Time is nothing.

Broken

The economy sours everywhere. Lukas packs up his things and heads out to his country house, far from capitals and government buildings. He still writes to the king but no longer wishes to hear of developments. For someone who had spent centuries wanting to be involved in his own government, the Norwegian now wishes to be once more left in peace, a forgotten relic.

Years pass slowly and Berwald visits occasionally. It's not that bad, really.


At first he resists leaving Norway with the king but in the end relents, slipping out from beneath the watch of German soldiers thanks to aid supplied by members of the resistance. He watches the shores of Norway recede as the boat moves away, trying to remember when parting was something joyous. At least Lukas can appreciate the green of the sea and the one it reminds him of.


Having bid the Scottish man good day and contemplating once more what it was that made him enjoy the man's company so much, Lukas meanders the grounds before one of the king's aids approaches him. "Mr. Oxenstierna is here, Sir," the young man says in a hushed tone. Lukas nods and goes to find him.

The Swede is watching the king in the distance inspect something or other. In all likelihood Lukas had probably been scheduled to be there too but there was an understanding between him and his monarch, that Lukas wanted to be treated as a man as much as possible, to calm the pain in his chest he feels for Norway.

He slips his hand quietly into Berwald's, the two watching men jog by them. "This looks good," his taller companion comments. "And what do you do here?"

"Golf," Lukas replies shortly and the Swede nods, clearly fight the urge to smile. "Want to come out with me for a few holes?"

"Come out with you to put things in some holes? Ja, I can do that." He slaps the man before heading towards his room to retrieve his things.


The Norwegian is nearly ready to swing when a body presses up behind him, kissing his neck. "What are you doing?"

Arms wrap around him as Berwald whispers in his ear, "You're shaking."

"Am I?" Lukas feels each tremor in Norway, the panic, the pain. He wants to forget, to be useful, but still feels like he isn't as his body reacts to unseen horrors.

"Let's call it a day," Berwald suggests. "We're meeting the king later anyway."


Moonlight streams in from the window, Lukas watching his lover undress. "You hate me for being so uncaring," he says more than asks.

"I am… surprised," and he can tell Berwald is carefully choosing his words. "I know how hot blooded you can be. I'd have thought you would be doing more."

"My temper will not help my people," Lukas says lamely as the Swede sits beside him. "The resistance is waiting for its moment and when it comes I will go with them, but for now they must train and I…." His words trail off as he looks at his hands, shaking again. "I am beyond repair Berwald," the Norwegian murmurs. "I am beaten and broken and beyond repair and of no use to anyone anymore."

Hands cover his, stilling the shaking. "No," Berwald says forcefully. "No," he repeats in a softer voice and Lukas meets his gaze at that. "You are still so beautiful Lukas, and strong, and important. You have gotten through worst."

"When does it end?" the man asks quietly. "I thought, once I had my independence from you, perhaps I could be normal. Peaceful."

"There is no peace for men as broken as us, beloved."