Chapter 13

Arthur spent the morning far differently than he'd imagined that morning. He stayed with Piotr, following to the exercises, even though he was told he wasn't allowed to participate. Piotr pulled out a book, handing it to him just as he ran off with the others. He looked down, curious as he opened the leather bind, finding a book on male sexuality.

All male.

He blushed furiously for the first few pages, but his need to have his mind active wouldn't let him stop reading. After eight pages the pictures started up and his blushing was even worse. He could only imagine what he looked like, sitting on the bleachers to the sides, sitting in the sunlight, reading something that was nearly considered pornography.

But the more he read, the more interesting it became. It had parts of biology he honestly knew nothing about. It explained sensitive areas, turn ons, gender and relationship roles and such. The positions were interesting, he had to admit. Chapter after chapter of angles and directions, ideas and props.

He read a chapter on masturbation and nearly died. He'd never really tried it, never having a reason to.

He'd never even had any sort of urges for that kind of thing til just recently. He glanced over, watching as Piotr did his sit ups and stared, wondering.

The next chapter was oral and though he was originally terrified by the thought alone, by the end he was curious.

He glanced over, seeing Piotr running laps and realized this whole way of thinking, the book he was reading, was dangerous to him. He'd finally gotten comfortable with where he was, and this suddenly made him wonder if it was alright to change it.

Now, out of absolutely nowhere, he was interested.

He looked down, past the book, finding himself in a rather awkward situation and groaned, sliding the book closed.

Think of something else. Something horrible.

Like the fact that if Antonio was right, his heart could stop if he actually tried to have sex.

It worked.

By the time exercises were done, Piotr was surprised to find Arthur gone.

Arthur nervously knocked at Lukas' doorway. "Come in." He heard softly spoken and carefully opened the door, not knowing if he had anyone else with him. Arthur came in and looked around not seeing anyone.

"Is it safe to talk openly?" He asked and Lukas frowned, but nodded.

"Yes, what's up? Don't tell me you're having more trouble."

"No, nothing like that. One of the other men in my class said that they could pull the poison out of me from the Belladonna and maybe could fix my eyes so I wouldn't be blind. I'm just curious if that's even a possibility for me." He spoke softly and Lukas stared, surprised.

"It is, but it wouldn't be easy." He turned, waving Arthur to a seat. "It would be completely draining for you. We'd have to pull all of the blood out of your whole body and clean it. We'd have to do so multiple times, probably daily for a week to make sure it was all out. We wouldn't be able to attempt to fix your eyes until after, and that would be if you'd actually survive the cleaning process in the first place."

"What would the chances be?" Arthur asked softly and Lukas stared.

"Why the sudden interest? I mentioned this before, when you first came here, and you said no matter what you didn't want to lose your fairies?" Lukas cocked his head to the side, staring as Arthur stared at his knees, embarrassed and afraid.

"I know my heart is weak from it. It has been since I was a child, but... I want to be able to do things. I want to be able to strain my body and not worry it's going to kill me. I'm sixteen, and I think I'm in love and I'm scared if I try anything..." Arthur nearly whispered the words.

"Ah, I understand. Yes, it is possible, but you'd have to get Ivan's permission first, you realize this, right?"

"Of course, but I thought... what was the point bringing it up if it wouldn't even work?"

Lukas sighed, turning around. His mental state was deteriorating again. Lukas thought, realizing if they were able to remove the toxins from him, honestly, there was a better chance the medications would work. There was a chance it could kill him. Arthur was small, to the point of being fragile.

"Your chances of survival with something like this would probably be around ninety percent. Of course, if you became too weak we could stop for a couple of days, but we'd have to start over until a nerve sample taken would come back clean, and it will be horribly painful. Is it really worth it just to have sex?" Lukas asked, not even looking at the boy.

"How long would each session take?" Arthur asked softly, bypassing Lukas' question.

"About two hours." He waited, wondering what was running through the other's mind as he stood up and nodded.

"Thank you for your time." Arthur mumbled before turning and walking down the hallway to his room.

He stood in the corner and stared around the room. They'd just arranged things to make it more comfortable for both of them. They'd just started feeling like they knew where they were with each other.

And he suddenly didn't know what to do.

At Lunch the tables were pulled together again, this time another table joined in. Piotr sat, watching Arthur with worry. "Are you alright?" He asked, softly placing his hand on the other's back and Arthur nodded.

"I spoke with Lukas. He said... there was a ten percent chance if I tried to... get my toxins removed, it could kill me. I'd probably be blind for most of the week it would take. I'm scared." He whispered, not looking up and Piotr frowned.

"You don't have to do it, then." Piotr responded and Arthur shook his head.

"My heart is weak." He looked up, showing the worry on his face. "I've always had to be careful about overexertion. If you're in trouble and I start to panic too badly I could leave you alone. There are other things I can't do because I have to worry my heart will just stop. Master, please, let me try?" He asked, looking up with fear and hope. Seeing the thought he'd put into it, and that he really was worried about it, there was only one thing he could say.

"I'll allow it. As soon as the classes are done-"

"I want to start tonight." He mumbled. "I can still pass my classes. It won't even slow me down, but I'll need you to help me with getting around." Arthur's face returned to the table before him.

Sasha came out with his tea and sat it down before him, frowning. "Having another hard day?" He asked and Arthur nodded.

"I could finally get those damned pills to work." He chuckled, but it quickly turned to sobs.

Arthur went to his classes. After they ended, at four, two hours til dinner, he made his way to Lukas' office, having already had all of the permissions sent ahead. He sat in a chair and Lukas told him that due to the fact the magic to do the cleansing was hard to do, the ones who'd originally put this 'harebrained scheme' into play would be the ones actually doing it.

Arthur was confused over his happiness to hear this.

Antonio took the first round, sliding two needles into his arm, each large enough to bypass the vein between them. It hurt like mad, but Antonio let him know after the needles were pulled out, he could heal the wounds.

"How long til I go blind again? A couple of days?" He asked, and Lukas frowned.

"A couple of hours, probably. About ninety percent of the toxins should be removed on the first pass. Your heart should start feeling stronger by bedtime. Your glands that have been inhibiting your growth should start back up in a couple of hours as well. Unfortunately you're old enough the damage is probably permanent, but you might have a growth spurt and start putting on muscle after this."

"What are the chances the mood lifters will start working when this is over?" He asked, looking up with worry, trying to ignore the pained look on Antonio's face at the heartbreaking questions.

"About the same as your chances for survival. Medications should start working much better, so the pain medications I keep giving you should start to work. I'll be able to cut down on the other medications drastically as well."

"Does that mean I won't get that tea anymore?"

"You won't need it." Lukas looked over with a smile, surprised to see Arthur with a pout.

"I like that tea."

"I'll give you another one then, alright?" He chuckled as Arthur nodded. His eyes shifted over, seeing a fairy land on his arm and softly pat at the needle holes.

"Goodbye, old friend." Tears came to his eyes.

"Arthur, did you forget? I didn't start visiting you when you were able to see. You could hear me before that." She smiled sadly up at him.

"I don't remember. I'm sorry." He whispered and she nodded.

"I started to visit you when you were pushed down the stairs. You couldn't see, and didn't know where you were. You tried to get back to the top, but couldn't find your way, so I told you which direction to go." She spoke softly and Arthur stared, surprised.

"So... you really won't go away?" He asked, hopeful as could be. He could see the world start to darken around her.

"No, I won't go away. I was your salvation, but you were mine as well." She smiled and Arthur nodded,

"Thank you." He whispered, feeling his strength wear thin. "I'm really tired. It's just started. Is it too much?" He looked up, seeing Lukas frown.

"No, I warned you this was draining."

"I thought you meant through blood." He chuckled, leaning back and letting his head rest against the wall.

"You rest. I'll keep an eye on you." Lukas spoke softly, turning down the lights and Arthur nodded, closing his eyes.

Gilbert came up to replace Antonio an hour in. It was exhausting work for the boys, but they knew things would be alright when Arthur's stats were taken afterward and Lukas' eyes widened.

"His heartbeat's already stronger. This isn't going to kill him." He sighed and Gilbert grinned.

"Should I vake him up for dinner?" Gil stood, breaking down the equipment and Lukas nodded.

"You go ahead. I'll get this. Thank you for your help. You two will come back tomorrow, right?"

"Of course. Ve're too awesome to not help vhen it's needed, ja?" He grinned and Lukas nodded, smiling.

Gil reached over, gently shaking his shoulder. "Hey, Arthur, time to go eat." He spoke softly and Arthur sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Can you turn the lights on?" He asked and Gilbert looked over, confused.

"You're already blind, Arthur." Lukas spoke softly. "There's plenty of light. I can see your eyes open. They're not dilated at all." Lukas watched with worry as Arthur frowned, but nodded.

"You said you can fix that when this is over, right?"

"Yes, but not til it's over. You're going to be a lot of fun to mess with for the next week." Lukas grinned and Gilbert stared, dumbstruck by the horrible words.

"Bet I'll surprise you, then. I was blind for the first few years of my life. I'm not so easy to push down, I'll have you know." Arthur smirked, leaving Gilbert laughing.

Gilbert walked by the far left walls, Arthur's hand on his right. He lead him through, sitting at the table.

"How did it go?" Piotr asked, terrified and Arthur grinned.

"He mentioned my heart is already stronger. I won't die from this." chuckled as he looked up and frowned. "I just discovered my first problem, though. I can't eat."

"Not hungry?" Piotr asked, seeing as he'd already brought over a tray for him.

"I can't see the plate. When I was a kid, everything was finger food, so I could feel for it. That won't work so well with... well, people food." He sighed and Piotr grinned.

"Then I'll feed you." He smiled, leaving the other eight at the table blushing, but smiling as well.

After dinner, everyone went to their room. Ivan leaned back against the wall, Arthur curled up on his lap. Beside them was Francis with Gilbert between his legs, resting his back against Francis' chest. Another couple climbed up and Arthur looked over, hearing Antonio and Lovino on the other side of the room chatting.

"Arthur! It's good to meet you! I'm Feliciano!" He heard and turned his head in the general direction, nodding in greeting.

"Und I'm Ludwig." He heard from the same point and realized they were another couple. Ludwig's voice was almost frighteningly large and deep.

"It's a pleasure." Arthur smiled.

"I'm Alfred, and this is Yao." He heard and looked around, realizing they were in front of Ludwig and Feliciano.

"I'm sorry if I don't look at you. I'm a bit... blind right now, so I have no idea what you look like." He admitted and Alfred laughed, almost as annoying as Gilbert.

They'd said there were two sets of brothers. That was probably one. "We heard, so we have plans to come back and introduce ourselves again after they get this all taken care of. It'll only be a few days before graduation. I'm kinda bummed we didn't meet you before now!" Arthur seemed very happy.

"You never know. Maybe we'll all get to spend some time together after boot camp, right?" Arthur asked and Alfred hummed, a sad tone.

"I doubt it. We're in school to become the next Assassin's guard. The last ones are retiring next month, and we're one of three groups trying for the position. We're obviously the best, so we'll probably not see you again after this." He spoke sadly and Arthur leaned back, clasping his hand over Piotr's.

"Looks like you've been reading that book I lent you." Antonio spoke out, so happily it was easily heard.

"I read the whole thing! So many interesting ideas! I didn't know about any of that kind of thing!" Arthur sat up, ranting excitedly before remembering what he was talking about and leaned back, covering his face to the sounds of laughter.

"Donna worry, Artie! We all had to start somewhere, Si?" Feliciano's soft but vibrant voice ran across the room and Arthur nodded.

"You and Lovino are one set of brothers, right?" He asked, leaning as if he could see and Feliciano hummed in approval.

"We're twins, but fraternal. He has darker skin and hair, and I have hazel eyes. Arthur nodded before remembering.

"The other set is Gilbert and Alfred?" The room fell silent for a moment before more laughter broke out.

"Why do people keep thinking we're the brothers?!" Alfred gasped out in exasperation as Yao's voice was finally heard.

It was harsh, but somehow soft at the same time. "You the same size, same amount of ass and both annoying!" He snapped out. A kiss sound was made before Alfred responded again.

"But you still love me." Alfred beamed in pride.

Ludwig's deep voice responded to Arthur. "I'm actually Gilbert's little bruder."

Alfred paled, the mental image of a shorter, smaller Gilbert with wider eyes and such a deep voice nearly had him rolling with laughter.

"By no means do you sound like anyone's 'little' brother!" More voices joined into the laughter, especially Gilbert.

"Ja, I'm taller and bulkier, but he's better at magic. I'm one of the solders."

"I'm the other!" Alfred's voice rang out.

"Which means me and Feli the only ones with brains!"

"Ve~!" Feliciano made some odd sound that left Arthur wondering before Alfred started laughing at Yao's apparent panic.

"I take back. Only I have brain..." He sighed.