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Almost as though Antonio had said some magic phase, the door to the cafe swung open. Standing in the doorway, dripping wet from the rain and shaking (though, whether it was from the cold rain or anger was to be later determined) was Ludwig. His blue eyes glared at the five students that were in the cafe and twitched lightly. "If it vasn't bad enough that YOU three vere here, I haf to find zhat you convinced anozer TWO TO JOIN YOUR STUPIDITY!"

He stomped into the cafe and quickly and firmly grasped Gilbert's shoulder. "You. You promised me you would behave yourself this year. And vhat happens. I get flooded vith complaints, und emails, saying that you and your gang of perverts are skipping classes, wandering into classes you're not supposed to be in, und causing disruptions in vhat few classes you bozher to show up at!"

Francis raised a shaky hand and stated, "In his defense, I was the one that went into other cla-"

"SHUT IT OR I SVEAR TO GOTT I VILL DRAG YOU TO ZHE SCHOOL THROUGH EVERY PUDDLE I CAN FIND!" This eaned a squeal of fright from Francis who then proceeded to cling to Antonio for protection since he didn't want to put himself any closer to Ludwig.

"I'm over reacting? HA! Vhen you misbehave, I have to hear about it. And if it vasn't you doing all this trouble, zhen it vas Antonio and Francis. Und I do live! However, school is neizher ze time, nor zhe place to be goofy off. Und you three especially can't afford to miss too much class!"

"Hey! Hey! Hey! We passed eleventh grade! You can't sa-"

"Francis, every vone in school knows you only passed because zhe teachers didn't want to put up with your crap for another year." Ludwig's frown deepened and he pinched the bridge of his nose while growling. Yeah, it's official. The shaking earlier? It was due to anger. He opened his eyes and put on a stern expression. "No more! Every single vone of you, pay for vhatever it is you ordered and come vith me now. If you even attempt to run avay, I VILL catch you, und I VILL throw you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes und carry you to the Vice Principal's office for him to deal vith you. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? Und Zeke, don't pretend I did not notice you. I have a feeling you had nozing to do wizh zhese three, but you are in just as much trouble for ditching classes today unless you have a very good reason." Funny, Ludwig was willing to show slight mercy to Zeke whom he didn't really talk to very often, if at all, yet he wasn't willing to show mercy to his brother, Antonio and Francis... Although, he hadn't said much to Romano. He might also have a chance of not getting into as much trouble just because of the fact that Romano looked like he hadn't even wanted to be there and was more forced to hang out with the older nations.

Francis wanted to avoid trouble as much as possible, but he knew Zeke had been in some bad shape last night. Well, if at least one of the Seniors could survive the wrath of East Germany, it would be the Serbian. Who knows? Maybe Zeke would pull a rabbit ou of his hat and save their asses as well. "Uh, Ludwig. I know my word might not count for much, but Zeke was actually helping Arthur and that quiet guy that's also in the N- Disciplinary Club as well with saving Roderich last night. He even helped me carry Roderich back to his dorm room and was pretty exhausted when it was all said and done."

Ludwig's expression turned from burning rage to slight curiosity. Was Francis really sticking his neck out for someone not in the exclusive BTT? "....Alright, I'll bite. Zeke, vhere you really vith Arthur last night? Of course, I vill ask him myself to confirm if zhis is true, so you had better not lie to me."

Ludwig listened to what Zeke was saying. It didn't seem as though the Serbian was lying. If he wanted to make up some sort of bullshit story, Ludwig knew Zeke could and would. To use both Arthur and Lucas as back-up to confirm the story earned a stern nod. "Then get some rest. But I expect you to be better by tomorrow, and someone is going to bring you notes and whatever work you missed from classes so that you don't get behind." This was a non-negotiable deal, so Zeke should count himself thankful that the German chose to believe a story that started with Francis's word. However, hearing that Francis was involved in any sort of rescue was a bit far-fetched and hard to believe.

Francis was glad that Zeke seemed to get the message and was about to add some stuff to the story to include the Prussian and the Spaniard when Gilbert spoke up. Francis stopped what he was about to say and just stood there with his mouth open. Well, he had to give Gilbert credit, he could be a pretty awesome guy when the time was needed. He closed his mouth and paid for the sweet and the coffee he had gotten before he shoved his hands into his pockets.

Had.... Had Gilbert really taken the blame just now? That certainly turned Ludwig from furious to a sort of dazed and confused expression. Now this was something he didn't know how to handle. Yeah, sure, Gilbert had done this sort of thing in the past, but that was against enemies to protect him.... Now he was doing the same for his friends against Ludwig.... The younger of the German brothers rubbed the back of his neck and looked down in uncertainty, trying to figure out this situation. Maybe he had been a little harsh. It was just the begin.... No! To let Gilbert get away with this behavior early on would mean he'd just do it again and again. But...

That's when Lovino spoke up. As soon as Lovino said that Ludwig was technically skipping as well, a horrified look, along with the same expression one wears when they're about to be sick, came cross his face. "Mein Gott... Y- You're right..." He stood up straight and cleared his throat as he adjusted his jacket. "Right. Let's go back to the school. Zeke, you go get some rest. Staying in the dorms in this type of weather might be- Hmm?" His cell phone began to vibrate and he looked to his pocket questioning before he pulled it out. 'Who the hell is texting me during class?' "Liechtenstein...?" He opened her message and read it over before he put his cell phone away. So Arthur was sick? Well, best not to say that while Francis is around. "As I was saying. Staying in the dorms today is probably best for you today, Zeke. However, if you want to stay here until the rain dies down some, that is fine too. Gilbert, I want you to come with me. We'll talk about this. The rest of you are to go back to your class." And with that, Ludwig turned and began leading everyone who was going back to school towards the school grounds.

Before they left, Francis lightly patted Gilbert's shoulder. "We'll be drinking in your honor tonight, mon ami. You are truly, as you say, Awesome."

((Mrs. Italy, want to have the German brothers find an empty class room to chat in?))