Disclaimer: All characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya~

A/N: Pfft… sorry I took long (AGAIN) but I had work (AGAIN) so I was busy (AGAIN).

Onwards!

Berwald's backside still ached from last night, but now his head was throbbing as he regained consciousness and the brightness of the living room nearly blinded him. His legs and arms felt like concrete blocks as he tried to move them, but then he realised that he was tied to Tino's office chair that's usually in the study room… what's it's doing in the living room…?

Tino.

His heart almost burst at the realisation. But then it dropped when he heard a deep voice that's too different from Tino's psycho-voice. Berwald glanced to the side and noticed a tall burly figure wearing a heavy coat with a smile.

"I see you're finally awake. Maybe last night did you the whole world of good?" the man chuckled. His scarf nearly muffled his voice, but it bunched up under his chin.

"Who are you?" Berwald murmured out and sat up properly in the chair. Even though it's a revolving chair, he couldn't move himself anywhere as a large foot is keeping it still. The man leaned down, purplish eyes boring into his sight.

"My name is Ivan Braginski," he introduced himself, "I'm Silver's boss."

Because of the persistent throbbing in Berwald's head, he was confused. "Silver?"

"Oh, my apologies," Ivan's tone of voice lowered dangerously despite smiling, "I mean Gilbert, your boy-toy from last night. I'm his boss at the Starlight Glitter club. I had a complaint from a pair of clients who wanted to spend an hour with him, but then you took Gilbert away…"

"They were going to rape him," Berwald glared. "Outside in some deserted car park instead of inside your building – that looked like kidnapping."

A large gloved hand held his face roughly, covering his mouth and making him stare at Ivan's face up close. He held a neutral expression. "They paid good money – I simply allowed them to take Silver for a test run…"

"I don't believe you…" Berwald murmured, narrowing his glare. Ivan suddenly let go and sighed heavily.

"That's not why I'm here… Toris, come here, please."

Berwald snapped his attention to a nervous young man with shoulder-length brunette hair. He was holding a heavy black leather suitcase. "F-forgive me, Mr Oxenstierna…" he whimpered, "I'm a double agent… I w-worked for Mr Braginski longer than I have with you and I owe him my life-"

Ivan glared at him. "He doesn't need to know your life story, Toris, now show Mr Oxenstierna the cash."

Toris placed the suitcase on the polished floor and fiddled with the lock combinations with shaky fingers. He saw Ivan's glare intensify and he whimpered. "I-I'm almost done! 5, 3, 8… 9… Done!" The case clicked and he lifted the lid to show it is full of money and some papers.

"What's this?" Berwald couldn't help but ask as he stared at the contents.

Ivan raised a finger. "This is 10 billion Swedish Krona. All real, freshly crisp off the press and not a single smudge… or so it seems." He picked up a wad of notes and tapped Berwald's head with it. "These ARE fake, but I have the best forger in the whole world working for me to make these beauties so I can avoid paying tax. But I also buy new strippers from other associates across the country who get their constant supply from the Middle East, Asia, South America, North America, even Europe and also Africa, where I get most of my youngest workers from… Basically, my current workers ALL come from every corner of this planet."

Berwald gulped silently when he realised this man is a human trafficker. What does he want with him…?

"Of course, my sources don't check to see that the money is actually fake while I keep the real money," Ivan giggled childishly then he his expression darkened. "But Gilbert is the best because HE came to ME for help after he crawled into this country like a rat after swimming the sea from Germany's shores."

"Why you?"

"He's an illegal immigrant," Ivan shrugged. "People here in a socialist country such as Sweden don't appreciate spongers who take money from the government if they're not here to pay back. But I employ anyone and I… have ways of making people spill their guts to me. We made a simple deal – he works for me, I'll keep him in the country."

"Why did he come here… when he has family?" Berwald asked as he thought of his conversation with Gilbert last night and remembered the photographs of him and his brother, looking happy.

"Beats me," Ivan laughed coldly, "family? It's a pathetic concept that keeping people tied down from what they really want to do in life." A glint shone in his eye. "Yet… there are people who want to go to great lengths just to protect them, even if they're not blood-related or are abusive towards others."

Berwald understood and his heart froze over. "Where's Tino and Peter?" he growled, glaring dangerously.

"They're fine for now," Ivan smiled, "of course, I say 'for now' because what you do next will decide their fates."

Berwald looked at the suitcase and the fake money inside it. He glanced around the apartment, but nothing was out of place or missing. And then he looked at Toris, who only looked away in sorrow.

"What do you want?" Berwald sighed, defeated, "if you want me to exchange the fake money with real money to save my family, then I can do it."

Ivan tutted. "It's not as simple as that, Mr Oxenstierna~! I know you had sex with Gilbert without paying him for his services."

"So what if I did? It doesn't make you any better, financing illegal activities in this great country and around the world!" the Swedish captive snarled. Ivan suddenly grabbed a fistful of his hair painfully and jerked his head to make him look at him.

"You're acting up, Mr Oxenstierna… I don't like it," the Russian said darkly. "Let's cut the crap and let Toris explain, da?"

"M-me?" Toris squeaked and Ivan smiled at him with a nod. "A-Anything for you, sir…" He picked up a sheet of paper from inside the suitcase and coughed. "M-Mr Braginski would like to make an offer that you cannot refuse. He has someone working at IKEA who controls the finances electronically and he can divert them to the Middle East to fund terrorist activities if you refuse the offer as well as having your family killed off and dumped in the Baltic Sea." Toris shut his eyes tightly and he continued. "All he wants you to do is carry on visiting the Starlight Glitter club at least once every evening between 6pm and 9pm sharp to 'have a quality time with Silver Star and nobody else' and pay 1000 Krona. Also…" The P.A. gulped. "…You are not to inform the police or the authorities about Mr Braginski's 'activities' around the world lest he'll break the deal, transfer your money and kill your family. Also, he has evidence that you had sex with Silver and he won't be afraid to use it as blackmail and will submit it to the media."

At every demand, Berwald's confusion and fear mounted higher together.

"Prostitution IS legal in this grand country," Ivan hummed, letting go of Berwald's hair, "but it IS frowned upon to cheat on your endearing wife. The poor guy is just like me in a way." He shook his head. "Traumatised because of past events that'll drive him over the edge of insanity if certain memories trigger them… I saw his hospital documents too."

Berwald now felt even more furious. "You were looking at my family's hospital documents."

"Da. I wonder if that bump on Peter's head will get better? Or will he recover from seeing your scars?"

The Swede suddenly yelled and threw himself at the taller man, but Ivan powerfully shoved him to the ground and stamped on his stomach, winding Berwald severely.

"Hey. Shut up. Do you WANT me to kill you and burn this place down?" Ivan whispered. Blood oozed from Berwald's mouth where he accidentally bit his tongue when he got winded and it dripped onto the floor. Hearing nothing but groans, Ivan removed his foot. "Good. Because I feel SORRY for your psychotic wife and to seal the deal in good taste, I'll supply you with anti-psychosis drugs. I already know some good dealers. Legitimate ones, I mean," Ivan added, "I know why your wife is so psychotic, but you don't seem to know about his past as truthfully as he does… why don't you do background checks on him?"

Berwald still said nothing, grunting at the pain in his tongue and at Ivan's words. No, Tino SHOULDN'T be medicated. What will Peter say or ask? He's still a kid. He shouldn't have to know about these sort of things or what his father is about to get up to…

"Well! I'm finished here for today!" Ivan suddenly smiled brightly. "Toris?"

"Y-Yes, sir?" Toris gulped and he quickly shut the suitcase with a firm snapping noise.

"Take care of him." Ivan pointed his thumb at the sorry-looking Swede on the floor. "He might need stitches. And an alibi in case anyone asks. Plus, I need you to return to my office this evening at 7pm sharp. I need to make preparations."

"Where's… Tino… Peter…" Berwald murmured with difficulty as pain pulsed from his bleeding tongue.

"They're fine. I actually saw them leaving to go shopping. Peter is such a good child, following his mother around so happily… too bad that smile will be shattered if anything happens to you," Ivan added darkly as he turned to leave. "Oh, and one more thing… you will start our deal next week, Saturday, 6pm until 9pm. And Gilbert is allowed to accompany you at any time outside the work place, but only as companions. Have fun~!" He chuckled before leaving the apartment and the door hissed shut.

Berwald's mind, meanwhile, was clouded with pain, memories and confusion and Ivan's demands from him. His body couldn't even be bothered to listen to his mind telling it to move with urgency. Someone's hands quickly unwound the ropes the bound his wrists and ankles together.

"Oh, Mr Oxenstierna, I'm so sorry this happened to you!" Toris cried as his shaky hands snatched the rough ropes and threw them behind him as if they're snakes; he then carefully lifted the Swede until he was sitting up. He felt an arm on his back and he shut his eyes tightly, whimpering, but his fear disappeared the longer he felt warmth against his body and he glanced up at his boss, confused. "S-sir?"

"I'm sorry y' ha' t' see me like th's…" Berwald murmured with difficulty. More blood ran over his bottom lip.

Toris's cheeks reddened as his body shook nervously. "No! I-Ivan isn't a- nice person at the best of times, but he is a little cruel… Y-Your family is safe as long as you hold the deal, b-but I should be ashamed of myself, working for you as a P.A. when I should've been protecting you like any assistant would, b-but Ivan's my boss too and-"

"Lauri'tis," Berwald said firmly and Toris stopped babbling. "Enou'. Hel' me u'…" Toris sighed and he stood up, carefully supporting his boss and sat him down on the abandoned office chair.

"Let me get a tissue for your tongue then I'll drive you to the hospital quickly…" Toris mumbled and he walked off, soaking a tissue with freezing cold water and handing it over to his boss, who stood up shakily. "Is your stomach all right…?"

Berwald tried to speak, but he just nodded after saying something unintelligible.

Toris Laurinaitis. Nationality: Lithuanian. Age: 19. Occupation: Personal Assistant. Favourite colour: Blue.

Berwald remembers the day he took on Toris as his P.A. 5 years ago shortly after getting married to Tino. Toris applied for a job as Berwald's P.A. because underneath the shaky nervous exterior of the young man, there is a treasure trove of knowledge and intelligence that had him graduated from university at the age of 13. Of all the jobs that people like him could've gotten rich and recognition from the masses, he chose to become a lowly P.A. for a furniture store manager. Berwald always wondered why a bright young man like him would rather push at pens than doing some other exciting jobs that pay more than here, but then after today's confrontation with the boss of the Starlight Glitter club, he made some guesses…

Of course, he couldn't speak properly without losing blood, but after the hospital gave him painkillers and stitched his tongue (as well as telling the staff Berwald tripped over someone's pet dog and bit his own tongue by accident), he can speak however rougher he sounded now.

"Mr Laurinaitis," Berwald started as Toris drove him back towards the apartment. "You mentioned something about 'owing your life to Mr Braginski'… what did he do? And is it to do with you working with me?"

"Mmm…" Toris hummed lowly, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly until his knuckles were as white as bone. "I-it wasn't the most appropriate of circumstances, but it was to save my family…"

Berwald listened, watching the Lithuanian.

"I got two brothers. Both adopted into my family. Eduard is the eldest and he was from Estonia until he needed somewhere to live so he could go to university… and Raivis is from Latvia and he was adopted so he could go to school and get the education he deserves…

"My dad passed away some years ago, so I held us three together and we protected each other as we carried on with life as normal, but…" Toris drew in a breath. "One day, Raivis was on his way to school, and some men in a van suddenly abducted him. Eduard was there, he tried to fight them off, but he got sh-shot in the shoulder and they got away with Raivis. I called the police and the ambulance, but the police didn't find any clues and Eduard was knocked out in hospital so they could care for his wound. We were the only witnesses there and we were stumped. Until Ivan came along in my house and told me he knew who the men were and they cannot be prosecuted because of lack of evidence."

Berwald opened his mouth to say something, but Toris cut in quickly.

"I KNOW it's weird to get a total stranger saying kidnappers could not get prosecuted, but I had no choice back then!" he whined, "Ivan then told me who he was and I knew he worked on illegal dealings and trafficking, but he said he got some people who could save Raivis and kill the kidnappers and make it look like they were shooting each other!

"I accepted the deal from Ivan. I had no choice. I already lost my dad and the last thing I want is for Raivis to die just because I couldn't do anything! So Ivan managed to bring back Raivis and reunite him with me and Eduard who didn't know about the deal… Days after I graduated from university, I had a phone call from Ivan ordering me to become your personal assistant and I just accepted," Toris finished with a small laugh. Berwald blinked at his odd behaviour. "I was glad I didn't end up being taken to some far-away country, because Europe is the safest place for me!"

"Mr Laurinaitis… what else did Ivan ask of you in your deal?" Berwald asked.

Toris parked the car in the parking lot underneath the apartment block and looked at Berwald sadly. "He said if I don't work for you and pass on information about you to him… he'll simply kill me, Raivis and Eduard. That's it."

"What kind of information?"

"He said ANYTHING about you, so I did…" Toris blushed and looked at the steering wheel like it's the most interesting thing in the world. "All I had to do was learn about you and tell him what I know…"

"So he already knows everything about me and my life…" Berwald mumbled and got out the car, slamming the door shut and walked away.

"Wait!"

Berwald turned to look at Toris who quickly stumbled out the car. "I-I know you're blaming me for what's going on, b-but please hear me out!"

"I don't blame you."

The Lithuanian breathed in deeply. "E-Even if things look bad, think of this phrase: 'Always look on the bright side.'"

"What's so positive about me having my family at risk of being executed?"

"At least you're keeping them safe by keeping to Ivan's deal – that's positive enough of how much you love them!" Toris hurriedly explained, and then his cheeks went pink as he looked away. "L-like… I find working with you a positive bright thing, because you remind me of Eduard… and I-I really like him…"

"Oh…" Berwald went, surprised. He can't deny that Toris's smile was cute in its own unique way, but he isn't in love with it. He isn't in love with the Lithuanian. He could only feel great admiration for the young man for working hard for all these years, in spite of what he has been secretly doing…

He rubbed the back of his neck subconsciously. "Why don't you tell him? About your feelings, I mean…"

"I couldn't…" Toris gulped. "Eduard and Raivis are still in Lithuania. They only call me once a week and we don't see each other at all…"

"Use that time wisely to tell Eduard how you really feel."

"B-but, boss…" Toris whined and buried his face in his hands. Berwald's lips curved into an amused smile.

"That's an order from your boss, Mr Laurinaitis." Berwald was immensely enjoying this, seeing his subordinate squirm under his gaze.

Toris groaned. "Y-yes, boss…" And he walked by his side when Berwald's large hand rested on his skinny shoulder, making him look up.

"Y' can call me Berwald. You know everything about me, after all."

Toris smiled a little. "Y-you can call me Toris. You know a lot about me too."

"Deal."

That's Berwald's least favourite word of the century besides 'uncertainty' and 'future'.

A/N: Sooo a little bit of one-sided Liet/Swe and a little bit of Liet/Est… Check~3 I didn't actually plan for them to interact like this, but oh well, this is better than I thought ^.^

I love you guys for the positive reviews, they make the world go around~

Oh, as well as my lovely gf – you make my world spin around too, darling~