Chapter XXXII – O for Omen

"How long are you going to stand there waiting?"

Arthur glanced up, emeralds cold and with a serious glow in them. The Spaniard stood still, like a dog on alert, his olive eyes filled with concern. Arthur could almost laugh at the irony. Here he was with another family's dog by his side and worrying about him, instead of his own guard dog. Even though Arthur never liked the term guard dog, he really had to agree that the name matched them well. Antonio leaned against the school wall, at a reasonable distance from Arthur. His heart was pummeling in his chest.

"He's not going to come today either." Antonio spoke coldly.

"I don't see how that's any of your concern." Arthur snapped back.

"You're right. My duty is to protect the Vargas Famiglia. You are hardly any of my concern." Antonio sighed, his eyes dulling slightly. "And yet I can think of nothing but you."

Arthur shook his head in irritation. He didn't understand why but up until now, Alfas never once seemed to consider him as a potential mate. And suddenly, coming to this school and meeting Feliciano, Arthur finds himself the interest of many Alfas. He didn't understand.

"I'm not interested."

"I know." Antonio mumbled with a sigh. His eyes darkened significantly with his next words.

"I know very well who occupies your thoughts."

Arthur didn't talk back. He felt guilty for causing pain to Antonio this way. He knew the pain of heartbreak and betrayal better than anyone else. However, he could not feel regret for his own feelings. He was in love. It may be the wrong choice but Arthur did not care anymore. He just wanted to see the warm smile that brightens his days and listen to the sweet voice calling his name.

"He's not coming." Antonio repeated, distracting Arthur from his thoughts.

"I'll never know if I don't wait."

"You've been waiting after school every day for the past month! At school, he doesn't talk to anyone and always avoids you! He's become cold and aggressive! He's not the person you knew anymore!" Antonio shouted angrily, glaring at Arthur.

The blonde only shrugged in response. He already knew that. So what?

"So what?" Arthur challenged Antonio with glowing emeralds. The Spaniard could not find the words to respond. Arthur glanced at the sun setting on the horizon. Another day. Another empty wait.

There's always tomorrow.

"Even if he never comes … So what? I love him. I can't do anything about it. You should know."

Antonio tensed as Arthur turned a soft smile to him.

"After all, you and I are in the same situation. Aren't you waiting too, despite knowing that I'm never coming?"

After those sad words, Arthur walked back home, leaving behind a frustrated Antonio clenching a small wrapt gift. The Spaniard knew exactly how painful it was for Arthur because he was experiencing the same thing. He knew. And he wanted … he hoped … Arthur could move on from his trapped love. If Antonio could help the blonde move on, he wouldn't mind if Arthur even fell in love with another. As long as he can see a smile back on the Omega's face.

"As long as I can see you shine … my sun." Antonio mumbled in sadness as he too disappeared in the dark night.

Gilbert gazed dully at the sky. He didn't understand what he felt at all. At first, he had been interested in Arthur. The blonde Omega just has that thing about him that makes him irresistible. Maybe it's his unusual character and his Alfa personality? But recently, Gilbert noticed how Arthur's feelings grew clearer and clearer. It was obvious that everyone in their group could tell.

Arthur and Feliciano were the only ones that still hadn't figured out each other's feelings. It's almost as if they were scared to admit to the other. As if they expected instant rejection. Love really does make one blind.

Seeing how little chance the albino had, he resigned himself to let go of his feelings. He wasn't one to give up normally but the thought of stepping between Arthur and Feliciano was just … wrong. Those two always seemed to live in their own world such that it felt nobody could ever enter and break them apart. How can anyone compete with that?!

Letting go is no easy thing however.

"You should probably stop sulking about this." A soft calming voice spoke from behind him.

Gilbert jumped and turned around on the bench he was sitting at. Behind him, standing, was Matthew Williams, Alfred's twin brother. The shy Omega smiled and walked up to sit next to the albino, making Gilbert tense up. He didn't know when it started but Matthew has been supporting him and helping him cope with his feelings. And now, without even realising it, Gilbert had become quite fond of the sweet Canadian Omega.

"I'm not sulking."

"You're angry because of the way Feliciano is treating Arthur."

"The bastard just doesn't get it!" Gilbert snapped in fury. "He has no idea how lucky he is and he's just throwing it all away! And I can't do a damn thing about it! Arthur's a great guy! He's my best friend! I can't …!" Gilbert stopped as he heard Matthew chuckled quietly.

"Why are you laughing?" he growled, his red eyes narrowing in anger but it didn't frighten the Omega.

"You just said something interesting: Arthur's your best friend? Since when? I thought Antonio and Francis were your best friends …"

Gilbert opened his mouth and closed. He repeated the motion, like a fish out of water, unable to answer. Sitting back on the bench with a sigh, the German began to laugh at his own reaction.

"What the hell is wrong with me …?" Gilbert smiled as he questioned his sanity.

Arthur is his best friend? Indeed since when? Matthew's right. Why is he suddenly feeling protective of Arthur yet his heart no longer ached when he thought of Arthur's future in the hands of another's? Why was he angry at Feliciano for messing up his relationship with Arthur? Why was he feeling distant from Antonio and Francis recently?

Flashback …

"You do realise that you're going to get into trouble if you keep skipping class."

Gilbert blinked one ruby eye open and was met with vibrant emeralds that made his heart skip. He smirked maliciously at the blonde hovering above him. Arthur frowned, looking over the silver haired man lying on the grass of the park. He really thought he'd be the only skipping school today.

"And aren't you going to get in trouble too, little master?"

Arthur growled angrily at the nickname, his aura turning murderous instantly and making Gilbert jump in slight fright.

"Only Francis gets to call me like that. Am I clear?"

"Perfectly, Hase." Gilbert chuckled, not expecting the blonde to actually show this much concern for their common French friend. His curiosity peaked, Gilbert waited for the blonde to lying down next to him before he questioned him. Arthur really fascinated him.

"Hase, tell me something … What are you running from?"

Arthur lifted an eyebrow at that, his emeralds inspecting Gilbert's face as if searching and pondering on whether to trust him or not. Eventually, Arthur sighed and stared back at the sky.

"Have you ever had the person you trust most suddenly change and betray all of your trust?"

Gilbert stilled, an image of his father and brother flashing in his mind. He glanced sideways at the blonde, feeling like he had more in common with Arthur than he first thought.

"I guess. My father is a strict man with too much pride … but that used to make me admire him. However, he changed when my mother died. He became … different yet he was the same. My brother became his obsession and he shut me out completely. I look too much like my mother. And I'm not the perfect son like Ludwig was."

Arthur looked at his friend in surprise. He didn't expect Gilbert to talk about his life this much, the albino is usually very reserved in that matter. But Gilbert didn't seem to notice his unusual open behaviour as he continued to talk.

"I love my family … but I felt like my father was lowering me compared to my brother. I felt jealous. Angry. I used to be resentful of Ludwig. I act strong and arrogant because it makes it easier and it's the only way I get confidence to keep on living. I'm a failure. In my family, orders and honour are everything. I was never good at either. And I bet Ludwig hates the way I was treating him harshly when we grew up!" Gilbert sighed.

"… I don't think that's true." Arthur stared back at the sky.

"What do you mean?"

"You're an older brother, Gilbert. You're the one the family is going to pin all of the harsh experiences on. But I'm a little brother in my family. I can understand how Ludwig must feel. And trust me, the way he looks at you … it's not hate. It's admiration. You're his model, even if you don't believe your own Awesomness, I bet your brother only sees that!" Arthur chuckled lightly. "Just like I respect my own brothers, I'm sure Ludwig respects you. After all, you're pretty awesome Gilbert!"

Gilbert didn't answer. A weight in him seemed to lift itself and a blush covered his face. This is the first time someone actually calls him "Awesome". Of course, Gilbert always uses this word to qualify himself but he never believed his own words. And someone actually said that he was worth respecting?

"You do have honour. I've seen you fight a few times. And you always defend Francis when some Alfas bother him. You're loyal to your friends and honourable in your fights. You don't follow orders blindly but that only means that you have a brain and are using it! You really should stop lowering yourself Gilbert." Arthur continued, his voice appeasing and soft.

The two teens remained silent, listening to the wind blow.

"You never told me … who you're running from." Gilbert suddenly asked, nervous as he glanced at Arthur.

The emeralds glanced back and the blonde smiled sadly as he answered.

"A memory."

Back to Present …

"A memory?" Matthew tilted his head in confusion.

"That's what he said." Gilbert shrugged.

"I heard Francis talk about something like that. He said that Arthur got some sort of trauma in his past a few years ago."

"Must be that."

"You didn't ask more?"

Gilbert shook his head, a fond smile playing his lips.

"I could tell from the look in his eyes. He looked like if I pushed him to talk, he would break down."

Matthew remained quiet, mentally worried for his only Omega friend.

"And now, he's waiting at the school every day for Feliciano!" the German clenched his fists.

"I don't think so." Matthew tapped his chin lightly, making Gilbert look at him with suspicious red eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not like Feliciano is breaking away or Arthur is left behind. I think they are both chasing after each other but they both know that they can't meet yet … did that make sense?"

"… Birdie, you talk weird shit sometimes." Gilbert laughed loudly as he caused Matthew's cheeks to blaze red from the nickname.

Gilbert didn't know why but his heart suddenly got soothed from listening to Matthew. And knowing his friend's wait was not in vain made him feel more at peace than he expected. Gazing up at the sky, the albino couldn't help but have a bad foreboding feeling as he stared at the flock of birds fly off in a panic.

"I really hope they'd both hurry up … I've got a bad feeling that something's going to happen."

Kiku jumped as he felt the cup slip from his hands and crash to the floor. Yao glanced up with a frown, narrowing a concern gaze on his cousin.

"Is something the matter?"

Kiku bowed in apology and quickly began to clean his mess. Yao watched him in silence. Kiku never breaks anything. Ever. Something must be wrong for him to drop a cup like that. Yao's eyes then fell of the tapestry of the golden dragon flying through space. He was reminded of his first meeting with Arthur. Now, whenever he sees Arthur, the blonde seems depressed and cold. His Alfa aura is constantly brimming out of his body and his entire being screamed internal agony. Yet Yao feared no tears ever fell those Emeralds … they probably had long dried out.

Gritting his teeth, Yao walked up to help Kiku pick up the broken china. The Japanese blinked in shock before he realised what his master was doing. He tried to stop Yao but the Chinese heir glared angry golden orbs on him, silencing the servant.

"I am the Heir. If I want to help you, you should just let me." Yao spoke coldly as he focused back on his task. Kiku felt his expression soften and he couldn't stop a small pleased smile from tucking his lips.

Watching the scene from behind the half-open door, Leon was smirking in amusement. Looks like his brother was growing into something not quite as bad as first thought. Probably thanks to Arthur's influence. Talking of the blonde, Leon would have to check on his brother Arthur, he's been feeling down recently. And Leon would hate to see his English big brother sad and hurt. He really would hate it.

Merwin closed his eyes and blew out, tuning down his King's Silence. When he opened his eyes again, Feliciano was sprawled out on the floor like a rag doll, completely unconscious. Well, at least, this time the Italian had managed to control his own flux of energy and hold out on the King's Silence longer than before. He fainted like every time but Merwin could see obvious progress in Feliciano's training. A knock on his door interrupted the man's musing and he looked up to see Alistair and Francis in the doorway.

"Are you done, old man? The sun has set and Arthur's going to be back soon."

"Is Feli alright?" Francis asked worriedly but Alistair's calming hand on his shoulder reassured him.

"Relax, love, he's fine. Just knocked out. I'll call for his brother to pick him up."

"Good idea! Let's leave the lad to rest for a while. He trained really hard for the past weeks." Merwin walked out after the other two, leaving the Italian snoring on the floor of the Kirkland's basement training room.

Twinkle Twinkle little star …

Feliciano felt the whole world crush him down. It felt like Merwin's King's Silence. But it was much darker and obscure. Much more threatening and vicious. Who was imposing their will on him like that?

A shadow slowly approached him from the darkness, carrying something. The Italian managed to glance up, his chocolate eyes confused at the sight. He saw a man with a blinding smile, holding in his arms Arthur's unconscious body. Feliciano nearly felt his heart drop when he saw blood seep out of a cut on Arthur's forehead. His beautiful blonde hair slowly turning red from the blood and his emerald eyes shut for what felt like forever.

"Arthur! Give him back! Arthur! Wake up!"

The man only laughed, teasing and glaring down viciously at the brunet. He lay down Arthur at a distance from Feliciano. The Italian noticed the odd paleness of Arthur's body and the lack of moving of Arthur's chest as if the blonde was no longer breathing. There's no way …

Approaching the Italian, the man leaned down to his level, grabbing his hair and yanking Feliciano's head up to stare into the crystal clear eyes. The man's expression was smiling yet more cruel than any man ever could be.

"Give him back? But he was mine before becoming yours. You should be the one giving him back to me. Arthur is mine. You can't even stop me from killing him. How can you possibly claim him?"

Kill …

Kill …

Kill …

"You couldn't even stop me."

Kill …

Kill …

Kill …

"You couldn't kill me. And now, you killed Arthur. It's your fault. You lost him. Now he's mine."

Feliciano screamed himself awake and was suddenly faced with the familiar emeralds he loves so much.

Arthur tilted his head.

"… Bad dream?" Arthur gently leaned in to caress the Italian's face, while Feliciano's wide red eyes stared in fear and disbelief at Arthur, his chest heaving up and down in an erratic panic. In sudden desperation, Feliciano threw his arms around the blonde and began to cry. Arthur was shocked but also relieved. He had no idea what happened but he finally could feel Feliciano's warmth once again and not the terrible monster of last time. Feliciano's eyes could be red or brown alike, he didn't care. So long as the Italian still kept his warm gentle heart.

Feliciano cried and clenched Arthur to him like a safety. He had nearly lost him. Arthur … dead. Because Feliciano was too weak to save him? Or too strong to protect him? Had he killed him? Who was that man? Everything was confusion and panic in the brunet's mind. But all that mattered was that Arthur was alive and by his side. Everything else was just a dream.

A bad dream.

A very bad dream.

AN: I'm making Antonio miserable in this story! I'm so sorry Tonio! I really usually ship England with Spain so it kind of makes me want to push Feliciano aside to put in Antonio every time ... I'm a cruel author. I actually know how the story is going to end and I feel sad in advance for some characters. Anyway, hope this chapter's relatively ok. I think the dream could have been better written but never mind! Too lazy to change it now.