Nordic 5: On Tour

Vi är hemma

"I don't know if it's worth going to court." Said Tino, as they drove. "After all this, it just feels like more hassle."

After a long week in the hospital, Tino and Berwald were finally able to come home.

"'S worth it." Said Berwald, "'He h'rt m' wife."

Berwald kissed the top of his head, but Tino swatted him. "When will you stop calling me that?"

"Just remember, Tino." Lukas chimed in from the front seat. "Because of him, you won't be able to use your sauna for a month."

Tino's eyes narrowed. "I'll see him hang."

They came to a stop and Lukas helped them out of Mathias' CUV. He lent it because the less bending and twisting getting out of the taller vehicle would be easier on their injuries.

They went through the front door and were greeted by barking and nails scratching the hardwood floor.

"Hana!" Said Tino, bending down to pet her but stalling when the action put pressure on his stitches.

Lukas set their bags down as Hanatamago yipped and jumped around their feet. He picked the excited puppy up and she practically leapt out of Lukas' arms when he handed her to Tino. She licked every inch of Tino's face as he and Berwald made up the attention she'd missed over the last week. He carried her down the dark hallway and they came to the living room.

"Välkommen hem!"

The lights flipped on, revealing the small party before them. Emil was trapped between Peter and his busty Ukrainian nanny. They wore bright party hats and above them hung a hand-drawn banner that said, "Welcome home."

Peter and Irunya ran forward to hug them.

"I'm glad you're both alright. We were so worried." She squished them with her hug and Tino hissed a bit. "Oh, sorry. Cracked rib. Right."

She let them go and Tino thanked her.

"Come on, everybody! Uncle Mathias made dinner."

Peter ran off and his parents shared a look. Hanatamago jumped from Tino's arms and ran after Peter as the group joined him.

Inside the kitchen, Mathias was placing the last of the hot dishes on the table. They walked in and he looked up.

"Welcome home." He said as they observed their small table set for six. "Bon appetit."

Peter rushed to take his seat and the others followed suit.

"Mathias." Said Lukas, setting a place beside his own. "Sit down."

Mathias scanned those seated, but no one opposed Lukas suggestion, so he joined them.

(⌒▽⌒)

After a week of hospital food, the homecooked meal hit the spot. What was even better, Mathias and Lukas had also prepared a dessert for everyone.

"The internet is so convinced it was a hate crime." Said Emil, intercepting Mr. Puffin as he tried to eat the rest of Emil's food.

"'S robb'ry." Berwald corrected before popping another forkful of the lingonberry tart into his mouth.

Tino waved his hands. "Let's change the subject. This can't be good for Peter."

"I don't care about some stupid story," Peter grumbled, having already forgotten how badly the incident had rattled him.

"How was your trip to Italy?" Irunya asked, facing Lukas and Mathias. "I never heard how it went. Was it successful?"

"It couldn't have been that exciting." Peter pouted. "They didn't bring me anything."

"D'n't be self'sh." Said Berwald, mussing Peter's hair.

"Actually, we did get you something." Said Mathias, and Lukas raised an eyebrow at him. "Remember that circus you went to?"

"Of course, it was fantastic!"

"Well, we bought it."

Peter's jaw dropped. "You mean it's ours? We can pick the acts? We can go backstage, and see the show anytime we please?"

Mathias shrugged. "We're fronting enough money, so probably."

Peter sprung from his seat and sprinted around the table to jump on Mathias.

"Thanks, uncle Mathias!" He said, squeezing him tight.

Mathias chuckled, setting Peter down. "Well, Lukas bought it with me and negotiated the whole deal, so thank him too."

Peter turned around and hugged Lukas by the neck.

"Thanks, uncle Lukas." He said, then darted for the living room. "I've got to show you my new act! Gilbert will think it's awesome!"

"Peter, put your dishes away!" Tino called after him.

The seven-year-old ran back in, grabbed his dirty plate, dropped it in the sink, and ran back to the living room, Hanatamago hot on his heels.

While the rest of the family watched Peter try to get Hanatamago to run through his bedsheet like Antonio's toro ran through his cape, Lukas and Berwald cleaned the dishes. Lukas rinsed them and Berwald loaded them into the dishwasher.

"Can I ask you a question?" Said Lukas, washing away the last of the crumbs.

Berwald gave a short grunt. Years of experience told Lukas that was a yes.

"When did you know you loved Tino?"

"Alw'ys did." Said Berwald, sliding plates into the top rack.

"Did Tino feel the same?"

"Nuh-uh. Sc'red of m'." Berwald closed the dishwasher and pressed the buttons on the outside.

"Why the change of heart?"

Berwald shrugged as the machine started. "'M not sc'ry."

Berwald absolutely was scary. Peter was probably the only person to have never been intimidated by his intense emotionless features. But Berwald was only dangerous if you really pissed him off.

"Come on, Hana. Toro." Peter whined, and the two looked into the next room where everyone had gathered. "Come on, Hana, like we practiced. Toro."

Peter waved his blanket but Hanatamago just yapped at his heels, waiting for a treat from her youngest caretaker. Finally, Peter reached behind Hanatamago with his foot and scooched her through the blanket.

"Tada!" Peter proclaimed, posing with his arms raised in triumph.

"Very good, Peter!" Tino cheered.

Everyone else clapped politely. Mathias chuckled at his phone and Peter sulked, thinking that he hadn't watched. He held up his phone to the pair in the entryway.

"Luk, Ber, translate."

Lukas rolled his eyes and took the phone. When he saw the screen, Lukas got a bit of a smile of his own.

"Alfred says he likes your act, Peter. He gave it three thumbs up emojis."

Lukas showed Peter the video of his attempts to bullfight Hanatamago that Mathias had sent the carny, along with the emoji-laden reply.

"Is that?" Asked Peter, marveling at the screen.

"The same."

Peter got a huge grin, taking the phone and jumping on the couch to scroll through the posts.

Irunya watched the exchange with confusion. "Who's that?"

"One of the circus' performers we'd met in Italy," Lukas explained.

"He just happened to be one of our Twitter followers," Mathias added, grinning proudly as he watched Peter.

He looked at Lukas and the smile changed. It was sweet and loving. And not at all scary.