Thanks to SolLune for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

SweSlov: Threat

Samuel handed the coffee to Berwald, who looked like he needed it. He worked as a detective, and as far as Samuel understood, Berwald was busy with a very difficult case. Berwald had spent many late nights at work, and the circles remained under his eyes.

"Are you coming home tonight?" Samuel asked.

"I'll try," Berwald sighed. "I'm sorry, I know you're worried. And I wish I can tell you what this is about, but it's too dangerous."

Samuel only smiled.

"Don't worry," he said. "I get it. Just promise that you're being careful, okay?"

"Of course," Berwald said. "And you need to be careful too."

…

Berwald sighed when he arrived at the station. It was a complicated case, and he had no idea whether or not they would be able to put an end to it. They were dealing with a syndicate, and among the crimes they could pin on the group, they had drug trafficking and human trafficking, illegal gambling, forced prostitution, and murder. They had enough evidence to establish that all of these activities were the actions of one group, but they barely had enough to prosecute a single member, let alone the leaders. And any witness they managed to track down mysteriously ended up missing or otherwise incapacitated.

He wanted to put a stop to them as soon as possible. He'd spoken to the families of the people their actions had affected, and with every person he spoke with, the more his resolve grew. He couldn't believe that humans could do something like that to each other. And the longer they remained in the city, the more their influence grew.

Berwald wanted to do everything in his power to prevent them from gaining too much influence. It was only a matter of time before their actions hurt the people he cared about.

…

Samuel locked the apartment's door as he thought about the work he had for the day. His job as a teacher was demanding, and he often brought work home with him. People didn't appreciate the hard work that teachers did, least of all the Department of Education.

Just as he moved to put the key in his pocket, he felt someone grab him from behind. His attacker placed a hand on his mouth, preventing him from screaming and attracting attention.

"Is this the residence of Detective Oxenstierna?" his attacker whispered.

Samuel tensed, and he became aware of more men. One of them grabbed the key, before unlocking the door. The man who held him dragged him inside.

"We'd like to speak to you about your boyfriend."

…

Berwald sat at his desk, his sixth cup of coffee for the day bordering on empty. Another day, and no new leads. He wondered if they would ever find a way to bring an end to this group.

He jumped when someone placed their hand on his shoulder, and he looked up to see Chief Beilschmidt. The German sighed, looking at the coffee.

"Perhaps you shouldn't work late tonight," Chief Beilschmidt said. "In fact, take tomorrow off. You've been working hard, but you need to rest."

"I need to find these people," Berwald insisted. "We just need leads…"

"And if there are any, we'll find them. But you can't force yourself. You don't want to have a heart attack from all this stress."

Berwald sighed, before he looked back at the cup. He finished the last of the coffee. Perhaps one day off would be a good idea. And he could surprise Samuel.

In fact, that wasn't such a bad idea. He knew that he'd neglected the Slovakian for a while. Now was an excellent time to make up for it. Perhaps he could even take him out to a restaurant or something, and they could look for something to watch on TV. Just a night where the two of them could be together.

…

Berwald pulled out his keys, a packet of Samuel's favourite sweets in his other hand. He couldn't wait to see Samuel's face when he explained all the plans he had for them. But then his plans disappeared as his blood became ice.

The door was unlocked. Samuel was never so careless.

Berwald carefully opened the door, listening intently. Perhaps Samuel wasn't home yet. Perhaps there had just been a burglary. Samuel was safe. He shouldn't panic. Though, the apartment looked to be in too good shape for there to be a burglary. Berwald immediately stormed to the bedroom. He hoped to find Samuel there.

He saw a lump on the bed and turned on the light. Samuel was indeed lying there with his back turned to him, but something was wrong. The scent of blood filled the air, and when Berwald looked closer, he saw that there was red in Samuel's brown hair.

His only comfort was the fact that Samuel was still breathing, though it didn't sound normal.

Berwald moved closer, and he could see more of Samuel's condition. He was either asleep or unconscious. A strip of silver tape served as a gag, and his hands and feet were similarly duct-taped. The side of his face that Berwald could see had a red stripe, and Berwald realised that it was a long cut from just underneath his eye to his jawline. Red on his fingertips drew Berwald's attention, and he realised that Samuel was missing his fingernails.

He saw a piece of paper next to Samuel's brutalised hands. Berwald picked up the paper.

Drop the case, or next time he won't be alive.

Berwald grabbed his phone and dialled the emergency number.

"This is Detective Oxenstierna," he said. "I need an ambulance at Rose Plaza, apartment 23. Someone was tortured."

Berwald cut the tape that secured Samuel's wrists and ankles, before he removed the gag as well. He tried to evaluate the damage, but it was hard to determine the extent. He could also now see the bruising around Samuel's neck.

"Sam," Berwald gently called out. "Can you open your eyes for me?"

He gently shook him, and Samuel opened his eyes briefly, but in that moment, Berwald knew that he wouldn't be able to learn anything now. His pupils filled his eyes, and when Berwald looked around, he could see the syringe. Samuel had been drugged, but with what, and how long ago?

Gritting his teeth, Berwald dialled another number.

"Chief," he said, "something happened. They went after Samuel."

…

Berwald sat in the hospital chair, staring at his boyfriend. It looked like they had hurt him for hours. Both sides of his face had the long cuts that looked like tears. His throat bore the bruises of strangulation. His fingernails and toenails had been pried out. Cigarette burns covered his arms and torso. His back had several welts, and the doctor said what looked like the indent of a belt buckle was on his skin as well.

Samuel wouldn't wake up for a few hours still. The toxicology report revealed that it wasn't a narcotic, but instead a strong sedative in his bloodstream, and the best that they could do was wait for his body to process it naturally. Berwald didn't understand the meaning of the sedative, but he could only assume that it was to prevent Samuel from moving around too much, and thus their 'gift' would be ruined.

If they thought that they could scare him away, they were mistaking. They only fuelled Berwald's desire further to put a stop to them. Of course, he couldn't do anything until Samuel was in a safe place. Perhaps Samuel would be willing to stay with his sister for a while. In fact…

Berwald removed his phone and dialled Klara's number. The phone rang three times before a tired voice answered.

"It's two in the morning," she groaned. "This better be important."

"It is," Berwald said. "I'm sorry to bother you this late."

"Berwald? Did something happen to Sam?"

"…Ja. I'm on a case, and… they targeted him. They tortured him, and they're threatening to kill him. Could he stay with you for a while? Maybe it would even be better if you could arrange to go somewhere else."

"They tortured…? Where's he now?"

"In the hospital. They used a pretty strong sedative on him."

"R-right. O-of course. Call me if there's any news on his condition. I'll see if I can come by tomorrow. And I'll make plans for a getaway."

Berwald looked over towards Samuel. He didn't know how long they'd be separated, but Berwald would do anything for the sake of his safety. He wouldn't fail again.

…

"Do you have everything?" Berwald asked.

Samuel nodded. It had taken a week before he was recovered enough to leave. Klara had been a great help. Berwald didn't think that he could have managed otherwise.

"I'll try to finish this soon," Berwald said. "But I want you to call me every day. I need to know you're still safe."

"I know," Samuel said. He smiled, though there was pain in his eyes, both physical and emotional. He wouldn't be going out into the town for a while. "Just… be careful."

Berwald kissed him on the forehead. It would be a while before they would be able to hold each other like this again.

"Of course," Berwald said.

The prompt is: 'Imagine Person A finding Person B sedated after being tortured.'