Happy Valentine's Day, Min Edelsten

Valentine's Day

    “Come on, Lukas… You’re going to get coffee! That’s gotta count for something.”
    Norway just grunted into the phone as he meandered down the streets of Copenhagen.
    “Matthias isn’t really that bad, you know,” Mary insisted from the other end, “I’m not dissing your past together, but I’m just saying. He’s changed. And so have you. And didn’t you say something about promising to be nice to him…?”
    “I promised nothing of the kind,” he snapped.
    “Well then, Mister Grumpy Pants,” Mary replied, determinedly, “I want you to promise me that you’ll at least try and be nice. Don’t touch his neck or his tie, or so help me…”
    “I won’t.”
    “Okay. Good.”
    “I should probably go,” Norway said, slowing his pace as he saw the sign of the coffee shop he was meeting Denmark at.
    “All right. Remember, be nice. For me? Be nice to him?”
    “I’ll try, Mary,” he said, hoping to relieve her.
    “Takk. I know you can do it. And also! Remember! I love you.”
    Norway smiled a little bit.
    “I love you, too.”
    “Forever?”
    “Always.”
    “I love you so much.”
    “I have to go…”
    “I know, but I’ll see you soon, right? It’s been awhile since we’ve gone on a date or anything…”
    “Ja,” he sighed and closed his eyes, stopping outside the coffee shop’s entrance. “We’ve both been so busy…”
    “We’ll have to make some time…”
    “Ja. We will,” he said, firmly.
    “Okay. Well, goodbye. I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Bye, Mary.”
    And then he hung up.
    Taking a deep breath, he looked through the large window. A few people sat and chattered inside, but it didn’t appear too busy. Norway walked in, slumping his shoulders and sticking his hands in his long coat’s pockets.
    “Heyyyyyy Norge!”
    Norway pursed his lips.
    Denmark waved him over to the corner of the coffee shop.
    I promised Mary. I promised her.
    Sliding his coat off his shoulders, he walked through the warm shop to the corner. Denmark smiled at him brightly.
    I promised. I promised. I promised.
    “Hi… Matthias,” he said with some stiffness, “Let’s try not to use our country names in public, okay?”
    “Oh, right,” Denmark said with a flippant wave of his hand. “It’s not like anyone’s paying attention or anything.”
    “You never know. It’s better to be careful,” Norway replied, scowling as he set his coat on the back of the chair across from Denmark. “I’ll be right back.”
    He took his time ordering his coffee and then stood next to the counter as he waited for it instead of sitting down. When it came, he knew he couldn’t avoid him any longer.
    Here we go. Only for an hour. I just have to entertain him for an hour.
    He turned around and walked back to their table, ideas beginning to conjure of how he could keep the Dane’s attention.
    Denmark looked up when he came and sat down, and Norway managed a small smile before looking away.
    “Hey, just so we’re clear,” Denmark said, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, “I’m aware that my bosses asked you to distract me so they could meet in peace.”
    Norway looked back at him, raising his eyebrows.
    “Oh ja, I know,” Matthias laughed, obviously enjoying Norway’s shocked silence, “It’s not the first time they’ve tried something like this. And you asking to meet with me of your own free will— well, it was obvious from the start. The only other explanation is that you like the coffee here, but even that is less likely. Though, I must say, this is probably the best coffee place in Copenhagen.” Denmark took a sip of his coffee, raising an eyebrow at Norway.
    Norway looked down at his mug.
    “If you knew it was a diversion, why did you come?” he asked, frowning.
    “Because, firstly, this is much more fun than sitting through a boring meeting, and secondly, when else would I get to spend any time with you, bror?” Matthias exclaimed. “Like I said, you would never do this of your own free will.”
    “Are you trying to guilt me?” Norway mumbled before taking a long drink of his espresso.
    The coffee was, indeed, exceptional.
    “Maybeeeeeeee,” Denmark whispered before laughing obnoxiously. “Nej, man, I understand. Besides, you have Mary. You probably want to spend all your free time with her. How is she, by the way? I haven’t seen her since… ah, I don’t even remember. Was it Christmas?”
    “I think it was,” Norway replied, quietly.
    “Geez, it’s been two months already?” Denmark shook his head. “Time does fly. I mean, it’s been a little over a year since you guys got together. Can you believe that?”
    Norway relaxed, shaking his head.
    “I ship it,” Matthias whispered. Norway furrowed his eyebrows.
    “You what?”
    “Nothiiiiing,” Denmark sang before laughing.
    “Whatever,” Norway commented, rolling his eyes and sipping his coffee.
    “So what are you two doing this weekend?” Denmark asked.
    “I was thinking that we should go out and do something, if she can get away,” Norway replied, hesitantly. “We haven’t had the opportunity to do anything together in awhile…”
    “Huh,” Denmark said, frowning slightly, “For some reason I thought you would be all over this Valentine’s Day stuff. But, you know, going out is a good start…”
    Norway’s eyes grew wide.
    “What?” Denmark exclaimed, checking himself.
    “Is Valentine’s Day this weekend?” Norway exclaimed, leaning onto the table.
    “Ja!” Denmark exclaimed. And then a knowing look passed over his face. “… You forgot, didn’t you.”
    “Nei, thanks to you,” Norway said, appreciatively, pulling out his phone and creating a reminder.
    “Okay, so, now that you know that the most romantic holiday of the year is this weekend, can I ask what you two are going to do again?” Denmark asked with a sly grin.
    “I… I…” Norway mumbled, flipping his phone over in his hands. “I don’t know…”
    “Come on, you gotta have some idea,” Denmark asked.
    “I really don’t…” Norway mumbled, his mind fuzzy with excitement and panic. He only had a few days to plan something.
    “I have no idea,” he finished, scratching the back of his head. “I guess I could get her some roses…”
    Denmark interrupted his train of thought with his annoying laugh.
    “Are you kidding, man?” he exclaimed. “This is Mary we’re talking about! Second only to France when it comes to romance! Did you know she tried to set me up with Liechtenstein over New Year’s? And I heard that she even tried to set up Sweden with someone! That girl has guts, but more importantly, she’s hopelessly romantic. She sees romance even where there is none.” He rolled his eyes. “Nej, bror, roses aren’t going to cut it.”
    “Ja, you’re right,” Norway said, though the words felt odd coming from his mouth.
    “What? What was that?” Denmark said, putting a hand to his ear as he grinned impishly.
    “I don’t know what to do, then,” Lukas went on, staring down at his coffee despondently. “I’ve never been good at this sort of thing.”
    “Aw, come on, it’s easy!” Denmark exclaimed, waving a hand.
    “Says the man that’s been single for hundreds of years,” Lukas mumbled.
    “Hey now,” Denmark said, his tone turning serious. “Remember you were alone for hundreds of years, too, before you met Mary. I just haven’t found… the one yet.” His enthusiasm wasn’t lost for long. “But I can be patient. I’m sure romance will find me sooner or later, so I’ll enjoy the single life while I can. However! You, dear Nor— Lukas, have quite the dilemma before you. But never fear! I have the answer for you!” he grinned. “Valentine’s Day is about love, right? So, my suggestion to you would be to do whatever it is that makes her feel loved. There. Problem solved.”
    He leaned back and took a long drink of his coffee. Norway watched him, blinking rapidly.
    Do what makes her feel loved. Of course. That’s simple enough.
    He frowned as he searched his mind.
    “Uh oh, I know that look. What’s on your mind, Nor?” Denmark said after a minute.
    “Nothing, I just…” he trailed to silence.
    “Come on, Lukas, what’s up?” Denmark persisted.
    “It’s just… I don’t know.”
    “There’s not a lot you don’t know. What are you talking about?”
    “I… I don’t know what makes Mary feel loved.”
    Denmark stared at him.
    “You’ve been dating her for over a year.”
    Norway stared back.
    “So this is definitely something you should know…?!”
    “I feel bad enough, Matthias,” Norway snapped.
    “Come on, just think. What does she like?” he replied, calmly, cocking his head to the side.
    Norway was silent.
    “Such as…” Denmark took a deep breath, “Does she like it when you buy her gifts or treat her to stuff? Or… does she like it when you compliment her and say sweet things? Does she like it when you hug and kiss her? What makes her feel loved?”
    “She likes all of those things,” Norway replied, hesitantly.
    “Nej, but what really makes her feel loved?” Denmark insisted.
    Norway stared at him.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Then find out.”
    Denmark downed the rest of his coffee and then stood.
    “Now, I’ll let you contemplate my awesome advice while I go snag my Valentine,” he winked at him and then walked over to the counter. He called out to the barista, and when she walked up to the counter, he handed her a tip. And then his voice lowered enough that Norway couldn’t hear him, but he saw the poor girl’s cheeks turning pink.
    Lukas clicked on his phone and looked at the date. February Twelfth. He had two days to figure something out.
    What does make Mary feel most loved? He wondered. He looked at the picture of her he had as his background photo, ideas beginning to piece together in his mind.