I DO NOT OWN HETALIA! ( If I did Sweden would always be naked)! Thank you for waiting so patiently for this update! In a week or less I will be at a place with limited internet access, so it may be an entire month till I get to update my stories. But do not fret! I will be cranking out a chapter a day for one lucky story a day! So enjoy this chapter of "Flowers Pick"!
Thank you to yotzie and MalinChan, my two awesome Swedish/Finnish translators! Much love to you guys!
...
Tino sighed contently into the boiling warm air that smelled faintly of sweat and naughty things. A few minutes had past since he and Berwald had...well...proved their love for one another physically, and already the Finn was starting to regain feeling in his lower body, especially a certain part of his body. Tino yawned loudly and willed his youthful eagerness to stay under control, but such a demand was hard to do, especially when his arms were wrapped around the neck of a hot and studly Swedish man.
Tino hummed and smirked into the solid and sweat dampened chest of Berwald, rolling on his stomach, his elbow propping him up, gritting into the soft earth. He smiled brightly down at the softly shut eyed Swede whose breath was still trying to keep up with his pounding heart. Tino smirked.
Berwald took a deep breath of the hot air that smelled like sweat and Tino, his nose filling to the brim with the tangy scent of their come. Berwald blushed brightly. He still couldn't believe that he had done that with the Finn.
That his cute and innocent little bride had...licked, touched, swallowed..and...and! Berwald groaned low in his throat, his head spinning, all the blood rushing to his fried brain in a hurry. He sighed with embarrassment and cracked one of his eyes open to great his new...What? Bride? Yes. Wife? Yes. Lover? Berwald paused.
Lover? He looked down to the little Finn who was yawning like a cute little puppy. Definitely, if he had anything to say about it.
Berwald sighed comfortably and ran his wide palms and long fingers into Tino's hair, feeling the doves wings softness of it, marveling at the color. Tino was so beautiful, like a brightened morning glory, spread out and delicate, nimble petals reaching skyward. Berwald sifted his fingers through the soft hair, making little swirls with the pads of his finger tips. Tino hummed appreciatively, enjoying the sensation of the others touches.
After a few more minutes of patting his wife's head, the tall Swedish man loomed his neck over to look at the little Finnish man who had so sweetly and comfortably sprawled his petite naked body flush against Berwald's midsection. Berwald made a grunt low in his throat, his face heating up as if someone had dunked it in a pit full of embers. He bit his lip.
"Um...Hej...?"* Berwald rumbled, scratching the back of his head. He was obviously embarrassed and didn't feel the need to hide it. Tino and him had done some things that... Well, that he hoped he would get to do more of later tonight, as well as some other physical activities. But he felt that it had strengthened their relationship too, and for that, Berwald was extremely grateful.
It had taken a long time for Berwald to do it, but ever since that playful kiss back when they were kids, Berwald was glad he had devoted his time to getting Tino to notice him. It was worth all the pain and hardships that being the best warrior in the clan could do to man. Tonight it was all going to pay off.
Oh yes, the way the Finn had been moaning his head off, grabbing and clawing at Berwald's skin, panting and rutting his hips against the giant Swedes. It was amazing. Berwald willed the arousal he was now sporting to go away. He had plenty of time tonight to get frisky with the Finn, now that there was no inklings of doubt that Tino wished, no wanted, to be Berwalds Summer Bride. Berwald sighed happily, shifting his crudely made glasses back in place. Ah, today was going to be a wonderful day.
"Hei, yourself."* Tino mused, a giggle on his lips, smile gracing his perfect little face. Berwalds heart melted for what must have been the fifth time today. Oh yes he loved this little man.
`After a few minutes of just lazily looking at the Finn, who was softly lolling his head against Berwald's stomach, Berwald sat up and noticed that the blanket Tino had been using was pooled across his lap. The Finn was languidly wrapping his lithe arms around Berwald's mid section with a satisfied goofy smile. Berwald stiffened immediately, but willed his body to relax. Now was not the time to get an erection. He gritted his teeth.
The Finn giggled and nuzzled his head into the crook of Berwalds shoulder. Berwald hummed, Tino feeling the vibrations from the giants throat in a menstrual of sound and movement, like the rumbled of thunder painting against the sky.
Tino smirked with loving joy and bumped his nose into Berwald's own nose, gazing into those green river stone eyes that always used to terrify him, used to leave him shivering and cowering when he was a little lad playing in the meadows. Those eyes still made him shiver, but it was a lustful shiver that always seemed to roll down his back, making the Finn keen with a new want that he could safely say was love. Yes, Tino wanted love and now he had it. Now, sex was next on his lists of wants. And he was more than determined to get it.
"Berwald~~" Tino murmured lightly, bubbly. Berwald looked down to see that the little Finn had seated him self on the Swede's lap once more, the petite Finn's hips lightly grating against his, causing the thin material of the blanket to slip and slide against his warm skin. Berwald let out a shutter.
"Hnnn?" He grunted, placing his hands lightly on Tino's still hot flesh, running his long fingers against Tino's waist. Tino smirked innocently, his bright eyes betraying his lusty intentions.
"We have a little bit of time left before the festival starts... Did you want to maybe play a little more?" Tino purred, leaning his head closer to Berwalds, his lips just mere centimeters apart.
"Tut, tut, tut, Tino. Really? After all that roughhousing and wrestling, and you still want to go another round? Didn't your mother ever tell you to be patient and wait before gulping down the entire smörgåsbord? You wouldn't want to choke on the Swedish meatballs now would you? Honestly...!"* Elizabeta's voice stung right through Tino's temple, making the Finn jump with a squeak.
In an instant, Berwald's cheeks flaring a bright sunset red, the giant of a Swede wrapped Tino in the blanket and held him to his chest, doing his best to clothe the Finn, wishing to save his dignity from being soiled.
"Oh like, relax studly! Its nothing on him that we haven't already, like, seen!" Feliks' voice groaned, his hands on his hips that were clothed by the white and flower stitched dress, his torso bare, painted with little dollops of pink plant paste, some Polish words and runes decorating his chest, one of them in the shape of a pretty pony.* He smirked with sly intent.
"My, my Tino, if I wasn't already pinning for Liet I'd take on Berwald in a heart beat! Look at those abs, oh~ And those biceps!" Feliks squealed, swooning and fanning himself with his hand. Berwald blushed a deep red, feeling sweat bead down his neck. Was it hot in here, or was it just him?
"Back off Feliks, he's mine..." Tino growled out humorously, unraveling himself from the blanket, snuggling up his body close to Berwald. Berwald blushed a healthy red, before coughing loudly. Was he the only one that found this situation increasingly awkward?
Feliks snorted a laugh before pulling a pissed off looking Nikolas out of the clearing, mumbling something about his outfit having a dangerous lack of pink and Nikolas needing to help him fix it. Berwald sighed with relief. Two less people to invade his and Tino's privacy.
"Oh, you have nothing to be embarrassed about Berwald, I've been bathing Tino and Nikolas since they were babies along with the other village boys, you get used to seeing a multituide of boys anatomy... Tino's tiny Finnish dick is no exception..." Elizabeta mumbled before turning her back to Tino, flicking something out of her finger nails, her eyes mischievous. Tino's face heated up with embarrassment and horror.
"My dick is not tiny!" He shrieked out defensively, his voice sounding more like a little girls than he'd like it to. Elizabeta laughed and turned back to the Finn, hands on her supple hips a grin on her face.
"Compared to that monster it is." Elizabeta laughed loudly gesturing to Berwald's midsection. Berwald made a pained noise in the back of his throat. Great. Now everyone was checking out his junk and making fun of it. Oh the Gods were just hilarious. Fucking hilarious.
Tino, annoyed tears on the edge of his eyes stood up, a corner of the blanket clutched to his midsection, the rest of it doing its best to hide Berwalds 'monster'.
"M...My dick's not...tiny...right?" Tino mumbled out to Berwald, not the least bit bashful that he had been caught in the act of cuddling up to the Swede naked not but a few minutes ago.
Berwald looked like a dear caught in the cross fire of a hunters arrow. His eyes widened and, if it was possible at this point, his face heated up with the intensity of a thousand suns. Was he really supposed to answer that? Seriously? Right here and now? Did the Finn have no bashfulness? Well... he did just about deep throat Berwald in the middle of a forest clearing. Berwald cleared his throat, trying to buy added time.
"'s not t'ny...'s c'ute..." Berwald mumbled, his brow furrowed, not sure if that was the answer Tino wanted. Berwald made a grab for his discarded clothing, placing it on his lap so Tino could wrap the blanket around his tiny frame. Berwald was a gentlemen after all.
Tino's lip quivered and his face tore into a pout.
Ah...okay. That was not the answer he wanted.
"I m'an...Ah...Umm..." Berwald tried to speak but was cut off by Elizabeta's amused laughter.
"Never mind him Berwald. I gotta get this little guy dressed and cleaned up for the maidens dance, which is partly your fault since you dirtied him..." Elizabeta smirked like a cat looking at a canary. Berwald made a pained noise in the back of his throat. He seemed to be doing that more than usual lately, damned the Gods and their cruel humor.
"I suggest you get to the village too, the feast will be starting soon and you are the honored warrior, are you not?" Elizabeta smirked, winking to the giant Swede. Berwald swallowed thickly.
"Ja...er...yes." he answered, his face betraying his timidness, he was half naked for Gods sake!
Elizabeta smiled. "I'll get this Finn cleaned up, and after the bonfires you can get him as dirty as you'd like." She giggled, pushing Tino up and out of the clearing. Tino blushed a deep red at the Hungarian's comments before turning back to Berwald who was yanking on his trousers which were still wet from the river-among other things.
"Um...Berwald?" Tino stumbled out of the Hungarians grip before facing Berwald, a sheepish smile engraved on those cute and soft lips that Berwald found out tasted like honey and licorice.
"Hnnn?" Berwald mumbled, noticing from the corner of his eye that the Hungarian was looking fondly at the two of them, as if there love was a show on display just for her. It made Berwald a tad bit uneasy.
"Um...Look for me at the Bonfires, if you will...?" Tino breathed out, his hot breath tickling Berwald's chin. Berwald cleared his throat before kissing Tino chastely on the lips. The Fin shuddered and parted reluctantly when a certain Hungarian women began tapping her foot against the crisp grass of the clearing.
Tino rolled his eyes before giggling joyfully, bumping his nose against Berwald's. Berwald stared longingly into those violet eyes that reminded him so much of morning glories, just when the early morning dew has lightly dusted them.
Tino gave another quick kiss before stepping reluctantly away from Berwald, swinging his hips just for show, the new leather corded necklace dangling against his bone pale skin. Berwald smiled timidly and watched as Tino skipped out of the clearing, blanket in hand, bounce in his step.
Berwald gripped the sopping wet shirt of his tunic and felt some bought of courage rise up from his heart. He took an uneasy breath and opened his mouth.
"T'no..."
The little Finnish man paused, his foot balancing on a log that had long since fallen. "Hmmmm?" He breathed, the summer win caressing his hair, letting it curl over his cute rosy cheeks. Berwald exhaled through his nose. He would not cower, not falter. Berwald looked into those big, violet strewn eyes and smiled, doing his best to dissolve the glare that was so natural to his features.
"T'no... I l've ya'." Berwald murmured. His heart beating faster and faster, like a pounding drum at the Midsummer bonfires, wild and free.
Tino's eyes widened, his step faltering, his breathing coming out in a ragged, jagged mass of air. His lips upturned into one of the sweetest smiles Berwald had ever seen, like an innocent child's, happy and pure.
"I love you too Berwald." Tino said, his voice fluttering and almost raspy, he was on the verge of joyful tears. Berwald smiled, letting lose a bought of air he had not know he was holding in.
Tino turned back to Elizabeta, who was smiling fondly at the two. Tino blushed and downcast his eyes, like a sheepish little princess who had just been kissed by her knight in shinning armor. And perhaps that what Berwald was, his knight in shining armor. Tino nodded. Yes, Berwald certainly was.
Tino smiled to Berwald once more before turning back to a patiently waiting Hungarian who was handing him articles of clothing as he went, scolding him for not calling her to watch them when things got 'really good'.
Berwald took another deep breath and looked at the scattered tree topped sky, seeing the bits of sunlight leak through like tiny translucent waterfalls. He frowned and looked back the way he came. It would take him a good ten minutes if he walked back to the village. Five if he ran.
Berwald looked down to his sopping wet clothes and his discarded boots. His shoulder still ached something fierce, but he would ignore it for now. He was the leader of the warriors dance for Gods sake, he could afford a little pain, because it was all going to be worth his while come tonight when he bedded the Finn down. Berwald smirked to himself. Oh yes, this was going to be a wonderful experience indeed.
...
Scurrying over the brambles and saw grass that attacked his bare legs, Tino pulled at Elizabeta's dress folds, the woman halting in her determined step before turning to Tino, the inklings of a smirk on her face.
"Stop! Too fast! Need...to...breathe..." The Finn panted, placing his hands on his bare knees to support himself, the blanket around his waist slipping ever so slightly. Elizabeta's smirk grew wider, like a valley opening up for the comings of a malevolent flood.
"Is that what you said to Berwald after he fucked your ass?" She giggled, taking the bundle of skirts from Tino's hands. Tino blushed furiously, too embarrassed to get over zealously mad at her.
"No... We didn't get that far! I'm still a maiden!" he mumbled hotly, looking into the crisp water that fed into the lake further down. The water moved sluggishly. After the spring rains had made the water rise the river was fatter than ever, reaching and lapping up to the banks of saw grass, as if it was some great monster gnawing at the sand banks.
Elizabeta rolled her eyes but gave a good innocent smile. She grabbed Tino's hands and gave him a light nudge towards the currants of the water. Tino, a blush still vibrant on his face, did as he was told. He hoped into the lovely chilling water and gave his body a quick scrub down-especially his stomach and between his legs- while Elizabeta placed the skirt on a near by branch so it wouldn't get dirty.
She then draped over a string of flowers that were set into a crown, a display of morning glories and heather ornately stuffed into the emerald twists of greenery and braided grass. Next Tino watched as the Hungarian woman placed a few small clay jars on the sandy beach, a horse haired brush and comb next to the jars. Tino eyed them curiously.
After a quick dunk in the crisp water the Finn trudged out of the rising currant and settled himself on the sandy beaches of the river, squatting down on the blanket. Then the fair haired blonde settled on drying his body off as furiously and fast paced as he could, his hair still feathery damp, sticking to his scalp in cowlicks. Elizabeta chuckled before running a fine tipped ivory comb against the youthful boys locks, Tino relaxing against the wonderful feel of the teeth of the comb.
Once his hair was as dry as it was going to get, Elizabeta handed Tino the thin material of the dress. Tino sighed sourly before begrudgingly placing the skirts over his head, fitting them in place on his jutting girlish hips, his flesh still burning with the sensation of Berwalds touches.
Elizabeta stood back to admire the Finn's dress, a smile on her lips, hands on her cheeks.
"Oh Tino! You look so darling! Almost like a pretty little girl, minus the penis of course." She mumbled, adjusting the crown of flowers on Tino's head. Tino groaned.
"The festival will be staring soon!" He whined. Elizabeta snorted in a laugh before flattening the dress down over the young Finn's body, the vibrant blue dancing against his legs, making them look pale and smooth, almost like a woman's. But Tino bit his lip bitterly and growled. He was not a woman, he was a man. He sighed and looked back to the Hungarian who was busy cracking open one of the seals to the clay jars. Elizabeta peeled off the wax stopper on the jar, untying the sinew twine that held it in place. Tino relaxed his muscles and reminded himself that he was doing this for Berwald, his pride be damned.
Elizabeta sat the young Finn down on a rock, helping him to tie the sash of his belt in a perfect knot-still leaving it loose enough to wiggle around his hips seductively, but not so loose as to come undone. Once that was taken care of Elizabeta told Tino to stand up straight and to not move and inch or he would ruin her handiwork and she would hit him over the head with a frying pan. Tino did as he was told, ever fearful of the Hungarians weapon.
"It will feel cold and it will tickle, but do not move!" The woman warned again, kneeling in front of the Finn. Tino made a confirming noise in his throat, not even daring to nod as an answer.
Elizabeta took a deep breath of air and dipped her horse tail brush into one of the clay jars, the brush tip coming out a dark blue. Tino bit his lip.
"Is this really necessary?" Tino asked, dreading the ticklish feel of the wet brush. Elizabeta sighed in annoyance. She clutched Tino's arm and held it out before her. Tino breathed in through his mouth and out through his nose.
"Oh quit being such a baby! You know as well as I do that this is an important part of the festival! Or how else are you supposed to enchant your Summer husband? You can only do so much with your hips Tino, the paint really helps!"* Elizabeta murmured, painting a thin line against Tino's pale flesh. Tino twisted uncomfortably.
After a few minutes Elizabeta was done with both his arms, cascading spirals dancing along them, with small little dots and criss-crosses. Next she opened up another jar and outlined the blue with white made from crushed bits of sandstone and grounded flour. Tino shivered as the substance was trailed along his forearm and across his belly, dipping low to his hip bone, the skirts not doing any justice in covering up his body as they should.
"You purposely picked this dress because it sunk low on my hips!" Tino accused. Elizabeta grinned, her paintbrush tracing a shape that looked like the symbol of a '' on Tino's soft belly.* Tino's eyes widened.
"Be careful what you write on me damn it! Don't dress me up like a slut!" Tino growled out.
"Says the man who was but a few minutes ago sucking on a Swedish-"
"Okay! Okay! Jeez!" Tino grumbled, going back to remaining perfectly still. Elizabeta jeered her face into a sultry grin.
Next her paint brush lazily traced a slanted X onto Tino's chest, right in the middle between his nipples.* He blushed slightly, remembering how he had teased his nipples with his own hands while dreaming of Berwald. Tino bit his lip.
The light blue paint glided and danced along his skin, leaving a crumbling crust that Elizabeta flaked off gently with her fingers. The pigment still stayed along Tino's smooth skin, but without the cracking clay-ish texture of it.
Next Elizabeta dabbed her index finger into the clay jar that contained the light blue milky paint. Tino knew the paint had been expertly mixed the night before when all the women had gotten prepared to dress up their unwedded daughters for the maidens dance. Tino smiled. He felt like Elizabeta's daughter, being groomed and taught how to snag the perfect man for tonight. He giggled, feeling slightly silly.
After the white and light blue mixture had been patted on his face along with a bit of black paste dotted and lined on his cheeks and forehead, he felt like he was some scary Piru or Lempo.* Elizabeta stepped back and grinned.
Once all the runes were painted, five in total, Tino was finally set free by Elizabeta.* She handed him his crown of morning glories and purple heather which he placed on his head, and some beaded strips of leather for his feet, the clay bead painted painstakingly into oranges and reds. Tino thanked her before placing the bits of leather on his feet, tying them tightly. Small brass bells were sewn neatly on the leather with sinew that jingled when he walked or stomped on the ground. He strangely felt pretty. He damn well liked the feeling.
Elizabeta clapped her hands together and smiled brightly, admiring her handy work. Tino, as giddy as ever, twirled in his new costume, the sash fluttering, the skirts of the dress opening up like a flower fresh in bloom. He took a big breath of air and held out his arm for his friend, to which Elizabeta hooked her own hands through, hiking up her own dress up, a lovely olive green color with lacy dove white covering.
Off they went down the road towards the village, the first inkling of smoke from the cooking fires burning brightly against the hot and blistering summer air. Already they could hear the children laughing and the smell the sweet treats that were being baked for tonight. Tino licked his lips. There was only one treat that he wanted tonight, and he was determined as ever to snag it.
...
"So then I said to Norge, 'Norge, I don't care how horny you are! We have to wait till tonight for ya' ta lift up your skirts'!" Mathias cackled, sloshing his cup of mead around, some of the drink spilling to the floor. The men crowded around him, Gilbert, Frances, and Antonio both laughed boisterously, their own drinks spilling to the floor with quick plops.
Mathias grinned wolfishly before nudging Gilbert in the ribs. "By the end of the warriors dance, that little Norwegian fox'll be begging to get into my pants!" Mathias chuckled, wiping his liquor spilled mouth. Gilbert cackled low in his throat, wishing Mathias the best of luck.
Mathias sighed brightly, getting ready to tell another one of his crude stories when he felt someone tap him on his shoulder. He turned around with a goofy smile, a dazed look enveloping his eyes, only when he fully saw who had approached him did his eyes widen with uneasiness.
"Ah...Ber-Berwald, ol' buddy ol' pal! Di-did ya find the calf?" Mathias asked, his words slurred from the honeyed drink. Berwald glared down at the man, cracking his knuckles, his face none too happy.
"Wasn't a c'lf...was th're?" Berwald growled out, his stare growing more angry by the second, as if someone had plucked a tidal wave from the sea itself and threw it into Berwald's eyes. Mathias swallowed deeply, his drinking companions all since disappeared after they saw that the Swedish man had not joined them to drink. Mathias shifted uneasily.
"Ah...Well, actually, no. There wasn't a calf...per se..." Mathias drawled on, grinning anxiously. Berwald narrowed his eyes to angry slits. He grabbed a fist full of Mathias's red tunic in his hands and pulled back his fist. Mathias shut his eyes tight, an impish noise of fear flying from his lips.
He winced and waited for the blow. Seconds passed and still he felt nothing but the pressure of Berwalds fists barred into his tunic, stretching his neck up. He dared to open one of his eyes and sighed with relief. Berwalds fist was inches from Mathias's eyes, before the Swede pulled it back with a smug smirk, well, as smug as you could get while still glaring.
"Th'nks..." Berwald mumbled before untwisting his fingers out from Mathias's tunic. Mathias looked taken aback, rubbing his hands against his chest, as if feeling if he was all in once piece. He furrowed his brow and looked away as Berwald walked towards his long house, leaving the Dane confused and still a bit drunk.
Mathias shrugged his shoulders and took a swig of his spiked mead, grumbling.
"Must be a Swedish thing..." He muttered to himself, taking the last swig of his drink.
...
Tino was running, scrambling over the dusty ground of his aunts long house, balancing plate after plate and bowl after bowl of steaming hot dishes that were to be shared at the giant feast. Nikolas was in charge of helping carry out the drinks, pales of water, barrels upon barrels of mead, honeyed milk, and even a few clay jugs filled to the brim with spiced or watered down wine. Tino licked his lips... He was so damn hungry, and so thirsty... But he willed himself to not touch a bite. If his aunt caught him even sneaking one crumb! Well, his little ass would be kicked so hard, he might fly all the way up to the top branches of Yggdrasill!*
So, deciding to be a good little boy, he quickly balanced a steaming bowl of stewed squash, boiled water fowl eggs, a bit of dried salmon, and his favorite, Reikäleipä bread, all in his tiny little hands.*
Tino stumbled outside from his long house to see other young teens walking along the path bringing their families share of the food that was to be joyfully consumed. Tino, pausing briefly to blush at the fact that he was dressed like a woman, nudged up the various dishes in his arms and hands, and, walking like a crab, followed the other youths who were making their way to the clearing.
Once there at the Troll's boulders, Tino carefully set his families portion of the meal on one of the crudely made tables set up in the small meadow. Already tall men and women were lighting the spiraled torches that decorated and scattered the meadow, their tall stalks burning with such an intensity that Tino had to stand in awe before the light.
He really did love this time of year, when all the village got together to celebrate the warm weather and the wealth of the crops that they had grown that would soon be dried by the sun. Tino smiled to himself and arranged the dishes neatly, noticing a familiar face in the corner of his eye.
Feliks and Nikolas-carrying Björt- made their way over to Tino, the edges of a smirk on both their faces. Tino groaned aloud. Oh now he was going to get it.
"Like, Tino, whats up with you and the Swede? Can't get enough of mister Studly or something?" Feliks giggled, setting down a wicker basket of freshly picked apples, some of them still a bright and tart green. Tino furrowed his brow and hissed out his teeth.
"None of your business." He murmured out, busying himself with fixing his skirts that had slipped down his hip again. Damn Elizabeta and her sense of humor.
Feliks held his hands up in a defensive manner. "Like, sorry! Didn't mean to like, cross a line or something." He giggled once more, slinking his arm around Tino's shoulder, all three boys making their way to the big clearing near the big boulders that were rumored to be the remains of sun-struck-Trolls.*
Tino sighed and did his best to smile. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't get mad..." He murmured, but Feliks cut him off by raising his hand.
"No, no, its like, totally cool! I was too nosy... I just have, like, once question for you..." Feliks grinned, flipping his hair up that had a few braided strands of his wheat colored hair. Little dotted golden yarrow buds had been wedged into the mans fair hair, making his emerald eyes sparkle. Tino gulped.
"What?" He asked timidly, his bare feet avoiding a fallen green pine cone. Nikolas and Feliks both looked to each other, a spark in their eyes. Oh this was not going to be good.
"Like, how big is it and junk?" Feliks asked, chewing his bottom lip, his hands to his chest. Nikolas rolled his eyes before pushing both the boys along further down the path, while balancing his younger brother in his arms. The aspen saplings and shimmering heather flowers guided their way.
Tino blushed from ear to ear, his lips quivering. He shut his eyes tight and, with a sheepish upturn of his lips, looked to Feliks.
"Monstrous." Was all the little Finn said, his voice hoarse and weak for a mere second. Feliks paused, his eyes wide before he snorted and laughed loudly, getting the attention of the other villagers who were making their way to the Troll clearing, wearing thier best holiday dresses and tunics.
Tino clamped his hands over Feliks's big mouth and tried to shush him, but the man just laughed and laughed again more wildly, stumbling into a tree. Nikolas, rolling his eyes for what must have been the fifth time that day, pulled the two boys apart and gave them a dull kick to their asses, telling him that he would go all Troll on their butts if they didn't behave. Björt began to giggle madly. Both boys rubbed their sore rumps before begrudgingly agreeing to behave, at least till after the feast. And oh what a feast it was.
When the three boys got to the center of the meadow that was edged with tall ash and oak trees, the simply stared with wide eyes. Blankets of deer and cow hide had already been sprawled out haphazardly by the villagers, huge bundles of wildflowers cut and decorating each little nesting spot. The boys scooted up closer towards the bonfires so as to get a better look at the warriors dance when it commenced, and placed thier own blankets down to mark thier spot. Men and woman and children who were lucky enough to attend were already languidly laughing and sipping at their cups of watered wine.
Huge bundles of flowers and greenery were cascaded along the areas heavy and monstrous boulders, making the shells of rocks look bright and happy. Thick slabs of scented incense and charcoal already littered the area, filling the warm and bright air with wonderful scents.
The buffet table was already full to the brim, with foods such as boiled black berries that were strewn with sugar and nutmeg, rye bread dipped in thick pea soup, salmon with lingon berries shoveled on top, pickled herring in huge clay pots, tart apples baked in the nestle of hot coals, or the rich and creamy meat that was slowly cooking on the ceder fed fires. Even an entire cow had been slaughtered and was now roasting healthy on a spit, the remains of the cow of course buried with respect next to the meadow paddocks. Nikolas, Tino, and Feliks blinked in awe.
In the middle of the shaded boulder clearing sat still and quiet a giant wave of timber and hay. A deep pit that had been supposedly dug out by mysterious Trolls years and years ago was filled to the brim with dried winter hay, Autumn leaves, and green tree saplings to create mystic smoke for when the fire was lit.
The villagers had already stocked up the pit near sky high, with ropes of flowers, shells, braided grass, and honey cakes as an offering to the Gods. Tino could only stare, the pit of his stomach churning into fear once more. He would have to dance against these roaring flames? Practically bare and naked? Tino felt his heart plummet, his courage slowly dropping down to the floor in a puddled mass at his feet.
"Hey..." Nikolas's voice broke the uneasy silence. Feliks and Tino turned to where their friend was pointing and saw that some of the men had already herded the cattle downward to the meadows by the light of the torches. Men on small Icelandic ponies, sinew ropes across their shoulders, nudged the cattle along with blunt sticks, calling out to them with whistles or clicks of their tongue. Tino watched as one of the the calf's keened low in her throat, a small little white dog barking madly at her, nipping at her tail. Tino's eyes widened. He knew that little dog!
Tino, deciding to push his fear to the back of his heart, sought to distract himself with trying to catch the small little dog who was now yipping and barking playfully at two young cows, their newly brushed coats gleaming in the shading sun. Tino excused himself from Nikolas's and Feliks company to trot along the meadow, careful not to step on any of the laid out mats or chatting people.
He crossed the May Pole that was glittering with freshly saffron dyed ribbons, flowers dangling lightly down the greened pole.* Already people were dancing around it, women's skirts fluttering, men's bare chests glistening. Tino bit his lip, his brain already conjuring up images of a sweat drenched Berwald. Tino shivered.
The little Finn skipped along, his feet making a pleasant jingling noise as they bounced and padded across the earth. Once he made it to the outer meadow where small thin creeks flowed, he saw the first heads of the cattle, heavy brass bells swinging from their necks, some with blackberries paint drawn on their rumps and necks. Tino made his way to the two little calf's who were being bullied by the even smaller white dog.
Tino smiled to the puppy before scooping her up just in time, as she was about to bite one of the cows tails playfully.
"Thats not very nice!" Tino scolded the puppy, nestling her between his shoulder and cheek. The puppy yipped playfully before licking Tino's face, making a low bark of bewilderment as she tasted the bitterness of the paint etched on Tino's face. Tino smiled and giggled before making his way out of the herd's men's way, puppy in hand. He patted the puppy upon her cute little head and made his way back to the mass of people that was growing every minute.
Scanning his eyes across the accumulating crowd of people, he was able to spot Feliks and Nikolas sitting next to the two Italian twins and a petite Japanese man. Feliks was bouncing up and down, waving a bright pink and white blanket that he boasted he weaved himself, Nikolas sitting next to him, face palming.
Tino giggled before gently and gingerly weaving in and out through the crowd of squatted people till he sat down next to Nikolas, who was holding Björt in his arms, finger painting the childs face with bright reds and blues. The little boy giggled and munched on the hard heel of some rye bread. Nikolas turned to Tino and raised his eyebrow up.
"Whats with the dog?" He muttered, pinching Björts cheeks. The child let out an annoyed wail. "Ow Ow Ow!" He grumbled, smacking Nikolas's hands away.
"Shes been following me around lately. Isn't she just adorable?" Tino smiled, kneeling down on one of the woolen blankets that was stretched out over the tall meadow grass. Feliciano grinned and tickled the puppy underneath her chin. The little dog panted and licked his fingers, her beady eyes sparkling.
"Ve~She's like Ludwig's doggies! Only smaller and not a trained killer!" Feliciano giggled, picking the dog up and placing her on his lap. Tino laughed nervously.
"Is that so...?" He mumbled, kissing the dog on the head. The little puppy yipped and rolled over on her back, her pink little tummy skyward. Björt too giggled and clasped his hands on the dogs ears, tugging slightly, making pleased noises. "So cute! Shes so cute!" he squealed, his kid side getting the better of him.
"Have you name her yet,Tino-san?" The petite Japanese man named Kiku asked the little Finn, a soft smile on his usually careful face. Tino shook his head.
"No... She mostly only comes when Berwald and I are near each other so, I haven't had much time to name her." The little Finnish man confessed, rubbing the puppies belly furiously. She panted and wagged her tail wildly, her pink little tongue darting out occasionally.
"Ah. That is right, you are in the maidens dance for Berwald-san?" Kiku asked, patting the little snow colored dog with gentle care. The dog pushed her wet nose into Kiku's palm and gave him a little lick with her tongue. Kiku smiled.
"Ah, yeah. Thats right. Does the whole village know about that?" Tino asked, a healthy blush littering his face. Romano snorted in an annoyed laugh.
"'Course everybody knows! The guy practically throws himself at you every time he gets a chance! Who wouldn't notice? At least your love interest isn't some happy-go-lucky-always-smiling-tomato-freak-eating-jerk-face." Romao growled out, crossing his hands over his chest, glaring down at the edge of the blades of grass, as if waiting for them to combust.
Feliciano laughed nervously. "Oh, come on Fratello, Antonio isn't that bad! He gave you tomatoes, remember? I'm sure he loves you just as much as you love him fratello!"* Feliciano wrapped his arms around his elder brothers shoulders, making the boy sputter.
"Ha! Pshhh! Yeah right, like I love that bastard!" He muttered spasmodically. Feliciano pouted. "Thats what you said in your sleep..." He mumbled. Romano's face grew as red as a ripe tomato.
"Stai zitto!"* The more darker haired Italian boy screeched before standing up and hotly waking away to wait near the food table.* Feliciano pouted sadly. Feliks hugged him and said that he wasn't to blame, to which Feliciano just nodded solemnly and picked at the grass.
Tino bit his lip and placed the puppy in his lap, the little dog wriggling and licking like mad. Tino lightly patted Feliciano on the shoulder, a sympathetic smile on his lips. The russet haired Italian man looked up to the Finnish man and sniffled a little bit.
Tino smiled brightly, like the blinding sun when it reflects off of freshly fallen snow.
"Feli, would you like to help name her?" Tino gestured to the puddle of fluff in his hands, the dog's tiny little teeth playfully gnawing everything in sight, including the sashes on Tinos dress.
Feliciano wiped his tear filled eyes and looked at Tino with hope in his pretty amber eyes.
"C-can I?" He asked softly, looking to the small dog. She gave a pleasant bark and rolled on her back, her pink belly for the world to see.
Tino nodded and smiled. "Like, you should totally name her "fabulous -twilight-pinky." Feliks muttered.
"I am fond of the name 'Miku'."* Kiku mumbled, straightening the pretty ribbons to his Japanese dress wear that he explained to Tino was called a Kimono. Feliciano giggled but patted the dog on the head.
"Hmmm... well, lets see ve~. She is very white..."
"Like an egg." Nikolas commented. Tino nodded. "Yes, yes, but I think it should be something more than egg..." Tino mumbled. Feliciano furrowed his brow, deep in concentration, or as concentrated as one can be when there entire life seemed to revolve around pasta and German men...
"Shes pretty too." Feliks said happily, scrunching up the dogs face in the cutest of looks. "Like a flower." He mumbled, petting the dogs soft plush fur.
"I got it! Lets name her Bloody-Flower-Egg!" Tino spoke with excitement, rubbing the dog's tummy. Everyone's eyes widened, even the white dog looked a bit put off by the name.
"Er...Like, how about no?" Feliks flipped his hair with his hand with a dismissing gesture. Tino grumbled.
"Perhaps, Hanatamago, would be suffice?" Spoke the timid little Japanese man's voice.
"Ve~~Sounds pretty! What's it mean?" Feli asked, making a braid out of a few long stems of yarrow stalks.
"It means "Flower-Egg" in Japanese. I believe it would be much more...attractive than in English, if you don't mind me saying." Kiku murmured, a sheepish smile on his lips, his dark eyes blinking.
Tino mulled over the new possible name in his head. It did sound pretty and cute, and it did seem to suit the pup.
"Okay. Hanatamago it is!" Tino cried out with joy. The little pup gave an especially loud bark in approval, jumping from Tino's lap to frolic around the little group of boys, her tail swishing madly.
But before they could play any longer with their new little furry friend, the sound of a giant bull horn cascaded across the meadows. Within a few seconds everyone became hushed and not even the sound of a laugh or a whisper could be heard. Tino and the rest of the group all focused their attention to where the blasting sound had come from. In an instant Tino's heart sped up with the ferocity of a wild horse charging into battle, leaving the Finn breathless.
Standing at the main front of the clearing stooped the hunting party, all bare chested, with paint scrawled in intimidating lines on their chiseled bodies, nestling all the way down to thier jutting hip bones. Tino and the rest of the boys let loose a big intake of breath. Whether they liked to admit it, each pair of their eyes quickly sought out their preferred male, hell, even Nikolas was having a hard time keeping his gaze away from the brightly grinning Dane.
Tino felt his breath shutter downward into his lungs, his throat closing slightly. He craned his head up and in a matter of seconds, his light violet eyes came face to face with a pair of stern, sea-glass colored orbs that smoldered and stared into his very soul, making his toes curl with a shiver.
It was Berwald, clad in nought but a thin skirt wrappings of some animal hide and scraps of navy blue tunic cloth to give off an intimidating vibe, the rest of the men similarly clothed. Tino realized that it must be time to elect the leader warrior, the best provider for the clan. Everyone in the village knew that this year Berwald would win the honor.
It seemed that the young handsome Swede had been pinning to be victorious at this years ceremony of strength, but Tino knew the real reason for Berwald's thirst of accomplishment. Tino smirked to himself, staring Berwald straight in the eye.
He knew the Swede had done his very best to catch the eyes of the Finn. Whether it was when they were young, placing baskets upon baskets of berries on Tino's doorsteps, leaving corn dollies against his window sill, or just simply staring at him always during festival events.* It seemed that even when they were gangly teens the tall and rough Swede had always had a certain, 'thing' for Tino. Tino licked his lips. Berwald's patience would not go undeserved if Tino had anything to say about it. He owed Berwald a good eleven years of affection, and he was more than happy to repay it all back tonight, ten fold.
Tino lifted up his fingers to grace them at his lips, blowing a quick and seductive kiss to the nicely built man. Berwald, gaze faltering for a second, turned his head down and coughed into his hand, his face a bright red. Tino smirked. Oh yes, he was going to have fun tonight, he'd make sure of it.
...
I made this chapter extra long for you guys~! Hanatamago finally gets a name! Yeah!
Shit lotta' Authors notes!
Authors Notes:
-"Um...Hej...?"*- "Hej" means 'hello' in Swedish
-"Hei, yourself."* -"Hei" means "hello" in Finnish
- "Tut, tut, tut, Tino. Really? After all that roughhousing and wrestling, and you still want to go another round? Didn't your mother ever tell you to be patient and wait before gulping down the entire smörgåsbord? You wouldn't want to choke on the Swedish meatballs now would you? Honestly...!"* -"smörgåsbord" Is a Scandinavian type of meal most popular in Swedish that is like a big buffet style way of eating.
- "Feliks' voice groaned, his hands on his hips that were clothed by the white and flower stitched dress, his torso bare, painted with little dollops of pink plant paste, some Polish words and runes decorating his chest, one of them in the shape of a pretty pony.*" -Runes are an alphabet that was used most commonly in Norwegian and British history; they are still used today by Pagans everywhere, though they are mostly associated with the use of magic now.
-"Oh quit...You can only do so much with your hips Tino, the paint really helps!"* - I am taking certain liberties here, but I know that tribal paint was an important part of festivals and holidays in British pagan culture and Native American culture, but I'm not so sure about Scandinavian. But basically, the paint represented different things, such as a persons achievements, status, or wants and wishes. They could also be seen as to grab attention or to stun people.
-"Elizabeta grinned, her paintbrush tracing a shape that looked like the symbol of a '' on Tino's soft belly.*" - The '' symbol in Nordic Rune divination is the symbol called "Kenaz" it is a rune of fiery attributes and is symbolized by a torch. It is used on Tino a lustful symbol, because well, this little Finn is going to get some fun tonight anyway! Haha
-"Next her paint brush lazily traced a slanted X onto Tino's chest, right in the middle between his nipples.*" - The Rune that resembles the symbol of a slanted X is called Nied. Nied is the rune for patience and in this case, your unfulfilled needs by your partner that you want to be satisfied that have gone unrewarded by patience.
-"After the white and light blue mixture had been patted on his face along with a bit of black paste dotted and lined on his cheeks and forehead, he felt like he was some scary Piru or Lempo."* -A 'Piru' is a Finnish spirit that is mischievous and bad, a Lempo is along the same lines but a bit more destructive, like a demon.
-"Once all the runes were painted, five in total, Tino was finally set free by Elizabeta.*" - I used the runes called "Thurisaz" "Gifu" "Wunjo" "Nied" and "Kenaz".
-"Well, his little ass would be kicked so hard, he might fly all the way up to the top branches of Yggdrasill!*" - "Yggdrasill" is the old ash tree that holds up the heavens and the courts of the Gods and beyond in Norse Mythology.
-"So, deciding to be a good little boy, he quickly balanced a steaming bowl of stewed squash, boiled water fowl eggs, a bit of dried salmon, and Tino's favorite, Reikäleipä bread, all in his tiny little hands.*" -"Reikäleipä" is a Finnish bread baked in flat rings that is hanged up to dry and age during the winter months when it can properly be enjoyed in the warmer months.
-"He giggled once more, slinking his arm around Tino's shoulder, all three boys making their way to the big clearing near the big boulders that were rumored to be the remains of sun-struck-Trolls.*" - In Scandinavian folklore it was said that if a Troll went outside in the sun he or she would turn to stone.
-"He crossed the May Pole that was glittering with freshly saffron dyed ribbons, flowers dangling lightly down the greened pole.*" -More common in Sweden, it was a giant pole adorned with flowers and ribbon to represent a phallus, and once erected in the earth it was supposed to impregnate the soil to make it fertile.
-Oh, come on Fratello, Antonio isn't that bad! He gave you tomatoes, remember? I'm sure he loves you just as much as you love him fratello!"* - "fratello" means "brother" in Italian
-"I am fond of the name 'Miku'."* - "Miku" is one of the Japanese vocaloids...Yeah I have no life.
-"Whether it was when they were young, placing baskets upon baskets on Tino's doorsteps, leaving corn dollies against his window sill, or just simply staring at him always during festival events.*" -"Corn Dollies" are little dolls made from corn husks or other plant materials either used for toys or rituals, especially in the Fall months.
- ""Stai zitto!"* The more darker haired Italian boy screeched before standing up and hotly waking away to wait near the food table.*" -"Stai zitto" is loosely translated to "Shut Up" in Italian.
