Hetalia x Reader: Earth Orphanage (part 4)

A gloomy atmosphere hung over the three of you, like a swirling mist of dullness and sluggishness. It was your first day of school, it was Monday, it was early, and the only other from the Orphanage going to the same school as you were Feliciano and Lovino.

It's not that you didn't like the two, Feli was so cute it was hard not to like him, and Lovino... Well, you were trying to keep an open mind about him, despite his numerous attempts to infuriate you, or dishearten you. The problem was that not one of the three of you were morning people.

As you walked to school, you must have looked like a Small herd of zombies. Too tied to speak, you were all silent, besides Feli's occasional, drowsy, 'veh'. The chill in the air, however, was slowly awakening you all. Slowly.

"So, is it a good school?" You asked, stifling a yawn.

"W-well, what do you-a mean by 'good'?" Feli replied, Lovino ignoring you completely.

"Is is strict, or average? And are the teachers lazy, or are they, well, good?"

"It's-a quite strict, but-a some students get away with...things." Feli seemed to go stiff when mentioning students who break rules, eyes becoming clouded with mystery. A small, somewhat discreet frown made it's way onto his face, remaining anonymous as to it's cause. He acted as if he was holding something back, the question was....what?

Not even five minutes later you arrived at the school, and it actually appeared quite fancy, well, for a school anyway. Feli and Lovino showed to the way to first lesson, which was science.

The twins took their seats right way when you entered the classroom, leaving you alone to waver by the door, unaware of where you should go. The teacher noticed you from her desk, and gestured for to come over. When you did so, she called out in a patronizing, shrill voice: "Class, it seems we have a new student today. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

All eyes (at least twenty pairs) fell on you, were suddenly very nervous, as the intimidation got the better of you. Averting your gaze, you looked to your feet, trying not to panic. "H-h-hi, I'm _____, and I-um, yeah..." You must have looked like a complete idiot, and you knew it, you even had proof after everyone started laughing.

The teacher sighed at you, offering no encouragement, instead, pointing you to a table where a boy with blonde hair, and sharp green eyes sat. "Go sit by Felicks."

Doing as you were told, you slumped into the chair beside him.

"Guurl, you, like, totally messed that up!" He said, smirking.

Resisting the urge to reply bitterly, you mumbled an embarrassed 'I know'. A flash of sympathy crossed his features as you buried your head in your arms.

"Hey, don't worry about it, I mean, you, like, humiliated yourself, but it happens to everyone...sorta."

"Thanks," You replied, grateful that he had at least made an attempt to comfort you, even if it made you feel worse.

"Besides, the bullies in this school usually stick to the same people."

"Bullies?"

"Yeah, but it isn't surprising. They're in, like, every school."

"True..." You agreed, nodding. The lesson felt like it went by almost as soon as it started. Until lunch time, you stayed with Felicks and a kind, shy boy he introduced you to, Toris, who was from Lithuania. He had brown hair to his shoulders, and soft blue eyes, and was quite shy.

At lunchtime, you tried to find Feli to ask him if he'd wait for you after school so you could walk home with him and Lovino, since you didn't trust yourself to walk alone without getting lost.

However, no matter where you looked, you couldn't find the cheery Italian anywhere. So, when you ventured further around the school to look for him...you got lost.


And in conclusion, you ended up wandering around aimlessly, hoping you'd be lucky enough to run into Feli, since you were now not only searching for him, but also for the small part of the school you were familiar with. As you were trying to find your way, you came to a strangely secluded part of the building. Quite isolated and empty, only one thing was amiss in the eerie setting. In such a place, you'd expect silence, but not here. In fact, there was a loud crying-no, begging- echoing through the corridor. And the voice was familiar.

"Please don't-a hurt me!"

You quickly crept to the source of the noise, and, right around the corner, to your immediate horror and rage, you saw Feli, backed against a wall. All his chances of escape were blocked  by a taller boy, who was staring down on Feli with a toothy, gleaming grin across his face. His eyes were a light blue, shining with coldness and spite.

"You're such a wimp! So pathetic, maybe if you were like me you wouldn't be getting picked on!" He spoke in a Danish accent, and Feli didn't reply to the boys remark, instead his orbs were darting around wildly,
desperate for some escape from the jeering, offensive words. "Give me your lunch money!" The Dane demanded.

"B-b-but I-a need to-a pay for my food!" Feli bravely tried to protest to the bigger boy.

"I don't care!" The Dane sneered, and before you knew it, he was bringing his fist back, ready to punch Feli. No doubt the boy was muscular too! Adrenaline kicking in, you dashed over to Feli, swiftly standing in front of Feli. grabbing the Dane's wrist before he could react, you succeeded in stopping him from hurting you or Feli. Sending your free fist forward, you smashed it into the Dane's jaw, admittedly holding back, and he stumbled backwards, dazed by the entire situation. In those crucial moments, you took Feli's hand and dragged him to with you down the first exit you saw.

Neither of you stopped running until you were certain you were far away. When your lungs were too desperate, screaming for air, you allowed yourself to slow down, and finally stop.

Once both of you caught your breath, you turned to Feli. But before you could say what you'd wanted to, he pulled you in for a tight hug.

"Thank you..." He whimpered into your shoulder, while trembling weakly. You returned the hug for a few brief moments, letting him clam down to a point where you knew he'd be able to speak properly, so you could ask him the necessary questions that were going through your mind like traffic.

Taking hold of the boys shoulders, you firmly forced him to look you in the eyes. "Your welcome Feli, but I need you to answer me honestly right now. Who was that boy?" Your tone was deathly serious.

"W-Well, his name is-a Matthias..." Feli stated anxiously, fiddling with his fingers and looking to the ground.

"And why was he treating you like that? Has it happened before?"

Nodding, Feli locked eyes with you. "E-every-a lunch break."

"Since...?"

"A few months ago."

"Does anyone know?"

"Not besides-a you."

Your heart ached for the poor boy, thinking of how he must have been suffering yet still managed to be so happy all the time. "Oh Feli... why wouldn't you tell someone something like that?"

Tears appeared in the Italians eyes once more. "I-a didn't want to... People are always-a protecting me, but I-a want to be-a strong, and protect myself. I don't-a always want to bother them...But I-I-I..."

"oh Feli..." You whispered, "Y'know, 'strong' comes in all different shapes and sizes, and you may not be all buffy like Ludwig, but your still strong Feli, you're always cheerful and smiling. You keep up the moral of others, you give other people strength. And if that isn't strong, I don't know what is." You told Feli, with a smile, confident of your words. He stared at you, mouth agape as your words sank in, and when they did he smiled too, and there was an emotion in his eyes you were unable to read.

"Grazie, bella." He whispered.

"No problem, Feli! But we should go tell a teacher about that boy-"

"No!" Feli suddenly raised his voice.

"Wh-why?"

"J-just please don't-a tell anyone." He begged.

Sighing, you reluctantly nodded. "Fine, but stay with me from now on at lunch breaks, okay? Then he won't bother you."

"Si!" Feli already seemed happier, despite still being a little shaky. He paused. "Hey, why were you-a here anyway? People don't usually come to the-a art corridors."

"Oh yeah! I was looking for you to ask-"

BEEEEEEEEEEEP

The school bell went.

"Oh crap, we're gonna be late!" You exclaimed, and Feli nodded. He took your hand in his and pulled you along as the two of you ran to class in fear of being late. Unfortunately you class was a far way away, even when running.

The two of you were panting by the time you reached class. Even so, the teacher was majorly annoyed with the both of you, giving you both detentions. The lesson was geography and you sat next to Toris and Felicks, while Feli went to Lovino, who looked more irritated than you'd ever seen him. Behind where you sat, was Matthias, on his own, rubbing his jaw. 'I really shouldn't have punched him...but it did give me and Feli enough time to get away.'

The last lessons rolled by agonizingly slowly, and you couldn't be more relieved when the final bell went, signalling the end of the school day. Collecting your bag, you quickly caught up to Feli and Lovino, so you'd be able to walk home together. "Wait up guys!" You called to them.

"No!"

Lovino whipped around, teeth clenched in anger, and you froze where you stood, caught off guard. "I don't-a care what trouble you-a get yourself in, but don't you-a dare get mio fratello involved."

"Fratello, it-a wasn't-"

"Stay away from us!" Lovino warned you, ignoring Feli, and grabbing his wrist to drag him away with himself. Feli looked back with an apologetic look, and you mouthed 'It's okay' to him. After all, it wasn't his fault.
Once they were out of sight, you chance. Oh great, now you'd have to walk home alone. You could probably remember the way back to the Orphanage...right?

_________________________________________________________


Feli was silent. As he and his older twin walked home, Lovino just kept talking about _______, spreading his venomous lies about her. What did he know?

Feli stayed a few feet behind his brother, trying to tune him out. It was hurting him to hear Lovino saying these wretched things... ______ wasn't  bad, like Lovino was saying, in fact, Feli felt admiration for the girl. The way she had saved him from Matthias, when Feli was cowering away from the bully, tail between his legs as he braced himself for a beating. And yet, she'd still told him he was strong, in a passionate voice. It wasn't out of pity, of this, Feliciano was certain. Every word of her was laced with honesty, undoubtedly. But here Lovino was, running his mouth, as usual.

This time, Feli wasn't going to let him, not if it was about _______. "Fratello," He said in a soft voice, the contrast between his brothers Italian ranting one causing Lovino to silence himself.

"Si?" Lovino turned his head to get a better look at Feli.

"Sta 'zitto." (shut up)

Lovi's jaw fell in shock. "Cazzo?!" (the fuck?!)

"Sta 'zitto." Feli repeated calmly. "Stop saying all this-a shit about ______, it-a isn't true!" He shouted. "You-a think you know-a everything, but you-a cazzo don't! You think _______ got me in-a trouble? You're wrong! She-a saved me from Matthias when he was about to-a beat me up!" By the time Feli finished, his cheeks were red from his increasing rage, and he was panting. The two brothers stared at each other, the same shade of honey brown clashing in fury and rivalry, challenging the opposing pair. The older of the two was the first to look away.

"Hn," He said, beneath his breath and continued walking, arms folded across his chest.

Feli felt a slight twinge of pride at this, knowing he had won this, or at the least made his point clear. He could be strong, now, he knew that, and Feli silently vowed that he would prove ______ right, prove he was strong, but more importantly, himself.

When the two got back to the Orphanage, only a few people were home, since the rest were still at school.
Blue was the first to greet them, "Hey boys, how was school?" She paused, emerald orbs scanning behind them for a third person. "Where's ________?"

Sulking, Lovino strode away from Blue, into another room in the house. Feli met Blue;s concerned gaze.
"I don't-a know. Fratello wouldn't let her-a walk with us, so she probably chose to walk alone."

"Oh...Still, I'm worried," Blue said quietly, pressing her thumb to her chin. "If she isn't home in an hour we'll take action!"

"Right!" Feli agreed, going into the sitting room. But ______ didn't come home after twenty minutes went by, and now everyone but her was home. Another forty minutes, and she still wasn't home. It had been over an hour, dark, miserable clouds blanketed the sky, weeping raindrops that were rapidly falling to the earth below.
"Someone should go look for the chica." Toni suggested to everyone's agreement.

"The hero will go!" Alfred beamed, hiding his distress.

"Idiot! You don't even know the area around Rubbery High that well!" Arthur scolded, Alfred's smile faltering in result.

"Oh yeah..."

"We should send someone who knows the area well, da?" Ivan decided, obviously hinting at one of the Vargas twins, by the way he eyed them in a semi threatening, semi creepy style.

"I'll-a-" Feli began.

"No, I will."  Lovino interrupted him, from where he had been moping around. His face was painted with guilt, and he didn't dare look up as he got his jacket and got ready to leave. Everyone was shocked, even a little confused, but nobody said anything. They could already sense tension between the Vargas twins.

As Lovino grabbed the door hand, Feli passed him an umbrella, with a soft, forgiving smile.

"Fratello, you'll-a need this."

Lovino blinked in surprise, but took the umbrella gratefully. "Grazie, fratello."

____________________________________

Damn it! You'd been at this road three times already, yet no matter where you went you somehow always ended back here!

Growling in utter frustration, you brushed your soaked locks out of your hair. It was raining heavily, and you had nothing to protect you. Pushing on, you noticed a long street to your right, which you had not yet gone down, perhaps this was the right way?

With high hopes, you headed down that street, stubbornly marching on the pavement. Puddles splashed beneath your feet, dirtying your socks and pants, but you couldn't care less. It's not like they could get any wetter.
A car zoomed past you on the road, through a puddle, effectively sending a small wave over you. Momentarily freezing, and hissing from the sharp coldness, you didn't even bother to curse after the driver. No point.

Coming to a crossing, you waited for the green man before stepping out onto the road. However as soon as you did, an earsplitting screech sounded, and you whipped your head in it's direction, mortified to see a car coming at you at an alarming speed. Paralyzed, you could only screw your eyes shut and wait for it to hit you. But instead, something yanked you backwards forcefully at the last second. You were pulled into something hard as someones arms wrapped protectively around you from behind.

"It was a red light bastard! Learn to fucking drive!" A familiar voice yelled angrily at the driver.

Finally opening your eyes, you glanced behind you to see Lovino, glaring at the car that had nearly hit you as it drove away. When he saw you looking at him, he immediately released you, turning away to pick up an umbrella off of the ground, and you figured he must have dropped it when saving you.

"Stupido ragazza, don't you know to-a look both ways before crossing?" He scolded, but seemed to be genuinely concerned, portraying a deep and caring concern for your immediate well being. His chocolate orbs were clouded with relief, but even more so than that, guilt.

"Y-yeah, sorry..." You mumbled, staring at your feet. But you looked up again with an inquisitive frown upon your face when you felt the rain stop falling on you. Lovino, to your pleasant surprise, was holding his umbrella over the both of you. "Thank you, for this and...saving me," You whispered.

His lips turned upwards in a smile so gentle it was hard to believe that this boy was Lovino. "It's-a no problem, ragazza. I'm just-a...Glad you're okay. Now lets-a go home."

For most of the walk you didn't talk, and neither did he. You were too busy trying to work out why he was suddenly being so nice. And he, unknown to you, was trying to find the right words to say...:

"I'm sorry."

"Hm?" The two of you stopped walking and you stared at him for a while in what would have been silence if it werent for the 'pitter-patter' of the rain drumming down on the surface of the umbrella. He sighed, averting his gaze from yours.

"I-a said I'm sorry...for- for not letting you walk-a with us, and that you got-a lost, and that you're-a soaked... and for everything else..." He said it in an ashamed tone, voice gravely and quiet, barely audible below the sound of the rain. You were speechless,, taken aback by his unexplained remorse.

"I-a also wanted to say grazie- I- I mean thank you!" He continued.

"What for?" You asked, perplexed.

"For saving mio fratello from-a the bastard Matthias..." Rain ran down his face, mingling with the tears of his shameful deeds and ignominy. A consequence of his uncontrollable urge to impose mental and physical anxiety or pain upon your warm nature from his previous, ruthless actions motivated by his anger.

"How do you know about that?" You asked, voice full of bewilderment and anxiety.

"Feliciano told me everything...but also, I-a already knew."

Lovino trudged down the corridor, hands in his pockets, and eyes dull with lack of interest. Of course he was alone, at least until he met up with his fratello. He was usually alone, since most people found him to be too sullen and easily angered. The only exceptions were his housemates, who were stuck with him, Blue, who loved Feli much more anyway, Feli, who didn't count since he was Lovino's brother, and that tomato sucking bastard Toni. But Lovino didn't care, he didn't need anyone, he was fine with his own company. At least that's what he told himself.

Heading over to the art corridors, where he usually met up with Feli, this time when he arrived something had changed. Instead of finding Feli waiting by the regular row of lockers, with a goofy grin as he hummed to himself, or watched a bird outside the window, Lovino found something much more dreadful.

Slamming his younger fratello against the lockers harshly was that damn self-centered brute from Denmark, Matthias! Feli cried out in pain, but was not fighting back. Dammit, why did he have to be so damn defenseless?

All Lovino could do is watch in horror. Witnessing the scene play out before him proved to be more damaging than he could have anticipated, had he even knew this would happen. An overwhelming emotion was creeping back into his mind, an emotion long ago abandoned but never forgotten. Terror. Deep and foreboding, ultimate like a dark, rancid, all consuming collage of septic hatred. Working it's way into his soul expertly, as a nightmare would to a small child.

Strong as the desire to substitute his brother was, the fear was stronger by a landslide, preventing sound from escaping his throat, turning his legs to immobile led, and turning his blood stone cold. And Lovnio knew, at that moment, and every moment following, he couldn't protect Feli. He wasn't a hero like Alfred, and couldn't pack a punch like the potato bastard Ludwig. Because at the end of the day, he was, as he had been back then, when it was his parents beating Feli, weak, feeble, lame. Powerless to do anything, and too spineless to even try. Despite vowing to protect Feli, he couldn't, he had not changed.

And so, Lovino walked away with deceiving oblivious eyes.

A traitor to his brother. An embarrassment to his Grandfather. And a coward to himself...


"I didn't do anything. I was-a certain Feli would-a just tell Blue or-a Ludwig when we-a got home, he-a tells them everything. But when he-a didn't...I didn't know what to do." By now, Lovino was shaking as broken sobs raked through his body. He was an emotional wreck, submitting to humiliation, and the burden of the feelings he;d locked inside for so long.

"I forgive you." You said, and he froze in shock, wide eyes glancing upwards at you from where he had crumpled down on the floor.

"Wha?"
"You apologized to me, and I forgive you." Holding your hand out for him, you gave a tiny smile, "Let's go home."

Lovino stared at your hand with teary eyes, before extending his own trembling arm and taking it, pulling himself from the ground. The two of you began to trek home together, hand in hand, offering courage to each other.

"Grazie, bella." Lovino whispered croakily. "A-And don't tell anyone I-a cried!"

Grinning beneath the umbrellas protection, you squeezed his hand. "No problem!"

"Do you-a...I could-a have a second chance?" He asked nervously, a slight pinkish tint to his pallid face. “I'd like that.” You agreed, just as a loud crash roared from the sky, clouds illuminated by the flash of lightening. Jumping in surprise, you laughed sheepishly. “C'mon, Lovi, let's go home quickly and get out of this rain!”

“Don't-a call me Lovi!”

_______________________________________


Blue was pacing back and forth in uneasy panic. It had been a while since Lovino had left. Where could he be? Was he okay?

“That's it, I'm calling the police!” She announced, to her children who were just as apprehensive. Blue practically ran to the phone, but before she could pick it up there was a 'clunk' of an opening door, and the sound of...laughter.

Everyone rushed to the front door, amazed to see you and Lovi, drenched, as you kicked of your soggy shoes, but still laughing.

“You-a really peed on your-a teacher?” Lovino asked, amusement gleaming in his eyes brightly after hearing your hysterical story.

“Well I was only four, and that teacher was really scary!” You defended, giggling.

“Lovi!” Toni bounded forward, hugging the now angered Italian, not caring if he got wet. “I thought I'd lost you!” Toni cried, dramatically, and, a little sarcastically.

“Get off me!” Lovi protested, squirming in his grip, and harshly pushing the Spaniard off of him.

“Oh, and chica, I see Lovi found you!” Toni hugged you too, planting a quick kiss on your cheek. You blushed brightly, trying to hide it, and so, not noticing the others scowling. Gil dragged Toni off of you, muttering something you didn't hear to him.

“Fratello!” Feli ran to to Lovi and clung to his waist.

“Hey, ________?” You turned to Matthew, who was shyly ducking his head as he passed you a dry towel, that was quite warm.

“Thanks, Mattie!” You said, snuggling into it try and take the edge from the cold you were experiencing, and then moved on to drying your hair.

“N-no problem!” He smiled, before Arthur appeared beside him.

“You must be freezing, love! Let me make you some hot tea!” He offered.

“No dude, coffee is way better! Alfred debated loudly, as he pushed past Mattie.

“She will prefer 'ot chocolate, non?” Francis put in, smirking smugly.

“Any hot drink will do.” You said, as the three started arguing. You rolled your eyes, “Idiots”, you muttered, and turned away from the three. Matthew chuckled at you.

“So how did you do it?”

“Hm?”

Blue was staring at you in fascination, “How did you get Lovino to change his mind about you so quickly?” She asked, looking extremely interested and expectant as she awaited your answer.

“Well, I don't really know what you mean by that.”

Blue examined your surroundings, and, upon seeing the two of you were now alone as everyone else had gone elsewhere, began to speak. “In the seven years I have known Lovi, I have never seen him change his mid about someone so fast. Heck, it took him three years to warm up to Toni!” She explained.

“Really?” You asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

“Really.”

“Oh...well, I'm not really sure how I did it.” You mused, “But I'm glad that I did do it!” You added, laughing.

Blue nodded. “Me too. He's a good kid, y'know, he just has conflicted emotions is all...” She seemed to be talking to her self now, but, suddenly became aware of you again. “I think it'll do him some good being around you.”

“H-Huh?” You became flustered by the remark.

Blue smirked, and began to saunter away, “Oh, nothing....” She said in a sing song voice as she disappeared into the dining room.

'Strange...What does she mean?'