After All - Norge's Birthday

"Alright, Ísland. What is going on?"

I pulled my brother aside. The five of us were at a local bar that we all went drinking at once in a while. Today was not just one of those days, though. Today, Danmark and, surprisingly, Finland had dragged me here for my birthday. Nils and Berwald dogged them as they had pulled me inside. I had thought that Iceland, at least, would provide me with an ally in the endeavor but that unfortunately proved false.

"I don't know what you mean, Norge."

They had all been acting peculiar for awhile now. Danmark could not sit still--in itself, not unusual, but he was acting more bizarre than is normal for him. Finland kept smiling like an idiot and glancing between Søren and myself, and it was starting to become annoying. Even now, I could see him, over Iceland's shoulder, craning his neck to look at us. Sweden was focused on Finland mostly, but occasionally glanced my way and or in a seemingly random direction. Iceland wasn't doing anything conspicuous but just the fact that he seemed to be allied against me was unusual.

I gave him an investigative stare. He didn't flinch.

"Something is going on. I know it. Today is my birthday and you all are acting suspiciously. I want to know what exactly it is you have planned."

He smirked. I could feel my eyebrows unconsciously quirk upwards in my surprise.

"You will see for yourself, brother."

With that as my answer, he stalked back to our table. Danmark seemed to immediately question him, with an anxious expression. Iceland answered quietly, I could only just see his lips move, and Søren seemed to deflate in relief. He glanced up at me with that stupid dopey grin on his face. I turned and looked away, anywhere but directly in his eyes. I could hear him flounder, speaking that rough language of his loudly and excitedly. All the others seemed to know what he was talking about.

Whatever was their 'secret plan' for my birthday, Danmark was the one behind it all.

…

When I returned to the table, Søren was missing. No doubt, he had wandered off somewhere in  a drunken stupor. I let out a weary sigh as I pulled up my seat. Finland smiled brightly at me. Iceland pushed a fresh mug of beer towards me. As I looked at each of them, I began to worry. Too calm. They were acting too controlled.
  

"Hej everybody!!"

I jerked in my seat. What the hell was that idiot doing? We, as well as all the humans present in the bar, were trained on the small stage set up for live entertainment. Søren stood there, grinning cheekily at everyone in the crowd. The lights that shone on the stage must have been hot because I saw a drop of sweat slowly roll down the side of his face. He spoke loudly into the microphone.

"There is a very special guest in the audience whose birthday is today!" He turned his gaze toward the table and looked at me. I frowned back at him. He looked away quickly, focusing on the crowd. The humans mulled about expectantly. Soon they got what they were waiting for.

"So, I just wanted to dedicate this song to you." He was speaking directly to me now, and I could feel his eyes back on me. "Happy birthday!"

The music started, and I was surprised at the choice.

"I den varme nat

Fyldt med drømmen at

Lykken varer evigt"

Even more surprising was that he had sat down on a stool and began to play the guitar while he sang.

I spared a glance at the others. Finland was ecstatic, clapping his hands along with the song; Nils was smiling faintly, nodding his head every so often. Berwald seemed to be almost expressionless, except for that satisfied glint in his eyes.

I relaxed slightly and decided to listen. Nothing else I could do anyway. I had never realized that Danmark had a nice voice--for a potato mouth. Deep but not so much. Pleasant, actually. I caught Tino's eye and he winked at me. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks and he laughed--scratch what I said before: Tino is the one behind it all--catching Sweden's attention. They got up and mingled closely, and I lost them amongst all the festive humans in the bar.

I thought about the words of the song and the flush returned. Did he mean them? I finally turned my own eyes back to him. He had not taken his eyes off me, or at least my direction; his eyes were closed, brows deeply furrowed. He was a passionate singer, I'll give him that. As the song petered out, he opened his eyes again. I noted the flush on his cheeks as the humans clapped and cheered and asked for more.

He waved off the applause and hoped down from the stage with the stool and guitar. I saw Tino run up to him--I assume to congratulate him--as he returned the instrument to its case, and Sweden tagged along. Berwald gave Danmark a firm, silent clap on the shoulder. Søren nodded and lingered near the stage as they left him alone.

I met up with him by the bar. He was gulping down a mug of dark beer. I saw him blush as I sidled up and took the seat next to him. He smiled cheerfully at me. "Happy birthday, Nor!"

"Søren…"

"Did you like your present?"

I stared up at him. Still cheerful, yet a little apprehensive. "Did you mean it? The words of that song…"

He laughed nervously and took another long gulp of beer, nodding vaguely. I wasn't sure exactly what he was agreeing with.

"Is that a yes or a no?" I asked slowly under my breath. He refused to look me in the eyes, yet sheepishly, he nodded and set his empty mug down. I forced him to look at me.

"Danmark…"

"Glad you enjoyed the song," he muttered and got up to leave. I didn't stop him.

…

I rejoined Iceland at the table, and found out that Svi had driven Finland and Danmark back to Søren's home, where we were continuing my birthday celebration--I refused to call it a 'party'--later. Nils had already hailed us a cab, as we both were intoxicated enough that neither of us could drive.

When we arrived back at the house, most of the lights were on and I could hear the music from outside. Inside, there were minimal decorations--consisting of a nice royal blue table cloth and a few red and white streamers around the door to the kitchen. A large chocolate cake sat as the centerpiece on the table; a stack of white paper  plates sat next it and a neat row of silverware alongside the stack.

For another hour or so, we mingled amongst each other and drank some more. Finland and Iceland sat giggling in the corner of the living room, with Sweden keeping a stern gaze on the both of them. Danmark secluded himself to the kitchen and I found that I couldn't help myself.

"Søren. What's the matter with you?" I stood close to him, but allowed a decent distance between us.

He looked at me and smiled, but I could sense the insincerity of the gesture. "What do you mean, Norge? I'm fine!"

"You've been acting strangely since we spoke at the bar."

"It's nothing." Yeah. Right.

"Why did you sing that song for me?"

"It's your birthday, of course!"

"And the 'happy birthday' song just wouldn't suffice would it?" I asked derisively.

He took a sip of his drink. "I… felt like I had to let you know what I thought of you."

I took a step towards him. "And what do you think of me, Søren?" I asked.

He had given me this same look when I talked to him after the 'show'. I had been sitting right next to him then, as close as I was standing to him now. He floundered for words and swallowed thickly as though his throat were severely dry.

I was sure of it by now. He talks a lot--and yes, it is very annoying--but he's not always the most articulate person. One of those 'actions speak louder' types. I leaned up and--something I don't ever do, mind you, this was a special case--gave him a light peck on the cheek.

It was funny watching his face change colors and how his jaw open and closed itself like he was gasping for air. I might have been worried in any other situation.

I slid out the kitchen, feeling somehow content with my own--very unusual--actions. I was in a good mood and allowed myself a small smile. It was my birthday after all.