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It was dark out. The sun was beginning to set. The world was getting ready to rest. Everyone was looking forward to relaxing for the next hours.
All except two.
Denmark and Norway made their way to the woods, the light of their lanterns guiding them. This was a familiar trail for them, not as dangerous as it was before. They used to be afraid of going out this late, now it's a comfort.
Denmark pulled his backpack closer to him. The sound of cutlery and pots trembled in his backpack. He slouched slightly forward.
"He better be close by this time," he mumbled under his breath. Norway looked over her shoulder, but didn't comment. It was hard to decipher danish, especially when mumbled.
"He will appear only when he wants," Norway took a stab at what he was saying. Denmark hummed in approval.
The made their way over the bridge, passing by the creak. They could now see fireflies slowly appearing, lighting their path. Norway was delighted, taking a moment to stop and look. Denmark smiled as he watched her.
"Ooh! We should bring some with us!" said Norway. "Sweden will be delighted."
"I don't have a jar, unfortunately."
Norway slumped her shoulders. Denmark patted her back.
"Don't be like that," he said. "Besides, we are bound to meet plenty more."
The night was upon them, Norway pulled her cloak closer to her body. Denmark shivered a bit. There was not a sound as they made their way deeper and deeper in the woods.
"You lied," Norway started. "You said there would be more fireflies."
"Not what I said."
"Yes you did."
"I said, we are bound to meet plenty more. I didn't specify what we'd see."
Norway stopped. "Huh?"
Denmark smirked. "In these neck of the woods, you are bound to see more than fireflies. " He continued forward as Norway stood dumbfounded. She continued with him after a bit.
"Just ask Sweden to make you some fireflies." Denmark said after a moments silence.
"I wouldn't do that to him, his magic hurts him."
The wind was starting to pick up now, both of them shivered. Denmark cursed under his breath.
"This'll make it hard to start a fire."
"Can't we just shout Sweden's name and he will appear?" Norway asked.
"No, and you know that already." An unspoken rule amongst the three of them.
"I know. I hate how cold it gets here. Oh, I just can't wait to see Sweden. He's so nice and warm."
Denmark couldn't help but nod at that. "And a troublemaker," he finally added.
"An adorable troublemaker."
The remaining sunlight was becoming shrouded by the forest roof. Denmark took a second, with the help of Norway, to light a lantern. No crickets nor creaks could be heard. Silence prevailed.
Norway looked around, pulling her cardigan closer to her. Denmark stood close, alert.
"I saw something," Denmark whispered.
A glowing light had appeared, a dull yellow illuminating the dark path. Denmark watched as it emerged, then disappeared. Denmark continued walking, until he was stopped by a group of glowing lights. Denmark sighed.
"I got this!" Norway said as she found a rock nearby, and skillfully aimed it at the glowing lights. They disappeared shortly after.
"Stupid faeries," Denmark mumbled. He seemed to slouch more.
The path stopped abruptly. They knew where to go, with or without a path, and followed their intuition, more deeper into the darkness.
"Here we are."
They both stopped at a clearing, the woods wrapped around them. They could hear the sound of a creak nearby. It was the perfect place. A place to make dinner, a place to rest, a place to share secrets. A place away from the town and their prying eyes. The two made quick work, Norway helping Denmark with firewood, setting up their tent.
"What are you planning on making?" Norway asked.
"Something warm for all of us," Denmark said. "Maybe soup. I have the veggies for it." Norway hummed in anticipation as she readied the tent.
The bushes around them rustled. Denmark left to get water from the creak. Norway was alone. She sat by the fire and listened. The rustling was getting louder. She got some leaves from her bundle, using the water from her thermos tucked tightly away in her backpack, and started pouring.
A pair of deer ears perked up from the bushes. Norway looked up and her eyes seemed to sparkled.
"I'm making you tea right now," Norway said. "We couldn't afford any extra coffee. But, it's the tea you liked before!"
The ears perked up slightly. "The one I tried a week ago?" It asked.
"Yes, that one."
A face peeked from the bushes, showing blue eyes, golden hair. A rather human appearance for a deer. Norway smiled as Sweden made his way over. His deer torso was covered in leaves, which he promptly shook off.
"Älskling, I missed you so much. I thought something had happened," Sweden said as he curled himself up besides Norway.
Norway kissed the top of Sweden's head. "I'm so sorry we scared you. It's hard nowadays to find excuses to leave the town. You know how it is."
Sweden nodded. "I'd rather it not be this way."
Norway hummed. "We both feel that way." She handed the tea to Sweden. "But things became easier for you afterwards, didn't it?"
"I won't deny that," Sweden blew on his tea. "But I can't see you two often enough."
Norway rubbed Sweden's shoulders. Even in this cold weather, his shoulders felt warm to touch. Sweden buried his head in her hair.
"We'd like to see you more as well, especially Denmark." As she said that, Denmark came back, pot full of water swaying precariously.
"There you are," Denmark said as he put the pot on the fire. "You could've at least come to help me carry this."
Sweden stuck his tongue out at him. "Not my fault you are weak."
"I am not weak. Norway, may I have some tea?"
Norway got started with making his tea, as Sweden stared him down. Denmark rolled his eyes, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Aren't you cold?" Denmark asked Sweden. "We have blankets in the tent."
"I'm fine, are you?" Sweden cocked his head.
"About as fine as I could get. How do you even keep so warm?" Denmark went to grab the carrots he bundled, as well as his cutting board.
"Magic," was all Sweden could say.
"Hey, but I thought you said magic doesn't work like that." Norway said.
"Don't believe everything he says."
"I wasn't lying, now was I?"
Denmark unsheathed his knife from his belt. "It's quite easy to tell." Denmark placed the knife on the cutting board. "You are not good at hiding lies."
"Yeah, right."
Norway giggled. "You two bicker just like France and Britain."
Denmark stopped carefully unwrapping the bundled carrots. "No, we don't."
"Yes, you do."
"Do you know these people?" asked Sweden, curiously.
Norway nodded. "They are our friends."
"Our rich friends," Denmark added.
"Yes, our rich friends," Norway said.
"Will I meet them?" Sweden was curious about them.
"Maybe eventually," Norway said.
"Never," Denmark said. "They are too nosy and gossipy." He placed the carrots orderly on the cutting board, beginning the process of cutting them.
"You need to know Sweden, rich people like gossip." Norway smiled. "I wish you could meet them."
"I can go to the outskirts and-"
"They don't live in our town."
"Oh. Then where do they live?"
"Where rich people live," Norway smiled.
Sweden cocked his head. "I do not understand you humans, sometimes."
Sweden looked to observe Denmark. Denmark set a rhythm of chopping carrots, and slowly adding them to the pot. His knife almost came into contact with his finger on occasion.
"Be careful," Sweden warned.
"I am," Denmark said.
Sweden took another sip from his mug, hearing Denmark cuss under his breathe. Sweden's ears perked and turned to see Denmark's finger bleeding.
"Oh Denmark, you clutz!" Norway said as Sweden hopped his way over.
"Let me see," Sweden said. Without confirmation he, pulled Denmark's finger closer to him. "I told you to be careful."
"I know, I'm fine–just a cut," Denmark winced.
Sweden looked at his finger, seeing the blood slowly trickle. He started a chant in swedish, and sparkles seemed to come from Denmark's finger. Norway got closer, a rare moment of Sweden using magic. Sweden's eye brows creased, the cut stitching itself back together. The 5 seconds of magic usage payed its toll on Sweden. He gasped for air, sweat trickling from his brow.
"You didn't have to do that," Denmark said, smoothing over the line where his cut used to be. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I just-" Sweden paused. "Don't like seeing you hurt."
Denmark went to cup Sweden's face, rubbing his cheek gently. "I know." He leaned in, Sweden following as their lips met briefly. Sweden's tail swayed.
Denmark pulled away. "I have to make dinner still." After cleaning the knife off, Denmark went to cut the remaining carrots.
Before long, he was on the potatoes. With the help of Norway, and Sweden trying to eat the skin, they were able to have the potatoes in the pot.
It wasn't long until the soup was ready and they could finally eat. The wind quieted down as Denmark fished out some bowls and poured the soup into them.
"How big is your backpack, anyway?" Norway asked as she was handed her bowl. Sweden was attempting to sip, only to recoil. "Please blow, Sweden." Norway side eyed him.
"Okay." Sweden seemed defeated.
"It's not that big. I just find ways to fit everything into it," Denmark said, also watching Sweden from the corners of his eye.
"We should save up to give you a bigger backpack," Norway said.
"I don't want to. This works well enough."
"Oh, if only Sweden's magic was more potent, he could magick up a backpack for you," Norway looked to Sweden for approval.
"No."
"Ah."
They ate the rest in silence, save for the occasional loud sips from Sweden. Norway decided to take care of dishes for tonight.
"I'll be right back," she said, taking the time to kiss the both of them off.
Denmark and Sweden sat in a comforting silence, undecided if they want to break this moment. Denmark finished off his tea from before dinner. Sweden spoke up first.
"I wish I could see the two of you more often." He brought up the topic he wanted answers to the most. "You two could live in the woods forever."
Denmark smiled at him. "We wish we could."
"I could help you build a cabin, we could build one together."
Denmark didn't respond. He looked down at his empty mug, the remaining leaves creating a koleidoscope.
"I could force the forest to behave for you. The spirits wouldn't bother you," Sweden said.
"No, we can't," Denmark said. "It would…hurt you."
"How? You know what hurts me more?" Sweden paused.
"Not being with the two of you."
Denmark shifted, breathe hitched.
"I'd kill myself for the both of you if it meant your safety." Sweden nestled his head on the crock of Denmark's head.
Denmark sighed, turning around. "We know." He gently cupped Sweden's face. "That's why we worry for you."
Sweden leaned into his touch. Denmark was illuminated only by the fire.
"You look gorgeous right now," Sweden said. Denmark chuckled.
"What's gotten into you?"
"I just…" Sweden paused, eyes averted. "Please, never leave me. I couldn't bare that."
Denmark rested his head on Sweden's forehead. (Fix) "Of course, we never will." His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Promise?" Sweden could hear him loud and clearly.
"Promise."
The two of them stayed like this for a while, the fire crackling, as well as the leaves rustling, crunching from Norway's movement.
"Was I gone that long?" Norway teased. "You weren't this close when I left."
Denmark rolled his eyes. Sweden couldn't help his head from turning hot.
Norway slided next to Sweden, wrapping her arms around his human body. He leaned into it. No words were exchanged between them, only the sweet words Denmark would whisper to Sweden, followed up by Norway's gentle kisses.
Norway broke the silence with a remark.
"Let's sleep outside today!"
"It's too cold for that," Denmark said.
"Sweden will keep me warm," Norway remarked.
"Sweden will keep you warm," Denmark said. "I prefer sleeping in a warm place."
Norway looked sad.
"You can't fool me like this again," Denmark said, getting up from Sweden's embrace. "I'll be back Sweden, I'm getting ready for bed."
"Please, come back to me afterwards," Sweden begged.
"Of course I will."
Once his nightly amenities where completed, he came back to Sweden, stroking his cheek before softly planting a kiss on his lips.
"Good night, alsking," Sweden said, pulling Denmark down.
"Hey, i'm not sleeping outside." Denmark said.
Sweden blinked at him. "Please."
"No." Denmark made his way to Norway to kiss her goodnight, and went to the tent.
"Denmark," Sweden called. "Please, come back."
No answer.
"I'll keep you warm I promise."
Denmark poked his head out.
"No."
Norway pouted, snuggling into Sweden.
The night dragged on as Denmark become more and more comfortable in his tent. But he couldn't help but notice just how lonely it felt. He sighed. He was too stubborn, he would not go outside and snuggle with them. It would take a hit of his pride.
He found himself making his way out with his pillows and blankets, the two already sound asleep, with Sweden's loud snoring. Denmark shook his head. He made himself comfortable next to Norway, wrapping both him and herself in the blanket.
"Mmh, you came after all," Norway mumbled.
"Shut it," Denmark said, but he was smiling as he came closer to Norway, wrapping his arms around her waist, falling asleep to the sound of those he loved near him.