Disclaimer: If Axis Powers Hetalia were mine, I wouldn't need to write fanfics. If any of these songs were mine, I wouldn't be writing fanfics.
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Minimal fluff 09!
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As If the Year Wasn't Hard Enough!
They had been friends for a while – they first met during their first year at UN, that is. It had been an unusual friendship: the year's scariest looking student with the year's sweetest. Some accredited it to Sweden probably intimidating Finland until they were friends. Further more suspected that perhaps Finland had done something to annoy Sweden and he was only around like a prisoner of war. Ones who were closer to the two would confidently explain, however, that they became friends by the most mundane reason.
They had just happened to be sitting next to each other in the back of homeroom.
Both were new additions to the class as opposed to those who had moved up from the junior high school part of UN. Therefore, it was normal for the two to sit by themselves until homeroom started. As forementioned, they were in the two seats in the back of the classroom – Finland was smiling to himself, ready to start the school year on a positive note while Sweden was staring vacantly out the window, looking like a complete loner.
The two probably would not have even exchanged greetings if two arguing classmates had not taken their fight to the back of the room.
"And I'm telling you, my dear England, that you really shouldn't get your hopes up trying to run for student council president. Who would ever want to be ordered around by someone with such a stuffed head such as yourself?"
"I'm telling you France, first I'm going to murder you in an extremely painful way before making you eat your words, you bloody wanker."
They had fussed and shouted their way past a bored-looking curly haired Spanish student, past a serious, scowling blonde named Germany, and made their way to the back, where they would be able to attack each other without drawing too much attention to themselves. As France continued backing up in order to avoid England's wrath, he bumped into Finland's desk hard, knocking all the books on it onto the floor.
"See what you did, you git? You just messed up that kid's desk."
"Did I? Only because you made me." France turned briefly to Finland, who was quickly trying to retrieve his books. "Sorry, dear. That comes from England."
"You useless sod!"
As Finland continued picking up all the books that had fallen, he looked up to see his neighbor had taken some of the textbooks that had dropped and was handing them to him. There was a look of apathy on his face and Finland merely stared at him.
"Your books," Sweden said, revealing a deep, husky voice. Finland started and quickly reached for them. "I'm sorry, I must have been lost in thought just now. Thank you so much. You're new too, right? I'm Finland."
"You talk a lot."
"Oh!" Finland shook his head quickly. "I just thought…I mean…I was only trying to be friendly…because you helped me…if you want, I'll leave you alone, I only thought…"
"It's okay."
"I mean, I'm new, so I don't know a lot of people yet, so I thought…I don't know…maybe we could be friends? Well…I guess helping someone out doesn't mean they're suddenly friends but I guess…I don't know your name yet, so maybe I'm just overthinking everything don't mind me…" Finland was running his mouth as England and France fought in the corner. Sweden gave him a look.
"Sweden."
"Pardon?"
"My name. Sweden."
"Oh! Oh, yes! Hi, Sweden. Like I said, I'm new. Are you new too? I thought that since maybe you weren't talking to anyone…not that there's any problem with that if you've come up from the middle school! That's totally cool, I was just wondering…"
"I'm new."
"Oh. Okay. Then we can stick together. Because I kind of don't know where to go. My schedule said I have physics first period and they say I'm supposed to go to this lab place but I don't know where that is so I'm sort of in a rut. What class do you have first?"
"You talk a lot."
"Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Finland looked down apologetically before saying sheepishly, "I tend to talk a lot when I'm nervous."
"What're you nervous about?"
"Um…everything." Sweden looked over this boy from behind his glasses, from the haphazardly combed sandy hair to the earnest violet eyes staring at the ground. Everything about this classmate screamed anxiety.
"Don't be scared."
"Huh? Oh, I'm not scared of you. I mean, yes, you're a little intimidating but…" Finland trailed off as Sweden stared silently at him. "Oh…you meant about everything else." Giving the stoic fellow first year a look of terror, Finland quickly faced front again. "Um, I'll just get out of your hair now, Sweden. I'm digging myself into a deeper hole if I keep talking, so it would just be best if I just shut up now."
"I don't mind." Finland gave him a look of gratitude as the homeroom teacher rushed in, calling for order as England cackled, readying to smash a world globe over France's head. To no one's surprise, homeroom had been a rather interesting start to the school year.
The rest of the day had been rather mundane in Sweden's opinion, save the time France had decided to come onto the teacher. Lunch came accordingly, and as Sweden got ready to eat by himself, Finland had rushed over to him. "Can I eat with you, Su-san?" Covering his mouth with a look of oops, Finland rushed into an apology. "Oh, I don't even know where that came from! I guess Su-san and Sweden sort of rhyme…it's a weird nickname, isn't it? I'm sorry! Sometimes my mind sort of goes off into tangents like that! I'm kind of weird like that! Sorry!"
"It's okay." Personally, Sweden thought it was sort of endearing to be called 'Su-san'. It fit Finland's mouth better, anyway; the boy sounded awkward calling him by his real name. The easily flustered boy seemed more natural using cute nicknames.
"Anyway," Finland said, scooting down next to him with a 'let's-get-over-that-shall-we?' smile. "How have classes been going for you, Sweden?"
"Su-san."
Finland blinked. "Su-san?" He waited for an explanation, but Sweden continued eating as if he hadn't said anything. "You want me to call you Su-san?" There was no acknowledgement, but if Finland was getting better at reading his new friend, this meant yes. "Alright then. How have classes been going for you, Su-san?"
"Fine."
At first, it had been awkward, Finland speaking most of the time, but as the year passed, it became natural for Finland to speak for the both of them with Sweden using his voice at random times. It became normal to see the two of them doing things together, like ordinary best friends. Finland got along quite well with everyone else, for all his worries, although Sweden kept mostly to himself. The situation had since become ignored by everyone else until they became second years, with the arrival of the new first years.
New first year A: Norway. Norway was Sweden's cousin, and Finland could sort of see the resemblance. Both had similar blank expressions as their default face and neither spoke unless spoken to. Norway had no problem being around second years, although despite the welcome, the first year usually headed toward the art room during his free time. The boy also had another friend, Iceland, who caused no trouble for anyone except the ones he hated. And boy, could Iceland hate.
New first year B: Denmark. Denmark had made himself well known, along with America, who established himself in the second years' lives with his advances at England. Finland considered him irrelevant, as neither he nor Sweden were close to England although the rumors were quite interesting. Denmark was a first year who was a wanna-be second year, skirting from the green-nosed first years and avoiding the 'old' third years. He had locked onto Finland, going from badgering him to trying to get in his pants. Sweden had been troubled at this attention but due to his nature of saying less, Finland was left to fend for himself as Sweden stared a curse at the noisy first year.
Then Norway came and scolded Denmark for Sweden and suddenly it was a different story.
New first year C: Hungary. Hungary had been a friendly-looking wide eyed first year. She had been wandering the halls with a camera and Finland had rushed up to her, ready to help her if she had been lost. As Sweden ambled up to them, Hungary had stared at the both of them with interest.
"Who's he?" she had asked.
"Oh this? He's Su-san…oh, I mean, Sweden. I just call him Su-san."
"Really? And are you two…you know…"
"Friends?"
"No. More than that." Hungary's eyes sparkled at the suggestion and Finland took a step back.
"It's nothing like that!" he insisted, glancing nervously at Sweden. "We're just friends!"
"But they say you two are inseparable," Hungary protested, as if if she complained enough, she'd have her way. "There's got to be some sort of sexual tension going on there! Oh, or are you hiding your feelings for him behind the best friend façade? How tasty!" Giggling, she had held the camera up to her face and taken a few pictures before Sweden spoke up.
"Go away."
"Touchy," Hungary pouted, hurrying away. Her suggestion stayed in the air, though, as she became infamous for setting up various boy couples, going as far as to stray into suggesting that perhaps France and England were just showing pent-up sexual frustration – America had taken care of that.
And now their last year of UN had come around, faster than you can say "That was short, wasn't it Su-san?". Sweden had come around Finland's house, as the latter had worried himself into a rut wondering if he was really ready for the year coming up.
"We can't afford to just sit back this year, Su-san!" Finland shouted, standing in the middle of his room like a boxer in a ring. Sweden was sitting on his bed, watching silently as always.
"It's our last year, so we've got to grab the bull by the horns!" Finland continued, sounding confident in every word. "We've got to say what we've got to say this year! We can't just the year go by like the last two! We're going to join a bunch of clubs and we're going to be known by everyone else! We're going to get girlfriends too and we're going to end this last year right! Right, Su-san?"
Finland had looked expectantly at Sweden, and before the latter could reply, Finland had suddenly leaned forward and kissed his silent friend on the lips, full of feeling – almost like the boy himself. Sweden had been surprised, but as usual, didn't show too much of anything. Finland broke away, flushing bright pink.
"I'm sorry, Su-san, I don't know what happened! I just…I…you…we…" Finland's hands flew to his face. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that, it was extremely inappropriate…"
"It's okay." Sweden reached out and pulled Finland onto him, taking those small hands off the red face. "Don't mind." Leaning down, he kissed Finland, gently to take away the apprehension filling those violet eyes. Finland kissed back shyly, gingerly, wrapping his arms around Sweden's neck.
Finland's parents weren't going to be home for a while.
Sweden was quiet as he ran his hand through Finland's sweat soaked hair; the latter was curled up asleep next to him, barely covered by the sheets. He watched Finland's chest rise and fall with his breaths before sliding out of bed to find his pants.
Despite the fact that neither had told anyone about their change in relationship, everyone seemed to know on the first day of their third year. Hungary was on them like a predator to its prey.
"Hey, you two!" She had burst out and surprised them near the shoe cubbies, camera in hand. "So tell me, how long since summer has this thing been going on?"
"Um…what thing?" Finland glanced at Sweden and that was all the proof the second year fangirl needed.
"You two! You're an item now, right?" When the only response was a fiercely blushing Finland and (the usual) soundless Sweden, Hungary squealed. "I knew it! Anyone can just tell! It's very obvious, you know. New couples just give off that new couple smell."
Despite his better judgment, Sweden sniffed his sleeve.
"Congratulations! There were a lot of people waiting for this to happen. Hey, I'll take a picture to commemorate!" Holding the camera up, Hungary angled her lens before Sweden reached forward and covered it.
"No pictures," he said, feeling déjà vu from the first time they had met Hungary. She could be as nosy as the paparazzi.
Norway, surprisingly, also had something to say. He found them in homeroom before classes started and stared at them for a while. "So I guess that means you've done it."
Finland looked confused but Sweden had known his cousin long enough to know what he meant. "How would you know?" the taller third year asked.
Norway shrugged. "You two had three years to figure it out. That's a long time to keep up sexual tension."
And so the world (UN High, at least) offhandedly knew about Sweden and Finland and dared not make anything of it. Third year passed by soundlessly, with the usual ups and downs. Of course, the pair were much different from their other counterparts from other years, as they had an extra topic to worry about.
Entrance exams to university.
Finland rushed into the classroom during lunch, where Sweden was already situated and eating lunch while silently wondering where the former had gone. "Su-san," the smaller third year gushed, sliding into his seat, "I went to see the college councilor. I was telling him about how I wanted to be a social worker and he recommended Helsinki University in the north. He was also saying that I should broaden my horizons and look at places farther away. What do you think? Where do you want to go?"
Sweden considered. "Local," he said.
"You want to stay local?" There was a hint of disappointment in Finland's voice but it was quickly covered. "Well, there's no problem in that. I could come look at some with you, if you want. Isn't it exciting to visit universities?"
Days passed and Sweden was starting to entertain a notion he had been troubled with since the beginning of third year.
He visited Helsinki with Finland. The latter was very impressed with the campus and was friendly with all the teachers he met, but it didn't seem right to Sweden. It was a perfect people place for a people person like Finland. They left with conflicting thoughts (Sweden) and optimism (Finland).
They went to visit the some of the local universities as well. Finland seemed to fit in in those atmospheres as well. Granted, at the public universities, there were uncountable numbers of frat boys and party animals, but Finland was able to help Sweden navigate through the unsavory colleges and pick one that was right for the silent third year.
It went without saying that the two had picked different colleges in different directions.
Still, Finland showered Sweden with affection whatever chance he got. Sweden would be on cleaning duty when Finland would slip into the classroom and wrap his arms around the other's neck, smiling sweetly as their lips met. Valentine's Day (doomsday for every single couple in existence at UN, as Hungary went on a streak that day) came and past without relative discomfort and Finland's homemade chocolates were edible (Sweden suspected Finland was so sincere that he wasn't even looking at what he was mixing together). When White Day arrived, Sweden was a little concerned that he hadn't gotten anything for Finland when he decided to give the kid he had 'adopted' – a little first year named Sealand who followed him around and was determined to be his mentee.
The little nagging doubt hung around Sweden and he knew he had to do something about it.
"Finland." Honestly, it wasn't so unusual that one would approach a friend after school, but the way Finland and the other people around seemed to stare at him like he had grown an extra head just by speaking was uncalled for. He spoke! "My house. After school."
"I'm sorry, Su-san, but I can't today. I've got a club meeting. How about tomorrow? Why? What do you want to do?"
"Talk."
Finland blinked. "We can talk here, can't we?"
Sweden shook his head.
Finland quickly excused himself from the group he was talking to and pulled Sweden along the hallway until they ducked into an empty classroom. "Su-san, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just need to talk to you."
Finland looked concerned. "Are you upset? Did I do something wrong? Did something happen?"
"No. Just need to talk."
Finland sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Sometimes you not talking makes me anxious…we can talk tomorrow, can't we? Or can this not wait?"
"It can wait."
"Okay." Finland looked up at Sweden, staring straight past the glasses into his blue eyes. "Su-san…you still…you still like me, right?" Finland was trying to look nonchalant, but Sweden could sense the uneasiness. It troubled him to think this was the reason Finland was worried.
"No. I still like you." And he meant it. Just as he meant to wrap his arms around Finland's waist and pull him close. The other smiled at the contact and placed a fast kiss on Sweden's lips before struggling. "But really, Su-san, I've got a club meeting to go to. I'm so sorry!"
It was okay. It left him more time to figure out how to say it.
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"Su-san! I'm really worried about the entrance exams!" Finland was sitting next to Sweden in the latter's room the next afternoon, fretting over the many textbooks open in front of them. "I mean, I studied and everything but I don't want to fail them! I heard from England that he's been skipping student council to study and recommended I summon a focus spirit. He told me how. Do you think I should?"
Sweden looked at him in all sincerity. "No."
"But maybe if it would help me focus…oh, I don't know!' Finland's eyes looked like they could go off spinning at any moment. Sweden rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry."
Finland looked at him gratefully before snuggling up to him, pulling a textbook on his lap. "Listen, Su-san, I think we should go over this chapter, because I'm not sure I understand what happened and I'm sure it'll be on the exam, cause whenever I don't study something enough, it's always on the test! Okay, let's take notes too…"
"Finland."
"Yes?"
"You want to go to Helsinki?"
"Yes!" Finland's face brightened. "I've sent out an application and I really want to do good on this exam so I can get in! But you know that already." Finland sensed Sweden's quiet was different from usual. "Why…?"
Sweden didn't say anything for a moment, holding Finland at a distance. The latter was surprised; it showed all over his face. "Finland. You know I like you."
"Yes?"
"But…we should just be friends."
Finland's eyes widened and Sweden realized in a panic that they had become wet. He was scrambling for tissues when Finland spoke again, his voice shaky. "You're breaking up with me?"
What could he say? "Sorry," Sweden mumbled, handing Finland a fistful of lotioned tissues. He sat across from Finland as the boy wiped his eyes, trying to compose himself.
"Why?" Finland's voice had grown softer than a whisper, trying to cover his face with the soft tissues. Sweden felt his heart wrench but explained.
"I like you. A lot. But next year's university. We'll be apart. Long distance relationships don't work." Sweden paused, wondering how he could make it clearer that his heart was in the right place. If Finland was going to keep crying, he might start taking it all back.
"I get it," Finland whispered. "I understand. I had a feeling this might be coming. I was worrying about that too. It would hurt a lot more if we ended it without being able to really talk to each other. But I didn't want you to think about it, so I tried to pretend everything was okay. You should have told me." He sniffed, drying his eyes and staring at Sweden. "I still like you a lot, though."
Sweden didn't say anything, just pulled Finland close again. Finland buried his face in the former's shoulder. "I know it's going to be better this way, if we go to university just as friends, but it still hurts. I know it'll be better this way if we have some time apart before we go, but I still want to be with you…" Finland took a shaky breath and leaned back just to look in Sweden's eyes again. "But I won't make it difficult. Because it's what you want and I trust you."
Sweden stared at him for a moment. "Let's get married," he blurted. When Finland looked surprised again amidst his tears, Sweden quickly backtracked. "I mean, after university. If you're still interested."
"Of course I'd still be interested!" Finland insisted. "Granted, we can't legally get married yet, but it'll change in four years, I know it! But what if you don't want me anymore?"
"Stupid," Sweden murmured, pulling Finland close again to kiss him on the forehead. Finland chuckled as he pushed the textbook out from between them.
"So this is what it's like to be single again," he mused, staring up at the ceiling as Sweden buried his nose in his hair. "It's kind of liberating, actually. Not that I'm saying it wasn't good to be with you, cause it was lots of fun. I sort of wish…" he trailed off, apparently lost in his thoughts before completing his sentence. "I sort of wish we could have realized this all sooner so we could spend more time like this."
"We were friends then. Friends are okay."
"Friends are okay," Finland agreed, leaning against Sweden's shoulder. It was sort of nice, even if they just broke up, just to sit together surrounded by homework and passing the time. Then school resurfaced and Finland suddenly sat up.
"What's wrong?"
A look of utter fear crossed Finland's face. "What are we going to tell Hungary's posse tomorrow?"
Owari
Note: Okay, here are a few things I want to get off my chest. First of all, I know the ending is sort of too happy. But here are my arguments: first of all, Sweden still likes Finland, he just wants them to break up so they don't end it too badly if long distance doesn't work out. It's not like it's one of those 'oh, I'm bored now' sort of breakups. So CHILL. I'm not bashing breakups. And Sweden's basically proposed to Finland. I don't mind if you bash my imagination skills for such a blaze ending. Second, I don't support Su-san grunt speak in AU's. Seriously, in real life, if he spoke like that, he would have gone through speech therapy in younger grades. So I compromised: he now speaks less. Whatever.
Or I just can't write SuFin. Sorry, Nordics. Review, please? Even if you're an angst ridden girlfriend. Next time is Switzerland/Austria. Another epic fail too. Thanks for reading!
