Don't Lean On Me

by Bringmemisery

"You Can't Escape The Game." You never truly know what you have until you lose it. Gil never really took that into much consideration - neither did his two best friends. The three of them lived everyday taking almost everything for granted. But it wasn't until a sudden turn of events that they began to realize that their lives could all be in grave danger.

17. It Came to This

Hello, my lovelies!~

Look what Misery has for you? That's right! Another chapter!

Okay, so this chapter . . . it's a good one.

Thank you all again for the story follows / favorites! I hope to continue grabbing your interest on this story!

Enjoy!~

Hetalia (c) Hidekaz Himaruya

Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery

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Chapter 16 – It Came to This

Arthur shook his head, "I'm angry with you."

Lovino shrugged, "Like I care."

"You should. This isn't a matter to just fail to tell me."

"Well," Lovino rolled his eyes, "you know now, don't you?"

"You should have been the one to tell me, not a bunch of idiots!"

"Awww, I offended the eyebrows," Lovino blew him a kiss.

Arthur felt his blood boil as he noticed Lovino walk away.

"I wasn't finished with you!"

Lovino looked over his shoulder and smiled, "What? Are you going to stop me?"

Arthur clenched his fists as Lovino continued out the door.

Now he was acting like a child!

Arthur sighed as he also followed after him. He found Peter and Alfred splashing each other in the pool, and Matthew trying to dodge their barrage. He noticed Lovino sit onto one of the lounge chairs beside Antonio. As he looked at them, he couldn't help but wonder.

Lovino had always been the first to deny anything to do with Antonio, but now he was actually with the man!

Arthur scratched the back of his head when he felt arms wrap around his bare waist. He flailed as he was lifted from the ground.

"Unhand me!" He yelled as he kicked something hard.

"OOOOOWWW!" He heard Gil shriek behind him.

He was placed back onto the ground, and he snapped his head back. He found Gil rubbing his knee.

"Bro," Gil whined, "that hurt!"

"Serves you right," Arthur crossed his arms, "never pick me up again."

He then heard another laugh. He turned and found Lizzie holding her sides.

"Liz," Gil yelled, "that's not funny!"

"Oh, you're right," she wiped a tear from her eye, "It was hilarious!"

Arthur noticed Roderich beside her – his hand covered his eyes.

Then he felt an arm around his shoulders.

"Bro," Gil leaned closer to him, "kiss me, bro."

Arthur pushed him away, "you reek of booze!"

Gil laughed, "I've only had one, I promise!"

"Doesn't matter how much you've had! You stink!"

"Gil," Ludwig yelled, "get the hell away from him."

Gil whined, "You all hate me!"

"I don't," Feli laughed as he rose his hand, "and neither does Carlo!"

Arthur's gaze fell onto Carlo besides Feli. He was sipping on a bottle of water. Their eyes met, and Carlo gave a smile.

Arthur returned a grin, then he started away. He heard Gil call for him, but he continued to walk. He reached the snack table, and plucked up a plate. He placed a few veggies upon it when he noticed Antonio beside him.

"Hola, amigo," Antonio smiled as he pushed a few of the buttons on the large stereo beside the table.

"Isn't that music a tad loud?"

"Can't have a party with quiet music, amigo," Antonio laughed.

Then the song changed to 'Calabria 2008' and Antonio instantly sang along to it as he started to dance.

Arthur rolled his eyes.

Antonio, Francis, and Gil loved this song.

Antonio continued to sing and dance as Arthur tried to walk away.

"Amigo! Where are you going?"

"To eat, obviously."

"Come dance with me!"

"I'd rather not, thank you."

Antonio pouted, then his dancing stopped, "hey, amigo? Have you ever listened to the lyrics of this song?"

"I don't very much care for it, to be honest."

"Listen," Antonio paused for a moment, "'why you so not tickle,' amigo?"

"You're a moron," Arthur walked away as Antonio called for him.

He took a seat near Lovino, and placed his plate onto the table beside him. He nibbled on a carrot as he leaned back into the chair.

"Hey, eyebrows?" Lovino asked, "What's idiota going on about now?"

Arthur shrugged, "I ignored most of what he was saying."

Lovino laughed, "Figures. Hey, how come you haven't got anything to drink?"

Arthur looked at his table, "Must of forgotten about it, but it's no matter. Besides, the ant will make my ears bleed if I even try going back."

Lovino snorted, "Just kick him out of the way."

Arthur chuckled, "And have him scream like a banshee? I'd rather not."

Lovino laughed again, "Yeah, that might be stupid."

"Lovino, may I ask you something?" Arthur took hold of another carrot.

"Does this have something to do with tomato again?"

"Perhaps," Arthur took a bite.

"Why the hell are you so nosy?"

"Well," he swallowed, "I'm trying to piece everything together. For as long as I can remember, you've never wanted anything to do with Antonio, yet here you are. What was it that changed your mind?"

Lovino sighed as he looked over to Arthur, "you're too nosy."

"Either you tell me what it is or I will continue to pester you."

"Damn you," Lovino crossed his arms, "I don't know. I just felt like it, okay?"

"I'm not buying it."

Lovino grabbed for his Solo cup, "You never believe anything I say."

"Now, that is a lie," Arthur smirked, "I can just tell when you're lying."

"Stop acting like you know me."

"I know enough about you."

Lovino rose an eyebrow, "what does that even mean?"

"Take it as you see fit."

"You're so freakin weird."

Arthur picked up a celery stick, "Says the man dating an idiot."

Lovino snorted, "Like I don't fucking know that you did too."

"Did," Arthur corrected, "but no longer is that the case, now is it?"

Lovino flipped him off, "you're a jackass."

Arthur laughed, "Are you going to explain yourself yet?"

Lovino shrugged, "I told you, I just felt like it."

"But why?"

"Because I wanted to!

"But why," Arthur scratched his arm, "He's obnoxious, and he can't stay focused on anything he's told. Plus he sleeps most of the day, and most of the time—"

"No," Lovino interrupted, "you're wrong. I mean sure he's a bit dumb, but he's not stupid. He means well, he really does."

"Sure he does," Arthur forced a laugh.

He knew the more he trash-talked Antonio the more Lovino would speak up.

It was working.

"Listen here, eyebrow bastard!" Lovino glared, "just because you see the worse in someone doesn't mean you should overlook the good!"

"Funny," Arthur picked up another celery stick, "the ant told me something similar before."

"What . . . do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing very important. It was just a while ago that he was so set on convincing me that you are more of a softy than you like to admit."

"What?" Lovino furrowed his brows, "he talks shit about me?"

"No, more like he talks about how 'wonderful' and 'precious' you are."

"You're a terrible liar."

Arthur laughed, "What would I gain in lying? Antonio does love to talk about you, it kind of drives me mad at times."

"Aww," Lovino smirked, "is someone jealous?"

Arthur put his hand on his chest, "Who do you take me for?"

"An idiota most of the time."

"Hardy har-har," Arthur rolled his eyes, "but really, what could you possibly see in that man?"
"A lot, actually," Lovino replied, but then his eyes widened and his face reddened.

Curiosity took hold of Arthur, "So this entire time you actually did have interest in him!"

"Shut up," Lovino scratched his neck, "a-and so what if I did?"

"You've been lying to me, Lovino."

"What?" Lovino snorted, "Am I supposed to feel bad?"

"I don't like being lied to."

"Well, must suck 'cause you were!" Lovino laughed, "Look, okay. Yeah, I have liked stupid for a while, but so what?"

"You really had his hands tied, Lovino."

"That's not my problem."

"But it is," Arthur nodded, "for years that man has wanted desperately to be with you, yet you always turned a cold shoulder. So what is it now that made you change your mind?"

"I never changed my mind! I told you I have liked him—"

"I mean what made you give him the time of day? You're always the first one to push him aside, and bad mouth every little thing he does. From where I stand it appeared more to me that you loathed the man. Which is why it boggles my mind that you actually went along with it."

"I'm fucking lonely, okay?" Lovino snapped.

Arthur rose his eyebrow, "do you not have brothers?"

"I do," Lovino sighed, "but it's just that. . . Feli spends most of his time with that bozo potato over there. Every damn word that comes out of his mouth is 'Ludwig did this' and 'Ludwig did that' and 'oh, Ludwig is such a great guy.' It fucking drives me insane how fucking in love with that man he is!"

Arthur remained quiet as he watched Lovino pull at his hair. Never had it occurred to him that the Italian would actually confide in someone such as himself. It was both strange, and comforting.

"Then there's Lucinano," Lovino continued as he threw up his hands, "that kid has himself wrapped around that little blonde girl's finger. She's trouble, but no Luciano knows better."

"Florance isn't that bad," Arthur assured, "Sure, she knows how to empty your wallet, but she's rather classy. If I were your brother, I'd say that she's a safe bet."

"Whatever," Lovino grunted, "either Luci is at school or with that broad, so most of the day I'm alone in my big empty house with no one."

"Lovino," Arthur cocked his head, "what has this to do with Antonio?"

"Let me fucking finish," Lovino's eyes pierced through Arthur's, "they're strung up on those two, and I'm here just sitting on my ass doing nothing with my life. But as much as I don't want to admit it, I think the way that they feel is the same way I feel when I'm with that idiot."

Arthur smiled, "How sweet – you're in love too!"

"Shut up!" Lovino threw his sandal at Arthur, "I'm not in love with him I'm just . . ."

"Just?"

"I don't know. I just . . ." He ran his fingers through his hair, "I just feel different around him."

"Lovino, what you're feeling is in fact love. That feeling you get – a lot of us have felt it for someone at least once before."

"Even an eyebrow like you?"

Arthur forced a laugh, "even myself."

"With the frog?"

"Yes, stop interrupting me!"

"I don't believe you."

"What?" Arthur furrowed his eyebrows.

"How are you capable of loving anyone?"

Arthur rolled his eyes as he looked off to the pool. He watched Alfred dive in the light blue water, and heard Peter's laughter ring louder by the second. Across the pool he found Francis seated beside Matthew, the two of them lost in conversation. Then he heard something buzz in his ear. He swat at the air, but the buzz continued. The buzz grew louder as Arthur shook his head.

"Arthur?" He heard Lovino ask, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," He tried to ignore the noise, but it still continued on and soon filled both ears.

He pressed his hands against his ears and shut his eyes. He shook his head once more, then the noise stopped. He opened his eyes, but noticed how dark it had gotten. He blinked a few times before he looked up.

He was no longer in Antonio's back yard – he was seated inside of his own car. Before him on the road were three police cars, the blue lights on their roofs flashed simultaneously.

"Shit," He heard Alfred say as he cut the engine.

The American threw open his door, and stepped outside.

Arthur blinked a few times before he too stepped out. The chill air wrapped around him as he looked past the police cars.

Before him was a Metro station. The train was stopped before its port, and he noticed what looked like the mangled remains of a black . . . Nissan?

The metal from the passenger's side was bent around the front of the train. From the driver's side, someone's hand dangled out from the window.

His stomach lurched as he heard someone screaming. His head shot to the side and he found a few officers holding onto Eliza – tears ran down her face. Beside her stood Roderich. His face was as white as snow, and slow tears slithered down his hallowed eyes.

Arthur followed the Austrian's gaze and his heart skipped when he found a bright red Mini Cooper Countryman crunched against a massive tree. The entire front end had been smashed in, and a few paramedics tried to pry open the driver's door.

Arthur continued to stare at the car, and his eyes fell onto the license plate: Z AWSOME.

No.

Arthur ran toward the car, but a few officers tried to hold him back.

"Gil!" He shouted as the officers tried to yell over him, "GILBERT!"

The officers tried to push him back as he watched the paramedics pull open the door. One of them leaned inside the car, and remained there for a few moments. Then he pulled himself out and looked at one of his colleagues, and shook his head.

Tears flowed from Arthur's eyes as he screamed. Someone pulled on the back of his shirt, but he tried to fight them off.

He watched a stretcher being pulled against the side of the car, and the paramedics slowly pulled Gil out from it. As they placed him onto the stretcher Arthur noticed scratches cover Gil's face. His eyes were half open, blood poured from his mouth, and his skin was just too pale.

Eliza's screams echoed as she too was being pulled away.

Arthur forced his eyes shut.

This couldn't be happening.

Then he felt a hand fall onto his forearm. He opened his eyes and before him sat Lovino, worry filled his face.

"Hey," His eyes toggled between Arthur's, "are you listening to me?"

"Wha—" Arthur scanned around and found himself seated out by the pool.

"Hello?" Lovino asked again, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I saw something," Arthur replied, "I thought it was dream but—"

"Saw what?"

Arthur turned behind him and found Gil laughing as Lizzie smacked the side of his head.

"Lovino," He turned back around, "I think I saw something."

"What the fuck does—" Lovino stopped as he shot a look to the house, "did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

Lovino stood up, "Where's Antonio?"

"What are you going on about?" Arthur too stood.

Lovino started toward the house, and Arthur followed after him. The two of them entered through the door and walked into the large living room. Lovino stopped for a moment and Arthur could hear Antonio's voice. Then there was the sound of a door being slammed open. Arthur looked down the hall and found José and three other men storm out from where the study was. Antonio ran after him.

"Hey," Antonio yelled, "Did I say I was done talking to you?"

The group pressed on and José's eyes locked onto Arthur's.

Without much thought, Arthur blocked their way.

"Now, Señores," Arthur crossed his arms, "I do believe my friend is speaking to you."

José grunted and tried to go around him, but then Lovino stopped in front.

"What's your hurry, José?" Lovino asked.

"Lovino," José responded, "por favor, move out of the way."

"Lovi," Antonio call out, "Don't move a muscle. They're not going anywhere until he gives me back the money he owes me!"

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, then his mind flashed back to when Antonio's house was broken into.

He couldn't possibly believe José had anything to do with, could he?

Sure, Arthur didn't know him well, but could that be the case.

But also who were these other men?

"Tell them, José," Antonio barked, "how you stole mymoney!"

José started to laugh, "Aye Antonio, you listen to whatever that puta tells you. She's wrong, you know?"

Arthur then noticed Miguel, Jesus, and María come out from the study. Jesus had his arm wrapped around the lady, and Miguel's face had hardened.

He stood beside Antonio and yelled, "José, we have proof that it was you. Amigo, the only place you're going to is behind some nice cold bars."

Arthur then took a step beside Lovino, "So it was you all along?"

José laughed, "So what if it was? Apparently 'Boss' doesn't know how to take care of his money properly."

Then Lovino's fist slammed against José's cheek. He let out another laugh as Arthur pulled the Italian away. The other three men locked their eyes onto Lovino.

"Wow," José said as he held up his hand, "Bravo, mijo. Apparently you do have balls!"

"Enough!" Miguel growled.

Then the door opened, and Gil popped his head inside.

Arthur looked at him, then to José, then back to Gil.

No one moved.

Then Gil stepped inside and smiled, "Hey, bros the party's outsi—"

Gil stopped, and his eyes widened as he continued, "You!"

Arthur looked over to José again, but noticed a large smile on the man's face.

"Damn," José laughed, "did they miss?"

"YOU!" Gil growled as he walked inside, "You must have some damned balls, buddy!"

The men beside José had a weird aura around them, like they were ready to pounce at Gil in any minute. Arthur's stomach hurt.

"Hey," José said to one of the men, "Don't miss this time, okay?"

The man smiled and pulled out a hand gun. Arthur shot a quick green beam, but he still heard the barrel explode. María screamed as the gun fell to the floor. Arthur turned to Gil expecting the worse, but somehow he was untouched.

The Prussian's eyes blazed as he took a step closer.

"Gonna play like that, huh bro?"

To Arthur's dismay the two attacked each other. He held in another bolt in fear of harming his friend. Then an arm wrapped around his neck. As he felt himself lift from the ground, he rammed his elbow to his assailant's gut. Their grip loosened just enough for him to slip out.

Without much thought he spun around and cast a green ball which send one of those other men flying across the room.

Then the door banged open and Ludwig, Alfred, and Roderich ran inside.

"Dude!" Alfred shouted, "What the hell is going on in here?"

"All of you," Arthur responded, "get out, now!"

Arthur saw the last man launch at Lovino. The Italian was slammed to the ground, and not a moment later Antonio grabbed the assailant in a head lock. The man hunched over, and Antonio flew over his shoulder straight into a coffee table.

Then Miguel came to the Spaniard's aid. He hooked the man right in the jaw, and soon he and Ludwig restrained him.

Arthur glanced to the side and found José who now stood a few feet from him.

"Amigo," José smiled, "you're playing with fire, you know?"

Arthur snorted, "Thank you for your concern, but I can handle my own."

"Well, we'll see about that!" He laughed as he launched at Arthur.

Though he managed to dodge out of the way, Arthur's eyes caught hold of a large kitchen knife in José's hand. He knew he could shoot it away, but he feared that this time the weapon might hit someone.

Arthur took a few steps away as he tried to find some other way to rid of the thing. Then Alfred's body tackled into José, and the knife slipped from his hand.

Arthur quickly kicked the knife away from everyone, and looked to Alfred.

He literally sat on José as he smiled.

"Alfred, don't you ever do something so reckless again!"

"Aww, come on! I got him, didn't I?"

Then another door down the hall crashed open.

Arthur noticed both a male officer and a woman in a dark shirt and black slacks, guns were in both of their hands.

"Police!" The man shouted as his eyes fell to the floor, and then around the room.

Arthur did the same: Alfred continued to sit on José, and Miguel and Ludwig had their arms around one of the other men. Antonio got to his feet as Lovino and María aided him. Gil was seated on the floor as Roderich hovered over him, and Jesus kicked at one of the walls.

Then it hit him:

Those other two men were no longer here.

A few more officers ran inside, and José and that other man were cuffed and escorted outside. After a few moments, the patrol cars pulled out from the driveway.

"Excuse me," The male officer came to Arthur, "care to explain what exactly happened here? Your friend over there isn't making much sense."

Arthur looked over to Antonio, then to the officer, "He doesn't explain things well, forgive him. And to be honest, I'm not too sure myself. A different friend and I had come inside and we found him," he pointed at Antonio, "with those ruffians."

"I see," the officer pulled out a note pad and jot something down, "and your friend there, what was he saying about money being stolen?"

Arthur shrugged, "According to him, they stole his money. He runs a business, and recently he has been coming out short and couldn't seem to figure out why. Now, why he's blaming those men, I haven't the slightest clue."

"Hmm," the officer said as that woman walked over.

"Marshall," She spoke to the officer, "got anything good?"

"Oh, sure," He sighed, "Money stealers and a bunch of Spanish I don't understand."

The woman looked at Arthur and smiled as she pulled out a badge from her pocket.

"Detective Claudia Mendez," she put the badge away, "this is my partner, James Marshall. Pleased to meet you, Mister. . . ."

"Kirkland," Arthur held out his hand, "Arthur Kirkland."

She took his hand, "Pleasure, Mr. Kirkland. I have been investing this case on Mr. Carrideo for some time now."

"Investigating?" Arthur blinked, "If you don't mind my asking, what do you mean by that?"

"Well, it's simple really. Recently my department had been getting numerous calls about unexpected fund depreciation in Mr. Carriedo's account. Most of my guys tried to shrug it off, but since I myself haven't had much to do back at the office I decided to look into the matter."

"Madam, may I ask who was making those calls?"

"Certainly," she turned around, "Mr. Vargas over there did, and let me tell you, there were a LOT of calls."

Arthur brought his finger to his mouth as he watched Lovino.

Could Lovino have suspected it was those men?

But how?

No, there was no possible way for him to know!

"Anyways," Detective Mendez continued, "I took up the case, and tried to find what I could. I ran background checks on almost any possible lead I could get. Mostly Mr. Carriedo's workers, but that was a great challenge since quite a number of them are using crooked socials."

"Claude," Officer Marshall said, "Crooked social secu—"

"I know," She held up her hand, "But that is not a concern right now, Marshall. As I was saying, I did manage to find a few valid identities, but they were all clean. Because of that there were a few times that I sent some time with Mr. Vargas, and even Miss Rosales too. Then a few hours ago I had received a call from Miss Rosales stating that she had figured out where the money had gone. Straight into José Padilla's bank account. So of course, I had to get here once she called again to inform me that Mr. Carriedo was . . . upset by the news. "

"I see," Arthur crossed his arms, "Well, thank you Detective for your help."

"Of course—"

The sudden sound of gun shots and glass breaking caused most everyone to duck. Arthur shot a look up, and from outside the window he could see a car drive off.

"Gottverdammt!" Gil shouted as he bolted down the hall.

Ludwig chased after him, and both Detective Mendez and Officer Marshall called out.

They sprinted after them, and then Arthur's stomach dropped.

That car outside.

That car outside was a Black Nissan!

His heart skipped, "GILBERT!"