Hey there guys! So you might notice this chapter is a bit longer than the others. Mostly because this chapter has a bonus of little look at 2p Lovino and Feliciano's life.
I also wanted to say that yes this is still a 2p USUK story! I promise 2p Arthur/Oliver [Which do you prefer?] will make an appearance in a few more chapters. This story just mostly revolves around 2p Alfred's life in general though. So, sorry again! It's taking so long! School and all that nasty stuff.
Anywho, enjoy!
And thanks for finally breaking the Review tension in the last chapter!
They're seriously really appreciated!
Warnings: Abuse, derogatory language, sensitive topics.
Alfred expected bad, but not as bad as what he actually received. Truthfully it was all a blur, he could barely remember anything that happened. All he knew was that it definitely hurt. He recalled crying loudly and yelling, but that's it. However, that was enough to remind him that it was definitely bad.
Today was a new day and the beating was in the past. Mommy wasn't happy with him when he returned home without any bags. When he tried to explain what happened, she had nothing of it. That's when the pain began all over again.
She really did it this time too. He had slashes over his wrists, and most likely on his back, or at least that's what it felt like as he slowly sat up in bed. Honestly he didn't even remember getting into bed the night before. Letting out a quiet sigh he realized his desire to stay covered under his blankets. It wasn't like his mother was happy with him anyway, so why bother? Still...
For some reason that probably wouldn't make any sense out loud, he began edging towards the side of the bed. It was painful, it felt like he could break into nothing any second now. How happy he was when he reached the edge of the bed! Mommy could be so cruel, she didn't even apologize. Not that she ever did, but sometimes... That didn't matter now. The main thing was to get off this bed and hopefully not die along the way. Seriously, his back felt like it was being stabbed. Better yet, he knew what that felt like after the incident with Feliciano, if anything his back might have hurt worse right now.
Eventually he was given the mercy of standing on his two feet, with no graceful balance, but he was standing! It almost felt like he was learning to walk again as his legs wobbled over to his door. This was the only time a small room, or closet, came in handy. There wasn't much space between the bed and the door, so he could get there a lot easier. He reached up to twist the doorknob before swinging the door open weakly.
He took in a deep breath before exhaling silently. Was it too late to get back in bed?
"Alfred."
Yes it was. He slowly glanced up at the voice, mentally bashing himself for deciding to get up.
"Your friend is waiting for you outside."
He blinked a few times. Friend? What friend? He didn't have any frie-oh wait! Could it be? He silently scooted away from her before running to the window, one which had a broken panel. He peeked out and saw a smiling blond boy, his odd curl bouncing as he swayed back and forth pateintly. There was no denying it, Lovino visited him!
He looked over at his mother, she didn't look mad, but she didn't look happy either. He quietly kept his gaze on her, waiting for an answer that would make his current pain feel like nothing. Without a word she nodded and Alfred broke into a smile. With a hurried 'thank you' he opened the front door and limped out.
"Alfred! Oh it's so good to see..." His voice trailed off as he glanced Alfred over. He couldn't really comprehend what he was looking at for a moment. The boy in front of him had small cuts and large bruises all over his face, and his wrists looked as if someone tried pulling them off. Was this really Alfred?
"H-Hi Lovino! H-How did you find me?" Alfred mumbled silently, a small smile on his face. Not that he minded, Lovino was always invited here!
"Oh, well it's a funny story actually," he rubbed the back of his head, wondering if it was appropriate to tell. It was Alfred after all, he deserved the truth. "Feliciano was sort of outside of your house, waiting to attack you. I found him and ended up squeezing it out of him. So here I am!"
Alfred's eyes widened slightly, why was every day a never-ending battle for him? "Is he still here?"
"Oh of course not! I kicked his butt and sent him home!" The blond laughed, rubbing his hands together to make a point. A small laugh escaped the young male, flashing him a grin.
"You're like one of those hero things!" Innocent Alfred exclaimed all too weakly.
"Ah heroes don't exist, Alfred," he whispered in return, having his own personal experiences for believing so. If they did, where was one when they needed the help all those years ago?
"I know," he said calmly, "but it's nice to pretend they did."
"Alfred, I want ya back in the house in five minutes." A sudden voice from behind the young boy seemed to growl. He turned his head and sighed heavily, nodding. He and Lovino just started talking too!
"Alfred, I think we need to talk." Lovino spoke, a hard expression on his face. His eyes seemed to focus passed him, lost in multiple thoughts.
"Well I only have five minutes, but okay!" He giggled a bit, just so happy that someone was finally his friend!
"Not here. Can you meet me near the house where Feliciano first attacked you? Do you remember where that was?" The older boy whispered, as if they were being spied on.
Alfred lowered his voice just in case, "Uh-huh, I remember."
"Good, because that's where I live actually. Can you meet me Saturday?" Saturday was in two days, surely he could make it right?
Without hesitation Alfred responded with an excited nod. "Of course I can! I'll be there!"
Lovino finally returned to smiling, although it seemed strained. Did Alfred do something wrong? Oh, maybe he had something on his teeth? He did forget to brush them before he came out. Glancing over Lovino he couldn't help but sigh, why was he so good looking? Alfred wanted clothes that seemed to sparkle, that would release glitter into his hands when touched.
"That's great, you... take care, okay?" Lovino reached over to ruffle his hair, trying to keep as calm an expression as possible. He didn't know much about Alfred's mother, but he could tell she wasn't nice. He already hated her.
"Bye Lovino!" Alfred waved as the boy turned, lifting his hand up to wave in return, not bothering to look back. Alfred watched him leave before also turning around, retreating back into the cave which he was forced to call home.
Except, life really was out to get him. As soon as he opened the door he was tugged inside, hearing the wood slam behind him. He did something wrong. What did he do though? Was he out for more than five minutes? He slowly got back to his feet, having fallen when he was tugged inside so carelessly. He looked up into his mother's eyes, and like always, regretted it. They were filled with anger, with fire.
"I don't want ya hangin' out with that lil' faggot anymore!" She growled, fists clenching at her sides. A ... what? He repeated the new word over in his head a few times, well it wasn't actually new. He'd heard the word before, but never took the chance to find out what it meant.
How could this be! She couldn't just take away the only friend he had! Could she? She was mommy after all, and she was always demanding him not to question her. Except this was different, he never felt something like this before! It was like the pain in his body didn't exist when he talked to Lovino.
Wait, didn't he promise Lovino he'd meet him on Saturday? This was double bad now! How did he expect to see him if he wasn't even allowed outside the house, not even including the fact he wasn't allowed to see him either as of now. He really had to learn to think things through.
"If I ever see you hangin' out with that fag again I'll murder 'im!" His mother snapped once more before stomping away.
And Alfred couldn't help but take into account how true those words could very well be.
Lovino stared at his brother out in the front yard, thinking to himself. How was Alfred? He sighed and shook his head. He shouldn't be worrying about others before himself, he always did that. Where did it land him? Nowhere. Sure he was only eight, it's not like he could even do much with his life regardless.
Still, he couldn't help but feel sorry for that little boy. Especially his clothes! Goodness, without hairspray and the highest class clothing, Lovino would die! Wait, no this wasn't about him. Still, it wasn't like he had the easiest life either. He moved his eyes from his brother, who was being troublesome while attacking the ground with a shovel, and glanced around the neighborhood. They shouldn't be here. They had the money to move out, didn't they? Or at least one point they did.
He didn't want to believe it, but ever since father was gone, they could feel the money vanishing away. Mother never mentioned it, when could she? She was too busy working two jobs a day. He could guess three jobs would count, but he hated reminding himself of that other "job". No matter how much his mother denied it, he knew she was selling her body for money. Even then, curse it all, they were hardly getting by. Sure father was the biggest jerk in the world, but would it have hurt to keep things as they were?
He had to mentally slap himself, there was no way. Lovino hated him with every fiber of his being. He hurt mother. He hurt him. He hurt Feliciano. Heck, it was his fault his brother was the way he was now. The poor child grew up thinking violence was the answer to everything.
His brother's brain seemed to revolve around pain and who was receiving it. Luckily, Lovino never had such fascination, much to his mother's blessing. He was much more interested in his hair, and how well he could pull off his clothing. When was the last time he obtained a new shirt?...
Focus! He closed his eyes tightly, beginning to grit his teeth. Poor mommy was going through so much hell now that father was gone. He hated using that word, but it was the only way he could descrbe the situation. He wanted to help her, but he had no idea how. He was just a little kid, it wasn't like he could do much. Maybe he could cut back on hairspray? Or Feliciano could stop buying so many knifes. Not that they were even bought with his own money. It was amazing how many kids around here walked around with so much of it.
Yes his brother was the one stealing, and possibly hurting them on certain occasions, but it was partially their fault too. Not that his brother could be excused or anything! He gazed back at the brown, almost red haired boy, who was plucking a worm from the ground. He grimaced at the sight of Feliciano putting it into his mouth. Something was definitely wrong with his head! How were they related?
Ah, but he couldn't blame him. He smiled at Feliciano, shaking his head slowly. He loved him, whether they were complete opossites or not, they were brothers.
No, this all goes back to that demon. He wasn't worth it, whether he provided all the money for the family or not. Lovino rested the side of his head on his arms and let out a heavy sigh, going back to where this all began.
It was raining outside, thunder was booming, but the screams inside the house were louder.
Lovino huddled in a corner with his brother, they were the same age of six, but Feliciano seemed so much younger. They both held onto each other as the yelling in the room next to there's increased. They had been watching a movie when Father came in through the front door, his movements a bit shaky. As soon as he stepped in, Lovino's hand had tensed around Feliciano's.
Now here they were, not even a few minutes after his father appeared. He had walked into the kitchen, and there was almost instant yelling.
"You were at the bar again! You said you would stop drinking!" He heard his mother scream.
"You said you would stop being such a bitch!" His father countered, a loud grunt escaping his throat. Lovino didn't have to see what happened next, he could hear it. A loud noise was heard and he could already tell his father had slapped mommy. He hated when he touched her like that, he hated seeing the pain in her eyes.
"Stop it! The children are in the other room!" She screeched, though her voice was obviously faltered from the assault.
"You think I fucking care, Romana? I didn't even want kids! All they do is feed themselves full!"
"You're a heartless man!"
The sound of another slap could be heard, and by now Feliciano had cuddled up closer to Lovino's side.
"What's going on?" The seemingly younger boy whispered, his fists gripping his brother's shirt. Lovino shook his head, not having a response for himself. At least not one that would calm his brother down, or reveal the harsh truth.
Why was this happening? Things looked as if they had patched up between his parents. The two weren't fighting as much, they even seemed to be smiling at one another every now and then. Oh how wrong he was, it made sense now. The tension had been building, and now it was being released. A tension that could be felt twenty streets down probably. Better yet, in the room over.
"You think I like hitting you? It's the only way you'll learn!" The screaming continued from his father, his mother seemed to have quieted to a soft muffled whimper. He was getting mad, he could feel the anger rising to his head. Why did father have to be so mean? Why did he have to make mommy cry? Mommy was so beautiful, she didn't deserve ugly tears streaming down her cheeks.
He wasn't sure what made him stand up, but before he knew it a hand was preventing him from moving forward. "Brother!" Feliciano had cried out, trying to keep a hold on his twin. His hand was soon pulled away and he frowned. "Don't!"
Lovino had begun stomping his way to the kitchen when he froze. He wasn't prepared for this. No six year old could ever be prepared for this sight.
His mother lay sprawled across the floor, a red substance running down her face, arms, legs, anything visible. Lovino knew there was probably more under her clothes. There shouldn't be any there at all though. Nothing in the world made sense. Why was his beautiful mother covered in blood?
His eyes caught shimmering gold ones, his mother's. "Lovino, my baby..."
He began to tremble, hands clenched at his sides. How dare he. How dare he. "Get away from her!" He yelled as loud as he could, which was hard in his current state. He could hear the slight fear in his voice still, and apparently his father could too. He suddenly regretted calling out because his father had turned around in only a second. He did not seem happy.
"You telling me what to do boy? No, you're not even a boy! You act like a fucking girl!" He bellowed, now facing the young boy. Lovino wanted to run away, or fall onto his knees and beg for mercy, however he couldn't. As much as he wanted to, he wanted something so much more.
He wanted mommy to be happy.
So he remained, and he stood up to father. The next few minutes were a blur, but he didn't care. He could feel he was getting slapped, he especially felt it when he was thrown across the room. He felt all the pain, he felt everything. He felt all but one thing; regret.
He remained laying back against the wall after being thrown, not having the energy to apologize if he even wanted to, which he didn't. Darkness seemed to become fond of him as it began taking over his vision. He let out quiet pants, he wondered how air was even entering his system still. Father was strong, he was like a demon.
No, that's exactly what he was, the devil.
Afterwards, another blur of events happened. He wasn't sure what caused it at first, but father had suddenly fell to his knees. He howled in pain, taking out...was that a knife? Lovino had to blink a few times, making sure he wasn't beginning to hallucinate. Yes, that was definitely a knife. Who had thrown it though?
His eyes glanced around the room, his mother had been able to sit up, but she looked just as shocked. He roamed past her, and finally locked gaze on possibly his savior. Feliciano stood by the counter, already another knife in his hands. Did he really have such good aim that he could have thrown it at his father's neck? That wasn't important right now. He had thrown it, he stopped father from delivering another blow to him. Which meant...Which meant he might be after him next!
As if on cue, Lovino snapped his gaze back to reality and noticed his father slowly getting back to his feet. In a panic, he began to scream. "Don't touch him you idota! Bastardo, get away!" He wasn't sure what he was saying, but he was told never to say those words. So if he was lucky, his father would fall for the bait. Sure, he was probably setting up his own death, but... That's his fratello.
And he would do anything to protect him.
"You ignorant brat! What the fuck is wrong with you?! I always knew you belonged in a menta-gahck!" His father suddenly stopped screaming, his voice seeming to choke on his own words. Lovino watched as the man fell to his knees, but he didn't get to see for long.
"Cover your eyes! Both of you!" It was mother. Wait, that meant she was safe! Was she saying something? To close their eyes? He quickly obliged and shut his eyes closed, only hoping his brother was doing the same. There were multiple sounds, many he couldn't place his focus on. All he knew was that he was glad he had closed his eyes. Whatever was going on, it sounded gross. He imagined a large snail making gushing noises as it moved.
"Keep them closed, Feli!" Lovino heard a quiet yelp, guessing his brother had gotten curious. "Quickly, both of you, stay in your room and don't come out until I say so." Lovino felt a gentle, but firm hand on his shoulder and he quickly stood up. He was in all sorts of pain, his back was aching the most though. It almost felt as if someone had tried stepping on it to the point it snapped in half. He did as mommy said though, only opening his eyes as the hand from his shoulder disappeared and he heard his room door close.
He quickly glanced around and blinked a few times, still seeing white spots in his vision. When he finally gained his sight, he noticed a trembling figure on the once neat bed. Feliciano had his face in his hands and was making small whimpering sounds.
"Feli?... Did he hurt you?" Lovino's eyes widened, shuddering slightly. Was he hurt when the other wasn't looking? He noticed Feliciano sniffle a few times before looking up, eyes puffy and red from crying. Now, the blond didn't expect the next few words, nor will he ever forget them.
"We killed him."
Lovino sighed and shook his head. It was after that day they decided to move, but not only move, leave the country completely. No one expected a mother with twin boys that day at the airport to be murderers. The move was where the rest of their money had gone. Italy was beautiful, but it was now filled with dark memories. Even to this day he isn't sure what his mother did with the body of the demon, but he was glad it was never brought up as well. Wherever it was, it wasn't near them.
Now here they are, in a crappy neighborhood with foul people. Of course, no one here suspects anything. They weren't even sure if anyone found out about their disappearance, or the death.
Who cares though? Life can only go up from here, right? He smiled to himself a bit, watching as his brother rolled in the grass like a wild animal.
"Lovino! Sweetie, are you here?" He heard a sweet voice call out, his grin only growing.
"Coming mommy!" He responded, running away from the window and into his mother's arms. She may be working through hell, but he could tell by the smile on her face that she didn't mind too much. He was gone, and things would get better.
They were happy.