Chapter XIX – H for Holidays
Arthur tapped his chin with a thoughtful frown as he gazed intently at the neat elegant pattern of a heart-shaped pizza with the initials F. V. in a gold engraving style. Flipping the scarf over, the green-white-red mix of colours it showed was well in theme with the Christmas atmosphere floating in the air. Except Arthur had not chosen those colours for such a reason.
"This is really good! I'm sure Feliciano is going to love it!"
Arthur jumped at the sound of the shy voice behind him and he shot a scolding glare at his Omega friend. Matthew backed away quickly, smiling apologetically and Arthur immediately remembered to tune down his Alfa dominance. He didn't want to scare away his new Omega friend. For once that he had one.
"I'm done!" Tino giggled happily before exhibiting his own work to the other two.
It was a set of gloves harbouring the Swedish flag. Arthur smirked. He knew exactly who Tino was giving this to. Drifting his gaze to Matthew, he noticed the white small teddy bear the Omega was making, he was really skilled.
"Who's that for?"
"Eh? Oh … um … Francis. I've got one for my brother too." As he spoke those words, Matthew averted his eyes with a dark and lonely look in his lavender orbs.
Arthur nodded. He knew what Matthew felt at the downcast look he had. He himself never really had a real mate. He understood the other's loneliness and Tino was in the same situation.
"I've made gloves for everyone!" The Finlander spoke as an attempt to cheer everything up. All his gloves varied according to the person receiving. Arthur noticed the Danish flag (probably for Matthias) and the Norwegian flag (surely that would be Lukas). There was even some for his own siblings with a Scottish flag for Alistair, a Welsh for William and an Irish for Patrick. Tino really had such a good heart.
"What are you going to give everyone, Arthur?"
The Kirkland Omega looked down at his own work. Every year he needs to find new ideas to offer presents but this year was worse than usual … because he had way too many gifts to make this year! Not only his family but also the Kohlers (that's an every year thing) them alone are already a handful! But now, he added all his friends from school to the list … ironic. Most of these friends happen to be Alfas. Alfas interested in him. He'd feel bad in only giving something to one person and leave out everyone else. Besides, giving a gift to one person only would make your feelings for this person pretty clear.
That's why …
Arthur started cutting out the thread of the pizza heart out, under the shocked looks of Matthew and Tino. He left the initials as they were so that this scarf would be just like all the others. Flag coloured scarves with people's initials. If he changed only one detail, just one clue that would give away his true feelings … He could not risk anyone find out and especially not Feliciano.
Tino watched his friend with sad eyes. In a sense, he wished he too could experience this wonderful feeling. But since it was making Arthur's life so miserable, maybe love isn't as wonderful as you'd expect. He shot an understanding glance to Matthew and the Canadian Omega nodded. They both knew. In fact they weren't the only ones. Kiku and Francis also knew. The only ones too stubborn to see it were the Alfas but you could tell that even they suspected it. And yet, how can neither Arthur nor Feliciano see into each other's hearts?
Feliciano blinked at the painting. It wasn't right yet. There was something … missing. He couldn't give that to Arthur! He had to make it perfect! Of course, he didn't want to go overboard since he was afraid of Arthur seeing through him. He didn't want the blonde Omega to realise his feelings and be revolted by them. Because that is the obvious reaction Arthur would have. Who would want a weak Alfa like himself as a mate? And especially someone like Arthur deserves the top of the top!
"What are you frowning for, Stupido? You're still not satisfied? You've repainted it over ten times now!" Lovino walked around his brother to stare at the painting. It was obvious who the Italian had been thinking of while painting this.
In his heart Lovino felt torn. He felt attracted to Arthur … a lot. But he also could see the way his brother seemed to adore the Omega. That one time when Feliciano's eyes had turned an odd shade of red … that was the first time his weak pathetic brother was acting like a real Alfa. A terrifying Alfa. And he had done it for Arthur's sake. No matter how resentful and jealous it made him, Lovino could feel that his brother was deeply in love with the Kirkland Omega. And he had a feeling that if any Alfa ever got a chance to win over the Briton, it would be his brother.
And he hated Feliciano for it.
"Just give it to him as it is. Trust me. It's perfect, Feli."
"Ve? You think … ve! What did you mean? Fratello, you know who this is for?" Feliciano whipped his head around to stare in shock at his smirking brother.
"It's pretty obvious. He'll love it, don't worry."
Feliciano looked back in shame at the painting. Obvious, uh? He was that obvious? Then had others figured it out? Had Arthur figured it out?
"Feli? Oi, Stupido … don't get all depressed! It's not like … like you don't stand a chance." Lovino held back the acid in his voice for those last words. He knew that he didn't have a chance. He had no illusions. He loved Arthur, yes. But Arthur would not love him back. It was obvious. So obvious.
So obviously painful.
"Ve! Merry Christmas Arturo!"
All Arthur saw was a blur of brown and red charge at him before he ended up staring at the clear sky. There might be stars out tonight seeing how little clouds there were today. But is it really the moment to be thinking about stars?
"F-Feliciano! A-Arthur! Are you both alright?" Matthew asked with a panicked weak voice.
Arthur only sighed while Feliciano looked up brightly, his arms still firmly wrapped around the blonde's neck. He beamed cheerfully at the Canadian, and that was when Arthur finally got a good look at his best friend (who had just charged him like a missile). Feliciano was entirely dressed like a … Santa Claus. Why? He even got the hat, tilted cutely on his head and … oh god. He looked too cute for his own good! The warm brown eyes shifted to stare into the cold emeralds of the Omega that Feliciano was currently straddling on the hard ground at the entrance of the school gates. People shot them weird stares but didn't care to stop or get involved.
"Feli … you know it's not Christmas yet? It's only our last day of school! Christmas is still in a week's time!"
"Arturo! Do you like my costume? It's pretty, isn't it?" Feliciano babbled on, ignoring Arthur's previous comment.
"E-eh? Yeah, it is. It's … cute." Arthur mumbled, feeling his ears turn a crimson shade as he averted his eyes. Feliciano only beamed brighter and jumped back to his feet, helping his friend up too.
"I'm going to give presents to everyone, now that we're all friends! It's amazing, isn't it Arturo? Oh, Arturo, can I give you your present later? At the party? It will be more fun for everyone to get their gifts under the tree!"
"Uh? Sure. I don't mind. And you really didn't have to get me anything."
Feliciano glared suddenly at his friend, making Arthur jump in surprise. What had he said wrong? And why did it upset Feliciano so much? Was the Italian actually glaring at him? That's a first!
"Of course I do! Arturo is my best friend! I can't give a present to everyone and not to you! You're … uh … … Pastaaaaaaaa!" Feliciano dashed off at the speed of light towards the school building and leaving a stunned Arthur (and Matthew but who cares – they forgot him already).
"What's gotten into him?" Arthur shook his head, trying to distract his mind away from Feliciano and especially from the packed gifts in his bag. Maybe he'd wait for the party to give everyone's gifts.
Feliciano cursed himself as he tried to calm down his racing heart and the deep blush on his face. He had nearly told Arthur about his feelings! He can't do that! Not now, of all times! Besides, he is not going to tell him at any time anyway so there is no point in thinking about it!
"Oi! Freak! Get out of the way, you're on our turf!"
Feliciano froze at the so very familiar sounding words. It had been a while since he last got assaulted by other Alfas. Such a long time that he had nearly forgotten the fear and anticipation of a beating … though he never forgot the pain and humiliation of it. Nor the many tears.
The Italian shivered like a leaf as he saw a group of senior Alfas suddenly surround him. They looked like part of a gang … are they even students of his school? They look like street delinquents and all held weird weapons and mean looks as they looked down in disgust at the well-known freak of the school. Feliciano lowered his head as he heard the older teens insult and laugh at him, a few even threw some fists and kicks. He would have needed a trip to the nurse before even the first hour of the day … had he not been saved.
"Yo! Feli! What're you doing there, dude?"
"Bastards! What are you doing to my Fratello!"
"Feliciano-san! Are you alright?"
"You always get yourself into trouble! Every time! (sigh)"
"Kesese! Let him breathe, Lud! The poor guy is a wimp! We all know that!"
"Si. He is. But then again, he's our personal wimp to play with!"
"Guys, I think Arthur would kill you both if he heard that." Francis smiled as he walked around and swung a protective arm around Feliciano, carefully dragging him away from his assailant and behind the line of Alfas of their newly founded group.
Alfred, Ludwig, Gilbert, Antonio and Lovino all hissed and growled threateningly at the older teens, menacing and almost bearing their teeth like animals. Meanwhile, Kiku was waving over their Omegas, Arthur and Mathew (Tino went to hang out with the members of his clan). Other students would stop and stare and a small commotion started to grow. Never before had it been seen that Alfas, Betas and Omegas would all gang up together. Feliciano was most surprised of them all. Months ago he was the target of the very Alfas protecting him now (minus his brother - though even Lovino had never really been always on his side). And now, suddenly, they were all good friends protecting each other.
"Feli! What the …" Arthur froze and stared in half-bemusement.
Yes, he knew that while he had been off on Heat (a couple of times now since that incident at the Wangs) his friends had often hung out and gotten closer. His friends? Since when is he friends with Alfas? The English boy shook his head, giving up on the reasoning. He already fell in love with a freak-Alfa, so might as well accept a friendship with other Alfas (who also happen to be his many suitors).
"Let's just all go to class, right little master? Feli?" Francis offered, offering a peaceful outcome to the tensed situation.
Arthur nodded, pulling Feliciano along to their History class. Kiku followed with a grin and was soon joined by Elisaveta Herderavy. She yelled after Gilbert who yelled back. Seems like they know each other. The others followed, not without leaving behind terrorised beaten up seniors who would need an emergency trip to the hospital. Vash Zwingly, Feliciano and Arthur's class president, came up with his gun, unannounced and accompanied by his childhood friend Roderich, Gilbert's and Antonio's and Francis' class president. Neither wished students of their class to get in trouble but it seems they were already too late. The Swiss shot a confused look at the odd group leaving behind remains of a massacre. He shuddered at the thought that such a complex group of all three different races could even exist. Roderich sighed in exasperation. He knew his cousins had gotten themselves involved with doubtful people but he never thought they would socialise with the weaker races. Their Head Alfa will definitely give them a hard time once he hears of this.
Races don't mix … or say it is said.
They all got summoned by teachers and the headmaster concerning that matter. But the main issue was of course …
"Races don't mix!" The head, an old fashion irritating man with a stick up his arse (Arthur's pov), declared angrily while slamming a fist against his desk.
In the office, a few teachers, including their homeroom teacher a certain Greek man with a fondness for cats called Heracles Karpusi also their History teacher, were standing as witnesses of this scolding. Though in Karpusi's case, he was half-asleep or petting his cat. To be honest, the guy had no issue in mixing of races and was the coolest teacher in school since he was friendly with students and not over-bearing about their status or rank. And he often takes a siesta in the middle of class.
"Now, I know that these people should not have gang up on Mr Vargas like that but I believe your gang should not have interfered either! What is this anyway? Alfas mixing with Omegas? This is ridiculous! I'll be calling your families!"
"What? But my brother was being attacked! He's an Alfa, so what's the problem if us, Alfas, help him out?!" Lovino yelled at the suddenly frightened head. Let's just say, the headmaster did not fare well with so many dominant Alfa auras in his office, all threatening him. He cleared his throat, trying to sound in charge but the cold sweat in his back was reminding him of how terrified he truly is. Especially since all the kids he had called to his office where born from high class powerful families … Hell! There's even a Kirkland in the lot … and he's glaring!
"Yes, well, as an Alfa, Mr Vargas should have been able to handle himself fine without your help. And I don't believe you needed this big a gang and this many people! And why the presence of Omegas and Betas? You should all know the order of things!"
All the Alfa teens felt their eyes twitch or their fists clench. Somehow … they finally understood how frustrating the laws of society were. Up until now, they themselves had been a part of this system but now … they suddenly felt revolted by this class system that discriminated part of their population! The Head master felt the uneasiness and eerie atmosphere grow heavier. He thought of calling for help and glanced at the teachers but, they all looked away, pretending to not be a part of this. Suddenly, a blonde Alfa stepped in. Oh … the Kirkland Alfa … no wait … if memory serves … on the student report, this young man is a … … an Omega.
Uh.
The Head nearly felt like fainting and crying. The oppressive aura and dominant vibe of this Kirkland, the murderous look in his cold emeralds … That's an Omega? Give him a break!
"Indeed, Sir. We should all be aware of the order of things." Arthur politely spoke.
All eyes shot at him in shock and bemusement. His friends especially as they all expected him to be the first to retort back. The Head master felt himself sigh in relief and almost smiled at the boy … almost. Had Arthur not suddenly smirked evilly.
"And as you may know, my Clan can ruin your little school in a heartbeat. They do not take well that you would threaten me or my friends. And I believe interaction between races is necessary. How else are we going to find suitable mates, Sir? By the way, Sir, is your wife feeling better from her trip to the hospital? We wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her? Or a sudden increase of your debt. Gambling is not a good habit, Sir. Oh, and I believe I have the faces of many teachers here … it would be a shame for so many people to suddenly lose their jobs."
A dumbstruck silence followed.
Arthur smiled brightly, emeralds shining of amusement. He truly was having fun scaring the shit out of those bastards. He hated those kind of brainless people and he didn't care showing off his family's influence. What else would it be for if he could not use the influence of his name? He nodded politely at his Homeroom teacher, Karpusi who barely blinked out of his dozing off, only to go back to sleep (still standing). Turning away, Arthur shot one last teasing grin at his headmaster.
"Merry Christmas, Sir!"
Arthur then walked out of the room, eagerly followed by his Italian best friend. It took a moment but the others soon followed, snickering and giggling in a failed attempt to hide their hilarity. It is terrifying to be the one on the receiving end of Arthur's Alfaness but it is always amazingly hilarious to watch others coward under the scolding glare of the blonde Omega. Their cute Omega freak.
School holidays could officially start.
AN: Not overly satisfied with this chapter but I couldn't find any way to improve it so ... The next one should be better.