Tino had always found Berwald scary to some extent. But Tino knew there was something else to Berwald. He didn't know what, but one day, he hoped to meet that side of Berwald.
I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down
Berwald looked onto Tino, who was petting Hanatomago's. Hanatomago barked and licked Tino's hand. They were both so cute.
"Finland..."Sweden thought to himself. "Am I really that scary?"
Tino turned around feeling eyes on the back of his neck. He looked up and Berwald, with a slight nervous look. "Hello Sweden!" Tino said, trying to cover his nerves up with his cheerful voice.
"Hello Finland."
Tino looked out the window to the snow. "The snow's beautiful..." The snow fell slowly, falling to their perfect place. Pure snow layered the lawn, keeping it cosy and pretty.
Then there was a knock at the door. Tino got up quickly. "I'll get it!" Tino ran to the door and opened it up. Standing there was Eduard with his laptop in hand. "Hello Estonia! Come on in!"
Eduard walked in and looked to Tino. "Hello Finland, broken laptop again I guess?"
Tino laughed nervously. "Yeah, it was er... Hanatomago's fault? Um, right this way!" Tino ran upstairs.
Eduard closed the door and turned to look at Berwald. "H-hello Sweden."
Berwald just glared at Eduard, who decided his best option was to follow Tino, and thought to himself, "Is something going on between them?"
Eduard entered Tino's room, and saw Tino sitting at his laptop, furiously clicking buttons.
"... You do realise that's just going to make it worse," said Eduard with a laugh.
"Work laptop!" Tino complained. "I need to do my work for my boss. Soon."
Eduard sat down and set to work quickly. Tino peered over Eduard's shoulder. "Tino, a bit too close..."
Tino sat back. "Eduard? Do you think Sweden suspects anything?"
Eduard looked up at Tino. "Not at all. Your laptop's fixed." Eduard got up and went over to Tino. Eduard leaned down and planted a kiss on Tino's lips. Little did the couple know that Berwald was at the door. The door was open just a crack but that was enough for Berwald to see.
I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility
Berwald was sitting on the sofa, staring at the fireplace. It had been a while back since he saw Tino and Eduard kissing. He was still upset.
Suddenly the front door opened and slammed against the wall. Berwald got up and spun around fast. Tino was standing at the door, tears streaming from his eyes. He ignored the open door behind him and ran straight upstairs. Berwald looked on in confusion for a moment before walking over to close the door.
"What's wrong with Finland...?" Berwald said under his breath. "I could go up there but... I might make things worse." He continued staring at the stairs. Berwald took a sharp intake of breath to summon up all the courage he could muster and headed up the stairs.
"Finland?" Berwald said outside Tino's room. "Is everything alright?" Berwald pushed the door open to see Tino on his bed, crying a flood. Berwald made his way to Tino. "Finland?"
"He left me! How could he!" Tino screamed into his pillow, more to himself than to Berwald. "Why! Why..." Tino's faded away into a sob and Berwald put a hand on the top of Tino's head. Tino looked up suddenly. Berwald just looked on as normal as possible.
But Tino could see something in Berwald's eyes he had never seen before. Berwald looked sweet and... innocent. Not the usual glare he wears.
Berwald and Tino locked their eyes together for a moment, trying to figure something out before Berwald finally looked away. "How could someone do that to Finland?" Berwald thought to himself. "Estonia will pay for that."
"Sweden."
Berwald looked back to Tino who had pulled him of his thoughts. Tino had seen the evil glare return and had been scared. "Don't blame Eduard... please don't. It's not his, it's mine. I'm not good enough."
"Finland, he's the unlucky one who lost someone amazing."
"Sweden, what...?" Tino looked on in confusion.
Berwald leaned down and lightly placed a kiss on Tino's lips. Tino froze for a moment and then suddenly shoved Berwald away. "No! Go away!" Tino shouted at Berwald.
Berwald just got up and left. As if nothing happened.
And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet
Berwald began buying presents for Tino but Tino just rejected them. All of them. Most of the time Tino spent his day in his room with Hanatomago. Away from Berwald, Eduard and any kind of suffering or harm.
I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life
Berwald had bought another gift although he knew that he couldn't win Tino's heart like that. Berwald just didn't know what to do. Tino was rejecting him left, right and centre. Berwald was having no luck but he wouldn't give up.
Berwald arrived home with the gift. Berwald went up to Tino's room and knocked the door. "Finland?" But Tino was nowhere in sight. There was a note on his bed. Berwald went over to read it.
"I'm sorry Sweden. I know what you're trying to do but I don't think it can work. Please forgive me. I just want to be away from everyone. I promise I'll come back. One day, when we're both ready."
Berwald fell to his knees and began crying. "Finland..." Berwald placed his head in his hands and cried and cried for Tino.
And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility
Tino had left Berwald a while back, but now Tino felt ready. Tino was ready to go to Berwald. But he wasn't going to make it easy for Berwald. Berwald would have to work for it.
Berwald was looking out the window again. He'd looked out the window every day since Tino had left. Then an idea came to Berwald. When Tino was ready, he would want to know Berwald truly loved him. Berwald knew what he was going to do.