Because I got to thinking about what the morning between chapter 8 and chapter 9 must've been like. Just the fluffs, nothing plot-altering. The sequel is maybe...55% complete? Animation progress update to come with the sequel. Thanks and love for all the reviews and support and stuff. ^-^

Sweden awoke to an icy water drop landing on his nose. His eyes opened and he rubbed his face.

Dangit, he thought as he rubbed his eyes and saw the source of the water dripping. It was raining and the roof was leaking. Stupid Denmark keeping him away from home for so long. Look at the state of disrepair his house had fallen into. Anyways, he'd better get up and fix the hole in the roof. This place didn't need any more water damage.

Then he looked down and saw Finland curled up on his chest with his skinny arms wrapped around Sweden's waist. His wife's sweet round face glowed with a sunny smile that more than canceled out all the outside thunderclouds.

Now that Sweden thought about it, he didn't really need to get up and fix anything. He gently pulled Finland forward so that his wife's face was resting on his shoulder and he could feel Finland's heart beat just a few inches away from his own. Sweden gently kissed the top of Finland's head and folded his arms around Finland in a possessive embrace.

M' wife...Sweden thought to himself as he clutched Finland tighter. Finland was his. His to protect. His to care for. His to love.

Sweden lost his breath for a moment as Finland stirred a bit. His wife's face nuzzled his neck and Finland's fingers dug deeper into Sweden's back. His limbs grew heavy as Finland's head settled into the curve of Sweden's shoulder.

Scratch that, Finland was hardly his. Sweden was Finland's. Sweden's eyes were starry and his face was filled with all the pink of Valentine's Day. The strong, silent, self-sufficient repairer of houses had been converted into Finland's surrendered snuggle slave. And Sweden didn't mind it. Not even a little.

Are you happy here, m' wife? Sweden wondered silently as he stared at the smile on Finland's face. Do you want to stay with me? Just like this? You could. I'll be here, if you wanted to stay.

Sweden's heart started pounding as he thought of the real question he wanted to ask, but was also terrified of the answer.

Finland, do you love me?

Sweden became extremely fearful all of a sudden. The embrace he held his wife in tightened.

Please love me. What had it all meant last night then if Finland didn't love him? All that had to mean...at least...didn't it?

As Sweden had a silent anxious worry fit, he could feel Finland start to wake up. Sweden held on to the hug and closed his eyes. Maybe if he lay still enough Finland would think he was asleep and stay where he was.

Finland woke up with his arms around something warm. He was still half conscious as he pulled his hand up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

What was this wrapped around him? Finland opened his eyes and looked. An arm? Sweden's arm. Ah, yes, Sweden's arms around him. Naturally. Of course… Sweden…

…Sweden…

Wait…

"AIHH!"Finland's fright filled the cabin in the form of a high pitched shriek.

Then, Finland remembered. His panicked panting was replaced by relieved laughter.

"That's right," he said to himself with a smile as he settled his head back onto Sweden's shoulder "I'd forgotten how last night I learned that my husband was a nice guy and that I don't need to be afraid of him anymore."

That's progress. Sweden celebrated silently.

"Nah, I shouldn't be scared of him," Finland continued as he reached up and ruffled his fingers through Sweden's hair "He's like a nice, warm, comfy pillow."

A pillow? Sweden liked this interpretation of himself. At least, it was a good interpretation for Finland to have of him. Sweden wouldn't appreciate it very much if Denmark or Russia decided he was a warm, comfy pillow.

Sorry world, the pillow interpretation of Sweden worked for one country only.

"I'm glad he's a heavy sleeper. It's kind of nice having him just lay here so I can hold him and stuff. Ah, I hope he stays like this a while."

Wish granted.Sweden would more than happily stay like this for however long Finland wanted him to. He contentedly continued "sleeping" while Finland stroked the side of his husband's face. The sounds of thunder were coming closer and another drop of icy rain landed on Sweden's nose. Didn't bother Sweden, his wife's soft caresses were causing him to melt into the couch.

"Wonder what he's going to do today," Finland absentmindedly spoke to himself in that bright, bell-like voice "I liked it yesterday when he was running around repairing stuff with his tool belt. That was very attractive."

Sweden's eyes shot open "Ya f'nd 't attr'ct've?"

Before Finland could fully comprehend what was going on, Sweden had jumped off the couch, dragged out a ladder, his tool belt and several wood planks, and started nailing boards to the leaky roof. Hadn't Sweden just been…asleep?

Sweden's stare switched from the roof to Finland's face for the briefest of moments. "'ll g't ya breakf'st 'n a bit," he assured before returning to his work.

"Oh, no worries. No need to rush or anything like that," Finland's eyes widened as his gaze wandered down to Sweden's blue-jeans-covered behind "It's um, quite nice the way it is right now, actually."