Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia and anything related to its copyright. I had some sources, but those did not include any story published in Fanfiction.

Warnings: Homoerotica, homophobes (the hypocrisy), strong language, gore, jumping POVs and some more.

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Midnight Mermaid

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Alfred and his friends were on a trip to get to the Grand Mermaid Inn kept by one of Gilbert's friends named Elizabeta. On their way there, Alfred saw this silhouette of a mermaid jumping to the sea.

Reaching the inn, they met with Elizabeta and had an ocular tour of the beachside inn. Soon, they had a talk over the breakfast which brought up the confirmation about the presence of a mermaid in the beach.

Before charging into the water, Alfred caught this peculiar guy named Arthur sneaking around. Also, it felt like Elizabeta was trying to hide Arthur from the rest of them.

Who is this guy, and why does the innkeeper want to hide him? What does he want from Alfred?

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Midnight Mermaid

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The wind blew its song against my ears again. Everything felt so cool and light. I smelt the sea strongly, and I could swear I felt waves moving behind me. I opened my eyes to see the dark sky which can only be seen from the beach. Before I knew, I was floating in the sea. I then tried to move and start swimming back to the shore.

It happened again sadly.

The moon was still visible and high up in the sky so it was safe to assume it was around four or five in the morning. At this time, the water was cold as hell, but I was used to it. How many times had this happened?

I swam back to the shore and got out of the freezing water. I burred as the wind blew harder from behind me. A sharp breath came to my lips as I tried to keep myself warm despite the sickening cold. I never liked the cold or the sea or the wind it blew. I dropped down and rolled in the sand to keep myself from getting colder.

Someone get me out of here.

Eli's voice suddenly took my attention as she saw me lying down meters away from the reception of the beachside inn. She then grabbed my wrist and pulled me up and to the indoor shower to wash the sand off my body and my clothes. It seemed like she was lecturing me again as we walked.

She made me stand under the warm shower as she rushed inside to get me towel and something warm to drink. I only let the water rinsed the dust particles off of me. Lifting my face, I made the water warm my face as well, my hands soon rinsing my own hair.

Eli arrived and asked me to get out of the shower by then. I did what I was told before receiving a towel from her to dry my hair and my back. Soon, I just wrapped the towel around me while we walked towards the reception. I sat down at the sturdy pot of a décor plant before receiving a cuppa from Eli.

"What happened again? Why are you in the water?" She asked as she combed my wet hair, fixing its messy alignment. I did not answer her, only sipping on my tea. She then stopped with a huff, letting me down all of my hot tea in one drinking. I then left the cup on my side before leaving.

"We're having guests today until tomorrow. Try not to get seen."

"I'll try." It was not like I could control myself all the time.

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Midnight Mermaid

Rei Haruno− Sakura no Imooto

Chapter 2: This Feral Boy

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They had not been in the inn for more than an hour, and I had already failed Eli. I knew I was not supposed to make contact with any guest, but this guy was interesting in one way or another. He looked so peculiar to me− being able to sense the strangeness in this inn.

More than that, there was something inside me which was calling out to him.

I tried to watch him closely every minute, even to the extent of watching him change. I got caught along those lines, resulting to some chase and my awkward discovery. Eli would chew me out later again, and somehow, I wanted to get out of this inn. I thought it would be safer if they knew I was here so Eli would not stop me from interacting with this guy named Alfred.

In the back of my mind, I knew it was dangerous. From time to time, I lose control of myself and wake up in random places I should not be. Nothing serious came out of it, but I realized my family locked me up here in the inn because of it. I did not know what it does to me; they never said a thing.

My encounter with Alfred was the first after roughly seven years in 'captivity'. I was forbidden to talk to any other person rather than Eli in this place. Thing is even Eli was wary of talking to me from time to time. My family would drop by some time, but their last visit was five years ago. I was in desperate need to hear and communicate with other people again.

After some minutes in hiding underneath the bed, I crawled out to get to the door. In my surprise, the door was locked from the outside. Soon, I grabbed the chairs in the room and made a make-shift ladder towards the hole in the ceiling. I climbed up and crawled through the small dark space to get to another hole somewhere. I knew the place by heart even though I never saw it with any light at all. I dropped down from the next hole, ending up in another closet. I went out and dusted my clothes weakly. I was back in my own room.

My room was quite the secret room between the reception and the closed guest room. It would appear as a part of the Administrator's room in the inn maps, but in reality, it was my cage. It was where I was kept when there were guests in the inn. I was like a family pet no one else should ever see.

I turned to my closet after getting out and hunted for clothes I could wear. Due to the state of my body at the moment, I was only able to wear my spring clothes. My health deteriorated ever since I was kept here, and I never wanted anyone to see my scrawny arms and legs. Also, my body's tolerance against cold was so low now. I needed thicker clothes to protect me from the freezing sea water.

Changing into my yellowish shirt, my faded jeans and my sea-green jacket, I tried to sneak out of the other exit from my room. It was through Eli's room which has a door to the dining room. Eli was busy preparing the sheets in all the occupied guest rooms so I could easily sneak out. I walked through the dining room via the secret hall to get to the reception.

From there, I could see the guests frolicking in the beach area at a distance. Hiding behind a chair, I tried watching each of them have fun. The scariest thing was that there were only six of them out there. I squinted at the distant figures to see which one was not there. Before I could figure it out, I felt a cold can on my head. I could shake it off, but I knew it was the missing guest.

"Hey, you work here?" His raspy voice helped me identify him. It was the albino guest− Gilbert, was it? I only looked up at him, seeing his arms loaded with cans of beers sold in the vending machine in the reception.

"Mind helping me out with these?" He chuckled as he tried to manage holding all those cans in his arms. I could say his were twice the size of mine, and seeing it made me tad bitter as I realized how much my physicality had deteriorated over time. However, I could only nod and help him out with some− around a dozen− I could manage with my now feeble arms. The cans were really cold; it was good I had my jacket on.

Eli would be pissed, but I could not just run away from a guest. Yeah, I'd use that excuse on Eli.

"Hey, guys! I found someone else in the inn with us!" He yelled at his friends, and they started gathering around the bench area where the cans were put down. Apparently, a dozen was already so heavy for me.

I huffed in fatigue as I watched everyone get a can and popped them open. Then, I felt a heavy arm circled around my neck, finding Alfred putting his arms on me. He was holding the can with his other hand, everyone drinking at different paces. The athlete then looked at me, "Aren't you hot in those? It's already summer, and you're in a jacket and long pants."

"I'm sorry, but I prefer to be in these."

"Mhmm, you must be this Arthur Alfred was talking about earlier. Hello, my name is Francis." He winked at me before the other blond who looked like Alfred spoke meekly, "Hi, Arthur! I'm Matthew." Soon, the bubbly brunet then popped out of nowhere, "Ciao! I'm Feliciano! Pleased to meet you, Mr. Arthur!" He was then held down by the biggest guy, "Feli, you're scaring him. By the way, my name is Ludwig."

"I'm Roderich." The snobbish one spoke as well, "And I'm guessing this fool over here hadn't introduced himself yet. His name's Gilbert."

I only nodded. Actually, they did not need to introduce themselves; I knew who they were because I had been watching them. They should not know that, though. Nonetheless, Roderich and Gilbert started bickering about the 'fool' address the snob used on him.

"Hey, Arthur, wanna swim with us? But you have to lose the jacket and long pants." Taking my attention from the arguing married couple, Alfred chuckled before taking another short sip on his can. Matthew then smiled at me with such softness, "Arthur, how are you related to Ms. Eli? Do you work in the inn?"

"Ah, no. I don't work for the inn." I had to avoid the other questions; I was starting to feel different. Too much human interaction after years was overwhelming me. Matthew had confusion drawn across his face, but I could only look away from him.

My gaze was now on Alfred and his, uhh, chest. He was not actually that tall compared to me, but he was tall enough to hang his arm around my neck comfortably. My gaze then went to his face, only to catch him catching me looking at him intently. I looked away as he took his arm off of me. It was quite awkward; I could not help but to stare since it was like my first other humans in years.

It seemed everyone started going back to where they were before the beer came. Francis and Matthew were making sand castles with Feliciano. Ludwig was just at a bench, taking a rest with Roderich. The only addition was Gilbert trying to annoy the snob. He then started playing with his glasses, taking it away and made the other chase him around. Francis noticed what was going on and started participating with their game as well. The others had mixed feelings of entertainment and pity.

Alfred snorted at the thing and decided to put his can down before joining the small game. Gilbert threw the glasses a little left and a little weak, making it go passed Alfred and into the deep part of the sea. Alfred then laughed out as he looked back at Gilbert who was frozen by his mistake, "MAN! I'm this close to think that was your glasses! I'm right here, man! Hahahah!"

"Gilbert! You foolish fool! Get it back!" Roderich demanded as he reached Gilbert and started to weakly kick the other's leg. The albino growled in annoyance, but then Alfred laughed, "It's okay. I'll get it for you, Roderich."

"That part is really deep, Alfred." I spoke, making him look at me. He then smiled and gave me his glasses, "I'll be fine. I'm used to diving." He winked before heading out to swim towards the place where the glasses were. I could not tell him the sea ate a lot of people before− as if the mermaid could be hunting in broad daylight.

I looked around and saw everyone was looking our way. I did not want Alfred to drown or be taken so I gambled swimming down there to see if he would be alright. I did not care if people were looking; my family warned me about showing others how I swim. I took off my jacket and folded it neatly before putting it down on the sand with Alfred's glasses on top. I ran my hands along my long sleeves before walking towards the edge where Alfred jumped off. I closed my eyes and dropped down, feeling the water eat me in an instant.

With my body submerged completely, I began swimming down to find Alfred. Unlike normal humans, I did not use my hands and legs to get around; I was using all of my body. I swam like a snake in the sea, swift and cautious. My eyes were also clearer underwater, making me easily spot Alfred from quite a distance. He was trying to dive deeper, yet he was showing difficulty.

I went to him and held him by the shoulder. He turned to me, and I nodded at him. We stopped diving and went stable for a moment enough to communicate with each other. He seemed to tell me they were down at the bottom, and he had no idea how something like that could have sunk that far. I tried to calm him down and asked him to stay because I'd go and get it for him. Before he could even protest, I smiled at him and swam deeper.

That part of the sea was not as deep as the ones big ships sail, but it was way darker than most swimming areas near a beach. I saw the glasses from where I was− as well as hideous things down there. My eyes widened at what I saw. My heart began pounding loudly as I came to pick the glasses from where it was. The water was starting to smell, and it was time to go back.

Swimming faster than my normal speed, I went to meet with Alfred. He was trying to swim deeper when I surfaced to get him out of there as well. I reached out my arms towards him and made him follow me. Knowing I could swim way faster, I grabbed his arm and wrapped it around my neck. I then held him around the waist and swam back to the surface.

A loud splash welcomed us at the beach, and everyone went to see us. I let go of Alfred before we waddled to get to the shore. He then started choking lightly before trying to regain his normal breathing. It only took me some seconds to breathe normally before raising my hand towards Roderich who looked concerned for once. He smiled and thanked me− soon trying to kick Gilbert again.

"Wow, that was fast. How'd you actually learn to swim like that?" Alfred laughed as we walked to where I left my jacket and his glasses. I handed him his glasses with a smile, "I live in a beachside inn. I could go and swim in the sea whenever I like."

But then again, I never liked the sea.

He whistled in awe, but he stopped when I started wheezing. The wind started blowing softly again, enough to make my wet body shiver. I could not put my jacket on; it would only get wet. Then I started feeling warmer, with Alfred getting near and hanging his arm around me again.

"H-Hey, you look cold."

"Now you know why jackets and long pants work best." I chuckled in a joke. We stayed there for quite a while even though Alfred was very uncomfortable. For once, I did not care; I had always liked warm places. I closed my eyes in comfort, my temporary loss of vision enhancing my hearing. There were chattering from a distance along with the soft clashing of the waves. They were laughing− his friends−

Open. I had to open my eyes now. If I felt too comfortable, I would fall asleep. I never liked it when I fall asleep. I lose myself and end up somewhere I do not have a reason to be. Looking back at Alfred who was looking away from me. To be more specific, he was trying to diss his friends who were making jokes on him− jokes I was not able to make out.

My gaze then flew to the reception where Eli was standing. She had this pissed look in her face, with a folded towel tucked in her arms. I knew I had to go. I knew I had to listen to her endless lecture and warnings again.

I made a bitter grin and took Alfred's arm off from me. I did not look back at him before walking towards her. She handed me the towel and whispered 'to your room now' almost voicelessly. She went to entertain the guests out there while I was heading back into my cage.

Making my trail with the water drops from my sandy feet, I went through the reception, the dining room, the Admin's room, and finally, through my bedroom door. I walked to the shower in there and rinsed the sea water off of me. Once again, it was 'artificially' warm.

Having Alfred's arms around me made me feel better.

Finishing the shower and changing into another shirt and pants, I lied on my bed and grabbed a book I had been reading for a while now, held open by a pen with a butterfly on a spring at its end. I was not left with any bookmark; I tend to finish a book in a day, making tons of them piled on the floor. If anything, my cage was more of a dump than a disorganized bookstore storage. Anyway, I did not mind. It was not like I would get anything better than this.

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Midnight Mermaid

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I suddenly found myself in a small dark place without any light source. It felt like a small cabinet where I forced to fit myself in. I had my heart pounding loudly, and I was trying to breathing with difficulties. Sweat covered most of me, and my legs ached from so much running. My nose started whiffing the smell of blood coming from my hands which were clutched together before my face. It seemed to happen again.

I started hearing footsteps everywhere. They were heavy and angry as well as the voices echoing through a hall. I could hear them faintly, but they hit me like a thunderclap upon my ears.

Balling up in fear, I tried to calm myself down. It never worked. My own voice was not enough to make me feel safer. I was the one screwed; I needed someone else to speak to me− to tell me everything was going to be alright. They would protect me, and they would hold my hand−

"Alfred."

There was no one else I could go to at the moment. He was just the one I felt the most comfortable with. After hearing the voices pass, I slowly got out of my hiding spot and ventured through the dark room. I opened the door and saw a clear hall. I then walked around slowly to find myself in the East Wing near the staircase. Knowing where I was, I ran towards the West Wing to get to Alfred's room.

The sun was bright, but I had the feeling he was in there. It felt like I knew he was going to be in there when I open the door. I was running quickly to get to his room until I stopped. The door was wide open, and the carpet on the walkway was disheveled. I lightly walked towards the doorway and took a peek inside.

Alfred and Matthew were there sitting on the bed. The whole place was a mess as if some rabid animal raged inside. Matthew had his back against the door, but he looked panicking nonetheless. Alfred was in grave pain, and I just wanted to know why. My fear started to be reigned over by worry. I steadily walked into the room, stopping as Alfred noticed I was there.

"Holy shit." He muttered before Matthew turned towards my direction. They were both horrified seeing me− as horrified as I was when I saw Alfred stabbed in the abdomen using my own pen.

"A-Arthur! Please calm down!" Matthew was like asking me not to attack. I was confused− until something hit me right in the back of my head. I fell to the ground, losing my consciousness with it.

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End of Chapter 2

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Thanks for reading! Please review! (It could be a bit confusing, but hey, I missed doing that trick!)