A/N: I've switched around the order for the requests, bc I just got an idea for Prussia. So now the order is Prussia, China, England, Norway, Poland, Italy, Germany, India, Canada. Sorry about pushing China back but I find it hard to write him.
Also, do u guys mind if I get a little shippy in here? I was tempted to put some DenNor hints in this chapter, but I wanted to ask y'all first. The mention of SuFindoESNT COUNT as shipping bc it's canon Sweden has a crush on Finland. It's in his wikia somewhere.
Dammit I feel like I had something else to say but I forgot. Oh well.
Black faded to white, and there was a loud snapping sound. The camera shifted abruptly, slowing coming to focus on a living room. A couch faced the camera, and a soft drink was on a small table beside it. Muttering could be heard from behind the camera.
The camera was knocked again, and a man strode onscreen. His blond hair stuck out in several different angles, looking more like a wild vine than hair. His freckled, boyish face would have been very attractive with a smile, but his face was not graced with one. He was wearing a yellow shirt with the word "Lego" in red block letters, and baggy sweatpants. His blue eyes looked worried. He sat slowly on the Ikea couch, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"Hi, I'm Matthias. I represent Denmark," He said in an unusually calm voice. "Alfred told me I didn't have to explain what I am, since he'd go first, so that's good. Uh..." Matthias trailed off, seeming to forget what he was going to say. He sighed briefly.
"To be honest, I don't know what I'm going to talk about. You can pick up a textbook to learn my life story - or maybe you can't. If the world really is ending, maybe all the books will be destroyed." He chortled. "In that case, I'll have to tell you. But the abbreviated version, since these videos have a limit of a few minutes.
"First off, you should know I am amazing." He flashed a cheeky grin at the camera. "I used to be one of the most powerful nations. A badass hardcore Viking, pillaging and conquering. It was super fun. Except for all the death and stuff, but people didn't mind seeing dead bodies at that time.
"I used to rule almost all the other Nordics at that time, too. That was also great. Except they all ran away." Matthias' smile faltered. "I wasn't a good ruler, I guess. But it's not like you could Google 'how to rule Scandinavia'!" He laughed forcefully.
"A lot of shit happened between then and now, obviously, but I definitely consider that to be the best period of my life. Now is a nice time though, I mean we're all at peace with each other and we have been for a while. And it's not like it's boring or anything, either. Politics these days are brutal, and all this technology is amazing." He paused, thinking.
"Is this what I should be talking about?" He glanced at his lap, and felt the pockets of his pants. He pulled out a smartphone and started turning it over in his hands. The case was bumpy and textured, and he rubbed his fingers on it thoughtfully. "I don't know. Alfred talked about like, his family and friends, so I guess I'll do the same.
"Lukas. I'm sorry for treating you bad... That one time. And any other times I might have." His eyes remained on his phone case, and his fingers moved up and down on it obsessively. "You know me, sometimes I don't realize it. I really hope you forgive me, cause if you don't, I'm gonna regret everything.
"Um, yeah... Okay, Tino." He cleared his throat.
"You're great, you really are. You're like the mother of the Nordic family. I appreciate everything you've done for me, honestly. I kinda find it hard to thank people in person, so yeah. Thanks.
"Berwald. We've had a good rivalry over the centuries." He cracked a smile. "I dunno if you still resent me or even hate me, because to be honest you're hard to read. Except when it comes to Tino, cause then I can definitely read your mind." Matthias smirked, then looked away. "I'm sorry to you, too. For everything. Like I said to Lukas, I don't really realize when I'm hurting people.
"And Emil!" Matthias grinned here, his face practically glowing. The sad, regretful tone in his voice was gone, replaced by a warm happiness, a voice on the verge of laughter. "We've had some good times, huh? Maybe the only thing I don't like about this whole 'apocalypse' thing is the fact you're gonna die, too. I know you're not that young, not really. But you're always gonna be little Icey to me!" He giggled. "And to me, you're too young to die."
His face sobered, and he let out a huff, a noise between a sigh and a chuckle. "That's the part I hate about the apocalypse. That we'll all die." His voice was joking, but his eyes were almost pleading. "Why can't it be like in the action movies? Like when the apocalypse comes, everyone dies except the protagonist and their family and friends. Why can't that happen in real life, with me as the protagonist?
"I know the answer to that question, obviously. I'm not stupid, no matter how many people think I am. But it just feels like, if I ask the question, God will be like, 'oh shit you're right! Let's make this exactly like a Hollywood action movie!'
"I have unrealistic expectations. But if you're only learning this now, you've never even slightly known me.
"Uh..." Matthias blew some air out of his mouth, ruffling his wild hair. "What else to say? Oh, Lars, I won't be able to give you that twenty euro I owe you. Sorry."
He sat there for about ten seconds, staring off into space. Then he suddenly got up and left the room. He returned a few moments later, holding a bottle of beer. A Heineken. He took a sip as he settled back into the couch.
"Don't judge me. A lot of other nations will probably be drinking during their videos. This is depressing!" He laughed sadly, then took a long swig.
"It almost doesn't feel real," Matthias mused. "How we're all going to die. We've lived for so long that we've learned to dismiss the notion of death. I mean, nations can die. Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece. But not us, right? No. Even though it's happened to other nations, we feel untouchable." He nodded wisely, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I'd better end this now," Matthias said, eyes still firmly shut. "Before I start blubbering. Technically, Alfred didn't cry, not really, so I don't wanna be the first one to." He opened his eyes then, and his pupils shrunk to pinpricks while his irises expanded. It was intensely electrifying, the sudden blueness of his irises. It was like missing the last step on the stairs, and your breath hitching in your throat at the slightly shocking surprise. Why it had this effect on the viewers was unknown; perhaps it was the realization that, despite immortality, Matthias was human. Or maybe it was the pure terror clearly reflected in those sky-blue eyes.
Matthias cleared his throat, then stood. He walked over to the camera again, and it was knocked a few times. There was a slight pause, then he put his face close to the camera, as if just remembering to say something. His brow was creased, and those eyes peered up into the camera through fine eyelashes.
"I don't like to say goodbye." His voice was scratchy. "I'm more of a 'see you later' kinda guy. So, see you."
He gave one last smile, then the screen cut to black.