Blue Embers

Rating: T

Summary: AU Most people would run away if they found out they were being chosen as the Prince of Hell's bride. Most people wouldn't give up their dreams and try to love the Devil. But most people aren't like Tino Väinämöinen. SuFin.

BrooklynBabbii

Author Alert:

Story alert/ Favorites: **ChaosSurplus, Bloodly Romance, JoyHeart, Hywar, summer164, Lonan, **

Reviewer(s)!: **Japanese Sinister , MoonlitMelody, Animaegan, ASTERISK, Porgand, whereami2012, Phantoms Lil Waffle, CrimsonButterfly94, Leo,HELP, **

Japanese Sinister: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have noticed that about SuFin, it is mostly fluff, which I enjoy, but I decided to write something different. (And I know I have too many stories, it's not my fault! I don't even have all of my stories published yet! What's published isn't even the half of it! T^T)

MoonlitMelody: *revives brain* There you go! ^_^ I'm glad you liked Tino's tattoos, I tried. But no, I can't go in your head. Great minds just think alike. :D I say we applaud Sweden, not berate him. I don't think we'd last five minutes if we tried to yell at him…+_+

*blushing* Well, why, danke. I'm not sure how to respond to that comment. But, truly, DANKE, I'm happy-no, proud- to hear you say that about me. It makes me feel better about my writing.

Animaegan: *evil laughter while baking cookies* Yes, a new victim! Oh goodness, my schnitzels are ready~ XDD

ASTERISK: yes, maybe we all are. And yes, I had hoped to make it seem like a sort of nightmarish illusion, and seeing as that you caught it, I did it well. *clapping* Yay me~ Peter was a bit gullible, but then again, so are most little children. (I'm glad my story is safe too)

Porgand: Why, thank you, I try my best. Thank you again for saying so in a review! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.

whereami2012: I'm happy my story wasn't deleted either. (Yay, now I can keep writing my M-rated stories!)

Phantoms Lil Waffle: The life of an outlaw is downright dangerous at time, but you're right, it is exciting! *tips imaginary hat and hugs back*I'll be here for a while, by the looks of things. At least he did ask about the designs, and Tino would be happy to hear you say that about them. It might help his self-confidence about them. Peter is an airhead. XD

CrimsonButterfly94: I love you for reviewing, like a lot, thanks for reviewing!

Leo: I have signed. Thank you. I thank you for both reviewing and for giving me the link.

HELP: I already signed. FFnet should know better than to try to pull that shit with me. Pfft.

[P.S: Guys, just to let you know, I am no longer trying to write Sweden's accent in this. It's too frustrating. I am German! I do not know what a Swedish accent sounds like or how each word would be pronounced! With that said, I have just written it as he says. You can use your imagination to get his accent. I can't get it right…. TT^TT]

.:Chapter Three:.

Adjustments

Tino was nestled in the corner of the royal carriage. He was in as far as he could go in it but he still wished he could further. Or jump out of the window, without the taller blonde catching him before he had his hands on the window and thwarting his plans to escape.

This sucks, he thought, as he curled his toes inside his ratty sneakers. Licking his lips in anxiety, he risked meeting the taller blonde's eyes as he looked up and saw that Peter was still the center of the dangerous being's attention.

As much as he wanted Peter in his lap, not atop the stranger, he had to be a fool to tear Peter from the only other male he had ever been around in his whole life. His only friend was Ravis, and that was only because Tino worked under his father. Or, had worked under- he had a good feeling that the stranger was not going to allow him the choice to go back to work under someone else.

I guess I should feel happy about that, Tino thought as he held his hands in his lap and looked out the window nervously. At least, I can get some decent sleep and maybe a few good meals.

Tino frowned. He was not going to stay here. He darted a look at Peter trying to teach the tall blonde the game of patty-cake. The stranger was following Peter's hand movements with excellent precision and wasn't missing a single beat, as he smiled and laughed softly as Peter laughed aloud.

Tino's face darkened and his chest constricted, his blue tattoos glowed a soft shade of electric blue. He felt left out; he was outside of the fun. He wasn't Peter's single person to run to anymore. The little boy was playing the very same stranger who had taken his life and—

The stranger looked up from Peter's beaming face, his violet-tattoos glowing bright in the dark carriage, and turned to see Tino looking to be trying very hard not to cry in frustration. The stranger's face lost its smile. He did not want to see his wife so upset.

He had been about to say something, when abruptly the carriage door was ripped off and another blonde stood outside of it, grinning and shouting greetings. Tino was snatched from his seat, screaming and kicking, but despite his effort to get free; his captor laughed and held him to inspect him carefully.

He forced a shaky Tino to his feet, ice-blue eyes eyed him carefully before finally the pale face grinned, revealing teeth that brought daggers to shame. Tino whimpered and trembled where he stood, not at all happy as the strange blonde decided to circle him and murmur something Tino couldn't understand.

"Mathias, quit it," a soft and flat voice commanded. "You're scaring the Queen." Tino's eyes jerked up from the blonde to see another two other blondes beside a deep red carriage. Both of the new blondes had blank faces and mauve eyes. The taller blonde was holding a small child in his arms, and he seemed to be glaring in a way that made Tino suddenly wish for the stranger's presence.

"Aw, Lukas," the one named Mathias said, "Look, he's still mostly human. He doesn't even have a claim mark on him. Berwald went easy on him, unlike the others." The one carrying the child, Lukas, sighed gently and passed the little child to the shorter blonde behind him with a few exchanged words. The next thing Tino knew, Mathias' tie was being held very firmly at the neck and Lukas was dragging him away.

Tino blinked, staring at the retreating pair's backs, both stunned and confused. He could not believe what had just happened. Had he been saved? Or had he been spared for the time being…and what was a claim mark?

A soft voice sounded at his shoulder and he jumped two feet in his own skin. He spun on his heel and saw the shorter blonde, the one Lukas had handed the child too. The little child, Tino guessed from the short blonde hair and the dark outfit he wore, was sucking on a pacifier and cuddling a small…

Tino blinked. Was that a puffin…with red eyes?

Said puffin turned its head to look at him and Tino heard himself whimper in fear when he saw that those red eyes had eerie slits in them. He swallowed, somewhat loudly, "U-uh…um…"

The shorter male shifted the child to his hip, the little boy making a small face before settling himself to gain more comfort, and then held out his hand. "Hello, I'm Emil. Excuse my brother and the Duke. Mathias is always an ass, you just get used to it."

Tino thought he blinked at the blunt wording with the flat tone of voice. Was this guy serious? He thought this, as he licked his lips again before extending his hand. He found the smaller male had a strong grip, despite his appearance. He chalked that one up for his third surprise since arriving here…wherever "here" was.

"Um, I am Tino," he introduced and Emil nodded. Then, he shifted the child again and said to him, "Carson, say hello to his Majesty." Tino's eyes widened, Emil's neck was exposed when his head turned, and he could see red-violet tattoos like his own, glowing softly.

I'm dreaming, Tino told himself, when my alarm goes off, I'm going to wake up and realize I had thought too deeply before bed again after a long day.

"Hell-o," Carson greeted, but Tino felt color drain from his face when he saw how many sharp teeth littered the little child's mouth. Emil raised a brow, slightly, at Tino's face. "Is something wrong, Tino?"

Tino whimpered, "He has t-teeth…" He pointed, before he could stop himself, and then hurriedly put his hand down and behind his back, clutching it for dear life. Carson was giggling and clapping now, and Tino saw with each clap the child was making that the little boy had deep purplish-blue tattoos on his skin. They were glowing brightly, as the little boy said, "Funny man, funny Queen."

Emil seemed to frown, "Tino, you look pale. Perhaps you should lie down inside the castle." He said, matter-of-factly, as if it was a statement, not a suggestion. Tino tore his eyes from Carson's suspicious mouth and then back to Emil, and nodded hurriedly. "Y-yes, I should lie down…"

Emil nodded, and then began walking. "Come then, the night royalty shall arrive when the sun goes down. It's best to get you inside before they think you're a threat and try to take you under." Tino stared after him, until a hand came down on his shoulder and he screamed.

Emil spun around, a forbidding-looking rapier in his hands before Tino had even blinked. Then, Emil lowered it as he said, "Oh, Berwald, it is only you. You gave me reason to believe you were one of the dead trying to steal the new Majesty."

Berwald, Tino recognized as the stranger who was the entire reason Tino was here in the first place, blinked. He said, "No, I am not one of the dead." He was holding Peter in his hips, his hand slowly going from Tino's shoulder to his hand as he tried to encourage him to start walking. "Come, wife, Emil is right, you need to be inside to avoid the dead."

Tino blinked, and then looked around hurriedly. He was pale and trembling, even worse, sticking close to Berwald's side. There are dead here, he thought, they don't mean ghosts, right? They can't mean ghosts, right? Ghosts aren't real…

Right…?

Tino wasn't sure anymore what he believed anymore...

He missed it at first, but the moment his head turned back to what was in front of him, his voice got caught in his throat as his purple eyes widened. The hall was the size of his entire shitty apartment. He blinked, shaking his head in disbelief as he heard Peter making his own words of amazement. "Wow…"

Wow, indeed. The walls were adorned in a royal blue, with a thick stripe of gold going through the middle. The curtains were either a dark blue with seemingly moving ripples or a glossy white that seemed to shimmer.

Small and larger plants sat in vases of each and every various size, holding beautiful flowers that gave the air around them a sweet smell. A rich rug of real and thick white fur was at their feet. Tino tried to capture everything in the hall to his memory. There were stunning paintings of thick woods, and the rolling seas. The detailed portraits of handsome sea captains and Vikings, alike, all created with magnificent elements of detail.

And then, there was the enormous white monster running towards them, roaring and snarling…and headed right at Tino.

He screamed, right as the enormous white dog shifted suddenly into the form of a tiny white puppy. Tino blinked, "Huh?" The tiny pouch licked his cheek, wagging its stump of a tail, and barking happily. Berwald looked down at his side and saw a confused Tino holding his dog. "Oh, that was it. The dog scared you." He glared at the dog, blue eyes flashing darkly. "No, bad dog, do not scare my wife."

The tiny dog's ears flattened to its head, and it whimpered its agreement, before Berwald straightened back up to his full height and said, "Come, wife, I want to show you where you shall stay until you have…adjusted."

Tino nodded, not really knowing what Berwald meant by adjusting but going along with it. He shifted the tiny dog in his arms, and when he looked ahead, he saw that Berwald was staring behind him, threatening.

"Make one move," Berwald growled, "and you will lose your head before you can even think to blink." Tino paled, as he thought, b-but I haven't even done anything!

But his thoughts were cut short, as Mathias revealed himself. The blonde huffed, "No fair, dude. I was only going to give him a good scare. You and Lukas are no fun." Berwald's face didn't change, as Tino saw that Peter was ignoring the whole situation in favor of looking at a painting of a Viking that closely resembled Berwald.

"At least, Lukas has sense." Berwald stated, flatly. "Sometimes, I wonder if you were adopted." Mathias' jaw dropped dramatically, and he faked a tearful face. "You don't mean that! You love your big brother, don't you?"

Tino stood there, confused. Mathias was the older brother between him and Berwald? But Berwald was taller, way taller! Looks like that saying was right. Looks are deceiving. He had been fooled. Mathias looked nor acted nothing like any older brother he had seen.

"I'm afraid I do, and sometimes," Berwald said, as he gestured Tino to begin walking in front of him. "It is the bond between us that keeps me from throwing out of the window, some days." Mathias huffed again, "You are a real cruel bastard, you know that, dude?" Mathias said, as he shook his head in a disapproving matter, as Berwald ignored him, in favor of continuing walking. "I thought I raised you better than—Hey! Come back here! I'm not done with my big brotherly monologue!"

Berwald called back, still walking and directing Tino up a fleet of gold-lined white marble steps. "Well, I am done listening. Go annoy your own spouse or be a father and play with your son."

Tino again felt himself blink. Mathias was a father? He was a husband? Who, in their right mind, he thought, married him?

Mathias huffed, "Whatever, Berry, I'm going to go annoy Emil. Lukas is putting Carson to bed." Tino still didn't know who Mathias was married who. Was it Emil or Lukas? He didn't have a problem with gays, he had been wondering if he was, himself, for a few years now. But a question lingered in his mind…How the Hell was Carson Mathias' son if Lukas and Emil, the only other people he had seen with him, were MALE?

Then, an idea came to him, one that made his face match the color of blood as he suddenly shook his head furiously and Berwald gave him a raised brow. No! No-no-no-no! I don't want to know, he told himself, mentally, I don't want to know, I don't want to know, I don't—

Damn, this is a big ass room, his thoughts finished, as he found himself introduced to a lavish room swathed in complimenting shades of blues and whites. He found himself staring at everything: from the overly large wardrobe to the lush covers and blankets and fluffy pillows on the bed, to the lush drapes and the comfy-looking bay window seat and-and—

Flashes of his shitty apartment came back to mind, and Tino suddenly felt the reality of just how poor he was compared to Berwald crash down on him. I am so poor, he thought, sullenly, as he carried the dog inside the room and eyed each and every expensive item and furniture with envy.

Rich bum, he thought with growing jealousy. How can he be so rich, at a time like this, no less?

Berwald had put Peter down only for him to have run through an open doorway, and Tino heard the young boy shout, "Oh my God! He has everything in here! Mama, come look, he has everything!" Berwald blinked, as he tried to think of what Peter was talking about and Tino frowned, following.

He came in, only for a grunt to choke him of words as he saw the room was filled with every play thing and game Peter had ever known, the few he saw that he remembered Ravis have and brag about, and a few he had never even heard of or seen.

Tino ducked back out, his thoughts coming to the conclusion that Berwald had money—and a very lot of it. Damn rich bum, he thought as he came to the wardrobe. He pictured the expensive silky clothes inside and sighed as he put a hand to the gold knob.

He opened it, but was surprised when he found it was full of children clothing. Specifically, it was full of clothes and shoes that would fit Peter. They were nice clothes, and very nice shoes, with new hat and gloves and more of the accessory such.

Tino blinked, and spoke without speaking, "Huh?" Berwald appeared behind him, and his voice said, "This is the little one's room, wife, your room is next door." Tino's head looked over his shoulder and he saw Berwald looking down on him.

Tino, then, took the opportunity to see if Berwald dressed like he was rich. The tall blonde wore a long-sleeved white shirt, with a dark red vest over it. The vest had intricate black patterns, and was shorter than the shirt underneath it, revealing the white tail tips in the front. He wore pressed dark brown pants and a darker shade of brown in his expensive boots.

He had thrown his sand-colored jacket over his arm, since they had come inside the house and its warmer temperature. Tino saw an expensive gold chain linking to a golden pocket-watch in the vest's front pocket. The pocket-watch had his name printed in ornate script, and had a diamond on the case.

Tino frowned and looked down at the clothes he had on. He wore an oversized ashen sweater with his dark coffee slim-fitting sweats, added on with his plaid green socks and ratty shoes that boasted numerous scuffs. His hips were showing, oh-so obvious because he found it in some bargain bin and hadn't realized that the sweats had been made for a women's shape.

That he fit them at all made him ashamed. He hadn't known he was that wide. But he didn't have the extra money or the time, since he often worked late and took extra shifts, to run to any stores to get a looser pair. So he was stuck with a lot of slim pants…and putting his feminine frame on display for all to see.

He felt so inadequate, right then. He felt his face heat up in shame. His blue tattoos mocked his misery, by glowing.

"Wife," Berwald asked, and Tino suddenly blurted out, "Tino-my name's Tino. I'm not a girl." Tino blinked and then he blushed in embarrassment. Berwald nodded, seemingly oblivious. "Yes, well," a pause as Berwald tried to mentally roll the name off of his tongue. "Tino, dinner will be served soon. I want to show you to your rooms."

Tino hurriedly nodded, and then stopped and actually tried to hear what Berwald was saying. He answered slowly, traces of his Finnish accent coming in with his nervousness and fear, "Yes, I would need to know where I am going to sleep here…"

Berwald's brows rose when he heard the smaller blonde's accent and Tino hurriedly explained. "I'm originally from Finland, I moved to England a few years back." Berwald's face smoothed out, and then he seemed to smile. "I was born in Sweden. Our countries are neighbors to each other."

Tino tried to smile back, but the taller male's smile rubbed him in the wrong way. 'Our countries are neighbors to each other', a voice mocked in his head, Sweden used to have control of Finland for years!

And now it's happening to me, he thought sourly, history is repeating itself. God is making fun of me with my heritage and history.

Tino inwardly sighed; his tattoos glowed a bit before dimming back down as he followed Berwald out of the room. Tino was about to cross the threshold of the door, when Peter grabbed his arm. Tino looked down and saw big blue eyes full of fear. "You're not going to sleep with me anymore?"

Realization hit me like a harsh slap to the face, and Tino bit his lip. He bent down to his knees to better meet Peter's eyes as he said, "Well, no, baby. I have my own room, now." Peter didn't look too happy at that, and Tino tried to cheer him up by adding on, "But you're a big boy, I know you'll be alright. Besides, I'm only next door. I'm not far away. You shouldn't have trouble finding me."

Peter replied, "But you're not staying in the same room, anyways. We've always shared the same bed, ever since I was little." Tino smiled, warmly. Ever since I brought you home, he mentally corrected, you've slept with me, each and every night, I held you until you could sleep on your own back without my help and falling over on yourself.

But he didn't say it aloud. He didn't need to give Peter further reason for them to remain together. He was going to have to end up stop the bed sharing sooner than later anyways. Peter was getting bigger. He was past Tino's hip, now. He was going to have to be told about puberty or something soon.

"Baby," he started, taking hold of Peter's hands and making the puppy hop to the floor and sit down, waiting for its chance to be back in someone's arms again. "Could you be a big boy for your Mama and do this? Please," he added for emphasis. He was hoping Peter would say no, just so Tino, himself, could have a reason not to expect Berwald to come marching into his bed at night.

But Peter said, "Okay then…because I'm a big boy, alright," he turned and caught sight of the puppy. The white dog barked, happily, and wagged its stumpy tail. Peter released Tino's hands quickly and snatched up the tiny white dog. "Oh gosh, can I keep him? Can I, can I, can I, can I, please?"

Tino felt something wash over him. He inwardly sniffled as he realized that his little baby was growing up and now asking for a puppy.

I feel so old, he thought with an inward sniffle. He made a move to stand up on his own but found Berwald's hand in his, and being pulled swiftly to his feet. He blinked; remembered his manners and blushed, "Um, thank you…Berwald."

Berwald nodded, smiling a bit. "You're welcome. Feel free to keep the puppy. He adores attention and the affection of others." Peter beamed, as he hugged the white dog to his chest. The dog couldn't have been happier as its stumpy tail wagged furiously. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Tino smiled, even as Berwald took his hand to lead him to his room. It wasn't until the door closed behind him, that he realized he didn't have Peter to act as a buffer between him and Berwald. The tall blonde was looking down on him, teal eyes dark, as he said, "Do you like your room?"

Tino took a small gulp, but risked a quick glance around the room. He felt his shoulders lose their tension as he saw the extravagancy in everything. The bed was done up in golden colors and white and small pieces of royal blue in the few plush pillows. There were fewer pillows than he had seen in Peter's room, but his were bigger and had golden knotted trills on the ends.

He walked towards the bed, and ran his hand over the sheets and, his cheeks flushed when he saw they were silk. He noticed that the bed was a bit higher at the head, but lower near the end where a small white chest was placed.

The wardrobe was made of smooth marble, with golden handles, and the tall mirror on the wall next to his luxury bathroom made him feel self-conscious. He eyed the wardrobe, and with an inner sigh of "What the Hell, why not?" He opened it and found himself making a noise of surprise when he saw how many new and expensive-looking clothes were inside.

He picked up a pair of black boots, purple eyes wide. The size was right, and it was everything he wanted in a boot…but, he knew the very boot cost more than he could make in a month. He wanted to cry. He was so poor…

"I don't know what to say," he began quietly and he heard the soft shuffle of feet behind him. Berwald spoke, just as quietly as he had, "Can you say that the room meets your expectations?" Tino's head jerked up, brows high. He could not be serious. He did not just ask if this room was okay.

But Berwald was serious, Tino noticed. His green-blue eyes told no lies. Berwald actually thought that Tino would be disappointed with the room. Did he not see what he had previously lived in? He was now about to live a plush life, with all sorts of expensive and nice things, and Berwald thought Tino would be disappointed?

Tino answered quickly, "This very room is a lot better than any place I have lived or worked in." This was the honest truth. Tino felt his new bedroom was evenly matched with Ivan's grand hall. At the thought of Ivan, Tino suddenly remembered that today wasn't his day-off.

He paled, "What time is it?" Berwald blinked, but pulled his pocket-watch from his coat and clicked the button to open it. "About a quarter to eight." Tino blinked, and then made a nervous laugh. His poor home phone, he had missed a whole day. He was so fired.

"Uh, am I allowed to continue working?" Tino asked. He already knew the answer as Berwald snorted. "No." Well then, Tino thought, as he asked, "Can I make a few calls, then?"

Berwald raised a brow, "I would not know. Can you?" Tino blinked, before it registered in his mind that the other was trying to be sarcastic. He fixed his wording, "May I make a few calls, Berwald?" He didn't realize until after it left his mouth that he had used the other's name in his request. But he was glad he did say it, the response it made on Berwald seemed to be positive.

"Phone is over there, on the nightstand." Berwald said, and then he stepped aside. "I will wait, with the little one, until you are done." He made a move to leave, and then seemed to remember something. "If you are not done when dinner is called, I will drag you out."

At first, Tino thought he was joking, as he put the phone to his ear. But green-blue eyes were completely serious. Tino blurted, "You're serious?"

Berwald didn't even nod or say anything, besides the thrown, "I shall be back, Tino," before he walked out the door. Tino waited a moment, before he said to the quiet room, "That guy…makes Ivan seem people-friendly."

But as the Finnish native turned back to the phone to say his last regards to his bosses, and ignoring the yells that he had missed work from his factory boss and the sweet cajoling of Ivan, he should have looked up.

He should have seen the red-eyed grey form that looked at him from the window.

Who thinks that they know who the form was?

Anyone? No one? Okay…

._.

Verdamnt, I almost made 5k words this chapter. That was an accident. It wasn't supposed to go this long! DX

Um, that's really all I have to say for now. In other news, my stories, "Beneath the Surface" shall be updated soon. Some of my fans of that story reading this so be expecting that sometime this week or into the next.

Ugh, at least some of my stories are ending soon…Thank Gott.

Yes, this is still T. I don't do rape. Rape=no-no in B World. I like consent; however, I have nothing against murder and other M-shit. Just rape…

Rape makes me feel sad. QAQ

So, no rape, but do look forward to seeing some Nordic family action soon with a slight lime/lemon jizz on the side. :3

This story needs to get off its T ass and go M. I want an M-Blue Embers!

XDD

*RANT-MODE Off*