Hi guys! Late update again, but I really struggled to write this chapter up and ended up getting a lot of help from my friend (Rachel I love you!). One of my biggest problems is that while I do plan ahead, I often decide that I hate the idea I've gone with... but it's too late to change it because I've hinted it or started it in another chapter. I'm a little happier with what's happening now so hopefully I'll be okay with the next chapter or so.

Thank you for the reviews! I've been rather uninspired lately and they help a lot.

It had been over a week since Antonio had visited Lovino, and since then the man had struggled ardently to find a good way to address him about the pills found in his car. After all it wasn't like he could just come out and demand explanations…. Or that's what he initially told himself, but any morals concerning the matter slipped away after one history class. "Matilda, ask Antonio to come see me when you get a chance." He instructed her irately, and of course she wasn't going to point out the lacking 'please' or 'thank you'.

"Sure thing."

Alfred chuckled, "ooooooh, Tonio's in trouble."

"You're in trouble." Arthur reminded him, but it didn't really come as a shock to anyone.

"'E always iz." Francis sighed, standing and nudged Matilda up. She looked over her shoulder at Alfred, intending to ask him to sit with them at lunch or meet her after school, but he turned his attention back to Arthur, explaining why it wasn't his fault that he had detention.

"Tilly, allons-y. (Let's go)" Francis sighed, knowing that no good was going to come of standing and staring at Alfred, especially when Mr. Vargas was so annoyed and barking for everyone to hurry up and get out.

She pulled out her phone while walking with Francis and messaged the Spaniard to tell him that he was both in trouble and wanted by her history teacher. Of course Antonio knew that his little Lovi couldn't possibly be angry at him~ and that it was obviously Matilda's limited knowledge of their relationship that lead her to come to that conclusion. He practically skipped to his office, opening the door with a sing-song voice. "You wanted to see me?"

Lovino rolled his eyes while Antonio shut the door, then without missing a beat he placed the red pills on the table in front of him. The student turned to gush at his lover but any words of affection were caught in his throat at the sight of the little bottle of pills. Both remained silent, Tonio's expression turning from shocked to shame as his eyes slid from the desk to the floor and as far away from Lovino's staring as possible. "They were in my car."

"Oh. Yeah, thanks." He stepped forward and reached to grab the antidepressants when suddenly his wrist was snatched and he found himself yanked forward with a startled yelp.

"What's going on? Why are you taking these?" He said in an even tone.

"It's… genetic."

"Fuck off, I know that much." He snarled, tightening his grip even though Antonio wasn't putting up much of a struggle. "What's triggered it? Is it just a precaution?"

"My mum had it too…"

"Had it?"

"She walked out on us." He reminded him, eyes down cast again. "I'm fine as long as I take them, don't worry."

"That's not the point, why didn't you tell me? Is it serious?"

"…It's not something I like to talk about." He reasoned, tugging his arm away suddenly and violently considering his position. "I'm dealing with it. I'm fine."

This was a card Lovino never thought he would need to play, but he wasn't finished talking yet and if Antonio wouldn't speak to him then maybe he would speak to someone else… "I'm a teacher before I'm your lover. Do I need to refer you to a councillor?"

"Only if you want to tell them how you found the pills." He said in a warning tone, knowing that Lovino was currently in the much more dangerous situation.

"I'm serious! I mean…" If anything it was more of a shock to him that the most cheerful person he'd met to date was suffering from bouts of depression.

Antonio looked down and rubbed his pink wrist absently. "My dad… doesn't approve of them anyway."

"What?"

"He wasn't good at dealing with my mother's depression and he's not good at dealing with mine… I didn't realise until recently, but I think he's scared I'll say something and be taken away." They both fell silent at that, Antonio lost for words while Lovino debated action. "I'm okay, Lovino… I just need to take them."

"You should have told me… Fine. You can go."

"Lovi…"

"I said it's fine." He snapped, tone in complete contradiction to his words.

Nothing more needed to be said by either party so Antonio left, clutching the bottle with shaking hands. Lovino never took bad news well, could he really blame the Spaniard for fearing to tell him that he wasn't who he thought he was?

Well. Detention was sufficiently awkward. Lovino seemed to be in a worse mood than this morning if that was even possible and Yao and Alfred were made to sit next to each other with an apology letter in front of them each which needed to be filled out. Yao's was snippy, apologising for any inconvenience caused by his being tarty but also stated that this punishment was unnecessary. Alfred's apology consisted simply of 'I'm sorry to whoever has to read this. Mr. Vargas needs to chill out.'

When the forms were filled out, Yao's with paragraphs and Alfred's with sentences they looked at each other. Alfred slid his sheet to the Chinese student who gave him an edgy look before glancing at the sheet, snorting at his responses but didn't bother to show him his own.

The American sighed and looked at the clock. Half an hour to go… he flipped his sheet over and wrote on the back of it.

You srsly didn't know me and Braginski dated?

He passed the sheet to Yao who read the message than shook his head.

Whoa… it's not like lots of ppl knew… but that's still weird. Haha.

Yao slipped the sheet over and wrote back.

He would tell me if I asked. But it's not something he would feel comfortable talking about.

Alfred replied:

Yeah, it was messy.

Yao frowned at the paper, hand jutting to the page then back again as he debated about continuing this conversation.

I don't expect you to tell me anything.

Alfred shrugged then wrote:

You want to know?

Yao: I don't care.

Alfred: Bull shit. He still into those hard core drugs?

Yao: …I don't think I should be talking to you about this.

Alfred: Don't worry about it. That's why we broke up though.

Yao: Well aren't you good.

Alfred: Lol. Wasn't always. Sorry for saying that shit before. I know you like him and everything, but we've got a lot of issues.

It was a shock to see Alfred being the bigger person and the other was left fairly impressed by the apology.

Yao: He's said worse things about you.

Alfred: Yeah? Well I was being nice.

The dark haired teen actually smiled a little at that with a roll of his eyes then changed the subject on the piece of paper. It was surprising how fast half an hour could go between writing to one another and rubbing out the messages to start again. And they had endless subjects to discuss, from their mutual friendship with Kiku to video games he had introduced them both to, to which movies they wanted to see, just as Yao was half way through writing about the time he'd met Jacky Chan at the airport Mr Vargas dismissed them.

Detention hadn't been as bad as either of them thought it would be and even as they walked outside they were still chatting. "You, me and Kiku should hang out." Alfred suggested with a grin, pulling his phone out of his pocket to check his messages.

"That's… not a good idea-aru." Yao grimaced, and it's not because he hadn't found the last hour strangely enjoyable but the fact that he was dating Alfred's enemy made any sort of relationship difficult. The American teen shrugged off the rejection, not letting his expression falter even for a second as if he had expected this reaction.

"Yeah, I get ya." He laughed, coming to an abrupt stop when he saw a rather unpleasant confrontation in the distance. Matilda was waiting at the door, looking at her phone with a glum expression that made Alfred feel like the biggest jerk in the world.

"Your girlfriend." Yao pointed out intelligently earning a shrug from the other. He had no idea what they were any more.

As if she could hear them she looked up, eyes lighting up a little and waved over to Alfred who just stared at her. What was he meant to do? Why was she blocking the only damn exit in the building? It seemed like there was never a dull day at this school.

"See you." Yao walked by him unfazed, abandoning the poor American who could have really used the moral support. He waited until the Chinese teen walked by his girlfriend before shoving his hands into his pockets and approaching her as well.

"Hey."

"Hi." She answered with a nervous smile. "Um… I waited." Like that wasn't obvious, internally kicking herself for saying something so stupid.

"Yeah, you didn't have to do that."

"It's okay, want to grab a coffee?"

That was a tough question… tough enough that it left his heart racing, and his hands started to clam, a nervous habit carried over from childhood. "…." He stared at her, noting her own nervousness and the hurt that couldn't be erased from her face; ever since she was a child she'd have a carved crease in her forehead when upset; as if trying not to frown.

"Yeah, maybe we don't need the coffee." She gave a bitter laugh and leaned against door frame.

"I'm sorry!" Alfred blurted out suddenly, feeling rare tears prick his eyes at the apology. "Tilly, I'm so sorry."

Matilda remained silent but a small smile eventually spread on her downcast face and she sighed. "Me too."

"It's not that I don't like you-."

"Oh God, don't explain anything Al… we both know why this isn't working." Knowing each other since before they were born, it was no wonder they grew so close. Using each other like they had for convenience was only natural when they could depend so strongly on each other. Alfred to please his brother, and Matilda to make friends she would never have had without Alfred. "But you… don't have to hide from me." Her voice finally broke and she inhaled sharply, still trying to hide the hurt that came with the American avoiding her for weeks, like she really hadn't mattered to him. "I'm not angry, mate. I just… can you come home?"

As the tears started to fall from the corners of her eyes Alfred had never felt like a worse person. He hated it when girls cried because on the whole he was really bad at comforting people, and girls were a lot more difficult than guys. The worst part is that it was mostly his fault. "Shit… Tilly, don't cry."

"I'm sorry." She shuddered a breath, bringing her hand to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. "I'm really sorry Al… don't hate me." She begged, a little louder forcing Alfred's resolve to snap, he stepped forward and brought his arms around her. He'd done this so many times before but it felt strange, foreign with nothing attached.

"Dude… you've been like... a sister to me and Matt since we were kids." She rested her head against a broad shoulder, nodding sullenly at the acknowledgement and in all honesty she couldn't find a better way to describe it. "Shit… I fucked this up."

She chuckled at the statement but couldn't agree more. "A text message wouldn've worked." She mumbled sullenly into his shoulder and Alfred smiled a little, cupping her face before patting her cheek lightly.

"You're awesome, you know that?"

"Of course." She laughed in agreement, for once not letting her incredibly low self-esteem brush off the compliment. Although it's sincerity could honestly be questioned.

"We're good, right?"

"Yeah." It wasn't that she forgave him so easily for the avoiding her, but any irritation seemed to fade when the burden of their fake relationship was torn loose. Freedom indescribable beat through them both, sending waves of adrenaline that washed in with relief. "You coming home tonight, Al?"

He shrugged, grinning a little then shoved his hands in his pocket. "I'm having waaaay too much fun harassing Arthur."

"You guys dating yet?"

"…Not yet."

"You frigid or something?" She asked with a small laugh, marvelling at how they could jump straight back into friendship after dating and weeks of avoidance. In its own way it was surreal but it felt so right.

"No way. Just had to dump a bitch first." That earned him a nice punch to the arm but she rolled her eyes anyway. "Ow, hey, let's get coffee." He beamed at her through those trade mark lenses and she smiled in agreement. They had a lot to talk about.

Gilbert groaned as Vash slid his economics paper back with more crosses than would let him pass this semester. "You're terrible at this." He stated, never one to sugar coat his criticisms.

While he really didn't think he was doing all too bad a job the marks wouldn't compliment his argument. "Yeah… isn't that why you're helping me? I'm shit with money."

"I know." He agreed far too quickly.

"Why the fuck did I pick economics?"

"Because you're an idiot."

"You're just jealous of my awesome." He brushed off the insult as always before looking up with a quirked eyebrow. "So… you're good with money, yeah? How come you always get tutoring from Kiku?"

"That's for maths not economics." The Swiss teen drawled, not really in the mood to talk about anything but money… and actually he wasn't really in the mood to talk about even that.

"Yeah… it's like the same thing."

"I don't understand how so much stupid got crammed into one brain. You do both subjects, you know they're not even similar." Although to be fair, he was also just barely passing both subjects.

Gilbert snorted and waited as Vash sorted through a number of papers and pulled out yet another trial exam. "Whatever. You guys still going out?"

"…We never were."

"Yeah, you said you were. Remember?"

"No."

"Yes. In here… in the library! We were talking and you said you were." He said a little louder, earning a scowl from the woman at the desk and Vash averted his gaze.

"It was meant to be a joke, moron."

The silver haired teen froze at that, having thought for two months that the two of them were going steady… "Man… you really need to get better at telling those. That's not even funny…. It's just… not… awesome." Sadly he couldn't even come up with another adjective to up.

"Shut up. It's not any of your business."

Gilbert tensed then scoffed at the declaration feeling a twinge of hurt which he disguised with annoyance. "Course it's not." Why did Gilbert have to be so annoying? Why couldn't he just shut up and memorise these important economic terms? "You never fucking tell me anything." He cursed unnecessarily.

"Because nothing good happens when I do."

"….." For once they were on the same, ambiguous page. "You're still pissed at me?"

"No." He stated quickly. "I just blame you for what happened."

"I didn't even-."

"Gilbert. Shut up right now." He seethed, standing and shuffling his books and papers together with every intention of leaving. That's when it dawned on him. There was no way that Vash would willingly reach out to any other person unless he had something to gain from it, so why had Kiku been an exception? Had he really been one?

"You prick…" Gilbert followed suit, standing but instead of stacking his folders back up he swiped the Swiss teen's arm up and dragged him to the back of the library despite a very stern warning that involved mutilation.

"Gil!" He snapped but the other wasn't having any of it. He pushed him towards the corner and stood dangerously close, far more than the other's personal bubble would allow.

There was intensity in those eyes beyond what Vash had seen in a long time and it honestly frightened him a little because while he was usually well meaning Gilbert could be incredibly unpredictable. "Why're you using Kiku?"

"What?"

"No! Don't even try it with me. Why are you using him?"

"/I'm/ not." He emphasized his personal innocence.

"Vash… tell me what's going on." He tightened his grip on his arm dangerously, having taken enough crap from him for one day. "Kiku's awesome, and I'm not about to let you and Ivan fuck around with him."

"It's none of your bus-." He tried to snap but found himself pushed back against the wall harshly, cornered by his friend. "Ivan just told me to get to know him."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Yeah you do. Tell me!"

"I can't…" His voice trembled a little. "Gilbert, I had to do it. I wouldn't even be in this mess if you kept your damn mouth shut! This is all your fault! Do you think I want to do what Ivan says? I never wanted anything to do with him!"

He would have shouted back his defence if it weren't for a rather dense newspaper colliding with his head and an angry librarian hissing at them to get out.

They were walked over to collect their things, both bright red and steaming with contained anger. But before Gilbert could harass him any further Vash was stalking away through the suddenly crowded hallways where no matter how loud his thoughts were they became suffocated in the chaos.

Alfred got home from school very late after detention and talking with Tilly but he'd never been in a better mood. Arthur practically fell down the stairs, ever so gracefully, when he heard the door open. "Why're you so late? I thought you went home. Text me next time!" He scolded the other, recovering from his stumble.

"Nope! And guess what!" He shouted, bubbly as ever but instead of waiting for Arthur to ask what he grasped his shirt, tugging him close to lock lips with him in a kiss that was full of excitement. That was certainly one way to calm the Brit down, he eagerly returned the kiss with closed eyes before realising he was acting like a silly teenage boy and pushing the other back.

"You still need to call. I didn't know what happened-."

"I broke up with Tilly." He grinned, pressing their foreheads together in an innocent gesture he's so fond of. "That's what happened."

Arthur stared up at him mutely as it clicked what exactly that meant for them before taking a deep breath. "Is she alright?"

"Yeah, no, we're totally good! Don't worry 'bout it!" He brought both arms around his waist just to keep him close.

"Really? That's quite the relief. She can be quite…" He tried to phrase it nicely. "Emotional, at times."

"Yeah, she's always been like that." Although honestly he really didn't want to talk about his ex now that he found himself free. "So we should go out this weekend!" He beamed and Arthur frowned a little before realising that he probably didn't mean a group outing to the movies.

"A date?" He asked aloud and returned the smile. "Sure, I'd like that."

"Awesome!" The American laughed, leaning down to kiss him again until they were both breathless.

SO FINALLY ON WITH THE USUK

Reviews are greatly appreciated.