Thanks to Shattering Colors, Random Guest, ScandinavianTrash, teabrows and an anon for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
SweDen: Advice
Mathias smiled as he saw a little boy happily dancing around his father's feet, with the older male having a large box in his hands. It was clear that he couldn't wait to play with his new toys.
Mathias worked as a sale's clerk in a Lego store. He mostly helped the parents find things that their children would like, and he would often encourage the children to let their imaginations run wild.
His eyes widened when he saw a man enter the store, looking as though the last place he belonged was a toy store. Mathias wondered if he was a member of a gang or something. And he wondered who made the mistake of getting on this man's bad side.
He felt his stomach drop slightly when he realised that the man was making a beeline towards him, but he kept a cheerful smile on his face.
"Welcome, sir," Mathias said. "How may I help you today?"
The man stopped in front of him, and Mathias felt as though the eyes were staring through him as they appraised him.
"I need help," the man said, and Mathias detected a Swedish accent. "My son's birthday."
Mathias immediately felt relieved. Of course, someone like this man could also have kids. He also felt some respect for the woman that married someone like him.
Though, he could see why. If one got past the glare, he looked quite attractive…
Mathias shook the thought off. Now wasn't the time to think something like that.
"Sure," Mathias said. "How old is your son?"
"Ten," the man said.
"OK. And any idea what he might like?"
The large man shook his head, and Mathias frowned.
"How don't you know something like that if your son's already ten?" Mathias asked.
"He lived with his mother until recently," the man said.
"Oh. Divorce?"
The man winced, but shook his head.
"No. College."
Mathias was confused for a moment before things clicked. He remembered his own college days and nodded understandingly. He smiled teasingly.
"You should be a little more careful," he said.
The man sighed, but didn't say anything.
"So, what's your name?" Mathias asked. "I like to get to know my customers. Helps me know how to help them."
"Berwald."
"Okay Berwald. I'm Mathias. So, can you tell me what your son's like?"
Berwald looked thoughtful for a moment.
"He's artistic," Berwald said. "And he's always on his computer."
Mathias nodded his head, already starting to think about it. An artistic ten-year-old…
"I think I know what to get," Mathias said, leading the way further into the shop.
He came to a stop next to a shelf filled with buckets. He turned to Berwald.
"These are the regular Lego bricks," Mathias said. "They don't have a theme or anything. The idea is to let the kid's imagination run wild with them. You said he's artistic. I take it he likes to build things?"
Berwald nodded his head, and Mathias could see a light in his eyes. Blue-green. Pretty colour…
Mathias kicked himself. Now was not the time to think of something like that.
"How much?" Berwald asked.
Mathias smiled widely.
…
A week had passed, and it was business as usual for Mathias. He had just sent a woman on her way after finding something with which she could surprise her daughter when he spotted Berwald, accompanied by a redhaired boy. If it weren't for the eyes, Mathias wouldn't see any relation.
"So, this is your son?" Mathias said, looking down at the boy.
Berwald nodded, though Mathias's attention was on the boy.
"He really liked his gift," Berwald said.
Mathias was pleased to hear that.
The boy wandered off, and Berwald sighed.
"He wants to see what else there is here," he said.
"You look tired," Mathias observed.
"It's been difficult since his mother died. She didn't really let us interact much, so we're still strangers to each other."
"Why didn't she let you see each other?"
"It's… complicated."
Mathias nodded his head, before he sighed. He supposed that it wasn't his business. Though, he couldn't help but want to learn more about Berwald.
The prompt was: 'Person A works in a store aimed towards children (like Disney or Build-a-Bear) as a clerk. One day, a very intimidating and downright terrifying Person B walks into the store. They ask Person A for advice on what to buy for kids because their child's birthday is coming up (whether they be a single parent or not is up to you).'
Sweden was an obvious choice, and he has Ladonia to act as his son. And it was between Denmark and Germany, and Germany wouldn't have worked out. Besides, I can just see Denmark working in a kid-oriented position, and Legos was a given.