Summary: Arthur's life was miserable; everyone loathed him and his friends were just imaginary. So standing on the rooftop, he braced himself for his fall. Meanwhile, mysterious connections unfold as the others race for his rescue. Could they save him in time or will he die again?
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or its characters
Warning (s): Unbetaed, Suicide, character death (attempt), drama, time travelling, confusing family tree, depressed! Characters
Chapter X: September 20 (I)(II)
Date: September 20, 20XX
Location: Somewhere within the school
Time: A few hours later after the announcement
It was not supposed to be like this.
The lad-the fragile, breakable freshman-shouldn't be in a white porcelain box, looking extremely peaceful despite the broken face, while they were watching him, grieving for his sudden departure.
Arthur's smile was serene as if the weight of the world has lifted. It was a nice change if it wasn't because of the situation.
Lukas and Vladimir were watching from a distance, silently participating in the memorial service. They sat at the back; flowers twined to their finger as they grasp it tightly as they mutter curses in their native languages incoherently.
"Lukas do you think Arthur...has a reason for this?" the Romanian asked, internally growling at the cruel turn of events. He looked to the blonde's usual dull eyes that now displaced a hint of emptiness.
The Norwegian stared back and nodded. "Knowing Arthur, he was a self-proclaimed gentleman. He wouldn't so something drastic if there were no reasons to. Something must have prompted him if so"
"Someone?"
Vlad blinked. Was Lukas saying Arthur killed himself because of someone?
"The Scottish senior" was the other's reply.
"Y-You mean Alistair?!" Vlad spluttered, obviously shocked. He quickly swiveled his head left to right and saw a few people glancing at him weirdly. He gave them an apologetic smile, bowing sincerely but not before he checked if any of the Scot's siblings or he was present. Fortunately, there were none.
He turned his attention back to Lukas and his answer. Lukas was telling him Alistair was the bane of Arthur's existence is still a little far-fetched. As far as he knew, Alistair was a star student and wouldn't commit such transversely. Still, there was a possibility.
"Apparently, I saw him bullying Arthur once during one of my deaths*%. Poor Arthur, being beaten black and blue by having him fall downstairs"
Lukas grimaced at the memory. If he remembered correctly, it was when Arthur tried to fight the Scot by throwing a bucket containing solid cement. But due to his poor precision, it had missed his target and fell on Lukas instead*^ resulting to a sudden death. Worse of all, he died in front of Mathias. Again.
"Sh#, I can't believe I fell for the rumors" The Romanian gripped the pew imperviously until his knuckle turned white and breath quickly. His eyes narrowed from the mention and his canine tooth showed when he growled. "When I see that Scot again, I'm going to kill him!"
"Hold on a minute Vlad," Lukas said calmly. "Do you still have that spell?"
"What spell? The one that could...why would you want that?" the brunet tilted his head, perplexed as to why Lukas would brought that topic.
"I know a perfect plan to get him from what he did to Arthur"
"Well, spill it"
"We'll cast that spell to Alistair in a situation he never expected"
A crook smile appeared from the Romanian's face as he listens carefully to Lukas' plan. He knew Lukas was a bit sadistic when it comes on selected options, but this...was the greatest one he got. Gingerly, Vlad grinned widely. Oh he likes the plan!
"So when will we initiate the plan?" he asked him, excitedly.
"Patience, Vladimir-we'll have it in due time" Lukas smirked, not even bothering that he called Vlad with his full name. Together they stood up and exited the room with new found determination on their heads.
They used to be a trio with the Briton, but after what happened, they aren't sure if they should change the group name because it hurts to. Still, that doesn't mean they cannot perform spells well. If anything, they will make this their greatest just for Arthur. Yes, Arthur will get his revenge.
"Alfred, will you stop crying?"
Matthew Williams face palmed as he watched his step brother cry his eyes out. It has been two hours since Alfred started crying, eyes clouded as he rolls on the bed, grieving tremendously. Matthew knew Alfred was one of the people affected by the Briton's death, but still it wasn't supposed to be a reason for him to distract Matthew with his assignment.
"Alfred" he called again in distraught. He shook his head, sighing and stood up to approach his brother. Matthew went on the bedside, shaking Alfred on the side when Matthew saw him bury his face in the pillow. "Alfred, you'll die if you continue burying your face deeper in that pillow"
There was a groan and then a sob. Alfred shifted from his position, taking the pillow off and rolled his orbs to his brother. Matthew gasped at the sight. The American's eyes were blood shot red, sore from crying for hours. It was a horrendous sight for someone whom you expected to be optimistic.
Alfred sat up, sobbing and tried to force a smile but failed miserably. "W-What's up, M-Mattie?"
"You look terrible" Matthew could feel his jaw hanging from shock. His eyes trailed to Alfred's appearance and it doesn't seemed good.
"I know-it sucks right?" Alfred scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry"
There was a short silence afterwards. Alfred fiddled with his fingers, oddly fascinated on how it intertwine with the other as he was not able to carry the awkwardness. Matthew, on the other hand, kept glancing at him with a worried face.
Oh Alfred, Matthew thought, sighing as he watched him. I wish I can do something to help you
The silence lasted for a while until that is, broken by a sobbing Alfred. "H-Hey Mattie, what do you think o-of A-Arthur?" he asked, hiccupping.
"Of Arthur?" Matthew blinked. "Well he's a hot headed man with a prideful persona. He was often stubborn when it comes to accepting somebody's help and shun them down almost all the time. Though, I think, it was all a façade to conceal his soft interior-a loving and gentle side"
"Y-You think so?"
Matthew hummed in reply, nodding ever so slowly. The conversation then died and there was a short silence as well. The sound of the ticking clock was the only sound evident other than the American's sobs.
"Umm...do you need a glass of water?" The Canadian managed to spoke despite of his loss of words. When Alfred faintly nodded, he got up from the bed to the kitchen to get what was asked. He took a glass from the cupboard, filled it in half and grabbed some crackers before he went back.
However, the glass wasn't able to reached Alfred as Matthew accidentally loose his grip, mouth hanging once again and his eyes widening. A resounded crack filled the room, sadly, no one paid heed for the attention was to the gleaming object.
"For the love of maple, put that down!"
He cried out, dashing to his brother who held the object tightly, pointed sharply to his brother's throat. Alfred ignored him and clutched the scissors more, prepping his arms to strike. Matthew gulped and rolled his eyes to the nearest object-which is a pillow-and threw it square to the other blonde's face in panic.
It effectively hit him, causing him to fall down to his bed giving the Canadian a momentary break to wrestle the scissors out of his hand. He immediately grasped his hand, uncurling Alfred fingers from the object. It was hard as Alfred sat up again and tried to push him out only to be defeated by Matthew's resolve.
No one can cripple the school's Hockey King when his resolve is burning, after all.
Once out of his hand, Matthew threw it on he farthest corner of the room and blocked the American if he attempts to get it back. He tackled Alfred to the bed, growling and didn't restrain himself to deliver a slap to his brother's cheek.
"What the heck are you thinking, Al?! You almost killed yourself" he exclaimed in both anger and sadness. He let go of his brother's collar and wiped his eyes as tears are threatening to fall. "Why?"
"Arthur's dead and it's because of me" Alfred averted his eyes, rolling from his violet ones. "So why wouldn't I want to kill myself?"
"Because you are being completely unreasonable"
"But I was the one who killed-
"Doesn't mean you could throw your life like that" Matthew interrupted his brother, sobbing as he continues to wipe his tears. He cupped Alfred face with his hands and forced him to come face to face with Matthew. "That doesn't mean you could leave me"
Alfred listened to his brother's quivering voice. "Mattie..."
"Listen Alfred, no one is blaming you for his death. Mom, dad, our classmates, teachers and even I don't hate you. They-we-love you, Al. Every time you got a problem, we're always be there for you, because it hurts to see you crying, sad and even broken. It affects us all...so please stop" he paused to breath and then continued.
"Heck, if anything, I should be the one committing suicide. No one notice me after all. No one would miss me if I suddenly disappear from the face of the world or if I was sent to another dimension. But you, Al, everyone would miss you-you're the one they want. They need you...unlike me"
The last two words were delivered incoherently yet it was enough for Alfred to understand what he was trying to say. Gradually, his arms snaked around Matthew's waist and pulled him in a hug. He let Matthew bury his head on his chest before Alfred leans closer to his ears.
"Matthew, I...you're important too" he whispered. "If it wasn't for you, I won't be able to live my life through, but most importantly I would have been dead by now if you didn't meddled. So don't think like that"
"I know, Al, I know" his brother whispered back, voice muffled as Mattie leans on the fabric of his shirt. "Therefore, if you can no longer live because of Arthur, then you can live for met"
"Y-Yeah, I'll remember that"
"And if you're too engrossed with Arthur's death so much, why won't we try investigating for it. After all, he didn't leave any notes behind to tell us who should be blamed for, eh"
Alfred looked at him in surprised. "Really? But I thought you hate..."
"I didn't say I hate it," Matthew shook his head. "I said you should stop moping and start searching. In fact why don't we start tomorrow, eh?"
"Oh Mattie..." a smile crept on Alfred's face. He gave him another tight squeeze of hug, nuzzling him affectionately. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Geez Al, you're squeezing me too tight"
Alfred heard him and loosened the hug but didn't let go. "Hey Mattie could you bake some pancakes as well? I'm starving"
Things I do for Alfred, Matthew sighed but smiled. He went to the kitchen to make some pancakes for dinner, but not before commanding Alfred to sit on the dining room so that he could monitor him. The polar bear nudged him in the leg and the Canadian gave it a small smile.
"You're hungry aren't you, Kumachika?" he said.
The bear looked at him, puzzled. "Who are you?"
"I'm Matthew, your owner"
And here's chapter three. The chapter today focuses mostly on Alfred and Matthew, trying to comfort each other due to their burdens. I personally think this is one of their bonding moments together even if they're America and Canada when off screen because being popular and large countries have its downfall as well. Thus, what better way for the story to move is drama, eh.
As for both Lukas and Vladimir, I randomly threw them in for them to curse a certain Scot. Speaking of which, he and his siblings would probably appear on the next chapter if time permits. After all, there would be a three days examination period coming this week and I might not be able to update this, especially Breathless. Though, on the other hand, I already started that one. So then, I hope you enjoyed this.
*%- Apparently, Lukas trust Vladimir of his secret. He tells him about his death and the mysterious trigger that might have been triggering it, as he is a part of the Magic Trio. Since Vladimir believes in this things, he does not find Lukas bonkers or absolutely insane even though he cannot see the Norwegian die. For him, there are reasons why things are moving exactly like that.
*^ -Refer to the six chapter of Breathless wherein Mathias was asking about Lukas' blood. It was implied that Lukas has died before the chapter begun and the cause of death was visibly unknown. What was mentioned here is that Arthur accidentally (and unknowingly) killed Lukas when he threw the bucket of cement though he didn't know it was Lukas that the bucket hit for it fell down a few flight of stairs below.
