Norway x Reader -Holidays are a chore-

There was something about the city on snowy nights. Where the sky was dark as could be but snow was still gently falling onto the powder already on the ground. And how the lights of the streets and homes seemed to make the night look like it was cast in a dim orange glow.

That might have been one good thing about moving into a bustling city where there were no lawns or rolling fields. There were always plenty of lights on snowy nights. Well that plus your job but for right now the snowy night was your main source of calmness.

Things had been hectic at work today and working as a waitress wasn't anywhere near being calm during Christmas season. It was the few days before Christmas when it seemed everyone’s family visited and they decided to go out to eat for family meals. Unfortunately for you though your particular restaurant was a fairly high quality one and many came to dine there.

Let’s just say crowded restaurants meant more chances for you to bump into customers, more drink spillages by unruly children, more rude and demanding hungry people and just more bad luck for you.

You had fell four times today. Four. So here you sat trying to calm your angered nerves after a stressful day. Your small balcony outside your apartment had been cleared of snow and you had brought out a thick blanket to wrap yourself in along with a cup of hot chocolate to keep any chills away. Sitting on the ground and leaning against the rails that divided your neighbors balcony from yours was a good way to just sit and watch the snow fall quietly.

A few minutes later you heard the sound of a car door slam along with bitter sounding foreign words at least they sounded bitter. That meant Lukas was home. You didn't know what your foreign neighbor did as a job but you knew that sometimes he worked late and would come by grumbling lowly down the hall. It must have been a tiring job though because once he even tried to get into your apartment and when you opened the door he looked so confused with the bags under his eyes and his keys trying to open the wrong lock.

You had talked with him a few times. He was always kind to you and would occasionally ask you how your day was. Once he even asked you to cat-sit for him. You regarded him as an acquaintance and a nice one at that. Someone who you crossed paths with for a few minutes at a time before your paths separated again. You had never really had a long conversation with him though. You couldn’t think of a time that he even said your name.

Within a few minutes of hearing him come back you heard Lukas’ sliding door open. Since you had your back against the railing you didn't see him come out. Something brushed against your back through the bars and a sigh left Lukas' lips as he sat down on the ground behind you.

"Holidays are a chore." He says lowly and you feel some of his hair tickle your ear as he leans his head back against the rails of the divider.

You let out a short laugh. "You're telling me."

"You worked today." It was more of a statement than a question.

You turn so you’re facing the apartment with your back to the streets. "Yea but I wasn't working until," you check your watch, "three thirty a.m. What do you do anyway? "

"I’m a doctor. Well it’s my first year as an official doctor anyway. I’m still new so they have me in the pit." He turns so he's facing the doors to his home as well. You can see how the snow started to dampen his blonde hair and newly fallen flakes collect on his strands. "Do you know how many people I've seen today and have had to stitch up? And within the next three days the numbers are supposed to double. At least that's what the other doctors tell me."

You can't help but laugh quietly despite the situation. "Holidays are a chore." You repeat. He laughs quietly at this and looks up to the sky.

"Where is your family if I may ask?" He looked at you and you noticed how his eyes were a dark blue.  "Christmas is a time for family and loved ones."

You take a sip of hot chocolate before you answer. "My family lives far away from the city. I moved here a year ago to get a fresh start. It’s too far for any of them to travel I guess so this Christmas it’s just me. I've gotten cards and boxes in the mail from them but it’s just not the same as having them actually visit." You were glad it was dark because your eyes were starting to get a little misty. You knew it wasn't their fault at all, but somedays it was hard to not feel lonely.

"If you'd like," Lukas started, "you can come over Christmas Eve to celebrate with me and my family."

You turn your head to face him and can't help but smile at the thin layer of snow that hasn't melted covering his head. "I appreciate the offer but won't I be imposing if it’s your family?"
Lukas sighs. "The only one coming that I'm actually related to by blood is my half-brother Emil and Berwald is Emil's step brother I think. I'm not sure, I just know that Emil's mom got around in her younger years. The other two are just very good friends, although Mathias is extremely questionable."  He turns to you again, "you won't be a bother in the slightest. I'm sure you'll have fun. Besides a pretty girl like you shouldn't have to spend holidays alone."

Your eyes widen in shock at his words.

Lukas laughs quietly. "I'm sorry, while my meaning was pure I didn't mean to sound creepy or anything. That's along the lines of what Mathias uses around holidays to pick up women. I didn’t really mean it that way." He gives a small smile. "I still would like you to come though. It’s not often I invite people into my home, it’s a smaller chance than having me talk like this for so long actually."

"I've noticed you're a very quiet man."

He tilts his head slightly as if calculating his words. "Yes, but for some reason being out here tonight and being around you has made me feel like I can be the one talking instead of listening to somebody else for once."

You both are silent for a few moments until you speak up. "I'll come Christmas Eve, but on one condition." You wait for him to turn to you with an eye brow raised. "You have to tell me more about yourself. If I'm so easy to talk to then it should be no problem, but I don't exactly want to walk into a stranger's house you know."

Lukas leans his head back but you can see the barest trace of a smile. "Fine, but I want the same in return. I wouldn't want to invite strangers into my home would I?"

You can't help but let out a giggle at the lift to his words. He was teasing you and it made your cheeks get warm. "Deal. You go first." You got yourself comfy in your blanket cocoon. Your drink was cold by now and sat forgotten by your feet.

Lukas hums like he's thinking of where to start. With his eyes closed in thought you took a chance to look him over.

He had a handsome face, with long eyelashes and pale lips. His hair, while damp, looked soft enough to make you want to touch it just to see if it felt as silky as it looked. The hair by his neck had started to curl slightly from being wet and some of his bangs started to do the same. His eyes opened and you flicked yours back to the sky so he couldn't tell you were basically checking him out.

"Ah I know where to start if you still want to listen." You nodded. "Alright, well I come from Oslo in Norway, my family, consisting of me, my father and step-mother, Berwald and Emil, moved here when I was around sixteen years old because of my father's business. It was here that I went to school and became friends with Mathias and Tino, who were part of an exchange program. Maybe it was because of where they were originally from, but eventually we all just gravitated to each other and started hanging out quite often. Some of the kids in school even called us the Nordic five."

"How old is your brother?" You interrupt and then quietly apologize at your own rudeness.

"It’s alright I don't mind. My brother was 14 at the time. He's two years younger than me so we didn't have classes together or anything but whenever we had lunch or just any free period he'd always find us. “Lukas smiles at the memory but as quickly as it came it dropped again. “And then there's Mathias..."

You sat and listened to him talk and talk, his voice was soothing and made you want to listen all night. When it was your turn you found he was a very good listener. He asked questions and made small comments and even said he wished to meet some of your family when you told him about one specific and hectic family reunion.

It was well past six in the morning when you felt something nudge you awake. Surprised, you shot up from the ground, you didn't even know you fell asleep! Unfortunately though your hasty actions caused you to head-butt Lukas in his nose.  You looked up at him trying to apologize when you saw that he was on your side of the balcony.

He must have guessed what you were thinking because he took one hand from holding his nose and raised it up. "I'm sorry I crossed over but you were sleeping and I wanted to make sure you got inside alright."

You blush slightly at his thoughtfulness. "Thanks. I'm sorry I hurt your nose and fell asleep on you."  You sheepishly smile but start to go red again when he moves his other hand and gives you a small grin.

"It’s alright you weren't asleep for more than five minutes and my nose is fine. It’s funnier to me than anything else but that could be my lack of sleep talking." He starts to cross over the rail again but stops with one leg on either side. He turns back to you, his grin gone but a small smile still there. "Thank you for listening _______." You shiver at him saying your name for the first time.

"Thank you Lukas for talking." You both head back to your respective doors as he looks over at you once more.

"I'll talk to you soon about the Christmas plans but until then, goodnight ____."

"Goodnight Lukas." You say quietly and wave as he disappears through his door.

You discard your wet blanket on your kitchen floor and make your way to your bed. You drop on your covers, still in your uniform from yesterday, and nestle into the warmth. You lie blissfully on the edge of slumber, still buzzing internally from yours and Lukas' conversation last night and the idea of seeing him again, until you start to feel your consciousness slipping away.

Then your alarm rings.

"Holidays are a fucking chore."