Chapter XXI – J for Justice

Waiting patiently in the music room, Roderich placed down his cup of tea and stared hitting the cords of his piano. He really did not want to listen to the shouting and yelling and arguing of most-probably Gilbert and his uncle. Ludwig would probably stay quiet and accept the scolding … although maybe not this time. Roderich paused suddenly and plugged in his cancelling noise earphones to his piano, in prevision. Better be safe than sorry. And he played again, his mind drifting the beautiful girl that always inspired his art. Such a pity she never sees him … he is only a quiet Beta while she is a fierce and fiery Alfa … she is so beautiful. If only she would stop hitting on Gilbert with her frying pan and turn around to see him. If only he could reach past Gilbert's shadow and reach her warm light. If only …

Herr Luther Beildschmidt sat proudly at his desk, his icy blue eyes glaring holes in his two sons. Gilbert held his glare with blood red angry eyes while Ludwig held a cold blue gaze similar to his own. Luther always was amazed at how his two sons were exact copies of himself and his wife. Gilbert was temperamental, rash, narcissist, and acts before thinking … but he loved animals and has a kind and generous heart just like his wife, Maria. Ludwig, on the other hand took after him. Cold and strict, not really good at social interactions, but shy and hard-worker, a bit of a perfectionist and he took after the mathematical genius of his mother. While Gilbert took in the literary talent of Luther. In a way … he really admired how his sons just combined his and Maria's personalities.

Including stubbornness.

God, they are both so stubborn!

"I'm waiting for your explanation."

"I don't see what there is to explain!" Gilbert huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and challenging his father with his red glare.

"Gilbert, your school called to apologise. Now I don't know what you did wrong. And I don't know how you fixed it. And I certainly don't know why your headmaster was sobbing over the phone. But I want to know one thing … Ludwig, why on earth didn't you stop your brother?!"

Gilbert smirked but was far from happy. Again, his father assumed he had been the trouble-maker. And again, he looks up at Ludwig to keep an eye on him. Some things never change … or so he thought.

"I didn't stop him. I was with him." Ludwig spoke suddenly and with a cold tone.

Both Luther and Gilbert shot him disbelieving looks. This was the first time Ludwig ever challenged his father's word. And the determined look in his cold blue eyes clearly stated he would not back down from his position.

"You were … with him?"

"Yes. I agree we might have caused a bit of trouble. And I myself participated in this. I apologise for the inconvenience but I cannot apologise for my actions since I do not regret them."

"Your actions … what exactly did you two devils do?!" Luther didn't hear it but his voice had gone up a notch.

Gilbert was grinning exactly like the devil he was accused of being, laughing hysterically at the hilarious situation he was watching. There was his little brother getting into his first real with Father! This doesn't get any better! He is going to have to tell Francis and Antonio about this!

"Some low-life delinquents assaulted one of our friends. On our family honour, you taught us, Father, that a Beildschmidt Knight cannot allow injustice to befall his eyes. We acted according to the principles you taught us."

Gilbert was now rolling on the floor in laughter but neither his brother or father paid attention to him. He was amazed at how daring his brother was being suddenly. But then again, count on Ludwig for bringing up Family Pride and Knight's Honour to back up his reasoning! His brother's clever! Really clever! And merciless.

"Who is that friend of yours? I don't believe any of your friends would have troubles in handling delinquents on his own. Aside maybe from that silly Frenchman but …"

"Oi! Frank is a great guy!" Gilbert snapped suddenly. He knew his father disliked Francis because he was not an Alfa. Not that Gilbert cared what his Father thinks of his friends. But he won't tolerate them being insulted in front of him.

A Beildschmidt shall not suffer injustice befall his eyes. Even from one's own father.

"He's a Vargas. Feliciano Vargas." Ludwig intervened before Gilbert did something stupid, catching his father's attention once more. Luther frowned.

"The Vargas is a powerful family. Their Alfas are strong … well, except …" The father's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief as he realised who his sons had been befriending.

Was that even possible?

Could the two of them really have gone and made friends with this reputed anomaly of nature? That would be unthinkable! Gilbert and Ludwig used to be so strict in their choice of friends, why would they suddenly hang out with a weakling failure of an Alfa?

"I'm sorry if this inconveniences you, Father, but I am not stepping back on my friendship with Feliciano." Ludwig declared coldly, already anticipating his father's train of thoughts.

He has recently made up his mind.

For the first time in his life, Ludwig was not treated like a "model perfect student". For the first time, he got into trouble. For the first time, he could hang out and converse with his brother in a way he never thought possible. Ludwig had always secretly admired his brother and his rebellious behaviour. In the young German's eyes, Gilbert was the definition of strength. He wanted to be like him. To be recognised by him. To earn Gilbert's respect.

He had made powerful friends. Obeyed his father's every wish. Argued with his brother over everything, almost taking each fight as a personal challenge. He had even searched for the perfect mate. And yet every time, he had felt a cold emptiness in him. Like he was only acting what others wish him to be.

Cold.

Empty.

A lost shell.

Gilbert watched with curious red eyes his little brother. He had never really been a good example to his sibling and the only reason Ludwig hadn't turned out like himself was due to their father's strict discipline in raising Ludwig. That privileged life. The constant praising and favours of their parents. The sympathy of teachers. The admiration of other students. All of this, Gilbert resented his brother for being so fucking perfect.

Just perfect.

The kind of perfect he could never be.

So he caused more trouble. He became even more of a scandal. He turned his family and entourage's life into a living disaster. But there is one person he never managed to anger. One person who simply sighs at everything he does before fixing his mess. One person who never loses that cold composure that irritates him so much.

Losing to his own little brother … how frustrating!

"I don't understand. Ludwig, are challenging my authority?" Luther barely managed to mouth his question while Gilbert still held a suspicious look as he waited for his brother's answer.

Would the perfect son finally raise his sword at the hand that trained him? Or would he sigh once more and apologise, leaving Gilbert to play the role of trouble-maker?

Ludwig closed his eyes for a moment, his heart racing in his chest. It was strange. He didn't understand why he was going against his father. After all, there is no real reason to. They could sort this out easily. Why was he looking for a fight? Why was he being so rash? Why was he acting like his brother Gilbert would? And why has Gilbert not said a word yet? What is he even doing?

Why is he rebelling?

Why now?

What for?

Justice.

Uh?

What justice? How justice? Why justice?

What is he … doing?

Justice.

(FLASH-BACK)

"Justice?"

Arthur frowned in confusion at the blond German. They were in PE class for Alfas, The Vargas twins and Alfred had gone off to refresh themselves with water while Arthur and Ludwig waited for them by the racing track, awaiting their turn to run.

Whisperings of Omegas and Betas from the side-lines, watching, could be heard and many of them giggled excitedly whenever Ludwig would glance their way accidentally. But for now, the only whispers heard where ones of curiosity as the icy blue eyes of the German were captured into the emerald green gaze of the smaller blonde.

Arthur chuckled gently of amusement. Ludwig's eyes widened in slight surprise and fascination as he watched the Omega's face lighten up. He really was cute when smiled like that!

"I'm no Justice, Ludwig."

"But yesterday … Why did you get into a fight with those Alfas? And why didn't you tell us? We could have helped and you wouldn't have gotten those bruises."

"Oh well, I guess I got a bit careless. It's harder to fight freely when you try to protect someone." Arthur shrugged. He didn't think anyone else would have seen him yesterday as he skipped his cooking class and saw a group of Alfa harassing an Omega. Of course, the English boy had gone and done whatever he wanted as always. But he didn't think anyone would have seen him beating up those guys. The Omega had fainted so even he didn't know anything. How did Ludwig know?

"I saw you. While I was working at the Library, I saw you."

"Oh right … I was nearby the Library. But what does it matter to you?" Arthur smirked challengingly, making Ludwig's adrenaline rise and a tingling sense of excitement flow through his body.

"You got hurt. You protected some complete stranger. And you're not even an Alfa. So why would you do that? It's the same with Feliciano, I don't understand why you go through so much to protect him!"

"I didn't get hurt. I just got a couple of bruises. Nothing serious! And even though I didn't know this Omega, why would I let someone -Anyone- no matter if they are Beta, Omega or Alfa, why should I just stand back and let them get hurt? Would you be able to just watch as someone gets beaten before your eyes?"

Ludwig frowned.

Yes. He could. He would.

What he didn't understand was why Arthur was getting so worked up over this. Why risk yourself for others that you don't even know? Why take such risk?

The English blonde motioned towards the start of the race as Ludwig heard the teacher call for them. Positioning themselves, Ludwig glanced towards Arthur who smirked in excitement.

"As for Feliciano … well, I can't stand by and let my friend get hurt. I would kill anyone threatening him." Emerald eyes shifted maliciously towards the German. "That includes you, Ludwig."

The German leaned into position, his hands against the ground and his eyes still locked on Arthur next to him.

"I don't understand your sense of Justice."

Arthur blinked suddenly and tilted his head. The teacher was raising his hand up.

"Justice? That again? Didn't I tell you: I'm no Justice."

"But you …!"

"You're in the journalist club with Feliciano, right? Then you should know already that he's an airhead and always gets into trouble. That's why I need to keep an eye on him. But I don't fight for justice. I fight only for myself. Yesterday, I got angry. I hate thugs who pick on weaker than themselves. So I beat them up. Call it my own Justice."

The whistle rang the beginning of the race and Ludwig barely had time to hear Arthur's words before the Omega dashed into a blind race, out of reach of anyone.

"One of a selfish man!"

(MORE FLASH-BACK)

"Veee~! Arturo did? Why does it surprise you, Ludwig?"

Ludwig looked up from his article and shot disbelieving eyes at this friend working on selecting pictures for the newspaper. Feliciano was keeping his focus of his work and kept chatting in a light tone, despite the seriousness of their conversation.

"Arturo is always like that. He doesn't like abusive violence. I think he gets angry because he's an Omega himself. I understand too. I often got bullied and it hurts a lot."

Ludwig blinked slowly, reminded of the many times he had watched as Feliciano got bullied by other Alfas. He had never stopped any of it. He could have. But he never did. Only now did he feel the weight of guilt break his shoulders. Lowering his head, the German muttered quietly.

"Sorry."

"Hm? Oh! Don't worry! I'm not blaming you or anything! I know Ludwig is nice! I like Ludwig and I always wanted to be friends with you! Because Ludwig never bullied me!" Feliciano smiled brightly. Once again, Ludwig was shocked that such an Omega-type of person could actually be an Alfa. It made no sense.

"Besides, the wounds didn't hurt that much." Suddenly, Feliciano's expression dropped into a sad dark one. His half lidded eyes seemed suddenly focused into a far memory yet more alert than ever before. Ludwig frowned as he had never seen Feliciano with such a serious expression before.

"It's not the bullying that hurts. It's the fact that nobody ever comes to help. Nobody will support you. Nobody will dare to approach you. Because they fear they will get bullied to so they want nothing to do with you … I can understand how terrifying it is for Omegas. And you know, every time I used to get bullied, it was all in the name of Justice. Justice is always decided by the strong."

Feliciano shook his head and suddenly plastered the brightest and broadest smile on his face as he looked up into the shocked blue eyes of his friend.

"But Arturo is different! He stayed with me! He protected me! He didn't hate me! He didn't find me scary or weird! I love Arturo! He's my best friend! And I like you too Ludwig! I like everyone now! Because we're friends, right?"

"Uh …? R-Right …"

"Hm! Hm!" Feliciano nodded determinedly but when he opened his eyes Ludwig felt an unreasonable deep and dark aura spout out of the Italian and his brown eyes held a sharp tinge of red in them.

"I'm weak so I can only be selfish. For me, Justice is just another selfish excuse. My Justice is to keep Arturo smiling and happy and that we could all stay friends. That's my selfish justice."

The door suddenly opened on the tensed room and Kiku walked in with sheets of blank paper followed by Arthur helping him out. Feliciano jumped out of his seat, all signs of his previous state gone, as he hugged his friend like an excited puppy. Ludwig sighed but only now realised the breath he had been holding and how sweaty his palms were. Had he actually felt … fear? From Feliciano?

"Ve! Ludwig! Look! Look! Arturo looks really cute on that picture, si?" An over-excited Italian suddenly jumped in front of the stunned German.

Ludwig barely had time to take the photograph from his hands than Feliciano got chased around by a blushing embarrassed Arthur … and got caught. Ludwig couldn't help but smile.

It felt so warm.

Ludwig opened his eyes, his memory fading back to a corner of his mind, as he was faced once again by the strict interrogating stare of his father. The younger German chuckled gently of amusement, under the bemused expressions of his father and brother. How ironic that he would suddenly lose faith in all his past beliefs thanks to the odd words of his odd friends.

Friends?

He really must have lost all sense of pride to consider them as friends. Or maybe, his pride lies in the very fact that these people are his friends. Friends he selfishly chose despite how improper it would be. Friends he decided he would protect due to his selfishly misplaced pride. Friends he selfishly didn't want to lose.

Because now … he didn't feel as cold as before.

"Challenging your authority, Father? If your authority is a threat to my friends then yes, I am."

Luther's eyes widened. He did not recognise the look in his son.

"I'm not as perfect as you may think, Father. I too can be selfish."

Gilbert frowned as he listened to Ludwig's words. He never thought he'd hear such words coming from his little brother. Ludwig kept smirking as he got up and gracefully walked out of his Father's office, closing the discussion on one last note.

"And whatever decision I take from now, I will act according to my own selfish Justice."

A Beildschmidt Knight shall not suffer injustice to befall his eyes.

Gilbert smirked as he remembered the first time he challenged his father. He couldn't help being proud of his little brother in this instant and a little surprised. Surprised to have heard similar words to his own spoken by Ludwig. He never thought to see something like that, not even in a billion years.

"Kesese … Guess even Luddy is not all perfect. What a relief!" The Albino sighed, ignoring his Father and chasing after his brother to stop him from doing anything too rash.

Was it just him, or was he actually having to act like a responsible big brother?

AN: A few chapters before Christmas will be focus on other characters and their background. I already did one with Francis, this is now the Beildschmidt brothers and next ... you'll see~