Chapter XII – P for Partner

Arthur watched with a sudden threatening instinct growing strong in his body, as Ivan's childish smile morphed into a dangerous creepy grin of insanity. Arthur knew it. That guy is the kind of guy you want on your side and that you do not want to piss off.

Well fuck. Now he has to deal with another creepy weirdo.

"You don't want to become one …? You don't want to be mine? But why? I like Arthur. Arthur is strong and interesting. I want Arthur to yell at me and challenge me. I want Arthur to hit me when I do something that angers him. I want Arthur to tell me everything he thinks because he knows I won't ever hit him back. Why don't you want to be with me, Arthur? I really want you …"

And he's a masochist too! Terrific!

"I'm sorry. I will not mate with someone who isn't strong enough. Sadly, you're still too weak." Arthur answered back, his voice as cold and slicing as a sword.

"Too … weak?" Ivan tilted his head.

Too weak.

How can he be too weak? Is Arthur saying that he's able to beat him? Ivan is aware of how strong Arthur is but he's pretty sure that he's stronger. He heard Arthur managed to flip off Alfred but that was mainly due to the effect of surprise favouring Arthur. He didn't think Arthur would be stronger than a normal Alfa, let alone stronger than a particularly strong Alfa like himself.

Too weak …

Ivan never wanted to force himself on his love. He never wanted to have to impose his dominance and submit Arthur. He's scared that if he does that, Arthur will be frightened and end up treating him like everyone else. That would make him lose all interest in the cute blonde.

Too weak!

But he was already losing Arthur now. He didn't want to lose Arthur. Never.

Never.

"Back off." A strong voice and a hand landed on Ivan's shoulder, surprising both Ivan and Arthur.

Walking up and placing himself in-between Arthur and his stalker was Berwald, threatening Alfa aura brimming through his usually calm personality. Joining Arthur's side was Lukas who whispered something in his friend's ear, making Arthur frown and roll his eyes but he nodded none the less. Lukas allowed a small smile to break his unmovable cold mask and he then turned to his older brother.

"Arthur agreed. You have full authorisation."

Berwald grunted in response, acknowledging the answer and strangely enough, a large grin broke his face in half as he drew out from nowhere a fencing sword. Ivan frowned and he too took out his own weapon: a faucet pipe … covered in blood marks. Arthur gauged the weapon of the Russian and shook his head. If that was the blood of all of Ivan's victims … then there's nothing to worry about. Berwald's sword had tasted twice that amount of blood. Why do you think it needs constant cleaning?

"You are in my way. Give me back my mate." Ivan growled angrily, people around were stopping and gathering in a circle to watch or fleeing away before things get bloody.

"He said no." Berwald answered. He never speaks more than a few words but his tone and his glare are so intimidating that it usually never needs more talking.

"Why are you getting in my way?!" Ivan roared as he slammed his pipe against the Sweden's sword.

"Because." In one swift and experienced movement, Berwald over-powered the younger teen and … let's just say that strength is good but having strength and technic is better.

The sword's tip landed on Ivan's neck, his pipe lying on the ground, meters away. Berwald's icy blue glare seemed to wish to break the Russian to pieces until only dust remains but he simply put his sword away.

"Stay away … from him."

Ivan blinked.

He had lost.

He had lost and Arthur didn't even look surprised. Who are those two anyway? Who are they to Arthur? And why is Arthur not saying anything?

He had lost.

"I'm … too weak?" The childish sound of Ivan's broken voice made Arthur's façade cringe.

The Englishman sighed heavily as he picked up the faucet pipe and handed back to the tall Russian, under the watchful eyes of the Kholers.

"Yes. You're too weak. Berwald and Lukas are strong but still too weak as well. If you can't beat them, you can't beat me and even less him."

"Him?"

"Nobody can claim to be my partner if he can't beat my guardian." Arthur smiled maliciously. "And my brother is not as kind-hearted as Berwald so I suggest you don't try your luck with him."

Arthur turned away from the Russian and in his movement, his eyes caught sight of something that horrified him. His eyes widened and without thinking or warning anyone, he ran towards the dreadful sight that made his heart panic and his blood boil. No matter what smiles Feliciano was giving him, Arthur felt like dying the moment he saw him covered in blood and injuries from head to toe.

And why is he soaked anyway?

Berwald and Lukas nearly panicked when they saw Arthur suddenly sprint but they both relaxed as they realised he was heading for his Italian friend who was curiously enough walking towards them accompanied by their Omega cousin Tino. The sweet Finlander started to reassure the panicked Briton while the Italian started to sob hopelessly in this friend's arms. Lovino, Alfred and the others were also approaching and Ivan was shooting disbelieving eyes at the scene.

Too weak …?

Then why on Earth does Feliciano Vargas get the right to be so close to Arthur?

Murderous auras sprouted out from all the Alfas around but Arthur's own deadly aura was strong enough to cover all of them. He was furious. Whoever did this to his friend is as good as dead! But Feliciano kept saying that he was fine and sobbing desperately at how worried and scared he had been. He also kept apologising endlessly and for no apparent reason.

"Thanks for taking care of Feli, Tino." Arthur nodded to his Omega friend, his only Omega friend.

The small platinum blond haired teen with warm violet eyes patted his friend's shoulder with a kind smile.

"It was nothing. I saw him running around the school in a panic and I thought he looked like your friend so I went to see if he needed help. He was really worried and looking for you …" Tino slightly forced his smile as he spoke those last words but Arthur didn't notice.

It's not like he was lying. He was just omitting something that truly disturbed him. As he had helped Feliciano earlier, the freak Alfa had indeed seemed at utter loss and panic but he was unusually calm and moving so seriously, his face looked like he was hunting something down and … well, it must have been a trick of the light but Tino could almost swear he had seen Feliciano's eyes look red. But seeing the Italian acting so pathetic and Omega right now, he probably just imagined or exaggerated his earlier impressions. That must be it. He shouldn't worry for Arthur befriending that person, right? It would be problematic if this Italian became a danger to the English Omega. After all, the Kohlers cannot possibly allow one of their partners to get hurt. The Kirklands and Kohlers are so close as partners that you can almost say they consider each other like cousins even though they are not blood related. Peter even stayed with the Kohlers for a few years when Arthur's family had to move around a lot and they didn't want to trouble Peter with the danger and constant change. They left Mr Kirkland and Arthur with them too at the time.

Which is why, Berwald and Lukas are keeping constant watch not only on Tino but on Arthur too. It's rare to see Berwald without Tino (mainly because Berwald thinks he is to bodyguard his Omega cousin from Alfas all the time) but nobody expected him to act just as protective of Arthur. Obviously nobody knew of the relationship between their two families.

"Are you sure there is nothing to worry about?" Lukas whispered in his cousin's ear, making Tino jump. He could only assume the Norwegian had read his thoughts … again.

"I don't know … maybe we could just keep a distant watch?"

"Hm." Berwald approved, his icy eyes not at all trusting the clinging Italian acting all bubbly with Arthur.

"What the hell happened to you, Feli?!" Francis' eyes widen as he walked into the nurse's office. He had heard from Antonio and Gilbert (actually he mostly forced the information out of them) about what they had done to Feliciano. But he had promised not to speak about it to Arthur. So here he was pretending not to know anything. This was getting really out of hand …

"Nothing! I tripped in the shower and hit my head."

"And the rest of his bloody body …" Arthur mumbled darkly as he bandaged Feliciano into a mommy. "He won't tell me who did this! I'd bloody kill them if only I knew who …"

Francis was mentally thankful that Feliciano had not ratted the others out but he wondered why not. Was it because his brother had also participated in this? Or is that he was going to blackmail them about it? Or was he too scared to talk … no, from the cheery behaviour of the Italian, Francis was certain that he was not scared.

"It's fine! I don't mind! I'm happy because now I get to be nursed by Arturo!" The Italian cheered happily with a bright beaming smile.

Arthur blinked for a few seconds before pulling violently on a bandage, making the Italian cry out in pain, as the blonde lowered his head and hid his blush. Wait, wait, wait! Why is he even blushing?! Get a grip, Arthur! Francis on the other hand, was watching them with a knowing grin. It was so obviously obvious and yet … he hoped this will not end like last time.

"What did you come here for, frog?"

"What? Am I not allowed to check on my little Feli? I heard that you both got into some deep trouble and big brother got really worried!"

"… Are you trying to piss me off? Because it's working."

"Now, now, young master, don't be so cold! And also, maybe you should do something about the guard dogs outside."

"Eh? What are you talking about?" Arthur frowned as he walked out of the room and saw two people leaning against the walls, one on either side of the nurse's door. Alfred and Ivan were glaring at each other with such animosity, it's a miracle they haven't killed each other yet.

"What the hell are you wankers doing here?!" Arthur snapped, his frown deepened and his Alfa vibs growing into a low threat.

Both Alfred and Ivan's expression lightened up as they noticed the Briton. Alfred beamed his 50 stars smile while Ivan had his childish grin. Arthur was just reminded of how much he hated dumbass Alfas.

"Arty! How's Feli doing?"

"Arthur, I wanted to see if your friend was feeling better. You had looked really worried."

"He's fine but you won't be if you don't get out of my sight within the next 30 seconds."

"But I wanted to see you!" Alfred pouted and probably thought he looked cute.

"29 … 28 … 27"

"Da! I wanted to tell you that I will get stronger and then we can become one!"

"22 … 21 … 20"

"What? Hell no! Arthur! Listen, I know we didn't start off the best of ways but why don't you say we start fresh? Hey, are you free this weekend? We could go to that football game! I already have two tickets!"

"No. Arthur would prefer to go to the Aquarium with me so see the fish."

"14 … 13 … 12"

"Dude! Seriously? The boring Aquarium? You couldn't think of a better date?"

"Arthur isn't interested in American football and fish are really cool."

"9 … 8 … 7"

"Hey! Don't butt in! Arthur already rejected you!"

"But he rejected you first and you got a broken nose from it."

"That was so not the same circumstances! I wasn't even confessing at the time! Hell, I didn't even know he was an Omega!"

"You're that pathetic and you think you are suited for Arthur?"

"Better suited than you, Commie bastard!"

"Such a weak insult … you're too weak to be Arthur's mate."

"I'll show you weak!"

"3 … 2 … 1"

The two Alfas suddenly silenced as they both felt an overwhelming dark oppressive presence grow. They turned frightened eyes towards the Omega who looked about to commit two murders right here, right now … had he not gotten interrupted by a loud and cheerful Italian wrapping his arms around his neck and hugging him from behind.

"Arturooo~!"

Arthur sighed and tuned down his dominant aura. He didn't want to frighten his best friend. He let the Italian nuzzle in his back and hug his neck. It was irritating him a little that Feliciano was taller than him, because it meant that the Italian could nuzzle his face in Arthur's blonde hair whenever he wanted. Like he was doing right now.

"What is it, Feliciano?"

"Are we having lunch with your family this weekend too?"

"Yeah but you're allowed to refuse the invitation. Just because my mum said so, doesn't mean you're forced to come. I know she can be a bit overwhelming."

"It's ok! I like coming to Arthur's house! Everyone is so funny! And I like your dad's cooking!"

"Oh! You're having Feliciano over! Can Big Brother come too?" Francis joined in with the hug and now Arthur simply wished he could die and disappear from the surface of the earth. Alistair would find this situation hilarious.

"Fine! But if you piss me off even once, I'm kicking you out!"

"Aw! That's so nice! Thank you little master!"

"Yay! Big Brother France is coming too! Should we bring Kiku as well?"

"Great idea Feli! I'll phone Alistair and tell him the good news!"

"The hell?! You still have Alistair's number?!"

Francis turned a surprised expression to the English teen.

"Of course. He was my best friend in the past, remember?"

"I was trying to forget."

"Aw! You're so cute when you get flustered like that! Give Big Brother a hug!"

"Get the bloody hell off me, ugly frog!"

Feliciano smiled peacefully at Arthur yelling at Francis. Arthur was not omitting any dangerous Alfa vib aside from the usual so that meant that he was not seriously angry or irritated by Francis. And Francis was behaving like a doting brother so Feliciano didn't feel threatened by their relationship.

However …

The chocolate eyes darted towards the shocked Alfas still at the door and he smiled brightly at them. They both glared murderously and left without another word. Feliciano didn't mind. He didn't care how many hits he took. From now on, it didn't matter. He had made up his mind and maybe he was going insane for thinking this but …

He was in love with Arthur Kirkland.

And until Arthur tells him to his face that he loves someone else, Feliciano will do everything to remain by his best friend's side. He wouldn't speak his feelings because he knows how misplaced they are. He is too weak and has no right to be more than Arthur's friend. But as his friend, he would make damn sure that Arthur never gets hurt by some violent Alfa! Or anyone!

Well … he'll try.