Thanks to Noobz, Zaaze, Kattie, Shattering Colors, ScandinavianTrash, Allans and RinKagamine002 for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Chapter 27
"Like, did you see Vlad today?" Feliks asked.
"He said he needs to meet up with Eyebrow and Hairpin Jerk," Lovino said.
The two of them were at their usual lunch table, though two of their members were missing. Feliks pouted.
"Like, what's so important that he had to ditch us?" Feliks asked.
"Pink Jerk, you haven't forgotten about what's happening to us, have you?" Lovino asked tiredly.
"Like, what's wrong with you?"
"I didn't get a lot of sleep."
"Like, what happened?"
"It's nothing much," Lovino said. "I just… I got a few nightmares."
"About what?"
Lovino shot him an annoyed look, and Feliks knew to keep his mouth shut. Instead, he looked around the cafeteria, gaze stopping on the three sitting at an isolated table, glaring at them. He shuddered, before turning to Lovino.
"Like, they look pissed," Feliks said.
"Don't look at them," Lovino said. "We're trying to avoid trouble with them."
"Like, I know. But… Well, something totally tells me that they would like attack us, even if we totally left them alone."
"We just need to make sure that they don't want to attack us," Lovino said. "And that we're not alone."
…
"So, how are you going to find out whether or not Feliks was responsible?" Lukas asked. "I mean, it's not like you could just ask him."
"Not to mention the fact that, if he has become a demon, you'd be in a lot of trouble," Arthur said.
"I don't really know," Vlad sighed.
Lukas and Arthur exchanged a look before Arthur dug in his pocket.
"Fortunately, we decided to work on something once we found out what's happening," Arthur said, removing a quartz.
Vlad frowned, accepting the crystal when Arthur handed it to him.
"We enchanted it," Lukas explained. "Keep it in your pocket. If a demon is nearby, it will start to feel hot."
"It doesn't react to a partial influence," Arthur said. "Like a possession or… your case. It only works for a demon in disguise. When you came in I wanted to make sure."
Vlad smiled.
"This probably took a lot of effort," Vlad said. "You guys must be tired."
"A little," Arthur said. "That's the only one we've made so far. Unfortunately, it's not a spell that works in bulk. We also haven't been able to test it out yet."
"So, there's a chance this might not work?" Vlad asked, disappointed.
"…Possibly," Arthur said. "But it's better than nothing, wouldn't you say?"
Vlad sighed, before reluctantly nodding his head.
"I suppose you're right," Vlad said. "But, if this is the only one, wouldn't you want it back?"
"You can hold onto it for a while," Arthur said. "At least until you know for sure whether Feliks – or perhaps Lovino – has completed the process and become a demon."
"We also can't forget about Matthew," Lukas said.
"But do you think he would kill his own brother?" Arthur asked.
"I'm not so sure of it," Vlad said. "I mean, he was absolutely devastated when he found out."
"But demons are masters of deception," Lukas pointed out.
"Do you think a new one would be able to do that?"
Lukas shrugged.
"What I'm suggesting is that you don't dismiss the possibility," Lukas said. "After all, it's usually the one you least suspect that's the killer."
"When it's not the butler," Arthur said with a smirk.
…
"Hey Fran!"
Francis turned around, trying hard not to look annoyed when he saw the Dane approaching him. He also tried not to wince when Mathias threw his arm around his shoulders.
"Where have you been lately?" Mathias asked. "It's like you were avoiding us."
"Well, you're not wrong," Francis said, pulling away from Mathias.
"What's wrong?" Mathias asked, smile dropping.
Francis stared at him for a moment before he sighed.
"I'm done with it all," Francis said. "We took it too far."
"Are you talking about them?" Mathias demanded.
"Oui. In case you haven't noticed, we're in a lot of trouble. I at least want to avoid any more trouble."
"Oh, and your solution is to stay away from us? Do you think people will forget that you were a part of us? That you did the same things we did?"
"I am hoping to show that I am guilty, and am trying to atone for my part in our actions."
Mathias chuckled bitterly.
"No, you're just trying to ease your guilt," Mathias said. "You're hoping that you would stop feeling guilty. You're hoping that they would forgive you, and that everyone forgets your actions. And then you wouldn't be in as much trouble as Ivan, Nat and I am. You're selfish, Franny. And you're a coward."
Francis narrowed his eyes, his jaw clenched shut. Though his words did strike a chord in him.
"You can think what you like," Francis said. "But I'm not involved with you three anymore. You may call me a coward if you wish. But I won't do anything to hurt those four any longer."
Francis spun around and marched away, feeling his rage boil before going down. He spotted Yao, who was smirking at him.
"What?" Francis asked as Yao fell into step with him.
"You've grown," Yao said. "Perhaps there's hope for you after all."
Francis rolled his eyes, though he didn't say anything. He was aware that he would need help to turn over a new leaf, and Yao had already offered his assistance.
…
Feliks smiled when he saw Vlad between classes, and ran up to him.
"Like, hey!" Feliks said. "Like, we totally didn't see you at lunch."
"I had to discuss something with Arthur and Lukas," Vlad said, smiling.
"Like, is it about… you know?" Feliks asked, smile falling and face morphing into a concerned expression.
"…Da," Vlad said. "What happened to Matthew's brother… It was strange."
"Like, do you think that one of us did it?"
Vlad sighed.
"Feliks, you can't deny that there's a possibility," Vlad said.
Feliks flinched slightly, noticing how Vlad kept a slight distance.
"And, like, do you think I did it?" Feliks asked.
Vlad sighed, shaking his head.
"Not anymore," Vlad said.
"Like, what do you mean?" Feliks asked, confused.
"Let's just say I have my ways."
Feliks frowned, before taking a step closer to Vlad, startling the Romanian slightly.
"Like, what are you hiding?" Feliks asked.
Vlad looked around, seeing the students surrounding them. It didn't look as though someone was listening, but it might change soon.
"Not here," Vlad said. "And besides, we need to get to class."
Feliks pouted, but he nodded his head, conceding defeat. He and Vlad parted ways, but the Pole couldn't help but wonder about what happened.
…
Vlad sighed in class, spinning the stone in his fingers around. It hadn't started to burn him when Feliks had been around. Feliks wasn't a demon.
Of course, he completely ignored the fact that the possibility existed that the stone simply didn't work. He had hated suspecting his friend, and wished to believe that there was no reason to do so anymore.
But there was still Lovino. And, though he didn't think that it was a strong possibility, Matthew as well.
Lovino was more likely. Matthew had already expressed concern over the fact that the thought of killing didn't seem to bother Lovino as much. Then again, the way he reacted to Antonio's death… And also when he disposed of Gilbert's body. He was horrified. So was Matthew, and he was the one responsible for killing Gilbert.
But that was when their dark halves still controlled their actions. They weren't the ones that decided to kill them. Matthew had killed Gilbert because he was threatening to kill them. And Lovino killed Antonio because his life was in danger that time as well.
Vlad wanted to convince himself that he wouldn't kill anyone if his life depended on it. He wouldn't risk endangering so many innocent people once it was all over. But he couldn't fool himself. His survival instincts would force him to make a drastic choice if it meant saving himself. It would be a selfish decision, but it was human nature to be selfish.
And thinking about what Matthew did… If he saw that one of his friends was in danger of being killed, he couldn't simply walk away. Not if he had a chance to do something about it. But… would he have to resort to such a desperate measure? Especially if he knew there was another way?
He wanted to believe that he would do anything to protect his friends. But… Would he be loyal enough? And what would the consequences be of his actions?
…
It was the end of the school day and Feliks was on his way to the doors when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun around, almost expecting the hand to belong to Natalia or Mathias (it was way too small to belong to Ivan), but instead he was faced with a familiar Lithuanian boy.
"Sorry," Toris said. "Didn't mean to startle you."
"Like, who said you did?" Feliks asked coldly.
Toris flinched at the tone, but kept a smile on his face. There was a time when Toris was new at the school, and he was well on his way to becoming a friend for Feliks. This was while Feliks was still new as well. However, Ivan had turned his attention to Toris, intimidating him and forcing him to become his 'friend'. And to tell Feliks that there was no room in his life for him. They would never be friends.
The final nail in the coffin was when Toris had called Feliks a freak. Feliks already had to deal with a large portion of the school already calling him that. To hear someone he thought could be his friend calling him that…
And it wasn't a private discussion. It was a public spectacle. Most of the school had seen it. Had agreed with Toris. Had laughed at Feliks…
The Pole had run to the nearest bathroom, not caring about the tears that flowed like twin rivers down his face. That was when Matthew and Lovino had gone to comfort him. Feliks had tried to chase them away, but they were stubborn, and eventually Feliks collapsed against Matthew's chest as the taller male locked him in an embrace and allowed him to cry his heart out.
"A-anyway, how are you?" Toris asked.
"I'm fine," Feliks said. "But, like, what does it even matter to you?"
"Feliks, I'm sorry about what happened."
"Really? After five months, you decide to apologise now? Like, what changed? You decided that being Ivan's lapdog is totally not worth it anymore?"
Toris flinched again. Feliks had every right to be angry, and Toris wasn't going to deny it.
"You're not sorry," Feliks said. "You just feel totally guilty, and you think you can make things like go away."
"Feliks…" Toris said.
"Nie!" Feliks snapped. "You had your chance. And you were a total coward. Like, you're only apologising because you know that Ivan is totally in trouble, and you don't want to be dragged down with him."
"Feliks…"
"Don't even bother. Like, you know what's worse than people like Ivan? People like you, who hurt people in fear of being hurt yourselves, and who allow things like that to totally keep happening. Like, leave me alone."
Feliks stormed away, feeling angry tears threatening to overflow. The pain Toris had caused… He had a lot of time to apologise, but never did. Now that he knew that Ivan would face punishment because of his actions, Toris decided that he wanted to break his association with Ivan. Feliks wasn't fooled.
Feliks was completely honest with Toris. The only thing worse than bullies was people allowing it to happen, or going along with it in fear of getting involved and causing problems for themselves.
Feliks was filled with intense hatred. He wished people like that didn't exist. And his primary focus was currently Toris.
And in his anger, he didn't realise that he had released a surge of power, or that the current was making its way towards Toris.
…
Matthew smirked. He could feel it. Feliks was doing something.
Though it wasn't exactly a conscious thing, it was close. It wasn't Insanity doing anything, but Feliks.
There was a possibility that, should this be successful, the transformation wouldn't be complete, since it wasn't based on a conscious decision, and it wasn't completely willing. But it would tear down Feliks's resolve. It would cause his moral values to lower slightly. And the next time, he wouldn't hesitate to kill.
It was one step closer for Feliks to become like him, and he didn't even need to do anything to influence it. Though he had to wonder who had caused Feliks to feel that angry.
…
Toris jumped when he felt a large hand on his head. The gesture, as well as the hand, could only belong to one person. Gulping loudly, he turned to see Ivan, smiling at him, though it wasn't a pleasant smile.
"Toris," Ivan said. "Tell me, what were you discussing with little Feliks?"
"N-nothing," Toris stuttered. "I-I was j-just… J-just asking h-how h-he's d-doing."
Natalia poked her head out from behind her brother, and Toris felt his stomach drop.
"Why would you want to know how he's doing?" Natalia asked disdainfully.
"You weren't thinking of running off to him, were you?" Ivan asked sweetly. "Not after all those things you've said to him."
"I-I was j-just…" Toris stuttered.
"You were being a coward again," Natalia said cruelly. "You're afraid the school or the police would punish you for your association with us."
"I…"
"That makes me sad," Ivan said, smile falling. "It hurts to see my friend has no loyalty."
"Typical," Natalia said. "You turn your back on someone at the first sign of danger."
"Do you think Feliks would accept you back?" Ivan asked. "After all, you hurt him. All because you were a pitiful coward."
"Who would want a friend like that?" Natalia sneered.
"I… It's n-not like that," Toris stammered. "I s-swear."
"Toris!"
Toris turned to see his two friends, Eduard and Raivis. Eduard, who had called out to him, looked at him in concern.
"Who are you talking to?" Eduard asked.
Toris's eyes widened, before he turned around. Natalia and Ivan were gone, and he could see several people staring at him.
"H-how long have I been…?" Toris questioned.
"I don't know," Eduard said. "I just saw Feliks storming off, and Raivis suggested we find out what happened."
"Are you feeling okay?" Raivis asked.
Toris didn't answer, staring at the space where he thought Ivan and Natalia had been. How did it…?
At least he knew that he did speak to Feliks, if Eduard saw him storming off. But then another thought settled in his mind. What if Feliks had stormed off because of someone else? In which case, Toris might have imagined their conversation as well.
"Toris?" Eduard prompted, snapping Toris from his thoughts.
"Y-yeah," Toris said. "I think I'm just tired or something."
"You should get some sleep," Raivis suggested.
"Not a bad idea," Eduard said. "You look as though you've seen a ghost."
Toris nodded his head, still thinking about what had happened. He had imagined Ivan and Natalia. Though the conversation had felt so real… Toris could still feel Ivan's hand on his head.
And the words they said… They echoed in his mind, particularly the word 'coward'.
…
"The Lithuanian was speaking to himself," Arthur said.
The Magic Club were gathered in their clubroom again. Arthur had just arrived, informing the others of the bizarre occurrence that he had seen. Vlad cocked his head to the side.
"So?" Vlad asked. "It's nothing strange."
"It looked as though he was having a conversation with someone," Arthur clarified. "By the looks of his body language and stuttering, it would suggest Ivan. However, Ivan wasn't around at all."
"That is strange," Lukas said, frowning slightly. "Do you think something happened?"
"What's the Lithuanian's name?" Vlad asked.
"Toris Laurinaitis," Lukas said.
Vlad shook his head.
"I haven't heard of him," Vlad said.
"He's one of the three Baltics," Arthur said. "They're called Ivan's lapdogs because they're small, always trembling and submissive around Ivan."
Vlad still looked confused, but eventually just shook his head.
"It's possible that the others mentioned them, but I honestly can't remember," Vlad said.
"I suppose it doesn't matter," Arthur said. "Still, it's strange. Perhaps we should keep an eye on Toris as well. But anyway, back to the matter at hand."
"Could you figure out if it was Feliks?" Lukas asked Vlad.
"Well, the stone didn't grow warm," Vlad said. "It also didn't do it around Lovino when I ran into him before final period."
"That just leaves Matthew," Arthur said.
"I really doubt it's him," Vlad said. "I mean… I have a brother, and I can't even imagine doing something that would hurt him."
"It's the same with Emil," Lukas said. "We may be half-brothers, but I wouldn't do something to hurt him."
"And as annoying as my brothers can be, I can't see me doing something like that to them either," Arthur sighed. "Unfortunately, Alfred wasn't of the same mind. He deliberately hurt his brother on multiple occasions."
"But Matthew isn't Alfred," Vlad pointed out.
Arthur nodded.
"And even so, I doubt that even Alfred would take things so far," Arthur said.
"We still can't rule out the possibility," Lukas said.
"The possibility also exists that none of us were involved," Vlad said. "But that still means the suicide came out of nowhere."
"You're the one that thought it was connected," Lukas pointed out.
"I know," Vlad sighed. "I'm just worried."
"It's understandable," Arthur said. "Anyway, you lot should just stay strong. My father is doing his best to gather enough testimonies before presenting it to the school board. At the very least, they're facing the risk of expulsion. There's no reason for you to destroy your lives by retaliating. You just need to endure for a while longer."
"I'm not sure if that's possible," Vlad said. "Lovino killed Antonio on Monday out of self-defence. Antonio was actively trying to kill him. If something like that happens again… I'm not sure if we can hold on."
