A New Start [Berwald/Tino]

[Tino Väinämöinen]

say some thing i'm giving up on you

It was not like Tino to do things like this. He was walking along the hall, out of uniform in a hoodie and trousers. They would have given him an ‘escort’, but apparently the arena was active and most employees were stationed there. Instead, Tino got a free hall pass because he knew the tunnels like the back of his hand, and because he had filled out all of the paperwork and his payment came out of his check for the week. Tino had set everything up perfectly; the payment and paperwork were done punctually and on time, even before the date that Tino was to pick up his ‘pet’, and the already subtracted the large sum of cash that he cost (apparently, despite the fact that no one bought him, he had a hefty price tag). No matter, as Tino didn’t care much for loose change. He only needed money for what he needed; food and ammunition. All else was free game to whatever he so pleased. Usually, it got stuffed in the walls of his home, but on occasions like this, he put his good saving skills to use. A few days passed, he had gone out and bought a large amount of plywood, two-by-fours, shingles, wood stain, and almost everything possible for construction. He shipped it out to his home and, although he had to bribe the delivery truck down the pothole-ridden ‘driveway’ (it was more like an overgrown grassy stretch with no trees), he got everything ready to fix up his hole-in-the-wall cabin. Only thing left was the fellow to help him do it all. Tino stuffed his hands in his pockets, not far now. He had everything in accord… except… He himself didn’t like this. He thought about it more and he wished he hadn’t said anything. He had been exhausted at the time, but that was no excuse. He let himself slip, and now he had to pay for it. Going back on the sentence and suddenly getting cold feet would deter Berwald, and other mutants if they found out that Tino offered to buy one, but then backed out. He sighed. He really wasn’t ready for this. He had to live with someone for a short-term contract, which was actually a lot longer than he first believed. He was not looking forward to it… Tino hadn’t lived with anyone for years, and not only was he going to be living with someone, but he’d be living with a mutant that didn’t sleep and could very easily throttle him in his sleep, or crush his skull with a hammer and have his freedom. Fan-fucking-tastic. The Fin sighed. He had also bought a lot of coffee when he was in town. When Tino reached the familiar cell in Block B, he wore his best smile and shrugged the hood off his pale blond hair. “Hiya! Ready to bust out?” he said with a laugh, winking as he unlocked the cell with the spare key they had lent him. Dmitri would collect it from him when they left. “Kidding, but are you ready to go? Here, I brought some clothes for you. You’re a lot bigger than me though, so the sweater might be tight. It’s the biggest one I have, and then jeans are from the second hand shop. I didn’t know your size though…” Tino yammered, rubbing the back of his head. “I just thought they’d be a bit more comfortable than those prison ones. That and we won’t be stared at on the way home.” Tino glanced both ways down the hall before leaning into the cell to point down the hall. “There’s a bathroom down there if you want, or you can change here. With the arena matches, not too many people are around. We’ll meet up with Dmitri upstairs to get the formal documents we need and your tags.”

LAIKA OF GS!

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag finner mod för att åter få komma tillbaka

These days that had passed where much like every day as it had been usually. Staring at his empty cell, now and then another mutant had been thrown in, and then he had been swapped to another one. Not because it was necessary, but mostly to trigger the mutants up before their fight with each others.. Just like animals in a cage fight, but weren't they that as well?

The fights had been fairly easy as well, Berwald had won all of his; they had put him up against weaker opponents that had been easy. The more time that passed, his usual lust and will to go after blood had been quite tamed after his fight with Hamish. He had feel so ill after crushing the bones of the Scottish man when he had obviously been sick and not in shape at all to fight.. Yet the leaders didn't care much about that. Afraid to hurt people, or get to know that the fight was rigged and he was just bound to win, he made it easy instead, quick and merciful, the only way it should have been made.

Laying on his much uncomfortable bed, eyes resting on the ceiling, calming himself down after another boring day. It had been.,. What? 2, 3 days? Where he had done nothing. Even getting extra food and somewhat clean clothes to wear. That had triggered suspicious in the Swedish man's mind, and he wondered what they would do towards him now. A live show out on the streets? Or walk with him outside to show off him so he got sold and earned them money? Or would they kill him, because they knew he was very dangerous?


Sighing as he heard footsteps approach the cell. He didn't want to look up and see another boring, and frightened, guard that where there to either feed him or change cells.. Or maybe it was time for their 'shower'? But as he heard a familiar voice, Berwald was quick to sit up and look at the Fin, and his words made his eyes go bigger. 

But the biggest surprise wasn't his choice of clothes or his words; it was the fact that he was currently unlocking.. Wait, was he unlocking the cell? Giving him a shocked look, not even trying to hide it either; he was wondering why the Fin was there, and what he was doing, he couldn't be serious that he would bust him out now, could he?

As he walked over to him and heard his words, he carefully took the clothes from him and looked down on the fabric he hadn't worn for a long time, and stroked it. He was stunned to the point that he froze to the ground. Had he really kept his words? Had he honestly bought Berwald, even if he had been too tired to understand what he had been saying? Swallowing as he kept listening to him, even if Berwald wasn't really there at the moment.

"You.. You kept your words."

Barely a whisper as he didn't want to disobey him or make him wait. Not bothering with the bathroom, he wasn't shy of changing in front of other's. He had most of his clothes ripped a lot of times in the arena after all. Shirt was quick off his upperbody as the other's where on him. A bit tight, not that skin-tight that he couldn't move, but it defined his muscles. Trousers thrown away and the jeans went on as well. They where good on him, actually, the other had a good eye-measurement.

Folding his old cell clothes and putting them neatly on his bed, it felt weird, yet fantastic to walk around in clothes that where clean, and actually where comfortable. 

Still shocked over this turn of events, he went up to Tino again, following him out, being like a shadow behind him. He didn't know what to say, or do, the other hadn't been a liar, he kept his words, and he would even take him home.. "I promise to help you out with whatever you need, your words is my law." He mumbled, promising him his loyalty and that he would obey his every order he made, no matter what it was. "Thanks.. really.." He added, even if he would be used as someone who renovated his home, it was fantastic, and Berwald was more happy than he could show the Finn.

[Tino Väinämöinen]

say some thing i'm giving up on you

Berwald was so surprised, Tino wasn’t sure if the Swede’s brain was broken. For a mutant that never expressed much, his face went through a series of emotions. First, before he even registered Tino’s voice or words, there was boredom, perhaps contempt in his pinched brows. Something might have been on his mind, or he wasn’t particularly inclined to deal with company. Then his eyes widened as he shot upright, posture extremely rigid. His eyebrows were high on his face and his eyes were saucers. Tino had never seen such an expression, nor had he really expected it from the mutant. He couldn’t help it, but he started a laugh and had to bite his lip to contain it, but the smile was not so easily removed. How sweet! And… how touching. Berwald seemed so… so awestruck, so surprised, that perhaps this wasn’t such a bad outcome. For once, Tino had done something genuine and considerably compassionate. He didn’t have to take Berwald out. He could have easily apologized, said he was tired and not in the right mindset when he suggested buying him. Instead, Tino acted differently. He decided to buy Berwald, to give him a taste as close to freedom as he could manage. He took off a good portion of work, bought supplies for a renovation that wasn’t necessary to Tino’s life, and would support not just himself, but another individual in his home. It wasn’t logical, but from that simple look of awe and pure shock on Berwald’s face, it might have been worth it. Had Tino not been paying such close attention to the man, he would have missed the near silent remark. Tino cocked his head in response. “Well of course I did. I promised, didn’t I? And as lame as it sounds, I don’t make a habit of breaking them, alright?” Tino smiled, trying to be encouraging. Not only was Berwald stuck in shock, but nervousness was glazing his actions. He made no effort to be modest; off came the close as quick as Tino thought possible and the Fin quickly averted his eyes. Sure, they were both men and Tino was no prude but… He wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was simply awkward to watch Berwald change. He didn’t want the Swede getting any ideas or anything. Besides, the shirt was too tight. Tino had seen Berwald without one a few times and suspected that he might be too big for Tino’s collection of worn clothes. He’d have to make another trip to the second hand shop. When Berwald was finished folding his old robes, he placed them on the bed and quickly stepped up to Tino, who started to proceed down the hall. As they walked, Tino decided to start a conversation once more when Berwald beat him to it with some formal jargon. Tino scrunched up his nose. “Okay, first off, we are friends. I’m not your ma… boss or whatever. Well, technically, but I don’t really like formalities okay? You’re just my friend who’s staying at my place and helping me renovate my home. We can be really casual about it okay?” Tino didn’t want to have a ‘slave’, or anything of the sorts. It would be awkward enough living with the mountain of a man; couple that in with him playing puppy all day would be a pain. He wanted Berwald to be a little independent; maybe he’d give him an imitation of freedom. Thanks were given, which caused Tino to pause. He looked back at the Swede, noting the fact that the corners of his eyes were crinkling and his brow was relaxed. The real smile was in his eyes, which seemed far less intense. Tino grinned. “It’s nothing! Let’s just have fun with it okay? Anyways, we should be meeting up with Dmitri soon. He’s just up this hallway…” "Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” “Oh hi! Didn’t see you there! Is everything set to go now?” The taller man nodded. “Here’s the certification and tags. The mutant has to be wearing them at all ti-“ “Yes yes, I know the legal jargon.” Tino was impatient and it clearly annoyed the older guard. Dmitri huffed and handed Tino the package. The Fin replied with a smile. “Thanks!” “Don’t be late for work tomorrow,” Dmitri warned. Tino smiled coyly and replied almost instantaneously. “I’m not the tardy one around here.” Dmitri huffed again and strutted off. Tino shouted for him and tossed him the key, to which he seemed annoyed to have forgotten. “Ugh he’s got his boxers in a knot today. Anyways, ready to see the world?” Tino smiled and waved Berwald forward, slipping the dogtags over his neck.

LAIKA OF GS!

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag finner mod för att åter få komma tillbaka

Berwald was too caught up in his little moment of surprise that he didn't really registered that Tino was laughing at him, not from joy or anything else (he hadn't even thought that way.) But h had hardly registered that Tino was laughing at all. All he heard was some noises in the far background of his mind, what might have been an illusion from a world far away from this one, or just his own mind making things up, exactly like he was making this scenery up. That the kind guard he had talked with a few days ago that had casually said in the heat of their conversation that he would buy Berwald..

Actually stood in front of him, not as a dream or an illusion, but he just stood there, offering him a hand to the outside world again. Not free as in 'I can do what I want' but as in free from this hellhole. And that meant more than any cinnamon buns in the world.

The tip of his ears red from embarrassment, how could he ever have doubted this male? He felt embarrassed over the fact that he had indeed been suspicious of his kind offer, yet there he stood, keeping it. Tino surely was nothing like any human he had ever met before; he was special, and in the very good kind of way.

"I'm sorry for doubting.." Voice telling that he was genuine sorry for actually putting doubt in him. But who could blame him, when humans had put him in the cells from the start, where the one who forced him to fight his friends, took him away from home, made his life miserable?

Yeah, who could blame him.

Biting the inside of his cheek when Tino told him to treat him like a friend. He knew how to do that, and yet it would be unfair. Tino had put money on him, to buy him, even if it was morally wrong, he still had the legal rights to command Berwald to do anything, really, and that kinda scared the Swede as well, what could this Finnish person ever want with him? Except for helping him fix his house.. It couldn't be for that sole purpose, wasn't handymen cheaper, and you didn't have to house or feed them?

"But technically you are my master.. And that's what I've been told to call whomever that buys me.." Voice a bit lost, as he had no clue how to handle this now, when he had been taught one thing, and this man just turns everything upside down.

Berwald's steps where cautious, like he was stepping on glass behind Tino, feeling very unsure when he was waling out there without a guard by his side, it felt like he was doing something illegal. It didn't help to know that Tino was in fact a guard down here, as he had never been as a guard towards Berwald before, just chatting with him outside the cell like visitors could do as well, but he had never acted like a guard around him.

Looking up when someone came, and Berwald was close to run up in front of Tino to guard him, yet he stood behind him, yet he straighten his back and towered over both men, throwing a suspicious look at the new man in the place they where at, making sure he didn't do anything stupid to his new.. "friend" that Berwald didn't think as fair, yet the giant mutant behaved, and just stood by.

He didn't like to feel the cold metal around his neck, yet it was so many times better than being behind bars, and he tucked said tags underneath his shirt instead, not wanting people to see them when they where out, so they would judge Tino, he had after all bought a mutant to take home. Most people knew what one did to mutant they bought, at least the rich bastards. Either making them work to death, or using them in their weird kinks, almost having weird sex with them until they got too damaged from the wounds or anything alike.

"I hope so." He might not be, yet he stayed close to Tino, not wanting to get lost in this big wild world. "Are you sure you're.. Okay with this? I'll help you do anything I can, so please, mas.." He coughed a bit as he said the rest of the word. "Don't hesitate to tell me to do something."

Even if Berwald was taller than the Finn, he acted, and his body-language told him that he was so much lower than the other, really acting like a dog that put his tail between his legs.

And yet as soon as they got through the doors, Berwald got stuck. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly, eyes opening again, eyes going from the ground, and then up to the sky, drinking in the beautiful view of the outside world, that wasn't between bars, and yet that stupid genuine smile was there again. "It's beautiful." He whispered.

[Tino Väinämöinen]

say some thing i'm giving up on you

Berwald was in a daze. That much was obvious at this point. Tino probably could have waved his palm in from of the other and he wouldn’t have noticed. “Earth to Berwaldddd~” The Fin droned, but the other was so out of it that he didn’t really acknowledge the words. Tino laughed once again. He supposed he really couldn’t hold it against the mutant; this was after all, the first time he was being bought. Tino had to assume it would take some getting used to for the both of them. Tino grinned widely when Berwald finally rediscovered his tongue and he was apologizing to boot! “Don’t worryyyyy,” Tino said, laughing as he leaned against the other to purposefully bug him. “I understand, please, all jokes and stuff aside. There’s nothing to be sorry about! Unless of course you’d rather stay.” Tino paused, face serious before he broke the display with a wink and a laugh (See? He could totally pull of this casual thing. Whether he lasted a month or not was up for debate…) “Before you comment on that, I am joking again. That’s something you might have to get used to,” he said, slipping through the open cell door. Putting forth a joking sort of persona would allow him to claim any slip-up as a mere punchline to some sort of laughing matter. It would provide a buffer if he needed. Then Berwald seemed to pause and hesitate at the word friend. Tino internally groaned, as he would not be able to put up with ‘Master can I go to the bathroom?’ or ‘Master you handed me this food, do I have permission to eat?’ Yes, Tino knew these souls were a little lost, and drilled with certain expectations. He had seen Weeds before, and to any mutant who wanted out, obedience was key. The Fin sighed at Berwald’s words. “Technicalities aside, I’m Tino, not Master. It's nice to meet you,” he said casually, walking down the hall as other mutants cast curious glances out of their cells. Tino waved shyly, followed by Berwald, one that they seemed to be apprehensive about. Tino assumed this was due to his track record in the arena. Apparently Berwald didn’t lose often. He was scared. Tino could tell not from the slight widening of his pupils, or how his brow was creased a little more than usual, but simply by his unconscious body language. He was skittish, like a cat as he skirted behind Tino quietly, almost confused as to what he was supposed to do without cuffs. A silent breath blew past Tino’s lips. He’d really have to baby Berwald, wouldn’t he? At least Tino lived in a wrecked building in the woods. It wouldn’t be that drastically different from the Underground, aside from a regular dosage of UV rays and regular meals. “Hey, everything’s gonna be okay, don’t you worry!” He still seemed pretty nervous, but Tino supposed that the mutant would mellow out after a bit of time. He was pretty adaptable. The encounter with Demetri was fast and relatively painless, and after Berwald had his tags on and Demetri was out of earshot, Tino whispered to the gentle giant. “You don’t have to wear those at my place. We’ll be off the beaten track.” They continued walking, winding through the expanse of tunnels of twists and turns. Tino knew them by heart, but they were organized elaborately to confuse mutants such that they wouldn’t be able to find their way out the same way unless they were accompanied. Soon, they were ascending upwards in an elevator, and soon heading through the main entrance. In regular clothes and with his tags hidden, Berwald didn’t stand out, but Tino reached out and grasped the fabric of Berwald’s sleeve to guide him along and make sure he didn’t get lost. He probably wasn’t used to the Lobby. “I’m positive Ber,” Tino said, glancing towards the exit as he analyzed each person in the area, surveying if they were paying attention and had noticed that Tino had a mutant. One had, female with dirty blond hair and glasses to the far left corner of the room. Tino turned and smiled at Berwald, knowing they were being watched until they left. “Alright, I think that’s fine.” Sooner than later they reached the doors and Tino saw the woman disappear in his peripherals. Either to call security to ensure Tino had bought Berwald, or to report him for not having his mutant’s tags visible. Pish posh, he’d deal with her later. He tossed open a door, moving forward without a thought before he felt the individual behind him lag. Tino paused, looking back at the other. He released his arm when he realized he might have pushed the mutant too fast; everything was overwhelming to him and only in a few minutes time. What if Berwald fainted? Tino wouldn’t be able to carry him… “Hey, are you okay? Maybe we should sit for a minute…” Tino offered, but the other calmed himself with a set of breaths before reopening his eyes and stepping into the light. It was almost as if the sun stripped away the worry and fear that had aged the other; Tino saw childish wonder spread radiate from the mutant’s face as a genuine grin wider than the moon appeared. Tino smiled at the wonder that filled those turquoise eyes; they were so much brighter in the light. “It most certainly is.” He waited for a few minutes, letting the other stare out and examine the whole world, even if the world to him was city streets and a parking lot. It was still an unimaginable improvement over the Underground. “So, ready to go home?”

LAIKA OF GS!

[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Jag finner mod för att åter få komma tillbaka

It was amazing how calm Tino was about this whole deal, as if he just hadn't bought a living human being from a place that was more or less labelled as 'hellhole' from those living there, and even that nickname was a compliment to what it really was. He was joking around, being friendly, and yet so okay with all of this that Berwald couldn't help but steal a glance in his directions now and then as they proceeded out from there. If the positions had been reversed, Berwald would not have a calm moment. It irked him that the only way to get out from there was for anyone to buy them, making them become like animals, slaves and a property for the people that caught interest in them. It made him uncomfortable to think of it, and it was hard not to, and he tried to push those kind of lingering thought far behind his mind, for now.

As the shorter male was holding his sleeve and showed him around, pulling him into those new places and acting as if this was a regular thing he did, his heart clenched up in a realisation that he might be silly, he was doing something a few of those inside of there would experience, and yet he was acting as if it was the end of the world to him. It wasn't, this was the beginning of his life after all; a new way out, a glimpse of the life he could have had if he had not ended up in this position, if he hadn't been born with this mutation..

"I don't... Or at least.. I try not to worry." He finally admitted, he didn't want to worry, and yet in the position he was given, he couldn't help but do that, it was just whom he was. "I.. I just hope I'll be what you thought I would be when you said that night that you were going to buy me.." Fiddling with the sleeve with his free hand, not knowing what to really reply and do to that. Tino was somewhat of a hero in his eyes after this, and yet even if Berwald was a very shy giant, he would make sure to do what he could to not only keep him safe, but also happy, make this contract worth it's while, make sure that Tino would never regret buying him, ever.

As the other asked if he was okay, he didn't reply at first, he simply stood there to take in everything. The sun that was so warm on his skin, it wasn't through a window or bars, it was aimed right at his skin, his face. The wind was tossing with his short hair, and the winds were so fresh.. It certainly smelled like freedom, but not only that, it was so refreshing, and Berwald felt so dirty in that moment, he hadn't taken a proper shower in forever, he knew that, but he was too occupied to feel the gentle breeze of freedom lay over them, and he gave a pleasant shiver. "No.. I am okay."

Home.. He hadn't heard those words in forever, and even if Tino's home might just be temporary, and not his real home, he still liked the sound of that. Doing something that he had liked to do, he let his hand drop so carefully to the top of Tino's head and he gently ruffled his hair. He liked the feeling of the soft hair between his fingers as he made a mess out of it, and get the fingers were considerated enough to fix it back to it's previous position. "I'm ready whenever you are." Voice still being kept low, as if he was afraid someone would come up to them and claim that the purchase wasn't valid, and they would take him back down to the underground again, away from Tino, and away from this feeling that he had already, sadly, become addicted to, the feeling of freedom.

Letting his hand linger a bit longer on Tino's head, he was already drawn to the smaller male, as if he was his only lifeline in life, at least he was the thing that had made him pull it together a bit more and not crack fully after their encounter, make him yearn for something.

Starting to walk slowly, yet waiting for Tino to catch up and show him in which direction they were supposed to head for, and even if the short male didn't have the same length in his strides as the Swede, Berwald was satisfied to keep a slower pace, to enjoy the surroundings and the sun above them, truly happy at that moment. "How do we get to your home?" As people began to pass them, he flinched a bit, and instead of walking next to Tino, he slinked in to be behind him again, letting his stance drop to show that he was once again unsure and slightly frighten by the people. He had learned to never trust humans, gotten beaten, electrocuted and other things by the strangers, and hence why he sought cover behind one of the few people he "trusted" so far. 

"Do you have everything we need to fix up your home with?" And he hoped, not feeling like going into a store, as people stared at him right now. He knew, it was because he was so tall, and his expression.. He hated it, and he knew that if he went into a store right now, he would panic and flee, just because he didn't like the feeling of a animal in a cage. In a said cage, he could hide, and no one could touch him. But being out in the open, he was vulnerable. People would tell him to fight back, and be proud about it, his strength could go against everyone, yet Berwald would never hurt a human, unless they did really deserve it, and that was just severe causes...