Turvallinen ja Vakaa

Chapter 6

Grey: Part 2

For a couple of weeks following the strange emergence of Tino's symptoms, it seemed that they had gone away, as quick as they'd come. He felt almost completely normal. Besides for feeling a bit more anxious than usual, he felt fine. He went about his usual routine, preparing breakfast for the household, taking his son to school, going about his house work, and then doing his own paperwork and attending meetings for his own country. If someone in the house asked him if he was okay, he could safely, honestly say, "Yes, I'm fine."

In fact, he felt so normal that after a couple of weeks passed, he figured that whatever had happened, it had only been a mere phase and nothing more than that.

~xXx~

One evening, Tino fell asleep rather fast. And the moment he did, he drifted into a dream sequence:

The dream opened to a usual morning. However, he awoke earlier than normal. He yawned, and then pushed the blankets back, and swung his legs over the side, bare feet touching the wooden floor. It was cold.

He grabbed his robe and put it on, before stepping sluggishly into the restroom. He splashed water on his face, hoping to clear up his blurry, sleepy vision. However, it didn't do much good. Colors and the settings he saw in front of him were still blurred, and mixed together.

The next thing he knew, he was in the kitchen, making coffee and scrambling eggs. Soon, Sweden came into the room, greeting the Fin with a nod, a touch to his shoulder, and a scarecly audible, "G'mornin."

Tino smiled back at him. Berwald muttered something else, none of which the Fin could pick up, before turning and making his way up the stairs.

He must be going to wake Peter. Tino thought as he served the eggs and...butter toast? He didn't remember making toast. It freaked him out a bit, as he found it to be quite odd, but after a moment he shrugged it off and set the table. He put the flag print coffee mugs at their individual spots, put Peter's glass of orange juice at his spot, and sat down and waited for the rest of the household.

They came down stairs within close time of one another, and joined him. They were dressed and ready for the day. Tino realized that he too was suddenly dressed. I don't remember dressing myself either... He thought.

The family was now gathered around the table. They were talking, but to Tino, their voices were mere echoes, merging with one another, and it felt like he was surrounded by white noise.

As a result, he scarcely responded to their muffled voices, only nodding, laughing, or simply going along with what the family said.

~xXx~

The next thing he knew, he was heading out the door, and getting in the car with Sweden to take Peter to school. Tino did not say a word like he usually did. No, he was looking out the passenger window, at the blurry, passing scenery. They dropped him off at the front, and watched him meet up with some of his friends, before they drove home once more.

Tino was the first out of the car.

~xXx~

As his dream progressed, he went about his day sluggishly. He walked the dog again, much to the confusion of Norway, who's turn it was to walk her, he did his paperwork and he cleaned the house spotless. He found himself organizing anything and everything. Including all of the old artifacts in the hall closet.

He felt strange, and everything was still a bit of a blur. His family members' voices were still a muffled plethora of white noise. Everything seemed far away. It was as if he was in a whole other world, far away from what he knew. It scared him some how.

~xXx~

The next thing he knew, he was sitting crosslegged on the couch, polishing something that he had gotten from the very back of the top shelf of the closet. He was alone in the house. The object was large, and long. The surface was slick and smooth, minus some scratches and indents, and of a dark brown hue. He was using a handkerchief and dust spray to completely polish it. As he ran his hand across it, he felt this strange sense of familiarity about it. Though his hazy brain could not quite figure it out. He could not quite remember.

He raised the old weapon and aimed it towards the wall. The gun was not loaded, but some how, it felt good to be holding it like this again.

He heard the front door open. He lowered the gun into his lap, and turned his gaze to the door.

Denmark was making his entrance known to the world.

He greeted, and then started talking to Tino, with a bright smile on his face. However, the Fin could barely hear his voice.

He watched as the tall Dane made his way over to the couch, he expression showing concern and confusion.

"Why do ye have that out?" at least that's what Tino thought he heard. Mathias pointed to the gun in Tino's lap.

The Fin looked down at the weapon, and then back up, "I was polishing it." he responded.

"Ye don't need to though," The Dane replied, "No one's attackin' us."

What do you mean, Russia is right outside our door!? Wait...

He slowly sat down beside the Fin, "Here, lemme put that away for ye." The Dane reached for the gun. Tino defensively protected it with his hands, picking it up swiftly and hugging it into his chest. He looked up defiantly at the taller Nordic.

"Tino, ye don't need that." Denmark said, "Look, ye see." he point towards the window.

Tino averted his eyes from the gun, still holding it protectively, and looked out the window. It was sunny outside. There was no snow. He could not see anyone or anything threatening. He looked back down again, and he asked himself, Why am I polishing this? I don't need it...

"See," Denmark held out his hands, "Give it here, now."

Tino looked back down at the gun, and then back up to Denmark. Then, he slowly started handing the weapon to the waiting Dane. Wait what? Why am I giving him this!? It's mine! He pulled it back swiftly.

"Hey, Tino, it's fine." Mathias said, he reached for it again, "I just wanna put it away for ye', promise."

He thought for a moment, before once again setting it in the hands of the waiting Dane. He took it gently, and held it carefully. Then, he got off the couch.

Just to be sure he was putting it away and not doing anything more with it, Finland followed him down the hall, and watched him put it back where it belonged: on top of the hall closet. He closed the closet door, and then dusted his hands, turning back to the Fin. The Dane smiled, and then patted him on the shoulder, then, he turned him around, and led him back into the living room.

They sat in silence for a moment, when Tino said, "Wait, it's dinnertime. I have to get started on it."

Denmark shook his head, "It's not yer turn, remember? It's Nor and Ice's day."

No it's not...I don't remember us being that far in the rotation schedule.

"Ye cooked yesterday."

"I did? No. You and Su-san did...?" Finland was thoroughly confused.

"Nah. That was two days ago, Fin."

"I don't..."

"It's fine. Here, why don't ye go take a shower, eh? Ye need to clear yer head. It's Nor and Ice's turn. Like I said."

"O-okay."

He got up and slowly made his way into his bedroom. He was still incredibly confused, and he felt awful, because he swore for a fact it was his day. But despite this, he went and got in the shower anyway. Denmark was right. He needed to clear his head.

As a result, he took a cold shower.

He felt a bit better afterwards, but that didn't change the fact that everything was still a hazed, mixed up mess.

~xXx~

Tino opened his eyes with his start, lurching up from the pillow he was lying on. He sneezed. There were tear stains on his cheeks, and his eyes still stung with them. His face and hair were wet, and his bangs were plastered to his forehead. His front was also wet. He was cold. Why am I cold? Why am I wet? Why am I crying?

He snapped his violet gaze around him, five pairs of concerned eyes were fixed on him. He discovered he was lying on the sofa. Why was he on the sofa?

"What-" he was disoriented, "What happened? Why am I lying on the couch? I should be in my bed...? I was dreaming. I do not remember sleeping on the couch."

"No ye haven't been dreaming, Tino." Denmark said.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been awake this whole time." Norway said.

"I...I have?" he was very confused, "Wait but...?"

Suddenly, he heard sniffling. He turned. He saw Peter behind Sweden, with small tears streaming down his face.

It broke his heart to see Peter upset. "Sweetie...wh-why are you crying?"

"Mama...what happened to you? I was scared..."

His heart lurched, "W-wait wh-what do you mean...?" Nerves rose in his chest and he snapped his gaze around at his family members, "What happened...wh-what did I do...?"

"I don't know," Iceland said, "You were fine but then you started freaking out."

"H-huh?"

Mathias elaborated, "You started going on about how you needed your gun and that we were all in danger and stuff."

"There wasn't anything wrong at all though, that was the confusing part." Lukas added.

"We tried to calm ye down," Mathias explained, "But nothin' worked."

"Yeah, then you kind of just curled up on the ground and started shaking and crying." Iceland finished.

"Ber had to carry ye to the couch and then we poured cold water on ye t' wake ye." Mathias said.

"Umm...thank you...I guess?"

"Pe'tr was in his room 'is room wh'n it h'ppened." Berwald explained, "Yer sudden p'nic sc'red 'im. He thought s'methin' was r'lly wr'ng."

"We all did." Mathias said lamely, "But it doesn't matter, what matters is are ye okay?"

Tino was still perplexed. "Was my dream really that bad...?"

Iceland huffed, "You weren't dreaming. You've been awake the whole day."

"You made breakfast and cleaned the house and stuff, like you usually do. Except ye weren't talking much. Ye've been kinda out of it all day."

"Don't you remember?" Norway asked.

"Yes...but the whole time I thought I was..." He trailed off. How could he have been awake an entire day and NOT know it? That freaked him out to no end.

"Are ye okay?" that was Sweden.

"You've gone pale." Norway observed.

"I-I will be." Tino responded.

"W'nt some coffee?" Sweden asked.

The Fin nodded, "Yes. I think that would be a good idea."

"Mm." Berwald nodded and went into the kitchen.

"I'm gonna go, uhh...do my dishes for once." Denmark also turned to go into the kitchen, "Ye gonna be okay, Tino?"

The Fin nodded, "Yes...I just...need a few minutes."

"I-i'm going to go finish my homework." Iceland said awkwardly, departing towards the stairs.

"I'm going to go as well." Norway dismissed himself and followed his younger brother to the second floor.

That left Peter standing awkwardly, still sniffling.

"P-peter," the Fin tried to soothe the boy, "I'm okay. You don't have to cry anymore."

"Why would you freak us out like that, Mama?"

Finland's heart lurched at the accusation.

"I thought we were all in danger. I thought something bad was going to happen to us." he started to cry.

"Oh...sweetie...I don't know...I didn't even know I did that...I wasn't aware of my actions. I thought I was dreaming the whole day. But I'm okay now. We're all okay. Everyone is fine. And no one is hurt. That's the important thing."

"Are you okay now?" Peter asked lamely, "I mean, are you yourself? Are you awake, Mama? Are you there?"

Finland nodded, "Yes, I am. I promise I am. Come here, sweetheart."

Peter walked over to the couch and threw his arms around the other. Finland pulled the boy close, holding him gently, and rubbing his back. He was trying to stay calm, to act calm and normal for his son, but inside his heart was brimming with fear, worry, and confusion.

A/N: Yes, the chapter is supposed to be confusing. It's supposed to be disjointed. That's dissociation. I was trying to make my readers feel it too. So, I hope I did justice in that. Also, sorry about my slow updates, school started again, so I haven't had as much free time to write. But, despite that, I will continue to provide you people with chapters. So stay tuned!