Well hey look at that, an update. So this isn't very common. But hey, I felt like getting this out. It's a short chapter so I apologize in advance, but it's still important because I don't believe in fillers. I think they just create empty space and I am all about getting as much content out there as I possibly can! So despite the fact that it's short, it does play a role in the development of the story, I promise! That's all until the end so hope you enjoy!

Never knew I could feel that much

And that's the way I loved you

"The Way I Loved You" by Taylor Swift

Chapter 11

It was difficult for Elizabeta to think straight as those terrifying blue eyes continued to stare at her, registering no sign of emotion. She didn't even really know what she was doing anymore.

The boy in her arms suddenly made some kind of sound, causing her to look down at the distressed little one. All she could see was his blonde mop of hair, but he was attempting to reach for the man who had just appeared.

Once their gaze broke, the man looked away and at the man with the knife, his eyes hard. The baker was searching for words, too afraid to find any.

The terrifying blue-eyed man reached into his pocket with a free hand and pulled out what looked like a small silver coin, tossing it to the other.

"Fer yer tr'ble," he muttered in a heavy accent.

The man just blinked and ran back to his shop, making sure not to drop the currency he'd just been given.

Confused as ever, Elizabeta just kept staring, not knowing how to react.

The boy, who'd grown frustrated, leapt out of her arms and clung to the man's leg, crying and apologizing furiously.

"I didn't mean to!" he blubbered, "I just wanted to feed you and Mama and the bread was right there and I just thought –"

As if he hadn't heard him, the man reached up and lifted the boy in his arms, cradling him. He muttered something even harder to hear in the boy's ear and then turned to Elizabeta.

"Ah owe ya mah l'fe," he said in that strange accent, "Fer s'ving mah son."

"Pardon?" she asked in surprise.

Did this man just say he owed her his life? All she'd done was stood up to some crazy man who was going to hurt an innocent boy. Anyone would have done the same thing. Then again, no one had and that was why she had to do so herself…

"Berwald! Berwald, did you find Peter?" a panicked voice called out.

Just then, a small figure ran up to Elizabeta and her new "acquaintances." At first glance, the person looked like a female, with big eyes and large hips. But upon further examination, Elizabeta realized it was in fact a man who had now taken the child and was speaking to him frantically.

"Don't you dare run away like that again!" he scolded, "You had me worried sick! You're lucky your father found you or else –"

"The lady saved me!" the boy blurted out, pointing a chubby finger at Elizabeta.

The smaller man looked up surprised and immediately began rambling out of embarrassment.

"Oh goodness, I'm sorry," he said quickly, "Did you really save Peter? I don't know what from exactly, but he tends to get into trouble when he knows better. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! My name's Tino and this little one is Peter."

Elizabeta smiled the whole time Tino spoke. He was so happy and sweet, it was hard to dislike him. The smile on his face just seemed so genuine.

"Oh, and this is Berwald," he added, gesturing to the large man with the unusual accent.

Berwald nodded and gestured to Tino.

"This is mah w'fe," he grunted.

Elizabeta's eyes widened in surprise as Tino laughed nervously, shaking his head. To be honest, Elizabeta wouldn't have minded if that statement were true. Two men in love, with a child, doing god only knows what in their private time… Blood was already rushing to every corner of her face.

"Ha, well Berwald and I do travel together," Tino admitted, "But I'm not his wife. Peter is his son and started to call me his mother so I think Berwald got the same idea into his head…"

"I don't mind," Elizabeta said, "I think it's sweet."

Not only did Tino's eyes widen, but Berwald looked genuinely surprised as well. It probably wasn't often that the thought of two men together would be considered "sweet" in this day and age. Even if such a relationship didn't apply to Tino and Berwald, Elizabeta was proud of herself for having a more accepting view of human nature than most people.

"But Berwald did mention something about owing me his life?"

Tino gave another embarrassed laugh as he set Peter down, the boy quickly running over to cling to his father's leg.

"Berwald tends to be, er, dramatic in some situations," he explained, "Especially anything that involves Peter. I don't think he means to take it that far, but he and I are both very grateful to you."

Elizabeta blushed and shook her head. She wasn't used to being praised or complimented by anyone other than Roderich, let alone a complete stranger.

"I would've done what any sensible person would," she mumbled, "It's nothing special."

"Well to us it is. We're homeless and don't exactly have any means of money or food, so it wasn't really a surprise that Peter would do something so reckless – he is just a boy after all. But given our circumstances, it was truly noble of you to take pity on him… there have been many times when he, or myself and Berwald, just get kicked or spat on."

That just about did it for Elizabeta. She couldn't bear to hear such unfortunate things when she and Roderich had been in a mansion not so long ago. There had to be something she could do.

"Why don't you come with me?" she offered, "My… partner and I are in town as of now as we are on our way to Austria-Hungary, but we'd be more than happy to treat you all to a meal. After all, Berwald did keep that man from doing anything rash."

Tino, who seemed to not realize the lengths of what had happened, looked at Berwald horrified, who just nodded and gave what looked like a smile.

"Ya s'ved mah son," he said simply, "Ah h'd to."

"Well either way, I want you all to be treated well and to have a nice meal for such kindness. It's not often to run into such folk nowadays."

Tino looked like he was about to cry he was so happy. Without really thinking, he ran over and wrapped his arms around the woman and buried himself in her shoulder.

"Thank you so much!" he wept, "If you need anything, I promise we will give it to you!"

She didn't really think that any circumstance would require that, but nonetheless she appreciated his demeanor and knew that she had made a wise choice and possibly a new friend.

Ridiculously short chapter is short. I know, I'm sorry, don't hate me. But I wanted to clarify what exactly went down in the last chapter so now I hope you guys feel less lost. Also, I realized that Sweden's way of speaking is NOT fun to type. Oh well, I still love him.

Ok so this is probably going to be a surprise to all of you but I just published a new fic yesterday! DUN DUN! If you like this one, I highly recommend that you take a look at it because even though Hungary is the main character in both of these, they are completely different plots and I have a lot of new ideas for it. Also, it's set in cardverse so for those of you who are interested in that, I definitely suggest it because there are mainly only cardverse fics with USUK as the main pairing/plot and (as much as I love that pairing) I thought I'd do something different. It's called Know Your Place and it is rated M unlike this story due to content, I shall warn you now. It's up already so you can find it on my profile page if you'd like. I'd love it if you dropped by and looked at it, because you all seem to support this one so much!

Other than that I think I'm done here. Please leave a review telling me what you thought, they mean the world to me like you guys! Or just favorite or follow it, whatever floats your boat~ Until next time, I love you all and appreciate all your kind words! Without you, I don't know where I'd be today. Love you guys!