Gossip. This happened all the time at the bars the nations went to after meetings. Everyone would become drunk and start gossiping about each other. Today, Ludwig went to a bar with Feliciano after the world meeting. Usually, the two would head straight home, but today Italy wanted to get some wine, and Ludwig couldn't pass up a beer (mainly because Feliciano said he'd pay). The two walked into the bar and sat down at the counter on the tall bar stools (which the Italian had trouble getting on. They ordered their drinks and Italy walked away to go to the rest room. When he was out of sight, Ludwig heard familiar voices behind him. Turning around he saw that it was Alfred, Arthur, Francis, Antonio, Gilbert, Kiku, Yao, and Ivan. Soon, the other nations noticed Ludwig's presence as well.
"Yo! Mr. Muscles! We gotta question for ya'! shouted Alfred, slightly drunk. Curious, Ludwig walked over. "We wanna know, if you know something...*hic*" said Arthur.
"We wanna know if you know why Italy always has his eyes closed..." Germany laughed. "Umm. I don't know actually. It never really bothered me, so I never bothered to ask...though I have to admit, I am curious about it." everyone agreed with Ludwig. Then, Alfred stood up in one swift motion and leaned on the able. "Dude! Why don't you ninja around and find out why he keeps his eyes shut!" Ivan, and Yao cheered, and Arthur and the 'bad touch trio' followed in suit. "Don't ask him though..." Alfred said softly. "You don't want to offend him." Arthur sighed. "You're *hic* always so worried about *hic* offending people...sheesh Mr. Politically *hic* correct." A few minutes went by of the constant bickering that happened at meetings, soon after though, the Italian stepped out of the rest rooms and headed to Germany.
"Ve...Ludwig...I'm not feeling so well...would you take me home?" asked Feliciano, looking very pale with a hint of green. Ludwig stood up from his seat he had taken and put his jacket on, showing that he would take Feli home. Clumsily, the Italian grabbed Ludwig's hand and the two began walking out. Before they left the building, the American called; "Don't forget what we asked!" Germany turned around and nodded.
Finally, Germany had arrived at the Italian's house. Surprisingly enough, the German has never been to his best friend's house; it was always the smaller of the two visiting Germany. Ludwig carefully followed the (horrible) directions the Italian gave him, and they arrived safely at his residence. Germany stepped out of the car and ran to open Italy's door and assist him out, making sure his sick friend was okay. Feliciano latched onto Ludwigs arm and the two walked to the door. The first thing that Ludwig noticed about the Italian's house, was that there were no steps to the door...instead a ramp with side railings. Despite being strange, he shrugged it off.
"Do you have your keys?" asked Germany, assuming that Italy didn't have them. "Si..I do. But just ring the door bell..." Doing as the Italian said, he pushed his finger to a door buzzer and quickly, a young maid came to the door and assisted Feliciano inside, and led Ludwig inside as well. The maid took Italy by the arm and helped him lay down on the couch in the living room. The maid walked to the kitchen and began making some tea, and pulled out small containers that looked like medicine containers. She took out several pills and gave them to Italy along with the tea. After he drank the tea and took the tea, he began to talk to Germany.
"Vee...I'm going to take a siesta, Luddy...but please don't go..you can stay the night. Why don't you stay in my room..I won't take no for an answer..." But after saying this, Italy began to snore softly and fell asleep. The maid walked to Ludwig and held out a hand to him. "I will take you to the master's room, Mr. Ludwig." she said with a small smile. She led him up the stairs and to the third door on the left. She closed the door when Ludwig got inside. The blonde man looked around the room, very confused. It was a very simple room. It was very boring, which was very much the opposite of the Italian.
The German began getting ready for sleep, when out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a square on the wall. Walking over, he noticed that it was covered in patterns of dots. Modern art maybe? Thought Germany. He walked over to Italy's closet hoping he might find something that would fit him. He opened the door and out fell a stick. Not a stick from the woods...but a sort of walking cane. It had a red on the bottom, was collapsible, and had a string at the top of it. Ludwig picked it up and put it back in the closet, not even giving it a second look. Then while looking at the clothing in their drawers, he came across a small box. Opening it, he found that it was filled with sunglasses. Dark sunglasses. Again, it didn't phase him. Probably just Italian fashion. He thought. Finally he found a pair of pants and a shirt that would fit him and he slipped them on. Right before he closed the closet though, he found a complex harness and leash...Ludwig couldn't think of an explanation for this. On the side of the harness was a plate with writing on it. "Cane Guida." Ludwig read slowly, trying his best at Italian (which he failed at). He put it down when he heard a 'vee' come from downstairs.
Germany left the room and took the stairs down to Italy who was in the living room. Germany peered into the room, and saw the maid leaning over Italy, touching his face. Ludwig blushed stepped into the room. Coughing, he let his presence be known. The maid turned to see him and invited him into the room. The blonde walked to a chair that was across from Italy's couch. Again to his surprise, he saw that the maid was giving him eye drops. Germany only saw Italy's eye's flicker, but at the angle Italy was laying, Germany could not see his eyes.
"Vee, Amilia. MI puo portare Frida per me?" Italy said to the maid in Italian. At this comment, the maid left, and the room was left with Italy laying on the couch and Germany sitting across the room in a chair. Soon after leaving the room, the maid came back with something big beside her. A dog. But not just any dog, Germany's favorite type of dog. A German Shepard. The sound of a bell around the dogs neck allerted Italy. "Frida! Venire! (come)" The dog obeyed her master and trotted over to Italy. Jumping on the couch at Italy's feet, she laid down on top of his legs and became comfortable. Italy began to pet his dog, and he talked to Germany.
"So...Ludwig. Meet Frida. Frida, meet Ludwig." Frida sat up on the couch and held a paw out to Ludwig, who hurridly ran over to her and shook it. (he was a sucker for dogs). "Feliciano! I didn't know you had a dog! You should bring Frida over next time. Then our dogs could play together!" said Ludwig, happily, petting the dog who went back to laying on her master. "Vee..she's a home type of dog...I only use her here in Italy...she doesn't like to travel much..." Germany stared at Italy confused...what did he mean by 'use her'? "Besides, when I travel, I always have a guard or a maid with me, or my brother or you! So I can be safe when I travel without Frida." "Is she your guard dog?" Feliciano laughed.
"Vee? No, no silly. GUIDE dog." this was Germany's turn to laugh.
"Why do you need a guide dog, Feli?" "Vee? Why? Well...same reasons other people need them, Ludy." Germany didn't believe what he was hearing. He was slowly putting the pieces together, but he didn't want to believe it. "And why do other people need them, Italy?" Italy's face became confused. Ludwig only calls him Italy when he's mad or frustrated.
"Vee...because their blind, silly..." Italy's answer had finally glued all the pieces together.
One by one, everything began making sense. Why Feli always grabbed on to people when he walked. Why he bumped into things, and why he falls down a lot. Why he has a ramp to his door instead of stairs. Why he took medication. Why his room is colorless, and has dotts...not dots...brail. Why he had a cane...and a dog harness and leash...it all made sense now...
"Fe...Feli...are you blind?" Ludwig asked slowly, looking very sad and worried.
"Vee, Ludwig, si. Didn't you know? I figured everyone knew..."
"Is that why your eyes are always closed?" Italy nodded. "If I open my eyes, people might be scared..."
"W-why is that?" "Well...I just stare...I have nothing to look at so I just stare forward...and I've been told by Grandpa and Lovino that my eyes have a look to them...like...well I don't remember..but a look..." explained Feliciano. Ludwig sat on the floor next to Italy's face and reached for his hand.
"I'm sorry, Feli...I never knew...I should have done something so I could have helped you more..." at this, the Italian let out a 'vee?'
"Help me with what? I've been blind since day one almost...okay not that long...since I was at least one hundred...so I can do most things by myself...cook and clean...but my bosses have always made me have maids...not that I'm complaining...without Amilia I wouldn't be able to do much. She gives me my medication and keeps me healthy!" he said with a smile.
After a moment or two of awkward silence, Germany spoke.
"Umm..Feli...may I..see your eyes...? Please?" Asked Germany. Feliciano nodded.
"But be prepared...I've been told it's creepy. Slowly, Italy opened his eyes. How anyone could say his eyes were weird was beyond Ludwigs comprehension. Feliciano's eyes were beautiful. The golden-brown orbs stared at Germany in the eye, blinking every so often. "Your eyes are not creepy." Ludwig said after a while of intimately staring at the Italian.
"Your eyes are beautiful, Feliciano...just beautiful. Italy's face blushed all over and he closed his eyes tight. "Vee! Don't look at me! You've embarrassed me!" Italy threw his hands over he his face to cover up the red that dyed his face. Germany reached over and grabbed Italy's hands and pulled them away from their owner's face. Once Feli's face was uncovered, Germany leaned in and kissed him on the eyes. One at a time. Then his nose. And finally, Ludwig's lips landed on Feliciano's.
"Vee...what was that for Ludwig?" asked Italy, smiling uncontrollably. Now it was Germany's turn to blush.
"Um...well...I..Ich...Ich liebe dich..no matter what. I always have and always will..." Italy smiled and lifted Germany's hand to his face. "I know, Ludwig. I know." Italy sat up and pounced on the German; and begun planting kiss after kiss on him...Ludwig not doing a thing about it. His mind was so occupied with emotions he couldn't pay proper attention...
"I never thought the phrase 'love is blind' was so literal."