Band-Aids 4c/?
anonymous
May 25 2011, 01:22:10 UTC
“I suppose so. I’d much rather have him as a teacher than dumb ol-”
“Peter!” Berwald interrupted him. “Don’t talk that way ‘bout the other teachers. S’rude.”
“But it’s true!!” Peter whined. The other six year teachers are all boring and stodgy. At least Tino likes recess duty and doing stuff with us.
“There’s more to school than recess. B’sides Ester n’ Karina are both quite a bit older than Tino. More experienced too,” Berwald pointed out.
“I’d still rather have Tino,” muttered Peter under his breath. “He’s actually fun to be around.”
Silence fell between them for a while and they started to eat again before Berwald said softly “Well, M’glad that you like him so much.”
“Everyone likes him,” said Peter. “He’s really cheerful and everything. Even the younger students want to be around him. Just the other day a bunch of younger girls dragged him off to play jump rope. It was really funny; he kept getting caught up in the rope.”
Berwald made an inaudible noise and the two finished eating. Shortly after, they paid for their food and left while Tino sat in silence at his table, trying to process what he’d just heard. He was torn between shock and joy. At first, he couldn’t believe that Peter had just lied to his dad but after considering what he’d been seeing for the last week and a half, it was clear that Peter was hiding the band-aids. So there was no possible way he could admit to being the student that Tino had spoken to. As for the other comments, Tino felt such a sense of overwhelming joy that he had to bite the insides of his cheeks to keep from cheering like a complete idiot in the restaurant.
His students liked him. Peter liked him. Other students besides his own liked him.
Tino felt such a surge of happiness he could barely breathe. Of course he wasn’t foolish enough to think that just because one of his students had made a broad statement that it was actually true for everyone. But still, Peter had told his dad that he preferred him over two more experienced and arguably superior teachers. Something like that shouldn’t make him so ridiculously happy.
But it did.
Leaning back into his chair, Tino allowed a small smile to spread across his face. He knew that he was generally an agreeable sort of person and that he worked well with kids but that hadn’t prevented him from being nervous about his first teaching job. Hearing Peter’s words was incredibly soothing to the small part of him that worried about whether or not he was managing to connect with his students. And it was true that he was trying to get to know the younger students. Someday they would be students of his and it was important to get to know them. Besides, there were worse things in life than being outshone by a group of ten year old girls with jump ropes.
For the rest of the week and into the weekend, Tino continued to follow Berwald and Peter. However on Sunday after his second week, he finally accepted that nothing was going on and debated if it was a good time to finally stop. He had gone from being seriously concerned to mildly curious about the whole band-aid issue. It was clear to him that Peter and Berwald had a great albeit slightly unusual father-son relationship and that nothing going on. Peter was still wearing band-aids at school and not at home but perhaps...
Band-Aids 4c/? -notes
anonymous
May 25 2011, 01:35:56 UTC
Oh man, I am so so sorry that it took me this long to put up the next part. I didn't mean to let two weeks go between parts. I moved last weekend and lost a ton of time and internet and all that. If I don't have huge chunks of time to write, I have trouble getting stuff done and I have to shift it to the next weekend. I'd like to get out at least one part a week. But we're moving along here! As always, feel free to critique.
C1: I'm so glad you love it! Sweden is indeed adorable. C2: Hehe, lots of description but we're moving past it slowly. Fin is figuring out though. C3:The wood wasn't really important. Someone knocked into Sweden and it fell out of his hands. I just wanted to show that Tino can't always see everything that's going on.XD C4: I'm so sorry!! Really I am! I read an article in NYT that gave me the impression that the majority of Swedes have 'son' in their last names. Clearly, I was wrong. Thanks for clearing it up for me. I'm glad you like it so far! C5: I do rather like the image of Tino lying on the floor pummeled by cans as onlookers stare at him in confusion. XD The wood was knocked by another person and dropped onto Peter, poor kid.
It's all good, Author!non; I understand that real life gets in the way sometimes. I'm just glad you're updating at all. And what a cute chapter it was! It was wonderful to see Sweden and Sealand playing together and having a real conversation. And how nice of Sealand to give Finland that little confidence boost! I can't wait to read the next part :)
Band-Aids 5a/?
anonymous
June 6 2011, 15:24:02 UTC
Stepping out of his apartment on Monday morning, Tino shivered and pulled his coat tighter around himself. October was drawing to a close and daylight was becoming scarce. Frost covered the ground every morning and people were hauling out their warmer clothes.
Tino knew that the upcoming week was going to be a little crazy. The last few days in October and first few of November was Autumn break for the school and all the students were looking forward to the combination of Halloween and All Saints Day. Tino was happy to have a break of course, but there was still one week of work to complete.
Getting into his classroom, he started to prepare for the arrival of all his students. He needed to figure out if he should keep following Peter or not. After Sunday, he was leaning more towards the ‘not’ side but he could wait and see. It didn’t take long for the kids to fill up the class room and get noisy. Once everyone had gotten their coats hung up and were seated, Tino took role call and started the day.
During the lunch break, Tino was in his classroom preparing packets for the social studies lesson. He’d pulled a few news articles about different cultural issues between European countries for reading and discussion. Now he was organizing and stapling them to be passed out when he heard someone approaching him. Looking up, he was very surprised to see Peter shuffling up to him. Immediately becoming concerned, Tino asked “Peter are you alright?”
Peter nodded at him but didn’t say anything. Tino felt a sick feeling rise in his chest and he hesitated before asking “Is there something you need to talk to me about?”
Peter nodded again and leaned up against his desk, trying to keep his eyes on the floor rather than Tino.
“I’m listening” he prompted gently.
Peter sighed and looked up. “I need to apologize to you.”
Tino stared. That was not what he thought Peter was going to say.
“Why do you need to apologize?” asked Tino, putting down his papers and turning to face Peter and give him his full attention.
“Well I talked to my dad about the whole band-aid thing and he told me that I was making you worry.”
Tino considered this before saying “Peter, please explain this to me. Why have you been wearing band-aids for the last month or more?”
“Because they’re really cool looking!” said Peter as though this was completely obvious to anyone. “They’re like tattoos except they’re removable and they make you look tough. And they come in all sorts of colors and designs.”
“And you talked to your dad about all of this?” Tino asked carefully, wanting to believe everything he was hearing but also knowing that he only had a certain amount of information.
Peter nodded and shuffled a little. “Yes, I did end up talking to him and he told me that I had to stop. Also said I ought to apologize. So I’m sorry for making you worry. It was just for fun. I didn’t think it was all that important.”
“It is important Peter, because I was afraid that you were being hurt by someone. Normally people don’t wear bandages unless they need them. So I didn’t know what to think,” Tino said gently.
“He said he wouldn’t buy me any more cool ones. Just beige from now on.” Peter didn’t look too happy about the idea but he was relaxing the more he spoke. “but I’m not going to wear them anymore,” Peter muttered. “I’ve stopped.”
Tino took the time to examine Peter more carefully and yes - for the first time in ages it seemed as though he had no band-aids on him anywhere. The sick feeling in his chest began to fall away, crushed by the sweet sense of relief that was sweeping through him.
“Well, I’m very grateful that you came and spoke with me,” Tino beamed. “I’m so glad to know that you are alright.”
Peter was looking much happier now that he didn’t seem to be in trouble. He straightened up and grinned. “Well you know, maybe I can convince my dad to let me get a tattoo! It would be brilliant.”
Tino really did laugh then. “Peter, you have a better chance of getting elected into Parliament than getting a tattoo at age twelve.”
“I can always hope,” he said stubbornly but obviously knowing how bad his chances really were.
“Well keep hoping until you’re eighteen. Then you can get whatever you want,” replied Tino with a wry tone.
Band-Aids 5b/?
anonymous
June 6 2011, 15:29:13 UTC
“Yeah! I want something hardcore like a death robot with a missile launcher killing a dragon and it can twist around my chest and everything! And I can put words in it too. Wouldn’t that be great!?”
Tino decided that staying quiet would be the best decision here. He nodded instead.
“Anyways, I have to go eat or else I’ll miss all of lunch.” Peter turned towards the door, and glanced at the wall clock to note how much of the lunch period was gone.
“Go eat,” agreed Tino. “We don’t need you bandaged and hungry.”
Peter laughed too and walked from the room, perfectly cheerful and clearly brainstorming more details for his tattoo, leaving Tino to turn back to his paper packets.
God, what an idea.
He had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing as he imagined Peter going up to his dad to announce that he wanted - what was it? Oh, a death robot killing a dragon across his chest. Forget stalking, he would have paid good money, a lot of money- to see that conversation. Imagining the stoic Berwald trying to face down the creativity of his son was hilarious. But he was sure that nothing would ever come of it, except a good story to laugh at years down the road.
However, in a strange way it made perfect sense. If Peter wanted a tattoo but couldn’t get one, fancy band-aids were the closest thing except drawing on yourself which wouldn’t be allowed and it would have been hard to get off. But the most important issue of the whole band-aid debacle was cleared up. Tino rubbed his hands across his face weakly, relieved. There was no longer any need to follow any one and he could stop worrying every waking hour of the day.
The rest of the week shot by quickly. Everyone was looking forward to the break and Tino decided to end the week by having each one of his students bring in a scary story to share. The class spent the entire Friday afternoon reading the stories out loud and trying to out scare each other. At first, all the lights were off to set the mood but after the first two stories, it was decided very quickly that perhaps some light would be better. There had been some really good choices and Tino thoroughly enjoyed himself. He read ‘Viy’ by Gogol and had gone into great detail describing the witch, all the different types of demons and the horrific death. After the end, he let them out a bit early and watched a bit confused and concerned as all seventeen students got their bags and coats, and walked from the class in subdued silence, some of them looking a bit sick.
Later that evening, Tino was bustling around his apartment packing and trying talk to Niels on his laptop at the same time and sort of managing it.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: so in summary i’m an over concerned moron who should probably mind his own business
WritesforFish: I could have told you that.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: hilarious Niels
WritesforFish: Anytime
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: *sigh*
WritesforFish: What are you going to do now?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: nothing. there’s no reason to do anything. peter’s fine, and i can relax and focus on other stuff. get life back to normal.
WritesforFish: Great, I’ll make sure to write a note for my second edit.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: Niels!! you’d better not be writing me into another one of your books!!
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: i’m sick of getting trampled or drowining or dying in tragic ways. can’t you find other people to write about? and kill?
WritesforFish: Honestly Tino, it’s just a small cameo and you’re unrecognizable.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: i sent a copy of your most recent book to Eduard to read and he emailed me back asking when i’d been around viking style boats and if i was alright!
WritesforFish: You have to admit that you getting caught on the prow of a boat at that Viking festival was hilarious.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: the point is that he recognized me. so don’t please? and you promised to delete those boat photos, did you?
WritesforFish: Fine. I’ll just have you pecked to death by puffins or something.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: NIELS!!!
puffinpal4evar: puffins are awesome though
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: Eirikur hit your brother for me please?
Band-Aids 5c/?
anonymous
June 6 2011, 15:36:17 UTC
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: really?
WritesforFish: No, he threw a pen lid at me. It missed.
WritesforFish: I’ll save the stalking for another book okay?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: NO! Not Okay!!!
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: are you listening to me?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: Niels?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: NIELS!! are you there???? no stalking! i’m damn serious about this!
puffinpal4evar: i think yer screwed Tino. sorry. but i’m glad to hear that youre stopping the stalking thingy and that the kid is fine. keep us updated and stuff. ttyl.
Tino flopped back in his desk chair in frustration. One of the hazards of being close friends with a writer was that without fail, he would be written about. So far he’d made a cameo in every single one of Niels’ books and very often his character had some event taken directly from his own life written in. Like the boat incident, or the dinner incident or god forbid -the Moomin incident. Niels also enjoyed killing of his character for some reason.
Digging through papers scattered on his desk, he accidentally knocked a notebook off the corner. Looking at the title written across it, TIno realized it was his notebook from following Peter for the last two weeks. Picking it up, he examined it thoughtfully. He didn’t really need it anymore and it was a little embarrassing to look at. So he felt around for a pen and on the page containing his last entry he wrote in small letters ‘solved’ and tossed the notebook onto a pile of other random documents that he needed to sort or throw away, promptly forgetting all about it for the minute. He had to get packed and get Hanatamago ready. He was going home to Finland for three days and needed to be ready for the plane in the morning.
Waking up early on Saturday, Tino coaxed Hanatamago into her carrier and caught the bus shuttle that took him out to Malmö airport. He got there early and easily checked in and went through security. Then he wandered through the quiet airport and found a good place to wait until it was time to board. Tino sat down and pulled out a magazine, half dozing in the early hour. The morning passed by slowly and the airport began to get busier as more people arrived and left.
Suddenly, an extremely loud voice blasted him and every other passenger around him to complete awareness.
“Peter!! I’m over heeerreee!”
Everyone in the area turned to glare at the incredibly loud man standing in the middle of the terminal. He looked like he was in his mid-twenties with very blond hair and blue eyes covered by a pair of glasses. And was he really wearing a bomber jacket?
“I’ve seen this man before but where?” wondered Tino, watching him carefully.
But now the man was waving his arm in the air frantically and Tino whipped his magazine up to cover his face just as Peter Kirkland ran up and slammed into the older man. Following behind him at a slower pace came Berwald, carrying a bag.
“Alfred! You’re here!”
Alfred wrapped Peter in a bear hug and laughed. “Well of course! How else is my plane gonna get to Sweden? Planes are pretty cool now but they still need someone driving.”
“Does that mean that Matthew is here too?” Peter asked eagerly.
“Yup!” replied Alfred. “We flew over together and everything. The time change was brutal. Francis is there already. He came over on that chunnel tunnel thingy from Paris.”
“That’s brilliant!”
“More like awesome.”
Peter tried to punch Alfred but he just dodged out of the way and laughed. “Anyways, do you have your bag?” he asked. “We need to get going since I have a specific time slot reserved for takeoff. If we miss it, I don’t know how long it will take to get us out of here.”
It seemed as though he hadn’t spotted Berwald who was standing back and holding the small travel bag, obviously Peter’s.
“Yeah, I got it!” Peter ran back to his dad and grabbed the bag out of his hands. Alfred came forward to take the bag and greet Berwald. Berwald nodded back but didn’t say anything.
“Well, are we good to go then?” Alfred asked, beaming down at Peter.
“I think so,” nodded Peter looking around to see if he’d forgotten anything but he hadn’t. “Dad, I’ll see you in a week!”
Band-Aids 5d/?
anonymous
June 6 2011, 15:43:35 UTC
“Hope ya have a good time Peter,” Berwald said quietly. “Be careful n’all.”
“I’ll be fine Dad,” Peter called over his shoulder, already walking down the terminal with Alfred. The two of them started talking loudly, oblivious to everyone as they made their way towards the tarmac entrance. Tino could see that Peter was practically skipping with excitement. It was very sweet and Tino couldn’t help but smile a little. Then by chance, he glanced back to look at Berwald.
It was as though a brick hit him square in the chest.
It was the first time Tino had really truly been close enough to see Berwald’s face and he almost wished that he hadn’t seen.
Because Berwald was watching Peter and Alfred disappear down the terminal with such a desperate look of loneliness that Tino felt his breath choke up and his chest tighten. He didn’t move, blink or even seem to breathe. He just stared and it was unmistakable that he wanted more than anything to run and pull Peter back to him. But he didn’t move.
He just watched them disappear into the distance.
In that instant, it was easy to forget how terrifying Berwald could be and just see a man who was being split apart yet refusing to lose composure or pride.
Observing from the side, Tino felt an insane urge to run up and wrap his arms around Berwald in a desperate attempt to wipe that expression off his face and replace it with something else. He knew it himself- that horrible despair and he wanted more than anything to drive it away. Because no one should ever have to experience that. But he remained seated, knowing how foolish it would be to approach this man who had no clue who he even was.
So Tino watched Berwald walk away, hands in his pockets and his posture somewhat slumped. No one else paid him any attention. It was as though he’d become invisible, too easy to ignore without the loud man and energetic child. He vanished from sight around a corner and Tino made a decision there and then. When he came back, somehow he would find a way to meet with Berwald Oxentierna and they would become friends.
Authornotes: Happy National Day Sweden!! Here's the next part, a bit longer than usual. Ignore the mispost above, I'll have a mod delete it. Also from now on this fill will continue here at the past part fills part 6. http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/20706.html?thread=77624290#t77624290
OP:Thanks! Real life is crazy for me now but I will try my best to keep a constant schedule. C1: XD The best part is that Berwald probably has no clue what Peter is talking about. He's just doing the whole parental nod and agree thing.
Aww, poor Sweden! Who cares if he doesn't know you; get your butt over there and give him a big, wet kiss, Fin! I can't wait to see them get together ^o^/♥
“I suppose so. I’d much rather have him as a teacher than dumb ol-”
“Peter!” Berwald interrupted him. “Don’t talk that way ‘bout the other teachers. S’rude.”
“But it’s true!!” Peter whined. The other six year teachers are all boring and stodgy. At least Tino likes recess duty and doing stuff with us.
“There’s more to school than recess. B’sides Ester n’ Karina are both quite a bit older than Tino. More experienced too,” Berwald pointed out.
“I’d still rather have Tino,” muttered Peter under his breath. “He’s actually fun to be around.”
Silence fell between them for a while and they started to eat again before Berwald said softly “Well, M’glad that you like him so much.”
“Everyone likes him,” said Peter. “He’s really cheerful and everything. Even the younger students want to be around him. Just the other day a bunch of younger girls dragged him off to play jump rope. It was really funny; he kept getting caught up in the rope.”
Berwald made an inaudible noise and the two finished eating. Shortly after, they paid for their food and left while Tino sat in silence at his table, trying to process what he’d just heard. He was torn between shock and joy. At first, he couldn’t believe that Peter had just lied to his dad but after considering what he’d been seeing for the last week and a half, it was clear that Peter was hiding the band-aids. So there was no possible way he could admit to being the student that Tino had spoken to. As for the other comments, Tino felt such a sense of overwhelming joy that he had to bite the insides of his cheeks to keep from cheering like a complete idiot in the restaurant.
His students liked him. Peter liked him. Other students besides his own liked him.
Tino felt such a surge of happiness he could barely breathe. Of course he wasn’t foolish enough to think that just because one of his students had made a broad statement that it was actually true for everyone. But still, Peter had told his dad that he preferred him over two more experienced and arguably superior teachers. Something like that shouldn’t make him so ridiculously happy.
But it did.
Leaning back into his chair, Tino allowed a small smile to spread across his face. He knew that he was generally an agreeable sort of person and that he worked well with kids but that hadn’t prevented him from being nervous about his first teaching job. Hearing Peter’s words was incredibly soothing to the small part of him that worried about whether or not he was managing to connect with his students. And it was true that he was trying to get to know the younger students. Someday they would be students of his and it was important to get to know them. Besides, there were worse things in life than being outshone by a group of ten year old girls with jump ropes.
For the rest of the week and into the weekend, Tino continued to follow Berwald and Peter. However on Sunday after his second week, he finally accepted that nothing was going on and debated if it was a good time to finally stop. He had gone from being seriously concerned to mildly curious about the whole band-aid issue. It was clear to him that Peter and Berwald had a great albeit slightly unusual father-son relationship and that nothing going on. Peter was still wearing band-aids at school and not at home but perhaps...
It was time for him to just let it go.
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Oh man, I am so so sorry that it took me this long to put up the next part. I didn't mean to let two weeks go between parts. I moved last weekend and lost a ton of time and internet and all that. If I don't have huge chunks of time to write, I have trouble getting stuff done and I have to shift it to the next weekend. I'd like to get out at least one part a week. But we're moving along here! As always, feel free to critique.
C1: I'm so glad you love it! Sweden is indeed adorable.
C2: Hehe, lots of description but we're moving past it slowly. Fin is figuring out though.
C3:The wood wasn't really important. Someone knocked into Sweden and it fell out of his hands. I just wanted to show that Tino can't always see everything that's going on.XD
C4: I'm so sorry!! Really I am! I read an article in NYT that gave me the impression that the majority of Swedes have 'son' in their last names. Clearly, I was wrong. Thanks for clearing it up for me. I'm glad you like it so far!
C5: I do rather like the image of Tino lying on the floor pummeled by cans as onlookers stare at him in confusion. XD The wood was knocked by another person and dropped onto Peter, poor kid.
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Absolutely love this, A!a
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Stepping out of his apartment on Monday morning, Tino shivered and pulled his coat tighter around himself. October was drawing to a close and daylight was becoming scarce. Frost covered the ground every morning and people were hauling out their warmer clothes.
Tino knew that the upcoming week was going to be a little crazy. The last few days in October and first few of November was Autumn break for the school and all the students were looking forward to the combination of Halloween and All Saints Day. Tino was happy to have a break of course, but there was still one week of work to complete.
Getting into his classroom, he started to prepare for the arrival of all his students. He needed to figure out if he should keep following Peter or not. After Sunday, he was leaning more towards the ‘not’ side but he could wait and see. It didn’t take long for the kids to fill up the class room and get noisy. Once everyone had gotten their coats hung up and were seated, Tino took role call and started the day.
During the lunch break, Tino was in his classroom preparing packets for the social studies lesson. He’d pulled a few news articles about different cultural issues between European countries for reading and discussion. Now he was organizing and stapling them to be passed out when he heard someone approaching him. Looking up, he was very surprised to see Peter shuffling up to him. Immediately becoming concerned, Tino asked “Peter are you alright?”
Peter nodded at him but didn’t say anything. Tino felt a sick feeling rise in his chest and he hesitated before asking “Is there something you need to talk to me about?”
Peter nodded again and leaned up against his desk, trying to keep his eyes on the floor rather than Tino.
“I’m listening” he prompted gently.
Peter sighed and looked up. “I need to apologize to you.”
Tino stared. That was not what he thought Peter was going to say.
“Why do you need to apologize?” asked Tino, putting down his papers and turning to face Peter and give him his full attention.
“Well I talked to my dad about the whole band-aid thing and he told me that I was making you worry.”
Tino considered this before saying “Peter, please explain this to me. Why have you been wearing band-aids for the last month or more?”
“Because they’re really cool looking!” said Peter as though this was completely obvious to anyone. “They’re like tattoos except they’re removable and they make you look tough. And they come in all sorts of colors and designs.”
“And you talked to your dad about all of this?” Tino asked carefully, wanting to believe everything he was hearing but also knowing that he only had a certain amount of information.
Peter nodded and shuffled a little. “Yes, I did end up talking to him and he told me that I had to stop. Also said I ought to apologize. So I’m sorry for making you worry. It was just for fun. I didn’t think it was all that important.”
“It is important Peter, because I was afraid that you were being hurt by someone. Normally people don’t wear bandages unless they need them. So I didn’t know what to think,” Tino said gently.
“He said he wouldn’t buy me any more cool ones. Just beige from now on.” Peter didn’t look too happy about the idea but he was relaxing the more he spoke. “but I’m not going to wear them anymore,” Peter muttered. “I’ve stopped.”
Tino took the time to examine Peter more carefully and yes - for the first time in ages it seemed as though he had no band-aids on him anywhere. The sick feeling in his chest began to fall away, crushed by the sweet sense of relief that was sweeping through him.
“Well, I’m very grateful that you came and spoke with me,” Tino beamed. “I’m so glad to know that you are alright.”
Peter was looking much happier now that he didn’t seem to be in trouble. He straightened up and grinned. “Well you know, maybe I can convince my dad to let me get a tattoo! It would be brilliant.”
Tino really did laugh then. “Peter, you have a better chance of getting elected into Parliament than getting a tattoo at age twelve.”
“I can always hope,” he said stubbornly but obviously knowing how bad his chances really were.
“Well keep hoping until you’re eighteen. Then you can get whatever you want,” replied Tino with a wry tone.
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“Yeah! I want something hardcore like a death robot with a missile launcher killing a dragon and it can twist around my chest and everything! And I can put words in it too. Wouldn’t that be great!?”
Tino decided that staying quiet would be the best decision here. He nodded instead.
“Anyways, I have to go eat or else I’ll miss all of lunch.” Peter turned towards the door, and glanced at the wall clock to note how much of the lunch period was gone.
“Go eat,” agreed Tino. “We don’t need you bandaged and hungry.”
Peter laughed too and walked from the room, perfectly cheerful and clearly brainstorming more details for his tattoo, leaving Tino to turn back to his paper packets.
God, what an idea.
He had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing as he imagined Peter going up to his dad to announce that he wanted - what was it? Oh, a death robot killing a dragon across his chest. Forget stalking, he would have paid good money, a lot of money- to see that conversation. Imagining the stoic Berwald trying to face down the creativity of his son was hilarious. But he was sure that nothing would ever come of it, except a good story to laugh at years down the road.
However, in a strange way it made perfect sense. If Peter wanted a tattoo but couldn’t get one, fancy band-aids were the closest thing except drawing on yourself which wouldn’t be allowed and it would have been hard to get off. But the most important issue of the whole band-aid debacle was cleared up. Tino rubbed his hands across his face weakly, relieved. There was no longer any need to follow any one and he could stop worrying every waking hour of the day.
The rest of the week shot by quickly. Everyone was looking forward to the break and Tino decided to end the week by having each one of his students bring in a scary story to share. The class spent the entire Friday afternoon reading the stories out loud and trying to out scare each other. At first, all the lights were off to set the mood but after the first two stories, it was decided very quickly that perhaps some light would be better. There had been some really good choices and Tino thoroughly enjoyed himself. He read ‘Viy’ by Gogol and had gone into great detail describing the witch, all the different types of demons and the horrific death. After the end, he let them out a bit early and watched a bit confused and concerned as all seventeen students got their bags and coats, and walked from the class in subdued silence, some of them looking a bit sick.
Later that evening, Tino was bustling around his apartment packing and trying talk to Niels on his laptop at the same time and sort of managing it.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: so in summary i’m an over concerned moron who should probably mind his own business
WritesforFish: I could have told you that.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: hilarious Niels
WritesforFish: Anytime
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: *sigh*
WritesforFish: What are you going to do now?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: nothing. there’s no reason to do anything. peter’s fine, and i can relax and focus on other stuff. get life back to normal.
WritesforFish: Great, I’ll make sure to write a note for my second edit.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: Niels!! you’d better not be writing me into another one of your books!!
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: i’m sick of getting trampled or drowining or dying in tragic ways. can’t you find other people to write about? and kill?
WritesforFish: Honestly Tino, it’s just a small cameo and you’re unrecognizable.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: i sent a copy of your most recent book to Eduard to read and he emailed me back asking when i’d been around viking style boats and if i was alright!
WritesforFish: You have to admit that you getting caught on the prow of a boat at that Viking festival was hilarious.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: the point is that he recognized me. so don’t please? and you promised to delete those boat photos, did you?
WritesforFish: Fine. I’ll just have you pecked to death by puffins or something.
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: NIELS!!!
puffinpal4evar: puffins are awesome though
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: Eirikur hit your brother for me please?
puffinpal4evar: k
puffinpal4evar: i hit him
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WritesforFish: No, he threw a pen lid at me. It missed.
WritesforFish: I’ll save the stalking for another book okay?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: NO! Not Okay!!!
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: are you listening to me?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: Niels?
eclecticdeathmetalstingray: NIELS!! are you there???? no stalking! i’m damn serious about this!
puffinpal4evar: i think yer screwed Tino. sorry. but i’m glad to hear that youre stopping the stalking thingy and that the kid is fine. keep us updated and stuff. ttyl.
Tino flopped back in his desk chair in frustration. One of the hazards of being close friends with a writer was that without fail, he would be written about. So far he’d made a cameo in every single one of Niels’ books and very often his character had some event taken directly from his own life written in. Like the boat incident, or the dinner incident or god forbid -the Moomin incident. Niels also enjoyed killing of his character for some reason.
Digging through papers scattered on his desk, he accidentally knocked a notebook off the corner. Looking at the title written across it, TIno realized it was his notebook from following Peter for the last two weeks. Picking it up, he examined it thoughtfully. He didn’t really need it anymore and it was a little embarrassing to look at. So he felt around for a pen and on the page containing his last entry he wrote in small letters ‘solved’ and tossed the notebook onto a pile of other random documents that he needed to sort or throw away, promptly forgetting all about it for the minute. He had to get packed and get Hanatamago ready. He was going home to Finland for three days and needed to be ready for the plane in the morning.
Waking up early on Saturday, Tino coaxed Hanatamago into her carrier and caught the bus shuttle that took him out to Malmö airport. He got there early and easily checked in and went through security. Then he wandered through the quiet airport and found a good place to wait until it was time to board. Tino sat down and pulled out a magazine, half dozing in the early hour. The morning passed by slowly and the airport began to get busier as more people arrived and left.
Suddenly, an extremely loud voice blasted him and every other passenger around him to complete awareness.
“Peter!! I’m over heeerreee!”
Everyone in the area turned to glare at the incredibly loud man standing in the middle of the terminal. He looked like he was in his mid-twenties with very blond hair and blue eyes covered by a pair of glasses. And was he really wearing a bomber jacket?
“I’ve seen this man before but where?” wondered Tino, watching him carefully.
But now the man was waving his arm in the air frantically and Tino whipped his magazine up to cover his face just as Peter Kirkland ran up and slammed into the older man. Following behind him at a slower pace came Berwald, carrying a bag.
“Alfred! You’re here!”
Alfred wrapped Peter in a bear hug and laughed. “Well of course! How else is my plane gonna get to Sweden? Planes are pretty cool now but they still need someone driving.”
“Does that mean that Matthew is here too?” Peter asked eagerly.
“Yup!” replied Alfred. “We flew over together and everything. The time change was brutal. Francis is there already. He came over on that chunnel tunnel thingy from Paris.”
“That’s brilliant!”
“More like awesome.”
Peter tried to punch Alfred but he just dodged out of the way and laughed. “Anyways, do you have your bag?” he asked. “We need to get going since I have a specific time slot reserved for takeoff. If we miss it, I don’t know how long it will take to get us out of here.”
It seemed as though he hadn’t spotted Berwald who was standing back and holding the small travel bag, obviously Peter’s.
“Yeah, I got it!” Peter ran back to his dad and grabbed the bag out of his hands. Alfred came forward to take the bag and greet Berwald. Berwald nodded back but didn’t say anything.
“Well, are we good to go then?” Alfred asked, beaming down at Peter.
“I think so,” nodded Peter looking around to see if he’d forgotten anything but he hadn’t. “Dad, I’ll see you in a week!”
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“Hope ya have a good time Peter,” Berwald said quietly. “Be careful n’all.”
“I’ll be fine Dad,” Peter called over his shoulder, already walking down the terminal with Alfred. The two of them started talking loudly, oblivious to everyone as they made their way towards the tarmac entrance. Tino could see that Peter was practically skipping with excitement. It was very sweet and Tino couldn’t help but smile a little. Then by chance, he glanced back to look at Berwald.
It was as though a brick hit him square in the chest.
It was the first time Tino had really truly been close enough to see Berwald’s face and he almost wished that he hadn’t seen.
Because Berwald was watching Peter and Alfred disappear down the terminal with such a desperate look of loneliness that Tino felt his breath choke up and his chest tighten. He didn’t move, blink or even seem to breathe. He just stared and it was unmistakable that he wanted more than anything to run and pull Peter back to him. But he didn’t move.
He just watched them disappear into the distance.
In that instant, it was easy to forget how terrifying Berwald could be and just see a man who was being split apart yet refusing to lose composure or pride.
Observing from the side, Tino felt an insane urge to run up and wrap his arms around Berwald in a desperate attempt to wipe that expression off his face and replace it with something else. He knew it himself- that horrible despair and he wanted more than anything to drive it away. Because no one should ever have to experience that. But he remained seated, knowing how foolish it would be to approach this man who had no clue who he even was.
So Tino watched Berwald walk away, hands in his pockets and his posture somewhat slumped. No one else paid him any attention. It was as though he’d become invisible, too easy to ignore without the loud man and energetic child. He vanished from sight around a corner and Tino made a decision there and then. When he came back, somehow he would find a way to meet with Berwald Oxentierna and they would become friends.
Authornotes: Happy National Day Sweden!! Here's the next part, a bit longer than usual. Ignore the mispost above, I'll have a mod delete it. Also from now on this fill will continue here at the past part fills part 6. http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/20706.html?thread=77624290#t77624290
OP:Thanks! Real life is crazy for me now but I will try my best to keep a constant schedule.
C1: XD The best part is that Berwald probably has no clue what Peter is talking about. He's just doing the whole parental nod and agree thing.
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