bits of my mind

date night (gerpol)

"I love you," Poland blurted out, as he played with Germany's hair, curling the ash black hair around his fingers and letting them go, never tugging too hard. The two of them were in bed, with the latter reading a book as he lay on the Polish man's chest. "I know I don't say it or show affection much, and I'm sorry."

Germany let out a short laugh—not a mocking, but a soft one—and sat up to turn to face his partner. "I know you love me and you don't have to feel obliged to let me know verbally or shower me in hugs and kisses. I can feel it in your handmade meals and the way you look at me. I love you too."

Poland blushed, averting his gaze. He fiddled with the hem of his plain T-shirt, face heating up even more as Germany asked, "What's wrong? Why's your face so red?"

"Nothing," Poland replied. "It's just—God, I love you so much. You're so nice and, and, handsome—sometimes I'm amazed that out of all the men and women out there, you chose me. It's like I'm living in one of those fairytales. You know? I'm so honoured to be the one you love, however cheesy it is."

Germany's face split into a smile, and he hugged Poland. "From the day you barged into my apartment to cook and clean for me—although I never asked that of you—when I was at my lowest because you 'felt like it'—you were the first one to visit me too—I've looked at you in awe and fell deeply in love. I've always loved you platonically, but you changed everything for me. I never knew that was how you thought about me."

Without a second of hesitation, Poland kissed Germany, expressing everything he couldn't in words alone. It said "I love you so so much" and "I'm so grateful to have you in my life" and also "I'm so glad you found me" in a single action.

There was no lust, only a desire to love and to be loved. They locked eyes, holding hands and smiling. "You're breathtaking too, you know?" Germany uttered, cupping Poland's face with his free hand.

"Love you," Poland said again, as if reassuring himself that everything he was experiencing was real.

"I know," Germany murmured in response. "I love you too."

They lay side by side in content silence. Saying nothing and everything at the same time, with Poland's hand gently combing through Germany's hair, and both of the German man's hands encasing his lover's other hand.

They watched cars drive past their apartment block for a while, before Poland offered: "I'll take you out for dinner. Not tonight, because it's your turn to cook dinner tonight and I love everything you make, but soon."

It earned a little chuckle from Germany. "Okay, fair enough. Do you have a specific date in mind?"

"Whenever you're free would work for me. I'll reschedule any arrangements for that night."

"Thursday night?"

"This Thursday?"

"Yep."

Poland pulled out his phone, checked his calendar app and sent some texts, before he announced, "Thursday night it is. We'll go to that one restaurant you like, you know, the one with the craft beers."

"Okay, important question: Will we be drinking?"

"Only if you want to. Then, if you want, we can swing by the cinema and watch a movie."

"Can we go on a walk too? At night?"

"We can do both," Poland assured, putting an arm around Germany. "We can watch a movie and take a walk."

"You're spoiling me, you know?" Germany laughed, crinkling his nose.

In response to that, Poland tousled his hair. "I know. You deserve that. You deserve to be spoiled and pampered because you work too hard."

"Aw, damn," Germany grinned. "I'm really flattered. Thank you so much."

"Yeah? You're welcome," Poland whispered. "You deserve the world."