Finland gazed over the panorama of his capitol, gazing deep in thought at it's twin landmarks – the Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral and the Eastern Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral.
"I just can't believe it." He said. "How could he do this to her? She loves him. I thought he loved her too."
"Too far this time" Sweden agreed.
Finland side-eyed him. "And not before? Everything with me and the Baltics?"
Sweden smiled faintly.
"Have you talked to anyone yet?" Finland asked him. "Anyone who's seen her?"
"Talked to Britain. He said it was bad."
"I've talked to Germany. He said he hasn't seen anything like this in a while, and if he were me he'd shore up my defenses. Italy went too, and he couldn't even talk about it."
They sat silently for a few minutes.
"I've thought about it." Finland said. "I'm joining, Berwald. I've already talked to America, and he said he'd back me up completely."
"He won't like it."
"He can pound sand."
"It won't be easy."
"No, it won't. But I don't think I have a choice anymore. He's gone mad. He's too much bigger than me for me to fight him off alone, and that's just a fact."
Silence again.
"Well" Sweden said casually, gazing at the landmarks himself now. "Guess I'll be joining up too, then."
Finland smiled faintly. Of course he would.
-Dedicated to my Finnish cousins-