Gilbert took a step towards the door, but there was no need, as despite the enchantments on the lock, it unlocked and the door started to slowly creak open.
A sense of helpless doom came over Romano. So this was how he died.
Shadows came pouring into the room from the opening door. The air became heavier, and Romano's chest constricted. He swiftly stood up and rushed to the door, throwing himself on it in order to try and keep it closed.
Kiku seemed to snap out of whatever daze he was in and hurried to help the Italian, before giving a pleading look to Gilbert and Peter.
Gilbert simply stood there, a helpless expression on his face. Almost like he knew what was going to happen, and there was nothing he could really do to stop it. He sighed quietly, and shook his head once. No.
Peter looked frantically between the now-partially-closed door and his friend. What to do...what to do?! He knew what Gilbert was trying to convey, but on the other hand...if they kept the door closed…
He ran to the door and put his hands next to his friends, a dim glow spreading from his hands into the door. It shut a fraction more, and Peter's hopes rose.
The three shoved with all their might and magic, with Gilbert watching, paralyzed with fear, from behind them. Romano had broken into a light sweat, and the shadows were still trickling out from behind the door. He didn't even know what was behind the piece of wood separating them from whatever evil was trying to get them.
But he didn't care. Whatever it was, he would have to protect those he trusted most from it. Because after all…
What else was family for?
Gilbert knew there were a lot of things he should be doing.
He knew he should go and help them. Help them in their futile attempt to close that stupid door even though it wasn't going to help.
He knew he should call for Matthew, or someone, to help them. But Matthew wasn't there, so…
He knew that standing where he was, stock still, was the worst option he could take. Yet, he did it anyways.
He even thought he knew what was trying to get to them. But...it was possible, but he thought it was getting better. Not like last time...he could only hope.
Romano took a second to glare at Gilbert, fury in his eyes. He said nothing, and turned back to the door.
However, that breach in strength was all whatever it was out there to take over.
The door flew open, and he along with Kiku and Peter fell back onto the floor. The room became noticeably darker, to the point that distinguishable features were impossible to see unaided. There stood a humanoid body with luminescent blood red eyes, an insane grin, and unmistakable figure.
Romano, in his shock, was able to utter one word. "...M-Matthew?"
Gilbert's heart faltered, then dropped to the pit of his stomach. This was never supposed to happen. They were supposed to talk and laugh and smile and live with Matthew, not this, not this!
He took a shaky step forward and held out his hand. Stop this...stop this...His mind screamed at him, and he hoped for a second that he really could stop anything from happening this time.
Matthew stared at him, grin suddenly gone. He cocked his head, and Gilbert saw a trace of confusion run across his face. The blonde's eyes followed his every move closely, not unlike a hunter examining his prey.
Gilbert stepped towards him again, hand still in front of him. "Little bird…" He said quietly, as not to startle him and face the consequences.
Another step, and Matthew tensed. Okay...so far so good...Gilbert smiled softly, "Hey there, birdie…"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Arthur stir. He hoped the blonde had enough sense to stay silent like the other three.
Turning back to his lover, he saw Matthew's eyes were flickering from red to purple. He couldn't believe it. It's working, it's-
"Gil?" Matthew mumbled dazedly, voice soft. He looked around the room slowly, seeing auras of his guests on the floor and unmoving. His violet eyes widened and he gasped. "Ah! Are they...are they alright?" He asked, distressed. His hands flew over his mouth as he continued without waiting for Gilbert. "No no no, I didn't- I didn't-"
Gilbert rushed forward and caught Matthew in his arms before the blonde could move. "They're fine. Shh...it's okay," He said, petting Matthew's hair in a manner he hoped was comforting.
Matthew still looked hesitant, but Peter spoke up then. "Matt, we're all fine. Terrified, but fine." He reassured.
The blonde wailed, "What did I do?"
Gilbert gave Peter a glare, daring him to say something else. He did.
"Well," he said, moving to stand up, "you didn't do anything…"
Matthew inhaled sharply. "No…he- he couldn't have-" He faltered and fell silent. "I'm so sorry...I didn't...I'm sorry, I'm sorry-!"
"Matt!" Gilbert reprimanded, forcing the blonde to look into his eyes. "He just gave us a fright, that's all. You're fine, we're fine, it's okay."
But the host wouldn't hear it, and cast one final desperate gaze over those in the room before ripping himself from Gilbert's hold and stumbling out of the room.
Everyone was silent for a long minute. Cries outside could be faintly heard, but whether they were Matthew's or not, they didn't know.
Arthur, now recovered, was the first to break the silence.
"What...just happened?" He asked warily, looking at the door. "Gilbert, explain."
The silverette sighed and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "That was a prime example of why Matt shouldn't get angry, that's what it was."
"Not what I meant, idiot. There was clearly only one person standing there, and that was Matthew. So who were you two talking about? And why was he about to attack us?" Arthur demanded before muttering, "I knew it wasn't safe here."
Gilbert must have either not heard him, or ignored his statement, because he continued with his explanation.
"Matt has...how do I say this? It's not just him in his mind. Like, there's Matt- Matthew, if you like, and he's the one who greeted us. But there's also...well, there's also the, ah, other Matthew. That's the one with red eyes- the one who tried to attack us. And no, I don't know why. But if you dare bring this up to Matt, you're gonna regret it. Hear me, Arthur?" Gilbert threatened, pointing at the blonde.
Arthur leaned back slightly from his position on the floor, a little intimidated. He had no idea there was another personality in Matthew's head...that was the last thing he would've guessed, honestly. Arthur could tell Gilbert had left a couple of things out, but for once he wasn't going to push it. This seemed like it could be an emotional subject for Gilbert, and Arthur wasn't in the mood to mess with his friend.
"Yeah," he said, meeting Gilbert's eyes, "I understand."
Meanwhile, Romano had gotten up and sat on the other bed. He searched his body for any injuries, and finding nothing but a couple of spots that would be bruised in the morning, he was fine. He checked Peter next, then Kiku.
"We're all okay, if you cared." Romano stated, and Arthur rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. He stood up and sat on the bed next to his lover.
Arthur sighed, and ran his hand through Romano's hair before placing a kiss on the Italian's forehead. "I'm sorry, love. I know I should have paid attention to you instead of demanding to know what happened. Can you forgive me?"
Romano sat aloof with his head raised, but anyone could tell he was pleased with Arthur's reaction. "Hm. I guess." Romano replied, smiling slightly.
The blonde grinned. "I love you, Romano."
"I love you, too."
Gilbert groaned loudly, previous worries gone, and dramatically put a hand over his heart. "God, you two are so unawesome. And gross. Bleh." He complained and Peter nodded vigorously.
Arthur sneered at Gilbert, but his smile was still present to show he was joking. "Whatever, you fairy." He teased.
Gilbert looked positively affronted, and Peter just burst into laughter.
"I am not a fairy!" He insisted. "If anyone's a fairy, it's Peter!"
Peter shook his head, still laughing.
Arthur smirked, thinking he won this battle, and turned back to Romano. "He's totally a fairy," he stage whispered to the brunet, who snorted and nodded.
Gilbert pouted, and crossed his arms, acting as the mature leader they all knew. "You guys suck," he decided and added as an afterthought, "and I'm going to sleep. Again, don't leave, and I'll see you in the morning. Understood?"
Everyone nodded in unison, and Gilbert smirked in satisfaction. "Good." He stood up and walked to the doorway. Sticking only his head out, he called out Matthew's name. The blonde seemed to materialize next to him in a second, and he escorted Gilbert down to the end of the hall where Matthew's bedroom- supposedly -was.
As those left in the bedroom crawled into their respective beds, Kiku commented, "Well, that was the most exciting night I've had in a long time. I wonder what will happen next."
No one disagreed, and sleep came onto them swiftly.
OH GOD IT'S DONE-
Well...uh, here you go. I'm sorry for the long wait. I've had a lot of troubles getting this chapter up, but I persevered and give you this! I know it's not much, but it's important to the plot. So, yeah.
Ha, were you expecting it to be Matthew? If you were, wow. Good job! If not, good job too! Thank you very much for telling me you're guesses. It means a lot that you'd interact with me ^^
I'm dedicating this chapter to my wonderfully awesome friend, JessicaStarCrossed. Without her, this would have been a much longer wait. She really helped me out in deciding what to do! Thank you!
Also, I'm going to keep my updating schedule to once a week, and I'll try to keep to it. The chapters might be early, or a few days late, but I'm not ever giving up on Safe Haven. I'm going to finish this if it kills me!
My story recommendation for this chapter is Lovely, by paerre. It's, in my opinion, one of the best ongoing Spamano fics out there, if not one of the greatest overall. Lovely doesn't depict Antonio and Lovino's relationship are perfect- far from it, in fact. It's very realistic, and I hope there are more stories like it in the future. Plus, the author has a very excellent theory about how the nations work and feel, so I suggest you check it out. It's unlike any Spamano you'll ever read.
Any errors? Feel free to tell me! Plot holes? Point 'em out! Thanks in advance!
Well, that's it. Sorry for giving you such a big author's note every time- I just can't help it! Oh! And I'm working on a gift-fic for a friend of mine, so I'll try to get that up in the next week or so.
See You Soon,
The Forgotten Traveller~
