I knew him for a while now. And by a while, it's been about 15 years now since I knew him. He was there for my 16th birthday, and he's here now watching me graduate, right next to my parents. It's scary graduating from high school, going out into a new world, not knowing what'll be ahead of you in life. It scares me every time I think about it.
But every time I glanced over at my best friend, who graduated the year before me, the scared feeling eased away. His soft, tender expression, reading my every move, glancing away, or to speak to my parents to create small chit-chat, that was him. I could tell he was as nervous as I was. We both decided we would go to the same college, be room mates and do best friend stuff. We practically lived with each to start off with. Wherever he went, I went, and vise verse. Almost every weekend we were at each others houses, watching movies, helping each other with homework (well more recently, with MY homework), telling each other stories and just best friend stuff. Though, I do most of the talking. But, he's more of a listener, and I'm more of a talker... Though I do love listening to his voice when he does talk.
But who's he? Berwald, my best friend ever! He was there when my ex boyfriend threatened me, and Ber threatened him back, he was there when my dog of 14 years died of cancer, and he was there when my grandma died. I was also there for him. When his dad died in a car accident, I let him cry silently on my shoulder, when he broke his glasses the one time in the 4th grade, I was the one to guide him around the school. Also, I was the kid that beat up a person that harassed him in the 8th grade! I got suspended for 3 days... The other kid did too though! People were typically really screwed of the Swed, but that's because they didn't know him. I mean like yeah, he had a scary face most of the time but still. They would judge him by his cover, and not what was written on the inside. To be honest, Berwald is a huge mush ball.
He was pretty tall, standing about 12 centimeters, or about 4 inches taller then me. He has those sea green eyes that could make girls stare into his eyes all day if he didn't have a scary expression always on his face. His glasses typically helped cover what some people would call 'a scary face.' Berwald was built nicely, lean and more fit then I was. The most I even do for exercise other then jogging was shooting, whether it be bows and arrows or a gun. He was probably in a gym two to three times a week. I know that because he would normally ask me to tag along with me saying there was a sauna at the gym. What can I say, I'm a Finn, and we Finns love saunas, so you can't blame me. But his fashion was always different. One day it would be a v-neck shirt with skinny jeans, and other days he would wear a sweater and gym shorts. And tonight, it was a purple v-neck shirt, with navy skinny jeans. But it fit his personality, it's kinda cute. Okay really cute. And sometimes really hot. I'll be honest.
But enough talking about that best friend of me, I'll accidentally fall and miss my name if I keep thinking to myself! (I've done that before, trust me. Thankfully Berwald was there most of the time.) I looked around me and saw all my classmates who were graduating with me. To be honest, some of them were kinda mean, and one of them was my ex's sister, but besides them the whole class was pretty nice! I got along with almost all of them! To be honest, I was kinda known in my grade. Like I was that guy that everyone knew and would say hi to, but wouldn't really hang out with or chose to be a partner with in class. I mean, I would have people that would partner up with me, but still. It would be nice if I was a first chose all the time. Oh well.
Then all the sudden, from where I was thinking, I heard my name.
"Timo Väinämöinen." Good job Timo, really payed attention what they were saying. I stood up and made my way to the front. Finally my time to graduate. I looked around and glanced back to Ber and I walked up to the front to get my ticket out of this place. There was a small smile on his face. Most people would miss that, but I knew him long enough I was started to pick out his emotions. The small smile was joy and relief and happiness. It was hard for most people to tell what he was thinking, but I could read what he was typically thinking through his facial expressions. His really cute, adorable facial expressions.
After graduation that night, my parents, Berwald, and I went out to dinner. It was rare for my dad to tag along for anything, but today was special since I graduated. My dad had to take a plane over to Finland after my graduation dinner to get back to worldly affairs and what not. You see, my father worked over in Finland for most of the year, about 9 months of the year, and the other 4 months he would be back here, but constantly on the phone. Of course he would make visits back when he could during those 9 months, but somedays it felt like I barely had a father. It kinda sucks, you know. But it was kinda funny when he would come back. He would have his thick Finnish accent back again and it was sometimes really funny! Sometimes when I would talk to him, he would randomly switch over to Finnish instead of English. Thankfully I know enough Finnish that if I ever go to Finland I would know more then enough to get around. And of course, I would tell my dad that he wasn't speaking much English right there, and he would tell me, "You know enough Finnish either way!" and I would say back to him, "Anteeksi, missä on vessa?" Where's the toliet. Then he would laugh and say, "Ei." No. Why no? I don't know. He was my silly dad that I rarely saw.
But here all 4 were, in a car driving to some random restaurant. It was about 9 at night and we had 2 hours until we had to leave just so my dad could catch his flight in time. My mom and dad where in the front seat and Berwald and I were in the back. And boy, it was a sight to see. My mom's car had a low ceiling, and Berwald was pretty tall. He always had to slouch whenever he sat in the back of my moms car and I always remind myself to bring a camera just so I can show him what he looks like. But silly me, I forgot my camera. Like all the other times. So just imagine this, a tall guy shoved in the back of a 2002 Mercury Cougar. It's a blast to see it.
"Where do you boys want to go for dinner?" My mom's voice boomed out of no where. Berwald looked a little startled but I just let out a small laugh.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." I made sure to hold out the 'h' sound really long, "That one Chinese place! They have really good fried rice, and my tummy is making the grummbles for that!" I smiled brightly, and looked at Berwald and saw his face go red. Was he staring at me while I said that? Maybe he was just waiting to ask me something, that had to be it. He does that a lot!
I reached up, and watched his eyes which were carefully watching my hand touch the side of his face. I smacked the side of his face, lightly three times.
"Earth to Berwald." My father called, his accent thick. "Puhutko Englantia?" Do you speak English? Oh dad...
"Wh't." Ber mummbled looked over to my father. Berwald's face had the look of lost puppies. "What Timo said will do f'ne."
"Chinese it is then!" My mother said, and looked almost way to determined to drive to the Chinese food place.
"Oh Timo.." Ber looked back at me and then down to the ground of the car floor and reached into his bag he had with him. I feel kinda silly, I never even noticed he had a bag with him. Damn bag, playing the let's remain hidden game.
"Yes bear?" Berwald Looked back at me for a split second and raised his left eyebrow, as if he asking me what I just said. As if he was asking if I really just called him bear. I laughed in return.
He finally grabbed a little box out of his bag and placed it on my lap softly. "Op'n it." It only seems his face got back to being his regular color, and he's already back to a red face. Silly him.
I opened the box, and inside was a little giftcard and a note. The giftcard was to Starbuck, who made AMAZING drinks and little sandwiches and cake pops. I opened the little note and read it.
You're finally old enough to get out of high school Timo. Now you can come visit me while I'm working and talk to me on my breaks. I know it isn't much, but it's a $25 giftcard. I already know you reached for the card first, but didn't check the amount, and THEN read this.
I'm proud of you:)
With love,
Berwald.
A smile shined on my face and my eyes got a little teary. I was really happy. I turned to Berwald, who had concern in his face when he saw my eyes water up. But he didn't have anymore time to react, for I was all over him, giving him a huge hug. He hugged back, and he felt so warm.
I didn't want the hug to be too awkward and long... Even though I wanted to stay like that for another thousands years. His hugs were always inviting to me, and warm and every time I hugged him, my chest would flutter. That would happen for as long as I would remember, honest!
"I love it." I told him as I broke the hug. Good bye warm body:(
"Re'lly?" He always had a hard time pronouncing A's for some reason. Silly Ber.
"Well, I wouldn't be hugging you and tearing up and saying I love it if I didn't love it, now would I?" I placed my hands on my hips and gave him a sassy look.
He gave me a slight hint of a smile and nodded in agreement. "True."
We got home late that night, around 11 at night to be exact. My parents told Berwald to stay the night, and boy was I glad when he nodded his head. Overjoyed to be honest.
"Ber!" I turned to him and I grabbed his hand. He jumped at the touch, but my beaming smile and determination wouldn't let go.
"Mm?" He tilted his head his right and raised his one eyebrow and he slowly become less tense.
"Let's watch a movie!" I was already dragging him to my room even before he answered.
"Sometimes, I forget yer stronger then ya look." He mummbled. walking along with the tug from my end.
"And don't forget it!" We walked up the stairs, my hand still holding on to his, and after walking through a hallway, whose walls were littered with pictures of my family and Berwald, we finally made a sharp to the right into my room.
I honestly didn't want to let go of his hands, they felt really warm in mine, and I liked the feeling. But I didn't like Berwald, I mean, he was my best friend after all! No homo right...? Haahaaa... But I eventually did let go, and he went towards my tv and turned it on.
I sat on my bed and smiled at him, and started planning up something in my head.
"What movie do ya want to w'tch." Berwald dug through my movies, and glanced at a few as he went along. His eyes would flicker between me and whatever movie he picked up.
"Uhhhhhh." I started ponder. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to watch. I just wanted to be sitting next to his warm mass, and lean against him. My smile was still on my face and I walked over to my closet. I was kinda getting sick of being in my suit and tie. Graduation was over and i didn't need to wear thing anymore. To be honest, I compeltely forgot what I was wearing until I decided to change.
"We've seen many of th'se movies." He muttered and continued to look through the movies.
I grabbed a baggy t-shirt and a pair of Berwald's sweatpants that he left here. I told him if he wanted them back he would have to tear him off my body because I liked them too much. And plus, he had about half of his wardrobe at my house since almost lived here. It just made it easier for us when he stayed over so he wouldn't have to go home and get new clothes. I closed my bedroom door, and threw my newly picked out clothes on my bed.
"Uhhh... Do I have The Great Gatsby? Leonardo DiCaprio is in is." He looked at me and let out a puff of air. His, "are you for real expression." Every movie that Leo has been in Ber was there to watch it with me... Including the Titanic.
To my dismay, he shook his head. I groaned and slipped off my fancy plant suit pants, and slipped on the grey sweatpants I stole from Berwald. Next, I slipped off my suit top, and then the white button up shirt that was underneath. I stared at the shirt that I threw on my bed and made a face on it. I didn't want it on my body. Oh well, Berwald can deal with a half naked man.
That's when I got an idea after all this thinking.
"Berrrrrwallllllddddddddd,' I walked over to him and knelled behind him and looped my arms around his shoulders. My arms draped over his chest.
He put down the collection of movies and looked at me.
"Timo... are you not wearing a shirt." He didn't really ask it as a question. It was more a statement. His face started getting red.
Yes, phase one complete.
"Berrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr," I cooed. "Let's play a gammmmmeeee."
"Hmm?" He looked nervous. Phase two, complete.
"Wanna hear what it's called?" I grinned and pressed the side of my cheek to his glowing red cheek.
He didn't give and answer, He looked at me. Not at my eyes, but somewhere else, BUT it was somewhere on my face!
"It's callllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllled, tickle the bear!" And at that command, I grabbed his chest and started to tickle him. He fell backwards, and I moved away just in time, and his blonde head made contact with the ground. I straddled him, and tickled him more.
Not many people knew, but he was really ticklish. As long as he didn't tickle me back, I would win this.
The room filled with his warm laughs, it made my chest flutter. I kept wiggling my fingers where he was most ticklish, and he was trying to squirm away from me with laughter that filled the room. I started to laugh along with him. Laughing was contagious and I loved that laugh of his.
Then that's when his warm hands grabbed my bare sides, and that was when I knew I was in deep shit.
It happened so fast, that I don't even recall him flipped our positions so he was the one straddling me. He grabbed my wrists with one hand and held them both above my head. I pouted and looked at him.
"Ohhhh come on Berrrr, It was just a little tickl-" if only I got to finish that sentence, because with his one free hand he started to tickle me back and I started to laugh. Oh boy did I start to laugh.
"That's- Not! Fair!" I some how got out in between my giggling and laughing. Berwald was laughing along with me, and it felt so warm and nice. Berwald then stopped tickling me and grinned in his satifaction. Smug bastard. I was searching for air from all that coughing and trying my best to glare at him.
"Timo, yer gl'res just look cute. Sorry to break it to ya." He stated, then his face went really red. It was as red as a tomato.
"Meanie pants." My glare turned into a pout, and my face turned red and I realized the position I was in... Now I know why he was blushing almost as hard as I was. His purple v-neck shirt was all messy, and I had no shirt on. My wrists were being help over my head with his one hand, and his other free hand was resting on my bare chest. Also, not to mention he was straddling me.
We were in that position for a good minute or two before we started to move. We both sat next to eat other, faces really red, not saying a word to each other. I couldn't stand the silence, but I didn't know what to say to him. Do I say, so wanna straddle me again? T-That would be really awkward! I mean like, I may have enjoyed the pressure of him sitting on top of me, but, he's my best friend! That would be weird.
But the silence was saved by a knock on the door.
"Timo! I'm coming in!" My mom opened the door, and she looked back and forth between the two of us. There was a grin on her face.
I looked up at her, and gave her a look. "Mom, what were you just thinking." My mom was a special mom in my opinion. I loved her to pieces but her sense of humor was well...
"You two looked like you two just hand your first time together... And it was awkward." She gave up a wink and my ffce grew even redder then it was so I was pretty sure it could become a night light.
"MOM." I yelled. "That's embarrassing! And it's not like we haven't done that before." I smirked back to her, and noted Berwald was covering his face with his hands. Poor Berwald, I know his secrets, he ain't innocent. I know about his past boyfriend. He isn't the straightest person in the world... Neither am I BUTTT-
"And I missed it?! Fine, then you two can miss your dessert!" My mom placed her hand on on hip. "And Berwald, I know you aren't that innocent, come on boy." Berwarld looked up but... I kinda felt bad for him. He really was embarrassed. I looked at him and he returned the look. His beautiful eyes said a million stories that I understood. I gave him a reassuring smile, and that we would talk about this later look. he nodded and I broke the eye contact to look back at my mom.
"Look what you did mom. Tsk tsk tsk, Berwald and I, are gonna eat that dessert and there's nothing you can do about it!" I grabbed Berwald's hand and he both stood up and passed my short mother and exited the room.
"Don't eat it all in one bite" My mom hollered back. I didn't respond.
I lead Berwald down the stairs and made a left, followed by a right into the kitchen. We both looked to see what my mom made for dessert and she made pudding. Vanilla pudding for Berwald and Chocolate for myself. My mother knew our tastes so well. Berwald took a seat at the counter opposite side of the counter and I remained standing on the other side. I looked at him and noticed something.
Berwald was looking down and looked deep in thought. I wondered what he was thinking of butttttt, I used that to my advantage. I grabbed two spoons and placed his spoon next to his pudding, which was not even a foot away from him, and using my spoon I stole a bite of his pudding. I really loved my moms pudding but I liked her chocolate pudding was the bad he didn't notice I stole a bite of his Vanilla pu-
"Hey, Timo." Berwald's voice started me that I made a squeak and almost dropped my spoon from my mouth.
"Mhmmm!?" I replied back, taking the spoon out of my mouth, and I leaned over the counter so I was facing him. I placed the spoon on the counter.
He looked like he was about to say something then he closed his mouth. I noticed he was looking at me again, but not at my eyes. He was staring at my face, but I couldn't pinpoint where.
"I... uh..." He scratched the back of his head. "That was my pudding ya to'k a bite of."
Annnnd he noticed. A shade of pink kissed my cheeks, and a shy smile painted my lips. "It was really good."
He then picked up his spoon and my pudding and took the biggest bite from it.
"Hey! I took a small bite from yours!" I stole his pudding and took a huge bite of his pudding.
Ber had a small hint of a smile on his face. Then he took another bite of my pudding.
Then I took another bite of his pudding.
And this continued until we both ate each other's pudding.
We both laughed at each other and I took MY pudding cup and took his spoon and placed all of our dished in the sink.
"Hey Ber, you're not mad with what my mom said right?" The question poured out of my mouth even before i knew what I said.
"Not really. I underst'nd ya mom's sense of hum'r." He gave me a reassuring look on his face. I nodded in response and I was happy about that.
It was good he wasn't mad at my mom! I mean, the more I thought about it he sometimes shared the same humor with my mom and they both would sometimes play tricks on me... I let out a huge yawn while thinking of all that.
"Heyy Ber," I looked over to him and rested my head on my hand, "Let's go back to my room and watch a movie and slash or sleep." I yawned again.
Berwald nodded and gave me his signature "mm." He stood up and started to walk towards the stairs and up to my room. The way he walked was... wow. I followed him.
{Hi! I hope you liked the first chapter of this! I hope I didn't do Berwald/Sweden's accent too much?! I felt unnatural not doing it and I didn't want to go crazy with it because I don't like wh'n h' t'lks l'ke th's. (Meaning almost every vowel is blocked by an ' thingy.
But sorry if there's any grammar or spelling mistakes and I am REALLY sorry if I got any of the finnish wrong! I got the finnish from learnfinnish. co. uk and I got my spelling and grammar stuff from my mind and spell check. Also, I'm sorry that the story is short D: (I feel like it's short in my opinion)
I will be updating this story every 1-2 weeks and it'll have between 6-9 chapters. But please leave a review and tell me what you thought! I would love how you all thought the first chapter of my first Hetalia fic! -with lovvve, Apple}
