A/N: Sorry, guys, girls, and people in between or outside of those categories. The split was not pretty in history...it's not going to be pretty here. There will be a bit of violence and cursing.
The End of the Kalmar Union
On a hastily scribbled note, he had written, I have left the house. Muscovy has attacked my border. Could you send help?
He remembered this note now as he stood near the border, arms crossed, taking his first five minute break in the last three days when a messenger arrived. A small, relieved smile appeared on his lips. Berwald, ever lovely, ever caring Berwald had come through. His smile only widened as he nodded at the messenger, took the letter, and opened it.
Immediately, his smile vanished. His mind froze. Those...those had to be the wrong words...! His fingers rubbed on the edges of the paper, willing it to disappear. Or at least wipe away those eight ugly words.
Held back by Danish Army. Can't help. Sorry.
Tino bit his lip, willing his mouth to stay closed, anger and bitterness sweeping through him. Taking a deep breath, he re-folded the sheet and stuck it in his pocket. Why? Why? But there was no answer to that question. There likely would never be. The hopelessness was creeping up on him. He'd thought... he had been counting on them to be able to help! What was he supposed to do now? He had so few supplies and-
"Sir?" came the voice of the hesitant messenger. God, how he'd missed hearing Finnish!
"Yes?" Tino said, forcing another smile to form on his lips.
"What's wrong?"
Tino sighed, the smile vanishing from his face, an expression of exhaustion and resignation replacing it. "Swedes are caught up in their own war. They...they won't be able to send help." The Finn took in another ragged breath, willing himself not to break down in front of this man. But to Tino's surprise, the man's nose curled slightly at the mention of the Swedes. Then in an angry tone, the man scoffed: "Typical. We pay taxes and they don't even bother to help us fight our war. Don't let it bother you, sir. They're all bastards anyway."
Wait, what? Was this how all of his men thought? Were they all really suffering that much? True, some mornings Tino had to beg himself to even walk, but he had always thought that it was more Mathias' fault than Berwald's. Then again, he had always been rather disconnected from his people. He spent most of his time in Copenhagen or Stockholm, and generally held the same view as Swedes about his own. After all, they were rather poor and uneducated...
But come to think of it... that sort of attitude made sense. And it was sort of Berwald and Mathias' fault that they were like that. How could one not be poor when the government was corrupt, and one needed to be able to communicate in a language that one never had the opportunity to study? How were the Finns supposed to get out of that rut when neither the Swedes nor Danes were willing to help them? In fact, that was more than unfair because the fucking Swedes owed them. The only thing between Ivan being Berwald's friendly neighbour was Tino. And if it weren't for Tino, Berwald would have no defence against the Slav. Yet Berwald couldn't spare some men or supplies or anything to help Tino out? What the hell happened to "I love you" and "I'd do anything for you"? The thought almost made Tino laugh bitterly; he had trouble remembering the last time Berwald had even told him that. even held him.
Nowadays, the only thing Berwald seemed to love was finding ways of ticking Mathias off.
And what did that mean? That Tino and his people would have to put up with it. That Tino on his own. So fine. Fucking fine because I am going to prove to you that I don't fucking need you, thought the Finn viciously. A strange smile suddenly appeared on the Finn's features. He was ready to fight. Ready to protect this place. Fuck Berwald. Cause today, Tino was going to show that fucking Slav who the fuck he was dealing with and prove to Berwald that he didn't goddamn need him. Finland looked at the messenger before him. "Then we'll have to make due on our own. No reply, but do me a favour. I want my men assembled before we go out. I wish to speak with them." The messenger, though quite put off by the strange mood swing, nodded, feeling slightly better about the situation. Clearly, his land would not let them down. He exited and Finland's mind returned to its bloodlust. Ivan would rue the day he ever agreed to attack Finland.
oOooOooOo
The borders were re-established. Only a few days later, still coming down from his high, Danish soldiers came in to bring him back. He went quietly. He was too tired to fight anymore. He said nothing when Mathias greeted him with a smile and patted him on the back. "Tino, my man! Shit, dude. I mean, I definitely thought you'd beat Ivan, but I thought it would be a close one, and I tell ya, Ivan looks way worse than you do!" He could have punched him. But he was too tired. So he settled for ignoring the cheerful Dane, walking up the the stairs, pulling open the door to his room, walking in, closing the door behind him, and collapsing on the floor.
oOooOooOo
Tino was not sure how long he had slept, but when he woke up he was lying on his bed, perfectly tucked beneath a pretty, blue blanket. He blinked a few times, feeling weak and trying to remember where he was. No sunlight penetrated the curtains; must be late, Tino mused. A lamp lit the room. A gentle, pretty light. Tino lifted his arm and pushed away his bangs. His forehead was warm. How long had he been here?
Suddenly, the door clicked opened, and Tino held his breath.
Then exhaled slowly, as he saw the tall Swedish nation enter the room. Dark blue eyes looked at him, filled with remorse. "Hej," Berwald said quietly, approaching the bed slowly. It hurt to walk. But he was learning to live with the pain.
"Hei," Tino responded, feeling angry at himself as his heart filled with happiness. He felt like he hadn't seen Berwald in forever. The reaction annoyed the nation part of him to no end; are you going to forgive him so easily, Finland screamed. After all he's done to you, you greet him with a smile?! But Tino smiled kindly, moving slightly to the edge of the bed, and patting the opposite side. Berwald took the cue and sat down, taking Tino's hand into his own. It felt so small and frail. After a moment of silence, Tino asked, "How long was I out?"
"Three days."
Tino's eyes widened. Berwald smiled. He knew how dangerous Tino was. Though he'd been unable to physically help Tino, he could still see through Tino's humans; and when they had gone to make peace, Ivan had not looked well at all. Yet Berwald knew that even if Tino were holding a bloody corpse, Berwald would still think he was the most beautiful creature on the earth. And he's mine. The Swede used his other hand to touch the Finn's forehead. Still warm. The temperature made him scowl slightly. Tino shouldn't still have a fever. Why wasn't he getting better?
"Wow," Tino said finally. He moved slightly, signaling to Berwald to remove his hand, then sat up, and leaned his head on Berwald's shoulder. Wide violet eyes gazed at him lovingly. God, Berwald loved it when Tino did this sort of thing; it was those moments that let him forget all the ugly things in the world. Let him believe that what he did to Tino was okay. Made him feel like less of a monster. The Finn lifted a finger and traced it along the edge of the Swede's jaw. "I missed you," Tino breathed, as he moved his finger to the Swede's arm, tracing circles around his shoulder and down to his hand. It was these moments that reminded him how much he truly loved the Finn. Reminded him of how he needed to fix his wrongdoings.
"Missed ya, too." He leaned down to plant a kiss on Tino's forehead, wrapping an arm around Tino's waist. Tino smiled, content.
A loud growl interrupted their moment. Berwald's lip twitched as he chided himself for not having made Tino something to eat. "Heh," Tino smiled sheepishly, colour rising to his cheeks. "Maybe we could have breakfast...soon?"
Berwald disentagled himself from Tino and got out of bed slowly, trying not to hurt his sore legs too much. He waited patiently as Tino pushed himself to the edge of the bed, then dropped down. A soft smile still lit his features, reminding Berwald, yet again, that he needed to try harder. He needed to keep that smile there. So he hugged Tino tightly, hoping that his apologies would be expressed through the physical even if Berwald found himself incapable of expressing it with words. The Swede placed a gentle kiss on Tino's ear. "Love ya," the Swede whispered. No one ever said that he would stop trying. Tino relaxed in his arms, returning the hug. "I love you, too," the Finn replied, pulling himself slightly away from Berwald's chest so that he could look him in the eye. Then he pulled Berwald into a chaste kiss, and grinned. "Now... How about that breakfast!"
Berwald followed him out. So they couldn't leave the union. So Mathias, his once beloved brother was now a complete prick. So he was unable to protect his lover. But he had him still. Still had him. Still had his sweet, cute Tino who loved him like no other, who forgave him no matter what he did. And perhaps, even if he didn't deserve it, that was all he needed.
oOooOooOo
Whispers were all around him. Whispers of fear and scorn. Pardoned. But the word of the Danish king may mean nothing. He saw the cavern grow dark. What was this? A castle? He could know. A door slammed and he felt the panic rise. The whispers became louder.
And then a scream.
Blood spattered onto the floor. More screams, running echoing across the hallway, another door slam. Screams screams screams blood, everywhere. No, no! Berwald wanted to scream, too, to run, to escape. But he had to watch as one by one heads were lost to swinging swords. The panic rose and prayers were unleashed at no avail.
And then, on the wall. A red flag with a white cross.
Murderer. Murderer!
Berwald's eyes flew open, his breaths coming in and out as wild pants. He was going to kill Mathias.
oOooOooOo
Berwald's breath hitched as he entered the den. How could he? How could that bastard be sitting there, reading stories to Emil as though nothing had happened? This was the last fucking straw.
"Mathias," Berwald hissed.
Mathias looked up from the story book. He grinned. "Oh, hey, Waldy, what's-" He broke, noticing Berwald's furious expression. He turned away. "Emil," Mathias said, much more quietly, "go find your brother. He'll finish reading the story for you tonight. Okay? Berwald and I need to have a chat." Emil gave Berwald a scared look, then turned his nervous gaze back to Mathias. "Go on," Mathias encouraged. Emil bit his lip, but nodded and left the room.
Berwald had enough self-control to wait until the sounds of Emil's footsteps faded. The child did not need to hear this. The child was not guilty. Mathias was. "So, what happened, Waldy? You look upset," said Mathias nonchalantly, but not looking Berwald in the eye. He had never seen Berwald look so unhinged. And though Mathias knew that Berwald had every right to be angry, he had never expected this sort of insane fury that had overtaken the Swede.
"What happened?" Berwald choked. He took a deep breath. "What happened? What happened, Danmark, is that an hour ago I threw up because your people came into my capitol and executed my own! I had to watch, Mathias," Berwald stuttered, "watch as my people were murdered*. What the fuck is your problem? Are you so power hungry that you are willing to kill civilians!" Mathias remained silent, toying with piece of cloth at his feet. The sight enraged Berwald even more. "First you start pointless wars with the Holy Roman Empire*, sapping at my strength and not listening to me when I told you, when my people told you to stop!" Berwald was panting. He couldn't remember the last time he had spoken so much, screamed so much. But Danmark was not going to get away with this. How dare he? How dare that fucking bastard just sit there and do nothing! "Say something!" Berwald thundered, after a pause.
Mathias sighed and turned to face Berwald with tired eyes. "What do you want me to say?" Mathias said quietly. "I'm sorry about what happened in Stockholm, Berwald. I really am. I didn't want that to happen. But they revolted, and—"
"So that's your reasoning," Berwald interrupted. "Because they revolted. Because they did not like the way you are taking over this union, you decided to kill them."
"Berwald," Mathias tried to reason, but Berwald interrupted him again.
"Mathias, I am sick of this shit. I am sick of you growing stronger at our expense, and don't tell me that we haven't been growing weaker as you grow stronger. Lukas, Tino, and I! Lukas knows it to, even if he stays silent."
Oh, hell no. Berwald did not just pull Lukas into this. Mathias laughed bitterly, finally looking at Berwald in the eye. "Oh, right. Sorry, I forget. It's wrong for me to attack people that revolted, but it's okay for you to tax people who already dirt poor*. Not to mention that those people are the lifeline of the person you claim to love. Not that it matters. He'll leave you eventually. Or die." The Dane turned his back on Berwald, once again toying with the cloth at his feet.
Something in Berwald snapped. It was just too much. Too much. He wasn't even sure why or what or how but the next thing he knew there was a loud crash and Mathias was on the ground beneath him.
oOooOooOo
Tino and Lukas had been putting Emil to bed when they heard the crash. Immediately, they looked at each other and bolted for the door. Tino immediately dashed down the corridor, and Lukas remained at the doorway only long enough to shout at Emil, "Stay here and don't follow us no matter what!" Then he followed Tino.
oOooOooOo
Before Berwald could realise what he had done, he had punched Mathias in the face. The Dane winced, but Berwald had not been joking when he claimed to be weaker. The Dane, however, had only gotten stronger. He easily switched their positions. Berwald struggled not to have his arms pinned down. "Bastard," Mathias muttered. "This isn't going to make that stupid boy love you any more? You think you can protect him? You think he won't leave you just like you want to leave us!" In a sudden burst of strength, Berwald freed one of his hands and slugged Mathias in the stomach. He didn't care anymore. He just wanted to hurt Mathias, to hurt him physically like Mathias was hurting him emotionally.
oOooOooOo
A second crash made Lukas and Tino run faster. Tino reached the door first, yanked it open, and gasped at the sight before him. Mathias had Berwald pushed up against a wall. Berwald struggling to get free, and Mathias managed to nail him in the stomach without losing his grip. "Berwald!" Tino screamed. The Finn tried to run to them, but Lukas grabbed him around the waist, pulling him back.
"Tino, stop! You'll only hurt yourself!" Lukas panted, trying to restrain Tino. Tino ignored him, trying his best to get Lukas' hands off of him. "You idiot!" Lukas screamed when Tino jabbed his elbow against Lukas' stomach. He was about to get to the door when it closed shut and something pushed Tino to the floor. The Finn got up immediately and tried to push it open at no avail. Tino turned. "What the fuck, Lukas?!"
"I'm not letting you go in there," Lukas said firmly, staring down at him.
Tino stared right back. "He's hurting him, Lukas!" He needed to keep himself under control; he needed—
"Berwald is hurting Mathias as well." to keep calm. And he needed to get into that room. Tino snorted. "You and I both know that Mathias is a lot stronger than Berwald. Especially now." He stared at Lukas. For once, the Norwegian's expressionless face did not scare him.
"I'm still not letting you in."
"For fuck's sake, Lukas! Stop defending him!," Tino shrieked. "I know you love him, but you have to admit that this union has hurt you to—don't deny it!" Berwald didn't stand a chance. Not with the state he was in. Tino just had to crack Lukas; he knew Lukas was using his magic but magic required concentration and Tino would not let Lukas concentrate. "But just because you love him doesn't mean that you should let him hurt you either," Tino continued.
Lukas gritted his teeth. "I. Don't. Love. Mathias."
Tino laughed hysterically. He was succeeding. Lukas was breaking. "Don't deny it, Lukas," Tino said warningly. "I've seen you. The way you look at him and roll your eyes and pretend you don't care—" his pitch rose with every word, "—when he ignores you. But you do-"
"Tino, shut up!" Lukas heard himself shriek, as he slapped the Finn, making Tino stumble back. Tino held his aching cheek, staring at Lukas with hate-filled eyes. Lukas' were only wide and fearful. Tino straightened up, jaw clenched. "I'm," Lukas stuttered. "I'm so sorry. I-"
Lukas' apology was broken by another crash from inside. Shit, Tino thought. Would Berwald be okay?
"Lukas?" a small voice piped up from the stairs. Emil. "Lukas, I heard you yell."
Lukas turned. It took every ounce of his willpower not to scream at his little brother. "Emil, sweetie, please go back up to bed. Everything's fine. We're just having a conversation between adults." His voice was nearly breaking. He was breaking.
The door slammed open. Berwald rushed out, blood running from his temple, hands shaking. "Fine then!" they heard Mathias' shriek from inside. "Leave! But he'll leave you, too, one day! You just fucking wait!"
"Berwald, what-" Tino yelped as Berwald grabbed him his wrist and pulled him close.
"I love you," Berwald mumbled, before pulling him into a hard, but passionate kiss.
"Berwald, what's-"
The Swede grabbed Tino's hand. "I promise: I'll come back for you." He turned immediately and nearly ran out the door.
Emil began to whimper. Lukas hurried to his side. "Hush, Emil. Don't cry," Lukas murmured, holding him tightly. Mathias entered the room. The Dane's right eye was beginning to turn a sickly shade of purple, and he was limping slightly. Tino simply stared at the door, violet eyes now filled with hurt and disbelief. "Mathias, what happened?" Lukas asked, now holding Emil against his chest so that the boy could not see Mathias.
"Berwald went nuts," responded Mathias, almost in a daze. He was still staring at the door, as though he couldn't believe that Berwald had just left. His shoulders shook. "God...god... it's all my fault," Mathias slumped against the wall, tears running down his cheeks. "Fuck," he cursed softly.
"No, it wasn't," Lukas insisted. Mathias was not at fault. It was Berwald's fault. All fucking Berwald's fault.
Tino finally snapped back into reality. "Yes, it was," he said, voice cracking at the end. He burst into tears and ran down the hall to his room. A few seconds later, the other Scandinavians heard the door slam. Mathias shook his head and looked up at Lukas. "I was being a dick, Lukas. I deserved every hit I got. More, actually...god, I really fucked this up." For once, Lukas had nothing to respond. So he settled for hugging Emil tighter, kissing him on the forehead, and promising him that it would all be okay. But he no longer knew whether he was promising that to Emil, to Mathias, or to himself.
A/N: Again, lots of apologies. But, as you will read in the historical notes, the split was not nice in history either. Also, I'm an idiot so at my new semester school, I'm taking Comparative Gov, US Gov, and US History (all AP); if you are in a position to and love history fics, I'd encourage you to take Comparative Gov. It SO INTERESTING. We're studying the UK right now, and I'm really hoping to do a one-shot on Iggy if I have time. XD
To my guest reviewer:
Thanks for reviewing and calming my fears :) I'm guessing you're Finnish or just know quite a bit about Finnish history. Glad to know ya like the split personality thing! :D
Historical Notes/Explanations:
*In 1495, the Grand Duchy of Moscow (also known as Muscovy) attacked/invaded Finland. They really did hurt a lot of Finland; though, notably, Viipuri (a city that is now a part of Russia, thanks to the Winter War) held out. Fighting was done without much/any Swedish help. Finnish-Swedish nobles in Finland had to deal with the problem with what they had. They made peace in 1497 and went back to the borders established in 1323 (which was talked about in one the first chapters).
*Stockholm bloodbath: Nov. 7 – 9, 1520. It was bad to say the least. A regent of Sweden (Sten Sture) led a group of men who were against Sweden remaining the Kalmar Union. They had imprisoned an archbishop. Christian II, King of Denmark, led a huge army against the Swedish faction, which lost. Once the Danes had taken Stockholm, they executed 80 Swedish nobles for heresy. The executions ended up not stopping with the nobles, and spread even to Finland. Normal civilians were killed. That's why Berwald's upset and Tino is more than ready to join him. Stockholm Bloodbath is sort of considered the last straw in the Swedes' desire to continue to be in the Union. As touched upon in the last chapter, they already had plenty of complaints...
*Mathias is referring to the higher taxes in Finland due to Sweden's quarrels with Denmark. Discussed in depth in earlier chapter.
Berwald does not take Tino with him because Finland was liberated from Danish control some seven months after Sweden got its "independence"(?; not sure if that's the right term...). Yep, Berwald left without Tino at first; but he does keep this promise to get him back. So, go Berwald!
I don't think that Denmark ever publicly apologised for Stockholm Bloodbath, but if I remember correctly, the Danes (who were not in the government) actually felt pretty bad about the whole ordeal. So, Mathias, of course, feels guilty. (Again, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.)