Tino's feet swung over the edge of the dock. He was waiting for his love to come visit him. His husband Berwald, visited him almost everyday. Recently Ber had been missing a few days, but it didn't bother the Finnish man. The sound of footsteps crunching on snow broke his train of thought.
"Hi! Ber!" He smiled and waved him over. Berwald stared straight ahead and sat down before replying, "Hello, darling."
Tino shivered out of happiness and grinned, "How are you doing?"
It took a few minutes for Berwald to reply, "I have been well. I have been working really hard. Some days are harder than others."
"I'm happy to hear you are doing good!" Tino laid his head on the Swedish man's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I didn't visit yesterday. My Mamma says it's unhealthy for me to keep coming to talk to you. I stayed and helped her around the house. I hope you don't mind."
"Eh? Why would she say that? I thought she liked me! Oh well, it's nice that you helped her. Is she still having a hard time with her bad hip? Tell her "Hi" for me, okay?" He quickly added, "And please don't stop visiting me!"
Berwald pinched the bridge of his nose and frowned. "I know Mamma means well, but don't worry, I'm never gonna stop visiting ya. No matter what happens. I'll be dead before that happens!"
Tino gasped at the confidence in his pledge. Ber didn't usually raise his voice like that. "I know you'll always visit, but please don't say such morbid things. I'm fragile remember?"
Berwald laughed quietly. "But, ya would yell at me if ya heard me say that right? Talking about death? I'm sorry, love."
"It's okay, but please don't do it again. It makes me sad.."
"Tino..."
"Yes?"
"It's so hard without ya everyday. Sometimes I think of how easy it would be to jump off this dock."
A sharp intake of breath came from Tino. "Don't EVER-"
"I wouldn't do it though. I could never desecrate your favorite place. And it would break Mamma's heart, ya know?" Berwald wiped an escaped tear from his rosy cheek. "But, I really do miss ya. So much." He curled up began to sob. Tino heard declarations of love through each sniff. He couldn't help but pat Berwald's head.
"I love you too, Berwald. Please, don't cry."
Berwald took a deep breath and sat up. "It's almost time for work again. I should get going, I don't want to be a sniveling mess at work." He straightened his back and reached into his coat. "Oh yeah, I brought ya something." He bit his lip and began weeping all over again. "I brought ya... your favorite flower." He laid a small Lilly-Of-The-Valley on the edge of the dock.
"For me? Oh Berwald, you're the best! Please don't cry though." Tino smiled up at him. But Berwald once again stared through him.
"I miss ya, Tino. I wish ya were still here with me..." He sighed and turned to walk away.
Tino knew why Berwald never talked at him and stared through him. He had figured it out a long time ago. And yet, still he looked forward to his "conversations" with Berwald nearly everyday.
"I wish I was still with you too, Kultaseni." He held the sacred flower to his chest and wept as he watched Ber walk away for what felt like the billionth time.