[FIC] Men At Work (AGENT AU- 2)
Title: Men At Work
Rating: PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Canada
Word Count: 1,325
Warning/s: AU, human names used
Summary: The North Unit’s latest mission is in its final stages.
A/N: Featuring a drive by Canada cameo!
Another strong gust forced Aron to narrow his eyes against the sting. Too windy in this place. He did some quick mental calculations as he walked. Tino was more than smart enough to take the wind factor into consideration; he’d be professionally insulted if the rookie ever questioned him, but Aron could worry about covering all bases as he pleased in the privacy of his thoughts.
He adjusted the collar of the jacket he had taken from one of the watchmen and strolled to the car lot, where a van was parked, engine still and lights off.
He ran through a checklist as he approached the car. No one following him, check. Weapon ready in case of attackers, check. Perimeter analyzed, with all entrances and exits memorized, check. Aron glanced around one last time to see if there was anyone around before sliding into the passenger side. Berwald, seated at the wheel, was polishing his favorite pair of brass knuckles, a rag blotched with pink in his hand.
The communicator in Aron’s ear clicked, “Seven minutes ‘till delivery.”
“Copy, Heavy Metal. In position.”
Next to him, Berwald shifted restlessly, staring in the direction of the building where their lead sniper was currently lying in wait. Aron shook his head slightly, amused at the older man’s worrying streak and spoke into his mic.
“Troll- status report.”
“In position and ready for the last hour. But please, take your time... I want to finish this crossword puzzle.”
Aron rolled his eyes. “Copy.”
Berwald chuckled under his breath. “Smartass.”
Aron grinned and looked at his watch. Maybe he was still too new to the mental stress of missions, but he felt that being on the exit team was the absolute worst. The threat of discovery loomed constantly over them and they still had to wait for Tino to secure the target and get himself to the pickup point.
Tino’s voice came up unexpectedly through the radio. “Game change. I have a clear shot. Proceeding.”
Berwald responded to the message and turned the keys in the ignition. Both men sat tensed and waiting, adrenaline pumping. As they sat there, someone’s life was ending. By the time any security could determine the location of the shooter and send reinforcements, Tino would have already packed his equipment and been on his merry way. All they would find is a small silver compass neatly placed in plain sight- a message sent from the Compass Organization.
***
There was a cheerful smile, as always, on Tino’s face as he threw a duffel bag onto the backseat and jumped into the van.
“Let’s go. Should be all clear.”
Berwald nodded and they drove smoothly out of the compound. The camera footage had been hacked long ago. Berwald had taken care of the personnel at the gate. Aleksander was waiting at a discreet airfield owned by a ‘friend’, ready to get them out of the country. Mathias had already returned to Germany the previous week, to report on the Initiative’s progress and assist the West Unit with a small job.
They drove for a few blocks before turning into a small repair garage and swapping the van for an unmarked residential vehicle.
Aron clicked his radio on again to contact his brother.
“Vehicles exchanged. We’ll be arriving shortly.”
“Finally. Copy. I’ll alert Central.”
Tino had switched to the passenger’s side at the garage, and he sank back in the seat, head dropping back and eyes closing as he sighed.
“Initiative finally complete.... I can’t wait for some down time after this.” His head suddenly perked back up as another thought came to mind. “And we’re finally heading home- I can’t take any more of this crazy foreign food! ...Do you two have any vacation plans?”
“M’ght visit Peter.” replied Berwald after a pause, referring to the young boy he had adopted in all but name. “Haven’t seem ‘im in a while.”
Tino smiled. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see his Papa after so long.”
“N’t his dad. You kn’w tha’.” Berwald mumbled, flustered at the comment. Tino’s smile widened at seeing a blush spread across Berwald’s cheeks at his words. Berwald was always embarrassed by that word, no matter how many times they had the same conversation.
“What about you?” he asked, twisting around to look at Aron, who had been staring at the scenery passing by, wishing for a comfortable hotel bed. The rush of adrenaline after a job always left him exhausted.
He shrugged, “Troll mentioned going to the country for a few days, but I’m still technically on duty. The Director wants me to spend some time at Central getting the hang of the paperwork.”
Tino hummed in reply and continued to fidget in his seat. Eventually, he spoke up again. “I think maybe I’ll go visit my cousins in Estonia for a bit. I haven’t seen them in ages!” He sighed again when he got no response and whined, “You two are too quiet.”
Aron smiled. The other man’s good humor was always contagious. “You just don’t appreciate the silence. Isn’t that right, Ikea?”
“.....”
Aron laughed. “See? Ikea gets it.”
Tino huffed at the easy teasing and pulled a music player out of his jacket pocket. He proceeded to blast his music so loudly that headphones in his ears were basically pointless. They continued the rest of the drive accompanied by the loud echo of Finnish metal overflowing from the speakers.
***
Aron was dozing when the car jerked to a stop. He looked up as he felt poking at his knee. “Time to get up!” Tino was practically shouting from the headphones still in his ears.
Yawning, he dragged himself out of the car. They had parked a short distance from the runway, where a sleek Cessna 402 was waiting. As the three walked towards the plane, a blonde man jumped down from the steps and headed in their direction. He was completely nondescript, a forgettable figure in a red hoodie and sneakers. No one would ever suspect this man of owning a hidden, illegal airfield.
He spoke when he reached them, voice soft and placid. “Hey guys. Name’s Matt. Everything’s all ready for your departure, just need to get yourselves inside.” He waved his hand towards the plane as he adjusted his glasses.
Tino thanked him and led the way into the cabin. Aleksander, seated in the pilot’s chair, finished folded a newspaper and tossed it aside as they entered.
“About time.”
He reached for a thermos by his feet and shoved it into Aron’s hand.
“What’s this?”
“Extra strength coffee. You’ll need it....co-pilot.”
“What? You’re joking. I’m dying over here.”
“Tough luck, little brother. Don’t worry, we’re only heading to Iceland. We’ll grab a commercial flight from there.”
“...Iceland.” Aron repeated blankly.
Aleksander’s mouth twitched as he wordlessly passed his brother a headset.
Aron stared at him for a moment, before snatching away the headset and throwing himself into the chair. He muttered unintelligibly under his breath the entire time, the only distinguishable words were not fair and bully and just ‘cause I’m new.
Aleksander glanced at him sidelong, amusement very evident. “Now that doesn’t sound very professional of you.”
Aron flushed at being caught and steadily tried to ignore his brother, eyes staring straight ahead.
From his seat behind them, Tino spoke up, "It’s cute how you two argue. It's like a flight and a show."
Matt's quiet voice crackled to life over the radio at that moment, masking any protests from Aron. "All set for takeoff, Agent Troll. Let me know when to alert the tower."
"Ready. Awaiting instruction."
In a few moments, they had taken off. Berwald had picked up the discarded newspaper and was flipping through the pages. Tino's music was back on full blast. Aron found himself tapping his foot along with the beat as he and Aleksander guided the airplane along its path.
It would be nice to go home.
END
Rating: PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Canada
Word Count: 1,325
Warning/s: AU, human names used
Summary: The North Unit’s latest mission is in its final stages.
A/N: Featuring a drive by Canada cameo!
Another strong gust forced Aron to narrow his eyes against the sting. Too windy in this place. He did some quick mental calculations as he walked. Tino was more than smart enough to take the wind factor into consideration; he’d be professionally insulted if the rookie ever questioned him, but Aron could worry about covering all bases as he pleased in the privacy of his thoughts.
He adjusted the collar of the jacket he had taken from one of the watchmen and strolled to the car lot, where a van was parked, engine still and lights off.
He ran through a checklist as he approached the car. No one following him, check. Weapon ready in case of attackers, check. Perimeter analyzed, with all entrances and exits memorized, check. Aron glanced around one last time to see if there was anyone around before sliding into the passenger side. Berwald, seated at the wheel, was polishing his favorite pair of brass knuckles, a rag blotched with pink in his hand.
The communicator in Aron’s ear clicked, “Seven minutes ‘till delivery.”
“Copy, Heavy Metal. In position.”
Next to him, Berwald shifted restlessly, staring in the direction of the building where their lead sniper was currently lying in wait. Aron shook his head slightly, amused at the older man’s worrying streak and spoke into his mic.
“Troll- status report.”
“In position and ready for the last hour. But please, take your time... I want to finish this crossword puzzle.”
Aron rolled his eyes. “Copy.”
Berwald chuckled under his breath. “Smartass.”
Aron grinned and looked at his watch. Maybe he was still too new to the mental stress of missions, but he felt that being on the exit team was the absolute worst. The threat of discovery loomed constantly over them and they still had to wait for Tino to secure the target and get himself to the pickup point.
Tino’s voice came up unexpectedly through the radio. “Game change. I have a clear shot. Proceeding.”
Berwald responded to the message and turned the keys in the ignition. Both men sat tensed and waiting, adrenaline pumping. As they sat there, someone’s life was ending. By the time any security could determine the location of the shooter and send reinforcements, Tino would have already packed his equipment and been on his merry way. All they would find is a small silver compass neatly placed in plain sight- a message sent from the Compass Organization.
***
There was a cheerful smile, as always, on Tino’s face as he threw a duffel bag onto the backseat and jumped into the van.
“Let’s go. Should be all clear.”
Berwald nodded and they drove smoothly out of the compound. The camera footage had been hacked long ago. Berwald had taken care of the personnel at the gate. Aleksander was waiting at a discreet airfield owned by a ‘friend’, ready to get them out of the country. Mathias had already returned to Germany the previous week, to report on the Initiative’s progress and assist the West Unit with a small job.
They drove for a few blocks before turning into a small repair garage and swapping the van for an unmarked residential vehicle.
Aron clicked his radio on again to contact his brother.
“Vehicles exchanged. We’ll be arriving shortly.”
“Finally. Copy. I’ll alert Central.”
Tino had switched to the passenger’s side at the garage, and he sank back in the seat, head dropping back and eyes closing as he sighed.
“Initiative finally complete.... I can’t wait for some down time after this.” His head suddenly perked back up as another thought came to mind. “And we’re finally heading home- I can’t take any more of this crazy foreign food! ...Do you two have any vacation plans?”
“M’ght visit Peter.” replied Berwald after a pause, referring to the young boy he had adopted in all but name. “Haven’t seem ‘im in a while.”
Tino smiled. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see his Papa after so long.”
“N’t his dad. You kn’w tha’.” Berwald mumbled, flustered at the comment. Tino’s smile widened at seeing a blush spread across Berwald’s cheeks at his words. Berwald was always embarrassed by that word, no matter how many times they had the same conversation.
“What about you?” he asked, twisting around to look at Aron, who had been staring at the scenery passing by, wishing for a comfortable hotel bed. The rush of adrenaline after a job always left him exhausted.
He shrugged, “Troll mentioned going to the country for a few days, but I’m still technically on duty. The Director wants me to spend some time at Central getting the hang of the paperwork.”
Tino hummed in reply and continued to fidget in his seat. Eventually, he spoke up again. “I think maybe I’ll go visit my cousins in Estonia for a bit. I haven’t seen them in ages!” He sighed again when he got no response and whined, “You two are too quiet.”
Aron smiled. The other man’s good humor was always contagious. “You just don’t appreciate the silence. Isn’t that right, Ikea?”
“.....”
Aron laughed. “See? Ikea gets it.”
Tino huffed at the easy teasing and pulled a music player out of his jacket pocket. He proceeded to blast his music so loudly that headphones in his ears were basically pointless. They continued the rest of the drive accompanied by the loud echo of Finnish metal overflowing from the speakers.
***
Aron was dozing when the car jerked to a stop. He looked up as he felt poking at his knee. “Time to get up!” Tino was practically shouting from the headphones still in his ears.
Yawning, he dragged himself out of the car. They had parked a short distance from the runway, where a sleek Cessna 402 was waiting. As the three walked towards the plane, a blonde man jumped down from the steps and headed in their direction. He was completely nondescript, a forgettable figure in a red hoodie and sneakers. No one would ever suspect this man of owning a hidden, illegal airfield.
He spoke when he reached them, voice soft and placid. “Hey guys. Name’s Matt. Everything’s all ready for your departure, just need to get yourselves inside.” He waved his hand towards the plane as he adjusted his glasses.
Tino thanked him and led the way into the cabin. Aleksander, seated in the pilot’s chair, finished folded a newspaper and tossed it aside as they entered.
“About time.”
He reached for a thermos by his feet and shoved it into Aron’s hand.
“What’s this?”
“Extra strength coffee. You’ll need it....co-pilot.”
“What? You’re joking. I’m dying over here.”
“Tough luck, little brother. Don’t worry, we’re only heading to Iceland. We’ll grab a commercial flight from there.”
“...Iceland.” Aron repeated blankly.
Aleksander’s mouth twitched as he wordlessly passed his brother a headset.
Aron stared at him for a moment, before snatching away the headset and throwing himself into the chair. He muttered unintelligibly under his breath the entire time, the only distinguishable words were not fair and bully and just ‘cause I’m new.
Aleksander glanced at him sidelong, amusement very evident. “Now that doesn’t sound very professional of you.”
Aron flushed at being caught and steadily tried to ignore his brother, eyes staring straight ahead.
From his seat behind them, Tino spoke up, "It’s cute how you two argue. It's like a flight and a show."
Matt's quiet voice crackled to life over the radio at that moment, masking any protests from Aron. "All set for takeoff, Agent Troll. Let me know when to alert the tower."
"Ready. Awaiting instruction."
In a few moments, they had taken off. Berwald had picked up the discarded newspaper and was flipping through the pages. Tino's music was back on full blast. Aron found himself tapping his foot along with the beat as he and Aleksander guided the airplane along its path.
It would be nice to go home.
END