Joy Ride

The title refers to a song, though only vaguely. If you catch the reference, I'd be very excited! :D

Pairings: DenmarkXSweden; ArmeniaXFinland; a little bit of Male!CroatiaXMale!Serbia, ItalyXFem!Slovenia and Male!IrelandXFem!Scotland (non-related, as always). :D All pairings listed alphabetically- no semes or ukes per-se.

There was nothing like the roar of rushing wind over a steadily humming engine. Even if said engine belonged to a blue Prius. An awesome blue Prius, thank you very much. Alexianos rolled down the passenger's window, letting his hand fall to the outer door of the car as cool air bombarded it from all sides. Tino simply cranked up the radio, singing along loudly to Caravan Palace's "Suzy." Alex took the falsetto, while Tino sang the scat.

Berwald and Mathias, in their own turquoise Saab, sped down an endless Mojave highway, watching the boiling sun sink below the earth. Soon, the dry, hot air would grow cold. But for now, they would enjoy the warmth with joyful cries, hoots, and hollers.

"Aleksi," Tino called over the cacophony, "Are you hungry? We can stop for food, if you'd like."

Alex shook his head. "I'm fine. Let's eat at the hotel, if you're not hungry."

The Finn grinned. "Sounds like a plan." The two continued toward their destination, a Mammoth Lakes resort that they would reach at dusk. There, they would spend a week hiking, dining, and sleeping in. To the two friends, both recently graduated with doctorate's degrees in pharmacology, this break seemed like heaven.

Meanwhile, the Dane-and-Swede duo headed toward Las Vegas, Nevada, to enjoy shows, nightclubs, and casinos. They, too, had just graduated- though, unlike their Finnish and Armenian friends, from medical school. After a week's sojourn, the four would meet up in Carpintaria to relax in the beachside paradise.

"Hey, I seriously have to piss," Mathias informed Berwald, "Do we have, like, a Starbucks cup or something?"

Berwald wrinkled his nose. "Eww…"

"I really have to go."

The Swede handed his friend an empty cup, which once contained iced green tea, to pee in.

"Thanks, man!"

Mathias threw the plastic container out the window when he was done. Berwald couldn't help but smile a little.

While Tino focused on the road, Alex indulged in reading- something he had scarcely enough time to do while in graduate school. An author he followed, some Finnish man from Los Angeles, submitted a new chapter to one of his stories. Alexianos eagerly loaded the novella up on his phone, devouring the words that depicted a young, Finnish-Armenian couple composed of two men. So engrossed was he in the story that he barely heard Tino's voice.

"What'cha readin'?"

"Oh!" Alex chuckled nervously. "Nothing. Just some online story."

"What's it about?"

The dark-haired man shifted uncomfortably. "It's romance literature."

Tino grinned. "Romance sounds nice. I haven't been out on a date in ever…"

As the sun began to sink underneath the horizon and the air chilled with elevation and dark, the Finn formulated a plan to change that.

…

Berwald and Mathias, after a long day of driving, made it to the Red Rock Hotel. They were stunned by the beauty that surrounded them as they entered the lobby- Mathias had never seen so many Swarovski crystals in his life, all of which dangled from various chandeliers. The two checked in and headed up to their suite. Though the splendid red and white lights energized them, they were still exhausted. They had stopped for dinner at a small dive right off the Vegas strip before heading over, and the fried food had a soporific effect that Alexianos would probably blame on Tryptophan.

After making it up into the room and sliding a key card through a yielding door, Berwald and Mathias lugged their duffel bags into the foyer. Shutting the door behind them, they glanced around. The walls were adorned in crimson hues and black-rimmed mirrors, and the bed's plush white covers beckoned them to sleep.

"Hmm…'ere's only one bed," Berwald noted, frowning slightly. Mathias blushed.

"Uh, yeah. These rooms cost an arm and a leg, so…I figured you'd be okay with it."

Berwald nodded. "Fine with me. I'm too tired, at 't is."

"We should get some sleep." Mathias stripped to his boxers and settled under the covers. Berwald managed to pull some pajamas out of his duffel and put them on before dragging himself into bed, as well.

"Night, Berwald," Mathias patted his friend's back. Berwald had to admit, the kind touch relaxed his sore muscles, stiff from having driven all day.

"Night, Mathias," the Swede replied, hugging his pillow into his chest.

…

Tino knew it was a little wicked- Alex was an innocent guy, after all, and teasing him like this probably wasn't fair, but the blond was starved for any sort of romantic attention. Was it really so bad? A little bit of harmless flirting couldn't strain their rock-solid friendship, Tino knew, and it would help them let loose a bit.

What he didn't want to admit to himself was that, just maybe, he might kinda-sorta-really have had a crush on Alexianos since junior year of college. Not one that he ever acted on, of course- Alexianos, up until about eight months ago, had been in a relationship with a friendly Turkish man with a larger-than-life smile. Tino simply reminded himself that Alex had a type, and he probably didn't fit it.

Still, that couldn't stop him from teasing.

So, as Tino sat on the edge of his twin bed, leaning back as he read a book and making sure not to keep his knees too close together underneath his robe, he made certain from the corner of his eye that Alexianos was stealing glances at him.

Which he was.

Satisfied, Tino closed his novel and turned to his own nightstand, shutting off the lamp. "Good night, Aleksi."

The Armenian man nodded, the curve of his lips illuminated by the soft lamplight.

"Sweet dreams, Tino."

As the Finn wrapped himself in covers, he couldn't help but notice a tingling sensation in his spine. Maybe it was because he was so comforted by the perfunctory good-night wish that they had given one-another as roommates. Maybe it was because Alexianos genuinely meant it, and when Tino listened closely to his friend whispering evening prayers in his native tongue, the blond could hear his name spoken every time.

Maybe it was because he really did love Alex.

There were a lot of uncertainties, but one thing was sure- Tino couldn't wait to see what the week had in store for them.

…

By ten in the morning, Mathias and Berwald were up and dressed. Berwald wore a soft T-shirt that he'd gotten from a triathlon a few years prior; Mathias wore a thin button-down with grey and white stripes. Both wore light trousers.

"Where to?" Berwald asked, putting on his sunglasses. He looked a whole lot less intense with them on.

"Do you want to go shopping?" Mathias grinned excitedly, "They have an M&M and a Coca-Cola outlet on the strip, and I hear they're really cool."

The Swede nodded. "Fine with me. I put m'self on a gamblin' limit, anyway."

"For how much?"

Berwald smiled, knowing what Mathias' reaction would be. "Ten dollars."

The other blond groaned and cradled his forehead in the palm of his hand. "Berwald…why?"

A shrug replied Mathias' question. "Not much 'f a gambler. Too much risk."

"But you really set a limit?"

Berwald smirked. "I'm Swedish. Tino's even worse; he doesn't gamble 't all. Says it wastes money."

Mathias laughed. "That's why I brought you along on this trip. Tino and Alexianos are too innocent."

"Bet they're not that innocent."

"What do you mean?"

The taller of the two chuckled. "They can't be in t'at close 'f quarters all this time wit'out doin' somethin' wit' each-other. You've seen th' way Tino looks at Alex."

"Uh, you mean the way everybody looks at Alex? Remember when we all went to Ventura that one time, and four random women talked to Alex at once?"

"Don't forget th' homeless guy."

"My point exactly. I don't think Tino can help drooling over that Armenian sex god."

"But it's not just t'at. Tino really cares about 'im. And Alex really cares 'bout Tino, too. I mean, they even call each othe' 'dear.'"

"Oh, the 'jan' thing? I'm pretty sure that's common where Alex comes from."

"You're forgettin' that Tino is Finnish. That's practically a marriage proposal in Joensuu."

"True enough. So, shall we head on out? I bet that I can drink more soda than you!"

Berwald arched an eyebrow, a playful smile lingering on his lips. "We'll see about t'at."

…

"Morning, jan!"

There was a certain melody to Alexianos' voice that Tino just couldn't get enough of. He smiled brightly, opening his well-rested eyes.

"Hi, Alex. What time is it?"

"Almost ten. You were really tired, but I know you'll want to be out and about."

The Finn peered out the window, a bright sun already coruscating upon the landscape.

"Absolutely. What do you want to do? I'm up for anything."

"Well, there's a hiking trail nearby- I think it's called 'Devil's Postpile?' We should check it out."

Tino smiled. "Definitely. Oh gosh, you're already dressed, too. One moment…" Tino took a pair of clean boxers and slipped off his old ones from underneath his robe. Once pulling the new ones on, he stripped himself of the terry-cloth garment and found some jeans. Alexianos shifted uncomfortably, his back turned towards Tino as he glanced out the window.

"Okay, all done! Oh, wait, we'll need bug spray."

Alex found some in his duffel bag and tossed it to Tino's open hands. The blond sprayed on a few runny dots before handing it back.

"You didn't put on much."

"Nah, they don't really eat me. There are so many mosquitoes in Finland, anyway, that I don't even get itchy anymore."

"And if worse comes to worse, you can always use beer as a repellant?"

Tino winked. "That's the plan."

The Armenian man laughed. "Let's get some breakfast, first, then? I'm starving."

"Food sounds incredible right now. Davay!"

Alexianos chuckled again. "Tino, that's Russian."

"I know. But I have no idea how to say 'Let's go' in Armenian. And Dora only taught me 'Vamonos.'"

"Qele."

"Qele?"

"Yep."

"Cool! I'll learn this language, yet."

The two headed into a nearby elevator, Tino pressing the "lobby" button. Both hummed along to a familiar song on the speakers.

"If you change your mind,/

I'm the first in line!/

Honey, I'm still free./

Take a chance on me./

If you need me,/

Let me know!/

Gonna be around/

If you've got nowhere to go/

When you're feelin' down./"

"I didn't know you listened to ABBA," Tino noted.

"Of course! They're fantastic. This is one of my favorites from them, actually."

"Really?" The blond smiled. "It's one of mine, too."

"Berwald would love this," Alex mused, and Tino nodded.

"Yeah. I wonder what he and Mathias are up to."

Alexianos smirked and raised an eyebrow. Tino snickered.

"You're a pervert."

Alex held his hands up in mock offense. "I didn't say anything."

"Well, I guess we both are, then. You really think they are…um, you know?"

"Probably not right now, but by the end of the week? Now that they finally have two weeks to themselves without us around in the apartment, I wouldn't doubt it. Plus, they don't have anything to study or work on, so they won't be dead-tired."

"Jumala," Tino laughed, "I just hope Mathias doesn't gamble away all his money or get married to someone during a whirlwind drinking binge."

Alexianos froze in shock, worried. "We'd better have Berwald keep him away from any fly-by-night churches. Or strippers."

"Strippers would be better than the other alternative…"

Alex laughed. "I think Mathias has enough morality not to hire a prostitute…or, at least, I sure hope he does."

"Yeah, I know he wouldn't. Berwald on the other hand…"

"Oh, that wild Berwald," Alex said facetiously, "Such a crazy guy. I bet he'll even have a beer before five o'clock!"

"For shame!" Tino chuckled. A few others watched as the two exited the elevator, wondering why they were struggling not to laugh.

…

A/N:I suppose some explanations and translations are in order, then!

"Jan" is an Armenian word that means something like "dear." The Armenian people that I know use this a lot, and one of my Armenian friends often calls me "Sierra-jan." It's a platonic word- I don't think it carries the same degree of romance as "dear" does in America. And in Finland, using a pet name with someone is pretty different. xD

"Joensuu" is a town in Finnish Karelia, on the eastern side of Finland (along the Russian border). My headcanon for Tino is that he's from Joensuu. Finns, especially eastern Finns, still have a strong connection with Karelia. I'm actually Karelian-Finnish on my dad's side, and so Karjala holds a lot of significance for me.

"Davay" is Russian for "Let's go!"

The song playing in the elevator is "Take a Chance on Me" by ABBA. :)

The Red Rock Canyon Resort in Las Vegas is incredible! I got to go with a friend's family once, and it was an amazing experience. It's the nicest hotel I've ever been in, haha. :D

I had Tino and Alex go to Mammoth because it's one of my favorite places in Northern California. My grandma has a cabin twenty minutes from Mammoth Lakes, so I go there nearly every summer. It's beautiful there, and I love all the hiking trails! :D

Please review? :)