A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry, this is a bit of a late post. I've been a bit poorly this week; I think it may be a chest infection similar to one I had last year, so I'll be seeing the doctor about it on Thursday.

On the feedback about the fic I have planned, looks like I'll be posting it all in one go. It'll be a long time until it appears, but I like to plan these things ahead.

Anyway, without further ado, the next chapter of Gakutalia!

Chapter 37

Y.W.

He was in deep conversation with Kiku when the other peered past, having seen something.

"The others are here," he commented, and Yao followed his gaze to see both Feliciano and Ludwig. "I should greet them, but I'll be back."

"It's OK," Yao had spotted Francis, Arthur and Alfred. "I've seen a few others, too. I'll see you around, aru?"

"Yes, we'll talk some more," Kiku nodded, and the two of them parted ways.

Yao wormed his way past his fellow classmates until he reached those he had come to know as his friends over his years spent at World Academy. The three of them were in deep conversation, and to the side he saw both Elizabeta and Natalya chatting. He instantly knew that Alfred had taken the risk of bringing Ivan's little sister as his date. How he had managed it so far and was still alive, Yao had no idea.

"Hey, aru," he announced his presence, squirming his way in between Francis and Alfred. "I see that Natalya has come along."

Alfred instantly became a little nervous. "Yeah, dude… I…"

"Won't Ivan be pissed?" Yao arched an eyebrow and sipped his champagne. "I mean, you did realise he was coming to this, didn't you?"

"My brother may be angry, but he doesn't control my life," Natalya dipped into the conversation. "But you don't worry about him, Yao… just enjoy your night."

There was a somewhat dark undertone there. He wasn't entirely sure whether by "him" she meant Alfred or Ivan. Either way, he decided that he should probably stay out of this one.

In the meantime… "So, when did you two become a thing, aru?"

That was directed at Arthur and Elizabeta. He felt he was so grossly excluded from the group's gossip sometimes… Yao wondered if he was doing something wrong, or if they just never felt the need to notify him on the crucial details?

"Oh, well, it's very complicated," Arthur said, glancing at Elizabeta. "But we're really here as friends."

"Because I thought you two were dating, aru?" he pressed, eager for some news.

"Oh, oui…" Francis laughed anxiously. "But it's very complicated."

"We're here as friends," Elizabeta assured him.

"If you say so, aru," Yao shrugged, although he'd been sure that Elizabeta would attend the dance with Roderich.

L.B

He was still milling around Fel and the others when Kiku approached.

"Oh, Kiku," he said. "Are you liking the event so far?"

"Absolutely," Kiku gazed around. "The atmosphere is much nicer than I could have hoped for. You've done a good job."

"Thank you," Ludwig gazed around the room.

He could see the confusion in Kiku's eyes to see Emma there with Fel rather than Michelle, but it was something their Italian friend would have to explain to them afterwards. Ludwig wanted to hear all the details, but not in front of Emma. He shot Kiku a knowing look, and there was a silent agreement between them to not speak of it.

He watched as Roderich slowly approached, alone and without Elizabeta. Ludwig was not a major social networking pro, but even he had all the sites and had seen all the recent photos between the Hungarian girl and Arthur Kirkland. Admittedly, it was a strange combination, what with Elizabeta having so much fire in her personality and Arthur acting like a wet weekend most of the time. He hadn't expected them to hook up.

Instead, he had expected Roderich to be the one leading her in, a gallant smile on his face. It seemed that this would not be so.

"Hello," he offered a weak smile. Ludwig wondered if he had anyone to hang out with.

"Good evening," Ludwig said. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

He watched as Roderich's gaze drifted to the other side of the hall, where Elizabeta now seemed to be telling a grand story to Arthur and his friends. She had always been far more charismatic of the two.

Ludwig had known Roderich since they were extremely young. They had been neighbours during their childhood, until his mother and father moved to a much more… upmarket street. That wasn't saying Ludwig lived in poverty, but his lifestyle was far more humble in comparison to Roderich's. He understood the boy came from a family of extreme wealth, just as Francis Bonnefoy did. Their families had never fallen out of contact despite the move, though. In fact, Roderich's father was very good friends with his mother. It was her death that the families became contacting each other less frequently. Ludwig still saw Roderich at school, and they spoke every now and then. He pitied him, because Roderich had never been a sociable creature. His friendship with Elizabeta had been one of the best things that had happened to him. He hadn't necessarily opened up, but she balanced out his rudeness.

For a while, Ludwig had convinced himself into believing they were dating, but it seemed that really wasn't the case. Needless to say, it seemed Roderich had left some things between them unsaid…

"Yes, it's a good night," Roderich finally looked back at Ludwig. "Well organised. I like the music."

Since the music was quiet enough to be barely audible at this stage, Ludwig instantly knew that Roderich was just trying to fill a gap.

"Just have a good night," he said cryptically, hoping Roderich would understand him.

A ghost of a smile appeared on the Austrian's lips, and Ludwig instantly knew that the message had been passed on.

A.J.

He snorted with laughter and covered his face. He had never known Elizabeta was such a cracker. She certainly improved Arthur's mood. With Natalya by his side, Alfred felt a little more confident, too. He wasn't entirely sure what the set-up between Arthur and Elizabeta was, but he hadn't expected his friend to bring her to the Charity Ball. Perhaps the plan with Elizabeta and Roderich hadn't worked out? Or maybe… something else had happened along the way? The three of them were pretty eager to say it was nothing, but he'd have to ask at some point anyway.

"Ah, we forgot to toast," Francis suddenly paused with a frown. "What should we toast?"

"There's nothing to be especially commemorative about," Arthur raised an eyebrow. "We haven't made any particular achievements and there's no event nearby."

"How about cheers to making it this far?" Natalya raised her glass.

"I can handle that," Arthur tapped his to hers, and everyone else did the same.

This was the type of atmosphere that Alfred wanted. Casual and talking. It felt like something was missing, deep down, but maybe he was just anxious about the upcoming mock exams?

Three rough taps on his shoulder brought his attention round to see a radiant smile, but death in the violet eyes of Ivan Braginsky. He hadn't even heard him coming- no shout, no angry footsteps. Nothing had prepared him for this encounter, even though he knew it had been on its way. He had desperately hoped to avoid it.

"What's the matter, Alfred?" Ivan grimaced. "You look awfully pale. It's almost as if you didn't want to see me here at all."

"Ivan, whatever you're planning, don't do it," Natalya grumbled.

"You," he pointed at her. "Stay back. And you."

That was to Alfred.

"What did I tell you?" his tone was sweet and friendly, but Alfred knew the truth.

"In fact, I tell you, I even demonstrate the outcome," Ivan shrugged. "Yet you still do exactly what I told you not to, da?"

"Ivan…" he grimaced, and the mood suddenly became tense.

The smile dropped instantly from the Russian boy's face. "What do I have to do, Alfred, to keep you away from my sister?"

The tone in his voice. Alfred had never known Ivan could be this threatening.

"Do I have to follow her around?" he took a step towards Alfred. "Do I have to keep tabs on you? How far do you want me to go to keep you away from my little sister?"

"Ivan, hang on a minute," Arthur stepped in.

Ivan shoved him back with a shake of his head, before looking back at Alfred.

"You're silent," he shrugged. "Answer me."

Alfred needed to think very carefully about what he said next.

"Don't do this, Ivan," Natalya shook her head, disappointed.

"Why don't you just let your sister make her decision?" Alfred asked.

Ivan stared at him for a moment, an almost vacant expression on his face. The past few months had changed him so much. This was over a birthday.

Why hadn't Alfred just apologised?

He didn't even see Ivan move, but suddenly there was a sharp pain on his cheek. His glass slipped from his fingers, and there was Arthur and Francis and Yao and Natalya all moving to hold Ivan back. There were broken shards on the floor, and his jaw was completely numb. He suddenly felt cold, like he needed to defend himself.

Broken glass. Broken bones. What? A man died. What?

"What the fuck, Ivan?" Arthur scowled.

"Do I have to kill you, Alfred?" Ivan yelled. "Is that how I have to keep you away from Natalya?"

"Ivan…" Natalya looked both sad and angry as she clutched at her brother's arm.

A dead man? Moonlight in the window.

"Do I have to do that?" Ivan stared at him hollowly, the savage look in his eyes just like- "Do I have to end your-"

"You don't know," Alfred blurted out, staring him straight in the eyes.

A cold sweat broke out across his body.

"You don't know what it's like," he screamed out, and suddenly all eyes were on their group.

Dead man. Shattered glass. They both fell. Shattered man.

"Alfred?" Matthew's voice was calm as his brother moved in front of him, holding onto his shoulders and blocking his view. "Alfred, it's OK. You're OK."

Dead man. Shattered glass.

"You're not there anymore, eh?"

I.B.

He stopped straining against the four people who held him back. His only focus was on Alfred, who Matthew stood before, as if shielding him from the danger. Shielding him from him.

He heaved a sigh and shook the many arms holding him down. There was some kind of pain throbbing in his throat that he couldn't ignore, but he couldn't explain it, either. He couldn't look at Alfred, because he suddenly looked like a ghost. Eyes were on him. They were looks of uncertainty, of pity, of confusion.

"Ivan… what the Hell?" he turned his head and saw Mei staring at him, eyes wide.

"Mei…" he had completely forgotten about her. The moment he'd spotted Natalya there with Alfred, he had stormed off, losing her in the crowd and never once thinking to look back.

"Mei?" Yao looked just as confused, standing beside Ivan. "What are you doing here?"

It was an empty question. Realisation was dawning on Yao's face as he asked it. Everything was falling apart. He couldn't stop things unravelling.

"How could you, aru?" Yao narrowed his eyes. "You said…"

"What's the meaning of this?" Ludwig stormed over.

"Did you not tell him?" Mei was beginning to see the meanings, too. "But you said, Ivan…"

"What is going on?" Ludwig repeated, anger in his voice.

"Ivan was just leaving."

He turned and looked at Matthew. Kind, docile Matthew, who was now giving him a piercing look. There was no other way to describe it. His stare was accusing, one filled with anger and hatred. Alfred looked a lost soul in comparison, staring at the shattered glass on the floor, and Natalya had drifted to his other side at some point.

"Oh?" Ludwig cast looks amongst their group.

"Yeah," his voice sounded leagues away. "I was."

They all hated him. All of them. He could see it in their eyes. He always had this… feeling of being left out. It reminded him of the days when he first came to World Academy, how carefully Eduard and Toris stepped around him.

They all hated him.

They all feared him.

A/N: The confrontation we were all dreading has finally arrived. I really hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I will probably be posting the next chapter on Thursday, as time has flown by and it's Comic Con next weekend! I'm going to be very busy (and tired). In the meantime, feel free to review this chapter, as I love hearing what people say about what I've written. Until next time!