"Okay boys and girls of all ages!" The previous woman who won, Elizaveta, shouted, her muscular body coated in army gear. "We are about to begin! But first things first, we need to shout out our elegable batchelors!"
She beckoned for most of the stationworkers to step onto the stage beside her. Mathias stood up as well, walking down to the stage.
Ludwig, another stationworker that Tino had met, didn't stand up. He was married to a small, copper-haired maid named Feliciano. Tino scanned the rest of the stationworkers.
There was Alfred, a cocky, loud botanist. (Tino barely talked to him)
Obviously Mathias, the sweet, loud, and generous hunter and butcher. (Tino's first choice)
Gilbert, the narcissistic chef, that would serve you a free meal, if he thought you were pretty. (Tino got free meals on many occasions)
Antonio, the oblivious, and utterly sexy gardener, who loved animals and plants. (Tino was fond of him)
Ivan, the partially insane, blacksmith that melted the hearts of many, with his sweet little smile. (Tino was afraid of him)
Francis, the annoying, and slightly charming, pastry chef. (Tino highly disliked him)
And Berwald, the quiet, sort of scary, baker. (Tino was definitely interested)
Elizaveta grinned, and waved to Tino. The two had been friends for awhile, after he had accidentally stepped on her husband, Roderich's foot, and he threatened to sue.
"Now," She said. "We have our contenders. Please step forward."
Tino hesitated, but stood up, walking towards the stage. His heart was beating in his ears.
He looked behind him, seeing some others following after him towards the stage.
Lovino, Feliciano's older brother.
Yao, Tino's good friend.
Matthew, another good friend.
Arthur, the man who preferred to be alone.
Jeanne, one of the only women in the town, and one of Tino's best friends.
And Tino himself.
All six of them walked forward in a line, and faced the batchelors. Jeanne locked eyes with Francis, and the two smiled at each other. She walked up to him, and linked hands.
Tino smiled. Jeanne and Francis did like each other.
Mathias grinned at Tino, and Tino walked up to him.
"Quite the crowd, huh?" Mathias whispered. "Gil's eyeing you, though. I'd keep my panties away from him."
Tino blushed, and glanced at Gilbert, who was, in fact, looking him up. But behind him…
Was Berwald. Also eyeing Tino.
Matthew was quivering as he stood beside Gilbert, and he grinned. "Hey. Nice to see you again, Birdie."
Yao stood beside Ivan. Yao had gotten used to the man's creepiness, that it didn't bother him anymore.
Antonio was staring off into space as Lovino stood next to him. Lovino slapped him. "Stay alert." Antonio grinned, dazily.
Arthur grumbled, and stood beside Alfred, who giddily laughed like a five year old.
Nobody stood beside Berwald.
Tino's eyes showed sadness, and he nudged Mathias. "He's alone."
Mathias took this as a win. "Don't worry. The prince will be here soon." Even though Mathias had never seen the prince.
Tino glanced at Berwald, and saw him staring. He turned away quickly, as Elizaveta stuttered over the mic.
"O-Oh. Well. A-Anyways. You can all sit down now. You have ma-Well...some of you have m-made your match."
Tino walked back to his spot, Mathias on his heels.
"Poor guy." Mathias said. "Prince didn't show up."
Elizaveta pulled on her collar. "We're going to have to postpone this until tomorrow...or until Mr. Oxenstierna finds a match." She stood awkwardly, before walking off stage, dismissing everyone.
Mathias and Tino met back up with Kata, and she jumped on her brother. "Didja see him? Didja see him? He's not matched!"
Mathias lifted the little girl, and put her on his shoulders. She blushed, and kissed Mathias' cheek.
The three made it back to Tino's place, and he immediately went to the kitchen to cook lunch.
"Kata," he called. "Run upstairs and get changed, please."
She obeyed, and bolted up the stairs, leaving Mathias and Tino in the kitchen together.
"So…" Mathias said. "Who you gonna pick?" He leaned on the counter.
"I-I don't know yet." Tino said, honestly. He wanted to pick Mathias, but he just couldn't get over the look on Berwald's face, and his mysteriousness. He hadn't ever seen him in his life before.
Mathias hung his head. "You have so many options. All the guys were looking at you, you know."
Tino blushed. "A-All of them?" He stuttered.
Mathias moved a bit closer. "Yeah. They all couldn't get over your little face." He grinned.
Tino laughed. "Shut up! You haven't picked anyone either, don't judge me." He threw a piece of fat at Mathias, who got it straight to the face.
"You started something." Mathias grinned wildly, and chucked the piece of fat back at Tino, who dodged it. It smacked the wall, and slid to the floor.
"You're such a kid!" Tino laughed loudly, and cut off another piece of fat, a bigger piece this time. He threw it, and it smacked the small window in the kitchen, above Mathias' head.
The two were laughing, and Mathias was laughing so hard, he started to wheeze.
"You're an idiot." Tino said, in between laughs. "A tall idiot, with gelled up hair, that makes you look like a lunatic."
Mathias faked being hurt, and smacked a hand to his chest. "You have wounded me, Tino! Wounded!" He crumpled to the floor, fake crying. "My heart! Oh my heart!"
Tino rolled his eyes, and nudged Mathias with his shoe. "Get up, you nerd. I haven't swept the floor yet."
Mathias immediately stood up after that, wiping himself off. "Is my hair okay?" He asked, tousling it.
"Of course." Tino answered back, throwing the chopped meat and a potato into the pot. "It's not that stupid looking, if I'm being honest. It suits your personality."
Mathias grinned, and hugged Tino from behind.
"You'd make a man really happy one day, Tino." Mathias said, his head on top of Tino's.