Uwha. First Hetalia fic. Fear teh suckage. Not beta-ed, but I love me some spell-check. OTL This is meant to be set during Finland's economic recession in the early 1990's. I hope he's recessed enough. orz
Enjoy~
Berwald doesn't like it when Tino cries, his arms around his legs as he sinks back into the couch, as if he wanted to be sucked into oblivion.
Tino cries a lot, and it bothers Berwald that there isn't much he can do except stand in the doorway, Hanatamago in his arms and Peter clutching his pants leg like a lifeline; Peter hates the crying, too.
Berwald doesn't like it when Tino cries, so finally, after weeks of watching his wife fall into misery, he finally breaks. He tucks Peter into bed along with Hanatamago and returns to the doorway.
Tino isn't crying like he usually does. Instead of the heaved sobs and the fetal position, his legs are outstretched in front of him and his arms are hung at his sides as if he were a rag doll or a puppet. He's staring into the fire, silent tears falling down his perfect face.
Berwald swallows and steps forward. He kneels in front of Tino and watches him cry for a moment. The smaller nation doesn't notice his presence, but then his distant eyes land on Berwald and he smiles, as if he hasn't been crying his heart out for weeks.
"Tino," Berwald mumbles, though he doesn't know what else to say. What can he say?
"Su-san..." Their names are exchanged and Berwald can't help but blush at his wife's calm demeanor. "I don't know what to do." Tears well up and fall from Tino's eyes, dripping from his cheekbones to his shirt.
"Yer m'wife... 'n' I can' do 'nythin'..." The rumbling murmurs of the taller man are easily understood by Tino. His hand finds movement again and travels up to rest on Berwald's cheek. The nation tenses at the contact but relaxes, knowing it's Tino, his wife.
"You don't have to, Su-san." Tino's smile widens slightly and his thumb rubs circles on Berwald's face; he can feel the heat from his blush and his eyes close, reveling in the warmth.
Tino's crying stops for this night. Berwald is happy, and he shows it as he lay on the couch, his wife sprawled on top of him as he strokes Tino's hair. The smaller nation smiles, if only for one night.
He is dazed for a few more weeks, but Berwald is there to stop the crying.
Now, when Tino cries, it's only out of happiness that he has Berwald there to tell him that he doesn't like his crying.
Now that that's done with, reviews are appreciated but not demanded, and flames will be used to stoke the fire of Mrs. Lovett's oven.