Hetalia Ghoul

Cry

- Yao's POV -

It was later in the morning. I only had 3 hours of sleep before the alarm went off at 8:00 in the morning. I groaned as I went ahead and got ready for the day. The only thing that was motivating me was the goal to find Alfred F. Jones and do some interrogation. I had the blurry photograph of Kuro on my desk. I looked at it for a moment before stuffing it down in my suit's pocket.

I went ahead to the kitchen to make myself coffee. Leon was already awake, walking back and forth frantically and looking around. He nodded at me, "Morning,"

I grunted in response. I wasn't in the mood to talk.

He kept looking around. He looked at the floor, around the living room. He kept glancing back at me occasionally. Finally, he faced me, "Hey, bro-"

"What?"

He looked back at me. He knew I was in an irritated mood and usually, he leaves me alone. He probably thought I was sleep deprived, which I was, "Uh, I was just wondering if you saw a photograph-"

I perked up instantly, "Photograph? What photograph?"

"Uh, one of my photographs," he clarified, "You know how I like to develop them. I'm missing one,"

"Oh," I sighed in relief. For a moment, I thought he somehow knew of the photograph of Kuro, "How am I supposed to know? It's your stuff,"

He shrugged and continued searching. I rolled my eyes subconsciously and took a sip from my cup and then I yelled out, "Hurry up, you'll be late,"

Leon walked back into the kitchen and stood there, staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Huh?" I blinked, realizing I should probably check my tone, "Yeah. I'm just tired. You know how work gets and I've been working late-"

"I know and it affects your mood," he finished the sentence and hesitated to continue, "but lately, you've been... acting strange,"

"Work has been difficult-"

"You're acting like when Kuro-"

I almost dropped my cup on the counter at the sudden mention of him. I winced, having poured some hot coffee accidentally on my hand. I grabbed a napkin and quickly wiped it off. Leon flinched when I turned back to face him, "Why do you mention that name-"

"You're acting weird, Yao. I hate to be annoying but you're just strange now. I know you sneak out around midnight and come back around 5 in the morning. That can't be work,"

"What does that have to do with anything? Why would you ever mention that name-"

"Cause it's been 10 years, Yao! Goddamn. We've never spoken about him since then and I thought you've move on,"

"How can you say that!?" I snapped, "How on earth do you want me to move on when that monster is out there!"

"It's been 10 years!" He repeated, "You've been different since and it seems like you've only gotten worse. You're only hurting yourself with this obsession. Who knows, maybe he's been dead for a while. But that doesn't matter!"

"You didn't see it!" I yelled, "You didn't see that traitor covered in the blood of our brothers and sisters! You didn't see it, Leon!"

"But I heard it!" He yelled back, unexpectedly. He started to silently cry, "I heard it... and you know what I heard after? I heard the voice of a confused, scared boy. I know it sounds crazy. And of course I wouldn't easily forgive the murderer of my family. But I know, deep down, that wasn't the Kuro I grew up with,"

I can feel my heart beat rapidly, "... You said it yourself. He's a murderer. And he's still out there. I know that. And you know I won't be able to let it go until that beast is killed by my own hands,"

"This is exactly what I'm talking about," Leon whispered, "You're so aggressive now. I can't even tell who you are. Did you know I can't sleep? Knowing you're out there in the dark for so long doing who knows what? I know it's your job but to stay out til 5 in the morning? To be gone all day and night? I stay up waiting to see you come home safe and sound. I see you leave midnight and I wait until you're back safely. Do you know how many times I worry that you won't come back?"

I gulped. Leon rarely is serious. But now he confessed all these buried feelings. I didn't know how much this impacted him. I didn't even know he knew I was gone all night. He was still crying. We both were.

Yet, I can't let it go, "I need to find him, Leon. I'm doing everything I can and I know I'm close. I'm doing this for us,"

He frowned and bit his lip. We stayed silent for a tense moment. Finally, he grabbed his backpack and faced me, "When I came to terms that I'll never see them again, I let it go. I feel no resentment anymore. I moved on. And obviously, our dead brothers and sisters won't come back because of your act of justice. And if you find Kuro? You'll kill him. Then what? The only person you are doing this for is yourself,"

He didn't bother to wait for my response. He walked out the door in a hurry. I wiped my face, feeling stupid for shedding tears. I processed the words he spoke repeatedly in my head. No matter what, I couldn't change my mind. I was set on killing Kuro, no matter what. I love my brother and would protect him until the end.

But even if it kills me, I will have Kuro dead.

I looked back at the photograph of the ghoul. The red eyes shinning through the flash. I couldn't stop now. I've never been closer to my goal until now. And even if it is selfish, I will do it.
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A/N:

Finally an update! Sorry it's short and not really pacing the story forward but I'm getting back into writing it!!

Here's some character QnA's from last update:

@Sugarygirlforfun : Alfred, since you're in emotional turmoil and your crush is a ghoul, do you think you're gonna stay a Dove after you've seen how they really feel?

Alfred: That's... a hard question... I've been ditching work for that reason. I've known ghouls have feelings, obviously. But most are bad. I thought I was doing the right thing by being a hero and saving the people from ghouls. I never thought I'd have such a connection with one... Being a Dove is not important to me right. Finding Kiku is.

@Thewatcher_proxy : Prussia, have you tried looking more into your past? Like for any potential family or friends?

Gilbert: It's been a bit busy in the household due to the new ghouls coming in. But I'm planning to do some research with my awesome boyfriend, Mattie!

@hiya_friends : Yao, what do you think of Ivan liking you?

Yao: He's confused. He must be. There's no way a monster ghoul like him actually feels love. He even said it himself he's not completely sure. But... it did feel nice to know he might care. I've isolated myself for so long, I've forgotten how it felt like to be loved... but that's not to say I like him back! Of course, I'm not going to dismiss him. I need him by my side to find Kuro. Even if it means leading him on.

Feel free to ask more questions to the characters!

I appreciate all comments and votes and I'll see ya next update!