A/N: Thanks for reading!

Chapter Thirty-four.

Opening my cheerleading locker, I wasn't surprised by what met my eyes. More crumpled paper, no doubt with more immature scrawlings of disgust.

I read the message that an anonymous source had mailed to me. The writing looked like it had been done in crayon and the creativity of the message had much to be desired too,

'Fucking fags should be shot!' It read in angry handwriting.

I sighed; this was not my first hateful letter concerning my sexuality. I had lost count of how many had ended up in here since the week before Christmas, which is when they started to pile up. Somehow I doubted that they were having the effect on me that the sender wanted, I crumpled the paper up and threw it away into the bin.

The first time I received this sort of mail I had been shocked, it have given me a fright as I realised that despite the good reactions to our announcement that Alfred and I were together there was in fact some people opposed to our relationship. I was hurt the day I found it but kept it to myself, I felt almost ashamed that I had been given something so spiteful. But as they continued I started to become aware that these rude notes were all the hate I was getting. Somehow that was an idea that gave me hope, if this was the worst I was getting and all it really did was clutter my locker then how bad could it be? I was lucky. There were plenty in my situation that had it worse.

I couldn't help but think that the reason that I got off so lightly was because of Alfred. He was known amongst most social groups and for good reasons too. Very few wanted to pick on Alfred, it would be social suicide. And by doing things to me it would hurt Alfred; I was shielded.

However it would seem I wasn't totally exempt. Whoever this was seemed sure they wouldn't get caught. For a moment I wondered who this mysterious person was, or rather, these people. I had gotten a range of different hand writing styles; it would seem that there was a group of people who didn't like my sexual preferences.

They would have to know where my locker was, and that I changed with the girls... They would need to know that it was the best place to put it if they wanted me to see it... I wasn't going to dwell on it. I had been rather successful with my coming out thanks to Alfred's protection. A few silly little letters weren't going to taint that. I left to join the others in the hall, cheerleading had gone up again in activity now that we were promised another home game in a couple of weeks. This would be a casual game; this meant we didn't need to put on quite as much of a show. I was looking forward to it.

I joined the others; they were all still unaware of the letters I was receiving. I had no reason to tell them. If I did there was no doubt that they'd jump up to my protection, finding whoever the sender was and giving them a piece of their mind. I didn't need that drama, I would thank them for their troubles but they needn't worry. I was fine.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I entered the hall, though to be faced with Alfred suddenly speeding towards me was not it.

"What are you doing here!?" I asked when I came to my senses, pushing him off before he crushed me.

He let go, his glasses were askew on his face and he was grinning madly. I hadn't told him about the notes either. He'd only be worrying over nothing. He knew that he had forced me out of the closet and while I had forgiven him for this I knew that finding this out would convince him that he was a bad person.

"It's raining~" he pointed to the window, through which it was in fact pouring with rain, "We can't do practise so we came to hang out here!"

"Why?" I asked bluntly. Standing around the gymnasium really wasn't the only lunchtime option they had.

Elizaveta joined me then, pushing the large men who ambled around our practise space, "That's right! You ask them 'why'!" Her face was red with frustration, "We can't get anything done! The younger ones are feeling uncomfortable!"

"Can't Feliks get them to shift?" I pushed Alfred's arm off before it even had the chance to go around my shoulders.

She laughed at the simplicity of my suggestion, "He isn't even trying! He's checking them out!"

"What?!" My jaw dropped in shock. This was not Feliks. Feliks shouted at anyone who so much as stepped foot in here while were practising.

"'Fraid so..." Alfred was looking over to the slither of pink amongst the people swarming the place.

I sighed, "You've got to be joking..."

"He and Toris had a fight, if you ask me he's looking to get Toris jealous." Elizaveta was shaking her head in discontentment.

Antonio scampered over then, "Guys can you help? That Feliks guy keeps looking at me funny... Do I have something on my face?"

"Pay no heed to it." I muttered.

"Hey!" Elizaveta glared at both Alfred and Antonio, "Neither of you two needs to be here! Why don't you quit complaining and clear off!?"

Antonio and Alfred simply looked at each other and frowned, "But you guys are usually so happy to see us..." Antonio couldn't get his head around the fact that we didn't really want them here.

"I'm not!" I protested.

"Yeah, for five minutes! We're trying to get a practise done! Lunch is already a quarter over!"

Alfred still had the stupidity to argue back, "But the field's all wet."

Elizaveta looked like she would explode with rage, "Just because you guys are too much like babies to cope with a shower that doesn't mean you need to bother us!"

Neither of them said anything. But nor did they show any sign of getting their team to move.

"Forget this. I'm going to get changed." I threw up my hands in defeat.

Elizaveta didn't try to stop me, "Yeah, I'm gonna try and get these guys out a little longer but I'll probably do the same."

I took one more look around the hall. This lot really weren't going to shift, with a frustrated sighed I turned around and swiftly headed back to change.

Though not without Alfred hot on my heels,

"Artie! Where you goin'?"

"I'm off; we're not getting anything done in there."

He had caught up now, keeping to my quickened pace by my side, "But Artie... You're usually happy to chat, we were gonna have some fun!"

"I'm not in the mood, I was ready to practise, not socialise with those hulking specimens." I opened the door to the empty changing room, entering with Alfred inevitably following.

"Fine, fine~ we'll do something else... What about me? Am I good enough of a... a speca... specathing?"

"Specimen, Alfred. And you don't have to follow me..."

"Well what else are you gonna do?" He took my and before it could reach the locker door and kissed it, "I'd much rather be with you anyway."

I rolled my eyes and pulled my hand away, despite wanting Alfred to bring it to his lips once more, "You spend lots of time with me as it is... Go back to your mates."

His shoulders dropped and brow furrowed in what looked like a mix of disappointment and concern, "You've seemed kinda mad lately... More than usual."

I blinked in confusion. What did he mean? Was my mood foul? I hadn't even noticed. Perhaps the notes I had been finding me did have some effect on me, I was thinking more cynically now. But it was ridiculous, they were small notes with messages that an infant could produce. Nothing to be upset about. So why...? Why was I behaving like this? I had a wonderful life.

I looked at Alfred who was still standing, anxious to hear my answer, he was such a perfect being, I didn't want him for a moment like he wasn't getting what he deserved. He could have half the girls in the country and he chose me, a grumpy old sod that was letting childish scrawlings get in the way of appreciating him.

"I'm sorry..." I hugged him, patting his back and taking in the feeling of his clothes and the warmth of him under my fingers, "I suppose I'm just having a shit day."

"We gotta do something fun and change that." Alfred smiled. Even with me acting like a total cow he was patient.

I nodded, I couldn't say I was in the mood for the idea of 'fun' that Alfred had in store for me but I felt that I needed to humour him, "I'll get changed."

I turned and opened up the locker, pulling out my day clothes and put them on the bench. I didn't even register the sound of something falling out of the small metal box and hitting the floor.

I was half changed when I realised what happened and by then it was too late,

"Artie... What's this?"

I looked over and suddenly felt like my stomach had fallen to the floor and my heart jumped into my mouth. Alfred was holding one of the infamous hate letters. I must have missed it earlier; I could see the shock in his face.

"It isn't anything." I said quickly, defensively.

"How long have you been getting these?"

"I-I don't know what that is." I stammered.

"Arthur, you quite clearly do! I can see it written all over you!" He looked up at me fiercely.

"I don't know." I tucked my head into my chest, I felt small and very vulnerable.

"Artie..." He softened his tone, "Why didn't you tell me?" He sat down on the bench and pulled my arm to get me sitting beside him.

I came to my senses slowly, able to think half eloquently, "They started just before Christmas. They're all like that."

Alfred looked pained, "That long? Shit... God Artie, I am so sorry, I'm the worst boyfriend ever... Shit. Shit."

It was my turn to be sharp, "You're not! I knew you'd react this way, that's why I never told you!"

"But I outed you in front of everyone! I didn't even ask if it was okay..."

"Look, these little things, they quite clearly hardly bother me. I'm happy."

"You've been acting funny; I know these are getting to you."

"They're not! I'm fine!" I grabbed the note that said told me that Satan was going to drink my blood and tore it up, "I'm fine!"

Alfred just looked at me for a minute before telling me in an uncharacteristically calm manner, "We gotta find out who sends them."

"There's no need for that!" I tried to persuade him.

"No, we need to bring the guy to justice! I'm the Hero! I'm you're Hero and this is the Hero thing to do!" He was beyond me talking me out of it, beyond any reason at all.

"How?" I simply asked.

"What?"

"How? How are we going to find out?"

"We'll keep watch! When do they usually arrive?"

"Depends on the day. Tomorrow I'll find them at the end of the lunch break."

Alfred grinned, it was good to see a smile back on his face, "No you won't! By then we'll have captured the villain! You're doing this with me."

"I bloody well am not. We've missed a day already, I can't miss another session."

"Come on! You're a great cheerleader! You can skip tomorrow and be fine."

I hesitated, weighing up the consequences of missing out tomorrow's practise. I was curious to who may be sending me these letters and I felt like I sort of owed it to Alfred.

"Fine." I gave in to temptation, "How will we keep watch?"

Alfred pointed turning my attention to a cleaning cupboard just by the door, "Whoever goes in while practise is on gets questioned."

With a plan slowly coming together I looked at the torn up paper on the floor from the note that Alfred found. I could only hope he wasn't too harsh.

.oO0Oo.

"That's my foot, you idiot!" I shoved Alfred as he bumped into me in the almost pitch blackness.

"I can't see!" He whined craning his neck to try and peek out of the crack we'd left open of the cleaner's cupboard.

"I'm keeping watch, you can back off!" I regained my steady footing in the cramped space, I felt extremely stupid. I was missing cheerleading for this rubbish.

"But you might miss something! Let me in!" Alfred tried to step forward. But before he could cause me anymore bodily damage he managed to fall over a Hoover and hit the floor with a loud crash, cursing loudly as packet of feather duster heads fell from a shelf.

"Stop making such a mess!" I grabbed his arm and pulled him up, "When we get caught for breaking something I hope you know that you're getting all the bloody blame!"

He only gave an awkward laugh and smiled, "It is a little cramped..."

That was an understatement. I was already regretting following through with this and we had barely just started our watch. As soon as the bell had gone Alfred had found me, despite his Physics class being the other side of the building. He'd taken me off to hide from our respective teams, not that either of them had much time to be looking for us. After Alfred had decided it was safe to make our way to the gymnasium he pulled me along like he was the ship and I was the dingy being tugged along behind, eyeing every single teacher or student suspiciously, asking if I reckoned that they were the sender of the letters. I was truly fed up of the whole affair and just wanted this to be over and forgotten about. I was silly to even agree in the first place, I should have known that Alfred would have turned the whole thing into some sort of James Bond mission. I didn't want to tell him what I thought, he did seem pretty devastated yesterday but when he took it too far and called me his Pussy Galore I couldn't resist smacking him.

Not only that, but the whole situation was embarrassing. The fact that Alfred had decided that he needed to 'save' me was past humiliating. I didn't want to be 'saved'; I didn't want to look like I had called on my big bad boyfriend to sort out my troubles for me. Anyone would look at us and think that Alfred was only involved because I couldn't do anything for my sorry little arse myself. Even I was feeling like a coward. If they had seen me as I had crumpled up the previous letters and notes they could even see me as strong, not caring in the face of death threats and nasty insults. Now I had been reduced to the damsel in distress.

Not that I wasn't grateful... I did love knowing that Alfred cared this much that he was going this far for me and my struggles but I only wished that it wouldn't reflect on me this way. But I was not going to try and put a stop to the hero complex he had, no one was going to get that out of him. Besides, it was a part of his personality, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find it a strange kind of endearing. He was a strange character, but a charming one. It was just a shame that I had to stand beside him and look so helpless myself.

We stopped talking, minutes felt like forever, squashed up uncomfortably together. I couldn't stand up straight and there was nowhere to sit, I could barely even see and already I was bored out of me mind. My back was aching too.

Alfred probably felt similar as he sighed quietly and rested his chin on my shoulder, putting his arms around my torso for lack of a better thing to do.

"Bored yet?" I asked, it was obvious he was, I just wanted the satisfaction on hearing him say it.

"Mmmn..." He made an undecipherable mumble. Not wanting to admit that there may have been more interesting ways to spend our lunch times, "We gotta do this; I'm not letting those guys be so mean to you."

I tilted my head back to graze my lips over his cheek, "It never bothered me."

"Bothers me. It's my fault to fix." He was still being stubborn, that much was to be expected.

I twisted my body and kissed softly up his jaw, if there was no escaping this ardours mission of his then I may as well initiate some sort of enjoyment. I certainly didn't mind kissing him.

Luckily he caught on and let me turn around. Slowly I kissed across and met his lips, kissing softly but with promises of more. We worked up a steady pace before my tongue braved to lick across his lower lip. He took this as a request for entry and complied, letting me into that warm wet mouth that I now knew so well and get never tired of exploring. I raised my hand to cup his face as I deepened the kisses, hearing his content, happy sigh push me on. It felt almost naughty. We'd never come this far during school, there were so many people to see me raise my leg and see Alfred take it and hold it around his waist. It was the fact that it was so forbidden in school that made my heart flutter every time our hips touched. I was even trembling as his hand felt up my thigh.

But as sweet as it was it didn't last long. Alfred pulled back gasping and put me down,

"Someone went in!" He whispered loudly, there was a tense moment as the door to the changing room swung on its hinges. There was no denying it. Someone was in there. "We gotta ambush them!" He was squeezing past me.

"It might have been one of the girls..." I followed anxiously as Alfred opened to door and slid out into the corridor outside the changing room.

"Was it though?" He looked back at me. We both knew that wasn't the case.

"Don't frighten them." It was all I could say now; it was otherwise out of my hands.

His fists clenched he burst into the room, "Stop right there!" He yelled, with accusatory passion, "What the hell do you think you're..." He trailed off, "Holy shit."

Holy shit indeed. We both stared at the one across at the other side of the room.

Lovino Vargas was stood there; his tearstained face a picture of shock and the notes clearly meant for my locker littered around him, having been dropped in his fright.

"Lovino?"Alfred asked incredulously. None of us could quite comprehend what was happening.

Lovino was the perfect example of a deer caught in the headlights. He backed away until he bumped into the wall behind him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked softly. There was no reason for Lovino to be here, he certainly wasn't the person I had expected to find. He had Antonio, he was gay himself. So what was he doing here?

"Please don't tell Antonio..." Lovino whimpered, his breath ragged as he panicked, sliding down against the wall.

Alfred was still standing gobsmacked beside me. I gave him a small push, trying to snap him out of his daze.

"Why?" Was the next thing that came out of Alfred's mouth. It wasn't a bad question. Why? Why why why?

Suddenly Lovino sprung up and charged over to us, head butting Alfred's chest and causing him to stumble back.

"Why?! Because I can't fucking take it anymore! Why do you think?!"

"Take what? Lovino, what are you saying?" I couldn't keep the confusion from my voice.

"I'm sorry Arthur..."Lovino mumbled to me. Not meeting my eye.

"Better be." Alfred muttered and I gave him a kick to the shin.

"They're mine okay! All mine!" Lovino raised his voice again and aggressively kicked the paper he'd dropped and ground them into to floor with the heel of his foot. Wanting to inflict as much damage as he could to them, "Every single one!"

"So what you're saying... Is that they were never meant for me?" It started to come to come together in my mind.

"Yours? No, they're not. They were sent to me! Sent to me even though I don't tell anyone about Antonio! Not to you, who as clear as day got all fucking faggy on the field! Sent to me even though they have you guys! Tell me how that's fucking fair!" Lovino was shrieking by now, close to tears.

It wasn't fair.

Now that it was clear that the amount of trouble I was getting was down at zero and Lovino was having an unbearable time. It wasn't fair that I had Alfred's protection.

"Have you told Antonio?" Thankfully Alfred was speaking more sensitively as he inched closer to Lovino.

"What and say, 'all you friends were right I'm a little brat who everyone hates'? Fuck that! I'm never telling him!" Rage overtook him and suddenly he lashed out, driving his fist into one of the lockers and hurting his hand.

"Maybe you-" I started but I didn't get to finish,

"You deserve it! Not me! I've done nothing wrong! For fucks sake I'm a Catholic, and I haven't shown my feelings about to Antonio to anyone! But you two... You two get all cutesy and no one even tells you that you're going to hell! These should be in your locker not mine! I was only putting them where they fucking belong!"

He shoved us out off the way and sped off, disappearing in an instant. Leaving Alfred knowing one thing, I may not and had needed Alfred's help but Lovino most definitely did.