Tino was sure that Berwald knew that he was going to bathe; bathing wasn't a completely alien concept to a Viking. A bathroom, however, especially a shower, was. It came as little surprise to Tino that Berwald could only gawk at the cold, white, tile, the electric lights, and the plumbing.
"Where's th' water?" asked Berwald, his voice deep and soft as ever, yet questioning.
"Well, you won't understand this, but, watch." Tino said, twisting the shower lever on and sending a spray of water roaring from the head.
Berwald let out a defining battle cry and leapt in front of Tino, holding out his long arms protectively.
Lukas laughed, "It's not attacking Tino, and it's only a shower head. This is how people today bathe."
Berwald cautiously placed his hand under the stream of water. After he decided that it was safe, his entire body relaxed, as though tamed.
Tino struggled to keep himself from laughing, "See, it's harmless."
Berwald grunted affirmative and removed his tunic, putting his bare body on display. And what a body it was! The Viking was tall and lean, yet muscular. Pale skin, nicked here and there with a battle scar or two, gleamed slightly under the lights of Lukas' bathroom. Not realizing what he was doing, Tino began looking Berwald up and down, drinking in every detail of the man's body. He felt his face darken with a scarlet blush. It was then that Tino realized what he was doing. His head snapped up, as if suspended by a wire, as he forced his gaze to stay on Berwald's face.
"Looks like you kinda know what to do. Um, could you stand under the water?" Tino asked, almost robotically.
"'Kay" Berwald said, promptly doing as he was told.
Lukas, bottle of shampoo in hand, leaned over and whispered in Tino's ear. "I saw you staring."
"Was not." the Finn replied, his whispering voice sounding more like a hiss.
"Suit yourself, I'm gonna teach him how to wash his hair."
Half an hour later, both young men stood admiring their handiwork, which was currently standing before them wearing only a soft, white towel around his waist.
"Well, he's clean," said Tino "but he's still naked."
"Point taken." replied Lukas, who disappeared into the room next door, leaving Tino and Berwald alone.
After a few minutes of staring at each other in an awkward silence, Tino decided that it would be a good idea to try to start a casual conversation.
"So, what did you think of your first shower?" Tino asked.
"Was nice. Fast." said Berwald.
"Compared to bathing, it really is." Tino was already running out of things to say.
"Yer face got red when I took off m' tunic. Ya looked 'mbarassed." Berwald mumbled matter-of-factly.
"You were imagining things." said Tino, firmly.
"Don' understand. Ya seen m' body. I've seen yers. We've made love b'fore…."
"Berwald, stop. We've never had sex. Why are you talking like this to a guy you've just met?"
"But, yer m'wife."
"Fuck, this is embarrassing!"
Suddenly, Lukas emerged. Very large clothes were draped haphazardly over his arm.
"Sorry I took so long, I just had to figure out where my dad's old clothes were. He was a pretty big guy, so these should fit you, Berwald. Of course, you and Tino will have to go and buy more later."
Berwald dropped his towel and took the clothing from Lukas. As Berwald held a blue, button up shirt against his torso, Tino realized something very important.
"Lukas," he said, "I don't think he's too familiar with these kinds of clothes."
"That's why you need to go over and help him." replied Lukas, jabbing his friend in the ribs with a sharp elbow.
Red faced, Tino picked up a pair of grey checked boxers and walked over to Berwald. "Put these on like pants," he said "It's weird that you're going to wear a dead guy's underwear, though." Tino shot a glare at Lukas, who shrugged.
"It's all that I have. Mine and my brothers' would be too small."
After enduring several minutes of fumbling with buttons and zippers and brushing involuntarily against tantalizing skin, Tino could say that he had done his job well. Berwald stood tall in his khaki pants, black dress shoes and blue button up shirt. In fact, he looked almost normal; save for the numerous scabs that dotted his jaw line and his oddly cut hair. Wait, his hair.
"Berwald, what happened to your hair and face?" Tino asked, suddenly curious.
The stormy-eyed Viking tapped his chin with a long index finger, apparently thinking hard. He spoke at last; "They cut m' hair an' shaved m' beard before they sealed me. Tried ta humiliate me."
"Well, that explains the unusual hair cut." Tino said.
"Vikings were proud of their long hair and beards." Lukas explained, obviously for Tino's benefit.
"But the greatest humiliation was not bein' able ta protect ya." Berwald said. His blue eyes were slightly watery.
Tino was speechless. This man, this Viking, was on the verge of tears. For him. Well, if he decided to accept the fact that he might possibly be reincarnated. Tino wasn't ready to form an opinion on that matter yet. In spite of this, he couldn't help but feel strangely touched. Whoever it was that Berwald loved, he loved him with his entire being.
"I-I'm sorry." Tino stuttered, not knowing what else to say.
For the first time that day, Berwald's lips turned upward slightly. Perhaps it was a smile that illuminated the man's stoic face. Tino couldn't tell.
"Anyways," said Lukas, "We have two hours before Emil gets home from school, so let's go get Berwald a haircut."
"Feliks is good at that kind of thing, and he works just down the street. I'll give him a call and tell him what's going on." Tino added.
"Let's go then, come on Berwald."
The Fab-u-lous salon cut the hair of both men and women, but was still very female oriented. The walls were painted a soft pink giving the entire place an effeminate glow. It smelled of peppermint; there were scented candles burning in the waiting area, after all. Even the magazines seemed to be mostly geared towards women, for there was only one token Men's Health at the bottom of a seemingly endless pile of Cosmopolitans and People Magazines. Neither Tino nor Lukas was fond of this environment, but they came here to have their friend Feliks cut Berwald's hair. They, of course, had two reasons for imploring his help: one; he was their friend and two; he wouldn't freak out, even if magic was involved.
Finally, after ten long minutes of sitting in peppermint hell, the three men saw Feliks approaching. One could certainly say that he was cut out for his job. He had flawless blond hair, which he kept cut just to his mid neck in a tight bob. His expressive green eyes were crowned by perfectly plucked eyebrows. Oh, and who could forget those bubblegum pink nails. Feliks sure did have a flair for the flamboyant.
"So, like, is that the Viking dude you guys told me about over the phone?" he asked, pointing at Berwald.
"Yes," replied Lukas "You don't have to talk to him; he's quiet and doesn't speak English. He, Tino, and I are tongue bound, so if you have any questions to ask him, just ask us."
"Ooooh, okay. The strong, silent type. I like that. I get kinda scared when I have to talk to new peeps." Feliks said. He then turned his gaze to Tino. "He's kind of a hunk." He added, mischievously.
"Okay, okay, let's just get his hair fixed up." groaned Tino, already tired of people implying that he and the Viking were in a relationship.
Tino gestured to Berwald, who decided to stop gawking at cars out the window in order to follow his beloved's instructions.
"Go with this man and sit in the black chair over there. He will use a pair of scissors, which is like two knives, to even out your hair. He will also use a little thing that has blades on the end and buzzes. Don't be afraid when he does, it's not alive. It only cuts your hair closer to the skin." Tino knew his instructions were a bit long winded, but he also knew that they were needed. He didn't want Berwald freaking out again.
Berwald nodded, "Will do as ya say." he said. He then followed Feliks towards the black chair, Tino and Lukas in tow, just in case.
"Ta-da!" Feliks exclaimed, "I am such a genius."
Berwald's hair had been cut into a short, somewhat choppy style, like jagged yellow ice. Feliks had left short sideburns, giving the Viking a rugged appearance.
"Looks good," said Lukas, "Berwald, do you like your hair?"
"S'short, but I c'n get used to it." the giant replied.
Tino smiled brightly at Feliks, "Thanks, he doesn't look homeless anymore."
The effeminate hairdresser laughed loudly, "Oi, Tino, you, like, have an interesting way of putting things."
"So do you mister 'Toris totally looks like a hot janitorial warrior.'"
"He was wearing a military jacket and wielding some paper towels like a sword. Like, what else could I say?"
Lukas glanced at his cell phone, "I hate to break up this riveting conversation," he said sarcastically, "but we only have fifteen minutes before my brother gets home."
"You're right, we have to head back." said Tino, "Bye, Feliks."
"See ya boys later." Feliks said waving wildly as the three men walked out the door.
The street had gotten far busier, likely because of the fact that many high schools were releasing students. Berwald could only stare dumbfounded at the cars, completely unable to understand what they were or how they worked.
"Tino," said Lukas, "Maybe you should hold his hand when we cross. You know, for safety."
Tino wordlessly and grudgingly accepted, interlacing his fingers with Berwald's much larger ones. Suddenly, Tino began to feel light headed. His entire world went pitch black, and his body froze. The air grew thick, as thick as water. It was like being trapped in a riptide, pushed along by the hot sea water and unable to reach the shore. Tino attempted to cry out for help, but he couldn't make a sound. It was then that he felt the sensation of falling, and a strange scene unfolded before him.
Two young men stood in a clearing, hand in hand, heads tilted up towards the stars. Both seemed completely content as the soft spring wind shook the branches of the night darkened trees. The taller of the two men, who appeared to be bearded, gazed down at his shorter companion, lovingly.
"Th' stars seem brighter here." He whispered. He then leaned in for a kiss.
((Wow, that was a long chapter. XD I still can't believe how many of you guys are following this fanfic. It makes me feel so special, thank you!))