Sweden woke up for what must have been the third time that night, covered in a cold sweat with the blanket in a crumpled heap on the floor. He groaned, rubbing at his tired eyes. Maybe there was no point in trying to sleep anymore. Every night since Finland had been away fighting, he was plauged by unwanted dreams. The nightmares were usually gut-wrenchingly gory and graphic, showing him numerous different situations of how his wife could be dead or severly injured at that very moment. Others showed him Finland smiling and laughing- that laugh he loved and missed so much that it was painful.
The nation reached over the side of the bed and pulled his blanket back over his body to protect him from the cold winter chill. He hated this bed now. It had been theirs. It didn't feel right laying in it alone night after night. All he wanted was Finland back. His Finland. To hold him and wash away the pain that war was surely inflicting on him. His eyes flickered over to the black and white photograph that stood on the bedside table, feeling his heart grow heavy yet again. He was becoming all too familliar with that feeling.
Sweden buried his face in his pillow and squeezed his eyes shut, cursing how he wasn't strong enough to help the one person he loved the most in the world.
Finland pushed the limbs of the pine tree back, taking care not to step on any of the colourful flowers that had begun to bloom. He allowed himself a weary smile as he saw their cabin in the distance. Their home. His and Sweden's. Not some rat-infested trench that was continually being pelted with enemy bullets. That was over now, he could breathe easily again.
He paused before entering the house. It hadn't changed much, but Finland couldn't help but notice how... empty it felt. Unlived in. It was cold despite the temperate climate outside, a light layer of dust had settled on the hallway table as he made his way to the living room. When he got there Hanatamago was sleeping in his basket by the unlit fireplace. He smiled slightly, then turned his head to see the person he was really looking forward to seeing. Sweden was slumped on the sofa, his arms crossed as he slept. Finland recalled how he had once marvelled at how peaceful Sweden looked whilst he was asleep. But now his face was still creased into a frown like when he was concious. He looked worn out, stressed and he smelled vaguely of cigerette smoke. But he was still his husband. The war had taken its toll on him too.
Without thinking about it he reached out and ran his hand through Sweden's hair, chuckling silently when the other murmered in his sleep. The other nation started awake, lifting his head up slowly and staring at Finland. He blinked. He reached for his glasses that had fallen off and placed them back on, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. "Fin... Tino?"
Finland placed his hand on Sweden's cheek. "Hello, Su-san." He whispered, blinking back his tears.
At that moment, both of them felt light again.
A/N; Based on Broken by Seether. It's such an emoy, but SuFinny song.