Berwald descended down the stairs of his modest home, swiftly draping his coat over his shoulders and grasping his car keys from a nearby table. The Swede, with a pastry balanced between his teeth, pulled his work bag over his shoulder and motioned to his front door. Sweden couldn't believe he'd been called in for an emergency meeting by his boss on what was supposed to be his day off. He had planned to spend the day with Tino, but that would now have to wait until the matters arising from this meeting were dealt with. Frustrated didn't begin to cover how Berwald was feeling on this frosty Friday morning.
Trudging along the frostbitten pavement, Sweden unlocked his car with a simple click, but as he reached for the handle on the driver's side he noticed something peculiar. There was a festive giftbag that was dangling from the door by its handles. With his head tilted to one side in confusion, Berwald freed the bag from the car door and peered inside, his hand grasping a soft package wrapped in Christmas themed wrapping paper and finished with a large bow. It was at that moment the Swede recalled that the nations that make up the Nordic five, including himself, would be exchanging gifts for their annual secret Santa. Intrigued to deduce who had drawn his name this year, the man pulled apart the wrapping paper which revealed a stunning Lopapeysa jumper and a paperback book titled '100 Christmas stories to read by the fire'.
There was no doubt in Berwald's mind that Iceland was his secret Santa this year. The Swede got into his car and placed his gifts onto the passenger seat beside him, pausing to brush his fingertips along the soft fabric of the jumper. Despite an agitating start to his day, Iceland's gift had managed to reduce the negativity he was experiencing and, surprisingly, resulted in the tiniest smile creeping onto the blond's face. But, he caught himself just as he felt a full-blown smile threatening to break out and shoved the keys into the ignition.
"Mm..." Sweden hummed, affixing his glasses and fastening his seatbelt.