Thanks to Yaoi-Is-Life-and-Love, TapiocaTundraDB, Thorn235 and Praise's waterfall for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 65

When his alarm went off Feliciano couldn't find it in himself to move. His body felt heavy, and he kept thinking about his brother in the hospital. He couldn't think about going about his life while Lovino was in trouble.

He didn't know how long he lay there, but eventually there was a gentle rap on the door. Feliciano looked up when his father opened the door.

"I take it you don't want to go to school," Romulus said. "Marcello doesn't want to go either. I'll call and tell them what happened. Vacation starts tomorrow, so I don't think they're going to force you."

"Grazie," Feliciano muttered. "Papa… is Lovino going to be okay?"

"…He has a talent for cheating death. I'm sure he will be."

Feliciano didn't like to hear that word, but he supposed that it was a reassurance. His father smiled one last time before he left, and Feliciano turned to lie on his back, simply staring at the ceiling.

This was far worse than the last time Lovino was in the hospital. The last time, they only had to wait a few hours before they were reassured that Lovino would wake up. They even managed to talk to him. But now… All that was waiting for them was a pale figure on a bed, unable to wake up when they called his name.

This… This was the worst thing that's ever happened to Feliciano.

…

Camille searched the crowd for Marcello, but he wasn't on the bus. He wasn't answering any of her texts or calls either. Could he be angry at her? Or was he just projecting his anger for her brother towards her? Either way, it hurt.

She was resigned to the fact that Marcello wasn't on the bus when she heard someone clear his throat. Her head whipped up, a part of her heart hoping that it was Marcello. This part was disappointed when she realised that it wasn't Marcello, but Ludwig.

Since their brothers were friends, Camille actually got to know Ludwig fairly well. And she realised that he was most likely in the same boat as her.

"Hello Ludwig," she greeted politely though tiredly.

"Hello Camille," he greeted back. "Have you seen Marcello? He should have been here by now."

"Non, I haven't. He's not answering any of my calls or texts."

Ludwig sighed, before taking the empty seat next to her.

"I suppose I can't blame him," he said. "I don't think it's anything personal."

"And if it is?" she moaned.

"Ask Henri or Lili to call him. If he doesn't answer them, then you know it's not personal, and the best you can do is go to his house this afternoon to check on him."

She perked up at the suggestion. Indeed, that sounded like something she could do. She beamed up at Ludwig.

"Merci!" she chirped.

Ludwig gave a brief smile as he nodded, but then the smile was gone again.

"Anyway, how are you?" he asked. "How are things at home? I'm assuming that Francis is also…?"

She sighed and nodded.

"My mom's been crying the whole night, and I've never seen my father so furious before," she admitted. "And as for me… I honestly can't believe that Francis would be willing to do something like that. I knew he didn't like Lovino, but I honestly didn't think that he would resort to murder."

"Right," Ludwig agreed. "My father is also furious with Gilbert. He says that he tried to play innocent when the policeman found the knife on him. Honestly, how could anyone be so arrogant?"

"Um, excuse me."

The two looked up to the people sitting in front of them, who had turned around and were peering over the top of the bus's chairs.

"Did I hear right?" the girl asked. "What's this about a murder?"

Camille looked around, noticing that everyone was looking at them now. She turned to Ludwig, who appeared to be conflicted as well. She knew that it would be difficult for the both of them if they told the truth, but considering the general attitude of the school in regards to Lovino Vargas, especially how they viewed him a few months ago, it might have been important for them to know. And in the unlikely event that their brothers were to return to school…

Actions had consequences, after all.

And so, Camille decided to tell them everything she knew.

…

The bus ride was lonely. Feliks was so used to having Lovino with him that this isolation was harrowing. He couldn't wait to get to the school, even if he had to tell the others about what happened. He didn't even know how to do it. He shared homeroom with Gupta and Vlad, but the others…

Perhaps he should wait until lunch in order to break the news, but that didn't sit well with him either. Perhaps he should just wait and see for a good opportunity.

He remembered his first day, and how everyone reacted when they found out that Lovino had been bullied. What would their reactions be when they found out that the bullies had attempted murder?

This school was different than the other one. People here were rather fond of Lovino, and for them to hear that someone had attempted to kill him would be met with horror. He suspected that it would only be a matter of time before everyone knew, and a part of him wanted Lovino to see when he woke up just how many people were concerned about him.

This was not going to be an easy day.

The bus came to a stop sooner than he would have liked. Feliks wanted to delay as much as possible, but since this was a public bus it had other stops to make, so he quickly grabbed his bag and exited the vehicle.

The trip to the classroom, however, was one he tried to prolong, and when he finally reached it and saw Vlad and Gupta already waiting there, his stomach dropped. He walked too fast. He didn't want to see them yet.

He just stood there for a while, and he would have preferred to go unnoticed until they all had to enter the classroom. However, he wasn't so lucky, and Vlad managed to spot him before long.

"Hey Feliks, why are you just standing there?" Vlad asked. "Come over."

Feliks swallowed nervously before he made his way to his friends. Gupta frowned, looking behind him.

"Feliks, where's Lovino?" the Egyptian asked.

Feliks flinched, averting his gaze. He didn't know how to tell them. The other two exchanged a look, all amusement from earlier replaced with concern.

"Feliks, did something happen?" Vlad asked. "Lovino didn't… have a relapse, did he?"

It was always a concern, despite how much happier Lovino was now. Everyone in their circle of friends was worried that something might happen that would tip Lovino back into his old state of mind, and also cause him to resort to harming himself. They still saw that tendency whenever they had a sleepover and Lovino had a nightmare.

"It's… not like that," Feliks said. "He… he had a run-in with his bullies yesterday, and…"

"Is he okay?" Vlad demanded.

Feliks shook his head, but before he could elaborate the bell rang, startling him. They scrambled to get in line before Mr Kirkland arrived.

They didn't even have to wait long, and they were soon filing into the class. Feliks took his seat behind Gupta and Vlad, and the two of them rounded on him again.

"Okay, so, where's Lovino?" Vlad demanded. "What happened with his bullies?"

Before Feliks could answer, Mr Kirkland called for silence. Since the holidays started the following day, the teachers were desperate to get as much finished as quickly as possible, and any absences would have to be determined as soon as possible.

Mr Kirkland scanned the room, searching for absent students, before he focused on the spot where Lovino sat. He frowned before turning his attention to Feliks.

"Feliks, do you know where Lovino is today?" Mr Kirkland asked.

"Y-yeah…" he stammered. "He's… He's in the hospital."

The whole class turned to him, and Mr Kirkland's eyes widened.

"Is he alright?" Mr Kirkland asked.

Feliks shook his head, tears springing to his eyes.

"Like, he ran into his bullies yesterday," Feliks explained. "And they… Like, they tried to kill him!"

"What?!"

Everyone rounded on Feliks, and many people were demanding to know what had happened. Gupta and Vlad were simply staring at Feliks.

"Quiet!" Mr Kirkland shouted, hushing the students. "Now, Feliks, could you explain in more detail what happened?"

Feliks reluctantly nodded his head.

"Like, the three of them cornered him yesterday," Feliks said. "They dragged him to the bridge. They beat him up, and… And then they stabbed him. Like, three times in the stomach. He managed to call his dad before it happened, and his dad called the police, who called the ambulance. Like, Lovino's in a coma now, and… And there's still a chance he'll…"

Feliks couldn't help it. He burst out sobbing. The other students started to whisper, but he could still see the concern on their faces.

But it was nothing compared to the looks on Gupta and Vlad's faces. Gupta was usually stoic, and it was hard to see his expression change. But now, he looked even more horrified than the normally-expressive Vlad. And Feliks knew that he was right to not tell them over the phone, even if it would have been less painful for him. Even if he wouldn't have had to see them like this.

"Alright, settle down," Mr Kirkland said at last.

It took a while for everyone to fall silent again. Mr Kirkland sighed as he turned to Feliks, Vlad and Gupta.

"You three, I think we need to go to the office," he said. "The rest of you… I know you're going to want everyone to know about this, but please, keep it under control."

The three friends followed their teacher out of the classroom and towards the office. On their way, however, they stopped at the other homeroom class, and Mr Kirkland asked that Heracles, Yao and Miguel come along with them.

Feliks felt his stomach drop when he saw Miguel. How would he react when he found out about what his cousin did to Lovino this time? And Miguel would have no doubt that Antonio was willing to do something like that. After all, he'd been strangled by his cousin as well. He knew what Antonio was capable of.

"What's going on?" Heracles asked quietly.

Gupta shook his head. Vlad also looked subdued. Feliks could see the same conflict inside themselves that he'd had in regards to telling the group about what happened to Lovino. It wasn't something that they'd normally have to deal with.

"Did something happen?" Yao asked alarmed.

"Where's Lovino?" Miguel asked.

"We'll need to go to Miss Hassan's office before we discuss anything," Arthur sighed. "I fear the six of you will be missing quite a few classes."

The three new arrivals turned with alarm to the first three, who were trying hard to keep their own pose. It felt like an eternity before they arrived at the office, and after a few quick words with the secretary, they were allowed into the principal's office.

"Arthur, what's going on?" Miss Hassan asked. "Why is everyone here? And… Wait, where's Lovino?"

"That's why we're here," Mr Kirkland sighed. "I came to request that these six go on holiday early. I fear they won't be able to work at all for the next two days."

"Why?" Miguel demanded. "What's going on?"

"Feliks, could you please explain what happened yesterday?"

All eyes were on Feliks, and he swallowed nervously.

"Like, yesterday, Lovino was attacked by his bullies again," Feliks explained. "And… They… they tried to kill him."

"What do you mean, they tried to kill him?" Miguel demanded. "What did they do?"

"They… They took him to the bridge just outside of town. And they beat him up. Lovino managed to call his dad for help, but they… They stabbed him. All three of them. A-and… My dad had to put him in a coma. Because… Like, with all the blood he lost, and an injury he got to the head… If h-he didn't put him in a c-coma, then… then he would have been in one anyway, and… And it wouldn't be one where they could wake him up. I-if he went into a natural coma… then there's a chance he wouldn't wake up at all. A-and… They had to put him in ICU because… the coma and… there's a chance his body w-would reject the blood from the t-transfusion. Like, only his family can see him."

There was silence in the room. Feliks had tears streaming down his face, along with Vlad. Gupta looked as though he was trying to keep his own in check, and Mr Kirkland appeared solemn. The four people who only just found out were staring at Feliks in pure horror. Like they couldn't believe that something like this would happen. And he didn't blame them.

"N-no," Yao whispered, falling to his knees. "He… they tried to kill him?"

There was an anguished cry and a sharp thud, and everyone turned to the source. Miguel had his fist pressed against the nearest wall, and his body was trembling harshly.

"That… that idiot," Miguel said. "Did he… Does he really hate Lovino that much? Was getting back at him more important than anything else? What was he thinking?!"

He wailed as he fell to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Vlad swallowed, before he went to help Miguel up. Feliks winced when he saw Miguel's hand. It would seem that he had, indeed, punched the wall in his anguish.

"…I agree, Arthur," Miss Hassan said at last. "You six… you're excused until after the holidays. I'll call your parents to pick you up."

"N-no," Gupta said. "I… Please, let us stay together. We… We can't…"

"To be fair, this is a huge blow," Mr Kirkland said. "I wanted to bring Miguel, Yao and Heracles along because I didn't want them to find out what happened through the grapevine. I've never seen a group of friends as tightly-knit as these boys. Let them be each other's moral supports."

Miss Hassan sighed and nodded.

"I understand that," she said. "And I agree that they wouldn't be able to do any work today or tomorrow. Boys, would you be okay if I take you to our house?"

They glanced towards each other, and one by one they nodded their heads, with the exception of Miguel.

"Um, I think I might have broken my hand," Miguel said.

"I'll take you to the hospital to check it out," Miss Hassan said, grabbing her handbag. "Come along, boys. This is going to be a hard day for all of you."

…

Francis could barely eat the breakfast they'd brought for them. Partially because it didn't look very appetising, and partially because he still felt guilty about what happened the previous day. He still couldn't believe they'd actually gone through with it. And he couldn't believe where it had brought them.

The worst had to be that their families wanted nothing to do with them. He knew that his parents would do anything for him, so the fact that they allowed him to spend the night in jail showed him how much he messed up.

And then there were the nightmares.

He couldn't get to sleep at all, for whenever he closed his eyes, he could always see Lovino on the bridge. His eyes were closed and his shirt was stained with red. His face was pale, and Francis was sure that if he'd touch Lovino's skin, he would find it to be cold.

And then he would always hear Lovino's screams, begging for them to stop. Begging to know what he did to earn their hatred. And then the voice would become younger. He would hear a little boy screaming. Lovino.

And then his mind would flash back to when they were about ten years old. When they'd held Lovino underneath the water.

His tenth birthday party. And according to Feliciano, the last party he attended.

And Feliciano's accusations. The word 'murderer' falling from his lips. His sister's face twisted in disgust. His mother sobbing in despair. His father shaking his head in shame. The entire school isolating them. Being locked in a jailcell…

And then he would wake up, and he would realise that it was all true. They tried to kill Lovino, for…

Francis didn't even know anymore.

He didn't even think he could discuss any of his thoughts with his friends. Antonio was perhaps feeling as guilty as him, but with Gilbert it was hard to tell. He either didn't see the gravity of the situation, or he was still in denial.

He looked up when the door opened, and an officer came.

"Francis Bonnefoy, your mother's here to pick you up," the officer said, before he turned to Antonio and Gilbert. "Your parents are on their way too."

"Finally," Gilbert exclaimed.

Francis followed after the officer, and indeed his mother stood there. He smiled weakly at her, but she only scowled at him. He followed her outside, and the ride home was silent. When they arrived home, after closing the front door, she rounded on him and slapped him across the cheek.

Francis was stunned. His mother never did something like that before.

"You just couldn't let it go, could you?" she demanded. "I hope you're happy, Francis. Monsieur Vargas decided to press charges. And this time… This time, your father and I will not protect you."

His jaw dropped. Press charges?

"You went too far, Francis," she continued. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

She removed her phone and showed a photo to Francis, just like last time. And Francis felt his breath hitch.

"This is what you did," she said. "That boy is in critical condition. And there's a good chance he will die. Tell me, what did he do to you to deserve this?"

Francis gulped. He couldn't give an answer, for there was none.