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Berwald swallowed hard, well hard for him, he usually wasn’t nervous. This damned union had to end, he was over listening to Matthias’s every will. Before this cursed union was a thing, the two nations were closer, both like brothers. But now…now was different. “I want out.”
Matthias stood, taken aback. The Dane blinked, “What…? Sve, I don’t think I heard you right…Can you repeat that?” He asked, his bright blue eyes darting between the Swede and the Finn. His jaw locked as his fists slowly curled tightly inward. Sure, Denmark was a friendly nation…until he was crossed by his own.
“You said…you’re going to leave?” Matthias asked slowly, “Or have I simply misheard you?”
Berwald tensed, he could sense Tino flinching slightly behind him. The two had grown closer and the Kalmar Union in itself had aided in that. He knew when Matthias was quiet, it wasn’t normal, the other nation was usually loud, boisterous…proud.
“I asked you, no–I told you, to repeat yourself, Sve!” Matthias demanded, his voice growing louder, his hands twitched as Berwald straightened his back, “I’m leaving.” He looked at Tino out of the corner of his teal eyes, he could see how Tino tensed up as well, the Finn was tough, but he wasn’t used to Matthias raising his voice like this.
Both nations felt as if…the Union had made him go mad, mad with power, and mad with control. The massacre that Denmark had done against the Swedish nobles…it was truly the final straw. Berwald couldn’t stand there and be compliant any longer.
“It’s not a mistake." Berwald hissed, narrowing his eyes at Matthias, “I will leave here.”
Suddenly, a crack went through the air, Berwald’s face flew to the side and Matthias’s hand fell to the side.
“Berwald!” Tino gasped out as he saw the fresh blood dripping from the older nation’s lip. The younger nation’s fingers trembled as he grasped at the Swede’s shoulder for a split second. Berwald was silent, his ears ringing…his anger filling him as Matthias yelled, “You think you’re leaving!?”
The Dane’s fingers gripped the Swede’s hair tightly in a fist, “You really think I’d let you leave, Sverige!?” He pulled Berwald’s face up, both Scandinavians were nearly touching noses. “You must be dreaming to be saying something like that to me! Wake up and know that you aren’t leaving!”
Matthias nearly spat in his face as he began to yell louder, “You’re weak, you won’t last a damned day without me! You can’t do anything without me! You’re being selfish and conceited!”
“I’m being conceited!?” Berwald suddenly spat, his rough hands quickly wrapped around the Dane’s neck. “For me to be so selfish, you’re the one who never let me try to defend myself properly. Always stepping in like I’m weak and unable to fight. Maybe you can learn from this!”
Matthias glared at Berwald as he choked and sputtered, “You-you bastard…!”
“Berwald!” Tino’s voice cried out, snapping the Swede out of his darkness, “Please, stop it! You’ll kill him…!”
The Finn’s fingers gently touched the Swede’s shoulders, but firm enough for the other nation to quickly whip his head around. “Mr. Sweden…please!” Tino begged, tears filled his amethyst eyes for a split second, he usually wasn’t this emotional, he usually felt put together but…this….this was too much for him. “Please…” He whispered as Berwald suddenly let Matthias go.
The Dane fell to the ground and gasped for air as he began to cough hard. Tino gasped out as Berwald turned on his heel, he began to walk away.
“Berwald!” The Finn cried out as he turned around quickly to follow him, “Please wait!” He yelled as the older and taller nation began to storm out, “Berwald!”
The blonde Finn ran after the Swede. He couldn’t let the other man he had grown so close to, just leave without him. As he ran out, he didn’t notice Matthias slowly getting up.
“S-Sve…” Matthias coughed out, “Dammit….wait!” He hissed as he gasped to fill his lungs with air still, he grasped his cloak and made his way after the duo.
Lukas cradled his brother close to his chest, he gently had his hands over Emil’s ears, “Don’t worry…it will be okay, bror…” He whispered softly as he rocked the youngest of the group. Emil’s sobs slowly began to soften and quiet into sniffles, "Tomorrow everything will be back to normal and Sve and Den will make up…”
“You…you promise, bróðir…?” Emil whimpered out and Lukas looked down, “Yes…I promise, as your big brother, I won’t let anything else happen…”
Lukas’s indigo eyes slowly looked upwards, he muttered a soft prayer to whoever was listening, he knew Berwald was almost a fool for standing up to Matthias. Matthias was truly a force to reckon with…a force that Lukas thought could almost use a good punching to.
Lukas stroked Emil’s silver locks as he shushed him once more, he would have to talk to Matthias after this blew over…if it in fact did…
Tino didn’t know how far they even were yet, they were basically running at first. Berwald looked back at him, “Tino…” He whispered as he gently took Tino’s hand in his, “I…” He looked down, Tino shook his head, “Are you alright, Berwald?”
“Yes,” The Swede spoke softly, “You didn’t have to come–.”
“I wanted to.” The Finn interrupted, “But are you sure this is okay?”
“Yes.” Was all the Swede replied as he turned back around quickly, his hand dropping from Tino’s, Tino’s hand fell limply to his side. Berwald’s hands were shaking slightly, the adrenaline still in his veins.
“Berwald, I…” Tino couldn’t find the words, his mouth was suddenly dry. He didn’t want to mention how Berwald was trembling and how he was scared about what was going to happen now. Would Denmark now attack Sweden and start a new war…? Tino knew when unions fell, sometimes they would result in catastrophic events.
As they walked more in silence, Tino spoke up once more, “Berwa–!” His eyes widened for a split second, he took in a sharp intake of breath…it hurt to breathe...his back burned, his lungs screaming. The Finn let out a painful gasp of air, Berwald turned quickly, “Tino…!?”
Tino looked at the Swedish nation, as he suddenly began to slouch forward. The Finnish man hit the ground and a boot was on his back…gloved hands pulling a sword out of his back. Tino gasped out for air and Berwald quickly pulled Tino into his arms, “Tino, are you okay?! Finland, answer me!” The Swedish man yelled as he gently shook the younger nation as he pulled him closer. He froze as he felt the warm and sticky blood on his fingers, the Finn trembled hard as he felt the Swede’s hand brush against the wound accidentally.
Tino coughed hard and his hands, once gentle but firm, were clammy and faint as he grasped at the older nation’s chest. His face was pale with the shock of it all, his back screaming in pain as Berwald looked down at his amethyst eyes, they were full of pain and unshed tears.
“What a shame…” a familiar voice hissed, “You can’t even keep your dear Finland safe…”
Berwald looked up as he saw Matthias, swinging his sword…it was covered in the other nation’s blood. As was Berwald’s fingers…
Tino coughed harder, he looked up at Berwald as Matthias snarled “It’s a damned shame, I do like Finny, but you two just had to cross and make me angry. The most delicate flower of our group follows you, the one who is never going to amount to anything! You really did bring the lamb to the slaughter, Sverige!”
“Be-Berwald…ple-please…” Tino choked out as the Swede pulled him to his chest, his vision was blurry…Tino rarely got into danger, sure he had dealt with Russia before, had gone into multiple battles but something about Matthias doing this to him…it hurt. The same hurt that the Dane most likely felt. “You…you can’t…” the Finn finished and he winced as he felt the Swede gently put him against a tree. He cried out softly as his wound brushed against the tree, Berwald kissed his bloodied hand gently… “Don’t worry…” He whispered softly as his hand gently wiped a tear away…something in him just felt like it snapped once more as he turned swiftly to the Danish country…the lion had been awakened.
“I didn’t hate you before, Danmark…” Berwald hissed as he adjusted his glasses while turning back to the other Scandinavian, “But I won’t stand for this, any longer.”
“Is that right, Sweden?” Matthias spat, but he didn’t have time to speak much more…as Berwald charged at him suddenly. The duo began to fight, their blades clashing in a spark of light.
“You know…Sve, I won’t hold it against you if you just come back and stay at my place!” He declared, “You won’t survive being independent, and you never will! You’ll die and everyone will forget about who you are and what you stand for! I’ll protect you…!” Matthias yelled, “You won’t have to worry about anything!”
Berwald glared at him, his eyes narrowing, “If you don’t understand, then let me show you!” He yelled, “I’m fed up having to always be behind you, never being able to be myself. I don’t need protection, needing protection is the same as being weak!” He pushed forward with a force Matthias clearly hadn’t expected. The Dane hit the ground, stunned, his weapon knocked aside. Berwald stood over him, sword angled down…not touching, but close enough that Matthias finally stopped talking.
“You’re the only one who gets hurt and I have to watch. It’s not fair and yet you don’t understand and can’t get it through your thick skull! You stab Finland in the back like a coward, this isn’t how a leader should be, Denmark. You don’t know how to be one if you throw a fit after one wants to leave!”
“Sve..!” Matthias tried to speak and Berwald glared at him, “Enough from you! You’re so stupid, Den…”
Matthias closed his eyes as Berwald raised his sword…he didn’t want to look. He knew if he was stabbed, he would live but…the pain was always the worst…
Berwald quickly swung down. The hilt hit Matthias’s head, knocking the Danish man out…for it was cowardly to stab someone who was beaten or in a vulnerable position.
Berwald frowned as he quickly made his way back over to Tino, adrenaline still buzzing under his skin but already souring into something heavier. The forest felt too quiet now… no clashing steel, no shouting, just the ragged sound of Tino’s breathing pulling him forward faster. “Tino,” he called softly, almost afraid of what he would find.
The Finn blinked up at him, dazed, his breaths shallow and uneven. He tried to straighten, but the effort made him wince, and Berwald was kneeling beside him in an instant.
“Easy,” Berwald murmured, one hand hovering before he dared to touch him. “Don’t move too much…I need to clean and bandage it up…”
Tino swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. “Berwald… did you…?”
“He’s down,” Berwald said, not bothering to hide the edge in his voice. “He won’t bother you right now.” He gently put a hand on Tino’s cheek, Tino leaned into it slightly. He looked exhausted now, his amethyst eyes closed slightly as Berwald gently undid his cloak and slid his tunic down to his hips.
The Swede frowned upon seeing the wound, it already was healing slightly due to Tino being a nation but it was still needing to be cleaned and covered.
The Finn’s eyes drooped with exhaustion as Berwald spoke gently, “This might sting a little, I…I’m sorry.”
“I…I trust you.” he whispered, nearly slurring with exhaustion. He let out a soft noise as Berwald gently wiped away the old blood and grime off the wound. Tino flinched once, a soft sound escaping him before he could stop it.
“Sorry,” Berwald whispered.
“It’s alright,” Tino breathed, his voice thin but sincere. “You’re… gentle.”
Berwald’s hands stilled for a moment. Gentle wasn’t something he was used to being called. Not by anyone. But Tino said it like it was simply true.
He resumed his work, slower this time, more deliberate. The forest around them felt suspended, no wind, no birds, just the quiet rhythm of Tino’s breathing and Berwald’s steady movements.
When he finished cleaning the area, he grabbed some cloth in his satchel and wrapped it around Tino’s back and shoulder. Slowly, Berwald wrapped the shorter man’s cloak back around him as he pulled Tino to his chest.
Both sat in silence, Berwald looked down as he noticed Tino’s breathing evened out. He sighed softly through his nose, “He’s asleep…” He thought and gently moved the cloak once more. “That looked bad…hopefully…it doesn’t scar.”
The Swede gently pulled the Finn closer to him, even closer than before. He gently kissed his head, “I’m sorry…” He whispered, “I’m sorry, Tino…I’ll try even harder than before. Denmark was a coward…” He meant it, Matthias knew Tino wasn’t a force to deal with and he knew the quickest way to subdue the Finn, would be to attack from behind.
Tino shifted faintly in his sleep, a small, pained sound escaping him before he settled again. Berwald’s arms tightened instinctively, as if he could shield him from the memory of what had happened, from the cold air, from the world itself.
He rested his chin lightly against Tino’s hair, breathing in the faint scent of pine and smoke that always clung to him. It grounded him. Calmed him. Reminded him that Tino was still here, still breathing, still warm.
“I should’ve been faster,” Berwald murmured, the words barely audible even to himself. “I should’ve seen him coming.”
Tino didn’t stir, but his fingers twitched weakly against Berwald’s chest, as if reaching for reassurance even in sleep. Berwald covered Tino’s hand with his own, thumb brushing over the knuckles in a slow, steady rhythm.
If he was a lion and Tino was a lamb, then, let it be that way. For a lamb could be just as dangerous as a lion, especially when cornered. Berwald didn’t care, for he and Tino would overcome this.
Matthias groaned as he awoke on the hard, cold ground. “Ugh…for helvede…” He mumbled as he put a hand on his face, “What…?” He groaned as he remembered...the memory so fresh and painful in his mind “Shit…I really did lose…to Sve…”
He frowned upon seeing his hand, his eyes widened as he realized…it was clean… “He…didn’t finish me off?” He whispered, tears began to fill his eyes, “Then, why the hell does it hurt so damn bad here…?” He hissed as he clutched his chest, as he laughed through his pain, tears flowing freely as he covered his face with his hand. His laughter turning into sobs, painful and angry...and then just empty. Matthias not only lost Berwald...but he lost Tino too...two of his brothers. Two that he swore he would forever keep safe.
Slow footsteps made their way toward Matthias, footsteps as light as a fairy. Lukas…
Lukas saw Matthias laying there, he gently grabbed both sides of the other nation’s head. A tear fell down Lukas’s cheek, landing onto Matthias’s own.
Matthias’s hand grabbed onto Lukas’s, “Lukas…” He whispered breathlessly, “I…I…I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Lukas whispered back, “We have each other and Ice…”
Matthias let out a shaky laugh, half relief, half heartbreak. “I thought… I thought I lost everything.”
“You didn’t,” Lukas whispered. “Not everything.”
Matthias swallowed hard, his chest tightening again…not from injury, but from the weight of everything he’d done. Everything he’d broken. Everything he’d almost lost.
“I don’t deserve you,” he rasped.
Lukas shook his head gently, leaning closer so Matthias couldn’t look away. “Maybe not,” he said, honest as always. “But you still have us...you still have me.”
Matthias’s breath stuttered. “Even after… all of this?”
Lukas’s expression softened, not forgiving, not excusing, but understanding in that quiet, devastating way he had.
“You’re still here..for me…for Emil…” he replied slowly, “Even when you act like a fool...”
Matthias let out a choked laugh, tears still slipping down his temples. “I really messed up, didn’t I?”
Lukas exhaled slowly, his forehead resting briefly against Matthias’s. “Yes,” he whispered. “But I know…we can overcome this.” He looked down as he felt Matthias gently kiss his knuckles as he sat up. “Come on, Dane…let’s go home.”
And for the first time since the Union began to fracture, Matthias believed him…
For the Lion who allegedly led the Lamb into the slaughter,
For the Lion and the Lamb to become victorious,
All for a Union to fall.
Now…the Kalmar Union was becoming no more…
---Fin---