Kongeriget Danmark

Chapter 7: Deception

"Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides."

― André Malraux

In Novgorod

Night fell silently, and Mathias and Russia had a simple dinner. After casually asking Mathias to have a little drink with him, had went on to get vodka after Mathias' approval.

Getting a bottle of his precious vodka, he returned to Mathias, bringing with him two glasses for them. Sitting down beside him, he poured some vodka for the both of them. Both held their glasses up high, with happy spirits around, and recited:

"Skål."

"Ура."

Both drank their drinks immediately, Mathias slumped on hir chair, tired, and Ivan, watching his friend. Mathias, pouring vodka for the both of them, was smiling a bit, finding his own reprieve from his problems. Ivan on the other hand, was worried for his friend. He was slowly drinking his own drink, watching Mathias warily.

After drinking down the whole bottle of vodka, or so to say, Mathias drinking the whole bottle, he felt really drunk and dizzy. Now that Ivan had managed to get Mathias drunk, he went on to do his own investigation.

"Mathias, what's really wrong? Why are you doing this to your siblings?"

*hic* "Fuck it Ivan. Just fuck it." *hic* "It's not fair. I suffered trying to keep my family together, you know that." *hic* "Fucking Berwald and Tino left me, they left me Ivan! It was painful, for Odin's sake." *hic* "Then Berwald took my Lukas away from me, and Emil acted as if he didn't want to be with me."

*Oh..."

*hic* "It was painful Ivan! I had to deal with my own psychological problems, then they gave me more! I had my plate full, fuck!" *hic* "And then when I had been swarmed with work, I got to finished them way too late. We had a meeting..." *hic" "And Lukas was way too unfair..." *hic* "It's just not fair..."

Ivan, astonished at Mathias' revelations, saw him crying. It broke his heart to see his friend cry. Slowly going to him, Ivan hugged Mathias and patted his back softly. Mathias, in his tears, hugged Ivan and clung to the giant, as if he wanted Ivan to comfort him in his sorrows.

"It's alright, Mathias. I'm here. I'm here."

Carrying Mathias, Ivan went to the living room, slowly. He set Mathias down and let him cry on him. He knew what Mathias has been going on. He knew the pain of being abandoned by family. He knew the pain of being scolded for no good reason. He placed his hand on Mathias and rubbed his back softly.

After a good few minutes of crying, Mathias finally fell asleep. Russia swiftly and softly went on to his living room. Wanting to tell Lukas about his findings, he immediately called Lukas.

"Алло, Lukas?"

"Ja, this is he. Who is this?"

"It's Ivan. Listen Lukas, you need to say sorry to Mathias."

"Why? I don't recall doing anything that would hurt Mathias."

"Well now you did. He mentioned to me being late in your meeting and you being unfair. Just please say sorry to Mathias. If you'll say it late, you may pay for the consequence."

"Hm. Okay, takk Ivan."

"Пожалуйста. Just don't mention me saying this to you."

"Okay."

Putting the phone down, Ivan sighed. He'd get the short end of the stick if he'd find out, but he knew this was for the best, and for the best it shall be.

With Lukas

After talking to Russia, he thought about what Ivan told him. Yes, they did have a meeting a few months ago. Yes, Mathias was late. But other than that, he did not recall anything.

Thinking deeper, he finally found the reason behind Mathias' motives. He remembered scolding him for being late and he remembered Mathias running away, crying. Mathias' must have felt really bad after his scolding.

Grabbing his phone, he messaged the Nordics to meet him in Stockholm. He needed them to know why Mathias is doing this to them.

Grabbing his coat next, he rushed outside. Wanting to finish this problem, he ran. He ran as fast as he could.

With a heavy heart, he knew he had to fix his mistakes. Not wanting to admit it, he really felt bad after knowing that he made Mathias like this. Yes he knew that Mathias before really went through troubled times. Yes he knew some of them were his fault. But he never knew, he really didn't know, that Mathias would break like this. Would break into little pieces while his counterpart would pick the pieces for him.

An hour later

After arriving at Stockholm, Lukas immediately went to Berwald's house. He knew Berwald right now would be partially sick. Even right now, he is. Lukas was pushing himself to meet the others, despite his health declining. After 15 minutes of driving, Lukas went out of the cab after paying. Arriving at Berwald's house, he knocked on the door.

The door opened, revealing a slightly pale Berwald and a wobbly Tino. Grunting at Lukas, Lukas took it as a sign to go in, and he did. Entering the room, he sat down on the nearest chair and placed his hand on his head.

"Sorry for botherin you guys. But I finally found out what's wrong with Mathias, with Ivan's help, nonetheless."

"Oh that's great Lukas! So we just need to wait for Emil, right? Can we rest for a while? My headache's hurting me."

"Hm. Okay, Lukas. Me 'nd my w'fe will r'st for awh'le."

Nodding at Tino's request, he too went on to nap. At least in his sleep, he can get the heavy feelings he has. At least, he too, can find solace in the realms of his imaginative mind.

A few minutes, Berwald and Tino woke up to sounds of knocking. Both standing up, they went to the door and opened it, revealing a distraught Emil. Immediately going in, he frantically searched for Lukas, only to find him softly sleeping on the couch.

Sighing in relief, he went to his brother. Not admitting it, he was really worried when he didn't find his storebror sleeping. He only found out about his departure when he finally checked his phone.

Feeling exhausted, he slept beside his brother. Finding the sight adorable, Tino squealed with delight and hugged Berwald all of the sudden. Shocked, although inwardly, Berwald shut the door, carried his wife to the couch, and both of them went back to sleep.

"Only in the darkness can you see the stars."

― Martin Luther King Jr.

A.N.: Heyo, LoT here~ Here's a new chapter for you guys~ Sorry if this seems rushed, but I wanted to complete this. I had this idea before going to sleep and I typed in a few words for me to continue when I woke up~ Soooo, yeah~

Don't forget to R/R~ Please~ *puppy eyes*