To The Ice Queen On Track 17,

I have so much to tell you today, but I don't know where to start…hmm.

Ah yes (I sound like my English language professor)- you decided to sit somewhere different today, but I can still see you from over here, so that's cool- Oh! You just looked my way! I'm gonna wave and see if you wave back.

You just glared (your eyes are blue!). It's gonna be Ice Queen Lukas today, isn't it? Wait- maybe you were just squinting to see if you could get a better look at me! Are you absolutely sure you aren't interested in me? I probably sound really desperate, but I don't plan on leaving you alone until you admit it. And you thought you were in the clear...

Well, at least I have confirmation that you're interested in something concerning me- my mysterious letter delivery methods. Would you believe me if I told you I had a stealthy carrier pigeon do it for me? That's not the case, but it'd be really cool if it was :p.

Anyway, let's just say I have my ways...a magician never shares his secrets! (Hint: Ber, my cousin, says I have "theiv'n fing'rs", whatever that means...)

I think I heard (read?) a little bit from Genuine Lukas in your last letter. It sounds like you miss your little brother a lot, and even though I don't have any siblings, I know how it feels to have someone you love up and leave one day. Of course, in my case it was something I could've totally prevented. As you said, your brother probably had a good reason to go out on his own, so you don't need to blame yourself or him for anything, I guess.

If you need some kind of coping mechanism, I find that going deep into a forest and brutally hacking down branches and tree bark with a freaking cool battle axe really helps me vent when I need it. Since I don't think you have a freaking cool battle axe readily available (which is an absolute crime), I'd recommend some emotional jogging- nothing like some sweaty and teary physical activity to ease the soul.

But...something tells me neither of those suit your style.

Oh! You should try to get in contact with your little bro more! From what I've seen (and assumed, but whatever), you two share the habit of being all emotionless and stoic, so I'm guessing he probably misses you just as much as you miss him.

Damn. I was rereading this and I just realized how supportive I sound. Ten points for Mathias!

Good luck with talking to the Baby Bondevik Brother,

The Extra-Supportive and Knowledgeable Mathias Densen


To The Idiotic and Admittedly Supportive Mathias Densen,

I have to, quite reluctantly, thank you for your support. I wasn't feeling my best yesterday as it was the anniversary of something I'd be more than happy to forget, and as a result I revealed more than I would've liked. Thank you for handling it well and not at all like an idiot (as I have come to expect from you). Also, for future reference, my little brother's surname is not Bondevik, but Steilsson.

It's a long and unnecessarily complicated story.

I'm still not in any way interested in you, but I do have quite a few concerns about your preferred "coping" mechanism. Is hacking things with a battle axe even legal? Where did you manage to find a forest in the middle of the city? Most importantly, did the Viking tales you were told as a child get to your head? You are not a Viking, even if you are Danish. It's the 21st century.

I still find it creepy not knowing how your letters manage to make it into my jacket pocket, but I assume I'd find it even more creepy if actually knew what your cousin meant by "thieving fingers". Even if you can, don't bother explaining. I don't really care to know, especially when there's no denying you'll manage to fit either an innuendo or another horrid pun into it somehow.

In other, rather personal, news you seem to find akin to mindless entertainment:

I made some licorice cake yesterday to honor your request. It was relatively good, albeit a little burnt around the edges (which, now that I think about it, fits the situation perfectly). Before you ask the inevitable- I didn't bring you any. First- it'd require far too much effort to attempt to transport a slice along with my usual work materials on a moving train. Second- there's no way it'd make it through a day at the firm without being eaten by my snoopy, gluttonous coworkers.

If you don't remember, I call my brother every night. On my ancient flip phone. All I can say is that there's a reason I'm only on the phone for about five minutes each night. He hangs up as soon as he hears my voice. At least you tried to help our situation, I guess...

On a lighter note- were you waving from the souvenir stand last night? Your appearance was most definitely not what I had been picturing. I couldn't get a good look at most of your features, but that doesn't mean what I could see wasn't judged. Does your hair stand up like that naturally? Is the red button-up shirt a work uniform?

I thought you'd be shorter,

Lukas


STORY TBC

Chapter five, everybody! I've been posting daily, which is a miracle sent to me personally from the first-time fanfiction gods. Let's hope it continues... *knocks on wooden bookshelf*

In reply to a certain precious reviewer soul's definitely-not-too-fangirly speculation- All I can reveal is that there will be plenty of opportunities for Mathias to make a fool of himself over Lukas in future chapters ;3

What are you all thinking so far? Feel free to let me know! I figuratively live for your favorites, follows, and reviews (and the beauty that is Alfred the Great, but that's not the point.)! I hope you're enjoying~

UPDATE: I've fixed some continuity errors pointed out by another precious reviewer soul! Thank you for pointing it out!