For normal humans the silence at the small table would have seemed awkward. Maybe even a handful of nations wouldn't be able to stand it.

But both Norway and Sweden knew enough about each other to understand that the atmosphere wasn't offensive in the least.
Norway put down his coffee cup and saw that Sweden was starting to skim through the newspaper.
He would be done in less then a minute.
Norway took one of the cookies that were lying on the plate between them. They all had that same almost white color to them. Tasted sweeter then the stuff he had at home, but not as sweet as what Denmark used to serve him when he got over for a visit. These plain cookies probably suited him better. When he was done eating he saw that Sweden finally put down the newspaper.
He eyed the cookie plate, probably contemplating if he should have one but decided against it.

Norway decided that now was the time to strike. Sweden looked stoic as usual but Norway could guess that he was stressed.
All of December month must have been stressful for him. He was glad that they had decided to hold the Christmas party this year at Denmarks place, most convenient for everyone.

“Denmark said that you're becoming a dictatorship.”

Sweden seemed unfazed at Norways indirect accusation.

“Denmark says allot of things.”

“He does. It was, as you can guess in the heat of the moment.”

Sweden nodded and then took a sip from his coffee mug. He put it down on the table and then moved the newspaper down to the floor so he could rest his elbows on the small table.

“Did it make you concerned?”

Sweden followed up.

“A little.”

Norway admitted.

In a strange sense the two nations could be very open with each other despite both of them having a silent character most of the time. Sweden had guessed that it was because they were similar enough as people but still uninvolved with each other when it came to the more sensitive matters. He was glad Norway gave him these news since if Denmark had been the one shouting in face, even if it was, as Norway had said, in the heat of the moment, he might not have felt as calm and reserved.
Norway was good at giving critique, he never felt offended.

“I will be fine.” Sweden reassured the other Nordic. “I am glad that the government is up and running again. They are competent people.”

Norway nodded.

There had been a wind of debate swept across his country.
The results of the recent election at Swedens place had caused a bit of a ruckus and uncertainty of how his elected government, which was in a minority compared to the rest of the parties put together, were supposed to rule the country. After a few months of uncertainty there had been a decision within the government that some of the parties from the opposing side would join in and thus assists the current government to rule. Thus throwing the possibilities of a reelection out of the window.
On one hand it would give Sweden political stability again, but on the other hand you could argue that a government that wasn't actually in a majority didn't properly represent the people, and was thus undemocratic.
Norway felt that he cared little but he guessed that Denmark mostly looked for an opportunity to argue. Which Sweden, depending on his mood, maybe would appreciate. He liked debating after all.

I wonder if he talked with Finland about it yet.

They'd all saw each other a few days ago at the Christmas party and while Norway had mostly been in the company of Iceland he did keep his eyes on Sweden every now and then. It looked like Sweden and Finland were calm and happy enough. He regretted not talking to Finland back then.
He remembered, also a second hand rumor from Denmark, that Finland had wanted everyone else to consider putting more money into their military efforts, just so they'd be able to look after each other in case....

Yes Finland was a little bit different in that regard. Norway knew that he also shared border with Russia, just like Finland, but it wasn't the same. Maybe the difference had occurred due to the time Finland spent living with Russia. That the knowledge that once upon a time, even if it was more then a hundred years ago, Russia has just swept in and changed Finlands life.

Finland probably still wanted Sweden to join NATO, he just didn't bug him about it anymore, realizing how rude it would sound. Norway understood Swedens disposition, at least to some extent. After all he himself wasn't a member of the EU, and he had no intentions of joining it either.
It did hurt a little that Iceland was seeking membership. He understood, and he wasn't going to stop him, but it hurt a little, felt like he had failed at being his big brother somehow.

“What about you?”

Sweden suddenly asked him and Norway realized that he had been drifting away from their conversation.

“Sorry. My head was in the clouds. But I'm alright Sweden, thank you for asking.”

He knew that Sweden was asking about the oil. The prices had been slipping recently which caused allot of speculation but Norway had decided to keep his head cool and tread carefully, like always. No rash decisions would make the situation any better for him and he guessed that Sweden felt the same about his political situation.

Calm down, assess the situation and then maybe decisions and preferably not to radical decisions.
Nations should tread lightly before their people.

“Take a walk, now that snow's finally here?”

Norway asked. Sweden nodded in response and gulped down the rest of the coffee. He got a change to get out of the apartment and take his dog for a walk.

As they walked in silence taking in the white landscaping feeling that winter had finally arrived Norway couldn't help but to think that they both knew that, at the end of the day they would both be alright. They were to down to earth to completely fall over. But being certain that they'd be alright at the end of the day didn't make the road they walked any less troublesome. But Norway told himself, and Sweden told himself also.

“That it must be like this for all nations. I'm not any different.”