Peter was jumping around excitedly in his brand new suit. He had never had the opportunity to wear one like this and thought he looked as cool as James Bond. Tino laughed as he barrel rolled through the room, fingerguns ready. The Finnish boy was just brushing his blond hair and putting on his tie with the help of the little mirror built in the closet door.

Peter sprung up next to him and leaned on his back like he was checking for hidden enemies, glancing left and right like they were surrounded by an angry mob. "Don't worry miss, I'll get us out of here alive!" he said with a voice he wanted to be mature but ended up sounding more like one of Snow-White's dwarves than 007's.

Tino should have felt offended but he just laughed and played along, taking a defensive stance. "I trust you, mister Kirkland," he said in all seriousness.

"Please… Call me Peter."

They both giggled and started a wild chase through the room, to the sound of mock gunshots, shouting and laughing. Peter eventually fell on the floor, simulating a gun wound, and Tino kneeled next to him, trying his best not to laugh at the little boy who completely overacted his agony. "No! Peter, you'll be alright!"

"Oh... Argh… Uh… Tina… You were… an exceptional partner… Stay alive, it's my last will."

Peter cringed a smile and started spasming on the floor, making sorrowful gurgling noises as Tino pretended to lament and cried heartbreaking sobs. He wanted to go an extra mile by taking the boy by the shoulders and shaking him desperately but he slipped on the wooden floor and feel on top of the younger one who, this time, didn't simulate the pain.

"Ugh, Tino, I know I'm already dead but you're going to kill me."

Tino couldn't answer, he just stood, shaken by his fit of laughter, as Peter joined him in his hilarity. When they finally calmed down, Tino pouted, noticing how messy they both looked after their little game and started fixing Peter's suit the best he could. The boy let him, lost in thoughts.

"Thinking about someone special?" Tino asked maliciously after a few moments.

Peter blushed abruptly and started stuttering something Tino could not understand. He laughed and went back to the mirror to fix his own outfit and comb his messy hair. The little British boy stayed quiet for a few moments before asking with a timid voice: "Say, Tino, do you know how to ask a girl out?"

Tino smiled a little wider at his reflection. "It depends on which girl and where you want to take her…" he said casually, without turning around.

Peter jumped up and down a little and didn't seem to mind when Tino turned around and tried to brush his hair.

Tino liked his little roomie. After all, he had always loved children. And although Peter firmly denied it, his behavior was very much like an eight years old's. Maybe his physical age had an influence on his personality? Or maybe he was just like that. Whatever it was, Tino felt very protective of him. He had always wanted a younger brother.

Peter had gone quiet. He went and sat on his bed and started fiddling with his fingers like he lacked the nerve to say something. Tino sighed and reached for the plastic bag he had brought back from town.

"If I know one thing about girls," he started. He threw something at Peter who caught it. He opened his hands to reveal a beautiful white orchid bracelet. Tino laughed at his dumbfounded face. "it's that they love flowers," he finished.

Peter smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Peter admired the bracelet for a moment and frowned. "But didn't you buy it for someone? A girl?"

"No, it's all yours. I thought it could help you catch Rachelle's eyes…"

Peter blushed some more and Tino laughed again. The younger boy pouted, he didn't like it when people laughed at him. Was he that obvious? How did Tino know he had a crush on the pretty captain? Suddenly, his expression changed and a malicious smile settled on his face. "But aren't you going with somebody?"

"Hum? Yes, with Berwald." Peter smirked at him and it was Tino's turn to blush abruptly. "As friends, you know? W-we talked this out today – I think – and we're only going as friends! Besides there will be Mathias, Lukas and Emil too so yeah."

"Wow, ok, I didn't say anything! You're still pretty red right now though…"

Tino bit his lip. It wasn't like him to get so worked up. Maybe the conversation he had earlier with the Swedish giant had affected him more than he thought…

The party center was a five minutes walk away from the dorms, not very far from the amphitheater. At seven, a long line of students in suits and ball gowns was walking on the road leading to it. When Antonio reached the door, along with his gorgeous Bella holding onto his arm in a shimmering golden dress, he immediately spotted his two friends waiting for him by the entrance. Neither of them had a date and Antonio felt almost proud of being the only one with a girlfriend. He waved at them and led Bella in their direction, ignoring the steady rhythm of the music flowing from the ballroom's door. "Holà, chicos!" he exclaimed as he reached them.

"Salut, Nini. Bella."

"Hallo, Antonio. You're late," Gilbert groaned.

"Ah, lo siento. But hey, it's not like you are making anyone wait, right?" the Spaniard joked.

Gilbert frowned and smirked. He lifted an arm and moved it forward slightly, like he was gently pushing on someone's back. "Antonio, meet Matthew," he said proudly.

Antonio looked at the empty space next to Gilbert and lifted an eyebrow. "Uh… You gave your hand a name?"

Francis and Bella chuckled on the side. Gilbert lost his smile and a transparent form appeared where his arm was. Matthew had a shy smile before he vanished again before the Spaniard's surprised gaze. "Pleased to meet you," said his quiet voice. "We've already seen each other but we weren't introduced."

Gilbert threw a fit of laughter at his friend's puzzled face and held his invisible partner's shoulders, not angry anymore. "He's my awesome student in awesomeness," he summarized.

"Ah, right," Antonio said, giving up on questions. "What about Don Juan? Where's his date?"

"My charm scared my adorable bunny away and he refused to leave his burrow…" Francis sighed.

"Which means: Arthur is locked up in his room again."

Antonio laid a compassionate hand on his friend's shoulder and quickly changed the subject: "Is everything ready for tonight?"

The French boy's face lit up. "Tim has the bottles. Apple and grape juice tonight!"

The three boys shared a malicious look. On the side, Bella chuckled slightly and told her boyfriend she was going to go meet her friends in the ballroom while he talked. Matthew had nobody to go meet so he stayed by his date to listen silently. Of course, he knew what they were talking about. Despite the two principals' ban, the Bad Touch Trio always managed to smuggle in some beer or some wine, sometimes even vodka, for parties. Tim, Bella's older brother, was their accomplice as soon as he was payed.

The entire school knew, including the new kids who were most probably informed by now. It wasn't official but Matthew was sure most teachers knew as well. It wasn't a rare occurrence to see Mrs. Bonnefoy ask for some "grape juice" in a strangely cheerful manner. But everybody let it slide because, honestly, a party without alcohol was good for twelve years olds but over half the students were almost of drinking age (according to their respective countries).

"What about the surprise?"

"I've got it," the albino declared, grinning menacingly. "Shit is gonna go down."

This time, Matthew was a little lost. He was hoping the BTT wouldn't do anything stupid this time, but maybe he was asking for too much. At least, this time, he was lucky enough to be on the prankster's side.

"May I know what it is?" the Canadian asked shyly.

Gilbert turned to him and smirked. "Let's just say it'd be better to avoid the fruit cocktail after a certain hour…"

The mood was already lit inside. The academy's party room was some sort of large indoors gym, minus the equipment. The floating wooden floor was perfect for dancing and the white walls had long been painted over with a beautiful, colorful, abstract frieze that kinda looked like the negative of a carnival picture. Benches and chairs had been placed by the walls for the wallflowers and the ones that had to sit out. A large buffet was spread on the left side of the room, covered in plates of pizza, biscuits and small pieces of grilled meat and vegetables on sticks. Right next to it, the dessert table offered a wide glass bowl of fruit cocktail and a large plate of cream puffs. And then there was the booth where Tim was giving everyone drinks.

On the opposite side, the dancefloor was packed with groups of students dancing awkwardly to tonight's DJ, Ling's music. The young boy from Hong Kong mostly played popular music he knew but, since he was trying to be inclusive, he'd mix many styles and origins. It was still very funny to hear him speaking Cantonese in the middle of a Macarena or some dubstep. If you were brave enough to get closer to his mixing table in spite of the sound levels that could crumble your eardrums, you would notice the presence of another boy, sitting against the wall behind him, obviously sulking. And if you stayed for a while, you'd realize the DJ and the sulker were probably brothers since they looked so much alike.

In the middle of the dancefloor, Alfred was doing what he did best, calling people's attention. But this time, he was doing pretty well. If you just forgot his tendency to yell that he was a hero before a new move, it became obvious he had rhythm and knew how to dance. His navy blue suit didn't even seem to bother him. The other kids surrounded him, dancing weakly as they admired his near-professional toprock.

"He's a real showman," Kiku commented for himself. The Japanese was sitting by the dancefloor and silently twisting his own neck so he could see whatever could be seen from where he was. He would have closed in to see better but he didn't like standing in crowds when he could avoid them. Besides, he was about as good of a dancer as a slug with arthritis, he didn't want to look ridiculous as he'd be the only one standing still.

A chorus of voices from the group of students informed him Alfred had just made a pretty impressive move and he felt a little upset he missed it.

"You can't see nothing from here, can you, aru?" said a voice on his left. He looked and met Yao's gaze. He remembered talking with him a little in the playground but he didn't know him that much, so he just nodded politely.

"Indeed."

"Come on," the Chinese boy said, standing up. "Let's get closer."

Kiku shook his head. "Thank you but I don't danc…"

He couldn't finish his sentence. Yao grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the dancefloor, almost making him trip. "You have to do these things while you're young!" the older boy told him in a stern voice.

Kiku wanted to shake him off but Yao's grip was tight and he pulled him through the group of students. The Japanese boy sighed and eventually started vaguely moving his shoulders while shifting his weight to pretend he was dancing. He didn't know what to do with his body, he didn't like dances where you were supposed to improvise, he was always worried he'd look ridiculous. He looked at the middle of the dancefloor where Alfred was now doing a waving combination. At least now he could see better and realize how good he was.

Kiku discreetly moved towards him without stopping his mock-dance. Ling was playing catchy electro music the American's moves synched with perfectly. He was smiling and trying harder to impress the kids watching him. Alfred really looked at home in all this attention. Suddenly, he looked up and their eyes met for a second. Kiku shivered without knowing why and, before he knew it, an enthusiastic grip had taken hold of him, pulling him to the center of the dancefloor. Kiku's eyes went wide when he realized the American had pulled him into his arms without even stopping his moves. "Wha… Alfred! No… I… I can't… I don't…" he panicked.

"Hey there, calm down!" the American smiled. He took advantage of a more quiet moment in the beat to whisper into his ear. "I'll guide you, alright?"

He didn't wait for an answer and just started a new combination of moves, each more daring, making the Japanese boy dance with him. Kiku tried to follow but he soon realized he didn't have to do much. Alfred was making him turn, jump, move without him having to think. He kept losing balance, and each time, the American would find a way to get him back on his feet in a way that made his awkwardness look like skill. A clear sound ringed in his ears and Kiku realized it was his own laugh. He was laughing out loud, letting himself being washed over by Alfred's wave of enthusiasm, and he couldn't help it. It was the first time he danced like that. It was amazing. He felt light like a bird. Really, there were no words for this. He let Alfred guide him, laughing all the way with his clear voice.

When the music slowed down, hinting at the end of the music, Alfred winked at Kiku and threw him in the air. The Japanese boy screamed from a mix of surprise and fear as his partner dropped down in an impressive suicide. Then, as the brunet was going to fall, Alfred suddenly turned around on his back and caught him by the hips, horizontally. Kiku felt his limbs open from the shock, in a posture reminiscent of an impaled body. The music stopped, and a brief silence settled before all the students started cheering for the dancer and his less-than-willing partner.

Kiku breathed heavily, still shocked by that finale. Alfred set him down and he felt his legs tremble from the fatigue and emotion. The American stood up without any problem though, and smirked cheekily at him. Kiku gave him the neutral face of displeasure and punched him in the arm. "I almost had a heart attack, Alfred!"

"Ahaha! Not my fault you can't improvise!" the American laughed.

Kiku glared at him and moved away from the dancefloor. But the shadow of a smile was still hanging onto his lips. He hadn't liked the surprise, but he had to admit he had never had this much fun before.

Yao didn't regret pulling his neighbor on the dancefloor. Kiku didn't look like it but he was an excellent dancer. The Chinese boy wasn't necessarily a big fan of that kind of dance, but he had to admit that finale was amazing. He moved away from the dancefloor as well and headed to the buffet, even if he knew he was about to be upset because the meals wouldn't taste good enough.

Almost everyone was there and it was getting hard to walk through the room. Yao spotted a group of flowery young girl, also known as the "psycho yaoist weirdo club", Feliciano and Ludwig talking in a corner (one was blushing, the other one was fidgeting with his fingers, they'd need a miracle not to get noticed by the crazy ladies), Lovino who had realized asking Tim for "grape juice" was a good idea and now had cheeks a little too red and a tongue a little too loose, Francis flirting, Antonio laughing, Gilbert dancing with… Air, maybe. Anyway, the party was going great.

Yao didn't immediately understand when he realized too late people were moving away from him. "Good evening, Yao-Yao!" a playful voice breathed in his ear.

The Chinese almost had a heart attack and jumped six feet away from… that creep!

Ivan gave him an amused look, which wasn't necessarily a good thing. However, Yao did notice his black, classic suit that almost made his giant silhouette look thinner. He had, as always, kept his scarf for the evening. Was that guy really that sensitive to cold?

"You look great, tonight, Yao-Yao," the Russian complimented with a small smile, checking out his dark grey suit.

"Uh… Thanks, aru…" the shorter boy answered awkwardly. "You… uh… Well you don't look bad either, aru!"

He felt his heart quickening. Damn it, why did this always have to happen? In the background, the music was slowing down, turning into a slightly rhythmic slowdance. The Russian's playful smirk widened and he grabbed his wrist. Oh. No. "Come, let's dance!" Ivan said pulling him towards the dancefloor again.

It was an order more than an offer, but Yao was not complying. Especially since the heat born in his wrist under the cold Russian hand was being added to by the ambiance and crawling into his quickly speeding heart. He had to calm down or leave right now!

He struggled in vain in his jailer's grip. He stomped on his foot, pulled, cursed, nothing worked. Annoyed, he eventually used the Russian's weak spot: "Oh, hey, isn't that Alfred dancing with Natalia?"

"What?!" Ivan turned and his attention weakened for a few seconds, which were enough for Yao to slip away and start running as fast as he could towards the closest bathroom. Even a broom closet would be enough, as long as he was alone.

He burst into the dark and empty corridor, trying to make his way through the darkness. He tried to calm down. Everything would be fine, Ivan never followed him when… He was a few feet away from the bathrooms when he heard footsteps behind him. Damn it, first time for everything…

He hurried more, locked himself up in the first stall and sat on the toilet seat, shaking from fear and trying to calm down the frenetic thumps of his heart. He knew, he felt the Russian boy was approaching. But he couldn't for dear life appease that heat in his chest, that tingle in his veins. He felt terrified and yet the sensation didn't manage to seem unpleasant to him. A strange mix of joy and fear that destroyed his mind. Why, even after three years of training, could he still not control himself?

On the other side of the door, Ivan walked up calmly. His icy purple eyes scanned all the booths until he located the only one that was locked shut. "Yao-Yao…" he warned with a sweet voice, gently knocking three times on the door. "Open! If you don't, I will open it…"

The Chinese boy didn't answer, busy pretending he wasn't there.

"Yao… One… Two…" The Russian took a deep breath and kicked the door open. Yao was sitting on the toilet seat, knees up to his chest in a fetal position. Ivan noticed his fingers clenching his sleeves as he heard him approaching. The Chinese really looked terrorized, it was the first time he was seeing him like this. Surprised at first, he then felt a deep annoyance coming over him. He couldn't understand why his roommate would run from him so much when he was trying to be courteous with him. Yes, courteous. Might as well be honest, he was attracted to Yao since they first met. If he hadn't, he would have just made him another one of his "friends", like Toris, Eduar or Raivis. And Ivan didn't like not understanding what was keeping him from having his way.

He grasped his wrist and the young man let out a panicked cry. "Let me go, let me go, let me go…" he repeated in a strangely high-pitched voice. But Ivan was having none of this. He pulled on his arm and forced the other up. Yao lost balance and accidentally fell forward and onto his attacker's chest, freezing. Ivan stopped as well. Surprised.

Normally, that kind of thing isn't possible. Maybe he was dreaming, or he was having delusions. But it seemed to him that Yao's chest was slightly flatter five minutes ago, like any boy's chest. But right now he could feel two… two… two round and soft things, stuck between him and the brunet. He pushed him away by the shoulders and, ignoring the pair of pleading brown eyes staring at him, put a hand on Yao's chest.

… Woah…

Growing more and more curious and not listening to the other boy's angry protests, he reached down lower and his eyes went wide. "But… Aren't you supposed to be a guy?"

Yao shrieked as he pulled away, as embarrassed as he was pissed off, eyes wet. "Of course I'm a guy, aru! Well… Most of the time…"

His voice had turned into a girl's too. A very thin and pretty voice, actually, the Russian boy thought, still caught in his own amazement.

They stayed there, staring at each other in the eye, until Ivan decided the bathrooms weren't the best place for explanations. He took hold of the brunet's arm again, and Yao wildly protested until the bully whispered in his ear with a voice like ripped cotton: "You shouldn't scream like that or others will wonder why you're so angry on a party night. Maybe we should tell them you're having your period, da?"

"I don't have periods, aru!" the boy hissed, lowering his voice however. He let his roommate tell Luna, chaperoning from a corner of the room, that they were tired and going back to the dorms. He send Yao a look and waved them out. From the young woman's smile, Ivan realized she knew everything.

They walked silently all the way to the dorms. By the time they were there, Yao went back to a normal voice and body. Back in their room, Ivan closed the door and they sat down, each on their own bed, facing each other without knowing what to say. Eventually, Ivan snapped out of his surprise and asked: "How long has my Yao-Yao been hiding this to me?"

'Yao-Yao' groaned at his nickname. "Since the first year, aru. I didn't really know about it at the time, it's when we both settled into this room that it started."

"How do you do it?"

"I don't do it on purpose, aru! It does it on its own! Luna said it's another power I have. Hermaphrodism. Except I never managed to control it…" There was a moment of silence, just long enough for Yao to understand avoiding the question wouldn't work. "It only happens when I have a strong emotion…" he explained, almost whispering. "When I get angry or embarrassed or horn…" He suddenly stopped as he realized what he was about to say, but it was too late. Ivan easily figured out what he meant.

A thin smile showed up on his face as he stood up to sit by Yao's side. The brunet wanted to scoot away but he held his wrist again. "Or what?" he asked in his innocent voice, the one that meant he was definitely planning something.

"Or… or… Let go, aru!"

Ivan let go of his right wrist and caught the other one with a large, amused smile. Yao suddenly regretted leaving his lighter in his bedside table's drawer for the night. "There! So? Or what?"

"I told you to let go, aru!"

"I did! So answer me: or what?"

"You… you… Ayah!" Too fast! Too fast! His heart was beating way too fast! And this time, there was nowhere to run. Might as well say it loud and clear. Yao took a deep breath, both to say it all at once and to vainly try to calm down. "…Or-horny-because-you're-too-close-to-me-and-talking-to-me-with-your-stupid-voice-that's-way-too-sexy-aru," he uttered quickly, blushing, as his voice rose to new heights and as two bumps formed again on his chest.

There was a moment of silence as Ivan tried to piece together what his roomie had just said. When that was done, his smile grew even larger (I swear that's possible!), throwing goosebumps down the brunet's back, which Yao didn't have the time to tell if it was fear or that stupid attraction he had been fighting for over three years now. Ivan let go of his wrist and instead ran his hand over the Asian's cheek in a gesture that was surprisingly gentle, his cheerful amethyst eyes diving into Yao's. "That means my Yao-Yao thinks I'm sexy, da?"

"…Y… Yes," he admitted in a tiny, adorable voice. He had barely said that when a pair of greedy lips latched onto his, requesting an access he allowed without thinking. The Russian's tongue played with his, starting a slow, playful dance with its sibling. Yao wanted to ask what was going on but the reasonable part of his mind had set itself to sleep mode, leaving him alone with his urges and undesirable desire for the pretty Russian boy. He let his changing body react to the kiss, not trying to hide himself anymore. His heart was still thrumming crazily and a pleasant warmth was spreading in his chest. He felt good, like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Ivan was kissing him with a growing passion, pushing him onto the bed until he was above him. Yao barely noticed. They broke apart to catch their breath. Panting, Yao saw his own hands gripping the Russian's shoulders, like they wanted more. Ivan had that innocent smirk. The two amethyst he had for eyes were shining with glee. He lowered his face to Yao's ear and whispered: "Ya lyublyu tebya, Yao-Yao. I vy lyubite menya tozhe, da? Vy khotite, chtoby lyubov' so mnoy, da?"

Yao couldn't speak Russian, but Ivan's tone and gaze meant everything. His conscience jolted awake and he hesitated, but then, the way he was held got rid of all doubts he could have had. He looked him in the eyes and nodded slowly. "Shi."

Then, suddenly, as if that word had awaken something else in him, Yao pulled Ivan close and kissed him fiercely. There was so much in that kiss, more than in the first. Desire. Frustration, accumulated for three long years. Attraction. Anger. Fondness. Passion. And maybe, in the way their tongues hugged each other, love.

He felt the russian's hands slip under his clothes. His jacket was gone, then his shirt. He shivered when he felt the icy skin on his, burning. But he wasn't scared anymore. It wasn't a nightmare anymore. He didn't care anymore, that Ivan could see his body go from male to female. His heart could thrum as much as it wanted. That heat he had hated could settled for good in his chest. His body could take whatever shape it felt like. He didn't care. No matter if he was a boy or a girl. He wanted to love Ivan. And he wanted Ivan to love him. In that way he had wanted for so long.

He shivered when a pair of greedy lips sucked on his shoulder.

He sighed happily under the icy, burning hands.

He let go.

For one night, just one night, he was no longer a circus monster.

Sitting at her window, Gaia listened to the faint echo of the music coming from the party down below. She had a mug of tea in her hands and would take long burning sips without even a wince. She was smiling, amused, even though she knew she'd have a hard time sleeping that night. Knowing everything that happened around was certainly a useful power when you had to take care of students. But at night, it could be very annoying.

A fond smile slipped from her mouth. "Love sure is beautiful," she whispered softly. She would have said that youth was beautiful but she wouldn't say something that made her sound like a grandma. She wasn't that old, for heaven's sake!

She thought of something and blushed briefly. She really hoped it wouldn't be too much of a problem…