[Mod!Post] HetaChristmas Advent Lightning Challenge!
For the next few days at least, we're all going to be busy with holidays and with the Hetalia Christmas Event and as a way to pass the time I have come up with this challenge.
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Denmark and Netherlands MANLY SIDEBURNS BROSHIP is the best. XD
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Denmark and Netherlands have known each other a long time, and have gotten along well for much of their modern history. There’s something reassuring about always having someone to go to without the load of painful shared pasts, to crack open a beer and watch some football and not worry about any deeper meaning behind the action. It’s about a lack of pressure, something fairly rare when beings with lifespans as long as theirs tend to be are concerned.
It all starts with blackcurrants. Netherlands has always known in an offhand sort of way about Denmark’s farm in Roskilde, but it’s never really impacted him much. Not until Denmark apparently has an unusually bountiful year, and Netherlands find himself the recipient of a case of blackcurrant preserves and a note that reads ‘Heard you like these! -Danmark’. Netherlands has never been the sort to complain about receiving things for free, but at the time he had his doubts about this. Belgium is the one who likes sweets, not him.
Still, free is free, and when he tries a little spread on his morning toast it’s surprisingly good. Tangy, fresh, and just sweet enough to be tasty but not cloying. Though it feels more than a little awkward to do so, at the next World Meeting Netherlands thanks Denmark in his usual brusque way. The other Nation just grins, long used to dealing with terse natured countries, and assures him that it was no problem at all.
Netherlands doesn’t think on it again, until he receives another case of blackcurrant preserves around the next year. This time, though, he invites Denmark to his house for dinner in return. Somehow, a tradition is born, and he comes to expect that December dinner with the Dane as much as the falling of snow. It doesn’t stop him from feeling strangely embarrassed when Belgium drops by unexpectedly one year and congratulates him cheerfully for “finally trying to make friends, Lux and I were getting so worried” and other like mined phrases.
Bumps like that aside, he genuinely enjoys the company. Denmark brings the preserves, Netherlands supplies the beer (because no matter his frugality, a man should have standards when it comes to his drink), and somehow it all works. He’s never lingered on too long as to why-the closest he can guess is there’s some comfortable balance in it all, and beyond that who is he to question it? Denmark doesn’t say anything either, so he figures the other man must have made his own peace with their situation.
A combination of liquor and rare mellowness only ever loosens his tongue one time. Denmark came by to deliver this year’s preserves in person, and before Netherlands is really aware of it they’re comfortably sprawled out on the couch with a couple of beers (coasters underneath of course). On the television his team is thrashing Spain’s in what is ostensibly a friendly match, and combined it all puts him in a good enough mood to be more open than usual.
“Thanks again, for the preserves,” Netherlands says, rewarding himself for the goal just scored by one of his players with a sip of cold Heineken. “Even if I don’t know why you do it.”
“You’re the only one I can keep suckering into taking my extras,” Denmark snickers even as Netherlands punches him none-too-gently in the arm. He rolls the neck of his beer between his fingers, indulging in a rare moment of introspection. “But I guess it was also because…” the Dane finally shrugs. “You just seemed like a cool guy to hang around with.”
“That so?” Netherlands asks dryly, though truth be told some secret part of him is flattered.
“Yup,” Denmark says, easy and unabashed as he ever is. He grins, finishing off the rest of his beer. “Though that might change if you get all touchy-feely on me.”
“Just for that you’re paying for dinner tonight,” Netherlands says flatly, totally unmoved by Denmark’s theatrical grimace. Rising to his feet, he heads off to phone in two orders of kapsalon-and because he’s not totally heartless, he’ll cover the tip.
Only the tip, though. It’s going to take more than blackcurrant preserves to get a larger concession out of him, valued friend or not.
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Loving this story, starting with that awesome title. Neth and Den are totally the best manly sideburn bros that ever bro'd. I like all the little details in here too, like the coasters under the beers and Denmark being used to dealing w/ terse countries! Also, I had to look up kapsalon and damn, that looks tasty!
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Totes agree on having standards for beer drinking. No matter how cheap you are, its important to have fine hops--though considering the amount Denmark drinks, Neth should probably go mid-range on his purchases ;)
Love the vaguest teeny tiny nod to our favorite terse nation, dearest Norge!
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I liked it. :)
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