Red Flag (ON HOLD)

Wanted: Feliciano Vargas

Series of noises were made by heels colliding with tiles, it resounded in the empty hallways; it was too quiet and it made the southern Italian anxious. His throat was dry, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his heart rate seems to pound in an abnormal manner. He rehearsed his explanation repeatedly that morning and has completely memorized everything he needs to say, before he left his and his brother's house, but it seems as though it's getting guzzled by his strained nerves each step he takes to arrive in the meeting room. "Oh, look at you! Such an impotent being! Poor Lovi." A voice so impudent echoed in his distressed mind, it made him stop on his tracks and a frown instantly aroused from his face. "Don't call me that." Lovino enunciated using his mind without vocalizing his words as if using telepathy. Even though he's mind-speaking, his tone was intelligibly stained with animosity and his eyes squinting into a malicious glare as he stare into nothing but thin air. "Resistance is futile, Lovi. I can feel you slowly giving up yourself to me." The voice cracked into a villainous chuckle. It irritated Lovino, causing him to clasp his teeth together and banging the wall beside him with his tightly grasped fist. "You can never obtain victory no matter what happens to me. You're just a waste of space in my soul and I will stand firm in your wake just to prove that you've made the wrong decision on taking mio fratello first." His mind-speak tone was venomous, it silenced the other voice in his mind for a moment. "Heh! This is not over yet, I'll come again when you're devastated and I'll make sure you will kneel upon me." The voice replied with a hiss, evidently lost to Lovino with his strong words. "By the way, you don't have the authority to call me by that alias, Feliciano is the only one I give permission to." Lovino too, proclaimed with a hiss, proving he can duel with fire against fire. "Cut the chit-chat and just shit-shut." The voice has malice clinging in between the words telepathically spoken, probably angered by Lovino's self-esteem, and faded afterwards. Today was the brunet's win, but there are more destined challenges to come and he must prepare himself before the day comes for him to fight again. He proceeded on his tracks to the meeting room, he needs to face yet again another obstacle.

It didn't really took that long for him to stride his way to the gathering room but in his perspective, it felt like an hour or two because of the burden lingering in his chest. He inspired oxygen in his lungs and exhaled for a few times; he knew he can't stand there forever so he decided in his last emit, he'll do it. He finally made his entrance, many eyes were sent to contemplate him but he kept a stern look on. The first to talk to him was none other than the person he sees as an older brother, "Lovi, if I may ask, what exactly is the purpose to this meeting?" Antonio knew him very well since he's the one who raised him and just one glance at him, he already know there's something serious going on. Lovino only averted his sight away from Antonio as though avoiding to answer the Spaniard's question, and his eyes scanned the familiar faces in the room instead. The room contained nine countries, excluding himself, which means they are ten in total. Since Prussia is east Germany, Ludwig and Gilbert were counted as one, but the thought of the wurst n' beer-loving brothers somehow made him feel incomplete. He instantly realized how much he misses his brother, even though he's annoying and usually ticks him off because of being too clingy. He loved Feliciano dearly as his precious little brother and he would hurt anyone whoever brings him pain. Everyone was dead silent when Lovino made his way to his seat, in between Antonio and Gilbert; he cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, also pulling himself together, so he could discuss the matter in hand.

He was about to speak but a certain German interrupted, "Excuse my rudeness, but where is Feliciano?" Ludwig was one of his younger brother's best friends, he couldn't look at the German even though he didn't really like him being around his brother but guilt got the best of him and made it difficult for him to try gazing at him, because he took all the blame to himself. "Feliciano,... He... Disappeared." Lovino muttered while only looking down at his hands, clutching them densely after letting go of his words. Everyone was taken aback from the surprising revelation, even Ludwig was stroke by a thunderbolt. The German didn't know what to say, especially he didn't know how to feel about it. "Dude, playtime's over. You must be joking, right?" Alfred, the loud American from the Allied Forces spoke up, but the Italian only shook his head which shocked everyone. Despite knowing how absurd it is for a country to die while the land still exist, everyone can't help but to panic because of the Southern Italian's confession. "That is outrageous, Mr. Vargas. I plead for a detailed and translucent explanation if you may grant my wish." A certain Brit is surprisingly calm about all of these but demanded a thorough discussion about the atmosphere-wrecking topic. "There must be a mistake. Perhaps he has only gone somewhere, don't you think?" Francis convinced the brunet, a hint of hope still gleams in his uneasy violet orbs but Lovino only gave him a sorrowful look. The Italian really wished so that his brother just had fun with the ladies out there; but he knew he can't lie to himself, he knew his other half is nowhere to be found. The others kept quiet and seemed to be lost of words to speak and give opinions. Gilbert smacked both of his fist on the table and stood up as he threw skin-cutting stares at Lovino. "What do you mean he disappeared?!" The Albino was in rage but Ludwig stopped him before everything turns into a disastrous fight. "Are you telling us that he's dead?" Ludwig acted like a proper adult, resolving things serenely and earnestly, although his question is far from being possible. Lovino shook his head once more, this time everyone was relieved but that's not all in to it, there's still more to explain. "So what you're saying is that Feliciano is missing." Those words sapped him hard when the 'potato bastard' said it; there was a sharp pain in his chest area and butterflies in his stomach. He doesn't know if he can explain everything with lucidity, especially with amount of countries like this. "Sí, he's missing and I need all of your help to recover him, It's the least I can do to mio fratello." He said; finally lifting his head for everyone to see his undying confidence, astounding everyone in many ways possible.

A hand was raised, a polite manner to interrupt someone from speaking and Lovino allowed him to utter, "Lovino-kun, after hearing your words, it seems as though something bad had happened to Feliciano-kun..." Kiku, like Ludwig, is also Feliciano's best friend. Lovino can't deny that the Asian country shot the bulls-eye; he didn't expect the Japanese man was this sharp, he thought he can slip out to skip it but it left him no choice other than to tell them what really happened. "He has been fully devoured by his dark side." He said flatly. Many were confused by his answer and started to whisper at each other. "What is this 'Dark side' you speak of?" Arthur show interest in what Lovino mentioned and the blond made it obvious by emphasizing these two words. "These sides are our opposites; they are hidden in the depths of our hearts, chained and locked up in a cell." Lovino looked at the Englishman, he knew he's going to ask more information regarding it. "May I know how Mr. Vargas' opposite snatched the console from him?" Arthur took his teacup in hand to take a sip from his drink as he awaits for Lovino's reply. "Drop the act, Arty." Alfred almost face palmed because of the other blond's antics. This caused Arthur to launch daggers at his former colony, but Lovino held his hand up to imply that it's fine. "This occur when a country undergo to great depression; they take advantage of it and talk you over until you set them free from their prison." Lovino summarized to avoid getting the conversation take longer, he doesn't want to talk about it much.

Arthur has his mind set to one question but he's attempting to be nicer, it would be impolite of him to ask someone bluntly. "I see. Although there is still one thought that is bothering me." The Brit placed his cup of tea back on its saucer, fully attentive this time. "What is it?" Lovino remained collected, he wouldn't want to show discourtesy in these circumstances. "Why do you have tons of knowledge concerning this subject?" Arthur finally divulged what has been lasting in his think-pan, flunking his strive of keeping it easy. "I..." All eyes were concentrated at the Italian and their suspicion grew as they witnessed his hesitation. "We shouldn't pressure him, he has said eno-" Matthew, Alfred's brother, was cut off mid-sentence by none other than Lovino himself, "It's okay, Mr. Williams." Lovino took a deep breath to stabilize his composure, also to not vacillate this time. "I've experienced it, but not fully." Everyone in the room piped down, overwhelmed by the intensity of the topic. "I've talked to him a few times and it was hard to fight him. I suffered from the mental pain he gave me but Feliciano was always there to help me out so he couldn't manipulate me..." He never really thought someone like his little brother would be an easy target, he couldn't stand to not feel useless because he wasn't able to be with Feliciano when he needed him the most. "I apologize, it seems that I've hit a delicate part." Arthur sounds genuinely apologetic, which Lovino considered and nodded to say that he understands. "Any other questions?" Lovino assured, no one raised a hand and it seems that everything is understood. "Now that's settled, we just have to find where mio fratello is hiding and tie him up. They're very dangerous, be careful. Also, don't show him mercy, he's not Feliciano; he'll just deceive anyone into believing that it's really him." He stood up from his seat and every country in the meeting room did as well before saluting at him. "Avoid being depressed or else, they might pull the trigger to any of you." He doesn't want anyone to be controlled by their opposites; he knew how difficult it is to win from them, he knows how it felt since he has the most experience among the other countries. "Okay, meeting dismissed!" Ludwig announced, implying everyone to leave the room.

There was no one else left in the building except for Lovino, he wanted a little more space so he declined Antonio's offer of going with his friends, Gilbert and Francis. He walked through the now empty hallways; somehow he felt better when he told everyone about it but his uneasy nerves were still there, clouds of thoughts still crowded his mind and it troubled him. He climbed up the stairs to the rooftop, perhaps the scenery there would help him lessen his worries and it sure didn't fail him. He opened the door, thinking that some fresh air could also help him think everything over and finally find a way to get his brother back. He strolled across the wide-open place, both hands thrust inside his pant's pockets, and stopped near the railings. The gusts of air were refreshing; it calmed his tensed nerves and muscles down, relaxing even just for this moment. When he closed his eyes shut, they shot open in a brisk manner and he took a gander behind him as though he seek for another's existence. He removed his hands out of his pockets, his face switched into its battle mode as he clenched his fists compacted.