Hi, Finland here! (Or Tino, as my human name.) Here's something you might want to know: both Estonia and I were happy to be re-united, after Sweden (for reasons I don't quite know) took both him and Latvia out of Polish rule. We were lovers, sort-of. He thought that maybe he liked members of the same sex in the way that, you know, he liked members of the opposite. We even went to the extent of calling each other 'Tino' and 'Eduard', rather than just 'Finland' and 'Estonia'. Anyway, so we sort-of went out. I wouldn't really call it going out, not fully anyway. We were just messing around, not knowing what it was. Since I was more sure of my sexuality, I was usually the one who made the, you know, big decisions in our relationship. This all went on behind Sweden's back. I could tell Sweden loved me, but at the time, I didn't love him back. Only later-on was when I fell for him. (I wonder what that says about me?) Anyway, looking back on then, I still think it was best we didn't tell Sweden what me and Estonia were doing behind his back. Since he loved me so much, even though he only once ever made a move on me, and seemed to enjoy referring to me as his 'wife'. If he found out about the times I made love to Estonia, and the times he made love to me, I'm sure Sweden would have probably done something...awful. And because I valued my friendship with him so much, I didn't want that to happen. We didn't tell Latvia either. Because he was younger than we were, so we didn't trust him with keeping secrets, especially ones that were this important to us.

Good. Thanks for letting me get that out of the way.

MANY YEARS EARLIER:

"We could, well," Tino scratched his back and looked nervous, "start calling each other by our human names, rather than just Finland and Estonia. I feel like we've gotten to the stage when..."

Eduard looked away from the view from the hilltop they were on, and looked at Tino. His fringe that flopped lazily down the man's forehead quickly gently blowing in seemingly random directions in the wind. He smiled at Tino. "Sure, Finl-Tino," he said. They both giggled at the fact he had almost called him Finland, then they lay back on the grass and held hands. Tino rolled over and kissed Eduard. It didn't involve any tongues; just a regular kiss on the lips, cheeks lightly touching his thin glasses. Eduard instantly slapped him, pushed him away and sat back up. Tino didn't know what to say, he just lay there looking up at Eduard with a sore, red mark on his cheek. "Huh, whaa," he managed to say in both shock and surprise. "I-I'm sorry I did that," said Eduard, "I was just surprised. That's all. Please don't be so...impulsive." Tino could tell by Eduard's facial expression and tone of voice that he meant what he was saying. "Well, okay then," Tino said, starting to smile once realising Eduard meant his apologies. Then Eduard noticed the red mark he had left on Tino's cheek, "Ahh! I'm really sorry about that! I didn't mean to hurt you that much. Really!"

"No, it's fine," said Tino.

"I could..." Eduard leant in closer.

"No, really, it's fine!"

"Well, okay then."

That night, Sweden was out. "He's probably out drinking again," declared Latvia.

"You should go to bed," said Tino, looking suggestively at Eduard.

Latvia yawned, "yeah, you're right," and went upstairs. Both Eduard and Tino made sure he had fully left before Tino whispered to Eduard, "let's do it."

"Huh," Eduard replied.

"Have sex, you do want to, don't you?" Said Tino, showing off a bit of leg to make himself seem as sexy. "Ahh, yes, right, of course," Estonia said nervously.

In bed, Tino tried to be as um-impulsive as possible. He managed to successfully kiss his lover without being slapped, Tino reached into Estonia's trousers and felt his dick, running his fingers up and down it's smooth surface while still kissing Eduard, before his tongue straight into his mouth, on top of Eduard's tongue. Tino wasn't wearing any top, Eduard wasn't wearing one either; their bodies were pressed tight against each other, with Tino's arms wrapped around him. But Tino immediately stopped when he noticed Eduard was crying. Tino pulled himself back, "What's wrong?" he asked with urgency. Eduard wiped tears from his eyes, "I'm sorry," he sobbed.

"What?" Was all Tino could say at the time.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault for putting you through this." Tino knew this would be bad news. "I'm straight," Eduard said clearly and emotionless.

Some time passed before either of them said anything. "Then why did you want have sex with me? I know this is your first time, with another man at least, but still. And why did you go out with me?" Eduard started crying again; Tino tried to comfort his friend by putting his arm on his shoulder, but was pushed away. Eduard stood up, realised his penis was still hanging out, stepped back in surprise and tripped over his left trouser leg, falling flat on his butt. He stood up again, and so did Tino, "Tell me," he demanded, "why did you go out with me?"

"I thought I wasn't straight, for a while, and then you came along, with Sweden," he confessed, "now I realise that's not the case. I'm sorry to put you through this, I really am."

"Oh," Tino was now feeling upset after hearing this, "all right, then. But we can still be friends, right?"

"Yeah," nodded Eduard, "But now, we should use our country names again." Tino sighed after hearing this, feeling rejected, "Okay then."

Estonia, as he was once again known as, left the room to sleep in his own bed. Leaving Finland, as he was once again known as, alone.

ONE WEEK LATER:

Finland staggered over to Sweden. "Please be all right!" He cried. Sweden's blood was staining the tree and ground around him red. He was relieved to see Sweden moving his head to look up at him. "Finland," he croaked, "Where's Estonia and Latvia?"

Finland's memory brought him back to seeing them, with a few broken bones, and many cuts, being dragged into the forest by Russia.

"Gone," Finland replied, "Russia, he took them."

"Is your arm alright?" Sweden asked.

"Oh, it's-I think it's broken, or sprained at least."

"Hmmm."

Finland had to carry Sweden home. He tried to carry him at least, but it ended up with Finland dragging Sweden. He also had to bandage up the multiple stab wounds.

BACK TO THE SAME TIME SETTING AS THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Tino awoke to the gentle morning sunlight hitting his face, he looked over at Berwald, who was softly snoring again. Tino smiled at the relaxing sound of Berwald snoring. Why did I just remember all that? Tino thought, about me and Estonia, when we used our human names for each other: I called him Eduard and he called me Tino, briefly at least. And then when Russia...

"No," he muttered under his breath while shaking his head, trying not to remember it too much again.

He stood up and walked to the window, trying his best to keep his steps light so he didn't wake Berwald. Tino drew the curtains and saw the countryside covered in a re-thickened layer of snow. He thought, it's been snowing again. The snow is white. White. Just like mine and Berwald's cum... ahh. I'm doing it again: the morning after having sex, I can't stop thinking about it.

Still naked, he went to the kitchen to make coffee. As the water was heating up, the thought crossed his mind; I wonder if Russia will ever come back for me? Berwald would protect me, wouldn't he? If Russia got me, at least I'd be able to see Estonia again, but I can only imagine the kind of things he would do to me.

Footsteps down the corridor interrupted his internal monologue. Russia? They were getting closer, and as they did, Tino became more scared, but from around the corner, Berwald came into view. He was wearing a dressing gown and slippers. "Morning, Tino," he said tiredly, "why are you naked?" Tino blushed and looked awkward, "well," he giggled, "this is the privacy of our own house, and it's not like you haven't seen me naked before," he paused, "hey, I'm making coffee. You want some?" Berwald chuckled for a moment, "sure," he said, and took off his dressing gown, while still keeping the slippers on, revealing his well-built naked self. That moment they both forgot about the coffee, Berwald walked the few more meters towards Tino, lifted him up slightly so their heads were the same height, and kissed him.

The kitchen floor was cold, but Tino didn't have to worry about that, as he lay on top of Berwald. Tino was, once again, resting his head above Berwald, this time next to his left nipple, which he enjoyed having the freedom to rub and lick whenever he felt like. Berwald's fingers were ran through the top of Tino's head, slowly stroking his hair. "You know," Berwald said softly, "if Russia tries to invade you, I'll do my best to protect you. I love you."