Chapter 15: Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner
The silence in the air was filled with unspoken statements. The tension in the air couldn't even be cut with a knife. Despite the low temperatures, beads of sweat ran down red cheeks from an overwhelming nervousness.
Emerald eyes glistening with questions met jade irises from opposite ends of the room. Eventually the connection snapped and both parties stared at the ground.
Brushing brown bangs away from her forehead, Elizaveta Herdervary made an attempt to swallow, and then winced. Her throat was dry. The act was made uncomfortable.
Arthur cleared his throat as Eliza mussed with the sheets on his bed. The girl's gaze flickered up to the teenager.
"So," She looked back down at the carpets. "What did you want to talk about?"
As if she didn't already know.
"I think I know everyone's issues."
"Oh?"
It wasn't what was supposed to be discussed and they both knew it. There was a greater issue at hand.
"Francis is bipolar. You and Roderich suffer from depression, or at least used to suffer. Romano probably has an inferiority complex. That becomes obvious when you get close to him. Gilbert is never going to get along with his parents, and probably feels neglected, making him cling to his friends. Antonio must have been a thug at one point. I mean he's too good of a fighter, and to eager to get into one. Those three used to get into a lot of brawls…"
The silence came again, enveloping them until Elizaveta murmured,
"You forgot two people."
"Yes. I can't figure Matthew out at all. I used to think maybe it was social anxiety but it's not that he can't talk to people. People just don't notice him. And I haven't know Lina for that long."
"Lina's not a Sophomore Slump. I was referring to you Arthur."
Eye contact was once again accomplished. Confusion streaked across the Brit's features. His eyebrows contorted as his nose scrunched up.
"How am I supposed to figure out my issue when I barely know myself?"
"Barely know yourself? Please, compare how you are now to how you were during freshman year. I think you know a lot more now than you once did."
"A lot more about me…but with that information came so many more questions!"
"Eventually, you'll be able to answer them," Elizaveta assured.
"No I can't. Some of these questions aren't just about me, and only you can answer them."
Realization dawned on her face, accompanied by a tinge of fear. The springs in the mattress creaked as the girl slowly straightened. Her eyes widened, dancing around the room in a great haste. Feigning unawareness, Arthur came down in a crouch before her.
"I saw Flighter today and the oddest thing happened. We stood under the rain for a little while and his hair it…it started turning blonde. The black came out like it was-I don't know, maybe something like cheap hair dye."
The girl was silent, burying her face in her hands.
"Which led me to believe that Flighter is actually a blue eyed blonde that goes to our school, unless someone smuggled him into Winter Formal. I also doubt that Flighter is his real name. No parent from around her would name their child Flighter."
"You know you and Gil never got that tattoo done. We should-."
"I decided not to. Not gonna get a permanent tattoo done just so I can fit in under some stereotype. I think that's foolish. That's one of the things I found out about myself," Arthur deadpanned. Narrowing his eyes, he continued on to say, "Don't switch the subject Eliza. This is serious."
The long exhale of breath was full of frustration. Rubbing her eyes, she could only say,
"The situation is so complicated. Everything's happening so fast. Too fast. Oh, this is the worst time for Francis's cycle to act up. He won't think straight and things are going awry. Ugh…"
Small sniffles soon followed, leading to soothing back rubs and hair petting.
"Arthur, the Slumps all love you. No matter what some of us may do, we're always doing it so that we're always friends. Always for the sake of our friendship. You need to remember that. No matter how this plays out."
"So you and Francis know about Flighter."
She shook her head.
"Francis might. I'm not sure. But he seems to know everything so…Artie, the amount of misunderstandings are way too high but for this to work out the way we need it to, they're gonna have to build up."
"Why?"
"We don't want to lose you."
A firm hug was shared between two fiercely protective friends and warmth was brought back into the icy atmosphere. Elizaveta was the first to draw back, picking up her bag.
"I've gotta go Artie. See you at school."
And she slipped out, quiet as the night.
"A conspiracy surrounds me," Arthur muttered, tossing himself onto his bed. A frustrated growl escaped him as challenging thoughts swirled in his head.
The statement was true, in a way. Without realizing it, he somehow made his way into the center of plans, surrounded by a hurricane of events. He was a crucial piece in the game of chess between the Monarchy and the Slumps, and yet he didn't even know what he was supposed to be doing.
"Now, old sport, what will you do?"
He could recite the question aloud all he wanted, but the answer still would not come to him easily. There were so many things he could do, yet they wouldn't be what he wanted to do.
The only thing he was sure of was that he wanted to find out Flighter's true identity. But that would require the assistance of someone that didn't seem to want him to know.
"Oh, university. You need to come a lot faster."
High school was turning into the social monster everything claimed it was, and Arthur certainly did not like the way it was threatening to eat him whole.
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
"You wanted to talk to me?"
The crunching of snow came to pause. Matthew Williams curiously stared down at his friend. Arthur downed the rest of his tea, then patted the spot beside him on the park bench.
"Yeah. I just have a few questions."
"Go ahead. I only hope I can help you out." The Canadian laughed softly. The action immediately put Arthur at ease. Matthew had a habit of doing that. He was the most tranquil of the group most of the time.
"I've been able to figure out everyone's issues but yours and my own. I thought maybe it was a split personality disorder or anger management issues but-."
"Incorrect. Mine isn't major like Elizaveta's or Francis's. It's not that serious."
"Social anxiety?"
The taller considered this option for a bit. "Not exactly. Close though. I'm not socially anxious but-."
"Socially inept."
"Yes. I can be around people but people can't be around me."
Arthur nodded.
Of course, this condition didn't apply to the Slumps. They could freely interact with Matthew. They were probably helping him get over his awkwardness. That was all of the Slumps down, except for one.
"I suppose my condition isn't major either."
"Nope. All of us pretty much picked up on it. Would you like a hint?"
"Yes please."
Matthew grinned, standing up and brushing fallen snow off his shoulders.
"It has to do with your relationships."
…What?
"I have hockey practice so I need to go. Sorry to cut the conversation short."
Arthur waved the apology off, straining a smile all the while.
"It's fine. Go ahead."
He had issues with his relationships? That couldn't be right. His relationships were perfectly fine-.
Wait.
Okay, so maybe he had a few arguments with Francis, and made Elizaveta cry. There was that one time Romano got pissed off too but-pfft-Romano was a fucking little bitch about the little things so that didn't count right?)
Rubbing his temple, Arthur let out a long sigh.
He would need further consultation.
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
"Do you guys think I have relationship issues?"
"Hell yes!"
"Yer' a freak Arthur. Can't trust anyone but yer' mother."
"Remember that one time I messed up your room? You didn't even trust me to put your Harry Potter collection in the right order!"
" 'Nd ya can't let Jon fold ya' clothes either."
"Thanks guys. You're all so supportive."
At least he could trust his brothers to be frank with him.
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
The moment he stepped into the kitchen, he was enveloped in warmth. A wonderful sensation that accompanied the scent of baked goods shook his core, bringing him both excitement and expectation.
Before a single word was uttered, a cup of tea was set before him. Soon after came a plate of chocolate laced croissants and a slice of apple pie. Steam still rose from each item, showing how fresh each was.
"You came at the right time," Holly Kirkland said with a wink. "The tea pot just began to whistle when you came in, and these came straight out of the oven."
"I didn't know you knew how to make croissants." Arthur remarked, taking a bite into the pastry.
It was sweet. Due to the temperature of the bread, the chocolate had softened. Not to the point where it would be a thin liquid but closer to a sauce type of substance.
"What's on your oh sweet child of mine?"
He rolled his eyes.
"Guns N' Roses Mum. Really?"
"One of your father's favorite bands."
Arthur couldn't help but allow a small grin at the onslaught of memories.
Yes, Guns N' Roses was a major name thrown around the Kirkland household years ago. Wake up at nine to Led Zeppelin's 'Custard Pie' fall asleep at nine to 'Sweet Child of Mine'. It was how his father lived day to day, with a bit of Mötley Crüe in between.
Yes, his house was always filled with music when his father was around. CD after CD was played in the old radio in the living room. When his Dad died, he never trusted anyone to even touch that ancient thing. Not even Alfred. It was-. Oh.
"Mum, my friends think I have trust issues. Is that true?"
"Yes sweetie. You're a control freak. It's like a dictatorship with you. But, you know to trust your friends so I suppose they're helping you get over it."
That was it. That's the confirmation he needed.
"Do you know when it started?"
A long, pregnant pause. Eyes met, and cups of tea gradually grew cold. Averting her gaze, Holly cleared her throat and gave her son a gentle smile.
"I think you know when it started. I don't have to tell you that. But, it got worse when Alfred stopped coming around. You just…grew distant. But when Francis and Gilbert-."
"I heard my awesome name! What's up-? PIE! OH SWEET JESUS! Ja! Ja! Ja!"
Gilbert jumped into the nearest available seat as Holly made him a plate. As he ate, Arthur looked on in disgust.
"You eat like a wild animal. Eat your pie like a human being eats food. The pie is not your prey.
"Sie sind das essen und wir sind die Jäger." Gilbert said past the food in his mouth. Arthur flinched, then shook his head.
"Alright Eren Jaeger. Eat like a pig."
Gilbert swallowed, shooting his friend a grin.
"Yes Sir Mr. Corporal Levi sir."
"Why am I-?"
"Cause you're a clean freak. Thanks for the food Mummy. I love you."
"Aww. You're welcome sweetie."
Gilbert stood to give Holly a tight embrace, ignoring Arthur's vulgar hand motions.
"He is such a kind-hearted sweet tart." The woman stated when the teen departed. The blond snorted disbelievingly.
"You obviously don't see him on school grounds."
"He's dating Matthew from across the street right? He can't be that bad. They are so adorable together."
Instead of questioning how his mother knew this information, he remained silent, sipping at his tea.
"You know," Holly gave him a sidelong glance, smirk on her face. "You and Alfred would be pretty cute together too."
And that was how Arthur ended up spluttering, shooting tea through his nose onto the kitchen table.
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
"And that was when she said that we would be cute together! We're practically grown ass men! We are not cute."
"No. You and Alfred would not be cute at all mon ami."
Arthur scowled, glaring across the cafeteria to The Monarchy table in question. For some reason, that sentence didn't sit well with him either. Elizaveta, also leering at The Monarchy table, gave a side comment,
"Nah. Alfred and Arthur is not cute. It's freakin' sexy. Like who wouldn't love to watch two blondes going at it?"
Francis and Elizaveta quickly shared a hi-five behind Arthur's back while he turned a dark, dark red.
The fact that the sentence made him feel better didn't help at all.
'Still,' he thought as he scanned the opposite table. 'We're speaking so care freely about him and yet he's not even here.'
Alfred appeared to be absent. But for what reason? Lord knows the teenager never got sick. (Idiots couldn't catch colds after all.) If there was some family emergency, Holly would've been one of the first outside of the family to find out. (She was frequently asked to send one of her sons to house watch for the Jones'.)
Maybe he was playing hooky?
A tap on his shoulder brought Arthur back to the present. Surprised, he turned to look up a tired blue eyes.
Or maybe he was simply out of sight.
"We need to talk."
Alfred F. Jones didn't bother to spare him a grin.
Arthur grew concerned as he looked over the athlete's features. Tired bags under dim blue eyes, disgruntled blonde hair and…he was in sweats?
He never, ever went to school in sweats. He always said his reputation would be ruined if he did something like that.
Something was terribly wrong.
"Why do ya' wanna talk to him alone bastardo? Say what cha' need to say-."
Arthur pressed a hand to Romano's chest, silently willing the Italian to back down.
"I'll be back Roma. You can have my chocolate chip cookie."
Everyone but one looked at the two blondes as they exited the lunchroom. The entire lunch room quieted, then erupted into chaos as the doors shut. Speculations and rumors spread like lightning through the entire school by texting, phone calls, and smoke signals for those daring enough.
Everyone was in a state of panic or excitement except for one Francis Bonnefoy.
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
Chapter 15.2: Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends
"Hey! How can you be so calm at a time like this? Your boyfriend is going around in sweatpants and just asked one of those weird kids to talk with him in private! Aren't you worried?"
Tino shot Emily a look that made her sit back down, hands quaking.
Rubbing his eyes, he picked up his water bottle and stood.
"I'm tired of this farce," he announced. All members of The Monarchy heard, but he really said it more for himself.
He needed to help himself for once.
"Feliks,"
"Yes?"
"Do you know where Berwald is sitting?"
"Umm," The teen fiddled with his neon green fedora, glancing around the lunchroom.
"I think he's sitting with Vash and Lina at the Neutral table. Why?"
Tino gave his friend a smile and a big hug.
"I'm tired. Alfred's gonna have to learn how to fix things by himself. He's a big boy now. But, direct him in the right direction okay?"
To the amazement of all students, a member of The Monarchy willingly stepped away from the High Table to sit amongst the commoners.
Once again silence reigned over the cafeteria.
"Can I join you?" Tino's smile was sheepish as he faced Vash, Lina and Berwald. The three looked up, but it was only the Swedish Junior that made room for the teen to sit.
"Interesting day huh?" The newcomer stated, grin widening. The rest nodded, a small smile on the lips of two of them.
"Is there room for another pair? We wanna change tables too ve~!"
Feliciano Vargas and Ludwig Beilschmidt were graciously accepted into the now expanding group.
"I thought you guys liked eating in the art room." Vash remarked. Feli gave Lina a wink before replying,
"We heard that there was going to be something exciting happening so we decided to come too! I should make crepes for everyone when this is over!"
"You'll have to wait a while," Tino remarked. "Since it's just starting-."
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
"Now. The tides are changing."
"Why do you say that?"
Smiling, Francis elegantly gestured around the chaotic lunchroom. Students from major groups stood and switched tables, much to the horror of their original assembly. Fingers flew across text pads and girls screeched into their phones.
"Look around you Elizaveta, at all of this. People are sitting where they feel comfortable, not where there social rank places them. Prince Alfred has set off a revolution against his own father. I doubt the idiot even realizes it."
"Nein! He knows! He's probably going to pin the blame on Arthur!"
"That's, like, totally preposterous!" Feliks Łukasiewicz took a seat next to Elizaveta. Toris, smiling awkwardly, sat by his friend, giving a brief 'Hello' in greeting.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I'm sure at least one of you knows all the details."
Elizaveta coughed, choking on the water she was drinking. Feliks grinned, but did not make eye contact as the girl turned red.
"Is there something you would like to tell us devil-woman?"
"Shut up Gil. As if you don't know."
"But I don't know!"
Roderich gave his girlfriend's hand a tight squeeze while murmuring into her ear.
"It should only be us and Francis that are aware. Tell no one else."
She considered this command for a second, then shut her mouth, occupying herself with her phone.
Then the food fight started.
"Feliks! You fake, ratchet traitor!" Emily Liberty screamed. Mashed potatoes tied up in a napkin soared across the distance between the tables, landing in the boy's hair.
Upon seeing the darkening facial expression, the wise (Matthew Williams) quickly ducked under the table and the reckless (Gilbert Beilschmidt) instead threw missiles back with a wild laugh.
Within ten minutes, the biggest food fight Hetlia High had ever seen since its foundation erupted.
"What do we do Francis?" Elizaveta questioned. Francis smiled, watching as students who fled from there study halls burst in, joining the madness.
"Nothing. We wait for their little Prince to come back. Hopefully, my dear cousin will be able to resolve this revolt."
"Chigi! What are these bastards even going against?"
Francis didn't reply, choosing to stare fondly at the chaos beyond his fingertips.
Everything was going according to his plan.
~S.S.C.O.T.Y~
Rah! Almost at the finish line! There should be only 2 or 3 more chapters after this one! Next chapter is solely Arthur and Alfred so look forward to it!
Thanks for all the reviews, hits, faves, alerts and general support! (And for those that sent me PMs to urge me to hurry up with this chapter!)
Sscoty wouldn't be the story it is without you guys.