Author: 163cm (A.K.A. Oh,Yeah)
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Ivan Braginski/Arthur Kirkland (dysfunctional!RusUK), Alfred F. Jones/Arthur Kirkland (impossible?USUK), Francis Bonnefoy/Matthew Williams (Franada), Kiku Honda, Ludwig Beilschmidt
Disclaimer: Hetalia, nor any of its characters for that matter, belong to me, even if I wish for it so much it hurts. I'm only responsible for the plot, the mind-bending effort that comes from typing and typing until the somewhat acceptable words come out and the unbelievable awful and pityful attempts at deep toughts and clever puns I'm known to once in a while go for . Asides from that, everything belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya.
Summary: Arthur Kirkland decides to die. Matthew Williams thinks there is another way out. But this one is probably much, much worse.
Rating: M (as in, +18)
Genres: Angst, Romance -ish-. AU.
Warnings: Torture, Violence, Gore, Character death?, Language, Lemon, Dub-con.
Author notes: Huh, hi. This is the first story I've ever translated into English. I'm sure you've noticed -and if you haven't you eventually will- but English is not my native tongue. I don't even live in the United States, or really close to them, and I have no American friends to turn to for wording and grammar advice. So I just hope this makes enough sense for everybody to actually get something out of it.
Well, before you start thinking of giving me a chance, I feel I must warn you about the contents of this particular fanfiction. For starters: it will be dark. Pretty dark. Seriously. From the very summary you get that there will be constant mentions of suicide, a lot of attempts and a number of actual successful ones -you'll get to understand how is that even possible-. There will be some awfully explicit gore scenes too.
About the main pairing, which is RusUK (or RusEng, which seems to be a much more popular way of addressing it), it will not be a happy one. Maybe because Arthur doesn't even think of them as a couple, but mostly because Ivan is only looking for someone to play with. There is no real love in between and so a lot of feelings are hurt. Arthur's feelings, at that.
There's also the apparently impossible USUK. You'll understand in a few chapters. Actually, you probably won't get what the hell is going on until a lot more into the story, and so I will not despair if there is little to no interest in this fic for the first half of it. But I promise you, this will be interesting. At least, that's what all my acquaintances say when I tell them about the whole idea.
Well, now that I've given you a complete essay about why you should -or maybe shouldn't- start reading, I bid myself goodbye. I'll let you alone to decide whether or not you'll immerse yourself into the story, and if you do, then I can only wish you a happy reading time.
The electric city lights
Prologue
"You know, a friend of mine is working on this new project," Matthew calmly spoke, his voice a soft, rhythmic, relaxed sigh. Subtly, he approached, finally stepping away from the door frame, where he had remained painfully still for the longest of times, his face betraying no expression. The door was gently closed, the latch barely exhaling a fair 'click' as the Canadian took a couple of steps forward with apparent lull.
Arthur was mildly surprised. He would have definitely expected a much more... explosive... response to the situation. Not that he had wanted this situation at all, no. In fact, he had patiently awaited for all his roommates to go out -which, by the way, had not been easy in the least, what with them worried sick about him doing something of the sort, of this sort- in order of finally 'doing the deed', precisely in hopes of avoiding this situation. How could he have known, ironies of life, that Matthew had forgotten his 'Lehninger principles of biochemistry' reprint? How could he have guessed that it was of severe importance, as precisely that day he had study session? How could he have remembered, in a moment when nothing really mattered anymore, that the Canadian could have very well been a ninja, as he practically went unnoticed? There was no way, and thus he didn't know and didn't guess, much less remembered.
"It's quite interesting, really. I believe you would like it," Matthew went on, violet eyes casually analyzing the little yellow note he playfully slipped through his fingers. Ah. Of course. Well, if that petty post-it did not spoke about what had been just about to happen, the loaded gun that was now pretty much engulfed in Arthur's hot, wet cavern surely gave him a clue. "Have you ever heard of virtual reality?"
The question did took him by surprise, honestly, even after the initial shock the peculiar response -or lack thereof- of his friend had caused. His thick eyebrows went up and the emerald orbs widened slightly. The revolver still in his mouth, he shook his head once. Matthew looked pointedly at him, a tiny, incredibly sad smile on his lips, but his eyes were glazed with no less than complete understanding. Sympathy. Arthur averted his gaze before tightly closing his eyes, embarrassed.
Oh, yeah, leave it to Matthew to be bloody saint, will you? Leave it to Matthew to empathize with your feelings and put them before his own, leave it to Matthew to make you feel like shit without even knowing.
He opened his eyes and swallowed hard, the metal cylinder on his mouth and the bile going up his throat making that simple action ten times as painful. He tried, his hands shaking madly, to put away the cannon, get it out, but found out he couldn't. His desire, his true wish was so deep and strong that his body couldn't -didn't want to- betray it and, every once in a while, his index fingers twitched ever so slightly against the trigger, so close, so very close of actually putting an end to everything.
But he wouldn't, of course he wouldn't. Not in front of Matthew.
"This friend," the boy continued, his eyes going down to the brief note on his hand. It was short and roundabout, pretty much like the man who wrote it, he thought with little humor. "Kiku, is his name. He and I go to the same university, see? He's actually working on his doctorate, though. On virtual reality. Interesting, eh?" the smile that was sent his way had a tiny, almost undetectable trail of mischief. He was immediately reminded of someone else. His hands trembled uncontrollably.
'Why?', Arthur's eyes demanded. Why are you telling me this, why are you doing this to me. Matthew's smile notably fell, yet weakly remained.
"He works for a company. Truthfully, I'm not quite sure what they mainly do, but he told me about this project... it's a virtual world," he said, his voice cracking a bit at the last part. Other than that, he remained expressionless as he approached the quivery form of the Briton with composed, mute steps. "It's a real virtual world," he shakily whispered, gently placing his hands on Arthur's and pulling them towards himself, slowly removing the machine from inside the Brit's mouth. A thick layer of saliva binded his tongue to the tip of the gun until, finally, it was far enough, thrown away almost in rage by the formerly serene Canadian. The firearm landed on the other side of the room, staring, an innocent witness to the wicked scene. "I-it's a v-virtual world," he sobbed, embracing him with almost inhuman strenght. "I-it can s-sa-v-ve y-you!"
Arthur remained still against the other, enfolded, tightened so hard breathing seemed close to impossible, hot, wet tears of despair staining his shoulder and neck. Matthew brokenly shook his head again and again, as if that could actually force away his problems, his pain, sobs rapidly ascending to screams, genuine mourning, and all Arthur could think of was how much he regretted not locking the door.
Author's notes: Welp. Yeah. I'm... sorry?... it was so short, but meh, it's merely the prologue and also my beginnings are frequently quite short. There's more to come, sure, but I don't wanna compromise and say it will be coming soon, seeing as I first have to write it in Spanish and then translate it to English. It may take some time, but let me assure it will continue.