Hetalia Ghoul

Suspicion

- Tino's POV -

"Papa, do I really have to go to school?" Peter asked the same question every week as soon as we get in the car.

"It's Monday so the answer is yes,"

"But I don't wanna..." The boy pouted and tossed his backpack in the back seat after climbing to the passenger seat.

"Do you not like school, Peter?" I asked as we went on our way.

"I like school, but..." Peter's voice trailed off.

"But?"

Peter stayed quiet and looked away and that's when I got worried, "Is everything OK?"

"Do you think all ghouls are evil?"

The question didn't surprise me as much as it should. Every so often, this topic has been discussed in our small family. We didn't tell Peter that Berwald was a ghoul until he was 8, when he started asking questions about why he wouldn't eat with us and why his eyes glowed red. He never was afraid of him and he was always curious. But of course, the way our society sees the ghouls made Peter confused.

"Peter, you already know that like people, there are bad and good. We've had this conversation. Why do you ask?"

"Well... The other kids judge me because I said ghouls are cool and I don't think they agreed with me,"

"You didn't tell them that your father-"

"No!" Peter quickly answered, "Of course not! I don't want them to take my dad to jail!"

"Good" It was important to me for Peter to understand the seriousness of our family secret. I trust my son and he is much more mature than he acts. After the silence, I went back to the previous conversation, "Are they bullying you?"

"No. I mean, they talk about me behind my back but it's ok," he said confidently, "I can fight them if I have to!"

"Peter, no" I quickly stopped him, "No fighting,"

"But Dad says one must fight when needed to!"

"Like he said, 'when needed to'. You don't have to fight," I sighed, "Peter, you know what people think of ghouls. You're dad is one of the few who are good and people don't know what to do about that. I think it would be for the best if you stop talking about ghouls around others. They may not agree but it's for your safety,"

"But-"

"No 'buts', Peter. You need to understand that sometimes, the best way to stay safe is to stay quiet,"

Peter crossed his arms, "That's unfair,"

"It is how it is," I pat his head, "But the important thing is that we're safe and that we love Berwald. As long as we're together, we'll be fine, OK?"

Peter smiled and nodded, "Does that mean I can meet the rest of them?"

"That depends on them, if they want to meet us,"

"They don't like us, right?"

The kid is smarter than I give him credit for, "Well, both sides have good reasons to be distrustful of each other. Ghouls kill humans to eat, humans kill ghouls to protect themselves,"

I was glad the conversation ended as we arrived to the school. As soon as Peter was about to get out of the car, he gasped, "Hey, it's Raivis!"

"Who?"

"He's my friend!" Peter pointed out the window to a young boy, a little older than him, sitting on the edge of the sidewalk from across the school.