Thanks to Yaoi-Is-Life-and-Love, cAnd13ThEheTaLiaN and two anons for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 41

Miguel was trying hard to focus on his homework, but he still couldn't get the matter with Lovino out of his head. The moment he realised that Lovino was looking at him in fear… and finding out that the fear was because his cousin was one of the people who tortured him…

And looking back on it, Miguel realised that it was more than possible for those three to torture someone. Miguel knew how they liked to portray themselves to other people, but if it was just Miguel, then they were arrogant, immature, entitled, and had a sick sense of humour. These were all reasons why Miguel didn't like being around them. And these were all reasons why Miguel had no problem believing Lovino when he revealed that Antonio was one of the people that tortured him.

And 'torture' was the right word for it. More than a week had passed, and if Miguel looked at Lovino's physical state, he could only imagine what it had been like when the injuries were still fresh. Lovino had attempted suicide, and it required a lot of mental anguish to decide on something like that. And even without that, Lovino still needed to go to the hospital, because the damage sustained to his body would have been enough to kill him. He also heard from Vlad that Lovino had almost been outright murdered on his tenth birthday party.

He couldn't understand how anyone could have been so cruel, and the fact that his own family was like that made him feel even worse. Because not only was it someone who shared Miguel's blood, Lovino admitted that Miguel looked a lot like Antonio, which meant that Lovino could only see Antonio when looking at him.

Miguel buried his head in his hands, and as he felt his hair, he realised something. He quickly went to the bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror. He always wore his hair in a ponytail because he didn't like having his hair in his face, but he also realised that Antonio's hair was shorter than his. Out of curiosity, he released his hair from the ponytail, fluffing it out. He blinked at his reflection, realising how much different he looked like this. Perhaps… Perhaps this was how he could make Lovino feel more comfortable around him.

Feeling relieved, he now decided to focus on another problem that's been bothering him. He wanted to know what Antonio was thinking. What could have inspired him to act the way he did towards Lovino? But how was Miguel supposed to gain that knowledge? It wasn't exactly something that one could ask over the phone, which meant that Miguel had to ask him in person. Which meant that he most likely had to think of an excuse for popping up at Antonio's house. There was no way it could work if he asked his cousin to meet him somewhere. Antonio knew that Miguel would never want to meet up with him somewhere willingly. At least, at Antonio's house, Miguel knew that his cousin wouldn't be able to escape.

The following day wouldn't work for him. They had book club, and Miguel was anxious to see whether Lovino would come or not, all things considered. Wednesday, perhaps. Yes, there was nothing for him to do on Wednesdays.

With his mind resolved, he returned to his room to continue with his homework, trying to get used to the feeling of his hair in his face.

…

The moment they returned home, Lovino tried to go to his room. However, Feliciano's eager arrival at the door made him pause at the foot of the stairs.

"How did it go?" Feliciano asked.

"It went alright," Lovino said. "Um, Feli, do you mind if we talked a bit? There's something I need to ask you about."

For some reason that Lovino couldn't understand, Feliciano looked happy when Lovino said that he wanted to ask him something. Lovino led the way to his bedroom, Feliciano following a few steps behind. Lovino went to sit down on his bed, and Feliciano closed the door behind them.

"There wasn't actually a need for that," Lovino said. "It's not a private conversation."

"Oh," Feliciano said, frowning in confusion. "Then why'd we come up to your room?"

"Because my foot is killing me and I want to lie down and read. I think it's swollen again."

"You're not going to take a nap, right?"

"Everyone's made it pretty clear that I am not allowed to do that," Lovino sighed. "Anyway, what I wanted to ask you: How's it going with Antonio and the other two?"

Feliciano scowled, and Lovino was taken aback. He couldn't recall ever seeing that expression on Feliciano's face.

"You shouldn't worry about them," Feliciano spat. "They hurt you. Why are you worried about them?"

"It's not them I'm worried about," Lovino clarified. "Dr Matthew… He said that… people like them… There's a chance that they're going to find a new victim. I'm worried that… it could be you or Cello, or… even someone else. And even if some of the others at that school are jerks, no one deserves to go through what I went through."

Feliciano's expression softened, and he scratched his head.

"Well, they're not very popular at the moment," he explained. "Everyone knows that they almost killed you, and not just because you tried to… um… you know. Everyone's staying far away from them now."

Lovino sighed, nodding his head to show that he understood what his brother was telling him.

"Just stay away from them, okay?" Lovino said.

"Of course," Feliciano said. "But, there's more, isn't there?"

Lovino nodded.

"You remember Gupta and Vlad talking about their friend, Miguel?" Lovino asked.

"Si," Feliciano said. "They said he's nice. Is he?"

"So far. He's also Antonio's cousin."

Feliciano's face fell.

"Are you serious?" he demanded. "Are you okay?"

"I had a bit of a panic attack during lunch," Lovino said. "But he kind of made a good point. He doesn't like to be compared to Antonio, kind of like how I don't like being compared to you or Cello."

Feliciano flinched, and his eyes darted around nervously.

"I'm… sorry about that," Feliciano said. "If I knew that they were doing that… and that it was usually, um, bad, I would have…"

"It's not your fault," Lovino sighed. "It just… hurts, that people expect me to be exactly like you. They… They completely ignore me."

Feliciano bit his lip.

"That's why we thought that it would be better if you went to the new school alone," Feliciano said.

"…Grazie," Lovino whispered, before he kicked off his left shoe and started unwinding the bandage. "Hey, do you think you could go get me an icepack? This thing feels really swollen."

"Sure," Feliciano chirped, before he made his way out.

Lovino continued with the bandage as he waited for Feliciano to return, and he had just finished when the door opened. Except, it wasn't Feliciano.

"Hey Vino," Marcello greeted. "I just took Chiara for a walk."

Marcello had the puppy in his arms, who looked exhausted. He started to make his way to the basket, but Lovino stopped him.

"You can put her on the bed," Lovino said. "I think she'd like it more, anyway."

Marcello nodded, before he went to put the puppy on the bed. Lovino smiled as she nuzzled against the sheets beneath her, before letting out a huge yawn. Honestly, she was just so cute!

Feliciano returned shortly after, and he paused for a moment to admire the puppy, before he handed the icepack wrapped in dishcloth to Lovino. He also helped get a few pillows for Lovino to rest the injured ankle on, and soon enough, Lovino was lying on his back with a book in his hands and foot in the air.

"There," Feliciano said. "Do you need anything else?"

Lovino shook his head, and he was preparing to settle down and read, but he noticed that Feliciano still hovered there, looking as though there was something that he desperately wanted to say.

"Si?" Lovino prompted.

"If… If you have homework," Feliciano said, "would you want to join me downstairs, and we can work on it together?"

Lovino frowned. Where did this come from? But he recalled that his bag was still downstairs, and so he sighed and nodded.

"Yay!" Feliciano cheered. "Then I'll see you later."

Lovino watched as Feliciano darted away, but he was soon distracted by Chiara, who decided to nuzzle against his right foot. He smiled at the cute display, before he started to read.

…

That night at dinner, Lovino was surprised when his father asked him to tell them about his day in greater detail. They all knew about Miguel by now, and they were justifiably concerned, but they relaxed a bit when they heard that Miguel comforted him during his panic attack.

"I also need to practise the recipe for CS," Lovino said. "Do you mind if I do that tomorrow?"

"Of course not," his father said, smiling. "What's the recipe?"

"A… chocolate brandy roll cake."

His father choked a bit when he heard that.

"Are they even allowed to let minors work with alcohol?" Romulus asked.

"Apparently," Lovino said. "Could you perhaps just get the ingredients tomorrow?"

"Sure, just give me a shopping list. So, tomorrow's book club, right?"

Lovino nodded.

"Ve, that sounds nice," Feliciano said. "You get to talk to people that have the same interests."

"How does it even work, anyway?" Marcello asked.

"Traditionally, a book club has enough copies of a certain novel for all their members," Romulus explained. "They have some time to read the novel – though, depending on the length of the novel, they might have specific goalposts. And then they discuss the novel – characters, setting, plot…"

"You know a fair bit of this," Lovino observed.

"I was part of a book club in college," Romulus said. "Only for one year, though."

"But it sounds nice," Feliciano said. "Oh, when's that play, anyway? The one Feliks talked about?"

Lovino froze. He had no idea, actually.

"I'll have to ask him," he said.

"He's trying hard for you sake, you know?" Romulus said. "Don't leave him behind, alright?"

Lovino nodded his head. He had a feeling that Feliks wouldn't allow Lovino to leave him behind. Besides, so far, Feliks was the first friend that genuinely cared about him, without ulterior motives. Lovino wasn't about to throw that away. If only he knew how to be a friend in return.

…

The first class Lovino had with Miguel, he braced himself for the sight of the Portuguese. Antonio with a ponytail. He didn't think he'd ever get used to that sight.

Only… the moment he saw Miguel, he had to do a double take. He looked so different with his hair down. Miguel smiled, beckoning him closer. Feliks followed after Lovino, and he could sense the confusion from the Pole.

"How are you feeling today?" Miguel asked.

"Okay," Lovino said. "You look… different."

Miguel beamed.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought it might make things easier for you," Miguel said.

Lovino was startled when Miguel explained that his change in hairstyle was for Lovino's sake. And considering how the other boy kept blowing or tucking the hair out of his face, Lovino realised that he was right when he said that he didn't usually do this.

It made him feel just a little bit guilty.

…

"So, do you mind explaining why the sudden change in appearance?" Vlad asked, staring at Miguel.

Miguel sighed, glancing towards Lovino, silently asking permission. Lovino shrugged, and Miguel turned his attention to Vlad again.

"Well, let's just say I've been cursed with a close family resemblance to my cousin," Miguel explained.

"That still doesn't explain the hair," Yao said.

"His cousin was one of my bullies," Lovino sighed.

"W-what?" Vlad asked, horrified. "Is… Is that why… yesterday…?"

Both Miguel and Lovino nodded their heads.

"And?" Gupta asked. "Are you… okay around each other?"

"The… change in hairstyle actually helps," Lovino said.

Miguel beamed.

"Then it looks like I'm going to wear my hair like this from now on," he said.

"Isn't it hot, though?" Yao asked.

"Honestly, that's not the worst part."

As though emphasising his point, he tried to knock the hair back out of his face, only to frown in annoyance when it fell back again.

"You could always to what Mr Bondevik does, if it bothers you," Vlad said.

"I don't see you wearing a hairpin," Miguel said.

"My hair's shorter than yours."

Miguel was about to continue the argument, but a familiar face made him pause. A moment later, Yao yelped as his ponytail was tugged on.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed, before he turned to glare at his brother. "Leon, what's the meaning of this?"

"Mei and I are going out with friends later," Leon said. "We'll probably get dinner with them, so don't worry about us."

"And what about your homework?"

"That's actually why we're going. Group project. Five people. Ask Mr Kirkland if you don't believe me."

Miguel rested his chin on his hand, a small smile of amusement on his face.

"Let me guess, you have to do a play?" Miguel asked.

Leon glanced towards him and nodded, before his eyes flitted to Lovino and Feliks.

"Lovino, Feliks, meet Yao's younger brother, Leon," Vlad said. "Despite that poker face of his, he's pretty fond of pranks. But, he has his moments of being nice."

"Those fortune cookies…" Lovino muttered. "Did you…?"

Leon looked a bit uncomfortable, but nodded his head.

"Anything else?" Yao asked.

"Not really," Leon said, before he turned his full attention to Lovino and Feliks. "Nice to meet you."

And the younger boy turned and left. Miguel's gaze followed him until he sat down at the table where his sister was waiting for him. Mei immediately started engaging in conversation, most likely demanding that Leon tell her everything about the new students.

"Anyway, did you guys hear that there's a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream?" Gupta asked, looking around at the rest of the group.

"Like, totally!" Feliks said. "Vino and I already have tickets!"

"Really?" Miguel asked. "For when?"

"Like, next Saturday."

"That sounds like fun," Heracles said. "If there are still tickets, why don't we all go?"

Feliks's face fell a bit, and Miguel looked between the two new students. Making a decision, Miguel stood up.

"Feliks, could I talk to you in private for a bit?" Miguel asked.

Feliks appeared startled, but he nodded and followed after Miguel. The Portuguese led the other to a stairwell, and he turned to face the blond.

"How long have you known Lovino?" Miguel asked.

"Um, like, a few weeks," Feliks said. "But…"

"You still want to be his friend, and you're scared of being left alone."

Feliks looked startled, but he nodded his head. He nervously rubbed his arm, and Miguel noticed something from the sleeve rolling slightly upward.

"Feliks, did you have trouble with someone?" Miguel asked.

Feliks flinched, pulling his sleeve down. He bit his lip, and Miguel sighed.

"Feliks, I just want to help," Miguel said. "Please."

Feliks appeared hesitant, looking anywhere than at Miguel.

"Y-yeah…" Feliks said. "Like, at my old school… L-let's just say, I figured out what happened to Lovino, because…"

"Because it happened to you too," Miguel said.

"I-it w-wasn't as b-bad as L-Lovino," Feliks said. "But…"

Feliks yelped as Miguel wrapped him in a hug. It looked like Feliks hadn't had his own hug in a long time.

"We've all been through it," Miguel whispered. "That's what pulled us together. You have more in common with us than you think. So, you really don't have to worry about us taking Lovino away from you."

Feliks gasped, and he pulled away slightly to regard Miguel.

"Like, how did you…?" he asked.

Miguel chuckled.

"My friends have a tendency to bottle up their emotions," Miguel said. "It's my job to see through their efforts. And I can see through you too, even if we don't know each other well yet."

Feliks averted his gaze, before he looked around.

"Like, you should probably let go," Feliks said. "Before someone sees and…"

"Don't worry," Miguel said. "Everyone knows I'm a hugger. And they would probably be able to see that you need this."

Miguel smiled when he felt Feliks hug back. And he couldn't help but wonder if Antonio did anything to Feliks as well.

…

"Here you go," Mr Kirkland said, handing the book to Feliks.

He smiled when he saw the familiar words. It's been a long time since he read something in Polish, but he still found it easier than English. Feliks skipped over towards Lovino, sitting next to the Italian, who was examining his own book.

"Now, I thought we could do things a little differently this time," Arthur said, sitting down at his place in the circle. "Since we have two new members, I decided that everyone should at least try a different book, and then next week, tell the others about it."

"No problem," Heracles said. "I think it might be fun. Everyone focuses on something they like."

"Ooh, can we try something else next time?" Vlad asked. "Like, putting a bunch of random books in a box, and then you draw the book you're supposed to read."

"And you could also return the book if it's something you've read before," Gupta said. "Make it a bit more interesting."

"That sounds like an idea," Arthur said. "What do you two say?"

The question was directed at Lovino and Feliks, and Feliks shrugged. It might just convince him to actually read a book, since he wanted to keep up with the others. And he didn't want them to think that he didn't belong there.

"Hey, Mr Kirkland," Gupta said, "we're planning on going to see A Midsummer Night's Dream next week. Want to come?"

Arthur chuckled, before he shook his head.

"Sorry, I have other arrangements next week," he said. "But, I think I'll look out for anything else, alright?"

My CS teacher had to get special permission in order to have alcohol on the schoolgrounds, and extra to allow minors to work with it. Since it's added before baking, the heat evaporates the alcohol, and you're left with the brandy taste.