Chapter V – S for Sport
The rumour of a Kirkland attending Hetalia High has been around school fifty times already and yet the fact that he's an Omega seems to have been omitted every time. Only few people knew (and believed) that Arthur was indeed an Omega. Those few people could be counted on the fingers of one hand since most of Arthur's classmates all believed that he was lying when he said he was an Omega. Those few people were: Feliciano, Lovino, Alfred, Matthew and Francis (and the members of the Kohler family attending this school too like Lukas but nobody knew of the relationship between the Kohler and the Kirklands).
Lovino and Alfred had tried to explain to their other friends about Arthur's true race but they could not believe it. Indeed, unless you experience close contact with the blond, there is no way for anyone to spot the sweet Omega scent hidden under the strong overpowering Alfa scent on his body. Whose Alfa scent is it? Feliciano could not pinpoint the origin of it as if it had many and Arthur was quite secretive about this. He didn't talk much about his family either and Feliciano could only assume that the blonde also experienced troubles with his family due to his … condition.
As History class was ending, Feliciano groaned quietly while shuffling his feet out of the classroom. Now was time for Sport classes. Tones of sport classes! A whole afternoon of sport classes! Why was he born Alfa?!
While musing over his bad luck, Feliciano's mind briefly wandered to his new friend. Omegas had the afternoon free today … he wondered what Arthur would be doing. It has only been a couple of weeks but the two of them had become inseparable! The whole school would stare at them like aliens from outer space and many Omegas and Betas were jealous of Feliciano for grasping all of Arthur's attention. If they knew he was an Omega, they wouldn't be so upset. And Feliciano has not been bullied at all ever since he hung out with Arthur. No Alfa in their right mind would mess with the Kirkland Clan. Except they don't realise that Arthur is not an Alfa himself. Ironic how the world works?
The first two weeks of school were great and that was mainly due to the fact that specialised classes according to status had not begun yet. To give pupils a time of adaptation to the school year, everyone attends general-all-races classes for the first two weeks and after that, some divisions will occur and separate the status and pupils. Hence, Feliciano is dreading his first Sport lesson … and it will last all afternoon! If only Arthur could come with him! He hates being alone with all those scary Alfas! They always used to pick on him because of his failure at sports.
"Yo Feli!" A large arm swung around Feliciano's shoulders and the boy could do nothing but freeze in fear and dread as he heard the overly cheerful voice of the American Alfa.
Alfred glanced down in mischief at the shivering boy. He loved to tease Feliciano. Oh sure, he never went too far because the boy was still Lovino's brother and Lovino is his best friend. But it's hilarious to play around and tease him because of his freakish Alfa status! Next to him, Ludwig was sighing heavily, probably thinking that Alfred's behaviour was immature and unnecessary.
"So where's your omega bodyguard?" Alfred whispered with a smirk in Feliciano's ear.
"V-ve? A-Arturo is n-not my b-bodyguard! He's my friend!"
"… See, that's what I don't understand with you, Feli. You're an Alfa. Alfas hang out with Alfas. Betas hang out with Betas. And Omegas hang out with Omegas! That's the way the world works! You should start to act more according to your status!"
"B-but …!"
"Alfred … we went over this with Lovino already …" Ludwig interjected but Alfred started to pout at him.
"But Lovino's too soft with the idiot! Feliciano needs to learn how to be a real Alfa! You think so too, don't you?"
The German didn't answer. Yes, he did think it ridiculous for Feliciano to hang around Betas and Omegas. He did think it ridiculous that as an Alfa, the Italian could not even defend himself and stand up to other Alfas. He did find it ridiculous that of all people on this campus, Feliciano was the one to befriend Arthur Kirkland. Because if anything, befriending a Kirkland is far from an easy task. They are known to be so overwhelmingly powerful, dominant, and skilled that people would shy away from them. And those who try to befriend them for social importance or for interests never last long before the Kirklands send them to hospital … or to a graveyard. And yet … Feliciano … Feliciano the failed Alfa was befriending one of those monsters? It made no sense!
"Alright, gather around! I'll explain what we are about to do!" The teacher suddenly called and Feliciano sighed in relief as he felt Alfred and Ludwig walk away, leaving him behind and alone. At least, they didn't have time to bother him.
"We are going to work in pairs so find someone and he will be your partner until the end of the year. Hurry up now! I'll explain the next stage once you all have separated in pairs!"
Feliciano paled at the command. He could not. He never was able to find a partner or a team in sport. Never. Nobody wanted him and he usually ends up alone. Briefly he wondered if he could be partnered with Elisaveta as she is one of the rare Alfas not bullying him due to their common friend Kiku. But as he spotted her, he noticed that she had already paired with Vash Zwingly. Those two together are one scary team.
While the Italian wandered aimlessly in search of a partner, he was pushed down into a corner, away from the prying eyes and ears of the teacher. Looking up, Feliciano was met with a group of four Alfas harbouring large sadistic grins and their eyes shone in hatred and disgust. Yeah … that's also why Feliciano hates sport.
The blow came to his stomach first forcing Feliciano to curve over into a ball as he fell to the ground under the low chuckles of his classmates. From afar, Feliciano heard his brother Lovino and his class arrive. He had heard that all first years would be having those sport lessons together. It didn't help that Alfred was immediately jumping on his twin to pair up. Obviously … Lovino wouldn't lower himself and risk his chances in pairing up with his own brother … no matter how much he is willing to protect Feliciano. And Feliciano could not blame him for it. Listening at students gathering and pairing up, Feliciano whined under the avalanche of blows he was assaulted with.
"You think you're so special, don't you? Where's that bodyguard of yours? Did he get sick of playing with you and left?"
"H-he's not … my … b-body-guard …" Feliciano heaved out in a saccadic breath.
"Who gave you permission to talk back, freak?!"
Another blow. To his jaw this time.
"You piece of shit! Every time I look at you, I feel disgusted! You're a humiliation for all Alfas! Why don't you go back to your kitchens and play Omegas since you seem to like it so much!"
"Yeah! And stop hanging around real Alfas! You'll lower us down to your pathetic level!"
"B-but I'm not …"
"Shut up!"
Another blow to his leg … is it broken?
"My dad beat me up last night because I told him that some freak Alfa who can't even stand for himself had befriended a Kirkland! Do you have any idea how much it meant for my family?!"
"My Omega left me because he wanted to date that Kirkland guy! And you know what?! He got rejected! All because of pathetic little you!"
"B-but … why would you hate me when your Omega was rejected?"
"Because my Omega decided that he would never get back together with me! He said he'd rather die than be with someone else than that Arthur bastard!"
"S-sorry to hear …"
"Yeah! You'll be fucking sorry!"
Another blow … yep, his leg is definitely broken now.
"So what? What are you going to do now? Call your brother? Or your Kirkland boyfriend?"
Feliciano coughed, blood seeping out of his mouth.
"You're not worth this life! You don't deserve to even live! Freak of nature!"
"Heh! After all, you really should have been born an Omega! Oh look! He's crying!" The boys laughed in glee at the sight of a sobbing Feliciano.
"P-Please … let me go … the class …"
"Oh, don't worry! You'll pair up with one of us! And then we'll have tones of time to … play~!" A large sadistic hungry grin stretched on one of the boy's lips.
"Hey, since you're so good at being an Omega, I wonder if you're also skilled in other areas like Omegas?"
"It would be fun to try! I'd love to see a Vargas squirm and submit under me!"
Feliciano's eyes widened in sudden panic and fear. So far his bullying had never gone beyond physical harm. Nobody had actually suggested anything like … like that! Was he really so Omega-like that they would consider something so … so …
"N-no! P-please!" he pleaded in sudden panic, wailing his arms around. The boys laughed, one of them glanced back and noticed the pairings had almost been completed.
"So, which one gets the bitch?"
"How about we flip a coin to find out?" Another voice suddenly spoke from behind them. The boys and Feliciano whipped their heads around and all were hit by the strong scent of danger, the ominous aura and the glares of emeralds.
"A-a … A-Arturo …?"
Arthur's gaze flickered to Feliciano briefly before narrowing back on the group of Alfas.
"Feliciano. Close your eyes and don't move."
Instantly, Feliciano obeyed. He didn't know why but he felt no reluctance in obeying to his friend. He knew Arthur would not harm him. He knew Arthur would protect him. He knew that he would be safe. So he obeyed with no questioning. He obeyed to the Omega.
Arthur's cold expression morphed into one of a grinning devil as soon as Feliciano's eyes were shut. The other four boys shivered in fear and started to back a few steps away. The blonde drew out a golden old-fashion coin and flicked it up and down in his hand, slowly stepping forward. His intimidating aura was enough to freeze into place the four bullies as they could not even feel their legs anymore. He flipped the coin higher up and let it land on his other hand, slamming his palm over it and hiding the side he coin had landed on.
"Let's see if your luck is any good. Heads, you pray. Tails, you run." He whispered in a dark growl and lifted his hand up, revealing a head.
"Heads." Arthur's grin was so wide it looked like an evil clown, reaching from ear to ear.
"You pray." He declared. "Pray to still be alive when I'm done with you."
Feliciano never shivered or felt fear as he listened to the dark tone of Arthur. His eyes shut, he could only imagine what the blonde would look like. But somehow he didn't feel scared or threatened. He actually felt … gleeful? This was the first time anyone bothered helping him and protecting him aside from his twin brother. This was his first friend who didn't abandon him. This was the first time someone thought him worth saving and not because of family blood but from genuine concern. Because aside from their friendship, Arthur had no reason to intervene. And yet he did. He always does.
Feliciano waited to hear the screams of pain and agony, the punching and thumping, but it never came. He only heard an extensive silence until a soft pat on his shoulder made him jump. He recognised the sweet scent of his friend and couldn't help a broad smile.
"I'll carry you to the nurse. Keep your eyes shut."
"Si!" Feliciano felt a warm feeling spread through his body. He didn't understand why he hadn't heard any fighting or any sound at all but if Arthur said everything was fine, then he believed him.
Outraged cries and hisses of anger and irritation rang loudly around them while Feliciano felt himself cling closer and tighter to Arthur's shoulders. Arthur's arms around him felt nice and safe, even if the bridal style of being carried was quite embarrassing for an Alfa like him, Feliciano didn't mind. He heard his brother grumble in annoyance but he knew that this time, Lovino would not argue. Because Arthur is not an Alfa. So there is no insult or offense in his gesture towards his friend. No questioning of power.
"I'm sorry for my tardiness but I was discussing certain issues with the Headmaster." Arthur's professional voice spoke, silencing anyone else.
"On my way here, I came across Feliciano. He seems to have suffered a bad fall and broke his leg. I'm taking him to the nurse. As for those pairs you asked of … I'll be partnered with Feliciano. Please excuse us for the rest of the afternoon as I'll need to call his family and a hospital."
Before the teacher could agree or even get over his shock for being addressed to in such a forward yet polite way, Arthur was already walking away under the shocked stares of all the other Alfas. Not once did Feliciano open his eyes or speak. He just listened and hid further into Arthur's chest, wishing to disappear. Even with his eyes shut, he could feel the odd stares of other Alfas on him. No matter what Arthur says, his injuries were so obviously due to a beating that nobody could be fooled. And the scent of other Alfas on Feliciano was obvious to everyone. But what nobody understood was … why on earth did Arthur care about Feliciano, freak as he is?!
No way is he an Omega. Impossible.
Ludwig watched them just as shocked as everyone else. He didn't understand. He didn't understand how Lovino and Alfred could be so calm about this. Well, not exactly. Lovino looked angry and worried sick while Alfred looked … envious?! How could he possibly be envious? Envious of Arthur? Or … envious of Feliciano? Ludwig was starting to realise that his friends were most serious when they claimed that Arthur was an Omega. But what kind of Omega does … that!
Of all the Omegas Ludwig had met and dated (on order of his father) not one had branched out from the typical sweet and innocent Omega. Not one ever dared to contradict him. Not one ever disobeyed him. Not one ever spoke his own ideas or opinion or even dared to have some! Not one … Ludwig had stopped dating Omegas fairly fast as he grew hateful of that obedient personality. He didn't like the way Omegas didn't contradict or even allow themselves to speak up to others. Not even to state their opinion. Not even to argue. Not ever. And they were all just … too submissive! Sure, Ludwig wanted a submitted partner but not one that would act like a brainless obedient robot! He did want to be challenged occasionally!
He tried dating Betas after that and his experience with them was better but their passiveness and odd personality was just too disturbing for him to get used to. And they didn't have the same priorities as Omegas, as such, bearing children was not a common desire to Betas and Ludwig is really determined in having children of his own.
In all of this … not once had he found someone worthy of interest. When he met Feliciano, he thought like everyone that the Italian was an Omega and he was really cute. He even had a small passing crush on him … until he realised that Feliciano was an Alfa. His disappointment was such that he unconsciously rejected Feliciano's friendliness and kept a cold and distant tone towards the Italian. He knew that Feliciano didn't like Alfas in general and was constantly bullied but he never went to help him. Ludwig assumed that eventually, Feliciano would learn to stand up for himself … but he never did. And the Italian grew more and more into some circus freak of society for other students to laugh at. Ludwig felt disgusted with himself because he also never accepted Feliciano as either an Alfa or an Omega. His conflicted feeling had eventually morphed into a passive mode in which he would keep a strictly business relation with the bubbly Italian but never befriend him. Instead, he befriended his twin Lovino and brought their families closer.
If only Feliciano had been an Omega …
"Ve! Arturo! You're too fast!" Feliciano whined, under the many shocked stares of their Alfa classmates.
Since the incident during the first class, nobody had dared to bother Feliciano and Arthur. They both paired up, Feliciano ended up in a cast and Arthur would do most of the work for him, always helping his friend out. It really did look like an Alfa taking care of his Omega … Except Feliciano is an Alfa. And supposedly, though Ludwig still couldn't phantom it, Arthur is an Omega.
Arthur slowed down his pace and allowed his friend to catch up to him in his crutches. They were both approaching the race field where pairs will have to race in turns against each other. In Arthur's case, the blonde had taken upon himself to run Feliciano's turns as well as his own. People all assumed he would be dead of exhaustion and not last long … well, they assumed it.
"Ve … I'm sorry … it's my fault that you have to take my turns …" Feliciano lowered his head in shame but Arthur only laughed and patted it.
"No worries. I like running. I often go on a jog with my brother and it always ends up in a race … that reminds me …" Arthur's expression darkened as he thought of his brother and people around them walked further away from his ominous aura.
Feliciano on the other hand simply stared at his friend with wide curious eyes, like Arthur was the most beautiful being on the planet and nothing could be more worth watching. Ludwig was surprised because until now, Feliciano had always been the first to run away from Alfas, especially in their dominant mode. But Feliciano instead would be drawn to Arthur in a way that looks … creepy if anything.
"Arturo? Do you not like your brother?"
"Eh?" Arthur snapped out of his dark thought and tilted his head in confusion at his friend. For a brief, very brief moment, he caught the eyes of every Alfa around. Because for such a brief moment, Arthur had looked … really cute. No, that's not it. Not cute … just … … attractive?
Ludwig shook his head. For a second, no, even half a second, he actually felt the need to jump and kiss Arthur like there's no tomorrow! The blonde had just seemed to let out some strange Omega vibs but only for a split second … yet a split second is all you need to feel disturbed as an Alfa. Ludwig noticed a lot of the other first years Alfas seemed as confused as he was, Alfred was one of the few growling in desire and staring avidly at the blonde and even Lovino wore an unreadable mask, his eyes darted on the English boy like a treat he couldn't wait to eat.
"Why would you think so?" Arthur's Alfa aura spiked up as if on a basic instinct. It's almost as if Arthur didn't know how to tune down his dominance. But the odd thing is: Feliciano didn't seem confused at all by the sudden Omega vib followed by the dangerous Alfa intimidation. He just smiled happily.
"Ve! You always look scary when you talk about your brother!"
"Oh … I didn't notice … well, it's not that I hate him. He just … it's nothing for you to be concerned!" Arthur smiled charmingly and again dismissed the talk. Feliciano knew that Arthur didn't like to talk about his family but he was growing curious as to why.
Neither noticed the confusion around them that Arthur had unconsciously caused but within seconds, things were back to normal and everyone still went by, not understanding how an Alfa like Arthur could hang out with an Alfa freak like Feliciano. Ludwig slowly was beginning to accept that Arthur may really be an Omega … if that were the case … … What an odd Omega.
They all stared in shock. This seems to have become a habit of Arthur to just shock people. Because once again, every eye of the first year Alfas was narrowed on the blonde. Feliciano was beaming in admiration and fascination while Alfas were growling in shame and irritation. An Alfa hates defeat. That's a fact. But in certain contexts like competitions or sport, they are willing to accept a few defeats.
A few.
Not utter, complete, pathetic defeat!
Because not only did Arthur run both his and Feliciano's races but he won them all! Like a bullet, he even was able to beat Lovino who's reputed the fastest Alfa! That was unheard of!
"I'm dead!" Arthur sighed as he walked back to his partner and took the bottle of water Feliciano offered him.
"Ve! You're really fast Arturo! My fratello is really good and you beat him!"
"Yeah, well, I was trained by the worst." Arthur chuckled.
"Ve? Don't you mean the best?"
"No, definitely the worst. I swear, he should not be allowed to be a teacher. Ever." Arthur's expression darkened and Feliciano recognised his face.
"Your brother, you mean?"
"Something like that. So, what are you doing after sport? Going home?"
"Ve? Um … I … I don't know …"
"Uh? Why?"
"I usually go to see Kiku but I think Fratello might be really angry and …"
"Hold on." Arthur walked away.
Ludwig followed the blonde with his icy gaze and saw him discuss with Lovino. For a split second, the Italian seemed about to argue then he nodded, averting his eyes and a soft hue of pink dusted his cheeks. Arthur smiled and thanked him before walking away, never noticing the increasing blush of Lovino and his heated gaze on the blonde's back.
"He said you can spend some time with that Kiku person. So long as I'm the one to take you back home in his place. Is that why you worried? Does your brother always accompany you everywhere?"
"S-si … because I often get bothered by Alfas and when I tell them I'm an Alfa and not an Omega they laugh and start to hit me."
"… Alright. I'll take you to your friend and walk you back home afterwards. Just let me call my head Alfa to let him know."
"Ve! Is Arturo's family not worried about letting you walk alone?"
"Not really. It's not like I can't defend myself. Plus, if I feel I can't handle it, I'm ordered to run back home immediately. You saw how fast I am!" Arthur grinned mischievously.
Ludwig watched the two chatter away as they headed for the changing-rooms. If this Arthur Kirkland is truly an Omega, he will cause a riot among the high families. An Omega Kirkland … now that is something worth killing for. Ludwig watched as Arthur picked up Feliciano and carried him bridal style inside the gym, laughing as the Italian was pouting, obviously being teased by his friend. An Omega acing in sports. An Omega stronger than Alfas. An Omega imposing his will even on teachers.
If this is an Omega … what an odd Omega.