To Tame a Viking: Chapter Ten
Title: To Tame a Viking: Chapter Ten
Author/Artist: Schizounicorn/AWildFangirlAppeared
Character(s) or Pairing(s): SuFin
Rating: Pg-13 for now. Will go up to R later.
Warnings: Violence, Adult themes (later), Swearing
Summary: A young photographer named Tino meets a handsome Viking named Berwald, who has been sealed away by a magic spell for centuries and awakened only recently. Stranger yet, Berwald seems to think Tino is his wife! And what are these mysterious dreams Tino is having?
For days after what came to be known in the Väinämöinen household as the “Eggs and Bacon Incident”, Tino’s father became more withdrawn, coming out of the shed only to eat, sleep or soak in the sauna he had built beside it. Tino’s mother tried to fill the strange void by sitting at Tino’s side, together with Berwald. As opposed to her husband, Tarja had taken a liking to Berwald, and taught him English words whenever she had the chance.
On Thursday, there was a sudden thunderstorm, a typical weather event in the Ohio River Valley. As a result of the heavy downpour and relentless lightning, Marco Väinämöinen was forced to stay inside with his family. His self imposed isolation, however, still held, as he spent the day in the basement, drafting designs for future projects.
Tino spent most of his day in front of the TV, watching the uninteresting daytime programming and wishing that Lukas would hurry up already with his remedy. All wasn’t lost. He had Berwald and his mother to chat with.
“Tino, do you think I should enter some of my paintings in the art fair this fall?” his mother said as she added highlights to her acrylic still life of an orange.
“Yeah, you’ve always wanted to do it. Now that you’re retired, you should go for it!” Tino replied, craning his neck to see his mother’s work.
“If there’s one thing I like most about being retired,” she said, “It’s the fact that I get to paint like this every day.”
Berwald, meanwhile, watched her intently, leaning towards the canvas and squinting. It was clear that he wanted to say something, but didn’t know how.
“What call th’s, in English.”
“It’s a painting.” Tino’s mother replied, as slowly and carefully as she could.
“She has, painting.” Berwald said, weighed down by his heavy accent.
Tino nodded, “That’s right, a painting. Why are you squinting like that?”
Berwald switched back to Old Norse “There’s a p’rblem with m’ eyes. Can’t see things that ‘r too far away.”
“Aha! You’re nearsighted, you need glasses.” Tino exclaimed. Now that he thought about it, he realized that perhaps Berwald’s intimidating narrow eyes were caused by having to constantly squint.
“Are glasses th’ things Eduard wears on ‘is eyes.”
“Yes, for the same reason, actually. I’m so excited, Berwald! You’ll look so handsome with glasses!”
“Should I make an appointment with the optometrist for tomorrow? He’ll need to have his glasses for his English lessons on Saturday.”
“Good idea, mom.”
XxXx
Obtaining Berwald’s glasses turned out to be quite an ordeal. If it weren’t for Tino coming along in his wheelchair and translating for Berwald, then the appointment would have been a complete disaster. The eye doctor, a nice lady named Tammy, quickly became impatient with Berwald’s antics. The machinery terrified Berwald, and Tino had to restrain the Viking several times. At least they didn’t have to dilate his pupils. They apparently had a new machine for that, one that blew swift puffs of air into people’s eyes. Berwald hated it.
At the end of the day, however, Berwald came home with a pair of rectangular, wire framed glasses. He gawked at his surroundings, relishing his newfound ability to see things clearly.
“These glasses, I like ‘em.” Berwald said with a smile.
Tino sat up from the couch slightly, running a hand over his boyfriend’s high cheekbones and touching the cold frames of the glasses. “You look so…..nice. They really open up your eyes.” he said, blushing. “I mean, you were always good-looking, this is just new.”
Berwald leaned forward and kissed him deeply.
XxXx
On Saturday, there was a brisk knock at the door. Tino’s mother put down her painting and rushed to answer it.
Yekaterina’s arms were loaded with all sorts of books, which she held against her ample bosom. Her short, ash blond hair was held back with a canary yellow headband.
“Oh, Tarja. It’s nice to see you again.” She chirped, “How are the paintings coming along?”
“Really well! I’m thinking of entering them in the St. James Art Fair!”
“Oh, I’ll have to stop by your tent and buy something. That’s really exciting.”
“Come in, your student is waiting in the living room.”
Berwald sat in a navy blue armchair, adjusting his new glasses. He gazed up at Yekaterina and nodded.
Tino’s face was illuminated with a smile. If he could stand up and greet his friend, Yekaterina, he would, but it was obviously impossible. Instead, he opted for a seated greeting.
“Kat, how’s it going? Should we move to the kitchen table?”
“No, Tino,” she replied, “We can do it here. It’s much cozier.” Yekaterina then turned back to face Berwald, smiling and sitting on the carpeted floor just in front of his chair. “Hello Berwald. Eduard and Tino have told me so much about you.”
“’Lo” Berwald said. “I learn English?”
“Yes. You’ve already learned quite a bit, it seems. Why don’t we learn about the Alphabet, first? It’s our version of runes!”
XxXx
There was a slight chill in the air that night, but the almost metallic chirp of crickets suggested that the warmth of spring was slowly beginning to take hold. Tino was happy to get some fresh air, and grateful to Berwald, who had carried him out to the patio. Despite the cool weather, Tino felt toasty warm. Berwald held him in his lap, his large frame enveloping Tino’s body.
“Berwald, you’re just like a living blanket, you know that?” Tino chuckled, resting a full cheek on the Viking’s broad chest.
“M’ glad yer warm.” Berwald said, his lips brushing the top of Tino’s head as he spoke.
Tino turned to face Berwald, and closed in for a kiss. Having been apart for centuries, the couple couldn’t help but kiss as often as possible. Not that Tino was complaining. Kissing Berwald felt perfect, far too perfect. Berwald knew exactly how to make Tino positively melt. Like a sorcerer, he knew exactly how to summon breathy moans and sighs from Tino’s throat. A hand stroking here, a tongue sweeping there, and the world around him ceased to exist. Perfect. So perfect.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Bad time?” the voice of Tino’s mother pierced through the brief moment of passion. Tino and Berwald broke their kiss and turned around to see her.
She was wearing a salmon pink, long sleeved nightgown, but was still shivering slightly. Was it the cold? Was she nervous? The constant wandering of her eyes and wringing of her hands suggested the latter.
“Is cold. You sad?” Berwald seemed to be able to read her plight, but at the same time, wasn’t fluent enough to express himself.
Tino’s mother forced out a trembling chuckle. “No Berwald, I’m not sad. I’m just about to say something I shouldn’t.”
“What’s going on, Mom?” asked Tino, “It’s late, and even Dad is asleep. Is something wrong?”
“Tino, I’ve decided that I’m going to explain your father’s behavior to you.”
Tino saw red. He had been holding in his anger the best he could ever since he had come home, and he couldn’t do so much longer. “Voi vittu jumalauta!* There’s nothing to explain! He’s a homophobic asshole who’s mad his precious son isn’t as totally and completely straight as he is.” The words flew from his lips like scalding water from a geyser, but they needed to be said, even if they made Berwald and his mother cringe.
Tino’s mother took a deep breath and sat in a patio chair beside him and Berwald. “Tino, you’re wrong. Your father isn’t ‘totally and completely straight’.”
“I-I beg your pardon?”
“You’re father is, I suppose, what you would call bisexual. Obviously, he married me, but has been with a man before.”
“Then what does he see wrong with me?” by now, Tino was utterly and completely confused.
“Nothing. He just doesn’t want you to get hurt. You look confused; I’ll have to tell you the story.”
Tino nodded and gripped Berwald’s hand.
“Back when you’re father was going to the University of Turku, well, before we started dating, he had a boyfriend. A tall, blond fellow named Jukka. They were inseparable, kind of like you and Berwald.”
“What happened?”
“Hush Tino, you’re acting like a child. This isn’t a bedtime story, you know. Well, when your father and I were young, very few people accepted, well, homosexuality. I’m afraid I don’t know all the details, but apparently Jukka had something of a macho image. He dumped your father without warning, and proceeded to out him to all of his friends. Many of them didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of hanging around a queer man, and never spoke to him again.”
Tino was speechless. What a horrible thing to do to someone, particularly someone who was still in the closet! No wonder his father was wary of his relationships. But his feelings of sympathy for his father were still conflicted by his anger. If this were true, why hadn’t his father told him about it?
“Why? Why did he keep all of that a secret from me? He knows I’m gay. I would’ve liked to know what his deal was.”
“That, Tino, is a question that only he can answer.”
XxXx
((Wow, thank you all for reading this story and being patient with me. I’ll try to update faster. Anyways, I forgot to say that Sven, Berwald’s little brother mentioned in one of the flashbacks, is supposed to be Ladonia.
It seems that Berwald has finally gotten his glasses. And yes, the evil air puffing machine he encountered at the eye doctor is a real thing. I have to deal with it every time I go to get my eyes re-checked. Not fun!
Because this story is set in Louisville, I just HAD to add in a random storm. As much as I love the area, the Ohio River Valley is really rainy. I remember storms seemingly appearing out of nowhere when I was a kid!
XxXx
*Voi vittu jumalauta is Finnish for “Oh fuck, goddamn it!”))
Author/Artist: Schizounicorn/AWildFangirlAppeared
Character(s) or Pairing(s): SuFin
Rating: Pg-13 for now. Will go up to R later.
Warnings: Violence, Adult themes (later), Swearing
Summary: A young photographer named Tino meets a handsome Viking named Berwald, who has been sealed away by a magic spell for centuries and awakened only recently. Stranger yet, Berwald seems to think Tino is his wife! And what are these mysterious dreams Tino is having?
For days after what came to be known in the Väinämöinen household as the “Eggs and Bacon Incident”, Tino’s father became more withdrawn, coming out of the shed only to eat, sleep or soak in the sauna he had built beside it. Tino’s mother tried to fill the strange void by sitting at Tino’s side, together with Berwald. As opposed to her husband, Tarja had taken a liking to Berwald, and taught him English words whenever she had the chance.
On Thursday, there was a sudden thunderstorm, a typical weather event in the Ohio River Valley. As a result of the heavy downpour and relentless lightning, Marco Väinämöinen was forced to stay inside with his family. His self imposed isolation, however, still held, as he spent the day in the basement, drafting designs for future projects.
Tino spent most of his day in front of the TV, watching the uninteresting daytime programming and wishing that Lukas would hurry up already with his remedy. All wasn’t lost. He had Berwald and his mother to chat with.
“Tino, do you think I should enter some of my paintings in the art fair this fall?” his mother said as she added highlights to her acrylic still life of an orange.
“Yeah, you’ve always wanted to do it. Now that you’re retired, you should go for it!” Tino replied, craning his neck to see his mother’s work.
“If there’s one thing I like most about being retired,” she said, “It’s the fact that I get to paint like this every day.”
Berwald, meanwhile, watched her intently, leaning towards the canvas and squinting. It was clear that he wanted to say something, but didn’t know how.
“What call th’s, in English.”
“It’s a painting.” Tino’s mother replied, as slowly and carefully as she could.
“She has, painting.” Berwald said, weighed down by his heavy accent.
Tino nodded, “That’s right, a painting. Why are you squinting like that?”
Berwald switched back to Old Norse “There’s a p’rblem with m’ eyes. Can’t see things that ‘r too far away.”
“Aha! You’re nearsighted, you need glasses.” Tino exclaimed. Now that he thought about it, he realized that perhaps Berwald’s intimidating narrow eyes were caused by having to constantly squint.
“Are glasses th’ things Eduard wears on ‘is eyes.”
“Yes, for the same reason, actually. I’m so excited, Berwald! You’ll look so handsome with glasses!”
“Should I make an appointment with the optometrist for tomorrow? He’ll need to have his glasses for his English lessons on Saturday.”
“Good idea, mom.”
XxXx
Obtaining Berwald’s glasses turned out to be quite an ordeal. If it weren’t for Tino coming along in his wheelchair and translating for Berwald, then the appointment would have been a complete disaster. The eye doctor, a nice lady named Tammy, quickly became impatient with Berwald’s antics. The machinery terrified Berwald, and Tino had to restrain the Viking several times. At least they didn’t have to dilate his pupils. They apparently had a new machine for that, one that blew swift puffs of air into people’s eyes. Berwald hated it.
At the end of the day, however, Berwald came home with a pair of rectangular, wire framed glasses. He gawked at his surroundings, relishing his newfound ability to see things clearly.
“These glasses, I like ‘em.” Berwald said with a smile.
Tino sat up from the couch slightly, running a hand over his boyfriend’s high cheekbones and touching the cold frames of the glasses. “You look so…..nice. They really open up your eyes.” he said, blushing. “I mean, you were always good-looking, this is just new.”
Berwald leaned forward and kissed him deeply.
XxXx
On Saturday, there was a brisk knock at the door. Tino’s mother put down her painting and rushed to answer it.
Yekaterina’s arms were loaded with all sorts of books, which she held against her ample bosom. Her short, ash blond hair was held back with a canary yellow headband.
“Oh, Tarja. It’s nice to see you again.” She chirped, “How are the paintings coming along?”
“Really well! I’m thinking of entering them in the St. James Art Fair!”
“Oh, I’ll have to stop by your tent and buy something. That’s really exciting.”
“Come in, your student is waiting in the living room.”
Berwald sat in a navy blue armchair, adjusting his new glasses. He gazed up at Yekaterina and nodded.
Tino’s face was illuminated with a smile. If he could stand up and greet his friend, Yekaterina, he would, but it was obviously impossible. Instead, he opted for a seated greeting.
“Kat, how’s it going? Should we move to the kitchen table?”
“No, Tino,” she replied, “We can do it here. It’s much cozier.” Yekaterina then turned back to face Berwald, smiling and sitting on the carpeted floor just in front of his chair. “Hello Berwald. Eduard and Tino have told me so much about you.”
“’Lo” Berwald said. “I learn English?”
“Yes. You’ve already learned quite a bit, it seems. Why don’t we learn about the Alphabet, first? It’s our version of runes!”
XxXx
There was a slight chill in the air that night, but the almost metallic chirp of crickets suggested that the warmth of spring was slowly beginning to take hold. Tino was happy to get some fresh air, and grateful to Berwald, who had carried him out to the patio. Despite the cool weather, Tino felt toasty warm. Berwald held him in his lap, his large frame enveloping Tino’s body.
“Berwald, you’re just like a living blanket, you know that?” Tino chuckled, resting a full cheek on the Viking’s broad chest.
“M’ glad yer warm.” Berwald said, his lips brushing the top of Tino’s head as he spoke.
Tino turned to face Berwald, and closed in for a kiss. Having been apart for centuries, the couple couldn’t help but kiss as often as possible. Not that Tino was complaining. Kissing Berwald felt perfect, far too perfect. Berwald knew exactly how to make Tino positively melt. Like a sorcerer, he knew exactly how to summon breathy moans and sighs from Tino’s throat. A hand stroking here, a tongue sweeping there, and the world around him ceased to exist. Perfect. So perfect.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Bad time?” the voice of Tino’s mother pierced through the brief moment of passion. Tino and Berwald broke their kiss and turned around to see her.
She was wearing a salmon pink, long sleeved nightgown, but was still shivering slightly. Was it the cold? Was she nervous? The constant wandering of her eyes and wringing of her hands suggested the latter.
“Is cold. You sad?” Berwald seemed to be able to read her plight, but at the same time, wasn’t fluent enough to express himself.
Tino’s mother forced out a trembling chuckle. “No Berwald, I’m not sad. I’m just about to say something I shouldn’t.”
“What’s going on, Mom?” asked Tino, “It’s late, and even Dad is asleep. Is something wrong?”
“Tino, I’ve decided that I’m going to explain your father’s behavior to you.”
Tino saw red. He had been holding in his anger the best he could ever since he had come home, and he couldn’t do so much longer. “Voi vittu jumalauta!* There’s nothing to explain! He’s a homophobic asshole who’s mad his precious son isn’t as totally and completely straight as he is.” The words flew from his lips like scalding water from a geyser, but they needed to be said, even if they made Berwald and his mother cringe.
Tino’s mother took a deep breath and sat in a patio chair beside him and Berwald. “Tino, you’re wrong. Your father isn’t ‘totally and completely straight’.”
“I-I beg your pardon?”
“You’re father is, I suppose, what you would call bisexual. Obviously, he married me, but has been with a man before.”
“Then what does he see wrong with me?” by now, Tino was utterly and completely confused.
“Nothing. He just doesn’t want you to get hurt. You look confused; I’ll have to tell you the story.”
Tino nodded and gripped Berwald’s hand.
“Back when you’re father was going to the University of Turku, well, before we started dating, he had a boyfriend. A tall, blond fellow named Jukka. They were inseparable, kind of like you and Berwald.”
“What happened?”
“Hush Tino, you’re acting like a child. This isn’t a bedtime story, you know. Well, when your father and I were young, very few people accepted, well, homosexuality. I’m afraid I don’t know all the details, but apparently Jukka had something of a macho image. He dumped your father without warning, and proceeded to out him to all of his friends. Many of them didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of hanging around a queer man, and never spoke to him again.”
Tino was speechless. What a horrible thing to do to someone, particularly someone who was still in the closet! No wonder his father was wary of his relationships. But his feelings of sympathy for his father were still conflicted by his anger. If this were true, why hadn’t his father told him about it?
“Why? Why did he keep all of that a secret from me? He knows I’m gay. I would’ve liked to know what his deal was.”
“That, Tino, is a question that only he can answer.”
XxXx
((Wow, thank you all for reading this story and being patient with me. I’ll try to update faster. Anyways, I forgot to say that Sven, Berwald’s little brother mentioned in one of the flashbacks, is supposed to be Ladonia.
It seems that Berwald has finally gotten his glasses. And yes, the evil air puffing machine he encountered at the eye doctor is a real thing. I have to deal with it every time I go to get my eyes re-checked. Not fun!
Because this story is set in Louisville, I just HAD to add in a random storm. As much as I love the area, the Ohio River Valley is really rainy. I remember storms seemingly appearing out of nowhere when I was a kid!
XxXx
*Voi vittu jumalauta is Finnish for “Oh fuck, goddamn it!”))