Chapter XXIX – D for Date

Arthur paced nervously in front of the café where he was meant to meet with Feliciano. He checked his watch and sighed, a soft smile gracing his lips. Feliciano was late. No surprise. Arthur would have been worried if the Italian had arrived on time. On the other hand, Arthur himself arrived with 10 minutes in advance. The idea of spending a day out with just Feliciano … it almost sounds like a date.

Almost.

Arthur felt his cheeks warm up and quickly shook the thought away. No matter how much he deluded himself, this was not a date. It couldn't be. Because Feliciano would never consider to date him. Who would? An Unsubmissive Omega? No Alfa would want him. The only one who did became insane and is now tracking him down. Arthur frowned darkly as Agon's face flashed in his mind. His hand started shaking nervously.

He almost jumped when he felt another hand grab his. Flipping his head around sharply, Arthur breathed out in relief as he faced the bright smile of his best friend. Feliciano was holding his hand and leaning over, catching his breath while staring up at the blonde with an adoring smile.

"A-Arthur! Sorry I'm late!" The Italian panted between two breaths, as if he had run a marathon.

"It's fine! I didn't expect you to be on time. I'm used to you by now." Arthur chuckled as Feliciano frowned with a pout. The Italian had actually tried to get on time for once but still failed. He took too much time choosing his outfit.

Dressed in sharp elegant clothes, a crimson shirt with its top buttons undone, and a pair of tight dark jeans and small black boots (Italian brand). A brown jacket under his arm, he had arranged his hair oddly and completely brushed away the typical hair curl Arthur had become familiar with. Arthur frowned but said nothing. Feliciano looked amazing but … slightly different. His clothes were mature and sharp, and he still had not said anything clumsy or any of his "ve" speech tic.

Feliciano finished catching his breath as he looked down the Omega. Arthur was always good-looking but right now, Feliciano would be lying if he said he didn't find the Briton deliciously enticing. Wearing a pair of ripped jeans and chains hanging from his waist, a black T-shirt melting over his upper body like a second skin with a white Pirate skull design on it. A light leather jacket hung over his shoulders, and a silver chain from his neck. He wore sneakers and his hair seemed even more wild than usual. A few rings and chain bracelets at his fingers and wrists, Arthur looked breath-taking.

Feliciano couldn't refrain the pleased smile curling the corner of his lips. He wanted to impress Arthur today and hopefully, ask him out officially. The brunet mused over the thought but quickly laughed it away. Even if he did find the courage to ask Arthur out, there is no way the Omega would want him. An Alfa that can't even defend himself? Who would ever want him?

"Shall we?" Arthur asked, slightly uneasy and awkward.

Feliciano nodded, equally uneasy and awkward. They had been hanging out together a lot but usually with other friends like Kiku or Francis. And even on their own at school, it felt fine because they were just friends in the same school. Here and now, this felt a lot more intimate than they ever were. Not only because Feliciano was the one to suddenly ask Arthur on a day out as if it were an official invitation, but also because Arthur had never dared going out alone with an Alfa ever since the incident with Agon.

The two started walking down the streets, wandering around shops and attempting to lighten the atmosphere between them. Quickly enough, they were back to talking like usual, forgetting all about the situation. Forgetting all about the odd feeling of being watched that both had felt earlier.

"… This is ridiculous. Why are we hiding?"

"Because you are worried about Arthur and I am being the Cupid of my little master! And if we didn't hide, Arthur would start yelling at us for disrupting his date!"

"No, I get that. I'm asking why the hell are these people hiding and spying with us?"

"Kiku's here to take pictures as a souvenir! Little master is so cute when he gets flustered! Did you see how he glared at those guys? He's so cute!"

As these words were spoken, Arthur was intimidating a group of Alfas that attempted to flirt with Feliciano. They mistook Arthur for an Alfa and Feliciano for an Omega. Needless to say that neither teen had bothered correcting them and simply walked away, continuing their shopping frenzy. Feliciano was babbling excitedly and pointing at various shops and clothes, often suggesting things that would suit Arthur. The blonde was humming with a soft smile, amused by his friend's excitement.

The redhead had to admit that when looking at them, those two looked like the perfect couple. He didn't like it. At all.

"Francis, really, give me one reason why I should tolerate this?"

Francis averted his eyes away from the couple and turned to face the stern irritated expression of Alistair as they were both hiding behind a wall. Kiku was up a tree nearby snapping pictures in some strange ninja outfit. And all around in various hiding spots, other of their friends had gathered to spy and potentially ruin the couple's date. The Frenchman grinned.

"Well, I can't stop all these Alfas on my own! I need you to help me keep them in line and not ruin my efforts in the making of this perfect date!"

Alistair grunted, unsure whether he wanted to assist Francis or just leave. When the blonde had asked him to go out for the day, Alistair didn't think it would be to spy on his wee brother's date! He shouldn't have had his hopes high … well … at least he is spending time with Francis so it's not a complete waste of time.

"I don't even know if I want them to be on a date! Why are you helping them?"

"Because they're so cute together! And Arthur looks really happy when he's with Feliciano! I could smell the love even before they realised it! Those two need the wise guidance of Eros in a time of darkness to show them the light to eternal happiness! And, I, as Arthur's favourite Big Brother, am here to guard over his heart and guide the arrow to his true soul-mate!"

"Sometimes, you're just talking Chinese, you know that?"

"They're moving! Let's go!" Francis grabbed the redhead and dragged him forcefully, not giving Alistair the time to follow what was happening and pulling him left to right in zigzag, following Arthur and Feliciano.

Romano watched over his shades, hiding behind a bush. He could see how happy his brother was yet all he felt was painful jealousy. Romano couldn't even remember the moment he had fallen for the blonde Omega. No … in fact, it was probably more to do with his brother than with Arthur.

He loved Arthur. Very much so.

But the reason he was obsessing over the odd couple was probably due to his cheery happy-go-lucky brother. Lovino Romano Vargas never hated his brother. He pitied him. Felt ashamed of being related to him. He even felt responsible for him. But not once had he felt envious or jealous of Feliciano. How could he? Feliciano, his useless little brother, had absolutely nothing Lovino could not obtain.
Except Arthur.

Lovino gritted his teeth as he saw Arthur's face lighten at a joke of Feliciano. His brother was acting different. Serious. A lot more serious. Lovino noticed how Feliciano was being mindful of every detail and his every move. The younger twin was careful to never let out his silliness and to act as perfect as he could. It seemed to be working. Arthur was smiling.

Pulling off his sunglasses, the older Italian glared at his brother yet did nothing. He would not intervene. He wanted to come and see in person what had gotten Feliciano so excited this morning. He wanted to see that "date" with Arthur. He wanted to witness with his own eyes his defeat.

He lost to his own little brother.

Lovino smiled bitterly and walked away, leaving the couple to their fun. He was willing to give up on Arthur but only because … only because … Feliciano was his brother. Had it been anybody else, Lovino would have gotten rid of the rival and stolen Arthur away for himself. But Lovino could not bring himself to destroy his little brother's happiness. Especially when he clearly saw Arthur's own happiness. And the one that made Arthur so happy … was not him, but his twin.

As he hurried away, Lovino furiously was trying to wipe off the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. In his rush, he wasn't looking in front of him and bumped into a smaller body. As he mumbled a quick apology, Lovino continued on, not noticing the questioning blue gaze of a young girl on him. She was waiting for her brother to return and had been surprised to see the distressed expression of the Italian Alfa. Do Alfas cry?

"Lili, let's go!" Her brother called, and she obeyed, not without wondering what had saddened the Alfa so much.

Antonio watched Lovino run off. He could not even feel sad for his cousin. Not in the least. Just as he could not feel happiness for Feliciano. All he felt was angry jealousy. Clenching the wrapped gift in his hands, Antonio's dark green gaze turned dull and empty as he watched Arthur and Feliciano buy ice cream.

There he was watching from the shadows and wishing that he could walk into the bright sun-lit streets and kiss the beautiful blonde. But he couldn't. Antonio felt the heavy shackles of his family on him, restraining him to darkness and shadows, never once allowing him to walk side-by-side with someone like Arthur, someone who shines brighter than the sun.

He pocketed his gift and trailed the couple silently, watching yet never once interfering. If all he could do is watch, then he would. If only to get a glimpse of light, Antonio didn't mind waiting and watching in the dark. Like a guard dog should.

Feliciano shivered as he felt a dark killing intent on him. He looked around, panicked brown eyes widening in fear and his knees started shaking. So far, he had managed to act responsible and confident during this whole date. Even when he got approached by those Alfas, Feliciano had not run away or broken down sobbing in fear. It did help having Arthur protect him but at least, Feliciano did not show his weakness.

Yet.

Gulping down nervously, the Italian tried not fidgeting and shuffling his feet too much as he waited for Arthur to return from buying something in a shop. He kept shooting nervous glances around but saw nothing unusual. It must be his imagination. Feliciano repeated in his head that he was only being paranoid and it was nothing but an impression. Why would anyone be staring at him with murderous intent …?

"Feli? Are you alright?"

The Italian jumped and let out a quiet squeal as he felt a hand land on his shoulder. Spinning around, the Italian blushed bright red of embarrassment as he was faced with a frowning confused Arthur. Shit. Did he sound ridiculous and girly just now? Probably. Shit. Shit. Feliciano really wanted to show his Alfa side to Arthur on this date! He didn't want Arthur to think of him as useless! He wanted to be stronger and more suited for his friend! He truly didn't want Arthur to …

"Did I scare you? Sorry! I'll be more mindful next time!" Arthur smiled softly as he patted his friend's head patronisingly.

… babysit him.

Feliciano held back the disappointment and self-frustration he felt. Once more, he had made a fool of himself and Arthur will never see beyond his weak pathetic self. Of course, Feliciano knew that Arthur never judged him for being weak. Arthur never criticised his lack of dominance. But Feliciano was also certain that Arthur would only ever see him as a friend if he did not prove himself to the blonde. He had to become stronger and braver! He wanted to protect Arthur! For once in his life, Feliciano wanted to be a real Alfa!

"Si. Sorry. I was distracted." The Italian mumbled as he watched his friend chuckle at his antics.

"I imagined! I was getting concerned, you know!" Arthur spoke as they started walking. Feliciano lifted an eyebrow, confused as to what Arthur could possibly be concerned about. Maybe he was thinking about Agon … The thought of this man made the Italian boil in contained anger and he did not notice his own grim and serious expression. Arthur, however did, and sighed.

"Feliciano … are you sure that nothing is bothering you?" the Omega asked quietly.

"Eh? Why?" Feliciano blinked out of his dark thoughts to stare at his friend in surprise.

"You've been acting strange all day. I mean … It's like you've been trying to be someone else. And I often see you look sad or angry at times but you seem to be hiding it from me. Did you … Do you not want to continue this … … outing?" Arthur avoided the word "date" as he wasn't sure if Feliciano even understood their situation. He probably doesn't think of this as a date but more like an outing of friends. Arthur hid the twinge of disappointment in his chest as he ignored his own desires to focus on Feliciano. He was deeply concerned about his friend and how odd he had been acting all day.

Feliciano stared down at the shorter teen, blinking several times as he processed the information. Arthur … was worried …? Feliciano didn't mean to worry Arthur. He wanted to impress him, make him see him in a different light, possibly win him over but … worry? Was he that obvious? Was it too much for Feliciano to act like a normal Alfa? Was he really nothing more than a bubbly useless friend in Arthur's mind? Feliciano felt his mind grow numb and his eyes dulled. Why couldn't he be normal? Why, when he tries his best, why does he still end up failing? Why … why was he born such a failure?!

Arthur paused and turned around as he realised Feliciano had stopped walking next to him. He saw his friend further back in the street, his face shadowed by his brown bangs and seeming depressed. Arthur bit his lip, panicking slightly. Did he say something wrong? He only wanted to understand why Feliciano had been acting weird and not like his usual self! Hell, even his stray hair curl was gone! Why? Was it his fault?

Walking back to his friend Arthur gently reached out to the brunet but suddenly felt a hand grasp his wrist. In his surprise Arthur jumped around, swinging his arm out of reach but tripped himself and fell backwards, landing in a large chest, arms wrapping around his lean frame and immobilising him. Cursing, the Omega flicked his aura into one similar to his brothers, sending shivers of fear and surprise to the men holding him.

"The hell …? What's with that feel? I was sure he was an Omega?" One of them spoke and Arthur looked up to see three men surrounding him.

"He smells Omega … So weird. How are you doing this, cutie?" One of them whispered in his ear while smelling his neck.

Arthur was about to snap back at them but stilled when he felt the man from earlier lick his neck and his teeth graze his skin. Feeling his heartbeat race, Arthur was suddenly reminded of the very familiar feeling he had felt a year ago. A feeling craved in him and that he wished he could forget.

"Yeah, he's Omega! Wow! I had doubts for a minute! Imagine we got an Alfa instead!" One of them started laughing and the others joined as they pulled a struggling Arthur into the shadows of a corner alley. A hand muffled Arthur's voice and even as strong as he is, the teen could not defend himself against three grown Alfas while one of them was holding down his wrists and preventing all movement. Arthur groaned mentally at his own carelessness. He had been so worried for Feliciano that he must have dropped down his dominance shield and let out his Omega aura. And now … Arthur suddenly felt extremely vulnerable. A tongue ran down his ear, making him stop his struggle and freeze up again. How he hated this. How he hated when his memories were preventing him from moving.

"Hey, hey, he's a fighter, this one! It's alright, cutie! We won't hurt you! We just want to have a little fun!"

"Just get on with it before he starts biting! Aouch!" The man pulled his hand away as Arthur had indeed bitten him.

Another hand slapped his face and Arthur felt it then grab his neck, crushing his breath scarce. Looking up, Arthur was met with the cruel eyes of his attacker. The man smirked, insanely enjoying the resistance of his new prey and taking pleasure in taking his sweet time to undress the blonde.

"Keep that up bitch, and I'll make it painful for you!" He whispered to Arthur's ear, making the blonde shiver in both anger and fear. Arthur felt uncontrollable tears threaten to fall from his emerald eyes as he cursed his own weakness. He hated it. Why was he born Omega? Why couldn't he have been stronger? Why? Why?! Why was this happening again?! And this time, his brothers won't show up to save him! Nobody will! Feliciano is probably panicking right now and searching for him like a lost puppy! Why? Why did Arthur always fail at everything he attempts? Why?

Why was he born a failure?

"There, there, good boy! See? It's not that hard? Just let it go …"

Arthur felt himself grow limp as he realised he was probably not going to get out of this. His eyes dulled and the tears rolled down, empty. His head was tilted up while the man was pulling out his own shaft from his trousers, forcing Arthur down to his knees and facing it.

"Now, let's see you do some magic!" He laughed cruelly as he gripped Arthur's blonde hair and forced him closer.

"Hocus Pocus, now you're dead." A cold voice uttered behind the group of men.

Arthur jumped as he recognised that voice yet it sounded completely different than usual. It couldn't be him. Must be someone else. Someone who sounds like him. After all, he would never risk himself in such a situation. He'd be too scared for that and instead would probably call for help.

The men, startled, turned to face the new comer, angry at having being disturbed. They drew out knives and pointed them at the young teen approaching them calmly. The three men frowned, confused as they recognised the boy. He was that other Omega hanging out with the cute blonde, right? Wait … is that the feel of an Omega?

Arthur couldn't see the approaching figure as he was blocked by the man still holding him by his hair. But as he listened, even Arthur felt shivers of fear he had never felt even from his own family. He thought he knew terror … maybe he was wrong.

"Who the hell …? Get lost kid or we'll do you too!" One of the men snarled, stepping closer to the brunet.

The teen smirked broadly as he kept walking closer, his calm demeanour never changing. A stray hair curl stuck out of his neat brown hair and seemed almost still like a trigger awaiting to be pulled. As he walked, his eyes slowly lifted up and made all three men gulp in a fear they had never felt before.

Red.

Blood Angry Red.

"You want magic? Let's do the disappearing trick! Hocus Pocus, now scream for your lives~!" Feliciano spoke in a soothing yet cruel voice. His entire body was relaxed and his mind clear. He was not panicking and there was nothing that troubled his mind. Only one thing kept him walking, instigating fear in these trash: They touched Arthur. They hit Arthur. They roamed their filthy paws on Arthur. They forced kneeled Arthur. They attempted to sully Arthur.

Trash. Will. Disappear.

Hocus Pocus.

"There! That was the last one!" Alistair dusted off his shirt as he glared severly down at the group of beaten up Alfas at his feet.

Alfred, Gilbert and Ivan all seethed angrily through their teeth but didn't dare to tempt the anger of the redhead once more. Beaten up black and blue, they never expected Arthur's older brother to actually stop them from interfering with Feliciano and Arthur's date! Nearby, Antonio also ended up receiving a beating even though he had not attempted to sabotage Feliciano. But Alistair being thorough as he always is, had not exempted him from punishment.

Francis was chatting excitedly with Kiku, looking over the pictures the Japanese had taken. The blonde looked up as he felt a chin lean on his shoulder and Alistair's warm breath breathe over his neck. Francis held back the shivers of pleasure he felt and tried to shove away the Kirkland Heir, only to feel him wrap his arms around the blonde's waist. Alistair looked down over the pictures, emeralds suddenly finding interest in this so-called-date thing his brother was having.

"Let me see." He muttered as he waited for Francis to show him the pictures. The Frenchman scowled but obliged, hoping his face was not as red as he imagined but if Kiku's sly look was anything to go about, Francis was glad that in his position, Alistair could not see his face.

"Fine! But after this we need to go look for your brother! With all that, I can't believe we lost them!"

"It's fine. Arthur won't get into trouble as long as he doesn't let his guard down."

France tried not to remind Alistair that it is very likely the Kirkland Omega would let his guard down when he's alone with Feliciano. Despite his own foreboding, Francis decided to ignore it. He decided that his paranoia should not hinder Arthur's chance at happiness. Besides, they had trailed them so far and nothing happened. It'll be fine! What could possibly happen?

Arthur stared in shocked fascination mixed with terror. He did not comprehend what he was witnessing. When he heard someone's voice, Arthur had half expected it to be his brothers. And although he knew the voice, the person it corresponds to was the last person Arthur expected to see.

Feliciano wiped off the blood from his face, his red eyes glaring down at the whining Alfas squirming on the ground like worms, all three missing a particular member that would shame them their whole life as Alfas. Feliciano gleamed of sadistic pleasure at seeing the suffering humiliated faces of the trash. He enjoyed it. IN fact, he enjoyed it better than killing them. Torturing and scarring them for life was even more pleasant when he thought that those assholes would suffer the rest of their lives while thinking of him. Smiling gleefully, Feliciano started laughing as he kicked the man that had wiggled his thing at Arthur. He had been particularly harsh on this one. He deserved the worst punishment for laying hands on his Arthur.

And punishment he got.

Arthur didn't know if he was scared or thankful to his best friend. In fact, he was sure that this person was his best friend. He looked and sounded like Feliciano but the way he spoke, acted and behaved was nothing like his best friend. And his eyes … are frighteningly red.

"Hocus Pocus, did you like my magic?" Feliciano teased the sobbing Alfas.

"Bastard! You …! You will pay!" One of them spat on Feliciano's shoes.

The red eyed Alfa's expression flashed instantly from gleeful to serious. His smile wiped off his face, Feliciano leaned down and picked up the man by his hair, very much the way Arthur had been treated. Narrowing a dangerous mad glare on the terrified thug, Feliciano whispered his words with a clear and obvious threat in his tone.

"Pay …? You touched my mate. Nobody touches my mate. Nobody lays eyes on my mate. Nobody speaks to my mate. Not without paying the price for such. Pay, you say …? Shall I cut off more pieces off you, trash? Believe me, I will make your life so miserable that Hell will be a far off dream! And I will enjoy every second of it. I will laugh. I will smile at your pain."

The man's wide terrified eyes seemed to bulge out as he glanced in fear and silently begged in Arthur's direction, as if pleading Arthur to stop the mad devil hovering over him. Feliciano's glare darkened and he punched the man, forcing him to face the enraged face of the Italian.

"I just told you, little piece of shit! Nobody lays eyes on my mate! I guess I wasn't clear enough!" Feliciano hissed as he dug his fingers into the man's eyes and plucked them out with such simplicity and gleeful expression that it terrified Arthur. Ignoring the man's agonising screams, Feliciano wiped the blood off his hands as he dropped the eyeballs and crushed them under his shoe.

"Are you still thinking of making me pay? Because believe me, if anything befalls my friend, I will personally come after you and finish off that pathetic excuse of a life." Feliciano dropped coldly before he walked away and towards Arthur, ignoring the weeping men he let behind as if their existence had ceased in his mind.

"Let's go Arturo! I'll help you! You must be really tired!"

Smiling brightly like sunshine, Feliciano kneeled down and picked up the stunned blonde in a bridal carry. Arthur was too shocked to even protest and let his friend carry him away from the darkness and back into the sunny streets.