Ex's to Lovers

Chapter 26

In Which Mathew Doesn't Beat Ivan Up For Hurting Alfred.... Yet..

Everyone knew that something had happened at school the next morning. Ivan refused to look at Alfred at all, and some people could have sworn there was a tiny blush on his face, though others said it was just redness from anger. Alfred, contrasingly, had dead fish-like eyes, with dark bags under them, and generally looked like he'd lost his soul. Naturally, this was due to him pulling an all-nighter to study for the test, but no one else knew that, so they all drew their own conclusions.

It didn't help that the mark from where Ivan had hit Alfred hadn't quite faded, leaving a not-quite-bruised mark on his cheek. Gilbert, who had immediately figured out what was going on by one look, or at least assumed he did, had loudly snickered at the sight and as a result was being treated coldly by everyone but Francis and his other friend Antonio.  Kiku, who really had meant well, but didn't quite understand the situation, had uncertainly told Mathew what was going on when Alfred's twin had pestered him, seeing as Alfred hadn't really implied it shouldn't be told to someone or anything of that sort. Besides, Mathew was Alfred's brother and was just looking out for him. 

Mathew, misguided but well-meaning himself, came to a horrifying conclusion after hearing the facts and the evidence before his eyes.

"Domestic abuse?"

Mathew questioned, in a tiny, scared and confused voice, and the chose to call his older brother Arthur for advice. Arthur, who was at college, thankfully didn't had class at that moment, and answered the phone with Francis at his side. It was Francis who managed to convince the both of them that it was probably a misunderstanding or a mistake made because Ivan was shy, and that Ivan should be given the benefit of the doubt instead of assaulted.

Ivan, who had spent quite a lot of time at his study session messing with his friends, and not  quite enough time studying, was peacefully oblivious to the danger which had passed him by as he studied in between classes for the dreaded math test.

Likewise, Alfred, more asleep than awake, remained peacefully oblivious to his brother's completely incorrect assumption, and downed an entire pack of instant coffee and washed it down with water and a disgusted grimace in an attempt to stay awake.

Kiku, seeking relief from any underwear talk, sought solace in his freshman friends Feliciano and Ludwig, only to be scandalized as Feliciano tugged the hem of his pants down to flash Ludwig a sight of his new underwear, much to the horror of Ludwig, Kiku, and the teacher.

On the phone, Mathew and Arthur came to a somewhat tamer idea that Alfred would have absolutely hated if he knew about it, and Francis happily encouraged it. Mathew ended the phone call confidently, then turned on his heel to hunt done his twin's ex, face stiff and eyes glinting with determination.

One way or another, Mathew was going to find out what happened between Ivan and His brother, and if Ivan had in anyway hurt his brother (assuming Alfred didn't deserve it), even scary Ivan and his violent sister wouldn't be able to save them from his Wrath.

Natalya shivered, feeling a viscous chill run up her back, and snapped a pencil in half in her grip as she frowned, knowing something was about to happen. Ivan and Alfred were broth doing last minute flashcards for the math test, unaware of the incoming storm that Mathew was bringing.