roesslyng | Storm Cast [Norway/Finland]

Title: Storm Cast
Characters/Pairing: Norway/Finland
Rating: E for Everyone
Length: 1k
Summary: A private moment together on a cold day; Norway and Finland go skating. Soon, a storm will be rising.
Other: Written for the Aph Nordic Secret Santa Exchange for this recipient. Request was for winter-themed Norway/Finland set during the Kalmar Union.

Storm Cast

It was cold that winter. The air was sharp and heavy, biting enough to freeze everything to the quick. Even in more southern locations than Norway's own home, the cold reached its long, icy finders and took hold of everything. At Denmark's place, it was deep enough that surface of the pond on the castle grounds froze solid.

That suited Norway just fine.

There was no question of it; he had to be down south, staying in Denmark's home through the winter. Never mind that he had his own place - he'd been "asked" to spend the winter months with Denmark, and so had everyone else. But that didn't mean that he had to spend the entire time with him. While Denmark huddled inside, bundled up and whining about the weather as usual, Norway used it as an excuse to get out and away for a while.

Not as far away as he'd like, and not for as long as he'd like. But it would do. Even better if the company was good - and it would be.

The air was cold, but he didn't mind it. It wasn't bad, not compared to how chilly it was back home. His breath made little puffs in the air as he slowly strapped his skates to his boots, sitting on a bench beside the pond. No need to take his time with it, but he was waiting for someone.

It was hard to get time alone these days. Hard to get a private moment.

The skates were soon tied to his feet. Norway looked out across the ice and waited, pulling the brim of his hat down over his ears even though the cold didn't bother him. Somewhere nearby came the sound of birdsong.

Birdsong and boots crunching on snow.

Norway didn't turn around. "Took your time, didn't you," he said. There was no bite in his criticism.

"Well!" Finland plunked his ass down beside Norway, smiling at the jab because he knew he didn't mean it. "It's entirely not my fault."

"Oh?"

"Yes! Sweden kept trying to talk to me. And, um. Well, I didn't want to tell him where I was going."

"Would've wanted to come, I expect."

"Exactly." Finland bent to strap his skates on, his hair flopping in his face as he did it. "It's a little silly that we have to make excuses to see each other, isn't it?"

"Wouldn't see much of each other otherwise," Norway said softly. "And not in private, neither." He waited until Finland lifted his head again, then carefully reached out with a mittened hand and nudged his hair out of his companion's eyes. "Come on, then. Let's have a skate."

Once they were out on the ice, the air didn't feel so cold. Not just because of the movement, either; as he looked over at Finland, Norway decided that maybe he had something to do with it.

Snow began to fall. Their skates made sharp, quick sounds on the ice as they skated close together. Neither of them said anything; that suited Norway fine. It was enough to be close.

They'd drawn together over time, after everyone was put together at Kalmar. It came from being thrown together, the union taking place regardless of whether the five of them liked it or not. While Sweden muttered his discontent, Finland lingered nearby and watched. As Denmark countered with his own arguments, Norway sat at his right hand and listened, sometimes rolling his eyes, sometimes not. When he spoke, his words were sharp. Denmark would listen for a moment or two, and Sweden might listen for longer than that, but in the end the arguments would go back to being between the two of them.

Sometimes, Norway would look up. From across the room, Finland's eyes would meet with his. Even if their troubles were different, they shared them.

But it was better to spend time alone together, and to not talk about that. Better to talk about anything else, or nothing at all.

In the pale afternoon light, Norway and Finland skated close together. Norway thought of reaching out to take his hand. After a moment, he did it, and in return Finland's closed over his own.

"Now, then!" Finland said, laughing softly. "Why so affectionate today?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"Well, no."

Norway glanced at him. His hair was in his face again. His cheeks were warm from the cold air pinching them, and he was still smiling.

"Heard there'll be changes soon," Norway said softly. It was a cautious, probing question. Those times where there would be discussion, talks, arguments, Finland said so little, Norway had no way of knowing how much of it he was actually hearing, how aware he was of what was going on around him.

"Changes? Oh, I did hear that it was going to storm again soon. That's what they say, anyway."

"...Yes." Maybe he didn't understand what was coming at all.

"Yep! Definitely going to get colder."

Or maybe he did know what was going on. Norway stopped, stilling his skates and making Finland stop with him. He turned to face him, aware of the frown on his face and conscious of the fact that he hadn't let go of Finland's hand. "Colder," he repeated, looking at Finland's face and hoping to find an answer there.

He was as hard to read as ever. Instead of a knowing look, Finland grinned at him in response. "That's right!" he said, giving Norway a hearty slap on the back that, for a second, took the wind out of him. "But don't worry! We're used to that, you and me. A little snow won't bother us."

What the hell are you going on about? Norway thought. He couldn't tell if Finland was talking in metaphors or not. Finally, he nodded, deciding to take it for what it was. "'Course not," he said. "Nothing we can't get through. Ain't that so."

"Right!" A squeeze to his hand, and then Finland drew back, tugging Norway with him. "Now, stop looking so glum. Let's skate."

To that, Norway didn't need to say anything. He let himself smile - just a bit - and followed.

If there was a storm coming, it would have to wait for a while. And when it did hit – whenever that would be – they could weather it.

End