1amkeit | IC Mailbox.

[Oh, good. That one can join the other self-help books on his shelf]

[Ring... Ring... Beep]

Germany. It's Norge.

[His voice is low-toned and soft. Thoughtful.]

Ain't heard from you of late. Ought not to be a stranger, y'know.

[There's a pause for a moment, as if he's trying to decide if he should say something else.]

Tell me if you're wantin' to meet again. Personal-wise, understand. Not business.

[End.]

[That voice is certainly familiar. And just as welcome]

[He thinks it over, running through the schedule of upcoming meetings in his head. But then Norway clarifies it's not for business]

[He swallows as he exits his voicemail menu, thinking back to the night they spent together]

[Then he dials Norway's number. He doesn't have to think it over - he knows what he wants, and he knows when he's free]

[Apparently he must've just missed Norway, because the phone keeps ringing until he reaches his voicemail]

Germany here. Good evening, Norway. I apologize for not contacting you sooner. Yes, I'd like to meet again.

[Which comes out a lot more rushed than he liked] Ah...

[He pauses, takes a quick breath. It's a good thing he's on the phone, or he'd be even more awkward]

I'm free tomorrow evening, or the evening after that. The next option is this fri-

[Wait, that's Valentine's Day. Norway probably already has plans. Though it's too late to take back, now. That'll only draw attention to it]

This friday. Otherwise I'm not available until the following week.

...I look forward to hearing from you.

[Then he hangs up]

[Calling, but there's no answer. Not that Norway's surprised. After a win like that, he doesn't very well expect Germany to actually answer his phone. A message it is, then. His tongue sticks in his mouth and it takes him a moment to put his thoughts in order, and he misses the beep, but catches it after a few seconds.]

Congrats, cousin. Was a good game. ...Reckon you're out celebratin'. Ain't you.

[He's had too much to drink and his words are low-toned, slow, and even more slurry than usual; Germany isn't the only one who's been celebrating. But the overall effect makes Norway sound less like he's offering congratulations, and more like he's inviting Germany to bed.]

Ought to come by my place sometime, Coz. Can't damn well congratulate ya' proper when you're over in... wherever it is, now. How's about that. A pitcher for every goal, mayhaps.

[He laughs, then. Quietly, but a laugh nonetheless. Then adds, almost as an afterthought-]

Could even pet my hair, if you'd like.

[The morning after the World Cup final, Germany wakes up groggy, his head pounding. Work today isn't going to be pretty, but he'll suffer through it]

[By the time he sits down at the kitchen table with a plate of bread rolls, he's ready to read today's newspaper. First he'll check his phone, though]

[A bunch of texts and a new voicemail message. The texts aren't surprising after last night, but the message has him curious. He dials his voicemail and holds the phone close, grateful the shower helped him get over the hangover somewhat]

[And he's even more grateful when he's finished listening to Norway's voicemail message. Did... Did he hear that right? As he replays the message to make sure, Germany can feel his face heating up. What's with that tone? Judging by how long it takes for Norway to start talking, it seems Norway was drunk last night as well. It'd explain that comment about petting his hair, at least. Though he can't deny that he'd like to - Norway's hair looks so soft after all]

[After checking his schedule on his phone, he goes over what he should say. It's a good thing Norway hasn't mentioned something like that to him face to face. He'd be at a loss for words and look like a fool. This way he can take his time to think it over and make sure he doesn't embarrass himself]

[Unfortunately, Norway doesn't pick up when he calls him. He'd rather have this conversation in real time, but it looks like he'll have to leave a message, too]

[Just as the beep signals he can leave his message, he speaks up] Are you drunk?! I-If you're serious about this, then of course. I'd like that... Ah, stopping by, I mean.

[It's quiet for a while then, as Germany debates whether he should deviate from what he'd planned and clarify he's not opposed to petting his hair. But better not. Norway was probably joking. Or perhaps he was too drunk to even remember mentioning that. Either way, bringing it up will only embarrass himself. After clearing his throat, he goes on like he didn't just pause for a couple of seconds]

I have a free evening this Sunday. Or if you prefer, I might be able to reschedule my appointment on Thursday. Thank you for your congratulations, and I look forward to your answer. When you've sobered up.

Edited 2014-07-15 13:58 (UTC)

[When he finally wakes up the next morning, it's a while before he gets to his phone. After an uncharacteristic amount of time spent flopped in bed, Norway drags himself to the kitchen for coffee - and then returns to bed. And that's when he finally checks his phone.]

[The fact that there is a message doesn't surprise him. Probably Denmark, he thinks. But the voice that he actually hears surprises him - and then he stares hard at the opposite wall as he remembers the call he made last night.]

[Shit. He doesn't remember all of it, but what he does remember is enough. The congratulations. The invitation for... something. He can't remember what. Drinks? Sex? Both? But he does remember the comment about Germany's attraction to his hair. Damn it. And strangely enough, aside from that dig about sobering up, Germany doesn't seem that bothered. Well.]

[He stares at his phone for a second. Thinks it over. Then calls him.]

G'morn. It's Norway. You were right; I was three sheets to it last night. Not that you ain't done the same yourself, haven't you. Callin' like that. I...

[For a second, he doesn't know how to put it. Well, fuck it.]

Wouldn't mind it. Seein' you, that is. Since it don't happen all that often, does it. ...Sunday sounds good, too. Thanks.

[Though Germany is not sure who left him a message this time - there are several of his people he's expecting work-related calls from - he's not surprised when it turns out to be Norway]

[While it's not something he'd bring up in a conversation, he's glad for it. Not all nations are thoughtful enough to leave a voicemail message. Some just keep ringing him without sending him so much as an explanation over text, and then expect him to call back and run after them to find out what it is that they want. Germany can't tell whether they do it out of laziness or out of absent-mindedness, but the result's still the same and leaves him annoyed at the waste of time]

[It's a good thing Norway's voice doesn't sound as slurred as it did in his previous message, otherwise his face would've started heating up right in the middle of his office in the Bundeskanzleramt]

[At the reminder that he called Norway when he was drunk once, too, Germany does flush a bit after all. But it could've been worse. Perhaps Norway's still hungover from last night? That pause seems to indicate it]

[This time he opts to send Norway a quick text instead of a voicemail message]

Ｖｅｒｙ　ｗｅｌｌ．　Ｕｎｔｉｌ　Ｓｕｎｄａｙ，　ｔｈｅｎ．
－　Ｇｅｒｍａｎｙ

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Re: ☏ | Voicemail | World Cup Victory Night