It is finished! I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as I did.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia nor the songs from The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea
Ludwig found himself pleasantly surprised that his body quickly adapted to his two legs again, he only wished it had been under better circumstances. His brother maneuvered the ship out of yet another dock. It had been a long day and they had yet to find Peter. Alfred was leaning miserably against a rail, his blue eyes keeping a sharp watch for his son in the water.
"You should go talk to him, West." Gilbert nudged him gently towards their prince, "He's really needs his friend."
Nodding, Ludwig quietly walked up to Alfred and leaned against the rail, "How are you holding up?"
"Better than can be expected I guess," grumbled the shorter blonde. "It's good to have you back, dude. Nice to see that the clothes still fit."
"Ah, well, I've been trying to stay in shape. It's not so hard given the amount of swimming I do."
"Yeah." The prince slumped against the rail, various emotions crawling over his face. Why did this have to happen to him? Everything had been going great so far as he could see…well with the exception of what happened at the ball. He dug his nails onto the sea worn wood, how could children be so cruel? Things weren't that bad when he and Matthew attended school. Granted it was because he had his big scary best friend to ward off any bullies and Gilbert, well Gilbert never let Matthew out of his sight. Alfred narrowed his eyes, now that he thought about it Peter would often come home in tears. But he'd always figure that between he and Arthur they made up for whatever was going on at school. The thought that he was so horribly wrong about that made him feel as if he were drowning all over again.
"Alfred?"
"Hm?"
"What's wrong?"
"Sorry, man, it's just…he's my little boy and he's out there all by himself." The prince removed his glasses to wipe a few tears from his eyes. "What kind of dad just loses his son like that?"
"Hey, you can't and shouldn't blame yourself for what happened."
"But I also had a part in this. Had I just been braver and gone to find that thing that threatened my family, then he and Artie and me could've joined you and Feli in the sea and none of this would've happened. He wouldn't be bullied at school and he'd be safe with us. H-he would've been happy."
Ludwig awkwardly patted Alfred on the back to sooth his despair, "We're going to find him and if not us, Arthur and Feli will. You couldn't have known this would happen."
"No, but I should've been braver like you. That shark threatened to eat your husband and you didn't leave the sea. You managed to protect them."
"Well, we do live in a city, Alfred. Robert increased the amount of security to keep us safe."
"That's beside the point, Lud." Alfred put his glasses back on and glared out, "If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive myself."
"Mes amis," called Francis as he dove down onto the ship, "look who I found. He said that he was looking for Alfred." The seagull landed on Gilbert's shoulder just as a puffin landed on the wheel.
"Mathias?" Ludwig offered his forearm so that the Nordic could perch himself onto it. "Mathias, what's wrong?"
Taking deep breaths to calm his rapidly beating heart, Mathias looked at his friend wearily, "Arthur sent me to find his husband, man. Natalya has Peter and both he and Feli are going in to get him out. Come on, we need to get to them as quick as possible before something bad happens!"
Anxiety gripped at Alfred like a claw but he tried to shove it as far from him as he could. Pulling a map out from Matthew's bag he extended it so that the puffin could see, "Show us."
"Better yet, I can take us there with this," answered Lukas as he pulled at the dark blue sea conch from around his neck. "It'll get us close enough." The Nordic had made it to Atlantica as quickly as he could after Arthur gave him the task of informing Robert and his brothers of Natalya's location. To his luck he had found all the royal brothers were huddled around in the throne room in deep conversation. He explained what he needed to and was now waiting for the sea king and princes to get their things ready for the battle that was sure to come.
Christian saw Kyle reaching for his sword and stopped him, "Not you Kiwi."
"What? And why the blooming hell not?" Kyle furrowed his brow in annoyance, "Arthur needs me just as much as he needs you guys."
"I need you, too."
"What are you going on about?"
"Someone needs to stay with Sarah and the other little ones."
"Lovino-"
"Just left with Robert and Roderich. Please, mate, do this for me."
Kyle brushed a hair curl from his eye, "Ok. Just…you guys," he addressed his other brothers as well, "Bring back our baby brother and nephew."
David climbed onto his seahorse, "We will mate." Feli too.
A pale finger traced figures into the snow sadly, the guilt of abandoning his friend made his tummy bubble uncomfortably. Erik flicked his brown and crème colored tail slowly, "We make terrible Vikings slash artists."
Patrik snorted miserably, "The great trio reduced to cowards slash losers more like it."
"At least we're alive," mumbled Willem, his voice garbled from the little black hat he had stretched over his face.
"Yeah, if you can call this living." The three cousins sighed sadly and huddled closer to one another. Patrik looked over to the cave Peter had entered, worry gnawing angrily at his belly. "How long does a spell like that take?"
"Don't look at me, you're the one whose taking those magic classes."
"I know. It shouldn't be taking this long."
Willem frowned, "Well if you knew why'd ya ask?"
"That's beside the point." The red head turned into a penguin so that he could pace. "On one hand we can live out the rest of our healthy unnaturally long lives, albeit as disgusting, pathetic-er…"
"Worms?"
"That's good! Good, yeah, cowardly worms-"
"Who have shamed our great ancestors and brave daddies," added Erik, not sparing a glance from his sketch of Peter and himself.
"Right, we get it. However, I believe we can redeem ourselves gentlemen."
Erik stopped drawing in the snow and looked up as Willem scooted closer to listen better, "How?"
"We gather our courage, what's left of it, and storm inside and demand that Peter be returned to us safe and sound."
"And what if they decided to hack us into fish bait? How are we going to explain to Auntie Lilly and Uncle Emil that their baby is inside some shark's stomach?" Willem shook his head, "That doesn't sound like a very good plan."
"What makes you think they'd come after me?" Erik dragged himself over to Patrik in fear, "Why's it always me?"
"Cause your small and a slow swimmer and-"
Patrik let out an angry squawk, "That's not helping us gather our courage, Willem." The merman patted his little cousin on the head with his flipper, "Don't worry, Erik. It won't come down to that…I don't think."
Violet eyes blinked slowly, "Thank you, big brother. You sure know how to make a kid feel better."
"You're welcome!"
A puff of white smoke came out as Willem chuckled softly at Patrik's obliviousness to Erik's sarcasm. Lavender colored light pulled the young mermen from their brief moment of peace and they stared at it in fear.
"Y-you guys, Peter is in there still," whimpered Erik. "He could be in big trouble. He could really need our help!" His small hands gripped Willem and Patrik as he widened his eyes pleadingly.
Patrik turned back into a merman, "Alright boys, what's it gonna be? A life time of as worms? Or two minutes as heroes?"
His two cousins exchanged glances before reaching a mutual agreement. Willem fixed his hat as he slid into the water, "Let's do thi-eep!" He jumped up in fear when more light followed by a violent crack of thunder. "Th-this might be a lot scarier than we thought…"
A wave of horror ran down Arthur's spine when Natalya settled onto a seat of ice and pulled him close to her, "The bloody hell are you doing?!"
"Getting comfortable, Prince," she answered calmly. With a wave of the Trident the cave grumbled and shook as the rock and ice rearranged itself, pushing the two merfolk high above. She wrapped her tentacles tighter around the merman, "This is a good seat, no? I can't wait for others to hail to me as their queen."
"No one will ever bow to you, witch," hissed the blonde as he struggled to free himself.
Another crack of thunder followed by sliver of lightening pierced through the air. "You think so, Arthur? Because I can promise you that I'll have you and your brothers on the humps of your tails by the time I'm finished."
"I seriously doubt that." The ground stopped moving below them, the cavern now looking more like an oversized icy throne.
"It's beautiful isn't it?"
"Hardly."
"You would be wise to watch your tone, prince," spat Natalya, Ivan's violet eye glowing ominously. "I could kill you know if provoked enough."
"Why don't you?"
"I want everyone to see you die, Arthur. Robert, your brothers, your husband, everyone will feel what it's like to lose someone they love. They'll feel what I felt when Ivan died. And when that's over, they will bow."
"Hey, Nat," called Damien from the water. He made a show of bowing, "I'm hailing! Can you make me big now?"
The mermaid sighed, "Yes, fine. You deserve it after all." She aimed the Trident to the small merman but Mathias shot a beam of magic of his own to counter the Trident's.
"Hold on, mon cher," called Francis, "the cavalry is coming!"
Arthur smiled when he saw the familiar flags of the royal ship; his husband was at the wheel while Gilbert and Ludwig loaded the cannons, "Darli-mmph." He furrowed his eyebrows in disgust as a slimy tentacle wrapped around his face to cover his mouth.
It was then that Alfred noticed that his merman was held hostage, "Artie! No, guys, wait! Hold fire!" But it was too late. Canons released their ammunition with fierce roars only none met their mark. Instead they stayed suspended in the air meters away from Natalya with her hand outstretched before her.
She flicked her wrists and the cannon balls flew back towards the ship. "Did you honestly think it would be that easy, human?" Arthur screamed in horror as ball crashed right behind Alfred sending the prince soaring right into Ludwig and overboard.
Gilbert raced for Matthew and pulled him over his shoulder, "Abandon ship, boys!" He motioned for Kumajirou to follow as he jumped onto another ice mass.
"Oh, how my dear Ivan would've loved this." Natalya rubbed the corner of her eye affectionately.
Alfred crawled onto a piece of ice and watched as his crew made it to safety, "Mattie you guys ok?"
Matthew counted to make sure that everyone was fine. "Yeah, we're fine," he shouted to his twin. "I can't find Ludwig though."
"I've got him, mate." Robert and his brothers arrived with weapons drawn. The sea king carefully put Ludwig onto the same land mass as Alfred before glaring up to the mermaid. "Natalya!"
"King Robert," responded the mermaid coolly. She ran her fingers through Arthur's hair, "Is that truly the best you can do?"
The redhead ignored her insults, "Release my brother, surrender my nephew and I may yet spare you."
Her giggles came out in a harsh burst, "Oh, Poseidon, this is too good." She took a shuddering breath to calm herself but the absurdity of it all was getting to her. She sat up on her tentacles and eyed his two friends, Lovino and Roderich both in feline forms on his dolphin driven chariot. "What are you going to do? Throw your musician and cook at me?" Natalya cackled again in glee.
Damien swam circles around them in his shark form, "Face it Robert, you and your family are all washed up!" He cackled to himself, dodging when Roderich jumped at him. "The fuck? Oi! Stop!"
Roderich hissed angrily, "I'll teach you some manners, you uncivilized fiend." Turning into a blue crab he tried clipping at Damien's fins.
"Look at me- gah!" The miniaturized shark jumped out of Roderich's reach just as the merman was about to close his pincer around his fin. "Take pity, man. I'm a chibi!"
"Get 'em, Roderich," shouted Lovino gleefully from his spot on the chariot. Gilbert looked over at him questioningly then back at the blue crab that would haunt his kitchen. Four eyes?
Deciding that Damien had suffered enough humiliation, Natalya granted him his wish. With a flick of the Trident, magic enveloped the small shark. Everyone watched as he fell into the water where a bright purple light glowed from beneath the bubbling surface. Roderich felt uneasy, "Oh, dear." He screamed in panic when he realized that his sliver of land was being engulfed by a large mouth with rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth.
"Specs!" Gilbert hopped from one ice slab to another until he reached the blue crab. Grabbing him he dove out of the way just as Damien slammed his body down, sending a large wave over Robert and his brothers.
"Thanks, babe," shouted Damien up to Natalya. Stretching his elongated body contently he sneered at the royal brothers, "Later, boys. I'm going to go hunt me some delicious merchildren." He dove back into the water, flicking his tail back once more to send another wave of water towards the siblings.
Alfred sucked in a breath in anger and drew out his sword, "Where's Peter? What have you done with him?!" He remembered what he told Arthur about fathers and their feelings when someone messed with their children. He had these feelings bottled in due to the fact that the ones bothering his son were his subjects but this-this…thing was nothing to him. He killed her brother for putting his Arthur in danger he'd kill her for doing the same to his son.
As if reading his mind, Natalya's dual colored eyes steeled. "You want to see your son? Well, I think that can be arranged."
Two thin tails wrapped themselves around Alfred's boots and dragged him through the ice. Milen chuckled, "Nothing personal, human. It's just easier to be on the winning side." They dove in further as Vladimir added, "Just take deep breaths. It'll be over soon enough."
Lovino jumped into the water after the two sting rays, "Che palle, come back here you bastards!"
Back on the tower of ice, Mathias and Francis pecked at Natalya's head in effort to get her to release Arthur. "You are a very bad lady," cried the Nordic in disapproval. Arthur wiggled out of the tentacle, pushing the rest down his tail before managing to free himself. He dove into the chilly waters in time to see Alfred suddenly exhale what was left of his oxygen. They reached out their arms towards each other as Arthur pushed his tail to go faster.
The Italian kicked his fin till he managed to grab onto the stingrays' tails, "Let go of him you bastards!" Lovi pinched at the base making them gasp in shock and release their hold on Alfred. "Get him out of here, Arthur. I'll take care of-chigi!" Vladimir and Milen wrapped their tails around Lovi's wrists dragged away. "Go, Arthur, I'll be fine!"
Arthur wrapped his arms around his husband, "It's alright, darling. I've got you." He carried Alfred back to the surface where Ludwig and Gilbert helped pull him onto the ice platform.
"B-babe?" The blue eyed prince reached out with a shivering hand to cup Arthur's cheek. "Where's our baby?"
"And where's my husband," asked Ludwig, his own eyes searching the waters for his merman.
"Peter and Feli are trapped in the cavern but I saw Lukas go in there." Arthur pulled Alfred into his arms in effort to keep him warm. "It'll be ok."
"You don't mean that cavern over there do you?"
Arthur looked over to where the German was pointing and nodded, "Yes, why?"
All color drained from Ludwig's face and Gilbert had to restrain him from jumping into the water, "What are you doing, West? You can't go in there without your tail. You'll freeze!"
"Let go of me! I need to get to Feli." Ludwig struggled against his brother's hold.
"He'll be fine. He's a big boy, he can handle himself."
"Damien went in there!"
The cavern was a lot scarier than they thought it would be but the young trio ventured forth. Erik clung around Patrik's neck and let his older cousin drag him through the water. "This place could be beautiful," whispered the silver haired merman to his cousins. "Where do you think Peter is?"
"I don't know kiddo." Willem looked around the seemingly empty cave, "Maybe we need to-" The blonde froze mid-sentence, his tail tingling in warning.
"Will?" Patrik glanced over to his cousin, "What's-oh Poseidon!"
Damien stared down at the three children his pupils fully dilated with hunger. He grinned toothily to show off his sharp teeth, "Going somewhere boys?"
The three kids huddled closer to each as Patrik spoke up, "W-we were j-j-just looking for th-the little merboy's room. Heh, heh." The red head chuckled nervously and wrapped his tail around Erik's in reassurance.
Willem wrung his small black hat nervously in his hands but he quickly came to a decision, "It was great knowing you guys. I love you." He handed the hat over to Patrik, "Give this to Ezio. Tell him that I…I love him, too." He turned to glare at Damien and turned into a sea lion, "Ai-ya-ya-ya-ya!" Damien rolled his eyes as the small sea lion pounced on his dorsal fin and clung tightly. "I'll hold him you two go save Peter! Tell my story!"
Patrik and Erik stared at their older cousin with wide eyes, the former grinning with admiration, "That's one brave Viking if I ever saw one. Come on, Erik. Let's go find Peter."
~0~
Pain shot through Feliciano's arm, his hands were now an ugly purple from his efforts in trying to break through the heavy ice. He released a shuddering breath and backed up his fist to throw another punch.
"Ah!"
Feli glanced down, "Peter?" He swam down to the little prince when he gasped in pain again. "Piccolino, what's wrong?"
"M-my tail," gasped Peter curling into himself. He gripped at the sea conch in his hands, "It's on fire! Argh!" The young blonde accidently dropped his conch as he started to convulse violently.
"No! Peter, sweetie, calm your breaths." Feli wrapped his arms around Peter to hold him still.
"I-I can't, Feli."
"I know it's hard, little one. But you need to slow your breaths. The pain will go away in a bit." The Italian rubbed soothing circle on Peter's back. He watched as the blue scales and fin gave way to legs. Peter groaned. True to what his companion said, the pain was gone but no doubt his ability to breathe would abandon him too. "You can do this, Peter. You're a merman, just take small breaths. It'll be ok." Peter tried to mimic the breathing the Italian was showing him. Taking one last breath, he held it, not trusting the burn in his lungs.
"Don't worry, bambino," muttered Feli as he maneuvered Peter onto his hip and held him with one arm so that he could continue to work with his other, "I'm going to- bust –us- out of- here." He felt the young prince nod against his shoulder. "Even-if," Feli grunted as he through his weight against the ice wall, "it's the last thing-I-argh-do!"
Screams echoed through the cavern's walls as a Patrik ran over the water's surface. Sometime in his search he and Erik had turned into penguins in order to hide from Damien but the great white had managed to find them. And now here they were screaming for their lives, Erik gripping his older cousin tightly with his tiny flippers. The tiny penguin squawked out, "I thought you said you were going to hold him, Will!"
"I am holding him," cried Willem from his spot on top of Damien. He screamed when the great white dived mouth opened towards his cousins. "Look out!"
Patrik jumped up and landed right on his snout, with Erik facing Damien. He blinked his large eyes slowly as he reached out a flipper to pat Damien on his head, "N-nice Mr. Shark….big Mr. Shark."
"Don't touch it, Erik!"
"I always feel better when my momma pats my head when I'm moody," reasoned Erik as he reached out to try again, "Maybe it'll work with him."
"Somehow," grunted Patrik, "I seriously doubt that, WAAH!" Damien dove under water and tossed the two mermen off his snout. With a growl the great white opened his mouth and pounced on the penguins.
"No!" Willem yanked on the fin he clung to, "Spit them out, you jerk! Spit-them-out!"
Feli saw a dark shadow through the wall, "Ve?" The shadow was getting closer and closer. He barreled out of the way just as Damien came crashing through the wall. "Willem?"
The little merman looked over and saw Feliciano and Peter looking at them in surprise, "Mr. Feliciano?"
Something a kin to glass shattering caught their attention. A tiny beam of magic broke through a few of Damien's teeth making an opening large enough for them to escape. Patrik giggled happily, "Yeah! Another plan perfectly executed."
"Come on, kids, let's get out of here." Feli carried Peter out of the cavern and towards the surface when he heard a grumbled.
"You're not getting rid of me so easily, bub." Damien shifted back into a merman, his mouth bloody. "I will avenge my siblings, you bastard."
"No, you won't." Lukas froze the water around the opening of the cave. "Feliciano, take the young prince to the surface. He'll need some air. Take my nephews, too."
"Si! Come one, little ones."
Lukas watched the Italian lead the way before turning back to look at Damien through the small opening he left and was met with furious grey eyes. "You and your so called siblings were a disgrace to our kind everywhere. To eat our children like common krill…" The Nordic sighed, "I would've just killed you and be done with it." He narrowed his eyes, "But you were stupid and attempted to eat my kin. For that you will suffer a slow death." Lukas sealed the rest of the wall up and added a rune so that nothing would ever break through.
~0~
"You bastards think I've forgotten what you tried doing to my baby brother and Arthur?!" Lovino had been yelling out curses at the two sting rays as they swam in and out of tight spots in efforts to dislodge him. They tossed a glance behind them when they realized who it was they were dragging. Quickly tying a knot in their tails, Lovino released them and allowed them to collide with a stalactite. The two mermen caught themselves against the structure, unwillingly wrapping themselves tightly around each other.
Vladimir attempted to turn back into a merman but found that he couldn't. He glared at Milen, "Get off of me, you idiot!"
"I can't." Milen struggled against their tails, "If I do my tail will rip."
"Shit, that's better than staying stuck like this!"
"If it's so much better why don't you do it?!"
Lukas swam up to Lovino, "Go on ahead. I'll take care of these fools."
"Are you sure," asked the Italian. "These bastards made high school hard on my little brother and Arthur. It would be my pleasure to take care of them."
"I'm sure. I'll make sure that they pay their dues."
~0~
Feliciano shot out of the water and turned so that he would land on his back with Peter safely tucked against his chest. They skidded on the ice until they reached Arthur and Alfred, the three young mermen wobbling in their sea lion forms not far behind. "Ve, see Artie? I told you he would be fine."
Peter shyly looked at his father, "I'm so sorry, papa. Daddy."
His parents smiled at their son reassuringly, "It's-"
"Fools!" A crack of purple light illuminated the night sky, startling the small family. Natalya cackled with cruel glee, "Who cares if you saved your little snot nosed brat? I have the Trident now and all the creatures of the sea are in my power!" Robert growled angrily from the water, beside him Lovino and Roderich each placed a hand on his shoulder as ice formations emerged from the sea. The ice and rock rearranged themselves again to create a castle like figure.
Christian watched wearily as Natalya swung his brother's Trident around until it pointed towards him and his younger siblings. They cried out in displeasure when a purple glow forced their bodies to move against their will. Natalya smiled broadly, "I am queen of the sea and you will bow before me!"
"Like, hell, we will," growled David, trying in vain to fight the glow. Beside him Connor and Murphy were cursing heatedly.
"Pathetic morons, watch and see how utterly powerful I can be. The end begins with all of you with fins!""
Mathias tried to shove his son and nephews out of the way but the purple glow managed to taint their bodies and they found themselves bowing as well. "I'm sorry, daddy," whimpered Willem from beside him.
The Dane tried to smile reassuringly but it came out more like a grimace, "Its ok son. Close your eyes. It'll be over soon."
Ludwig watched in horror when his bruised husband was forced on the hump of his tail, back cracking painfully as he fought it, "Feliciano! Liebling?"
"Ve," breathed Feli, allowing the ice to numb in bruised face, "it's ok, Ludwig. I've felt worse pain than this." Beside him, in his bowing position, Arthur reached his hand out to hold onto his in comfort.
Peter's eyes widened as he took in his surroundings. Whimpering in fear and anguish he hugged himself. All his friends, his family, his papa! Everyone was suffering because of him. He clutched at his hair, "I didn't want this," he whispered.
Peter saw his uncle, the sea king, like everyone else; fight the glow on his body. Wait. Fins? He looked down at his feet with realization. He didn't have his tail anymore. He could still make things right! Jumping over his friends, he ran towards the ice formations, still working in rearranging themselves. The young prince climbed onto a rock raising itself before jumping onto another that would take him straight to the deranged mermaid attacking his family.
Natalya looked around to make sure every sea creature was paying her homage. Her violet eye settled on Robert who still stood tall. She grinned and forced the purple haze to engulf him, "That's it, Robert. Bow down. Bow down before me!"
"No, your majesty," cried Roderich.
"You mustn't, Bobby," added Lovi. "Don't let that bitch tell you what to do."
The red headed kings smiled weakly, "I'm sorry, boys. I'm a-afraid I don't have any-choice!"
"Trident left too soon, didn't he Robert? To leave a mere child like you as Sea King over all of us. Look at you; you weren't even able to keep your own family in line, let alone me." Natalya watched Robert's body bend down to her liking. For once, he looked his age, forty-four, too young by merfolk standards. "Submission does wonders for you, Bobby," she squealed happily. "Ivan would've loved to have you like this." The mermaid ran a finger over the brow above her brother's eye, "You see that, big brother? Whose your favorite sister now?!" A sense of accomplishment filled her with warmth, the eye seemingly pleased with her work. "It's over Robert." And it was. Finally her work would be complete, now all she needed to do was vanquish the Kirkland brothers and she would be free to rule.
With Trident carefully aimed at Robert, Natalya hissed out her final words to him, "As queen, I hereby sentence you to oblivion!" Peter gasped and pounced on the mermaid in time to ruin her shot. "What the-you?"
He pulled the Trident from her grasp as he landed before her, "Stay back!"
The mermaid blinked in amusement and moved the narrow end of the Trident away from her face, "That's the wrong end, comrade." Taking a hold of his pant covered leg, Natalya hung Peter over the edge, "Now give it back or I'll drop you."
Peter narrowed his eyes, "No! Uncle?" Robert lifted his head. "I think this belongs to you." The young prince tossed the Trident over to the sea king.
"No," screamed Natalya, letting go of Peter in effort to reach out for the Trident.
Peter cried out in fear, covering his face to block out his impending doom. He gasped out in surprise when he realized that he landed on something furry and warm. Blue eyes peaked through fingers and he saw his uncle Matthew smiling kindly at him, Kumajirou leaned over to lick his face.
With loud hum of approval at being in its master's possession, the Trident glowed once again a proud gold. The sky darkened considerably and white lightening threatened the mermaid. Robert's person glowed gold with power, "Never again. Never again will you or yours threaten my family!" He waved it to release her dark hold on his family and friends before aiming it at the blonde mermaid, "You love ice so much? Well now it'll make sure that there will be no escape for you. Ever!"
Ice quickly formed on her tentacles, burning her flesh with its freezing touch. "Nyet," she whispered fearfully. "Nyet, nyet!" Her muscles became frigid with in the ice, her eyes begging for tears to lubricate them to ease their pain. The mermaid's lungs burned due to the limited amount of oxygen they were receiving. This would be a slow death and she wondered if Robert knew that she would suffer. The structures she raised were collapsing all around her, taking her down to the depths of the sea with them. The last thing she saw and would ever see, was the picture she had of Ivan holding Natasha in his arms and gazing with the love that should've been hers. Her stupid sister looking right at her with a kind smile that would mock her till she breathed her last breath.
Matthew walked his sleeping nephew over to Alfred before handing him over to his brother in law. He slipped out of his red coat and covered them, "Are you ok, Alfie?"
"Yeah, dude." Alfred watched Arthur burry his face into Peter's gold hair, a few tears escaping his eyes, "Thank you so much for catching him, man. Thank you."
The younger twin blushed, "You don't have to thank me for something like this." He walked over to Gilbert to give the small family some privacy.
Peter woke up to find himself wrapped his uncle's maple scented coat. The sea salt on his papa's skin only made the scent feel so much more like home, "Papa? Daddy?"
"We're right here, love." Arthur pulled his tail in to provide more comfort for his son while Alfred wrapped his arms protectively around them both. "Oh, we were so afraid we lost you."
Tears worked their way to Peter's eyes as he buried his face into Arthur's neck, "I'm so sorry, Papa."
"No, darling. We're sorry. We should've just told you the truth."
"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I…I just hoped," Peter rubbed at his eyes sadly, "that I would make a better merman than a boy."
Alfred gently took his son's hand and kissed his tear stained knuckles, "Oh, Pete, it doesn't matter if you have fins or feet. Your papa and I love you for who you are in the inside." The older blonde ran his own knuckles on the younger's chubby cheeks and wiped the fringe from his eyes, "You are, and forever will be, our brave little hero."
"Just like your fathers." Robert shyly swam up to his family and glanced over Arthur and Peter for any injury. His smile radiated warmth when his emerald eyes met Peter's curious sapphire.
"Uncle," asked the young blonde. Peter jumped out of his dad's arms and into Roberts excitedly, "I'm so sorry, uncle!"
Robert's breath hitched in his throat at finally being able to hold his nephew. His other brothers swam up and joined the hug. Murphy ran a hand through Peter's hair, "Oi, we're your uncles too."
"Yeah, lad, and there's one more back at the palace along with my daughter, your cousin, Sarah," added Christian. He turned to Arthur and grinned, "I can't wait till you meet her. She's been dying to meet her Uncle Arthur, the merman who walks on two legs."
"Does this mean you'll be leaving with them?" Gilbert and Matthew came back to the group with Ludwig and an unconscious Feliciano. Arthur immediately went into panic but Matthew tried to reassure him, "It's ok. He said he wanted to take a, uh, sahara I think he said?"
"Siesta," corrected Ludwig and Arthur at the same time.
"Right, that." Matthew bowed before Robert and took a seat next to his brother. "Alfie?"
Alfred chewed on his lower lip, "I think we need to discuss this at home where it's warm and its less…dreary." Everyone nodded in agreement. To make any plans for the future at a place of death would no doubt bring all matters of bad luck, if one were to believe in such things.
"For sure we'll need to tear down that wall." Arthur leaned against his husband's chest, "I don't want my son to spend another second apart from the sea."
Peter and the other children dozed off by the time Berwald and Tino arrived with Elizabeta and ship in tow. The two Nordics had gone to alert the Hungarian when Berwald spotted Peter playing with his son and nephews and now they were riding back with the royal siblings. A visit to Atlantica was long overdue any way. Mathias curled his sea lion form around his son and nuzzled his head. "You did good today, Will," he whispered into his fur. He watched his brother do the same to Patrik and Erik, "Oi, do you think we should tell Emil and Lilly?"
Tino smiled brightly, "No need. Berwald already told them. They're going to meet us in Atlantica."
A cabin over Ludwig was caressing Feli's injuries, "Are you sure you don't want Robert to heal you, Liebling?" The Italian rolled over onto his side to look out the window and didn't say anything. "Feli? Feli, what's wrong?"
Feli sighed, "Nothing, Ludwig. I'm just tired."
"Well maybe if Robert healed you, you'd feel better."
"I'll be fine. Just leave me alone."
"What?" Ludwig raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Why?" When Feli didn't say anymore, he carefully turned him around so to not hurt him, his eyes pleading for his husband to tell him what was wrong.
Communication was key to every relationship. That was what Tino and Antonio were always telling him anyway. Taking a deep breath Feli pulled Ludwig close him, "Mi dispiace, amore. I didn't mean for it to get to me."
"Didn't mean for what to get to you? Liebling, you know I don't understand things like this. Please just tell me frankly."
"Natalya brought up a lot of things from our youth, Arthur, Alfred, me…you."
Ludwig didn't have to ask. He already knew what was upsetting his little merman. Lifting Feli's face up by the chin, the German pressed their lips together. They kissed and afterwards they kissed some more. They kissed until Feliciano's tears stopped, until his hiccups morphed into needy whimpers. Ludwig pulled away enough to look into his husband's eyes, "I don't know what that woman told you, Feli. But I promise you that no one will ever change how I feel about you. Not sea witches or warlocks, not mermaids or sea princes. Time itself won't ever change or bend or lessen my complete and utter devotion to you. No matter what world we find ourselves in, I'll always love you." By the end of his declaration Ludwig tried to force back his blush.
"Ve~" Feli pulled Ludwig's hand from his face and kissed it happily, "I love you too, amore. Always will. I'm sorry about-"
"It's ok, Liebling." The couple allowed the moon light to wash over them as the cuddled in their bed, the gentle sound of waves rolling against the ship lulling them to sleep.
~One Week Later ~
A warm wind blew its moist sea breath over Peter's face, pushing his hair out of his face. Mumbling in protest, he turned around in his bed and pulled his sheets over his face. Oh. Wait a sec. Pushing the sheets away, the young prince realized something. Today was the day!
Peter jumped out of his bed excitedly and ran to his parent's room. He knocked once before throwing the door wide open and jumping onto their bed, "Papa! Dad, wake up! Today, it's today!" The boy was rewarded with sleepy groans. "Come on guys, get up. Uncle Robert and everyone's coming over."
"Let me try, sweetie." Elizabeta waited for her little prince to get off the bed before pulling out her skillet, "It's time to get up your highnesses. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way." She brought the heavy iron to the palm of her hand and smiled at the smack it made. Her smile growing wider when both Arthur and Alfred jumped out of bed and rushed to their wardrobe.
"Don't worry about us, Lizzy," started Alfred.
"Quite right, dear," added Arthur as he pulled out a white shirt and green vest, "we'll dress ourselves and meet you guys in the garden."
"Take your time, boys." The Hungarian took Peter's hand in hers so that she could pick out his clothes. "Come on, hun, let's go get you dressed. Roderich told me that today is going to be very special."
Peter kept eyeing at the clock every few minutes making his parent's chuckle. Alfred ruffled his son's hair affectionately, "Dude, relax, they'll be here soon enough." No sooner than he said it Robert popped out from the water followed closely by his siblings and friends. "Speak of the devil."
"Uncle!"
"There's my little, lad." The sea king chuckled as Peter jumped onto his back, "Are you ready?" At the boy's happy nod, he chuckled again and handed over his Trident. "Aim carefully and think about what you want it to do. He'll do it for ya."
The young prince stuck his tongue out in concentration, "I want for all of us to be together." A golden beam hit the wall dissolving it until there was nothing left, "There, now nothing will keep us away from each other!"
Gilbert had a large selection of breakfast foods ready for them to eat on the other side. The albino started to serve plates for their guests while Elizabeta and Matthew helped the mermen onto their chairs. "I just want to say, it is a great honor to cook for you, your majesty." Gilbert placed a bowl of fresh fruit and French toast before Robert.
"Thank you." Robert picked up a fork and looked at it questioningly, "what's this?"
Alfred giggled and nudged Ludwig on his side, "It's a dinglehopper."
"Alfred!" Arthur smacked his husband on his arm while the blue eyed prince laughed even harder.
The sea king cocked his head to the side, "I don't understand. Is it like a miniature Trident? Can I use it as such?"
"No, brother. You eat with it. It's like a krof we use at home."
"Ah!"
"This stuff is freaking awesome," exclaimed Mathias as he stuffed pancakes into his mouth.
Emma sighed, "Sweetheart, slow down. You're setting a bad example for Willem."
"Nonsense, babe. He can't see me; the boy's over at the kiddy table."
"Right."
Matthew smiled at the scene before him. His family was truly happy for once. Arthur was happily talking with his brothers and Feliciano, no doubt telling them about all his adventures over the past twelve years. Alfred was filling Ludwig in on things he didn't get a chance to write in letters. Gilbert, well, Gilbert was rushing about making sure that everyone got seconds, or in Mathias's and Christian's case, thirds.
Light laughter traveled over to the grownup table and the young king soaked it all up. This is what their castle should sound like. Lively with laughter and joy, not what the sad excuse for a party Peter had to suffer through. Their garden seemed to glow from the morning's good humor. But would it all end? The wall was obviously no longer an obstacle but Peter would still have to attend school until at least the end of his term there and that would be a whole year still.
"Your majesties, if I may." Lukas sat up straighter in order to address his king and princes.
Robert chuckled and slapped the Nordic good naturedly on the back, "Lukas, you don't need to call us that. You and your family are practically blood."
With a faint blush, Lukas continued, "Y-you're too kind, sire. As, uh, as I was saying, I think we need to discuss about what is going to happen now that the waters are safe for Arthur and his family to return."
Alfred chewed on his food thoughtfully and swallowed before speaking up. "We've actually spoken about it as a family and," he glanced over to Peter who was talking animatedly with Sarah and his friends, "well, unfortunately he does need to finish his school so…"
"We're going to have to wait a year before going back to Atlantica," finished Arthur. Robert's eyebrows furrowed in disappointment so he continued. "The wall is down, big brother. You and anyone else who wishes it are free to come visit. All we ask is a year for Peter to finish his term and for us to settle our affairs here."
"Artie, we have news, too." Feliciano wiggled in his seat excitedly, "Ludwig and I want to spend some time up here with you with our boys."
Mathias choked on his orange juice. He managed to settle down after a few sure pats on the back from Tino. Fixing his black hat, he turned to his friend in dismay, "Wait, what? Why?"
"Well, my father has been wanting to spend some time with his grandchildren for one." Ludwig took a sip from his coffee mug, savoring hot liquid before continuing, "Another is that I want my sons to see all my favorite places up here and Feli thought that it would be good for Peter to have children his age to play with."
Arthur took Feli's hand in his and gratitude. If his children were anything like him then he was sure that his Peter would be more than thrilled. Unfortunately Mathias wasn't on the same page. "I don't understand. What about Willem?"
"What about him?"
"He and Fabrezio are practically inseparable. How do you think he's going to react when he finds out his best friend is going away for a year?"
Feli's hair curl drooped in realization, "Ve, I forgot about that." He glanced over to where his son was talking with one hand while another was hidden under the table where it was no doubt holding on to Willem's. "I'm sorry, Mathias. Emma, I didn't think about how he'd react."
"It's ok, dear," chirped Emma brightly. "We were actually-"
"Come on, man have a heart!" Mathias stretched over to grip Ludwig's shoulders, "He'll be heartbroken."
"W-what are you going on about?" Ludwig narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "Why on earth would he be…oh!" He twisted in his seat and saw Ezio press an innocent kiss on the young Nordic's cheek only to be reprimanded by Amadeus. Marcello and Erik covered their eyes in embarrassment while Patrik, Peter and Sarah were giggling happily. "With all more reason!"
"The hell are you trying to say about my boy?!"
Emma and Feli exchanged suffering sighs while the rest looked on in amusement as the two blondes argued over their offspring's love life. Arthur chuckled to himself, "I can't imagine what things would be like if you two had a girl."
"Ve, you think this is bad. Just wait till they get older."
The merfolk stayed for the rest of the day, exchanging more stories with each other and playing in the water. Ludwig and Mathias had settled down, both coming to terms with their sons' affection for one another, or rather Ludwig did. The Nordic had found the whole thing adorable. But like all good things, the day came to an end when the water became a bit too chilly for Peter and Arthur to fully enjoy themselves. The young prince waved at his friends and family tiredly, "Bye, thanks for coming. Please, visit soon!"
"Bye Peter," called Sarah from Christian's shoulder, "We will!"
When their forms were disappeared from view, the small family made their way back inside for much needed rest. Arthur waved Elizabeta away with the promise that there was a surprise for her in her room. She blushed and bid her princes goodnight before scurrying over to her room. Peter reached out for Arthur's hand, "Papa?"
"Yes, love?" Arthur let his son pull him towards the bed where he sat on the edge.
"I love you."
Arthur placed a kiss in his son's hair and opened the gold seashell locket resting on his chest so that it would play Peter's lullaby. He hummed along with it, "You are my world my darling. And what a wonderful world I see. You are the song I'm singing. You're my beautiful Dorian."
"So, that's where I heard it before!"
"Mhmm. It's your lullaby."
Peter sighed as he snuggled up to his father. He knew he'd have to go to bed soon but the promise of being greeted by his old friend misery the moment he steps foot into school kept him anxious. It was a long shot but perhaps his father would grant him this one more thing. He bit his lip, "Papa, I don't want to go to school."
"Peter, we agreed that you would. It's only going to be for a year, son."
The little prince toyed with his new ring, "What if they make fun of me again. They'll…what happened at my birthday ball…"
"I promise that everything will be ok." He chuckled at Peter's unamused scowl, "Truly, love, everything will be fine. As I said, we all have gone through our own rough currents. It's part of growing up."
"Somehow, Papa, I seriously doubt that. You were born a prince-"
"As were you."
"-a prince of the sea, papa!"
"Just like you." Arthur brushed his nose against Peter's playfully, "You know, I don't think I've ever told you the story about the little merman and his desire of venturing off to a world that was forbidden to him."
"Papa, are you going to make fun of me? I already know this story, it happened a week ago."
"Yes, well, this one happened thirteen years before you were even a thought."
"Oh? What happened to him?"
"He fell in love with a human prince and made a deal with a sea warlock, his voice in exchange for a pair of legs so that he could be with his love."
"But how did they talk?"
"They didn't. As a matter of a fact, the human had no idea the mute man was the very one who rescued him from a ship wreck and the very one he had pledged his heart to." Peter's eyes widened in awe as father continued with his story. He giggled at the parts where the merman had used a fork on his hair because he thought that that was its purpose. He gasped at the parts where the human incarcerated his love because the warlock had tricked him into loving him. He worried his lip at the parts where the merman and his best friend tried their best to prevent the marriage between the warlock and human.
Arthur was so engrossed in his story that he didn't notice the bedroom door open. Blue eyes shined happily as they watched the older blonde move his hands as he described the storm the warlock summoned. Alfred thought back to those three days he spent with his mute lover and grinned. He'd tell Peter all about the cute things his dad did some other time. Maybe when Arthur was busy doing other things and wouldn't be there to hit him.
"And then something happened that the merman didn't expect."
"What, papa?"
"His brother gifted him with legs so that he could be with the man he loved."
"Did he have to give up his voice?"
"No, love. But that's not all, a year later they decided that they wanted a child of their own and-"
Alfred took this chance to make his presence known, "-before they knew it, they had the cutest little merbaby they ever saw." He sat on Peter's other side and winked to Arthur. "He had his old man's eyebrows."
"His daddy's eyes."
"His sense of adventure."
"And his bravery."
Peter's eyes widened with realization, "You mean the little merman in the story was you? And you were the human?"
"I'll admit it wasn't my proudest moment what with the sea being momentarily under Ivan's control," said Arthur sheepishly. "Not to mention association with the warlock also nearly cost my best friend his happiness with Ludwig." He shook his head at his past self, "Well, the point of my telling you this was because I wanted you to know that you and I are really a lot more similar than you think. And I know that you'll be just fine, I promise."
Arthur got up and kissed Peter's forehead while Alfred made sure he was nice and snug in his bed. He led his husband out, "Besides, if anyone of those little brats mess with you again, I'll just have Mattie banish them along with their parents."
"Alfred!"
"What? I'm kidding. Sorta…"
The sea prince shook his head, "Just try to get a good night's rest, Peter. Goodnight."
"Dream of awesome things tonight, little dude."
"Goodnight, papa. Goodnight, dad."
Both dads smiled as they closed the door, Alfred scooping up Arthur in his arms bridal style to carry him to their room, "I love our story." They heard an elated scream as they walked past Elizabeta's room making them smile knowingly at each other. "Guess Roderich asked her, huh?"
Arthur grinned, "I think he did. I'm happy for them."
"Me too, man. It's about time Lizzy settled down and had a family of her own. She deserves it after looking after us all this time." Alfred walked straight to the bathroom, "Take your clothes off and I'll draw us a bath."
The merman blushed, "This sounds familiar. Aren't you tired from today?"
Alfred looked up from the now running tub, "Nonsense! A hero like me has a never ending supply of stamina. Besides," he blushed a bit himself, "I…kinda want to…you know. I miss holding you and…stuff. And I know that since Ludwig and Feli are coming up we're probably not going to see much of each other because we'll be catching up with-"
His husband closed the distance between them and brought their lips together for a kiss. Alfred dropped the bottle of bath oil into the tub so that he could place his hands on Arthur's hips as he deepened the kiss. The merman's hand tangled into Alfred's hair to pull him back some, "You don't have to worry about that, love," he whispered. "We'll be just fine." They removed their clothing and hopped into their tub.
"Do you really think Peter will be ok tomorrow?"
Arthur leaned into Alfred's chest, "I can guarantee you that it'll be one of the best days of his life."
Navy blue pants. Check. White shirt, tucked in. Check. Lunch. Check. School bag. Check. Courage to step inside the more daunting that usual school building? Eh….Peter stood outside the academy's doorsteps awkwardly. Gilbert had dropped him off and had gone into town to run some errands. That was fifteen minutes ago. The second bell had already rung and was only a matter of time before the third and final bell would ring to signify the start of instruction.
The young prince sighed sadly and made his way inside to his classroom. As much as he wanted to believe to believe his dads, he seriously doubted that he would have a good time at school. Kids hadn't forgotten about the ball and they were going to make sure he knew. Sure his parents had allowed him to skip school but their parents had gone out their way to make sure that they were punished at school.
"Wah!" Peter gasped when tripped on Jasper's outstretched foot. He ignored the jolt of pain in his knee and quickly gathered his things and rushed to his seat, cheeks burning by the sudden laughter.
"Nice to have you back, prince," spat the brunette, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Others made noises of mixed feelings. On one hand they wouldn't have to write essays on proper etiquette anymore but on the other the reason they had to in the first place was back. No matter, now they'd be able to vent their frustrations.
Peter chewed on his lip as he took out some paper and pen and ink well for notes. Why did he think anything would change? At least it would only for a year. A paper ball hit his head and he sighed. Only a year. He could handle it, after all he-another paper ball smacked him on the forehead. Glancing up, Peter looked around for who kept tossing them at him. He caught Cindy's eye or rather her glare. Sighing again, the young prince smoothed out the ball. Inside, in the neatest cursive, were the words 'I hate you'. A crack echoed somewhere inside him but he forced his face neutral. He'd only have to endure one more year of this.
The class settled down when Ms. Cora entered. She smiled cheerfully at Peter and welcomed him warmly. The smile faded to a sad frown upon noticing that his pants were scuffed at the knees and his usual cloud of gloom hovered over him. Oh, but did she have a surprise for him after lunch. "Good morning class, I hope you've had a wonderful morning so far. Please open your text books to page three hundred and sixty-four…"
Peter stared out the window during their lunch time while everyone else huddled in groups talking about one thing or another. "I wonder what Patrik and the others learn at their school," he mused quietly to himself.
"I think they learn mostly about the ocean's history," answered the clown fish in the tank near his desk. "At least that's what my cousin said but your friends are from Nordic waters and I think their headmaster specializes in magic."
"How do you know?"
"Oh, you know, I'm a fish. We know these things. Plus that loud mouthed frog always comes here to bother me."
Grinning, Peter turned around in his seat to see the fish better, "You mean Francis?"
"How did you know?"
"My papa calls him that too."
"Ah! Prince Arthur, right? How is he doing?"
"He's a lot happier now that the wall is gone. Mostly though I think it's because he gets to see his brothers and Mr. Feliciano more often."
"I'm happy to hear that, your majesty. May I ask though, why weren't you present this past week?" The clown fish swam closer to the glass and looked at the blonde sadly, "I missed you. Everyone else ignores me. Well everyone but Cora but she doesn't really talk to me when everyone is here."
"Class!" Cora stood to step out, "If you're done with your lunches please return to your seat. Instruction will start as soon as I get back.
Boris took the opportunity that their teacher stepped out of the room to shove Peter off his seat, "Look at you! Don't you ever learn?" He glared at the prince, "Why are you such a freak? I bet you do it to make yourself the victim."
"What," exclaimed Peter, getting back to his seat, "Why on earth would I do that?"
"Maybe-"
"Just leave me alone! What did I ever do to you?" Peter balled up his fists in his lap and glared at the desk, "Why do you guys hate me so much?"
"Because you're a freak of nature," answered Madeline. "You talk to fish and crabs, you do things that are not normal, and you don't like girls."
"I never said that."
"Yeah, well, you have two dads," added Cindy. "My mother told me that she was going to be queen of this kingdom but that Prince Alfred rejected her because of your precious papa."
"Well thank god for that," snapped Peter angrily. "With the kind of stuff she whispers in your ear one could only imagine the horrors my family's kingdom would face."
The class collectively gasped as if they were the ones to be scandalized. Cindy puffed her cheeks, "How dare you speak of my mother that way?"
"And how dare you speak of mine?!" Sometime in the past week, Arthur had sat him down and explained how he came to be. It had been…interesting to say the least but it had certainly calmed his fears of being adopted and cleared the confusion of constantly finding more and more physical similarities between him and his fathers. Only down side was that he wasn't allowed to say anything to the humans lest they become too curious about Mother Leviathan but at the moment he was too peeved to care.
Thankfully, Ms. Cora came back and seemed to sense the mood. She frowned, "Just once I'd like for you all to get along. I've brought with me some new students and I'd like for you to behave like proper ladies and gentlemen. Or perhaps I should make you copy from your etiquette manuals again." A collective no was shouted and she nodded. "Good, then I ask you to please act like you have some sense."
She smiled at the door and waved her hand in encouragement, "Come in, darlings. Don't be shy. Class, allow me to introduce to you the young Lords Fabrezio and Amadeus Beilschmidt along with Patrik Oxenstierna and his cousin Willem Väinämöinen. Boy that's a mouth full," she said with a giggle. The four boys smiled back politely then made their way to their seats in the back. "Children, I ask that you treat our new students with kindness and respect. Now back to our lecture."
Peter tried his hardest to pay attention but his mouth was still agape. Was this for real?! He looked over to Patrik who was seat mate and then to Willem and the twins who were beaming brightly at him. Oh sweet Poseidon in the sea and God in heaven, this was real! For the rest of the day Peter couldn't keep his smile off his face. This had to be what his fathers were talking about, why his papa was so sure that today was going to be different from the rest. It felt all the sweeter knowing that everyone would never know the secret shared amongst them.
The bell finally rang signifying the end of the school day. Peter was waiting patiently for his friends to pack their stuff when a fist was suddenly by his head. His blue eyes widened in surprise to find that the fist belonged to Amadeus and in it was another paper ball.
The German-Italian unfolded it and frowned, "Who threw this?"
"I-I'm am so sorry, my Lord," stuttered Jasper. "That was not meant for you."
"I know. It was meant for my prince and that makes it all the worse." Amadeus narrowed his eyes and handed the note over to his brother who then passed it to Patrik. The three boys felt anger boil their veins after reading it.
Patrik gave the note to his cousin, "Well, who threw it?"
"Forgive us," said Boris, "as my friend said, it was an accident."
"Writing the words 'freak' and 'fag bastard' and then aiming and throwing it at Peter's head isn't an accident."
"Si, and what gives you the right to treat him like that?!" Ezio shifted his book bag from one arm to another, "You should be ashamed of yourselves, using the F-word like that."
Madeline came to Jasper and Boris's rescue, "I'm sorry, Lord Beilschmidt, it is Beilschmidt isn't it? But who do you think you are to speak to my friends in such a manner? Last I heard the Beilschmidts were dying out because Lord Wolfgang bore man loving-"
"Be very careful on how you speak about my father and uncle," hissed Amadeus. "Who they love is their business. They only thing that should concern you is that we are here now and we will not allow you to treat Peter in such a vile manner. Keep your primeval opinions to yourself."
"Yeah, what mio fratello said," chirped Ezio. "Don't you go about treating him like you have. He's not alone anymore."
Patrik brought an arm around his friend, "And he won't ever be."
Everyone watched as the new kids walked away with Peter in tow. It certainly hadn't gone as they thought it would've. "Well, there goes our chance at claiming one for a husband," muttered Cindy sadly. "Pity, the one with the hat was cute."
Madeline scoffed, "Cindy, shut up."
~0~
Gilbert already had a carriage waiting for them outside. His red eyes widened at the sight of Amadeus and Fabrezio and had all but scooped them both up in a warm hug. "My awesome nephew's, I finally get to hold you!"
Fabrezio hugged him back just as hard, "Zio, we've heard so much about you from our papa!"
"J-ja, our Vati said to be careful because you'd react this way," said Amadeus as he struggled to get himself out of his affectionate uncle's arms. "Can we go home now?"
The albino quickly ushered the boys into the large black carriage after releasing his nephews, "Ja! Come one, boys, hop on in. I've made an awesome lunch for you guys back at the palace."
Peter happily explained every little thing his mermen friends pointed at, eyes glittering from amusement at their innocent questions. He really wanted to ask them about how they got there but felt like their questions were more important at the moment. Willem's eyes practically popped out of their sockets when they drove by the fish market. His uncle played in an orchestra with a tuna… They did eventually make it home and Gilbert did have a very delicious, very mermen friendly, food.
Erik practically ran into Peter's arms when he caught sight of the older boy, "Peter! Look, I have legs now too. Mr. Feliciano was telling me about this place Mr. Ludwig took him when he was young. It's called an art mewseum. Can we go? Please?!" Erik looked at him with wide purple eyes.
"He's not going to stop until you say yes you know," muttered Patrik affectionately. "How were your classes, Erik?"
"They were fun, big brother. Mr. Feliciano taught Marcello and me outside with Prince Arthur." They sat at the dining room as Gilbert brought out dessert.
Elizabeta fawned over their guests, especially Marcello, "Goodness, you are all so cute. I could just gobble you up."
The children gasped in horror making Roderich chuckle in amusement, "Dear, perhaps there's a better way to phrase that."
"Hmm?" Realizing what she said, the Hungarian blushed in embarrassment, "Oh, no I would never eat you, darlings. It's just an expression."
Amadeus wrapped an arm around his siblings protectively, "Right…" His blond curl frizzled when something furry brushed against his leg, "W-what was that?" He slowly lifted the table cloth to peek underneath, fear making his curl frizz out even more, "Vati!" Amadeus lifted his legs onto the chair, "Vati," he cried again.
Ludwig came running in with Feliciano close on his heels, "What? What is it?"
"That beast just tasted me!"
"Beast?" The German exchanged glances with his husband before getting on all fours to see what was under the table. Max meowed happily at the sight of his master's best friend and pounced on to his shoulder.
"Sweet starfish, it's attacking you!"
A deep chuckle rumbled through Ludwig's chest, "No he isn't, son. This is Max. He's a cat."
"He's cute," squealed Marcello and Fabrezio, both stumbling out of their seats to pet the Maine Coon. Oliver meowed delicately until Peter picked him up. The Scottish fold looked on passively as his companion was being passed from merman to merman.
Feli knelt over to his oldest son, "Do you want to hold him, figlio?" Amadeus shook his head. "Ve, how about we go see your father's dogs. I think you'll like them more."
Peter stood suddenly, "Let's go play outside! Max and Uncle Ludwig's dogs like to play fetch." The children followed him outside where they spent most of the afternoon trying new things with their legs. Roderich shyly came to stand next to Feli, coughing to get his attention.
"Ve?"
The older merman rubbed his arm, "I just want to say that I'm very proud of you. I know I didn't get to talk to you much when I made my monthly visits to Atlantica..."
"Oh, that's ok. I know that you were busy with Miss Elizabeta."
"Well her and Peter." At Feli's confused expression, Roderich elaborated. "Robert asked me to watch over him."
Arthur cleared his throat, "And you were going to tell me this when?"
"Uh…I-I, that is to say," stuttered the brunette making the sea prince chuckle.
"I'm only jesting. I'm not upset, though it would've been nice to know that you were tagging along with Peter over the wall."
"Technically we went under it." Roderich sighed when Arthur raised an unamused eyebrow. "I learn from my mistakes, Artie. When I told your brother about what you and Feli were up to…I didn't want to see Peter upset. I just wish I could've foreseen what happened. It would've spared all of us the scare."
Arthur shrugged, "It's part of parenthood. We want what's best for our children but I see now that there is really only so much we can do to keep them safe. What matters is being there for them for when they need us. You taught me that."
"Ve, you're going to make a great papa, Roderich." Feli smiled towards his once caretaker before looping his arm through Arthur's, "Come on, Artie. Let's go dance in the sand!"
Roderich shook his head and watched the two friends play a few yards away from their children. Francis landed on the brunette's head, "Some things never change do they, mon ami."
They watched as Alfred and Ludwig joined their husbands on the beach, children coming closer so they could all play in the water while the animals chased on another. Gilbert tossed Elizabeta into the water and ran away cackling with mischief as the Hungarian whipped out her pan. Her hair flew behind her as she chased after him with every intention of beating him with it, though her green eyes shone with merriment. Roderich smiled softly, "And some things do."
~One Year Later~
Peter gave himself a once over in the mirror, white military like uniform bringing out his slight tan. He ran his fingers through his hair to make sure that not a strand was out of place. Well, aside from his ahoge that is. Tonight was his birthday and they were hosting another ball. True his classmates had been invited for courtesy sake but this time he had his friends with him as well. Patrik and the others coming to the surface had definitely made the year more than bearable for him. As a matter of a fact, he could honestly say that it had been one the best years of his life.
Their Uncle Lukas had returned from his travels with carriages filled with magical ingredients found from all over the world. It had been his idea to give his nephews legs so that they could accompany him to the surface so that they wouldn't be parted with their new found friend while he fed his own curiosity of human magic. At first his brothers had been hesitant in allowing Lukas take their sons but after some intense begging from their offspring they eventually reached a compromise. Lukas would be able to take them to the surface but they would have to stay with Prince Arthur and they would have to attend school. The Nordics would visit them weekly, sometimes as mermen and sometimes as puffins.
Patrik, Erik and Willem had grown impossibly close to Peter during that year. Museums had been the central focus of Erik's interest and had all but died at the sight of the all the options the village art store offered. Patrik and Willem kept the bullies at bay especially after Amadeus and Fabrezio had to leave with their parents and little brother. The Vargas-Beilschmidt siblings had set out with their parents to visit their grandparents halfway through the year.
Alfred toyed with his son's crown, "This used to be mine when I was your age." He smiled wistfully, "I never thought that this would be my life."
"What do you mean, dad?" Peter looked at his dad through the mirror.
"Nothing, little man. I just feel blessed is all. Are you ready?"
Peter exhaled slowly, "As ready as I'll ever be. Do I look ok?"
"You look awesome!" Alfred straightened his glasses and struck a heroic pose, "Do I?"
The younger blonde took in his father's youthful features. His uncle had given the humans in their lives medallions that slowed their aging. Something about merfolk having a different lifespan and wanting for their humans to be able to stay with them for as long as possible. The crinkle in the corner of his dad's eyes wrinkled as he grinned, "Do you think your papa will think I'm handsome too?"
"You know he will. Come on, let's go down stairs. Uncle Mattie is probably freaking out over the guests again."
"Alright, dude, lead the way."
"Hey, dad?"
"What's up?"
"What's going to happen after we go to Atlantica? Like, what's going to happen to my Uncles?"
"We'll still see them. Just because we're getting tails doesn't mean we won't be able to visit."
"Hmm. What about Max and Oliver?"
"Ever heard of catfish?"
Peter gasped, "Dad!" He shared a giggle with the older blond as the made their way to the ball room. Anxiety settled in the young prince's belly and his pace slowed, "Dad…"
"It's ok, Peter. It won't be like last time." Alfred grinned.
It wasn't like last time. It wasn't worse but it wasn't good either. His friends made it better by monumental standards. Not to mention it made him unusually smug knowing that Willem, who had been the schools heart throb despite his loyalty to Peter, would be giving Fabrezio a red seashell when he arrived. Seashells held an important significance in merfolk culture or so Patrik told him and meaning usually depended on color. He'd seen Feli and his dad exchange shells before but they'd been yellow so he didn't freak out like he had the one time he saw Erik digging in the beach for seashells for him. They had been white with yellow undertones; Patrik had told him that he should be honored because that meant that the young merman had imprinted on him and saw him like a big brother.
Roderich motioned for the orchestra to start a new song as a man with brown hair and blue eyes made his way down the stairs with a blonde on his arm. The guests stopped talking and looked at him with curiosity. Toris cleared his throat, "Introducing King Matthew's honored guest, the lord of the seven seas and sole wielder of the Trident, His Royal Highness, King Robert!"
Punch spewed out of Peter's mouth and he started to choke on his drink. Patrik patted his back until his breathing returned to normal. The young prince ran to his uncle in glee, "Uncle Robert!"
The red head scooped up his nephew and spun him around, "Dorian! Happy birthday, lad."
"What are you doing here?"
"Couldn't miss out on my nephew's thirteenth birthday," said Robert cheerfully. He stood up on shaky legs, taking Peter's offered arm gratefully, "Sorry, lad. Just got these a few hours ago and I still haven't gotten the hang of them yet."
"Where are my other uncles?"
Robert winked, "They stayed behind to make preparations for your welcome party."
"Big brother!" People who didn't already know who the red head was, whispered to each other when Arthur engulfed the sea king in a hug.
"Are those two really related," asked a young woman dressed in a heavy purple dress.
"What did they mean by lord of the seven seas," asked another.
A woman smiled knowingly at the sea king embracing his younger brother, "It's exactly as it sounds like, dearie. Makes you wish you never allowed your children torment his dear nephew or gossip about his favorite brother doesn't it?"
Roderich started the music once again and Peter knew what was going to happen next. As birthday boy, he'd have to start them off but he was unsure as to who to pick for a partner. Erik had already claimed Patrik and Willem was waiting for Ezio to come back. The blue eyed prince looked to his school mates and cringed, he really didn't want to pick any of them but everyone was looking at him expectantly to make a move.
A shy hand poked at his shoulder, "Um… your highness, if I may be so bold and ask for a dance?"
Peter drew in a sharp breath. He remembered that voice. Turning around he came face to face with indigo eyes and feathery like blonde hair. Raivis poked at his fingers with a shy smile and Peter returned it. He looked at his parents who made encouraging motions for him to take the boy's offer, "I would be honored."
Arthur watched his son glide over the dance floor, making extra sure to be careful so that his dance partner wouldn't trip over his new appendages. He felt a hand on his hips and the sea prince leaned into Alfred, "Do you think he's happy?" His brows furrowed angrily when he saw Jasper trip Raivis and was about to intervene but paused when the fell forward, his lips brushing against Peter's. The look of horror on Jasper's and Madeline's face was worth it; the look of surprise on the two mermen even more so. Peter's face lit up in flames but from the look of it, this fire wasn't one that caused him agony. If anything…
"Dude, I think he's the happiest I've ever seen him in years." Alfred pressed a kiss into his husband's hair, "You did good, babe."
"You too, Al." Together they continued to watch as guests poured onto the dance floor in pairs. Erik danced with his older cousin while Gilbert dragged Matthew out.
The shy king blushed but made no effort to flee. "You know, Gil, the castle is going to be a little lonely when our family leaves," he said a little sadly.
"It doesn't have to be, birdie." The albino twirled his husband and then dipped him with a grin, "How do you feel about the sound of awesome little pitter patter running about our home?"
Blue eyes widened, "You mean?"
"Yup! Guess it pays to have a merman for a brother in law doesn't-mph!" Gilbert's own eyes widened for a moment before closing in joy. Matthew didn't always like public displays of affection but he wasn't about to point that out. Not when his Birdie was laying one on him like he was his life source. He tightened his grip on the blonde's waist and picked him up, spinning them both happily.
The party continued without incident. Gilbert playfully sharpened his cleaver in front of Roderich who paled at the sight until he realized it was for the cake and not him. The moment guest left, Lukas brought out ingredients for the spell much to the everyone's confusion. "I've learned many things in my travels," he said as he worked weighing out what he needed. "The Trident's magic is unparallelled by anything I've ever seen but I found this spell that will allow us to go in and out of our merfolk forms at will. Well, sort of."
"What do you mean," asked Ludwig, rubbing circles onto Feli's back. "Is it safe?"
"Safer than continuously being shocked by the Trident. Too much of that can really harm us at a molecular level because the energy takes longer than usual to be flushed out. With this we will remain mermen as long as we're wet. Dry our tails and legs come out but if so much as a drop of water hits them, our tails return." Lukas ground a few herbs into powder and scooped it into a flask, turning his solution blue.
"Does it work?" The Nordic sighed and spilled water onto his trousers, wincing when they split apart as his tail grew.
"Right, who shall do the honors first? You only need a sip." Arthur took the first drink and he passed it along those going into the water.
Splash after splash the merfolk jumped back into the water after taking their drink until only Alfred was left. The prince turned to his younger twin, "Don't worry, little bro. You're going to make a great king. I'll come visit as often as I can." He pulled him into a hug, "And if it ever gets to be too much or if you find yourself missing me…you know what to do. The letter is in our safe and I already made sure. Our cousin Daryl will merge the kingdoms under his rule and you and your family can join us in the sea."
Matthew nodded, "Ok. Take care of yourself, Alfie."
"You to, Mattie."
Robert reached out a hand to Roderich, "Are you sure about this Roddy?"
The musician smiled, "I am. Elizabeta means a lot to me and I have every intention of making her feel as happy as she makes me."
"Atlantica will always be open to the both of you if you ever find yourselves bored with life up here." The sea king flushed, "You've more than earned it. If it weren't for you and Lovino…I wouldn't have been able to raise all my siblings as well as I did."
"I can only hope I can do the same for my own children. Poseidon knows I have the experience."
"Ain't that the truth." Robert looked over his shoulder and saw that his family and friends were waiting for him, "Well, I'll see you around."
Arthur helped Alfred get the hang of his new tail, "Don't try to over think it, love, just let it do what it wants." He watched the blue and white speckled tail take a mind of its own and laughed when Alfred swam right into the wall within the tunnel that would lead them to Atlantica.
Peter giggled, "Daddy, it's easy. Just trust your tail to take you where you want to go and it'll take you."
"Uh," Alfred stuck his tongue out in concentration and sure enough his tail calmed down. "Oh! Look, Artie, I'm doing it!"
The sea prince smiled fondly and laced his fingers through his husbands and the other through his sons, "Come on," he said as golden light became visible from the end of the tunnel until the gold city of Atlantica came into view, "I want to show you my world."
~Fifty Years Later~
Lovino and Roderich exchanged glances, the latter turning to address their friend, "Are you sure about this, Robert? Maybe it's just a phase the humans are going through."
"I wish it didn't have to come down to this," muttered the red head, rubbing at his wrists. "I have to do it else we risk our kind. The human world is changing far too rapidly for us to keep up and I fear that we will end up suffering for their so called progress. Already, they're polluting the fresh waters with their steal boats."
"What does your brother say?"
"Arthur? He says I should do it."
"If he and his family leave now…they won't ever be able to return. Not after we activate the shields."
Robert smiled, "Funny you should say that…"
~0~
"What do you mean you aren't leaving?!" Feliciano soothed the baby in his arms and spoke quieter, "What does Alfred say?"
Arthur rattled his old sponge seahorse before his daughter, "He's happy here. After Matthew and his family joined us, he says that there isn't anything for him up there."
"Ve, what about you? All our lives you wanted nothing more than to be part of that world."
The sea prince smiled at his friend, "I did. Then I wanted to be a part of his world and he often likes to remind me our children and I are what make his world. Peter likes it here, too."
"He's made a life for himself that's for sure."
"Indeed. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't care about that stuff anymore. I've gotten my fill, we still have our treasures in our special place should I ever need a fix." The two mermen giggled and looked out Feli's window where they saw Ludwig and Alfred playing with their grandchildren, Gilbert chasing after his own grandchildren while Matthew and Elizabeta watched in amusment. "It's funny how our desires change over time. They grow less selfish."
"Ve," sighed the Italian in agreement. "So you'll stay with us then," he asked hopefully.
"Until it's our time to cross over to the never ending waters, my friend."
Peter swam into the house and looked for his little sister, "There your are, Alice!" The mermaid glared at her older brother from her spot on the coral couch. "Come on, let's go get the kids from school."
Alice rolled her eyes, "You only want me to go because that idiot friend of yours has a crush on me."
"Erik isn't an idiot. He's the sweetest guy I know and he likes painting." Peter tugged on his sister's hand, "Come one, just give him a chance."
"Fine fine, just let go of me you, git." Alice pushed her long pigtails over her should and gave her dad a kiss on the cheek, "I'll see you later, Papa. Bye, Uncle Feli."
"Bye, children," shouted Arthur after them knowing full well that it annoyed them to still be referred to as such. He smiled fondly and took Amelia from Feli, "Your big brother and sister are silly, aren't they darling." The baby mermaid cooed happily in response, flicking her blue and red speckled tail. Arthur nuzzled his face against her little head, "How about a story, poppet? This one is about a little merman who became enchanted with things made by humans and wanted nothing more than to be part of that world…"
And so ends chapter of my Disneytalia series. I hope you guys liked it. If you didn't understand what was happening, it's sort of like the happened in Atlantis where the statues enclosed the city to protect it. Robert is going to do that for his cities because of how fast the humans are developing their technology. I was very sad when writing this chapter which is mostly why I put it off for such a long time, I'm so sorry for that T_T but I honestly didn't think I would enjoy writing about them as much as I did. A huge thanks to everyone who stuck with me for The Little Merman series, I hope I can interest you in my next project, which according to the polls will be Beauty and The Beast featuring our lovely Nordic couple Sweden and Finland followed by El Dorado featuring the Italy brothers and Spamano. This first chapter will be for Beauty and The Beast will be out sometime next week but I will release a memo chapter as per usual to alert those interested in the story. In the mean time, feel free to visit my other story: Love Has No Recipe, if it interests you. If that's not your cup of tea, then I'd like to thank all of you for your support. Truly, it means so much to me and I have seriously missed you guys.
*Cyber hugs*
~Until Next Time
aycee-san: I am SO sorry that this chapter literally took a month to be posted T_T Feli being a badass was kinda my goal. I figured being married to Ludwig for such a long time and being a father would making him less wimpy lol
Fallen heavens: That sounds great! I can't wait to read it =3
VivaAmerica: I know right T_T the manner of her death was a bit cruel on my part but I think she was crueler than Ivan so...yeah. I hope you enjoyed this chapter you're have literally been with me since I picked up writing again so I'd like for you to know that your support truly means alot to me. The same goes to you Fallen Heavens, aycee-san, pastaadict, Sandra DeNite and zoewinter. *Cyber group hug*
zoewinter1: ooh! That's sounds good too! I think Russia as a bad guy if often over used. He should get a good guy part in one of my stories =3 Thank you so much for your support!
pastaaddict: There really isn't enough apologies worthy to make up for how late this chapter is T_T (I'm literally upset in keeping this chapter from being posted till now) I hope that it was worth the wait. Also, I'd like to thank you for reading and review all of my stories =3 Your support means SO much to me I often say this a lot but it doesn't change the fact that I mean it from the bottom of my heart. This is especially true in regards to my other story. Thank you ^_^
Sandra DeNite: Yay! I'm glad you thought so. Thank you, I am doing pretty good, though the workload has increased with a project I'm doing for my Microbiology class (it's so much fun) And of course I'll write one! That movie was amazing only it may have to wait until it comes out so that I can have it to reference back to.
luckynumberblack: Thank you so much for the review =3
