[FanFic] All's Fair in Love and War
Title: All's Fair in Love and War
Prompt: Finland, Denmark - Unexpected complications [Optional time period: 1800s or AU]
Pairing: implied Finland x Estonia and Denmark x Iceland
Time Period: 1800's (mention of 1700's)
Word Count: 1209
Summary: Things don't always go as planned, especially when you're planning a war.
Finland pulled his cap down lower over his eyes and tried to fade into the deepening shadows of the docks. If any of Sweden's people should see him here it would be a disaster. The smell of salt was strong in his nostrils and the sound of rigging creaking in the wind was loud in his ears, but eventually he spotted another figure cautiously moving through the darkness.
Denmark had made an obvious effort to blend in and it was strange to see him looking so subdued. Briefly stepping out of the doorway he was lingering in, Finland made sure that Denmark had seen him before slipping back into the embracing shadows.
"Do you have it?" Were the first words out of Denmark's mouth as he slipped soundlessly into Finland's hiding place.
"Estonia is already spreading them through the Eastern countries." Finland said handed over the packet of documents. "There's enough in there to slip some to Prussia as well."
Denmark bumped their shoulders together companionably as he slipped the papers into the folds of his voluminous coat.
"I can't believe we're doing this." Denmark said as he eyeballed the surrounding area, looking for anything suspicious.
"Me neither." Finland said simply. "But the ball's already rolling and there's no stopping it now." Denmark shot him a wide grin and then slipped back out into the deserted street, blending in perfectly.
It was risky business they were undertaking right beneath their fellow Nordic's noses, and Finland could admit to feeling some guilt about the situation, but not enough to stop what they were doing. If only Sweden had continued along the path that Finland had been gently suggesting to him, then they wouldn't be here, doing this now.
After living with Sweden for more time than he cared to think about, Finland had seen the potential in the man to become an Empire. He had started whispering hints about expansion into Sweden's ears whilst the man was asleep, and then making subtle insinuations to the man when he was awake. It had taken time, and a few coquettish looks, to have Sweden sharpening his sword, studying his maps and meeting with his King.
The war had started out so well, Sweden had been eager and somewhat blood-thirsty, and their borders had expanded. Finland had done his best to direct Sweden's new acquisitive desires towards Estonia, whilst simultaneously suggesting to his clandestine Baltic lover that when Sweden came knocking on his door he should just accept as bloodlessly as possible and join the burgeoning Swedish Empire so that they could be together.
When Estonia had joined their household it had been wonderful. Sweden was so ensnared in the bureaucracy of empire that he had almost no free time, so Finland and Estonia were free to conduct their love affair right beneath their unsuspecting leader's nose. Things had been almost domestic between them as they kept Sweden's house together and did the little paperwork that came their way.
All would have continued to be perfect except that Finland hadn't counted on Denmark becoming so nervous about Sweden's sudden rise in power and influence. Before he'd even known that something was brewing, Denmark had visited Russia and blatantly told the man all kinds of outright lies about Sweden's plans. Suggesting that if Russia didn't do something soon, then Cyrillic would be nothing but a distant memory.
In what seemed like no time at all, Russia, Denmark and Poland attacked simultaneously, splitting Sweden's attention but also directly affecting both Finland and Estonia. They had all fought hard, but in the end, Sweden was defeated and Estonia was taken to live with Russia. Finland also lost a lot of land and was confined to his bed to recover - luckily Sweden thought his tears and pain were all for his ceded territories and not for Estonia's departure.
Years of pining and planning had led to where Finland was now, in cahoots with Denmark and plotting to join the Russian Empire. The master plan was rather simple; Denmark would start insinuating with Russia that Finland was a very desirable territory to have. Finland would fight with everything he had to stay with Sweden making Russia believe that he was most definitely a territory worth fighting for.
Meanwhile, Denmark would launch an attack on Sweden's flank, diverting his attention. They all knew that Sweden would be unable to resist the lure of fighting Denmark, which would give Russia the advantage. Finland would capitulate at an opportune time and then he and Estonia could be together again under a different ruler.
Denmark was hoping to nibble away at Swedish territory and gift it to Norway in compensation for his own ongoing affair with Iceland - which Norway was understandably upset about - knowing that when Sweden lost Finland, he was going to fall to pieces and be unable to continue fighting. That was when the information packets would come in handy, reminding the other nations that Sweden was not to be pitied, that he was violent and possessive and deserving of whatever hand fate dealt him.
***
"What have I done?" Finland whispered to himself as he cradled his head in his hands, tears dampening his fingers and stomach churning unpleasantly. Everything had gone so dreadfully wrong. A whole raft of unexpected complications had turned his long-held plans into nothing more than idle fancies drifting on the cold arctic wind.
Things had started out so well, Russia had gathered his armies and attacked as planned, and Finland had aggressively fought back with Sweden's powerful backing. Denmark had then launched his flanking attack and Sweden had immediately turned to meet it. Without Sweden there to watch his every move, Finland had carefully allowed Russia to win. That's when everything had started to go sour.
Surprisingly, Russia didn't treat him in the same way that he treated his other protectorates. Finland was named a Grand Duchy and granted unanticipated liberties within the Russian Empire. This didn't sit well with Estonia who suspected him of seducing Russia, which he hadn't, and with the support of his fellow Baltics Estonia essentially dissolved their long running affair and pretended that Finland was nobody important.
Broken-hearted, Finland then watched his fellow Nordic's plans also turn to dust. Sweden had gone to pieces as expected, but he had also sued for compensation, stating that Denmark's invasion had cost him Finland and that he would like Norway as recompense. For a normally inarticulate man, Sweden had been surprisingly persuasive, rendering Finland's information packets totally useless. Norway had of course objected, but been over-ruled, and then out-gunned.
Denmark was completely devastated; he and Norway had been in union for centuries and friends for even longer. None of Finland's missives were returned, even the ones that he sent to Iceland, who appeared to be suffering the most from the entire situation. Finland didn't envy the young man, Denmark could be downright mean when he was hurting, and Finland's spies had reported seeing dark bruises on his pale skin.
Wondering what on earth he should do about this whole mess, Finland blew his nose and retreated into his office. There had to be a way out of this situation, a way that wouldn't hurt anyone, and Finland was determined to find it.
***END***