A/N: Trying to update when I can! I hope you all love the latest installment!

Residing In Water

Chapter Three: Fallen in Chaos- The Struggle of Francis and Feliciano

The lifeless and controlled form of Ludwig stood before them.

"You've… You've gotta be fucking joking, right?"

"…Why him…?"

"Why did I have to be right… Why?!"

"He has been through enough. He does not deserve this. History will not repeat itself.

The voice chuckles. All it took was a simple memory to control him. He is rather weak in heart. I will use him to destroy you- especially you, wretched Child of Water!

"Try as you will," Francis stands in front of his family. His hands are spread out, as if he wishes to bear whatever pain the Dark One would try to inflict on his loved ones. "You touch them. Touch my family. You hurt Ludwig even more. Go on, go right ahead, however I wish to tell you that I can show you how lukewarm the Hell you came from really is."

Very well then. ATTACK.

Ludwig heads for Francis while Arthur, Alfred and Matthew are dealing with the dark entities, trying to buy Arthur time for a purification. Francis dodges most of the onslaught from Ludwig, even dealing in his own hits, but in his own mind, he knew he could do so much more. He did not want to fight Ludwig. Francis came to the conclusion that this newfound hostility from Ludwig came from the Dark One. He didn't know the memory the German was shown, but this memory must have been so painful it brought him to be this controlled, lifeless man.

Ludwig looked so empty. Unlike himself. Though the Frenchman chose to stay away from Ludwig, he did not like to see this. How could he? He loves and cares for anyone, even those who have hurt him. This Dark One misled Ludwig and broke him. He vowed to help Ludwig—even as Ludwig pushes him to the ground. Hit. Hit. Hit. Francis can feel the exact moment his back breaks. He cries out, gathering his strength to stand, an impossible feat for one with a broken back. Francis couldn't feel that pain in a split second. He is angry. Beyond pissed. The sprinklers in the room burst, emitting a large explosive sound. His eyes glared not only at Ludwig but at a dark cloud hoisted above the German. The water got hotter and hotter, gaining the attention of all.

"Francis! Snap out of it! Francis!" Alfred shouted, trying to snap Francis out of it.

The dark entities grow agitated before finally disappearing. Arthur in shock didn't even have time to finish the spell. Matthew slowly tried to get close to Francis, who was just standing there, glaring. The Dark One disappears, along with Ludwig. Matthew notices his papa begin to shake, the only movement since Francis caused the sprinklers to go off. Alfred managed to cool the water down by absorbing the heat, also making the sprinklers shut off afterwards. Luckly, none of them would not be burned.

"Francis… Papa?" Matthew calls out softly.

Francis turned around. Tears ran down his cheeks—and then just like that, he fainted.

November 3rd, 7:00 PM

Francis awoke in his bed, both with confusion and a headache that made him want to collapse right back into sleep.

He remembers the meeting room, the Dark One, and Ludwig hitting him. Speaking of hitting, his back hurt like Hell. The Frenchman was alone only in this room, having heard commotion downstairs. He could not sit up, not at all, and he certainly did not want to try to stand and walk. Silent tears fell from his eyes once more. It is a mixture of the pain in his back and the fact he could not help Ludwig. Evidently, the Frenchman decided against his better judgement and sits up, soon yelping in pain and falling right back down into the bed. He sees he is bandaged and he can feel ointment on his back. If he really squinted, there was healing magic done on him, most likely by Arthur.

Speaking of Arthur, he hears fast paced running up his stairs. Arthur comes in the room in haste, approaching the bed. His face full of worry, full of pain for Francis. Dare Francis say it, Arthur's eyes seemed watery.

"Francis…" Arthur gently touched his face. "I'm sorry. I let you get hurt."

Francis simply shook his head. "No, Arthur, you did not-"

"I did!" Arthur cuts him off. "I care about you and I could not protect you, damn it!"

"…You care about me. Really?"

Arthur nodded. Now was the time. He simply felt it.

"…Francis Bonnefoy… You beautiful, beautiful man."

Said Francis gasped. His dream…

"I can no longer hide the love I harbor for you."

…Was literally coming true.

November 3rd, 8:00 PM

"Fratellone, I'm going out." Feliciano at the door, calls out, ready to just walk right out the door. Lovino comes quickly to the door to see him off.

"Marcello's sleeping. I'll tell him you are going out. You're not going to reason with that potato bastard, … uh… are you?"

Feliciano glared, rolling his eyes. "You know I'm not. I need to let out some anger."

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm just making sure you're alright. Keep your phone out, it's getting sort of late."

Feliciano sighed and nodded. "See you in a bit, then."

Lovino nodded and shut the door as Feliciano walked out.

I loved him.

Feliciano walked slowly. His sadness and his anger knew no bounds. How could Ludwig think he could control what he does and hurt someone whom he cared about like that? Feliciano couldn't understand just what happened earlier today. He felt betrayed—though not in an actual relationship with the man. He tried so badly to make Lovino see that Ludwig wasn't all that bad. He'd often invite Ludwig over and he would be kind to Lovino, and Lovino accepted that and lessened his judgement on the German, but in no less than a second, all of the visits, the pleas… ruined.

I loved him.

"Aren't I the biggest of fools?" He chuckles to himself.

As Feliciano is walking, his eyes catch something glittery in the ground. He is not foolish enough to put his hand down towards the source, as it could be a needle, so he takes his foot and moves away the excess dirt. There, in all of it's glory, are three necklaces—all in the same. The three necklaces have a triangle with a line through the bottom. Feliciano picks them up gently. They are perfect, no tampering present. It was almost like…

He was meant to pick them up.

Placing them in his pocket, he continues to walk. His thoughts turning from the necklaces, he thinks about Ludwig again.

I loved you. I could have given you everything…! I could have given you the love… The love we both wanted and you… Why did you have to…!

The wind picks up, but Feliciano doesn't care nor does he realize.

Feliciano finds himself at the meeting building. It is vacant, save for security. He lies and says that Francis asked him to set up for the next meeting, and he is allowed in. He makes his way to the meeting room. In actuality, all he wanted to do is sit in the room and vent.

He would be setting up the meeting room for Francis after all.

As he walks in, the door instantly slams. His eyes widen, a gasp escaping him.

"W-What..? How… That door isn't… automatic…"

Feliciano Vargas. Can you hear me? I know you can hear me.

The Italian looks up, his eyes wandering. The voice he hears truly frightens him.

"What do you want…? What do you want from me?!"

You know what I want, Wind Elemental.

Chapter four, end.

A/N: Sorry that the chapter was so short and/or rushed! College starts for me once again next week and I wanted to get something in. Until next time!