Kitty: Well, I should be writing chapter 3 of Seven Sins… but my muses died this past week. Like, literally, I opened that file and wrote about a paragraph… and it just died. I opened it every day and it just sat there, waiting pathetically, and I couldn't write… AND THEN MY GAKUEN MUSES STRUCK, MUAHAHAHAHHA!
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia. Nor am I DPRK citizen, so any and all information has been researched online. I try not to use Wikipedia. This contains fluff, a little wangst, zero plot, and homosexuality. Enjoy~
Edit: Once again. I went nowhere.
www. sgn sgnnews39_51 /page1. cfm This is the article I used for DPRK's views on homosexuality.
Intimidation, Fear, and Love?
Chapter Six
Protective
Hsiao Mei reached around Jae-Soo and touched Lovino's knee. "You can talk to us about it, Lovino. Right, Jae-Soo?"
"I'll be terrible with advice or consoling, but yes, you can talk with us," Jae-Soo confirmed.
Lovino scoffed, though his expression was still pained. "Thanks for the honesty, Jae-Soo." He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling, frowning. "I don't really like talking about it. I haven't even told Feli. Not really."
"What's the point of having girlfriends if you don't empty out your heart with them? It's what we're best at!" Hsiao Mei scolded gently. Lovino rolled his eyes at her. "In all seriousness, Lovino, we're here to help you. We're your friends so we want you to be happy, not sad. If talking about it can help, please, talk to us."
"You do not have to talk about it, Lovino. It is difficult to discuss feelings and secrets. Once you begin keeping a secret, and you force it down so far that you almost forget about it, it is painful to recall it," Jae-Soo murmured in a quiet voice. He looked down at her, a little surprised. "In a way, though, is it not a good way to leech the poison? Hearing people tell you it is fine, that they care about you regardless of your secret, it will make you feel better afterward."
"And we'll always care about you, Lovino! I know I will. We're friends," Hsiao Mei added. Jae-Soo lifted her head and frowned at Lovino. He had bitten his lip and was staring at his soda can.
"Lovino, I have never friends before I met you two. You two are my closest friends, my first friends. Even though I am strange and awkward and from DPRK, you are my friend. I would never give you up easily. I find it hard to imagine I ever would," Jae-Soo admitted, blushing just a bit. Lovino finally met her eyes and half-laughed, a wry, rueful smirk on his face.
"That's funny. That's how I've been my whole life. I guess that's how it started…" Lovino broke off, then, sighed heavily. "We met at futbol camp when I was nine, he was ten. I'm an asshole, I know it. I've always been an asshole. My brother used to get picked on, cuz he liked to wear dresses and he talked like a girl, so I'd protect him the best I could, by yelling and cussing at the bullies. I can't fight worth a shit, so I just tried to scare them off.
"But when I met Antonio, he smiled at me. And even though I was rude and mean and I cussed, he always kept smiling at me and paired with me at practice. He held my hand when I fell down…" Lovino trailed off, smiling bitterly. "He said we'd be best friends forever and that I was his favorite person in the whole world. When I cried, he hugged me."
"He's sounds wonderful, Lovino. It's no wonder you fell in love," Hsiao Mei murmured, smiling softly. Jae-Soo frowned and nibbled on the orange she held.
"Well, Jae-Soo?" Lovino urged. Jae-Soo jerked and looked up, blinking.
"I-I am… confused. Antonio is a boy… but you love him. In my country, that's considered… strange. Couples should marry a suitable partner of the opposite gender to have a functional family and be functional members of society. I have heard my grandfather say it is a… a "Western aberration" and that a pure, socialist society would never have "corrupted men" like capitalist countries do," Jae-Soo tried to explain, frowning. "However, I do not like to think that my friend is corrupted or an aberration. Nor do I like to think that loving someone for being kind could be an aberration. That is a very pure and good reason to love, in my thinking," Jae-Soo trailed off and sighed. "I do not understand love well."
Hsiao Mei hugged Jae-Soo, making Jae-Soo 'urk' with discomfort. Another thing about DPRK citizens: Public Displays of Affection were awkward and frowned upon. She still didn't like it. Lovino laughed lightly and chugged at his soda.
"Jae-Soo, thanks. For not thinking I'm an aberration. That means a lot," Lovino murmured, his amber eyes darting to her annoyed face. "It's refreshing after being raised in a religion that would never look at it your way."
"I do not believe in religion. Hsiao Mei, you really do not need to clasp me so."
"Sorry! I just wanna say, Lovino, that I feel the same as Jae-Soo. She said it so sweetly, I couldn't help but hug her," Hsiao Mei explained, grinning and teary-eyed. Jae-Soo grumbled and nibbled on her orange. "I think your feelings for Antonio are beautiful! You should never be ashamed of them!"
"Thanks. I figured you'd be like that, though. I don't think you're capable of hating, Mei," Lovino pointed out dryly.
Hsiao Mei blushed brightly and Jae-Soo nodded. "You said Antonio is dating your niece, though? Are you not young for a niece? Feliciano-oppa is younger than you, is he not?" Jae-Soo prompted him. Lovino sighed.
"We have a really big family. She's kinda more like a niece twice removed or a third cousin whatever," Lovino answered with a vague wave of his hand. "She went to futbol camp with me the next year. We're the same age and we were pretty tight as kids. I wasn't really surprised when she told me she liked him a few weeks later, everyone likes that bastard, but I was surprised when he told me they were dating just when camp ended." Lovino's mouth tightened into a thin line. "I never hated him so much as I did, then. I couldn't even wish his girlfriend to fall in a hole, because she was my family. They've been dating ever since. They break up now and then, my niece is a lot like me and she gets angry with him. She also hates stupid. I don't think she can handle his for long without dumping him."
Hsiao Mei burst into giggles, and even Jae-Soo cracked a small smile. Lovino smirked at them and then tossed the soda can into the trash.
"They always get back together though. Whenever they break up, he comes to me to make him feel better. When they get back together, he comes to me so I can congratulate him, when I just want to punch him in the face. I should hate him. I should have given up. He'll never see me as more than his futbol buddy, his amigo, but I can't help it. Whenever it's just us two, and he's smiling at me and laughing, and his hand is on my shoulder, it's like the world is a better place. And I fall in love with the bastard all over again."
He gritted his teeth and covered his eyes with his hand. "I feel like an idiot. I feel pathetic."
"Do not."
Lovino peered from behind his fingers at Jae-Soo. She was frowning angrily, brown eyes dark.
"Do not ever feel pathetic for falling in love. I may not understand it, but I envy you. You make it sound like something beautiful. You should never be ashamed of something beautiful such as that. I cannot give you love advice. I cannot truly make you feel better or fix your problem, but I can tell you that your feelings are something I respect the most about you. Thus, do not be ashamed," Jae-Soo told him firmly and earnestly. Lovino chuckled, tears falling just a bit. Hsiao Mei handed over a tissue, already holding one to her face.
"Thanks, Jae-Soo. I actually do feel better."
"You are welcome. Why are you both crying? Hsiao Mei, you are ridiculous. Why are wailing like that?"
"It's just- it's so romantic and sad and I can't help it! I'm sorry! I'm such a sap!" Hsiao Mei wailed only louder, making Lovino laugh and Jae-Soo roll her eyes.
"We should head to dinner, do you not think?" Jae-Soo directed towards Lovino as his chuckles subsided. He opened his mouth to reply, and then frowned.
"Weren't you eating an orange?"
"Yes?"
"Where'd the hell it go?" Lovino demanded in confusion. Jae-Soo blinked as Hsiao Mei blew her nose loudly.
"I ate it."
"Da hol' ding?" Hsiao Mei sniffled.
"Yes, I ate the whole thing."
"Where's the peel?"
"I just said I ate the whole thing. Is my English that poor?" Jae-Soo snapped at Lovino. She hopped off the bed and brushed the few seeds off her palm into the trashcan. She turned to see Lovino and Hsiao Mei staring at her, looks of mingled horror and amusement on their faces. "What is it?" Her friends shared a look and then shook their heads, also getting off the bed.
"You're crazy, Jae-Soo," Lovino told her, tossing away his used tissue. Hsiao Mei followed suit and they headed out the door.
"Pardon me?"
"No one eats the peel of an orange, Jae-Soo!" Hsiao Mei exclaimed, half-giggling.
"That statement is fallacious. I do," Jae-Soo argued, frowning and crossing her arms over her chest. Her cheeks were tinged with pink. "I like oranges. I like citrus fruits, to be… honest…" she trailed off as goosebumps ran up her spine.
They weren't that far from the exit of the dorms, but whatever was behind her was coming up fast. She could suddenly hear the click of boot heels under the murmuring echoes of the students filing out to dinner, greeting other classmates, and chattering.
"Jae-Soo?" Lovino murmured, wondering as her eyes narrowed.
"Do you hear-" Hsiao Mei began. She cut off with a short cry as Jae-Soo knocked her to the side and spun around, knife flashing in the hallway light. Another knife flew into the air and clattered to the ground. "Oh my God- Natalia-chan?"
Jae-Soo narrowed her eyes as the pretty girl from next door stormed towards them. Her long blonde hair swished behind her and the bow over her forehead looked strange on such an intimidating girl's head. Behind her, a slightly taller girl with shorter, paler blonde hair was tearfully following. She looked a little older and her shirt seemed a little too small, but she had a sweet, if weepy, face. The girl, called Natalia, came to a halt, dark eyes flashing. It was odd… her eyes were much darker, but they did seem to have that strange purple cast to them like Ivan. Natalia crossed her arms under her breasts and glaring down at Jae-Soo.
"I hear you spent time with my brother this week?" she demanded. Jae-Soo stared at her.
"You threw a knife at me because I spent time with Ivan-oppa?" Jae-Soo questioned.
"Yes. Does it matter?"
"No. I was clarifying. What do you want?"
"Stay away from my brother! He doesn't need some cute little girl to bother him! He's had enough bullshit! If you knew anything about him, you'd break his heart, just like everyone else! So stay away before you do anymore damage!" Natalia ordered harshly.
"I refuse. Ivan-oppa is my friend. I do not intend on changing that any time in the foreseeable future. I definitely will not change that because his irritatingly interfering little sister threatens me to do so. I refuse to be threatened by anyone, Miss…" she glanced towards Hsiao Mei, who was looking horrified.
"Ar-Arlovskaya," Hsiao Mei whispered automatically.
"Thank you. Arlosokaya-unni, I will not cease speaking with Ivan-oppa."
Natalia's eyes narrowed as her shoulders tensed. Jae-Soo knew what was coming and, seeing Natalia weaponless, sheathed her dagger. Natalia darted forward and grabbed Jae-Soo's shirt collar. Jae-Soo's eyes widened and she quickly dropped, bringing Natalia down with her.
"NO, Natalia! Stop it! You'll get in trouble!" cried the older girl.
"Jae-soo! Nata-chan! Please, stop it!"
"Kick her in the fucking shins, Jae-Soo!"
"Lovino!"
Jae-Soo ignored them, grunting as her back hit the tile. Natalia grabbed her arm and, with an amazing amount of force, twisted Jae-Soo around. Only years of training kept Jae-Soo from letting out a noise. She instead trapped Natalia's knee between her ankles and rolled. She smiled humorlessly as Natalia gasped when she hit the floor. Elbows got tangled up and a fist hit Jae-Soo's eye. She hated wrestling. Her small stature made it extremely difficult on her, and Natalia was not only taller, but stronger.
I will not cry out, Jae-Soo thought savagely, using her free arm to elbow Natalia's throat.
"Get off me!" Jae-Soo snarled, kicking Natalia's hip as she tried to scramble out from under her when the taller girl's hold loosened. One eye was swelling up, but she could see Natalia's furious, pale face just before Natalia slammed her back into the ground, knocking the breath from her.
"You wore his scarf. You don't realize what water you're treading, little girl. I'll break you before you break him!" Natalia screamed in a hoarse, breathless voice.
"Natalia! Please! Ivan's a grown boy! He can take care of himself!"
"Shut up, Katyusha! You know I'm right! This girl has no idea what Ivna's capable of! What he can do! You'll run screaming if you saw my real brother! I can't stand aside to watch him fall apart again!" Jae-Soo's eyes widened in shock as tears filled Natalia's eyes. "I'm the only one that understands! I'm the only one, don't you see? You stay away from him!"
"You are weak."
Natalia's eyes narrow in confusion and then she was flung off Jae-Soo, who had managed to bring up her feet to kick Natalia off. She struggled to a sitting position as Hsiao Mei and Kayusha ran towards Natalia. It looked more like they were holding her down, instead of helping her up. Around them, a large group of girls had gathered, gasping and exclaiming, some even placing bets. One girl, with glasses, was frowning and texting on her phone.
"You let your guard drop," Jae-Soo snapped at Natalia as Lovino kneeled beside her. "However, that is not the real weakness. You are weak in your faith for Ivan-oppa. Why can you not believe that someone can truly be his friend despite who he is and what his flaws are?"
"You know nothing about us!" Natalia screamed.
"You are right. I do not. You do not know me, either. You do not know my demons or my flaws. Ivan-oppa is my friend! I will everything in my power to remain that way! He is… he is my friend…" Jae-Soo whispered, shoulders slumping. "Perchance that means little to nothing to you, but it means everything to me. My friends mean everything to me. I have never had friends before now."
"Jae-Soo, come on. Let's go clean you up," Lovino whispered in a low voice. He helped her to her feet, but she pushed his hands aside to walk upright and by herself once standing. Hsiao Mei scrambled to her feet.
"I'm coming! Wait!" she called after them. She turned to Natalia and smiled sadly. "She really is honest, Nata-chan. You should give her a chance. Let people surprise you, Nata-chan," Hsiao Mei advised. "And don't speak with your voice like that! You'll make it worse!" With that, she ran after Jae-Soo and Lovino.
"We're going to be in so much trouble. Arthur's cousin was there, I think her name is Alice. She works in the student council with him. She was definitely texting him," Hsiao Mei murmured a few minutes later as they left the first aid station. Jae-Soo and Lovino glared at her. With Jae-Soo's newly acquired black eye, she looked fierce indeed.
"Can it, Meimei. That Brit's a friend of yours. Just tell him Jae-Soo was defending her life. You did see the knife that crazy bitch threw, right?" Lovino retorted.
"It would not have struck anything vital. I believe she aimed to scare, not hurt. However, it was dangerously close to Hsiao Mei. That was uncalled for," Jae-Soo muttered, pressing the coldpack to her eye.
"Okay, you're a crazy bitch, too."
"Ha ha," Jae-Soo stated drily.
"Natalia really isn't that bad! I really like her! I mean, she was hard to get to know at first, but she's actually very sweet and pretty. I just think… I think she might be a bit over-protective of her brother. I don't know much, but she doesn't come from a very pleasant past."
Jae-Soo chewed her lip, wondering if she should tell them what Toris had told her. It was none of her business, though, so she kept her mouth shut. Maybe Toris didn't have discretion, but Jae-Soo did.
"She threw a knife!" Lovino exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air as they entered the cafeteria at last.
"Hey, what took you guys so long? I'm starving, man!" Alfred yelled from their usual table. "Dude! Jae-Soo! Your face!"
Of course, the entire cafeteria stared at them then. Alfred's voice was comparable to an elephant's. A large amount of girls whispered hurriedly to each other, and a few boys were whistling. Jae-Soo grunted as a hand slapped her back hard.
"I heard you took on Arlovskaya and lived, great job, shrimp," Mathias congratulated as he walked by with the other boys most the school jokingly dubbed "The Nords."
"You really should be careful, Jae-Soo," one of the first years murmured as he passed. Hsiao Mei blushed and her eyes got starry as they waved to each other.
"That's Timo, the Finnish boy in our year. Isn't he adorable?"
"Meimei, head out the clouds. We're here for actual food, not eye candy," Lovino muttered as they followed the Nords towards the assembly line where Alfred and Matt were now standing.
"I hate gossip," Jae-Soo sighed.
"Dude, Jae-Soo, that eye just looks worse the closer you get. You okay?" Alfred asked with genuine concern. Jae-Soo gazed up him, nonplussed. She wasn't used to Alfred being so serious. "Are you being bullied, Jae-Soo?"
"No! Of course not!"
"She got in a catfight, dumbass," Lovino replied, walking past to get to the pasta line.
"Whoa!"
"Oh, Jae-Soo! Surely you know better than that!" Matt exclaimed. She walked with him to the salad bar as Hsiao Mei and Alfred went to the pizza line. Though Hsiao Mei normally ate pretty healthy, she had a weakness for mushroom and olive pizza.
"I did not have much of a choice. She threw herself at me. I believe she has trained in wrestling. Perchance she learned somba, if she lives near Russia…" Jae-Soo mumbled, glaring at the trays and wondering how she was going to serve herself and hold the coldpack up.
"How about we share a tray and you tell me what you want?" Matt suggested. Jae-Soo gave him one of her rare smiles, half-hidden by the large plastic gel-filled pack. He smiled back and continued on with the conversation, piling up the salad. "I doubt wrestling is one of your strong points, seeing how small you are. Why did she attack you?"
"Brother complex."
"Eh?"
Jae-Soo shook her head and they headed over to the table. When they got there, Alfred was glaring at Ivan. They were almost eye to eye, Alfred was that tall, but Ivan was ignoring him with a pleasantly strained smile on his face. Hsiao Mei and Lovino were sitting at the table, the former looking anxious and the latter intrigued. When Ivan caught sight of Jae-Soo, he brushed past Alfred and stepped up to Jae-Soo. In front of the whole cafeteria, he grasped her hand and pulled it away from her face. She blushed cherry-red and froze, his gentle touch confusing the crap out of her. She blinked as that fleeting glimpse she'd caught before came back and took over his entire features. The sheer amount of rage on his face floored her as he let out a rush of what she assumed to be Russian expletives.
"I am fine, Ivan-oppa. Please, do not make a scene here. I am hungry and I… what is that phrase? I gave as well as I received."
"…gave as good as I got…" Alfred mumbled from behind Ivan. "Do you want me to tell this guy to leave, Soo? It's his fault some crazy lady beat you up."
Jae-Soo cut a glare at Hsiao Mei, who flushed brightly. "No, Alfred. Ivan-oppa is my friend and is not responsible for his sister's actions. It would be preferable if he explained them," Jae-Soo prompted sardonically.
"I can only say I am sorry. I knew she will be angry, but this I not expected," Ivan told her sadly.
"I do not think she expected I would fight back, Ivan-oppa. She did not begin the struggle with the intent to harm, only intimidate," Jae-Soo tried to explain again. Ivan waved his hand.
"Is all same. I will speak with her and it will not happen again."
"That's not necessary, brother," replied a voice that Jae-Soo was inwardly pleased to hear still sounded hoarse. Ivan snapped something in Russian and Jae-Soo turned to look over her shoulder.
Natalia and Katyusha stood there. She didn't looked physically harmed, other than a slight shadow of a bruise on her throat, but when she stepped forward, she limped a bit.
"We should only speak in English," Jae-Soo said to Ivan, frowning. He glanced at her and she saw that rage again that was quickly squashed.
"I agree with… the girl…" Natalia relied, hesitating over Jae-Soo's obviously unknown name.
"Im, Jae-Soo. You are Arlosukaya?"
"Arlovskaya." Jae-Soo frowned at the 'v'. "Just call me Natalia. I wanted to…" Natalia looked away and Jae-Soo was surprised to see a hint of pink on the girl's pale skin. Katyusha made 'go on' motions and smiled. "I want to apologize. I misunderstood the situation. I thought you and brother were dating. I couldn't see how someone who barely knew him could date him and I was scared you'd break up with him if you got to know him and then he'd be hurt. I didn't realize you were just friends. I just wanted… I just wanted to protect my brother," Natalia murmured, staring at the floor.
Jae-Soo stepped forward, forcing Natalia to look up and meet her one-eye gaze. "Perhaps you have good intentions, but you should trust your brother's judgment, do you not think? If it will help you at all, I am not interested in dating anyone. I am here to learn, not fraternize. I would appreciate it if you did not throw knives or punches at me," Jae-Soo paused, then looked away. "You are very good at wrestling, however. Was that sambo?"
Natalia blinked. "Yes, a little. I picked up a little boxing, too. Mostly, I just fight as hard as possible. You have great technique with knives. How did you know I was behind you?"
"It is experience on my part. You had great aim, but I prefer not having my friends frightened out of their wits."
"Thank you."
"I give the same to you."
Natalia nodded and then turned and left.
"Thank you for being so understanding!" Katyusha exclaimed. "Ivan, you stay with Jae-Soo, I'll make sure Natalia stays out of trouble, promise!" she waved to Ivan and jogged after Natalia, completely oblivious to the stares of the male students.
"I am… impressed…" Ivan said slowly. She turned her head over her shoulder and looked up at Ivan. "You handle my sister well."
"She handles herself well. She is just… overzealous. She must care for you a great deal, Ivan-oppa," Jae-Soo replied with a shrug. She walked back to the booth where Matt had set down her plate.
"Yes, she does. Thank you, Jae-Soo, for being my friend," Ivan murmured. She whipped her head around, one eye wide. He was smiling as her, so boyishly and unsure, it made her heart rather hurt. What a strange feeling.
"I enjoy being your friend, Ivan-oppa. Do not thank me. I do not give much in return," she stated. She sat down and Ivan sat with her. His eyes rested on her face as she snapped something at Alfred before he, too, turned back to the group.
Lovino glanced between them and frowned.