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Immediately he got to the task of pouring the dark liquid into the cup, still scorching hot from his contentiously running coffee machine. Not even minding the unsaid answer to his inquiry, having been used to it.

“Uncomfortable journey?” The streets sometimes bore bumping holes due to the cold in winter and even if he was a rich country they couldn’t repair everything at once on the countryside .

Ah, at least that went well. After all, he did spend some extra time in the bakery shop to pick out the one’s he knew Sweden liked - after all, he can’t exactly show up with the ones that were okay, but not his favourites right? Right.

Still, he hummed at his question. He was okay - nothing really stuck out as a bad experience. 

“Yes, please.” He was really looking forward to some coffee. It’s been a long drive after all.

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cafe-der-nederlanden replied to your post:Jan blinks when he sees a familiar tall figure of...

The Dutchman bowed his head slightly with a small shrug, giving his answer in just a few words. “Been doing alright. working hard, playing hard, you know the drill.”

Thankfully Vidar too was a man of few words, so he nodded once sharply in appreciation. Oh yes, he knew the drill. “How’s the family?” And if he remembered right Jan too valued those closest to him.

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Busy... would it suggest that he had been drowning in work or that he ran from the town that became a home? His work place, his environment. The place where he knew every nook and alley. No. He wouldn’t bother the Icelander with his shortcomings. “They’ve been weird for centuries, been used to that.” Truer words never spoken, though he wouldn’t need to agree to that. Njáll knew just as well, coming with having been there. Though the words gave him a moment of assessing the Icelander, eyes sharp and head tilted. “Somethin’ important with ye?” Hopefully Njáll indulged him, he was curious.

The Norwegian surely would never change, and neither would the Dane. It seemed to be their life-mission; to embarrass the Icelandic teenager as much as possible, and bet about how red his face could become.  At least it seemed to be that way, when he thought back to the last time they had all three been out together. 

“Of course not, if you’ve been busy.” Which he assumed the Swedish man had been, since he hadn’t been around for a while, “You haven’t missed anything important at least, or so I think. Dan and Nore are still as weird as ever, so…” Njáll mumbled, before he took another sip of his glass of water. 

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Pokemon.

She got to be kidding, but as he searched her eyes for the clear indication of a joke he too got the point. She wasn’t. And just then, bless his heart, did Vidar too notice that he carried her around like a small child not aware that she didn’t truly favoured that. It came naturally.

The caring at least, didn’t mean he didn’t set her down without uttering a single word about it. “Ye need t’eat more ‘cause ye weight nothin’.” Which was truer than he would like it to be.

Finally he got the plate of cake and delicately sat it onto the counter of his spotless kitchen, only start rummaging in his cupboard for a fitting plate. Yes, he had several sets, sue him. “Want coffee too?”

“Almond? Ohh, that’s nice.” She nervously grasped at his shoulders, still a bit confused that he could carry her like a child. And she’s almost one thousand years old at that! Hmph..

She looked at the insides of his fridge and then up to him, tilting her head a little. “But I do eat! Lots! I eat all the good stuff from China’s fridge when he’s not around. And at home too. I just walk a lot, you know? I have to be the very best like no one ever was.”

Slowly, she came to realise that maybe not everyone got that.

“You know, like in Pokemon go? That.” She chuckled and lightly patted his shoulder. “But, err, sir, why are you still carrying me? I believe you that the weather is the same now..”

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If yer doin’ full names then ye should go with The Kingdom of Sweden, ja? [Perhaps the friendliness is contagious otherewise he can’t really explain where this boldness comes from. Vidar doesn’t tease often.]

Nice t’meet ye. What are ye doin’ here?

Glad to meet you. [Romeo says, his expression genuine as he shakes Vidar’s hand after the vaguely awkward couple of seconds.]

The Principality of Seborga! [He clarifies, proudly puffing out his chest.] And you’re Sweden, sì?

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An observer. For centuries, it was all he could be. The silent bystander, watching but never acting simply because others did for him. Denmark did. Usually, it bugged him to be taken as such, as a silent bystander though there are times were he was glad that he learnt to see rather than to look. Like now. Otherwise, of that Vidar was sure, he would have missed the bitter smile twisting Mathias mouth so harshly. Short, and if he would have looked somewhere he would have missed it.

Halfheartedly he wished he had.

In the end he never meant it seriously. Maybe. He wasn’t too sure about that. At the obvious discomfort of his Danish brother he allowed himself a little smile as well, just as vibrant blue strayed away from his own sea foam coloured hues. It brought amusement, knowing just when the often annoying blond became aware. Or showed it. “What are ye doin’ onnit?” A bit of a surprise though given the fact that he had also always been a handy person not so. 

Vidar took a quick sip of the hot beverage to digest Mathias’ last words, eyebrows raised in a silent question. Yet, that too wasn’t very unanticipated. And really, for a few painfully long seconds there was no reaction from the Swede. Until he swallowed and took a deep breath. “Treat him right.” Because Sigurd was important to him and he would hate to hurt a brother over another. He would without a second thought and his companion better knew that. Truly, he begged that the silent threat was being carried through.

North. As if it was a magic word it made a pair of blue eyes snap up to glower silently at Vidar from above the rim of his coffee cup. There was no way the Swede could know how much that word rubbed him the wrong way; after all, he couldn’t possibly know of Sigurd’s similar disappearance not many weeks ago and the silent threat of going back North that still littered the air, albeit the Norwegian’s reasons for departure had undoubtedly been different. Even now Mathias wasn’t completely sure of those reasons. 

So he nodded, content with that explanation as he placed the too hot coffee back onto the table, not in the mood to drag out further information about Vidar’s North. Perhaps he’d met with Sigurd, who knew. Mathias didn’t and it was very likely that he never would, knowing his fellow Scandinavians. Briefly a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 

“I’ve worked,” he began, looking back down into the black of his cup and ran a finger along the edge, “on the Mazda too. Then I’ve spent some time with Njáll, Latvia too. Been hanging out with Ned as well.” At that he smirked, his fingers already itching to pull out the pack of cigarettes he’d stuck away in his back pocket. That bastard. “And then, well…” Biting his lips he sat back in his seat, his fingers finding their way to the back of his neck as he stretched out his legs, eyes looking anywhere but at the Swedish man in front of him. “Nor and I have sort of gotten together kind of, yeah.”

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Jan blinks when he sees a familiar tall figure of a man-it can only be that Nordic. Stepping up behind him and coming around to the side, the Dutchman is easily able to look him straight in the eye. "Zweden, seems I'm only communicating by email with you these days about overseeing the IKEA chain. Good to see you."

There’s one or two things he can’t really handle-- and somehow Jan managed to do one without meaning to straight at the beginning. He’s amazed, truly, not even Mathias succeeds in making him jump out of his skin often. Congratulations. Even though that doesn’t keep him from replying in earnest.“Not much time for simple meet ups, sadly. Ye fared well?” For being surprised he hopes he still sounds pleasant enough. After all, Vidar enjoys the Dutchman’s company.

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We grew strong simply because we had to survive in this wilderness

Konungariket Sverige.

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His answer came just after he hoisted her up against his chest, a slight nod and a mumbled. “Got almond.” Before he made his way into the house to get her the promised almond cake.

Vidar’s high cheekbones were tinged with a bit of red, the man obviously happy that he was allowed to feed her.

Maybe it was slightly scary that he could hold her with his left arm while searching for the cake in his fridge with his right hand. “Ye need to eat.” Yes, awesome explanation.

“Hmm..” Hui  Fang still looked around curiously, checking out her surroundings, before looking back to him with a small smile. It was weird to be still held up like this, but… Men are weird.

���I do!” She chirped happily. “I like strawberry cake, vanilla cakes, cakes with frosting… I like cakes.” She smiled and tilted her head a little.

“Why?” This man was making some weird logical jumps. Was it an European thing?

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Slightly darker eyebrows shot up in utmost surprise, his jaw slackening and expression growing shocked upon hearing the nervously stuttered invitation. The shock only lasted for a moment, the Latvians clear effort to smile being rewarded with a soft one from the Swede himself. Pleased, mostly.

“Wanted to get some wood for crafting...” Vidar trailed off, regarding the smaller teenager with a serious once over. “Ye can help decide.” 

“Busy?” He echoed the word, giving the tall nation a glance, taking in as much as he could. It was so hard to ever gauge what this man was ever trying to ask of him, yet the more he calmed himself down, the more he could sense that he wasn’t really in any danger. He was well aware that the Swede was just as bad at social interaction as he was. It was that scary face of his that made it hard to be comfortable around him.

“No, I’m not too busy right now.” The boy tried to smile, but it was a jagged mess from the strain of the attempt. He was far too nervous to make his smile look reassuring. “Do you, uh… want to hang out or… s-something…?”

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It was scary, at times only, that he could practically read what went on in the Danish man’s mind. Though often, and no he would never blow this out of proportion, Mathias was just as unpredictable as the rough North Sea. However, he travelled those too. Therefore he could handle the sudden changes, thankfully this was such a day. “Ye always know.” Trust the Dane to find good little coffee shops, often in some suburban districts and usually not seeming much. Perhaps Mathias had a special nose for these things, otherwise Vidar couldn’t comprehend just how he could find the perfect places. Perfect for himself that is. Homely, quiet. Calm. Rarely an often visited place. Just like this one and of course, his gaze wandered from the people to the furniture, noticing the old tables. Carefully restored to old glory, or in this case, to the old soulful way. Nothing shiny, nothing that would distract from the high quality wood-- walnut if he would guess. The texture spoke for the warm wood, feeling soft under the pads of his fingertips.  A perfect place to rest. And he was lost in his own little world, expression relaxed and soft until Mathias spoke up close by, the Swede head snapping up. “Tack.” His hands immediately curled around the heated cup. “The usual. Went up north to calm. Worked. Thought. Ye?” Conversation wasn’t his strong point, yet there was the soothing knowledge of Mathias understanding regardless. It was quite sad that he felt most comfortable (after Norway) with a man who could rile him up too easily.

Not too bad would have to do, and since it came from Vidar it was quite the compliment. A smirk graced his lips as Mathias cocked his head to glance cheerfully at the on the surface stoic man; but the Dane knew better. Beneath the calm appearance was a nature not much unlike his own. The smile didn’t go unnoticed. 

“Good! I know a place.” With a swift turn on his heels Mathias was off, signaling for the Swede to follow him with a simple flick of his hand.

It was a small coffee shop on the corner of a minor side street. A few steps lead down to the entrance of the former cellar turned restoration. Windows ran along street level making it possible to sit by the wall and peek out at the street. It was no busy place at this time of the day. A few pregnant women sat in the corner discussing baby names over a latte and what not. A young man sat with his laptop and nose buried into the screen, taking a sip of his hot beverage now and then. Mathias ordered two big black coffees while Vidar found somewhere to make himself comfortable, soon joined by the Dane balancing two cups of steaming coffee in his hands. “So,” he began and put a cup down in front of his friend, “what’ve ya been up to?”

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♛

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from here @innidenstille

A slight smile made its way on dry lips, his expression softening upon noticing the small token. Which he took gracefully, so unlike his otherwise often awkward behaviour. “Tack.”

Certainly, he could deem it weird how comfortable he felt in the Norwegians presence, not only because he managed to kill his boredom but also because he was just so very similar. Or was it the hundreds of years together? He wouldn’t know, not truly. What he knew however, was the fact that Sigurd was closest.

“How are ye?” Simple, yet much deeper. Not only now but the last couple of months in which they went their own paths. “Coffee?” He had some anyway.

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“Doesn’t feel too bad.” Not that it felt good, mind him, but it wasn’t downright disgusting so that was a plus. He just didn’t want to be the one who was being kissed by any Dane. Went against his nature, or something along those lines. “Don’t get sulky.” Spare him. However, a small flicker of a smile grazed his lips as he nodded his acceptance.

“Coffee sounds good.” Besides, he was interested in how Mathias fared. 

As soon as Vidar raised his hand Mathias immediately let go of his chin to swat it away before he could touch him. An old habit.  “Not if ya don’t mean it,” he huffed, looking to the side in mild annoyance and put his hands to his hips, “but suppose your not the right one to ask ‘bout this.” Who was he to criticize Mathias’ kissing skills anyway. But he wouldn’t let this get him down, no! The Swede was finally back and they had stuff to catch up on and places to be.

“Beer or coffee?”

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“Told ye.”

His reply was as gruff as he was at times, not unfriendly but also not very soothing. Though that might be because for his taste she was far too light. For him, she weighted nothing and that was concerning. Obviously she needed to be taken care of. “Ye like cake?” He had some around, surely, he always had some almond cake. He would feed her. Yes. That was a good plan.

Hui Fang just slowly blinked at the little pat, and smiled back - after all, she was used to that. All of her family did it to her all the time. Which was… Annoying. After all, China wasn’t that much different in height to her but no one patted him on the head! Hmph..

But then he lifted her up and she gasped in surprise, pretty… shrill. 

“Ah-!” She grasped onto his arms out of fear of being dropped, before looking around in almost a state of shock. Wow. 

“….The weather is the sameeee..” She pouted and looked back to him. “Please don’t drop me, sir.”

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As the small Latvians voice cracked ever so slightly, the Swede awoke out of his own thoughts. Sea foam coloured eyes focusing on the upturned eyebrows Raivis possessed. Only now did he realise, once again, that he scared the smaller nation. With that revelation a sigh came from thin lips.

“Jag... Are ye very busy?” Should he try to invite him for coffee? Or should he just let it go and pile it up to one of his conversation failures? At least he won’t take a step closer now.

The small nation visibly tensed and stepped back. He looks really mad?! Little hands played with the hem of his shirt, trying to pretend like he wasn’t afraid, but it was hard to not be scared of that face the other nation was making. In his heart, he knew that the Swede was a good person who was nice and gentle and actually treated him well, but on the outside… that was a different story.

“That’s, um,” his voice cracked, “th-that’s good to hear… y-yeah…” Bad idea, he thought angrily to himself. Horrible idea. Why did you think this was a good idea?

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“If I’ll say yer fine, will ye stop?” Honestly, just how far was this man willing to go? Like Mathias wasn’t as normal human being, having no common sense. Though that he already knew, so why was Vidar even surprised? However, that thought brought him to his next action, lifting his own hand to put an end to the grip the Dane had on his chin. How he wished, in that moment especially, Sigurd would be present so he could distract Mathias from his person. 

“Who the hell feels like givin’ kisses on the cheek unless yer French or Italian.” Mathias grumbled through pursed lips while contemplating what to do as he held Vidar’s chin in a firm grasp. Trial and error seemed to be the only way forth. With a small tilt of his head the Dane pressed another kiss to his cheek; a bit more insistent this time, lingering for a bit longer to make sure he could feel it. Had it been softer it would have been little more than hot breath against his cheek and that could hardly count as a kiss. 

“So?” He smirked impatiently, pretty sure it had been better this time.