Chapter VII – C for Cooking
Arthur stared with a defeated and depressed expression at the kitchens' doors. Oh, how he dreaded to pass them. Why, god, why did he have to pick … cooking lessons! At least he's good at sewing and can handle art. But cooking! That's the one thing he can never do! In fact, none of his family members can cook aside from the omegas and betas that married in! His father was the cook back home (yeah, he was the one to marry into the Kirkland Clan) and he had tried to teach little Arthur how to excel as an Omega. Thanks to him, Arthur became excellent at sewing and gardening. But cooking was just impossible!
"I want to go hooooome …" Arthur sighed heavily.
"My my, if it isn't the cute little Master! How long has it been? 3 … no, 4 years?" the laughing voice so recognisable brought an expression of disgust and irritation to Arthur as he deciphered the French accent.
"I can't believe I'm having to see your face again … frog." He growled, his aura turning darker and eerie with every word, and effectively clearing the area around the two of them from any interruption.
Francis laughed and reached out to ruffle Arthur's hair. Being one year older, he didn't have many occasions to hang out with his old childhood friend … well, if you can call their relationship friendly. But luckily …
"What are you even doing here, frog? This is a first year class!"
"Ah yes! A cooking class! I can't wait to see the progress you made! You were so terrible and pathetic at it in the past!"
"Shut up!" Arthur hissed, his face blushing red of anger and embarrassment.
Of all the people … why did Francis have to be in this school?! Fate hated him! Definitely!
"Now, now, young Master! I'm only teasing you! How are your brothers? And that cute sister of yours?"
"They're fine. You won't be if you keep addressing me like we're friends!"
"You wound me!" Francis made a fake hurt expression before grinning widely again.
"I'm glad though …" He mumbled quietly more to himself than to the Englishman. "I'm glad you're well …"
"Uh? Did you say something?" Arthur lifted a thick eyebrow at the older boy who shook his head dismissively.
"Nothing at all, young master!"
"Will you stop calling me that?!"
"Why? Don't you like it? When we were young you always liked having Big Brother call you that!"
"News Flash! We're not like 4 years ago! I'm not your little master and you most certainly are not my Big Brother! I have enough of those as it is that I don't need an extra one!"
"Aw! But Big Brother wanted to teach you more about cooking!"
"Forget it! Now why are you still hanging around here bugging me?!"
"Oh! Didn't you know? I'm …"
"ARTUROOOOOOOOOOO!" Both boys got interrupted by the loud calls of an excited cheerful Italian.
Arthur smiled softly at the sight of his friend running down the corridors towards him. Francis was watching Arthur and smiled knowingly. He was glad to meet up with his old friend but was even more glad to see that Arthur was finally able to find friends who accepted his … condition.
Feliciano hit the brakes too late and felt himself trip forward and collide with Arthur head forward. Luckily, neither he nor the blonde fell. Arthur was able to catch him and stabilise them both. The blonde sighed and lightly tapped Feliciano's head, scolding him gently.
"Feliciano, what did I tell you about running through the corridors? You'll fall and hurt yourself one day!"
"Si! Scusa! I was just so excited! I love cooking! I can't wait! I'm also really happy because Arthur is in my class too!"
Arthur's eyebrows crunched up together cutely as he mumbled in his breath.
"Can't be helped. It's a compulsory class for Omegas. Can't understand why …"
"Ve? Arturo? Do you not like cooking? Ah si! You told me that you poisoned your whole family on your brother's birthday!"
Francis fell laughing as he himself remembered that episode quite well. Feliciano watched him in confusion while Arthur was shooting deadly daggers at the French.
"I remember! That day was hilarious! You all had to spend the birthday in hospital!"
"Shut up, frog! Who asked for your input anyway?"
"Heh! Little Master, you should not speak like that to your Cooking tutor!"
Both Feliciano and Arthur blinked, staring at the grinning French.
Cooking … tutor? What the hell?!
Arthur glared hatefully, Feliciano looking happy as ever seated next to him, while everyone in the room felt uncomfortable anywhere near Arthur's deadly aura. More deadly than usual. But the one who was targeted by Arthur's fury was not seemingly bothered. Francis stood quite happily by the teacher's side. Since cooking is quite a handful to manage as a class, the teacher often is allowed to choose one of the older students to help him. That person becomes a tutor. Hence, Arthur's current hateful predicament. Why did fate hate him so much?
"Ve! Arturo! Don't mix it like that!"
"Little master! Don't leave the oven on at such a high temperature!"
"Arturo, don't! Not this one!"
"Little master, how many times have I told you not to cut like that! You're going to hurt yourself."
"Veeee … Arturo, you've got flour all over your hair! You look like a snowman!"
"He does! Doesn't he, Feli? You're so cute, young master!"
Arthur felt his nerves about to break. But he didn't dare to say anything since it was only thanks to Feliciano and Francis' help that he was able to cook something … edible. The teacher kept shooting awkward worried glances at them, like most students too, but didn't dare to interfere. Let's just say that Arthur's aura was mistakable to one of a serial killer about to commit his crime. What surprised most people was how Feliciano and Francis seemed oblivious to Arthur's eerie aura.
Outside, peeking through the window, Lovino, Alfred, Ludwig, Antonio and Gilbert were watching the carnage happening inside. Ok. No questioning it: Arthur is definitely not a normal Omega. Now, all five had relatively accepted that he was an Omega even if a strange one. If not, why would the blonde English boy suffer the torture of cooking class every week if he could avoid it? Simple: he can't avoid it. And this class is only compulsory for Omegas. Hence: Arthur is a freak of an Omega.
"Dammit … my fratello is even better than him at cooking! Hell, even I cook better than that!" Lovino muttered in his breath. Although his tone was harsh, he was amused by the scene and found Arthur's struggling figure adorable. It was nice to see him in an Omega environment for a change. He looked so cute with that blush on his face! And flour colouring his golden hair! And that trail of pastry on his cheek … damn, Lovino wish he could walk inside and lick it off the blonde's face!
"No kidding! He's hopeless!" Alfred laughed. Though it sounded like he was making fun of the odd Omega, Alfred actually felt extremely attracted to Arthur. For someone like him, finding a partner was difficult. Alfred had really high standards and wanted an Omega that would be able to make him breathless. Arthur was exactly that. The first time when Alfred felt Arthur flip him over had been a turning point. Someone able to flip him off like that, not even Alfas could accomplish such a miracle. He really wanted to know how amazing Arthur would be in bed … god, he should stop fantasising!
Ludwig said nothing, watching quietly. He was more and more curious about the strange Omega and more and more feeling his body acting oddly whenever around Arthur. This kind of Omega able to stand up for himself was something new and something he unconsciously found attractive. He wished he could be the one to make Arthur submit to him one day. Having that prideful Omega bow his head to him …
Antonio narrowed his gaze on Francis hugging Arthur. In seconds, the French Beta got punched and knocked unconscious to the ground. Feliciano ran around in a panic, whaling his arms around until Arthur patted his head to calm him down. The blonde sighed and then picked up the unconscious Frenchman, excused himself and left to drag the older boy to the infirmary.
This scene was odd.
Gilbert didn't know but he was mentally agreeing with Antonio. Watching their Beta friend getting all over-affectionate with someone was weird. Sure, Francis had always been a rather odd Beta in that he would openly show his emotions. But here, it was beyond odd. Here the man looked like a complete different person! Gilbert and Antonio both wondered what kind of demon this Kirkland was that he could turn their friend into a hopeless fool like that?!
In their dark musing, neither noticed that the class had ended and everyone was leaving. Only when they heard their younger Alfa friends leave did they realise. Gilbert and Antonio nodded to each other and, bidding goodbye to the first year Alfas, they walked up to the infirmary.
"What do you think?" Gilbert was first to ask.
"About?"
"You think he's an Omega?"
"Well, he's in the cooking class and frankly, I don't think it's from personal choice."
"No kidding! Kesese!" The albino chuckled, remembering the cute struggling Briton.
Cute? Did he just think Cute?!
Antonio shook his head, thinking back at how odd Arthur was but more so, how odd his cousin Lovino has been recently. He'd always shoot glances in Arthur's direction and seems to allow the blonde anything when it came to his brother. Lovino who had always been so protective of Feliciano was now letting some Kirkland Omega take over? This was odd even for Lovino. And Antonio, worried, would need to check it out fast!
"Ve! Look out!"
The smaller body of the Italian collided with the larger two Alfas. But unlike with Arthur, they did not help him in regaining his balance, meaning the Italian fell to the ground, with two large Second year Alfas looking down on him. Scary!
"Ve! I'm sorry! I was in a hurry and I didn't see you! More like, I didn't slow down in time! I'm sorry! Arturo told me not to run in corridors but I was in a hurry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Feliciano. It's me, Antonio." The Spaniard smiled a bright and sunny smile, like he always does.
Instantly, Feliciano calmed down and smiled timidly back. He liked Antonio because his cousin never picked on him nor did he scold him. Oh sure, he preferred to hang around Lovino and hardly ever paid attention to the weak younger twin. But at least he wasn't mean.
"Tch! Honestly, what kind of Alfa are you?" Gilbert rolled his ruby eyes. Feliciano shivered. He always was scared of Ludwig's brother, partly because of his appearance, but mostly because he was so harsh with his comments. When Ludwig never spoke a word, Gilbert spoke for two! He was a proud Alfa and always talked about how Alfas have to be Awesome and impose respect. He had been the one to drag Feliciano with him to his and Ludwig's training sessions. Needless to say, the Italian did not last more than 10 minutes.
"I'm sorry!" He mumbled shyly, his head dropping.
"It's ok! We're not angry. Are you going somewhere?" Antonio asked, his peaceful smile still blessing his lips.
"Ve! Si! I'm going to see if Big Brother Francis has recovered from Arturo's punch! Arturo got really embarrassed about his cake! But it looks good so I was trying to give it to him!" Feliciano showed them the small cake box he held and they guessed that Arthur's cake would be in it. Somehow, the perspective of such a thing did not reassure the two Alfas.
"We'll go with you then! We were looking for Francis!" Antonio motioned them towards the infirmary and the three started walking. Oblivious to the suspicious dark auras of the other two Alfas, Feliciano skipped happily towards the infirmary, all excited to show Arthur the cake they made.
"Honestly … don't you ever hold back?!" Francis whined as he massaged his jaw.
Arthur was seated in a chair by his side, arms crossed and looking away with a huff. Francis watched him, chuckling. He'll be damned before the young master loses that stubbornness of his. But Francis didn't mind. It made his little master even cuter!
"It's your fault for being all perverted!" The Omega growled, getting irritated by the sly chuckle of his … acquaintance.
"Aw~! Little master! Admit it! You missed your Big Brother doting on you!"
"Are we still talking about you?" Arthur lifted a sceptical eyebrow but couldn't stop the corner of his lips to curl ever so slightly upwards. Francis noticed but knew that it would be the closest to a smile that he would receive from Arthur. He didn't mind. He was so glad to see the young Omega again. Especially since that … incident.
"I'm glad … I got so worried when you moved away." Francis mumbled.
"… I didn't know you came to America." Arthur changed topic.
"I left Britain just a year after you moved away. My father remarried with that Canadian woman … Williams. I've got a half-brother now."
"I heard."
"I would expect so."
"I thought the Williams and the Jones were related?"
"Ah yes. Actually, you have Alfred Jones in your class. As well as my brother Matthew Williams. Technically though, Mattie and Alfred are twins."
"Hm. Terrific. I don't care."
"Of course you don't!" The French Beta chuckled at how dismissive and uncaring Arthur was.
"So, little master … I see you became friends with the little Vargas!"
Arthur shot a suspicious glance at the innocent smile of his friend.
"Yes, so?"
"Nothing, mon lapin! I'm just glad to see you get along with someone! Especially since … uh …" Francis suddenly quietened, looking away and unsure of how to continue such a conversation.
Arthur stayed quiet for a moment, his face as unreadable as a statue. When he spoke, his tone was slow and careful.
"I'm alright, Francis. You needn't worry anymore."
Francis nodded but still couldn't look at the English boy, feeling guilty for having brought up such a topic. Luckily, in the tensed silence of the infirmary, the door slammed open as a grinning clueless Italian charged inside and heading to hug the stunned Englishman.
"Arturo! Oh! Ciao Big Brother Francis! Are you feeling better now? Arturo! Arturo! Look! Look at the cake! It's buonissimo! Let's try it, Arturo! Ah! I know! We can bring some to Kiku too!"
"Feliciano … I can't breathe if you keep holding me like that …"
"Bonjour Feliciano! It's good to see you care so much about little master's cake." Francis laughed as he noticed that the Italian had only eyes for the blonde Omega. By now, Francis knew that he was the only one to notice but he dearly hopped Feliciano would be able to heal Arthur's wounds and help him forget the past. After all, Big Brother's job is to look after his cute little master!
"Hola Francisco! You look like you got punched!" Antonio walked in, wide grin on his face.
"Kesese! Getting punched by an Omega, Franky! That's so unawesome! Kesese!"
Arthur looked up at the two intruding Alfas and almost on a reflex, his own Alfa aura spiked up to balance out the presence of the other two. Prussia smirked as he noticed while Antonio kept his eyes on Feliciano. The Albino walked up to the first years and while Francis frowned in warning, he could not stop the two Alfas. He already knew that his friends liked to seek out trouble. But he could not tell them that they were seeking trouble with the wrong person.
"So! You're that famous Kirkland guy? I heard lots about you from mein bruder! Apparently you're an Omega?"
"And what of it?" Arthur hissed, his aura growing ever more threatening and making Gilbert uncomfortable. The German frowned. He didn't like being challenged but he didn't know whether this was a challenge or not! After all, as an Omega, Arthur shouldn't be able to challenge him … but why did it feel like the guy was asking for a fight?!
"Nothing Amigo! We were just curious!" Antonio purred with a too-happy-to-be-real smile.
Arthur irked at how the Spanish Alfa was obviously trying to sooth him using his Alfa influence. And that smile of his was just irritating. Almost as irritating as the albino's self-content smirk.
"Well you saw. Now you better leave before you get on my nerves anymore." The Omega hissed in a low tone.
If Gilbert snapped back at him, offended of having his awesome presence ignored or worse looked-down on, Antonio turned silent (which is rare). He realised from the look in Arthur's eyes that no matter how bright his smiles were, they would have no effect on the blonde Omega. Odd. Very odd.
"Gilbert, Antonio … maybe we should leave …?" Francis suggested, feeling the tension in the air growing thicker and Arthur's mood growing darker.
Instead, Arthur stood up, surprising everyone and walked out of the infirmary, a confused Feliciano on his trail. He shot a dark look back at the older teens.
"No need. We'll leave. Frog, keep your friends out of my face, along with yourself."
And with that, the angry Omega shut the door.
Francis sighed heavily and shot annoying glares at his two best friends. They just had to be idiots and play around with Arthur! Well, bet they didn't expect to be so flat-out rejected and looked down on.
"Francisco … How do you know that Omega?" Antonio asked his friend but his blank olive eyes were still fixated on the shut door.
"We were neighbours back in England. We were childhood friends at the time but he moved away one day and then I moved to America. I didn't think we'd end up in the same school once more."
"What the hell is his deal?! What's with the attitude?!" Gilbert growled, irritated at having been challenged and frowned down upon by some mere Omega. He felt insulted! And … slightly turned on.
"He's always been like that. Don't take it personally, Arthur is just a Kirkland, so that's why he behaves differently. But really guys you shouldn't think of …"
Too late.
From the hungry grins on the two Alphas' faces, Francis knew they would not listen to his warnings. Oh well … they'll just have to experience it for themselves. He only hopes Arthur will be able to deal with them without having to call his brothers … that could be a problem.