I do not own Hetalia, or any of the characters.
Author's note: Quick disclaimer, I do not know how nurses or bartenders, or even strip clubs, work on a daily basis. This is my first attempt at writing Fanfiction in about 5 years, criticism is encouraged!
Tino was very excited today, it was his birthday. It might be a bit silly for a twenty three year old man to be giddy about this, but he was. He had had a very exciting year already, having graduated from with his nursing degree and finding a job fairly quickly at the local Hospital. He was still obviously new experience wise even after interning for so long, but the floor he was stationed at had easy going people and he made friends easily. Sure, a lot of his shifts were overnights, but that was just what was needed, and Tino didn't mind. After three years of working for free or hardly any pay, he was glad to have spending money and not having to mooch off his childhood friend and roommate Berwald.
Berwald and him had been friends since almost birth. Their dads were good friends, and Tino could remember visiting or being visited by them and Berwald. Berwald was not a talker in the slightest, since he had a lisp that was made fun of. Tino and family later learned that Berwald was severely shy, developing partial mutism during school years. Berwald would never talk around people he didn't know, but one - on- one he was fine for a few words. As they hit puberty Berwald grew tall, and his voice so low the few words he spoke were harder to understand. Tino could decipher what was said pretty easily, him and their other childhood friend Mathias helping others in their circle learn how to speak Berwald. The man had done a general college degree before working, helping Tino out while the man dealt with nursing school.
The morning of Tino's birthday the man was working like always, except he had managed to get a morning shift for once. Mornings were an experience, Tino did a few double shifts and knew the routine for the morning nurses. Along with regular rounds to check up on patients they also brought breakfast out if needed, making sure medical records were up to date.
"So, what's the plan today, birthday boy?" Elizaveta, the head nurse, asked tino as he came back from checking up on a family. They had spent the night with their son who had come in the night before due to a bad asthma scare. In December it got chilly enough for them to worry about pneumonia, so he would be staying for a little bit to make sure he didn't have it.
"Other than work?" Tino smiled, sitting down on a rolling chair and signing into the computer to write his notes, "Just what you have planned tonight. Are the other girls still coming?"
"Lillie is off today, so yeah she agreed to be the sober driver for us" Eizaveta grinned, "A few bar hops, then to the grand finale"
"What about Olivia?"
"She says it would be too awkward, you know since her brother works there" the head nurse shrugged, "She did say she would come along to drink for a bit though, she has a double shift tomorrow"
"Oof" Tino winced, knowing how tiring it would be, "anyone else coming?"
"I'm trying to see if Gil would want to go," Elizaveta said, "He needs a night of fun" Tino smiled at that. Gilbert was a surgeon, him and Elizaveta were childhood friends. Gilbert's younger brother Ludwig was the overnight stationed doctor, they were both nice.
Tino's day continued, getting happy birthday cards and small gifts from the nurses and some long term patients' family he was good friends with. It was around ten in the morning when Tino planned on going on lunch, realising he had forgotten his lunchbox. Tino whined, he had made his favorite overnight oats for his lunch. He really didn't want to buy lunch out, and he didn't fancy hospital food. He was just about to suck it up and head to mcdonalds when he glanced over at the elevators, seeing a big familiar body.
"Bear?" Tino said, Berwald locking onto him. Tino's co workers were quick to look over as well, as they normally did when the big man visited. Berwald was a little over six feet tall, blonde hair and light blue eyes that to almost everyone appeared to be in a constant glare. Today he was wearing a black hoodie and some dark blue jeans, the hoodie a size bigger. He was also carrying a wasn't deterred, smiling in greeting to his friend. Berwald headed over to him at the nurse's station, managing a nod in greeting.
"What's up? Didn't you work last night?" Tino asked. Berwald worked as a bartender somewhere, he usually didn't wake up until after noon.
"Hana woke me, lonely" Berwald signed, his hands moving smoothly. Because of his mutism Berwald used sign language or his phone to speak in public. Tino and Mathias had learned sign language as well.
Hana was a small white mix dog Tino owned, the man finding her two years ago in a walmart parking lot. Berwald didn't mind the small dog, so they kept her.
Tino rolled his eyes, Berwald glancing at the other nurses. The nurses were pretending to work, but every once in a while they would glance their way. Some were keeping an eye that big and scary looking Berwald wasn't going to hurt Tino, others were just being nosy.
"You left your lunch on the counter" Berwald continued to sign, Shrugging off the backpack and opening it. He pulled out Tino's lunchbox, Tino taking it with a smile.
"You didn't have to come all the way here, I could have found something else" Tino huffed, "It's your day off, isn't it?" Berwald made to answer, grunting as Elizaveta appeared behind him.
"Well if it isn't Big bear" Elizaveta greeted, Berwald nodding her way, "are you joining the fun tonight too?" Berwald's face stayed the same, his eyes the only showing his slight confusion, "Tino didn't invite you?"
"Berwald isn't interested in bar hopping" Tino frowned, "Plus he works as a bartender, I didn't want to drag him to bars on his day off"
"He can still enjoy a drink, recommend a good combination" Elizaveta pouted, "What do you think, big guy? You can even join us for the grand finale" Berwald made to sign, remembering that the woman didn't know sign language and pulled out his phone.
"Grand finale?" Berwald typed, his phone's AI speaking for him.
"We're going to a male strip club" Elizaveta grinned, "my birthday present to him." Tino blushed as some nosy nurses wolf whistled, looking at Berwald. Berwald's face showed nothing, making to type again.
"What's the name of the place?" Berwald asked.
"It's called 'Simple Pleasures'? Something like that" Elizaveta said, "it sounds like a fun place, good reviews and Gilbert has friends who are giving discounts" Berwald gave a nod, looking to think it over. Tino waited nervously, he didn't mind Berwald joining at all, but he didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
"I was called to cover a shift tonight, I'll let you know," Berwald said. Elizaveta grinned, Tino frowning.
"You don't have to force yourself for her sake" He told his friend, who gave a shrug.
"I didn't want to cover the shift anyways" Berwald signed to him, "I don't mind, really" Berwald left after wishing Tino a happy birthday, Tino finding that Berwald had put an extra treat in his lunch box. A strawberry shortcake slice, one of Tino's favorites.
Tino got home around four in the afternoon, which gave him enough time to take a quick nap and get ready for the night. Berwald had texted him to let him know that he was still good to join in, but he would meet him at the first bar since he had some errands to do. Tino had been curious and asked what errands, but Berwald had yet to answer. Hana was happy to see him, Tino taking her on a small potty walk before napping.
"You're late birthday boy," Elizaveta said as Tino found her at the first bar. Tino gave a sheepish smile, accepting the birthday hugs from the others. Gilbert was enjoying a beer, elizaveta and Olivia nursing what looked like fruity drinks. Lillie was drinking lemonade, accepting a few sips from the other's drinks. The bartender gave Lillie a cautious glance, Tino knowing he was probably worried she was underage with how young she looked. Lilie had just turned twenty-one, so she was fine.
"I overslept," Tino told his friend, sitting down next to her and ordering himself a drink. He preferred strong liquor, but he didn't want to get shit faced too early.
"Where's mr. big, tall and broody?" Gilbert asked, slapping down a few twenties, "first bar's on me by the way"
"He said he would meet us here" Tino shrugged. Elizaveta joked about Berwald flaking on them, Tino enjoying chatting and drinking with his group. Tino was just about to think that Berwald really did flake when he saw the big man enter, a few of the bar guests shushing up at the sight of him. Tino waved Berwald over, his friend giving hello nods.
"Lost track of time" Berwald signed to Tino, the man translating to Elizaveta. Elizaveta declared that Berwald would pay for the next bar drinks as punishment, Tino giggling. Berwald didn't seem to mind, typing his drink order for the bartender. Berwald didn't have a drink preference, ordering simple rum and coke.
"And here I thought Big bear only owned hoodies" Elizaveta hummed to Tino, who smiled. Berwald was wearing a black t-shirt with an open buttoned blue plaid shirt over it now, along with a thin grey jacket. Tino could admit that Berwald did look nice.
"He likes being comfortable," Tino replied, seeing Berwald try some sort of conversation with Lillie with his phone. Berwald seemed to type something and let the small girl read it, the bar too loud to use the AI voice. Tino vaguely wondered if he should let Berwald know that Lillie was somewhat taken, but if Tino thought about it he never saw his friend take an interest in women. Berwald wasn't interested in dating, having only a few partners here and there.
Tino continued drinking and chatting about, getting his second drink while he watched a few brave men try to talk with the girls. Gilbert watched after Lillie and Elizaveta like a hawk, Berwald having gone to the restroom. Tino was joining a chat with two guys chatting with Olivia, the woman smiling nervously. Tino knew the men were probably interested in her for her breasts, and Tino wouldn't lie that she did have some nice ones. But Olivia did not have a good history with men, so he kept the men in line.
When Berwald returned his unintentional intimidating features scared off the men interested in Elizaveta and Lillie, the ones with Olivia not paying him much thought. Berwald ordered another drink, Tino paying him no mind. After a few minutes The men were getting a little too pushy, Tino and others warning them to back off. The two men ignored them, Olivia looking uncomfortable. Tino moved seats with her so she could sit closer to the girls, the men making to follow her. That's when they registered Berwald, or rather, Berwald registered them as a threat.
Berwald to make people comfortable had been slouching a bit to not look so big while they drank, but now all six feet something of him was standing straight, separating the two men from the group. The men gawked and stepped back, Berwald an unmoving wall as they hurried away.
"Good guard boy" Elizaveta giggled, Berwald sending her a confused look as he sat back down. Tino giggled with the group, back to enjoying their drinks. They left for the second bar not long after. Lillie drove with Elizaveta and Gilbert in her car while the others took their own cars. The second bar was less crowded, the group sitting in a long both and chatting about work. Berwald didn't comment, listening while munching on some chips. He paid for everyone's drinks though, Olivia calling it a night as the group made their way to the third bar. Tino was getting a bit buzzed, so they made a pit stop to his apartment so he could carpool with Berwald, who wasn't drinking a lot. The big man so far had two rum and Cokes and water, along with chips to keep the buzz down.
Bar three was the same as bar two, the three active drinkers being told to eat something to sober them up enough for the strip club. Berwald followed along, drinking some brandy drink while he ate.
"Have you been to a strip club before?" Tino asked as they drove to the place, a smile on his face as he enjoyed the warm feeling of the drinks still in his system.
"Mm" Berwald said, able to finally speak with just them in the car, "wi' Mathias"
"Why wasn't I invited?" Tino asked, pouting.
"Y' were working'" Berwald shrugged, Tino catching him nervously tapping the steering wheel. He made to asked, but Berwald had turned into the parking lot. They got out, finding the other three. 'Simple pleasure' was on a main road, so it was pretty popular. Tino and his group waited in line, ID's ready. Berwald shifted a bit next to Tino's, who even buzzed knew that was a nervous tick.
"You okay?" He asked the big man, Elizaveta looking over curiously. Berwald gave a nod, not looking at any of them.
"Next" the bouncer checking ID's called, Tino's group stepping up, "ID's- Hey, Berwald!" The man grinned, the group looked to Berwald, who was giving the employee a dark look.
"You've been here before?" Elizaveta asked. Berwald hesitated with his phone, the bouncer answering for him.
"You keep us a secret man?" the man said, his bright blue eyes practically dancing with glee, "Big man works here- whoops! Wasn't supposed to say right?" the man laughed, seeing everybody surprised.
"You what?" Tino asked, Berwald too flustered to even sign.
"I- bartender" Berwald managed, "was going to tell you-"
"When were you going to tell me you bartend at a strip club?" Tino asked. Tino honestly never knew where Berwald worked, he had just assumed a place like bar number two or three.
"Oh this is awesome" Gilbert cackled, turning to the bouncer, "We are definitely getting discounts"
"That's up to boss" the bouncer shrugged, Berwald sending him a glare, "But hey let me double check ID's then you guys can go ahead." the man looked at birthdates, checking Lillie's with a little more care.
They got the okay, The bouncer pulling out his walkie talkie as they headed inside. The inside of the building was packed with women and some men, music pumping overhead. The group managed to find a table with enough chairs, Elizaveta and Gilbert teasing Berwald. Tino and Lillie didn't join in, Lillie was too nice to bother, Tino just couldn't. A strip club was somewhere he couldn't imagine Berwald working in, and he could tell just how uncomfortable the big man was. There was a faint blush on Berwald's cheeks, doing his best trying to tell the two friends to give him mercy with his body language.
Soon the lights started to dim, the crowd cheering as the main stage lit up and a man appeared. He was handsome, curly shoulder-length blonde hair and a trimmed beard announcing himself as the owner of the establishment.
"As always I encourage all our lovely guests to have a good time" The man continued, Tino catching a faint french accent lingering on a few words, "But we do have rules to protect not just you, but our amazing dancers tonight" the crowd cheered as someone else walked onto the stage. He was lean, Tino noting big bushy brows and emerald eyes.
"Oh angel, perfect timing" the owner smiled, "how about you demonstrate the do's and don't while I speak?"
The man gave a nod, smiling and winking at a few girls. He was wearing some leather pants and simple black vest, not leaving much to the imagination. The owner went on about where it was okay to touch the dancers, Angel demonstrating on his body while giving small shows. Elizaveta and Lillie giggled beside Tino, Gilbert giving a cheer while Berwald stayed quiet behind him. Tino looked back at Berwald, who showed no interest in the show, probably used to seeing it. He did glance at Tino when he felt the stare, looking away quickly.
"Our dancers know their rules very well" The owner continued, "If at any point any of you feel uncomfortable, we do have others walking around to help out" Angel gave a pout then, "Oh don't give me that Angel, I know you play nice" the crowd laughed, Angel rolling his eyes and taking the microphone.
"I think the crowd is ready," Angel said, "now run off to the music booth" Tino catching a british accent.
"We do have a real special show tonight, didn't you hear Francis?" Angel continued, Tino catching Berwald stiffen, "a little bird told me we have a few birthdays to celebrate" a few girls cheered then, "boys let's bring them up on stage!"
At the cue a few more men hurried out on the stage, Francis starting up some upbeat music as they hurried to find girls to drag upstage. Tino clapped as girls were picked out and taken up on stage, Tino not paying much attention to the men going through the crowd.
"Well well birthday boy" Tino looked over at the male voice, mouth falling open.
"You too?!" Tino yelped, Mathas grinning down at him. Mathias was wearing something similar to Angel, wearing sweat pants instead of leather. HIs vest was open, getting peeks at his chest. Mathias was muscled, but not overly.
"Surprise" Mathias sang, "Come on, let's get you up there" Tino protested then, his friends encouraging him to play along, except Berwald.
"What's the hold up down there?" Angel asked, looking Mathias' way, "Do they not want to play?" Tino flushed as some lights came to them, Mathias cackling. Mathias left Tino be.
"Looks like he's too shy," Mathias called over, grinning in place as he stepped over Tino, wrapping an arm around Berwald, "But look who I found!" The other dancers called out Berwald's name in greeting, Angel smiling.
"'Ello there lad" Angel sang, "ladies and gentleman say hello to Berwald there, one of our boys" the crowd did as they were told, Mathias now just relaxing on the big man's lap. Berwald looked to be considering manslaughter or suicide, his blush far brighter than Tino had ever seen.
"You said you bartended" Tino said over the crowd, Mathias winking in greeting to Gilbert.
"He does" Mathias answered for Berwald, who was covering his red face, "along with helping with rehearsals, part of the job" Mathias stood, the girls around them giggling as he did a little grind dance on Berwald, "If Tino doesn't want to come how about it Bear? You know the routine, and I need a partner"
Elizaveta and Gilbert were quick to encourage that, Tino helpless as Berwald was dragged away. Mathias was a few inches shorter than Berwald, but Berwald was too miserable to fight. Angel and Francis cheered as Mathias and Berwald came on stage, the crowd cheering as well. The dancers headed off quickly, Angel explaining what was going on.
"We play this little game on and off" he explained as he walked behind the guests in the hot seats, the girls giggling. "A simple game really, our dancers will come back wearing a few more clothes, it's the birthday girl's job to unwrap them." The girls flushed, Arthur chuckling.
"our boys will help and keep things in check, of course, the first one to unwrap their boy all the way will get a free dance, on the house" he stopped behind Berwald, draping an arm around the man, "Berwald here will have a handicap of course, make things fair" Elizaveta cheered, Tino smiling. Berwald looked uncomfortable, but seemed to relax slightly as Angel whispered something to him.
The dancers soon returned, each wearing a few jackets and scarves. The crowd giggled and cheered, dancers to their guests.
"Alright Mathias, i have two minutes on the clock," angel explained, Francis showing his phone, "you can dance all you want, but Berwald can't take things off"
Mathias gave a whine, huffing as he got on Berwald's lap. Berwald shifted a bit, giving a nod. The game soon started, everyone cheering and encouraging the birthday guests as they tried to get clothes off the dancers, who didn't make it easy. They easily distracted the girls with lap dances, the girls pausing or struggling to get things off from wiggling bodies. Mathias was watching with a grin,following similar moves on Berwald. Berwald didn't touch, Angel walking around like a good ref.
When two minutes were up Berwald moved swiftly, Mathais getting loud cheers as he joined in the fun. Tino watched as Berwald's hands were quick to remove clothes, knowing the game was a bit unfair. He was so used to Mathias' flirts and presence, none of the man's moves distracting him. He blushed as Mathias tried a new tactic, kissing berwald.
The crowd cheered, Berwald shoving Mathias and ripping the man's sweat pants off, revealing a red thong. Mathias stuck his tongue out, Berwald finishing removing his tops. In the end it was a tie between berwald and a girl who stripped a dancer with a bright pink thong. The others were close, everyone clapping and cheering.
"Congrats to our winners!" Angel said, watching the dancers clean up, "as we promised, they will get a free lap dance on the house. Choose wisely now"
Berwald made his way off the stage, the dancers leading the girls back to their seats. He made his way back to the group, Gilbert and Elizaveta cheering and teasing. Tino and Lillie smiled, Berwald giving a small huff. The group enjoyed the rest of the show, watching the dancers perform and bringing up a few crowd girls from time to time. It was a fun time, even Tino enjoyed Mathias' performance. It was really late into the night when things died down a bit, groups leaving to continue partying or home.
Elizaveta, Gilbert and Lillie were starting to burn out, Tino's face still red as Berwald used his free dance to get the pink thong man to dance on Tino. They learned that his name was Felix, and he joked along with them and asked Berwald if he wanted to join in.
"I really can't believe you two work here" Tino hummed, waving his friends goodbye.
"I've just been working here two months" berwald signed, "Mathias wanted me to work here, free rides"
"Sounds like him, do you enjoy the work?" Tino asked, Berwald giving a shrug.
"Good tips" Berwald glanced over tino, the man turning and seeing mathias heading over.
"Sorry we never told you" mathias said, draping his sweaty self over tino. To Tino's surprise he didn't smell awful.
"I would have liked to know, I thought you were a waiter" tino smiled.
"Waiting didn't pay the bills" mathias smiled, "plus this is more fun"
"I can see that" tino giggled.
"You want a back-stage look?" Mathias asked.
Tino gave a nod, following his friends to a back door. Tino saw all the dancers not on the floor relaxing and chatting, all of them greeting the guests. They all seemed like good friends, a few going over and hugging Berwald who frowned their way.
"I thought I said no groupies" Angel teased, shaking Tino's hand hello, "my name's Arthur, the manager of these boys"
"Pleasure" tino said, watching as Mathias opened a fridge and pulled out sodas, "they never told me they worked here"
"It would be a weird topic" Arthur shrugged, "Mathias is a piece of work, and Berwald is fun to have around"
"Really?" Tino asked, Berwald keeping to his side, "he doesn't scare people away?"
"Sure," Arthur said, "but people are here for the dancers, and he gets dragged into small things like tonight" Arthur leaned over and whispered, "we love shy boys, trust me we never get bored."
Tino laughed, Berwald looking his way curiously. Mathias grabbed Tino and introduced him to the others, Berwald getting dragged into a one- sided conversation with Felix. The dancers were really nice, wishing him a happy birthday and even playfully flirting. Tino glanced at Berwald from time to time, Felix off to perform. The man was sitting on a couch with a beer in hand. There were dancers chatting with him, Mathias leading Tino back to him.
"You look comfortable" Tino joked. Berwald shrugged and scooted to make space. Tino sat, Mathias finding some beer for him. Tino spent the next few hours drinking beer and chatting with the dancers, giggling as Berwald picked him when it was time to head home.