Chapter 13: Sweden and Finland

There was something about the other man that fascinated Sweden. Berwald constantly felt the need to go and watch over Tino, to watch and protect him over everything that was bad. Berwald knew what he looked like, and he knew he could be overwhelming but he was glad that Tino didn't seem to be as scared of him as the rest of the world was. The two live together and it seemed like everything couldn't be better.

To Tino, the other man couldn't be scarier. It frightened him to the core when Berwald would fix his stare on him. Sure it was great to be out of Denmark's rule, but really he was questioning whether or not that was the best decision when it came to leaving with Berwald. Most would consider his life a good one, with Hanatamago and a man who constantly looked out for him, but Tino really just wanted to leave. He hated being called Berwald's 'wife'.

It was a late summer afternoon when Tino finally made a decision about what he had to do. He had to leave. He couldn't live with Sweden anymore. Going into Sweden's study, he quickly gained the others attention.

"Su-san?" Tino's little courage almost left him when Berwald turned to him.

"Hm?" Always one for little words, Berwald just gave out a little grunt to show Tino had his attention.

"I'm leaving." Tino barely managed to squeak out.

"What?" Berwald looked at Tino with his piercing blue eyes. Tino dropped his own eyes to the floor.

"I-I'm leaving."

There was only silence for a while. Berwald continued to stare at Tino, while Tino stared at the ground. Berwald didn't know what to say to make Tino stay, and in a way he knew that whatever he did say wouldn't change Tino's mind. Eventually Tino just left, leaving Berwald alone again.

Tino went into his room and packed his bags, packing everything that he would need. Whatever he didn't need he left, knowing that he could just send someone else to pick up the rest of his belongings. Hanatamago ran around his ankles, yipping about thinking that he was going to go somewhere.

"Hana, you can't come. I want you to watch over Su-san alright?" Hanatamago's ears flattened, but the little dog did as he was told, running and sitting in front of the door to Sweden's study.

Tino put on his jacket, slinging the bag over his shoulder as he walked towards the front door. Before he got the door though, he felt another presence behind him. Turning around he saw Berwald standing there, Hanatamago in between his feet.

"I'll miss you, Tino." Berwald said, a sad expression covering his normally impassive one. Tino smiled gently.

"I'll miss you to, Berwald." He said gently, before walking out the door and closing it behind him.

As soon as Tino was gone, Hanatamago let out a whine, wondering where his master had gone. Berwald picked up the small dog, giving it comfort. Berwald pressed his face into the dogs soft fur, letting a few tears fall as he walked back into his study, wondering what he was going to do now that Tino was gone.