Title: In Good Company
Rating: PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Norway, Turkey, England, Iceland, Finland
Word Count: 1,382
Warning/s: AU, human names used
Summary: Aron is currently hearing the results of his application to the Compass Organization. His brother is anxious.
A/N: Just a little backstory for my boys. And because I like the idea of an Aleksander who is mentally biting his nails to the quick, out of concern for his sibling.

Koehler = Denmark. (full name: Mathias Koehler— like the brand of sinks!)

I know most people have Turkey's name as "Sadiq." But since the Turkish alphabet doesn't actually have Q's, I'm using what would be the correct spelling.

Disclaimer: I have no claim to Hetalia and its characters.

"Stop pacing like that. It's driving me crazy."

Aleksander frowned and looked up at the voice.

Sadik shrugged. "What? You look like a new father waiting outside the delivery room."

Aleksander didn't stop, but he did slow down his steps as he continued to pace outside the conference room.

"The interview's been going on for over an hour. It's taking too long."

Sadik was sprawled on the couch, legs stretched out in front of him, occupied with studying the ceiling, but he lowered his gaze back to Aleksander. Sadik's bright green eyes, for once not obscured by his usual mask, considered him for a moment.

"Relax— the kid'll be fine. He's smart enough for this."

Aleksander didn't bother answering. He didn't care much for the other man's opinion—or the way his brother seemed to look up to Adnan. Aleksander was wary of him, with good reason, he felt. He was wary of anyone in the South Unit, which specialized in espionage Initiatives. It was their job to be dishonest, and Adnan had the added allure of mystery as he was occasionally borrowed by the East Unit for "protection."

Aleksander sighed and moved to sit at the corner of the couch, back rigid and face tense with anticipation, only to jump up immediately again as the door opened.

He had to force his face to not show any disappointment as only Arthur Kirkland—Agent Eyebrows— stepped out of the room. Kirkland nodded at both men. "Agents."

Sadik lazily raised his hand in acknowledgement. Aleksander nodded in return, unsure whether or nor he should ask what was happening in the conference room.

Kirkland must have seen the struggle in his eyes because his face softened a bit and said, "Don't worry, the lad's doing fine. They were just asking for my assessment, since I've known you both for so long. He's young, but he has the potential for this."

Aleksander felt some of the tightness in his chest, which he refused to vocalize, recede. "Thanks, Arthur."

"Of course. Take care." A final nod and he walked away.

Sadik grinned at Aleksander after Kirkland had left, "See? What I tell ya?

Aleksander started to pace again anyway, waving away the reassurance. "I just want this part to be over."

As he continued to circle the hall, Aleksander's eyes kept returning to the heavy wood door. Behind it, his brother was undergoing his last interview with both the Director and Coordinator, about to receive a final verdict as to whether or not he would become an official member of the Compass Organization.

Aleksander fell back into his usual thoughts of wondering exactly why his brother had wanted to join... He had struggled to raise his baby brother after their parents had died, working jobs after classes and on the weekends to make ends meet. Aleksander had paid his way through university and earned his degree in computer engineering; by the time he had graduated, Aron was about to begin his studies in medicine. Aleksander's constant searches for quick money had eventually led to the underground market, where his talents had gained the attention of Kirkland. Willing to do anything to provide his brother with a good life, Aleksander had signed on quickly and never looked back. Aleksander's only condition upon being "hired" was to be able to tell his brother exactly what the situation was.

Once he'd broken the news to his brother, Aron had surprised him by leaving medical school and going into mechanical technology instead. Before long, his determination and eagerness to learn had allowed him to worm his way into the notice of other Organization members.

Aron had gone behind his back and spoken with the Director personally. To this day, Aleksander didn't know what they had spoken of, neither man would say. But after that, Aron had begun his application process. On top of finishing his studies, he began to train in weaponry and martial arts under Tino. He spent several months under the tutelage of both Kirkland in the West Unit and Adnan, who bounced between the South and East Units.

When Aleksander had finally confronted his brother about continuing down this path, with all its dangers and risks, Aron had merely shrugged him off saying, "I just want to try it." Aleksander hadn't pushed the discussion any further; he knew the truth would come out eventually.

Aleksander was interrupted from his reverie as he heard feet running down the hall and a breathless Tino skidded to a stop in front of him.

"Just came back... from the...shooting range... I'm not late, am I?" he panted.

"Nah, you're probably just in time. Join the party." Sadik patted the couch, lounging like a king on his throne.

Tino smiled gratefully and went to sit. "I think he'll get through, no problems. It'll be exciting to have a new member, don't you think?" He asked, addressing Aleksander.

"Just as long as you don't have to babysit him and Koehler." Sadik piped up.

"Hey!" Tino protested, "Aron can handle himself."

Sadik snorted. "Yeah he can— and Aleks here handles Koehler just fine. Don't you?" The shark's grin on his face said it all.

Aleksander fought to keep the color from rising to his cheeks and was about to respond angrily when the door opened again and Aron stepped out, looking a bit dazed. All three agents immediately focused their attention on the young man.

"Aron..." Aleksander began, eyes on his brother's pale face.

The dazed expression faded from the young man's face, and now it broke out into a slow, joyous smile. "Well... You're all looking at the newest member of the North Unit."

Tino jumped up from the couch and whooped in excitement, while Sadik roared "Congrats kid!", picking up Aron in a fierce one-armed hug. When he set Aron down, red faced and his hair ruffled, the young man turned to his older brother.

Aleksander smiled gently. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, bror."

The two siblings stepped away from where Sadik and Tino were animatedly discussing what nearby bar would be best for an impromptu party.

Aleksander turned to his brother. "So how was it?"

"Not bad. They kept asking about my dedication to this, 'cause of my age. Pretty much as I expected. ...And my reason for joining."

Aleksander nodded slowly as he studied his brother's face, waiting for the rest. Aron's eyes were bright as he finally answered a silent question. "You're my only family. Someone has to watch your back. We're stuck with each other."

Aleksander looked in his brother's eyes for a long time, not saying anything. There wasn't any need to. Finally, he just pulled Aron into a hug, despite his embarrassed sputters.

"I'm proud of you."

Aron relaxed a bit in his grip and gently pulled away.

"Oi— if you two saps are done, let's go get drunk!" Sadik shouted from down the hall. "Everyone else will meet us there!"

Aron grinned and headed towards the elevators, Aleksander trailing behind him.

"Hey Aron... did you get your file name yet?"

"Hm? Oh- no. The Coordinator said he's take care of that for me by tomorrow. ...It can't be that bad, right?" He actually looked a little nervous at the thought. The Coordinator's pseudonym choices were infamous; they were considered a rite of passage in the Organization.

Sadik laughed as he overheard the last bit of the conversation and clapped a reassuring hand onto Aron's shoulder. "Hey, think it this way. Some folks here will always have it worse. Your Agent Eyebrows for one. And don't ever ask Big Sister what her's was originally. So how bad can yours be?"

Tino spoke up, "Just forget about it. The only thing you need to worry about right now is how much you'll be drinking." There was a glint in his eye as he said it.

(THE NEXT DAY...)

Aron was going to kill Tino for making him drink so much. He was going to kill Tino using methods the other man had taught him. His head and stomach were threatening to revolt any minute now. But first... he just had to examine the personnel file sitting on his brand new desk.

Aron flipped open the folder and looked at his new ID card in horror.

"..PUFFIN?"

END

Haha, Agent Awesome strikes again!