As I expected, this didn't end up being the last chapter. It was becoming too long, and I had to cut the chapter into two parts. The original chapter name was longer, but I also split that into two parts. The first part is the name of this chapter. The next chapter will more or less "end" the story, but I will definitely write an epilogue to give you some of that sweet sweet fluff. Now, enjoy~

I do not own Hetalia, I only own my own imagination.

15. Under the North Star

A storm was raging outside, but Lukas barely paid it any mind despite the noise and very obvious draft. He was glaring intensely at a large piece of paper before him, pinned to a large flat board on an easel, like it was his hated enemy and he was planning an assassination against it. Lukas had sketched few faint lines on the paper, they were like the skeletal structure of the image he wanted to create. But Lukas was stuck now, he didn't know where to begin. Painting from real life like this was Tino's forte, and although Lukas wasn't hopeless at it, he always found himself anxious when he couldn't escape behind subjective colours and forms that didn't have to emulate reality.

Lukas sighed deeply and leaned forward until his forehead hit the paper and the board it was pinned on. Lukas wanted to bang his head against it until he got an idea, any idea, but of course that wouldn't work. Muse was a fickle mistress, which was something all artists knew very well.

"Are you trying to start a fight with the paper? 'Cos if you are then count me in, never trusted the darn things."

Lukas didn't even have the energy to react to Matthias' bad joke, the Norwegian merely turned his head enough so he could send a small glare at the grinning Dane at the door. Matthias walked over to Lukas and draped a blanket on his lover's shoulders. Lukas hadn't even realized he had been cold and wrapped the blanket tightly around himself, grateful for the warmth it provided. Matthias tentatively wrapped his own arms around Lukas' shoulders as well, and the Norwegian didn't push him off. Any extra warmth was welcomed, and right now Matthias' closeness wasn't too bad either.

"This is not something I'm good at, it's frustrating."

Lukas voiced quietly, still glaring at the paper. Lukas didn't like to admit his weaknesses or feelings, but right now he wanted to rant. Matthias hummed a bit in thought and put his chin on Lukas' shoulders, also looking at the paper. To him it looked like a great start, but every artist saw their own work differently in comparison to others'.

"Now you know how I feel whenever I hold a paint brush."

Matthias said with a gentle teasing tone, and Lukas nudged him in the ribs with his elbow. Matthias snickered; joking was all he had since he couldn't really give any practical advice on this. It was up to Lukas to find the right motivation and inspiration.

"Tino's life might depend on this, don't joke."

Lukas muttered angrily, not taking his eyes away from the paper. Matthias felt a twinge of guilt, everyone had been so grim, so Matthias had tried to keep at least some cheer in the air. Perhaps now was the time to tone it down a bit. But the same could be said about Lukas.

"You know, I have a feeling you have tunnel vision right now. That's why you can't see what to do next. Come to bed, take a nap, and continue in the morning."

Lukas shook his head, but while he did, he also yawned, which betrayed the fact that the Norwegian was indeed dead tired. Matthias smiled and unfurled his arms from around Lukas in order to take the man's hand. Lukas glared tiredly at Matthias, but the Dane was unaffected. He tugged Lukas away from the easel and out the door, and hesitantly Lukas let him. Matthias was usually right in situations like this. And Lukas, once in bed with Matthias, was content to fall asleep surrounded by his lover's warmth.

Couple of hours later Lukas awakened within Matthias' arms, and just like Matthias had predicted, Lukas' mind was now clear. He quickly sat up and after giving Matthias' head a light kiss Lukas walked out the room and back to that cursed paper. The moment Lukas picked up the pen his mind was vibrant with inspiration and the piece basically drew itself. Four hours later Lukas had before him a finished image, which he then handed over to Eduard.

Time to set their plan in motion.

The morning following Tino's nightmare was quite awkward, but not entirely in a bad way.

Tino woke up first, Berwald's hand still in his. But Tino was a restless sleeper and had changed his position drastically while sleeping. So, when he opened his bleary eyes Tino noticed he now had his head on top of Berwald's chest, and one of his legs was wedged between Berwald's. Right after recovering from his bleariness Tino realized how intimate the position in fact was, and he blushed profusely. It took all Tino's willpower not to jump away or worse, shove Berwald away. That would've been a very rude way to wake someone up. Instead Tino tried to carefully extract himself from the embrace, he had experience in this since Tino had often slept with Emil when they had been younger, and Emil was a light sleeper. At first Tino was doing well, he disentangled his fingers from Berwald's, and Tino ignored the lonely feeling he got without Berwald's hand in his. Tino lifted his head gently and kept it close to Berwald's, while he started wiggling his leg free. But apparently Tino's skills were rusty, because when Tino was halfway from slipping his leg out from between Berwald's legs the Swede groaned quietly, and his eyes fluttered open. Tino froze, and so did Berwald after he blinked few times. Their faces were quite close to each other, and even though they had been even closer during the night it was very different in daylight. This wasn't hidden by darkness or veiled by the lingering fear of a nightmare. This was very real and very bare. Both men blushed, and Tino didn't bother being careful anymore and just quickly scooted away.

"G-good morning, Berwald! Um, s-sleep well?"

Tino asked, stuttering from embarrassment, and tried to smile cheerily. He didn't succeed and instead looked even more nervous and tense. Berwald cleared his throat and carefully sat up, his face redder than Tino had ever seen it before. Tino remembered what he had thought right before falling asleep, about Berwald perhaps loving him back, but banished those thoughts. They were not meant for daylight hours.

"Go'd. An' you? Sleep w'll?"

Berwald asked in kind, trying not to look Tino in the eyes. Tino also cleared his throat and jumped up from the bed, doing some exaggerated stretching moves to banish at least some of the embarrassment. It didn't work. But Berwald did catch a sliver of pale skin as Tino's shirt rode up, and the Swede blushed even redder, ashamed of the indecent thoughts that had entered his mind. He blamed it on the mood and situation.

"Very well, thank you! I didn't have any other unpleasant dreams, which is always nice. Um, I'll get the coffee going, alright? It looks like we'll have to hurry, sun is up which means work has begun."

Tino blabbered and sauntered over to the stove to get the coffee pan and grounds. Neither he nor Berwald could get their day started without at least one cup of coffee and Tino prepared the coffee quickly with practiced movements. The Finn was so used to it the action did little to distract his thoughts from the Swede right behind him.

The rest of the morning continued with pleasant tension in the air, and every time Tino and Berwald got near each other they both blushed and butterflies appeared in their stomachs. Not even the blackest coffee could've banished those darn things at this point, Tino was sure. And he was starting to accept that he never wanted them to disappear, they felt wonderful. It felt wonderful to feel this way, and it would've been even more wonderful had Tino known if Berwald felt the same or not.

The two made their way outside only 30 minutes after waking up, and Tino could've sworn Kukkamuna rolled her eyes, when his and Berwald's hands accidentally touched each other when they got on the sleigh and they both blushed and apologized. The reindeer was used to her two favourite humans fumbling around each other at this point, but this morning they seemed even more awkward than normal. Well, as long as they didn't forget Kukkamuna she didn't care.

Tino ushered Kukkamuna to move, and it only took few short minutes to reach Tino's cabin. The Finn stopped the sleigh but didn't get off immediately. Instead he looked at the cabin, feeling nostalgic all of a sudden. Today was the last day he'd be seeing his home of five years. It didn't feel like home, but it had served Tino well for so long. He had survived the harshest winters of his life in it, as well as his darkest times. Tino wanted to leave and reunite with his friends, there was no doubt about that, but he left room for some melancholy. Towards leaving the cabin, and towards burning his paintings. That was going to hurt the most. But Tino had also found new hope. He would live and he would get to paint an abundance of new paintings for years to come. And he would fill them with joy and laughter as well as tears and pain. But for the next few years of his life Tino would probably bear his broken heart on the canvases, left in shambles without Berwald's strong, large presence.

Berwald observed Tino with a worried look in his eyes, he could see the Finn was hesitating. Berwald hadn't forgotten their discussion from last night, Tino was going to do something that was very hard for him today. And if it was hard on Tino it was hard on Berwald. The Swede touched Tino's shoulder carefully, not blushing this time, and as the Finn turned to look at his gentle giant, he could see the concern on his face. Tino smiled and patted Berwald's hand, finally hopping out of the sleigh.

"I have to do this. And I must do it before the sun gets any higher. I'll wait for you at your cabin, and tomorrow we leave."

Berwald didn't say anything, merely nodded, and hesitantly snapped Kukkamuna's reigns. The reindeer pulled the sleigh away in a steady run, but Berwald and Tino kept their eyes locked until they were out of each other's sights. After that Tino took a deep breath and entered his cabin. The small space was freezing, and some snow had piled up on the floor on top of the broken glass. The window was still broken, Tino and Berwald hadn't had time to fix it properly. Now it didn't matter anymore anyway. By tomorrow evening they would hopefully be almost halfway to the border. Tino pulled out his skis and ski poles along with all of his paintings. It took him three trips from inside to the sled outside to get all the paintings piled and strapped up, and by then the sun was dangerously up. Tino didn't want to risk any people seeing the plume of smoke, so he quickly began to push himself along the snow and towards the Christmas pine.

It was strange how the forest, which up until now had seemed so void of life, was like a whole different place for Tino now. He could see some squirrels racing up and down the tree trunks, birds making quick sprints from one branch to another and even some rabbits digging for roots in the snow. The forest was full of life, that Tino had been blind to before. His mind hadn't let him see it. But now Tino had hope and a chance at a new life, and he was going to take it. That alone was enough to open his eyes and make him smile, as he skied to do the one thing he hated more than anything in the world.

Well, almost anything. Ivan would most probably forever have the top place on that list.

The journey felt a lot shorter than before, and the Christmas pine was in front of Tino in no time. It looked quite nice in the late morning sun, and Tino's crude decorations almost looked presentable.

But Tino had no time to be distracted by beauty, even if he was happy to see it again. He untied the rope around his waist and began piling the paintings into a pile in the middle of the clearing. But the last two paintings, the fire painting and Berwald's eyes, Tino didn't put in the pile. He had a better place for them.

10 minutes later Tino left, and left behind him a blazing pyre of paintings, and a Christmas pine that now had two new decorations. The painting of a flame in the darkness and a pair of ocean eyes on a torn canvas.

Berwald's trip to the village was slow and filled with the urge to turn back and be by Tino's side. Just by repeating Tino's reassuring words in his mind did Berwald not do that, because the Finn was right, if the both of them didn't go to the village it would be very suspicious. So, Berwald braced himself as Kukkamuna entered the village square.

It was a good thing Berwald had been mentally prepared, because the villagers' looks hit him like a ton of rocks. Some were frowning, some just had their brows up in quiet curiosity or judgement, and some had an expression that couldn't be deciphered by Berwald's limited social skills. Tino would've probably been able to guess what they were thinking, and Berwald suddenly missed the Finn's presence by his side even more.

Berwald left Kukkamuna by the side of the square and headed to his un-official right hand man, Urho. The same Urho who was responsible for spreading what he had seen. The two men had almost become friends during these last few months, but now Berwald carried a grudge towards the man for what he had done. But he tried not to show it, because Urho certainly wasn't showing if he felt any disgust or other affiliated feelings towards Berwald and Tino. Just like every morning he nodded at Berwald, Berwald nodded back, and then they discussed the plans for the day.

"We can move on with the fortifications on this house's foundations, the ice has thawed enough."

Urho said in his gruff manner, and Berwald grunted an agreement. Many of the houses needed to be worked on from the bottom up, they were in such a poor shape. Berwald felt bad for abandoning his work halfway, but he had given Urho and the other people in the village who knew about construction clear instructions on how to renovate the houses. Berwald wasn't leaving them fend entirely for themselves, he had given them a sound foundation on which to build. Or at least that was what Berwald was telling himself, trying to ease his guilty conscience.

But Berwald had a new priority now, and that priority was keeping Tino safe. Tino came first, no matter what. And if something happened to Tino now that Berwald was at his side the Swede would never be able to live with himself.

"Let's g't to w'rk."

Berwald said, and Urho nodded. There was nothing else left to be said, and each man assembled their own teams and began working on the renovations. But today it felt different, today Berwald didn't have Tino to chat with. The Finn wasn't there to smile or laugh, he wasn't there to stumble on a board that was left on the ground or to chat with the villagers. It was quiet despite it being quite noisy. Everything felt…emptier.

Berwald hadn't even realized how much he relied on Tino, and how big the Finn's presence in his life truly was. The realization was both frightening and joyful. Because now Berwald also realized just how badly he wanted to keep Tino by his side.

The sun was past its halfway point on the sky when they first heard the neighing. Berwald and few other villagers paused their work and turned to look towards the main road that lead out of the village. Next they heard the sound of hooves hitting the ground, and not long after that five men on horseback appeared on the road from behind the trees. Many were instantly suspicious, because their humble little village very rarely got any visitors unless it was about lumber deliveries. And when the riders got close enough everyone, including Berwald, became afraid and on edge. Because the riders were all wearing Russia's military uniforms. Everyone stopped working, and the village women quickly herded the children inside. All the men that were on the square gathered to greet the soldiers, and one man was sent to inform Mr. Hålberg.

The riders stopped few meters away from the group, and the one who had been riding at the front dismounted his horse. His uniform was clearly the fanciest one, he was the leader. And it showed from his straight posture and the way he surveyed the group of men. He looked at them as if they were all just street dogs, not worthy of his time. Instantly all the men in the group hated him, including Berwald.

"Добрый день, gentlemen. I am Подполко́вник Ivan Braginsky from Imperial Russian army. Is someone by the name of Tino Väinämöinen here?"

Ivan's voice was surprisingly light for someone his size, despite being distorted by a very heavy Russian accent. Though his tone was serious there was a strange child-like undertone to it, that made all that heard it feel uneasy. Berwald tensed the moment he heard the man's name, and his hate towards him grew to biblical proportions. Now Berwald had a face for the heartless monster in Tino's past. But while Berwald wanted to rush forward and grab the man by the throat he knew that the situation was severe. Ivan was here earlier than expected, and as Berwald looked at the other men surrounding him he wasn't sure whether or not they were going to sell Tino out or not.

Urho was the first one to step forward, and he crossed his arms defensively. He was almost as tall as Ivan, and seemed to harbour no fear towards the Russian.

"No one by the name Tino here."

Urho said simply, and his tone sounded nothing but truthful. Some of the men in the group looked at each other, probably wondering why Urho was lying, but they said nothing. No one liked Russians here, and even if there were unsavoury rumours about Tino going around they would pick him over some ryssä any day.

Ivan's brow twitched, and a small smile appeared on his face. That smile made everyone's hair stand on end, it made Ivan look so innocent but…sinister.

Ivan stepped closer, his hands behind his back (one was under his coat, Berwald noted in slight confusion). He leaned a bit closer and looked Urho straight in the eye. His eyes were closer than any winter night.

"Do not lie, мусор. He is wanted criminal, you in big trouble if you hide him."

Ivan didn't even need to lower his voice to sound threatening, and for a second even Urho looked like he might be a little scared. But Urho steeled himself and held his ground, looking Ivan straight in the eyes.

"No Tinos here."

Berwald's grudge towards Urho lessened significantly due to the older man's devotion and bravery, and inside his mind the Swede thanked Urho repeatedly. If Ivan was slowed down even slightly because of this Berwald and Tino would have more time to run away.

Ivan clearly wasn't pleased, and everyone saw how the man began to pull something out from under his coat. But Berwald could only see a glimpse of something made out of metal before Raini pushed through the group of men, clearly rushing.

"W-Wait!"

The young man's voice stopped the escalation of the situation, and everyone's eyes were now nailed on him. Raini visibly paled and swallowed, before straightening his back and using his most convincing tone of voice.

"The one in charge here, Mr. Juhani Hålberg, would like to see you in his residence, good sirs."

Ivan frowned, his hand still under his jacket, halfway pulling out whatever weapon he had under there.

"I just want Tino Väinämöinen. Tell me where he is."

Raini, almost shaking from fear under the intimidating Russian's gaze, cleared his throat a bit and continued.

"There are many residents here in the village, the most efficient way to find this Tino you are looking for would be to consult the ledger in Mr. Hålberg's archives. It has the names of all the people in the village."

Raini was looking at the Russian men with a message hidden in between his words. 'There is no need for violence, these people can lie but the books won't'. And Ivan, thank goodness, understood it and withdrew his hand from under his jacket.

"да, we will. Show the way, маленький."

Raini nodded and turned around in order to lead the Russians, along with their horses, to Mr. Hålberg's residence. When he passed Berwald Raini gave the Swede a look, one that said, "this is all I can do, you do the rest". Raini was buying them time, because going through the books would take at least 30 minutes, and after that Ivan and his men would go to Tino's cabin, which was currently empty. No one knew Tino was staying at Berwald's cabin, after all.

Berwald and the rest waited until the Russians were out of earshot, and then Urho turned to Berwald with a serious look in his eyes.

"We don't accept those that go against Lord's work, but no way in hell are we going to let some fuckin' ryssä take a member of our community. Go get Tino and get away. Now."

You didn't need to tell Berwald twice. He nodded and ran over to Kukkamuna. Berwald basically leapt on the sleigh and rushed Kukkamuna to run. She could pick up the urgency in the human's demeanour and she obeyed without hesitation for once. Kukkamuna begun running, taking Berwald out of the village in no time at all. But she couldn't run as fast as Berwald's would've preferred. The Swede only hoped Tino was ready to go, because they had not one moment to lose.

Добрый день = Good day

Подполко́вник = A rank in Russian army during this time period, basically the same as lieutenant colonel. I honestly have no idea how fitting this rank would be, I don't have much knowledge about army ranks.

Mусор = Trash

да = Yes

Mаленький = Small one

Ryssä = A very offensive Finnish word for a Russian person.

I'm so sorry to cut the story off there, but I swear I'm going to more or less end the story in the next chapter!

Please leave a review, it gives me motivation! And favourite and/or follow if you'd like, we're so close to the end!