes much darker quicker than hers does in wintertime; to the point were it's almost scary. It might as well be midnight.
"Something the matter?" he enquires, having caught her staring out the window.
"It's just so dark, and no street lights either..."
"Perfect for stargazing on cold and clear nights like this." he laughs.
From her spot on the couch she can't really see that many stars, but she can certainly imagine how easy it is to stargaze. There are only a few other houses around Norway's home, and mostly they are large farms with huge fields and a few small forests separating them.
It's quiet, secluded and hidden away from the hustle, bustle and stress of the larger cities.
Belgium can certainly see why Norway prefers to stay in this place instead of a small and cramped flat in the centre of Oslo.
"I can imagine." she whispers, trying to catch a glimpse of the moon through the window.
Behind her she can feel the sofa move as Norway shifts his position before standing up. His footsteps can hardly be heard as he makes his way out of the living room and into the hallway.
Remaining where she is, the female nation closes her eyes and draws the thick blanket further up to her chin.
It smells of pine and cedar wood. A warm and comforting scent that Belgium is more than happy to engulf herself in.
Suddenly something soft and heavy is covering her body, turning around in her seat Belgium is met with a large brown fur coat. Norway is standing next to her, smiling down at her ever so slightly – wearing a hand knitted woolly jumper and hiking boots.
"Stars are better seen from the outside"
Sitting up straight, the female nation runs her fingers through the thick fur of the coat. It's beautifully made – even if she's not really a fan of fur (not any more at least) she can at least appreciate that it's a well crafted piece of clothing. It smells faintly of mothballs – it must be one really old coat.
However, as she stands up and carefully puts it on, she has to admit it fits like a glove.
"I have my own coat you know..."
"With minus 10 degrees outside, that thin jacket you arrived in was hardly enough to keep you warm when the sun was up...you won't last long out there in the dark in it now" his voice is serious, but it's laced with concern. She can't help but think that Norway is probably a very protective and loving brother – but only the Nordic countries are ever allowed to see that side of him.
Truthfully; she feels privileged right now. After all: how many of the other nations ever see this side of him? Not a lot she guesses.
Everyone else just thinks he's a selfish and violent Viking turned fisherman and oil investor.
"I'll take your word for it."
Stepping outside proves him right. Even if Norway is only wearing hicking boots, jeans and a woolly sweater over his shirt, he's the ones smiling and taking quick steps down the stairs before turning to extend a gloved hand towards Belgium.
Despite her thick coat, scarf and gloves; she feels the chill creeping into her body.
She's only more than happy to accept Norway's hand, glad to have someone to lean on when trying to manoeuvre across patches of frozen water.
He might not be as tall as her brother, but he's as steadfast as the mountains in his country.
They walk – hand in hand – down the little gravel drive way and onto the main road. Frost already setting on the ground, glittering like diamonds in the clear and bright moonlight.
"Shame it's not full moon." he mumbles and cranks his head up towards the sky.
Belgium follows his gaze, smiling as the sky twinkles and glitters with a billion of stars back at them.
"Wow" it's all she can say to describe the breathtaking spectacle. Such beautiful nighttime scenery used to be so common when they where young – when cars and aeroplanes were such a distant thing no one even considered it a possibility. Yet as cities grew, the stars seemed to fade.
But standing on the large open field, it's like being a century old again and dreaming of the future.
"It's beautiful here." she whispers, afraid to break the magical moment. The Milky Way stretches out above them, but what truly takes her breath away is the appearance of the Northern Lights.
The waves of colour dance across the sky. Changing from yellow to green to the most beautiful shades of indigo and violet Belgium has ever seen.
"Did you plan this?"
"If I had such power over nature I'd probably use it for more than giving pretty women a good show."
Belgium frowns and punches him lightly in the arm, causing Norway to chuckle as he tries to look wounded.
"That's not what I meant and you know it." the female nation huffs and crosses her arms, kicking at the frozen grass on the ground.
Norway shakes his head before wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
"I know what weather conditions are needed for the lights to shine. Apart from that it's really just luck."
It's impossible to stay mad at him, especially when she looks up at him and is met with a rare but warm smile.
"You're lucky to have such a beautiful display right on your doorstep."
All Belgium can think of is how easy it would be to lose track of time when you have so many wonderful things to stare at. How Norway gets any paperwork done ever is now a complete mystery.
"Everything is always more worth seeing when you can share it with someone else..."
"Quite the poet you are" she jokingly teases as she leans in closer to his chest.
"Would you rather prefer I threw you over my shoulder and carried you home like my people did during the viking age?"
"You wouldn't dare!" Belgium pokes the Nordics' chest with a pointed finger.
"Wouldn't I now?" Norway grins down with the most wicked smile Belgium has ever seen on him. A hint of playfulness is present in the Nordic's eyes, as he tightens his hold on her waist.
Suddenly she's very aware of the fact that Norway could indeed do such a thing. It would be near effortlessly for him to pick her up and carry her to wherever the hell he pleases.
Her heart beats faster at the thought and if she's completely honest with herself; she probably wouldn't fight or struggle against him if he did.
For years she's been an expert at a cat and mouse game. Twisting many men around her fingers with ease.
Now the tables seem to have turned. At least to some degree.
"You're terrible."
"And that's why you gave me the coin?"
Belgium opens her mouth to make a comeback, but none comes to mind. Norway lets out a small laugh before picking her up in his arms, carrying her across the field with ease.
Not until they reach the road does he put her down again.
By that time she's though of a reply.
"I gave you that coin because I like you. A lot."
There, she said it. If he hadn't already figured it out – it's now solidified in stone. Her heart beats faster again as she waits for a reply, not daring to meet his blue eyes yet.
"I know..."
Blinking, Belgium turns her gaze upwards. He knew? For how long? Is she that easy to read?
However, none of the questions have any time to be voiced out loud; as Norway's lips connect with hers.
Green eyes widen in shock at first, before fluttering to a close as she leans into the kiss. His tongue dances across her lips, asking for permission; which she grants without a second thought.
There's a hint of coffee still present as she tastes and explores him; and as she weaves her fingers into the fabric of his jumper, Belgium can inhale his scent with each breath.
As he breaks the kiss, she finds herself breathless – for more than one reason.
She doesn't want this to end – not now and not yet. It's too perfect to be real.
Any moment she expects to wake up from this dream.
However: all she feels is Norway's warm embrace plus the flustered feeling of excitement and joy as he smiles down at her.
A shiver runs down her back.
The chill of the evening is slowly seeping into her bones. How Norway can stand such temperatures without wearing several layers of fur and wool is quite the mystery in her opinion.
"Cold?"
Belgium only nods as she tried to press herself closer to his body.
She can both hear and feel the low chuckle, the resonance from his chest a low and comforting sound.
"Better get you inside then."
It's as if she's in a daze. Before she can protest, she's once again being carried in his arms. Despite the warm and safe feeling of his arms around her; Belgium still feels the need to wrap her arms around his neck. The more contact the better.
"Would you mind if I...stayed the night?" she quietly whispers as they're once again standing in the hallway. A bold move her little inner voice tells her, but if she goes home right now she's sure she'll wake up in the morning convinced this night was just a very good dream.
Norway looks slightly surprised by the request, but as he hangs the coat back in it's rightful place he tells her that he doesn't mind the slightest.
Oh if only her brother knew, what would he say? She thinks as she carefully places her shoes next to his.
Belgium is unsure exactly what the Netherlands thinks about Norway, but she does know he gets frightfully protective whenever Spain is around her.
Silently she prays the same thing won't happen with Norway.
At least the Nordic nation is used to intimidating glares. Neighbouring with Sweden must make you immune after a while.
A.N:
okay, I lied. this will have to be longer than a two-shot fic.
oh well, hope you still enjoy it.
Cheers and hugs to Ali, who beta'd this chapter for me.