𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬《 Philippines CountryHumans AU 》

xxxv.

Philip feels the bandage wrapped around his head— it's soft, it's tight, and it's keeping his blood from leaving his body. It's new as well, after having realized that he opened the wound during his outburst with Singapore.

A deep sigh escapes him and he leans forward, his elbow on his knee as he rests his chin on the palm of his hand. Seriously, what was Singa's problem with him?

Yeah, he's technically an impostor, but he really is Philip! Not some random guy Martial hired to impersonate their dead friend!

Philip huffs, using his other hand to tap at his leg irritatedly.

I didn't even want to be here, he thinks absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting to his Martial.

But he's been gone for so long— gone from hid original universe. He's been staying in this world, preoccupied with solving the problems that wasn't his business in the first place. The Martial of this world, in all of his sick possessiveness, was starting to become his Martial instead of the one he'd left behind.

He'd been staying her for so long, isn't it possible that he'd naturally became a part of it...?

Philip wants to go home, he really does. But the first thing he needs to do is find out how to get rid of his assassin, or else he's going to die trying to get back to his world.

The country taps his finger even more.

Should he even prioritize exterminating his assassin? Should—Should he just find a way to get back? How? How will he be able to get back when no one knows his darkest secret?

But killing his assassin is what will get him home. If—If solving all of this the second Philip's problems is the gateway to escape... then should he try?

Or will killing Martial do the trick?

His finger stops tapping his leg. Pausing, Philip stays still as a steel bar. It was as if the room had become deathly quiet, all in anticipation.

The Second Philip wanted to kill Martial, right? Was stopping him the right thing? Was him dying not supposed to happen?

The country looks at the door, eyes narrowing. His chest pangs, and he remembers that the heart enclosed in his chest is still a muscle. It can hurt too.

It can't be that easy, right? The solution isn't just—just slitting someone's throat! What if it won't work?

What if... he hurts Martial? What if he kills Martial, and he doesn't go back home? It would be meaningless. His death would be meaningless.

Just like the second Philip's.

Philip lowers his hand from his chin, and he hangs his head low in a futile attempt to ground himself. It doesn't work.

I care about Martial, he realizes.

Even after everything he'd done to the second Philip, and after everything he'd done to him— he still loves him.

Absurd. This entire thing was absurd.

But he understands, or at least, tries to.

Philip cares about Martial, because he associated him with his brother. He carried himself the same way his Martial did, and in a way, it just... messed with his head.

Philip exhales, heaving a sigh.

Even if killing Martial was the key to going back home... he doesn't know if he'll be able to carry it out.