Night Terrors [Berwald]

[Tino Väinämöinen]

we were once alive

Tino was fucking tired.

He was stationed in a section of the cells, assigned to sit and monitor the night shift. While Tino normally didn’t mind the late hours, he had been working for a very long time. He flicked his eyes to his watch. It was just passed four. He had been on shift for 33 hours now, with three more to go, plus a bus ride to the edge of town and a two kilometer walk to his cabin. He could have groaned if he had the energy.

Stupid Aleks. Stupid fucking Aleks had to call in sick and his asshole of a supervisor had to choose Tino of all people to be Aleks’s replacement in the pinch because no one volunteered. And, as if working a full 24 hours wasn’t bad enough, his normal night shift wasn’t given to someone else. No, they expected him to stay for another 12 hour graveyard shift with no substantial break for rest. Tino puffed out a sigh as he tugged at the cap of his uniform. Five more hours and he’d get to hibernate. At least he was getting paid double time, but honestly, Tino’s paychecks didn’t matter. He was here for recon work and if he needed any sum of money, he could request it from the Governor.

Tino leaned back into his chair, eyes bloodshot and burning with fatigue. His mind was still firing though, despite the fact that he felt like collapsing. There was so much to process, so little time to compile it all. There were so many mutants down here… sending Tino in alone to contain them all was like sending a man against an army. He was greatly outnumbered and outpowered by a wide margin. There were mutants that would likely kill Tino easily in a fight, no matter how hard Tino thought or how much he planned combat. Hamish was one in particular that sent alarm bells ringing in Tino’s head. He sighed and shifted to a more comfortable position. He glanced around, but saw no movement. All mutants in his section appeared to be sleeping. He closed his eyes and focused internally to try and resolve some of his inner conflict.

There was a lot more to this ‘situation’ than he had initially believed. Currently, the Freedom Fighting members were more of a political threat, attempting to change old habits with anonymous protests to the Government. A load of bullshit that that would do. Everyone knew that the Russian parliament would rather crumble then be warped or twisted in any way. Things were going to get ugly. That much was for certain, and Tino himself had a few leads that he’d checkup later in the week (along with a little spying on Alfred Jones to make sure he hadn’t turned tail). If hell did break lose, many would die.

‘ Yo̵u̷r̛ ąct͢ion̵s̕ ́w͞il̴l ̡save̶ inǹoc͘en̢t͏ ̀li͡v̶e͞s…’

Tino nodded to that. Yes, his actions would, but the path to peace was over a crimson road. One side would have to give way, and it was obviously the prisoners below the ground that would suffer the brunt of the blow. They couldn’t escape. They’d kill. They’d destroy any and all laws. The world would fall into utter chaos. They’d wipe out order, and if anyone stood against them, they’d perish. Few knew how to kill a mutant of high risk. Tino was one of Seven. Yes… he was an agent. He was a şo̧ldi͟er͏.

What of some of the innocent mutants though? Tino could argue that some weren’t a threat. Feliciano wasn’t a risk or a delinquent. Lovino was rough around the edges, but also posed little danger to the population. What about Arthur? Mathias? Hamish? Did they deserve to die? He was beginning to enjoy their company, but he’d never admit it to anyone.

‘ T̵od͜͏a͘͟͜y͢͠ ̨y̸ó͢u̡ ͡m̶͡aỳ͟ ̢̀͘b͜͠e͞ ̵d҉͞͞e͢͟c̢l̢̕͢a̵r͟e͜d ̧a̸ś͡ t̨h́e̢̛ ̧̕7̴͞t̢h̴̕ ̀ś͏ù̶c̵͘͞c͟͞es̵͢s͘҉̧f̧̧u͝ļ͠ ̴̢͜pr̴҉od́͞u̕c̢̛t̛ ̵́o͢͟͝f̢͟ ̸͘t̷h͞i͡s͠ ̛p̛͡r̛ó̕͠g҉̕͏r̀͝ą̶m,͜҉ ̴͟if̢͟ ́͟a̢n̨̧ḑ ̢́o̵nl͠͠y̶̵ i̴f ̶̕y͘͘o̷͢ư c͢a̕n͢ ̴̸̨c̴̀o͜͝m̛p҉l̶̛͏e͠͡t̶̛e̷̷ ̨́thìs̴͝ ex͜͝a̕ḿ͡.’

Tino’s brow scrunched as his train of thought twisted. Where… who was talking?

F̼͓̮̲̻̤̺̓ͪ̋ͥ̓͋̈́ā͎̬͈̟̥̲̥͝i̺̗̘͕̗̒̓͛ͣl̫̉̌ ͔̯̭͕̤̗̻ͣͤ̎t͓̘̙̮̬̞̓ͣ̆̎̔͘h̹͓̥̣͢ĭ̈́͐̓̆ͤ́͟s͈͙̙͖ͤ͂ͫͧ̒̉ͧ ̦͔̄͌̏̚e̼͈ͧ̋͛̈̍ͯͅx̜͆ͣ̆ͭaͬ̓̂́͛̾m̳̫͇ͩͦ͂̔̔ͭ̚,̢̣̟̂͂͛͛ͯ ̛̭̖̠a̝̲̜̟͆̾̅͑͌̀̃nͬ̉ͤ͑ͯ͆͝d͝ ̙̝͕̮̳͑y̫̳͖̪̌͆̈́̌͂ͯ͊o̹̾ͯͬ̃̔ͭṷ̢̫̭̰͋ ̈̊̉̂͐̿͏͎̙̬w̨̰̖̙̦͕̱̠ͩ̿̏̇͌il̝͚̺̳͙͑ͤ̑͂̑̀̈͝l͍ͭ͛ͮ́ ̤̘͓̊ͬ͂͆̔ͅb̥̘̪͓̖̭̂͋͂̅̊͘e̝̫̠͚ͬ͋ͥ ͖̳̭̲̦̱ͬ̇t̛é̴r̵͖̼̤͚͉̝ͬ͆̊m͇͍̪͖̳ͨͥ̽̾ͨ̔ͦ͢ḯ̘̼̗̣̦̺̝͛̾̏n̯͈̤̮a̦͓̩̟̦͕͗̌̈̍̋͊͞t̋ͤ̽̿ͣ̉͠ě̠ḏ̸̪̗̩̫̯̄ͦ͐̃ͯͣ̄.̭̪̤̲̤͉̯͞

͕͉̤͚͇̪̜ͬͭͥ̅ͤ̚Ĭ̷̟̳͖̭̲̦̃ͤ ̸̮̻̥̺̰̺̜ͯ̅̑ͯ̿r͉̟̼̙̎ͣ̈́́ͬ̎e̛̝͇ͮ̆̚f͍̬̘ͫ͌͛͆̍͗ͪù̪̝̦s̝̰͜ę͑̋͋̓ͥ̈̿.ͪ͂ͦ͏̜̠̳̜̮̮ͅ

̩̟̘̜̩ͦ̒͛̿͒̉T̶͇̦̰̣͎̽͐a̷̘͇͈̭͍̝̖͒̒̀̅k̦̩̩̓̈͌̅͂̈̕e̷̳̣̬͒̎͐̉̋ͥ ̯̝̒h͒̿͗i̞̥̬͚͟m̥̳̉̽̒̑̇ ̡̯̎̀̒̏̑͊t҉̠o̢̹̳̞̝͊ ̠͉̬̓̔̂ͫ̾͢t̸͉͓̘̟̘ͬͦ̽̉h̙̭̲̿̀e͖̺͙͙̻͍̗ͪ̔ͭ ͔͎̄c̹̰͇͎͞h̴̩̘̲͎͗ͤͩ͂̃̔̚ă͈͖͎͚͐̓ͬ̇̏i̻̪̘̋̌r̬̱̖͓̪̭̈́͆ͦ̂̉ͅ.̶

̠̬̮̖̼͎͌̓̽̽̈ͯD͏͓͉̣̯̯o̊̋ ͏͕̭y̸͍̻̽ỏ͇͚͙̝̗̱͇͆͟ų̻͈͎̰͉̩̩̿̓͗̃̓ͦ ͆ͥ͗̃̎ͦ͏͉͙̬̠̝a̠̺͉̩̬͕ͥͫ̐̒̋͝c͎͛̓ͪc̺̙̤̻̣͌̾̎̿e̜̺͉͖̮̜ͨp̞̳̋́͞t̘̺͔̱̳̭ͦ̀?̸̬̱̯̗̉ͮ

̊̍ͨ̇̍҉̺͉͕̜̟Ó̥ͭ̌̓̓ͬ͜b̪̫͔̄̿͗̄̋e̹͓͕͡y͗̂ͭ҉ͅ ͩͦ̽͋̈̐҉ȧ̪͕̥͎̣̌n̞̠̘͐d̩̙̰̞̳͌ ̟̞̫̰͓͎͟s͇̯̲e͉̯̳̒ͨ̆͋̾ͦr̛̗̪͈͍̥̐̇͊̃ͩ̍ͅv͎̖͌e̝̪̹͎̮̟̟̿.̱͎̠̯͓̳͂ͮ̈́̀ͤ

̱́ͧͭ̏̆͘Y̛̹̹̱̜̥͕͂̓̉o̮̝̼̱̦͒̔u̍҉̬̞̦͕̤̮r̗͋ ̛̤̹̄̅ͯa̯̖̼ͯͣc͖̲͐t̘̬͆͌̂̍̓͒̀͟i͗̒̉͗͂͌̃͏̱̹̗̞͕̮on̛̝ͩ̃̎̎ͨ̐̚s͈̈ͮ̽̋̍̉ ̼̙̤̥͔̤͑ͣ̒̔̑̚w̥̱̄i͓̖̣̞̲̯̮͛ͧ̆̑͜lͭ̈͋̓̊ͬ͢ļ̭̲̲̙ͨ̓ͦ ̩͚̻̀s̹͖̄ͪ́̉͂a̫͚̫̝ͥ͝v̡͕͐̐ͭ͒ͯ̎̀e̗̜̙̝̬̭ͯ̇̈͑ ̳̩͍͔̆ͅḭ̶̹̮̈̃n̙̤̥̙̯͚̍͛n̝̟͋̄̊ō̌̍͛͏̪͕̹c̐̇̿ḙ̘̫͎ͨͫ̍ͪn̦t͗ͭ͑ͮ ̮͇͙̒̊͋̓l͍̻̲̜̺̳̱̑ͭ̋ͣi͉̝̯̖̾̽v̵̻̘͚̈é̩̼̔ͯͣͩ̌s̺̮̰̖̭͎͌̉́͂ͣ̆̀

͉͖͉̃ͨ̋B̨̜̯̼̳͇̺̹ͣ́͐̓̃e̺̺̘c͖̤̅͊̄̔̀̓̄ǫ̫̳̹͇̝̫̈́̓̇͊ͧm̹͍͍̦̠̳͐ͥͫ͒͌ͩḙ̹͙̮͖̃̇̎͌ ̳͉̦̞a̻͈͗͜ ̤͚̙͉͑́̾͆ͨ̇̈̐ͪ̏̊̀̚ͅ sô̭̣̯̾ͫ̑͢l̜̘̗̂ͨ̅̏d̉̊iͨ͂̓̋́e̴̙̎̆̃̎ͨ̍ͦͅr̝͉̖͌ͅ

̙͉̇̈̐ͪ̏̊̀̚ S̛̜͈ͩͪ̓ͥ̉̽ô̭̣̯̾ͫ̑͢l̜̘̗̂ͨ̅̏d̉̊iͨ͂̓̋́e̴̙̎̆̃̎ͨ̍ͦͅr̝͉̖͌ͅ.͇͇͆̾̃ 

̛̹̦̇S̵̤̉͗̎̏̑͐ő̪͈̩l̥̼͙͓̙̗͘d̙̬̍͋̏̂͑̔̊i̛̐e̸̠͌͛̔̔̓̿̃r̬͙̆ͦͮͤͤ̚.̳̬̔̚̚͢ 

̑̋̀S̴͎̩͖̠͕̎̒̂o̸̻̤̿̔ͬ̐̏̆l͙ͩ̐̓ͫ̅̈́ḓ̭͖̯͚̻̭́͋ͨͨ͗i͙̖͖ͩ́ͨͭ̎e̘̖ͤr̷̲̪̘͗ͨ͊ͅ.̰̺̩͉̩̩̿̽͒ͦͬ̋̍ 

… 

… 

… 

… 

T͈̼̺͚̥̤ḭ̖̰͚̇̏ͫ̇n̙̮ͅo̬͓̤͕̯̽ͥͥ̊̒.̐ͥ.̙̗̜̩ͨͦ͊͛̽.͙̻͗͑ 

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C̶̵ͦ͌̑͐̍҉̭̩̙̠̯͈̰͇̠̮̝̘̞o͑̇̂͊̊͑ͦͯ̒͠͠҉̫̱̮m̧̱͍̥̣͙͔̗̞̝̿ͭ̐̌ͣ͆̍͐ͨ̕e̛̳̲̹̥͈̝͕̯̟̘̬̥̞̒ͫ̄̽͆ͣ̅͋̊̿͒̅͊́ͬ̀̍ͪ̚̕ͅ ̵͎̰̫̬͓̗͕͔͔̘͚̞̤̫̻̪͍ͮ̉̈̽̓̌́́͜͝ͅp̵̡̧͉̫̖̪͖̝̱̰͔̦͛͑ͤ̋͆̂̔̋̽ͣ̔͗͌̐̑̆͞ļ͔̻̯͖̖͍͈̖̺̤͎̺̺̂͂ͣͫͨ͛́̚͘͡a͙̬̱̻̟̤͙ͯ̇̒͒ͪͮ͂̆ͥ͜͠͡y̧̏̄̔ͫ͗̊̅͊̌͋ͨ̊̿̚͝҉̛̰̮̯̲̳ ̡̩̼̬͖̞͖̳͈̮̦̪̜̭̳̞̝̫̒͒̑́ͦͬ̃͢w͑ͯ̎͂͐ͭ͊́̎̍҉̴͉̪̝̩̩̟̝̖̮̰̱̱̥̦̦̰ͅi̸̵̤̺̥͙̗̤̳̦̦͓̝͗́ͩ͗ͪ̓̃̏ͨ̃͋͗͋ͩ̐͑ͧt̹͍̼͉̥͉̰̳̫͕͕̞̥͉̟̆̉̒̋́͞h͔͉̻̟̱̼̬̣̻͉̲̱ͭ͆̄̈́̂̈ͤ͋̇ͧ͂̓͐̋̓̒̍̄̀͠͠ͅ ̡̯̣̖̲̟̭̮̹̙̥͔̜̱͍͛̇͂͊͛̐̇̾̈́͛ͣ̌̍̊̾͡͡m̸̧͚̦͙̟̆̀̆͊̾ͧͯ̒ͮ̐͑͒ẹ̴̟̝̣͚̱̤̓ͥ͗̌͘͢͡~̴̢̛̟̦̱̦̩ͧͤͧͯͤ̒̕͟ 

Tino’s eyes sprung open as he rocketed forward out of his chair, barely controlling himself enough to avoid screaming. He was relapsing! Fuck he had fallen asleep! His eyes darted to his watch, frantic to determine how long he’d been unconscious. It was 4:10 am. He had been out for maybe a minute or two, but that didn’t lesson the intensity of his imagined state.

However…

Memories were not imagined.

Why? Why now? He shivered. He felt like he was going to vomit. He was going to be sick. No no no, let it go soldier. Don’t let it disturb you. You passed. You passed… Tino didn’t realize he was pacing. His hands were clammy and shaking and he could feel his uniform lined with cold sweat. He didn’t notice the cold eyes that were following him until he glanced around, hollow violet eyes meeting a pair of cool turquoise ones.

One of the mutants was evidently not sleeping.

Tino blinked, forcing a smile that lacked the geniality that he normally pulled off. His words were quiet (as to not wake the others), but he managed to keep them from quivering. “You’re supposed to be sleeping. What are you doing up at this hour?”

⌔

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag var dum, du var smart, jag var fängslad.

Silence.

That was the only thing that could be heard during the night, sometimes another mutant would utter a word or five in it's sleep. Maybe someone would wake up suddenly and complaining loudly about it, but that was about it. Otherwise the nights where peaceful, dark and the serenity that fell over the darkness that surrounded them where a veil that was wrapped around Berwald where he was sitting, or maybe standing for the moment.

It felt like an eternity.

He neither loved nor hated these moments, something in between all the time. He didn't love them because even if he liked to be alone, company was something he appreciated now and then as well. But he didn't hate it, because solitude gave him a chance to think, to be himself and come to think of his life, how to handle the next move or situation in the most clever way that there was out there without hurting himself.

Berwald hadn't been here for long, and therefore he knew very few people, quite a bit lonely one could be during that time, yet it didn't matter to him for the moment. Friends weren't something you ordered, or sent after, it was given to you during the time, if you valued and took care of them enough. Berwald wasn't a chatterbox, neither was he the completely silent and cold type, despite his features. Looks could be deceiving, and he was the living proof of that.

Maybe he wasn't completely harmless. Knowing very well that he was more than capable of hurting people without really trying, even killing if he so wanted it. But Berwald wasn't a murderer, just a simple mutant that had been abandoned and shunned by society and everything involved in it, despite the fact that Berwald was as harmless as anyone else that didn't hold anything 'extra' within himself.

Why was this night special from everyone else?
Berwald didn't know, but leaning against the wall, close to the cell so he could look outside, trying to catch a glimpse of something that might happen while he was having nothing better to do than trying to observe his surroundings. His mutantism was a curse and a blessing. He had slept yesterday night, so now he was good a couple of days ahead to go without it. Rarely sleeping, eating, and even breathing, yet he was one of the most healthiest down here. His health more than on the top, his body showing that off in a nice way, muscles that also showed that he was potentially strong, but yet didn't give away just how strong he was.

Cold eyes was catching something moving, or rather someone, outside the cells. His curiosity was peaking up, maybe something to do during this boring night? Might it be different from the other one's,, and not as boring? At least he could hope.

Movements, he caught them all thanks to his glasses that was sitting on his nose. A stranger walking around. He didn't look too well, and yet Berwald had seen him walking around here before.. Was it today? Or sometimes before? He couldn't quite remember, but he had seen that bodytype before. Maybe it was just his imagination as well?

Looking at the smaller man, and Berwald could easily tell the other wasn't feeling too well. Mentally or physically, Berwald didn't really pay attention to, just mildly surprised, even if it didn't show, that the man looked at him, without letting his gaze falter, just continuing to look at him.. And he didn't look afraid, or wanted to get away from him right away? That was.. Strange. A raised eyebrow as he looked at him.

“You’re supposed to be sleeping. What are you doing up at this hour?” 

Taken aback at those words, Berwald had not expected him to speak at all to him and rather ignored him. Even if Berwald could see thorough that smile by miles, not genuine and clearly a lot of effort was put up for the other to make it. No surprise there he guessed.

Tempting to not answer, and let the guard do his job instead of pestering him. Cautious, not trusting someone that was still keeping him inside bars, and yet this night was boring and young, a company was some kind of company, no matter whom it was, right?

"I'm not supposed to be doing anything now, since it isn't too much to do during this hour."

A cool and deep voice came to answer the other, looking up at him where he sat on the floor, not making an attempt to stand up unless he was given that, proving that he wasn't scared of the other male, and would rather not want to move from his position on the floor. Blanket wrapped around him for comfort in the cold room instead.Tempted to not answer anymore, and yet his eyes was still looking at the other, trying to look thorough him with his intensive stare, figuring him out, and what he might want to do with him.

"Trying to make time pass, night is passing slowly tonight." Even if daytime wasn't much to jump up and down for, it was more to do than sitting around here, staring into the darkness. Wanting to ask the other at the same time if there was something wrong, but he knew better than to speak too much, these guards might take your tongue otherwise. "You've been here for a long time today, shouldn't I be the one asking that question to you; why are you not home, sleeping?"

Crushed and filled with all I found
Underneath and inside
Just to come around

[Tino Väinämöinen]

we were once alive

There was a ball in Tino's throat and he barely squeaked out the words past his clear discomfort, as much as he tried to mask it. Tino was clearly disturbed and he hated the fact that he couldn't hide it.

This was bad. Was he relapsing? Why here? Why now? Was it from the lack of sleep? Did forced fatigue trigger it? No, Tino had gone without sleep, or with little sleep, for extended periods of time before. He was usually more irritable, but not vulnerable.

Shit, he was vulnerable. Very, very vulnerable. He had to either master his emotions really fast (which was not possible), get out of there (also difficult... it meant abandoning his shift and risking a visit from his supervisor), or use his current mental status.

Using his emotions to his advantage was never without risk. Tino employed false emotions as if they were a prosthetic extension of himself. He could easily disconnect from those and feel little empathy or remorse simply by snapping his fingers to break the facade. This was not the case. This was far more personal, and tying such private and dangerously raw emotions into his act would be beyond difficult. In addition, he risked trusting someone with an actual piece of himself, and that was something he was very opposed to. Tino spent a lot of time and energy into carving an act. He was an actor, a spy, and a traitor. Not only would a personal inference disturb his perfectly crafted image, but it might force him to become more involved with these mutants. He already was questioning his position this evening (the Fin blamed that on the lack of rest and how his mind was not being rational). He did not need to spew his past out on some random turquoise eyed observer.

And if he did, Tino wouldn't be surprised if the mutant attempted to break his neck.

Speaking of such... Tino's eyes finally registered the mutant's face and the identity of the blond clicked in Tino's fraying mind.

Oxenstierna, Berwald. Age 22. Mutation: Inhuman strength and endurance. Able to survive without essential amounts of food, water, and sleep. Extreme tolerance to pain. Combat: Long distance approach if possible. Mace to eyes, disable senses. Vecuronium injection to induce paralysis. Dosage unknown. Exercise extreme caution; limitations of mutant's tolerance and strength are not well understood. Hazard rating: Extremely dangerous.

Berwald Oxenstierna was a mutant Tino previously wanted to investigate further. His powers seemed primitive compared to others, but the simplicity of Berwald was frightening. He was very hard to bring down, if the situation forced it. Arena matches always buzzed after the large blond fought, yet Tino hadn't witnessed the mutant fight.

Questions whirled around this one. What were his views? Would he be a pacifist in an uprising? He sure didn't look like he'd sit back and watch the fight behind bars. In fact, he could probably rise right now, pry the bars apart, and hit Tino hard enough to split his skull.

Did this mutant frighten Tino? Not particularly. There were others that made the hair rise on his neck, like Mathias. If Mathias got out, Tino had no doubts that the Dane would want the Fin's blood. The thought of death, something that usually didn't phase Tino, made him shiver and feel skittish. Distracting his mind with facts about Berwald could only go so far. He still had nightmares to deal with, and those couldn't be solved as easily as containing a few psychotic supernatural people.

"I'm not supposed to be doing anything now, since it isn't too much to do during this hour."

The answer might have been a sharp retort if it were delivered with a different tone. Instead, it intrigued Tino and he buried himself in that feeling to try and derail his anxiety and oncoming panic attack. The voice of the mutant was deep and intimidating, much like its owner was. Tino tried to interpret the accent, and it hit him after a few moments. He didn't recognize it at first because his memories told it in dialects of home, from many years back.

This bastard was Swedish, just like his shitty excuse for a father. Tino resisted the urge to narrow his eyes. He had to drop the realization; he was worked up enough as it was about his Exam. He did not need the added strain of his childhood to add fuel to the fire. A mental breakdown was not on schedule, nor would it ever be. Tino swallowed the lump in his throat and willed his stomach to unclench.

"Trying to make time pass, night is passing slowly tonight. You've been here for a long time today, shouldn't I be the one asking that question to you; why are you not home, sleeping?"

Tino offered the mutant a smile that was a little less forced, more out of subtle amusement. The Swede was right of course. Tino was being lectured by his prisoner. Pitiful. The Fin cast a glance down the hall in each direction, but he was positive that he was manning this block by himself. He'd risk conversation. Perhaps it would help pass the time until he could retreat home, but sleep would be difficult now...

“You're right...” Tino started, squatting so his butt rested on his heels. It made for a more equal conversation. He didn't want Berwald to get the impression of physical, unconscious superiority by Tino, if the Fin could help it. Having an eye-to-eye conversation would put Tino closer to the Swede's level, literally. He was here to make friends, not wave a gun around like the others.

“Someone called in sick and I got triple shifted. It's okay though... I'll be going home in a few hours.” Tino rubbed his arms twice and swallowed. His mouth was dry and his words were raspy and not a smooth and inviting as usual. He was botching his one and only job.

But... perhaps he could used his vulnerability? Make a cover for it? Misery loves company. If he could empathize, or at least fake empathy, with this mutant, maybe he could work to gain its trust?

“Sorry, it's been a long day. Night. Day and night.” Tino rubbed his eyes. He'd insist any moisture from them was sweat and not tears. “Aren't you tired though?” Tino tried to bat the conversation back at Berwald. He didn't really want to involve himself if he could help it. Small talk .Small talk was good, meaningless, and wouldn't get him in a situation he'd regret.

Berwald Oxenstierna caught him in his moment of weakness. He'd have to throw up some barriers real quick before he let anything slip.

⌔

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag var dum, du var smart, jag var fängslad                                             

The mutant was surprised then the guard wasn't scolding, or punishing him for talking like that to him, and rather looked like he was deeply in trouble with his own mind, even if he tried to hide it. Maybe for eyes that wasn't used to someone blocking emotions like that, it would be easy to miss, yet Berwald himself was a master of hiding his emotions, whenever he wanted it or not, and could read the man, even if it was a bit hard to, considering that his usual face was smooth and had soft lines, as if it was made to bear a lot of emotions, different expressions. Almost a bit cute, even if the mutant would never ever say it out loud, as he feared for his own skin.

Berwald didn't pry on the other, neither did he ask him what was on his mind, knowing very well that the other would never tell him that anyway. Why would he? The guard was human, having the freedom, rights  and life Berwald desired, but would never get. The Swede was a mutant, shunned by society and hated by almost everyone.

The mutant stood up when the guard decided to sit close by the cell, posing his high height and muscular body as he moved smoothly over the cold floor, stopping by the cell door and turned to look at the man, before his legs folded under himself, and he sat there instead, closer to the other so he didn't have to bend his neck in an awkward angle all the time to look at him, and to talk more properly to him. Berwald was determined he would get a good chat out of this man, if he didn't scare him away will say, and it was a good way to pass the night with as well.

"You should have said no to it, neither human nor mutant is really able to work that many hours and do a good job in the end." Berwald pointed out, not mentioning himself in that aspect, having a feeling the guard already knew about him as well. "It's no secret that you're tired and worn-out by this, some mutants might take that as an invitation to start a riot, or create chaos. But who knows? They might not observe closely enough, and you might be lucky." Knowing those mutant as well whom would be able to do it if a guard just decided to show the tiniest bit that he or she might be a little bit tired, or exhausted, if they could look closely enough for a few seconds to actually notice it.

Not feeling too much sympathy for him, if they where to meet without these bars, the human would surely try to shoot him, beat the crap out of him, or just try to kill him. Withdrawing into his hard shell even more as he was reminding himself of the class difference between the two of them.

"Do you really care about the answer I would give?"

No, he wouldn't, so Berwald didn't find it necessary to give him that answer either, because it wouldn't make a difference between them either. He wasn't tired, far from it, he had slept yesterday after all, so his mind and body was good to go for a few more days. 

Rubbing his eyes under his glasses, and fixed them on his nose afterwards, making sure they where even as his sharp eyes continued to look at the smaller male where he sat. Then it hit him where he recognised where that accent was from the other tried to hide behind his words.

"You're from Finland, aren't you?"

Heard that accent being spoken so many times back in his homeland Sweden that it was easy to recognise, even if it was faintly. He had enjoyed listening to the people speaking in said accent, and his eyes grew a bit softer when he was reminded of home, the safe and secure place he missed a lot, when things had been normal. "May I ask for you name, as I have a feeling you know mine. That would just be fair, right?" Berwald's whole appearance changed for a softer, more gentle approach, even if he was still on his guard, he decided he could give the guard a small chance, to see what he would do, or not do.

[Tino Väinämöinen]

we were once alive

Berwald Oxenstierna's eyes were intense.

Such a vivid glare, sharpened by the wire glasses perched on nose. His eyes were a unique colour... a piercing turquoise, like the sea-green hue of the ocean. Why was he so angry though? True, Tino was human and yes, that warranted some displeasure, but surely not enough to hate him with this much vigor. Was Berwald going to even give him a chance? The Fin didn't memorize mutant histories, so he wasn't sure if this mutant had had an extremely negative encounter with the Government or its workers. However, the treatment like mutants were criminals was enough to breed hatred. It was almost ironic, really.

Tino was the criminal, the felon that belonged in this prison, not these individuals.

When Tino crouched beside the cell, Berwald rose. Shit, did Tino cross a line? Did he piss the other off? This mutant was very tall, but Tino was viewing him from the ground up as he walked to the door, where Tino had crouched. He was built solidly, with broad shoulders and a chiseled body that looked like it was carved from stone. Hell, he might as well be stone. How? How was this mutant in such good condition while being here?

Right, his mutation allowed him to thrive in conditions that would starve or kill other mutants or humans. Tino made a mental note, but he didn't need to flag it for importance because it was already at the forefront of his mind.

Berwald was large, strong, and had a natural immunity to pain. Tino did not want to get on this guys bad side, nor did he want to come across him in a dark alley. The Fin resisted the urge to rest his hand on his gun, instead, his arms were crossed, with his palms resting on his knees. Nice and relaxed, completely nonthreatening.

Instead of ripping the bars off the cell wall and throttling the Fin by the throat, Berwald followed Tino's example and lowered himself down to Tino's gaze, except Berwald was sitting and Tino was crouching. Even when resting cross-legged, Berwald was still intimidating. Tino didn't shy away from his gaze, even if it made him uncomfortable.

The Swede's deep, commanding voice finally sounded once again, going off to lecture Tino. God, now he really did seem like Tino's stupid father. Yeah yeah, he shouldn't be there. Did he have a choice? No. Tino couldn't refuse shifts. He was brand new, and refusing an order might get him on a bad list. Couple that to the fact that Tino snuck behind everyone's back to do favours and double feeding portions, Tino was treading on thin ice. He had to do whatever they asked of him. Berwald then followed the lecture speaking of riots and outbreaks. Tino blinked twice. Berwald was the first mutant to suggest unrest among the Underground, which was bad news. Was Berwald planning as much? Did he have intentions of breaking out?

Berwald was seriously underestimating Tino if he thought a little fatigue would destroy his ability to do his job. Would he have difficulty? Probably, but firing a gun didn't take much effort or conscious brainpower.

But... Tino was reluctant to use a weapon when he was exhausted or without sleep. Decisions were never properly thought through, and one choice to pull the trigger could lead to a lifetime of regret.

Besides, did Berwald believe Tino's fatigue would be the tipping point, if things were truly that fragile? If anything, mutants would stage something when the other guards were sloughing off, not when Tino was tired. The Fin didn't exactly appear like a difficult target, superficially.

Tino sighed though. Berwald was being very logical. If only he held all the pieces, he might weave an even clearly and more accurate web.

"I would have liked to say no, but I couldn't. I wasn't asked to take the shift, I was told. And I just started here... if I start disobeying orders, they might replace me..." Tino's gaze dropped, and he shifted down so he was sitting. He was tired... so so tired, and yet his subconsciousness hurt. He wanted to isolate. He wanted to bury himself in the snow and grow numb from the cold.

"I know it's not smart, and I'm not at my best, but I don't think anyone will cause any trouble. Everyone's sleeping last I checked, except you of course. And... well, I'm not very big or strong, even when I'm rested, right? Just me being on shift might be enough of a trigger..."

Tino's eyes traced the gritty lines in the floor. Three more hours before his shift ended... could he last?

The quiet was broken by Berwald's harsh question, which snapped Tino's eyes back up to the mutant's. My my, he was quite the cynical one, wasn't he? Tino cocked his head to the side. "If I didn't care, then why would I have asked?"

Berwald was jaded towards humans, even more so than the other mutants Tino had dealt with. He was disinclined to talk much about himself, only about Tino. Why was that? Was he scared to reveal a piece of himself to the other? Then perhaps the Fin and the Swede shared something in common.

Then Berwald identified Tino's birthplace. Shock flashed up on Tino's face, fixing it in a combination of wonder and curiosity. Shit. How did he figure it out? The Swede must have done the same as Tino had; by recognizing speech patterns and dialects. Tino smiled, hiding the unease that was building in his chest.

"Och du är från Sverige, eller hur?" // And you're from Sweden, right?, Tino countered, smiling softly. "I could tell by your accent. Yes, I am from Finland. I was born in Helsinki and I was raised by my aunt and uncle, but they were Swedish, like you."

Tino swallowed the lump in his throat and continued. Conversation was getting easier, as long as he focused on it and not on his nightmares. "My name's Tino. You're Berwald right? The other guards told me about you. They said you'd probably be awake!" Tino said with a smile that their prediction was accurate. Those other guards were asses though. They talked about Berwald's relentless stare and how it creeped them out, which was why they stationed Tino in this block. .

⌔

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag var dum, du var smart, jag var fängslad                                             

Berwald was, during this short time, impressed by the shorter male that he had yet to shield away from his gaze, like everyone else always did whenever they met him. Maybe the other was someone whom was used to either people like Berwald, if he was a guard here in the underground he had probably seen a lot, and Berwald might look scary, but his powers weren't that impressive enough to cause a thrilling fear for most humans. It just gave them a thrill to know they could be superior to someone with a strength that wasn't from this world.

He made no move to scare the other, he was simply watching him, observing his every move, the slightest change in his face and expression, searching for something that might tell Berwald more about this man.

"Saying no to take shifts that makes you work for almost two days isn't disobeying orders, it's taking care of yourself and making sure you're healthy. It's more or less telling also, in a place like this, that you have a backbone and won't just simply agree because you're new." He grunted, not too impressed. The other might come off a bit weak when he did so, but Berwald could tell that the other had some kind of hidden strength inside of him, since he didn't yield from Berwald's gaze, and he had more courage than most of the guards.

"But what do a simple mutant like I know, whom hasn't been in the human world for ten years?"

But Berwald had, and those were not the happiest, even if it weren't the saddest either, it was good until his powers had started to awake inside of him. Chosen one, they had said at first, cursed, Berwald said now.

Not changing his face expression, he wanted to read the other before he did it, to know if he had to be the stern mutant prisoner, or if he could treat the other like a fellow human. "Maybe not, but everything isn't in the muscles if you have nothing inside your head." Pointing at his own, wondering why he was speaking so much, to a guard on top of that, whom probably rather wanted him put down than living inside these cells, probably wanting them all dead..

"It's polite to ask that, and I can tell that you are a polite person as well, when you want to." Maybe not by will all the time, but he certainly had his manners.

And yet Berwald's features grew softer, or so soft it could be with his face structure, and his body relaxed when the other spoke his native language. Sure, it was the finnishswedish dialect, yet a certain longing and happiness was seen briefly in his eyes, even if the longing stayed after that. "Ja, det gör jag. // Yes I do." The language he hadn't spoken in a while, voice which was much softer than when he spoke his English accent, and was spoken with a melody in each word he pronounced, and was a lot more easy to understand.

Maybe he had judged the other wrong, or maybe he was too gullible because the other knew Swedish, Berwald had been known for being too naive and having a gentle personality, the complete opposite from his tall and intimidating looks. He sat still, knowing he was still probably coming off as scary, even if he wanted to move closer to the other now, to see if he had the homely aura around him. Yet even the Swede could admit that he was too afraid to get close to a human, especially a guard. They had weapons and other stuff that they were never afraid to use, and it was better to keep a distance than to get hurt when he might have someone to talk to during the nights.

A low snort, looking away from a brief moment at that smile, wondering what he was so happy about, when Berwald could see a hint of shock when he had guessed right on his birthplace. "I have a feeling those stories where not exactly bedtime stories." Not that he was bothered, he had heard worse than that. "I don't really care what says about me, it's not like it makes a difference when I'm inside of here, it can't get much worse, now can it?"

Which was the sad truth, they could make him starve and suffer, but that was almost as bad as being stuck in a cell, and hurt fellow mutants just so 'normal' humans could enjoy it. And killing him would only do the world, and Berwald himself maybe a favour. 

At least Tino was sitting down now, meaning he was calm enough around Berwald that he wouldn't attack him, so he wasn't in a position he could easily run away from him. Not that he had any thought about hurting him, at all, Berwald never laid a hand on normal humans, unless it was absolutely necessary.

[Tino Väinämöinen]

we were once alive

Tino could tell that he was being monitored, assessed by those relentless eyes. Berwald, as he introduced himself, scanned every single motion Tino made. Each weight shift, which way his eyes moved when he answered a hard question, everything.

‘Careful Tino, this one might be able to read body language.’

Tino had dealt with people who could read others. In fact, Tino was engrained with the skills to mimic a lie detector; he could notice the tiny, unconscious cues and signals that people unintentionally radiated. There were people that could lie better than others, but it took a skilled individual to lack and all physical responses. Berwald was, perchance, one of those people. He was very calm, very collected, and he spoke only after contemplating each sentence. He was a hard man to pin down, and he let on very little aside from what he verbally stated. Such a strange quality for a mutant… most of them were either completely reserved (which Berwald didn’t appear to be; he was careful, but not so outwardly cynical as others) or simply angry and rash (Berwald had no history of lashing out, despite the expression that he wore).

Tino would have to be on his toes with this one, but the Swede had piqued his curiosity. He’d stay here a little longer…

Evidently, Berwald didn’t think too much of Tino’s willingness to be overworked. Honestly, Tino didn’t think highly of it either, but there were far worse things in life than a few back to back to back shifts. In fact, this wasn’t so bad… At least here he was occupied with his time. Insomnia was far worse when left only to ones thoughts.

Tino scratched the back of his head. “Maybe… but there are things that I won’t agree with. I can save my backbone for those times.” And there would be harsh times ahead; Tino knew his veil of friendliness wouldn’t last forever in the Underground. He’d eventually need to expose himself and his true intent. It wouldn’t be easy to turn against the acquaintances he had made, but Tino knew that from the start. Getting close with mutants would only spell trouble later on.

“The world hasn’t changed much in ten years. In fact, it never changes.” Tino smiled, but the action was emotionless and his eyes were sad. “How many times has slavery been abolished, labelled as barbaric, sworn to never be used again, but then it rears its ugly head and it’s like we haven’t learned anything. Plantations in America, workers forced to feed the coffee industry, sweat shops, and now this…” Tino trailed off, gazing around at the dim corridor. He then felt regret; he couldn’t speak so openly about the issues. While he was trying to gain the trust of others, he couldn’t blatantly label himself to the surveillance as a traitor (even if he wasn’t. Being a fake double agent was complicated).

But…

Ten years ago, Tino had a mom, and a dad. While his life was far from perfect and he lived in an abusive household, he still had a family, and a regular life. He wasn’t the corrupt, scarred, broken shell of who he was. He had friends, he went to school, and he didn’t know how to watch a person walk and deduce the best way to incapacitate them. Perhaps a lot, or very little could change in ten years.

What had Berwald been like before? Tino pondered the fact before deciding that he’d look into Berwald’s file. Or…. Maybe he’d ask himself.

“What was it like for you…? Ten years ago that is,” Tino asked quietly, voice barely above a whisper.

Tino quickly leaned back as Berwald discussed tactics. Berwald wasn’t as Tino had initially thought. A mutant with super strength that believed more in planning than actual brawn? The Fin tacked the note to the back of his mind. Berwald kept throwing more and more at Tino to digest. There was far more to this mutant than he had expected.

“Well, I guess that’s where all my strength lies because frankly I dunno if my biceps make the cut,” he said with a jovial laugh, flexing his muscle for the other, but even under his coat and uniform, it was clear that Tino was much smaller and leaner than the typical guard. Even Eliza was more built than he was.

Casual smalltalk then switched languages, and Tino finally caught his first strong behavioural cue. Berwald’s shoulders slumped forward ever so slightly, his posture relaxed, and the tightness in his brow relaxed by a margin. Speaking in Swedish was the key; it opened a window with Berwald. His voice had changed; the flatness and monotone nature of it was lifted, his tone bounced, and the corners of his eyes had crinkled as if he were smiling. Tino smiled; the change in Berwald’s persona was nice.

Tino’s laugh chimed out when Berwald sourly responded to Tino’s comments about the other guards. He quickly capped a palm over his lips, but the smiled pressed on behind them and radiated from his tired eyes. He waited for a moment before gathering himself up to speak without chuckling.

“Haha, don’t worry. They actually just put me on this block because they said your staring creeped them out, but your company is nice…”

Tino sighed, relaxing further such that he slumped back onto his bottom completely and crossed his legs, much like Berwald had. Tino glanced down, hesitating before trying a gamble. Berwald had made no aggressive advances to him, but taking this sort of action was reckless and it could get him killed. But perhaps Tino was tired and without his self-preserving instinct; he acted against the feeling in his gut.

He reached forward tentatively through the bars, gently clasping his hand on Berwald’s shoulder.

“Jag vet att saker är grova, och jag är ledsen. Jag önskar att saker och ting var bättre.”
// I know things are rough, and I'm sorry. I wish things were better.

⌔

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag var dum, du var smart, jag var fängslad                                             

It wasn't hard to tell that the guard was taking a hold of the Swede's interest. Maybe it wasn't intentionally from his direction, and it hadn't been on Berwald's to-do-list to sit down and chat with someone that kept him imprisoned. Or Tino wasn't really keeping him inside of these walls, but his "kind" was, and he helped them to keep the mutants down here. Was one truly liking mutants if you took a job like this? Berwald doubted it, as it looked like the Finnish guy didn't have an intention to help them out of there, or maybe it was the only job he could get on the market? What did Berwald really know, he had been inside here to too long by now..

"Maybe, if that's what you're aiming for, Tino."

How did a human think again, or acted? Was it really that hard to keep a job, and be on a good side with other humans? Mutants where quite simple-minded. Berwald was one of the few left with a sane mind, most of the times. The other's did you have to be careful around, or you might end up in a far worse shape than you ever wished to do.

 The mutant sighed as he gave the guy a tired look. He wasn't really tired in that concept, but more or less tired of this. "I have a feeling it had changed far more than you have noticed, it happens gradually so you're not supposed to see it coming. If I where to come out now, ten years later, I wouldn't recognise myself, nor the places I have been at. Maybe our cabin back in Sweden, those things rarely change, but cities, and people do." He pointed out, his voice calm, even if his eyes showed a slight glimpse of hurt behind those words. No one really knew, or understood how much it ached for Berwald, and how much he desired to just walk freely without being watched, let his sore legs just.. Walk, without having a limit, and see new things again, and not just this underground. It was hard for humans to understand, but all the mutants felt the same, they wanted what everyone desired, they wanted freedom.

"Some things doesn't change, because the majority of people is those who doesn't want changes. Those things has been going on before my time as well, so those things coming to an end would have a bigger affect on things than we can imagine."

Leaning back a bit and closed his eyes, memories he had tried to forget at first, almost making him go mad, but where now stored far back inside his mind, for him to remember and bring up during times he needed them the most. It pained him, made him realise just how much he missed his parents, his home, a part of his old life..

Taking a deep breath as he opened his eyes, seemingly softer, if it was possible, as he tried to remember and put it into words. "Ten years ago.. Before I got here, I was deemed as 'sick' since I wouldn't be tired, nor hungry like a normal human would, I was locked up in a hospital." Tone getting even flatter, a bit darker as he spoke of it. Those times could be compared to the time he was spending inside of here, even if he was even worse threatened there, but he had still been free.

Those where what the Finn had been asking, and he hadn't asked for more, that was what he would get. He could tell him the story about a good life as well, that Berwald was from a nice family, and he had been one of those that had been deemed as unfortunate for being 'different', but he didn't ask, and neither did he want to pry his life upon someone else.

Berwald didn't know why, but suddenly he felt his heart jump at the other's laugh. It was sweet, a bit tired, but it had it's charm, and not even Berwald could help but let out a deep laugh at that. "I think there's more to you than you actually give away." He was hiding something, and that thing was not something small. The Swede could not tell what it was, just that he should be careful around him. And yet Berwald seemed to attract himself to danger, wasn't that why he was down here as well, and making quite a name lately out of himself? Was that even good, or was it gonna put him in an even worse situation int he end?

And there it had been again, that laugh, it once again played dirty tricks to Berwalds own heart. Why was he reacting to it? Why was he even finding himself wanting to reach out and just hug the Finn? Why was he even considering himself doing something like that to a human, who would surely beat him up if he ever tried to step outside the cell? He might be confident and kind when the bars where separating the, but who knew how Tino would react, or act if they would ever meet face-to-face, without anything to stop Berwald. It was just a distant dream that Berwald didn't even dare to think about, the downfall would hurt too much one he got back into reality again.

"I'm sorry."

Berwald mumbled and looked down, sincerely meaning the words, feeling guilty that his own gaze scared the humans, it wasn't intentional, it wasn't his fault he was born with these eyes..

"Du behöver inte be om ursäkt, det är inte ditt fel att saker och ting är som det är. Att tänka och drömma om frihet när jag vet att det aldrig kommer att ske skadar mer än vad det gör gott. // You don't need to apologise, it isn't your fault that things are the way it is. To think and dream about freedom when I know that it will never happen damages me more than it heals." 

Without thinking, he reached out too for the Finn, and gently patted his head, having enough control of his own powers to know what a gentle touch for others felt like. The Finn's hair was soft, just like he had imagined, as he withdrew his hand shortly after that. The other's touch had left a warm feeling, even if it wasn't directly on the skin, it had still made him feel a lot better than he had ever felt in days.

Leaning forward, towards the bars, wondering how much time that had passed, he hoped barely anything, for his own sake, wanting the Finn to keep him company for longer. Yet he also wanted the time to pass quickly for the other,he didn't look too good, so he could finally get home and sleep. "How long until you can get home and sleep?" Careful with his words, it was strange to go from English to Swedish, and then back again, it made his words a lot rougher again. "Even if I do enjoy your company, I have a feeling sleep would do you better than speaking with some mutant Like I."

But please don't leave me.

[Tino Väinämöinen]

we were once alive

There was still a level of caution employed by both parties; Tino knew Berwald wasn’t completely outward with his responses, and that the Swede had noticed Tino’s peculiarity in the Underground. Almost all mutants did… why was such a sweet and kind man in a position over them, where they were only used to cruelty and punishment? Tino, truly deep down, wasn’t malicious. He wasn’t as gentle as his staged act, but he was mild natured with a strange sense of humor. Broken and jagged to the point that no one stepped beyond the shattered glass of his hostility to strangers, but there was a person deep down.

Regardless, his profile wasn’t easily forgotten within the dingy halls. Word spread like wildfire, and he soon had mutants recognizing him before he had even introduced himself. They were all careful though; most tried to use Tino, and the Fin didn’t blame them. He’d willingly bite down on the hook, let them think they were in control. Like the Anglerfish in the deep sea, Tino would lure them in. All of them, one by one whether they liked it or not. What varied between each catch was what jig or spinner he’d use at the end of his line.

What would he use with Berwald? Tino kept changing his mind as the conversation deepened.

Tino longed to point out to the mutant that the Fin had a slightly different outlook on society; he wasn’t a typical citizen that saw the Underground and mutant problems through rose-tinted glasses. No, Tino was a realist and a pessimist, but he didn’t feel it necessary to correct Berwald. Those turquoise eyes stared up at him, softened by the pain of his situation. Berwald was evidently connected to his home, and to what his life used to be. The response was not just towards Tino, but towards himself as well, a reminder that the world had moved on without him with little consequence. Tino may have been experiencing severe fatigue, but it was hardly an excuse for sympathy. Yet, despite himself, he did feel sorry for the other. The world was cruel to all her children.

“Humans never enjoy change… they resist it until it has already happened, then insist to remain fixed at that point. It’s why progress in the world is so slow… It’s really unfortunate, but things will change.” There would be a war. “I’m sure of it.” There would be many deaths. Tino’s purpose was to quench any sparks before the roar of the fire arrived, but he was merely a man with a bucket running across a field of coals. He could only do so much…

Plus, there were mutants like Berwald, Hamish, Feliciano… Coals or little embers with genuine personalities and feelings that were hard to ignore. Tino inhaled once through his nose and silently let it permeate out his lips. He could really use a cigarette…

Berwald then shed a ray of light on himself, a change in pace in the conversation. Tino honestly wasn’t expected the personal response that he had been told. Hospitalized for his mutation, probably prodded and tested like a lab animal. Tino’s eyebrows pinched together as he gazed at the other sympathetically. Was that the life of a mutant? Wired up with tubes and daily needles, strapped to a bed for research? Tino didn’t know. He was too tired to think about it.

Then Berwald mimicked his laugh. A deep, booming noise that echoed off the cell walls. Then, then Berwald hit the nail on the head. Was Tino giving too much away? Damn, he should have refused the shift. He should have avoided talking altogether. Or he could try and redirect it.

Tino leaned on his palms and winked. “Well, if you must know, I did drive home once under the influence, but no one needs to know about that~.” He laughed once more at his own joke, but he had his doubts that Berwald believed him. That was okay though, as he had more to say.

His grin slowly faded, before he glanced at the ground. “You’re right though. We all have things we’d prefer not to talk about.” He let the topic fall at that. Little Tino had his own secrets like everyone else.

Despite Tino’s attempt at making the gentle note about Berwald's peculiar staring, it still hurt the other. Shit, he didn’t mean for that to happen. “Ah! No! Please don’t be sorry, it’s fine!” Why did he care? Then Tino realize that he actually cared. That was bad. Bad bad bad, he needed to step away, but he listened to the melodic flow of the Swedish from the man’s tongue and felt… well, sympathy. In a similar way, Tino too was trapped. He was bound to the MIA, and one toe out of line meant death. Jail was an option many years ago, but Tino was a liability in prison; he could talk to others and leak information. He had to behave, and he couldn’t make friends. They’d only be used against him.

Tino’s momentary lapse left his exposed; Berwald had enough time to reach out of the cage. Tino froze, but the action was to only touch his head, patting it (what was he, some kind of pet?). Surprisingly, the touch was gentle. Berwald was known for his strength, so Tino expected the contact to be rough and potentially dangerous, but instead, it was gentle. It reminded him of his mom, and how she used to stroke his head when he was upset. He shook the thought away before it had time to root in his mind.

And, for the first time in ages, Tino’s lips were loose.

“What if I bought you?”

Tino mentally kicked himself. Fuck, why did he just say that? Why did he suggest such a thing? He was too damn tired to keep on his toes and it just slipped out. His mind tried to backpedal.

“I mean, you don’t have to. But I…” While the blunder was a serious, stupid mistake, perhaps he could run with it. He needed to move beyond shallow trust with these mutants; he wasn’t getting far. He needed to root down in a select few and make ‘friends’. “Well, my house is kind of falling apart and I’ve been meaning to fix it up and… well, if you wanted to help, that would be nice.” Yes, this could work. Tino would make it work.

He quickly flicked his eyes down to his watch when Berwald asked how much longer he’d be there. That meant one of two things; he wanted Tino gone or he wanted Tino to stay. That question was answered by his next sentence. “It’s 4:45, so I still have an hour and fifteen minutes on shift, then the busride and walk home. Probably about three hours.” Odd for a mutant to care about it, but perhaps Berwald was asking because he did enjoy Tino’s company. After all, the other guards obviously didn’t converse with him.

Tino smiled tiredly at the other, despite his inner monologuing. “I am looking forward to getting some shuteye, but I work the night shift a lot. I’ll probably get stationed here again, so you won’t be getting rid of me that easily~!” he teased, sticking his tongue out playfully before leaning back.

He did want to sleep, but he wanted it to be dreamless.

⌔

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag var dum, du var smart, jag var fängslad                                             

Berwald wanted to believe in the Finn, he really did, but after being deep down here for such a long time, where proper sunrays where so rare that mutants either dreamed of it or feared it when it was actually being shown, turning into perfect pets that would be "loyal" to the one that bought them, fearing and hating the underground too much to be a real bother, no one wanted to return after being up there. Berwald had never felt how it was like to be free, how one should feel when one was being bough; he was just simply too scary for anyone to even consider him twice. Strong, and cheap to maintain, yet his whole being scared everyone away. Of course he wanted to get out from there, but the prize to that was to become a pet, was that really worth it..?

"Changes comes to those who wish for it; a blatant lie. If that had been the simple solution, why are we mutants still behind bars, when the biggest change we wish for is to just be treated as another human being that we are? I only believe in changes when I see it, and right it only looks like we're sinking deeper and deeper."

Words slightly harsher than usual, he didn't mean to sound so firm towards the smaller Finnish man, but he was just so sick and tired of people passing the cells after games, sweet, fake promising words that things would change and they would be out soon. It was just so they would look good that they said it, they where all liars and just wanted to look good towards the humans and the society, never a second thought of the humans and the faint hope they might bring up int he poor things.

Shielding back a bit by the sympathetically look he got, not liking to get sympathy when he didn't need it. Pity got nowhere in this world, and he'd rather toughen up than being treated like that, yet he couldn't show too much dislike to this human that was actually being kind to him for once; and wasn't afraid of his cold glare and his low and deep voice that some people seemed to have a problem with.

Feeling how his hold on the blanket around him got tighter by the Finnish man's gestures and just how.. He couldn't exactly put it into words what he looked like, at least it was in a very positive way. He was sweet, yes he was, even if Berwald had a feeling he was a liar as well. Humans where more liars than mutants where; his own kind didn't have a reason to lie, while humans had more than one reason to do so.

"I'm not gonna give you a star for that." Shaking his head slightly, as that was more an act out of stupidity than any laughing matter, even if Berwald couldn't help but pull his lips up when the other was laughing, he was being rather cute when he was laughing and being soft like this, even if Berwald could tell that he was very tired. Maybe this was just him being tired, and something he wouldn't be doing if he was in his right mind? Who knew. And if the human told the truth about the other guards putting him here, this might be their first, but not last encounter.

"That's why they are called secrets, and also what makes it more exciting to listen to them. If one open up to you about them, there's enough trust between the two of you." He sighed, gaze becoming a bit distant as he looked ahead of Tino for a moment, lost in his own thoughts for a moment before he shook his head to get back to reality; the little distraction had been for merely a minute, even less maybe. "Are you sure it's fine? If you find me too scary, I'll just head back to my bed again, I don't want to be a bother to you and your work.."

Too honest and kind, even for a mutant, so gentle yet so dangerous.

And.. there it was, the lies again. Berwald held back the feeling of being disappointed by those words, even if he had felt his heart flutter and hurting his heart more than he thought it could. Yet said heart sank quickly to the bottom of his stomach when he reminded himself that humans only did lie; especially towards mutants, all the time. Not humoured, yet he smiled sadly towards him, he could tell that he was already distressed about his words. Tino had probably been a honest man when he was still young and naïve.

Taking advantage of that state, as he reached out again, taking Tino's head between his palms, being very gentle with this, as he knew just how strong he was, and he applied enough pressure so it would feel like a normal human's touch. "I appreciate your thoughts, and I would love to help you out at home."

Thumb stroking the chin softly, as his smile became even sadder, as it was visible more in his eyes, his smile didn't reach them, and neither his features at all. "But please, don't lie or make empty promises, life here is enough painful as it is."

Retreating with is arms back again, shutting himself back into his shell he had before, not wanting to step outside yet, not right now, he enjoyed talking to Tino, and Berwald didn't want to put him into the category of people he disliked just because his tongue acted before his brain. Tino didn't look or acted like someone who bought mutants, or even wanted to, so why would he consider buying Berwald, out of all mutants there was here?

"I'm sorry you can't get home earlier, and yet I will be sad to see you leave, I have come to enjoy your company, Tino." Eyes still a bit dull, leaving the other to decide what Berwald's true intentions was with his sweet words. Even if Berwald was completely honest with them, he did really enjoy his company, one of the few who had stopped to take their time for him; and he truly appreciated it.

Smiling at him, giving him a genuine one, that did reach his eyes this time, grip easing up on the blanket so it fell off his shoulders to expose his scarred and muscular upperbody. The mutant rarely wore a shirt during nighttime, leaving him in only his shorts. Even if he did feel embarrassed about his ruined body; the scars where he not proud of, his own powers going wrong or after a bad fight in the arena, but at least he had some muscles to show off.

"I will await your next return here. But first you need to get something proper to eat, and some sleep, you look like you could use it. I could offer you a bed here instead, but I doubt you would enjoy sleeping in the same cell as a mutant, and to be honest they aren't that comfortable." Sighing softly, wondering how a soft bed felt like again, or living in a place where it was bigger than a room that fitted two mutant and what they could need.

He felt a bit distressed about Tino leaving him alone in this cell again when everything he wanted was to go outside, and he enjoyed having a giving conversation again with someone who wasn't going on and on about fights, the cells, other mutants, and just everything that went on inside this underground. But it wasn't strange that some mutants only spoke about it, since to them, the underground was their world, it was just that, and nothing else..

[Tino Väinämöinen]

we were once alive

Tino glanced down at Berwald’s words, not wishing to push the sensitive topic even further down the path. It was far from a ‘simple’ situation. Mutant freedom, in theory, was plausible. However, placing such a concept into the word would be dangerous. What about the mutants seeking revenge for their unjust treatment? What of the kin of these mutants? Some mutants were safer penned away so their families couldn’t snuff them out for being different or flawed. Tino didn’t feel like debating or arguing at this hour with no shuteye under his belt, so he swallowed his tongue and resorted to staring at the ground as if he were the one guilty. True, he technically was, but Tino hadn’t created this psychotic system (though, he did conform to it). He was just as guilty as the ones that set the system in motion.

Tino had his own reasons though. Instead of being a street rat, a person who killed others and played a game of wits with criminals, he was offered a position that they claimed would help the world. He took out dangerous gang leaders, supposedly a task that would save innocent lives. That was something that Tino was okay with (in fact, he liked the action, the suspense, and the thrill of being in danger). He liked being on the ropes, fighting to survive and to kill those who deserved death. It fit him to a tee and he was able to cope better than others in the situation. After all, Tino was the man with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The Underground was different. Here, he wasn’t killing, and if he had to, these were creatures that simply sought human rights. Perhaps he needed a break from it all, but with every whipping, every unjust arena match, Tino felt his opinions change. He didn’t crave domination over these mutants. True, Tino wouldn’t hesitate to make a criminal polish his shoes, but most of these mutants weren’t guilty or deserving of this sort of treatment. As far as Tino could tell, a mutation was random. No one asked for it, or could remove it. His eyes rose and he stared at Berwald curiously.

What sort of man would the mutant be if he hadn’t had any sort of mutation in his DNA? Would he be a business man? Doctor? He thought and processed his words before he spoke and could argue a case… perhaps a lawyer. He definitely wouldn’t be whatever Tino was. No, he seemed too soft for that line of work, but perhaps a police officer.

Was it fair that all the doors to these careers, these lives, were slammed shut in his face because of one simple mutation? Even if Berwald was bought, he’d never be able to live normally. He’d always be seen as a smear, a mark that didn’t belong. He’d be confined to a human, not to his cell, and perhaps neither was a pleasant situation.

Tino winked at Berwald’s comment, letting the mutant lift his sulking, monologuing voice. “No one would, haha, s’why it’s a secret!” he said cheerily, not feeling guilty for the notion. It was true, when he had been in Moscow. He’d operated a motorbike when completely drunk and while he did manage to get back to his destination, he was surprised that he hadn’t died somehow. It wasn’t gold-star worthy, nor was it an intelligent decision, but most of Tino’s past was a mess, so why not throw alcohol into it as well? Still, the comment succeeded in making Berwald smile. That was Tino’s objective and it had been met.

Berwald wanted to know more about Tino; the cue did not go unnoticed despite Tino’s fatigue. Perhaps that was a hint; if Tino wanted to earn trust, he’d have to spill more about himself. Lying was easy, but not right now. He thought about his nightmares before and glanced away, feeling ice in his stomach. He’d die before he spoke of that. But… he could perhaps say his parents had died when he was young. He could fib about their deaths, but the emotion would be there, perhaps more than his usual act. In the script that he had been given and told to memorize from the MIA, his parents had died when he was a toddler in a car accident, but he’d stray and improvise something on his own.

Berwald then asked if his visage was too frightening, to which Tino couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t want to offend the other, but he couldn’t help but find the words amusing. Too scary? Haha, while Berwald’s powers concerned Tino and his eyes were a little intense, he was not scary. Not to Tino, who had seen things only nightmares could touch upon.

“You aren’t scary Berwald. And everyone else has nodded off, or is very quiet tonight. It’s alright.”

Tino sighed. That’s when the words came out. Tino’s biggest mistake. Perhaps he had been thinking too much about freedom and the horrible life these people lived. He pitied them; he just wanted a better world, and Tino had promised himself to help build it. But, was his assignment really going against what he thought had been true? Tino didn’t know; he was too tired to contemplate his scattered thoughts.

And then there were hands. Hands clutching the sides of his head so Tino’s eyes shot to Berwald’s. The mutant looked calm, but that didn’t ease Tino’s nerves. He screwed up. This was his fatal mistake; Berwald could crush Tino’s skull in his palms before the Fin would have time to reach for his gun.

This was it. This was how he’d die. He could feel the mutant squeeze his cheeks. He was going to die.

“I appreciate your thoughts, and I would love to help you out at home.”

Tino met the Swede’s eyes again as he felt the other brush his calloused thumb over Tino’s chin. Too much contact, get away, run you fool. Berwald looked so sad though… Tino swallowed before the mutant continued, “But please, don’t lie or make empty promises, life here is enough painful as it is.”

And then the touch was gone. Hands disappeared and returned to their owner and Tino sat speechless outside the cell. Berwald could have done it. He was strong, strong enough to easily crack Tino’s skull in half as if it were an egg. Why? Why not take the opportunity to vent that bottled frustration? Tino didn’t understand, but evidently, if Berwald didn’t want Tino dead, then perhaps Tino could take Berwald home with more confidence.

“But…” Tino’s voice was shaky. He sat up straighter and tried again. “But I wasn’t making anything up. If… If you want to help me, then okay, let’s do it. I can start on the paperwork…”

But by then, Berwald had retreated back further into his cage. No no, Tino needed trust, not shut-ins that refused to talk. He quickly changed topics and Tino let his shoulders fall. He couldn’t blame the other though… perhaps he spoke from experience? Well then, Tino would prove his words and would start filing the information needed to buy a mutant.

“Don’t worry about me though… I’ll get some shuteye, eat something, then I’ll be back. I have another night shift tomorrow, so I get a day to sleep, but I think I’m scheduled on this block again so…”

Berwald was smiling at him. And not that half-hearted twitch from before, but a genuine, happy smile. Tino felt his own lips pull upward and he felt something in his chest. Was that happiness? Was he happy to make the other smile like that? Preposterous. He must have been hungry. He hadn’t eaten in a while.

Then he noticed the blanket slip off Berwald’s chiselled shoulders to show that the mutant damaged. Tino pulled his face into a concerned one, but he pondered the scars. Fighting, probably, and despite his intolerance to pain and brute strength, he wasn’t invincible. Tino took note of the fact before speaking. “I can sleep and eat later, but are you… okay? I mean, it’s not that I wouldn’t mind sleeping there, but if I got caught snoozing on the job, I’d get in big trouble. But um, your body… are you okay?”

Tino wanted to see if Berwald had fought before he had been taken to Weeds. Some mutants escaped retrieval, so it was possible that Berwald had been on the run before being locked away.

⌔

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag var dum, du var smart, jag var fängslad                                             

The mutant arched a eyebrow as the Finnish man told him right out that he wasn't.. Scary? It made him feel all kind of mixed emotions inside and the eyes became a bit sharper as he looked over at the other male, feeling a bit more insecure at those words when he spoke them. Berwald knew that he was frightening, to that point where people in the arena had refused to fight him because his whole appearance made them realise that there was no way in hell that they would win against the tall, muscular man that saw very little without his glasses, but what did they know.

"You.. You don't find me scary?" At least every human had always been scared of him, and neither could he blame them, rather understanding. If a very tall man, with sharp eyes and a expression of his came towards him, and you knew, or not knew, that his mutation was super strength and stamina, even Berwald would feel scared, or at least insecure in their presence. "That... That .. Why?" A bit of a stutter to his words to show just how insecure the big mutant really was, he might be all tall, muscles and strength, but his heart was weak, so very weak for the living and the souls that existed in this world. He was too kind to be a mutant, and looks did really deceive sometimes.

Yet Berwald was so confused over why Tino was talking so much about said purchase. Berwald felt bad about it, he didn't want Tino to spend money on him, throw them on a mutant more or less, to be judged by society in both good and bad ways. The higher-ups approving of you and your purchase, for showing mutants their place in the world. The 'normal' humans would look down on him for doing such a shameful thing. No one felt bad for a mutant thou, all of the humans either despised them, or feared them.

"Don't.. Work yourself up over this, Tino, there is nothing you have to prove for me. I'm just a mutant, I have a lower status in the world than the rats that walks in the sewers.. Or even the rats have a higher status than I, since those you just kill right off the bat, you don't toy, or play around with them for other's amusement, or use them for your own pleasure." Yes, sometimes he envied beings like that. Sometimes Berwald wished he really was dead instead of fighting people, alike him, down to either of them were knocked out, or too damaged to even move for a while.

At least it pleased Berwald to know that he'd see Tino's face around again, and maybe have a pleasant conversation by night again, he'd for certainly not mind that, at all, he had come to, during this short time, like Tino. He was a nice person to talk to, and how Berwald wished they had met during different circumstances, or in a better world. "Good, then I want to hear it from you the next time what you ate, and for how long you slept, so I know you are taking care of yourself."

Some mutants would give him a bad time for looking after humans that kept them inside the cages, and yet Berwald couldn't find it in his heart to hate people instantly like that. Not everyone wanted them inside like this, some people just needed a job..

Giving him a confused look when he asked him if he was okay, and the giant didn't quite get it until the other told him right out; his body.

Looking down on said body he spoke about, noticing the blanket had fallen off his shoulders. Despite the lack off warmth, the Swede hadn't even notice that it had fallen off, his own warm body provided enough heat as it was. It was quite a shame, that his scars were visible despite the lack of light inside the cell. And he held out his arms, and pointed to a few scars that looked more or less like little dots, and he pointed to one on the lower part of his arm. "Where they took all the blood tests, and were they cut it open to take tissue samples from my body to see what kind of 'disease' I had at the hospital I was stuck in for a year. I was 'weird' and 'sick' since I was healthy, I have never ever had a common cold, or being sick overall in my whole life, not even as a kid. I didn't sleep for days, and I only ate every third or fourth day, my family was scared, and the doctors didn't find what was wrong with me." And it had all been his mutation, and he had a feeling he didn't even have to tell Tino, as he had surely read his journal, knew his mutation already, and this was just a common thing to him.

Then he pointed at the rest of his scars that marred his body, everything from burnmarks to wounds that had cut him open, wounds that had been put together messily, or not at all. "In the arena, from various opponents. You can't refuse a fight here, unless you want to be punished severely, otherwise you have to fight until the other is either knocked out, or too damaged to continue." Tilting his head a bit so the other could see the faint trace of a burnmark around his neck. "When I refused to fight a child in the arena, they gave me shocks until I..." A small chuckle at that, it was bitter, and not happy at all. "...Was knocked out thanks to the strong electricity I got into my body at my 'refusal to obey orders'." And to knock a mutant like him out took a lot of power, and would have killed anyone else and fried them good.

Sometimes Berwald was really too kind for his own good. But he too had a pride, and all the other scars were from his stubbornness, refusing to ever lose against someone else, he was way too prideful to ever lose a proper fight against someone who could give him a good match.

"But before this.. The arena, I was always too big and 'intimidating' for anyone to pick a fight with me. And the people came to me in the hospital, offering a good place for people like me, to be educated, and being treated the way I should have been.. I was naive, I know that now, but being locked up in a hospital, or following the promises of good, what could I really do?" Shrugging his shoulders as he stood up, not minding to talk about his past or what he had been going through since he wasn't traumatised by it, and he had gotten over his parents leaving him to this place a long time ago, he couldn't really blame them, when they had been promised a better place for their son.. Taking the blanket off his shoulders, the other getting a better look at his body, as he walked over to him again, crouching down in front of him so they were on the same level, so he wouldn't frighten him. Putting his arms between the bars, they were a bit wider than the normal ones the others had, thanks to Berwald bending them secretly when no one saw.

Blanket with him, as he carefully, and oh so gentle, put it around Tino's shoulders and wrapped it around him. "You need it more than I." His words careful spoken, as if he had been debating to whenever or not give him said blanket. Berwald never used it anyway, it was just in the way for him when he moved around. His eyes looking deeply on him while he stroke his fringe out from Tino's face to take a better look at the very kind, and also.. Kinda cute guard that was in front of him. He liked the guard, it was the first really nice person he had met here that wasn't a mutant, but a 'human', that haven't threatened him, or tried to harm him right of the bat. "You are kind, Tino." Words really thought through as he cupped his cheek, being so gentle with it, as he didn't want to hurt him, at all. "I appreciate that, we need more people like you here in the world. I wish we could have met during better circumstances, and yet I am happy to talk to you like this."

Looking sharply up as he heard a faint noise, and his hands were immediately back inside the cell, looking wildly around in the corridor, and then back at Tino again. He didn't say much more, as he stood up and hurried back to the bed when heavy footsteps where heard, he didn't want to be found with the guard like that, as it would put Tino in trouble, and instead he laid down on the bed, to pretend to be asleep, anything to save Tino's skin, as he didn't care about his own anymore.

"What's going on here?"

The deep voice of another guard spoke as the footsteps stopped right next to Tino.

"Is there someone here bothering you, Tino?" In a slight mocking voice did the guard spoke in, as he didn't really care if someone did or not, as he had been awoken from his sleep by some noises other mutants had done in another block.