For Sentimental Reasons
Chapter One
Disclaimer: I do not own Axis Powers Hetalia! None of these characters are mine.
The way he sang nonsensical songs about tomato-shaped cats while filling the house with the smell of marinara sauce. The way he buried his face in Ludwig's chest everytime a scary scene appeared on television. The way he blew his nose onto Ludwig's sleeve in the middle of one of their post-argument hugs.
Surprisingly, Ludwig didn't particularly mind these things about him nowadays. Even though Feliciano had been staying with him for no less than two months now, shamelessly baring his irritating quirks to the straight-laced German, Ludwig had found himself shouting a little less than expected. The thing was, if it were anyone else, he would've brought out the whip immediately and there would suddenly be a few unsightly stains in the carpet. So what was it about this stupid boy that-
Ludwig let out a small sigh, putting down his book and letting thoughts of Feliciano drift in and out of his consciousness. Aeronautical Engineering volume number 3 rested on the study desk. Grand total of 3 colour photos, big blocks of text filled with jargon, minimalist diagrams and mathematical equations. Feliciano would hate it, complaining that it had no 'soul', which was really a nice way of saying that he couldn't understand any of it. His boss had ordered him to read it and memorise everything down to the last fullstop. Not that the serious, intellectually curious German needed much pushing for this sort of thing, but when his superior had shoved the publication into his hands Ludwig swore inwardly at the thought of having less free time.
Less free time to do what?
" Geeeermaannyyy.. are you still reading that awful thing~?" A warm pair of arms enclosed themselves around Ludwig's torso, interrupting his train of thought. " I made some tasty snacks for you, and I thought of a really fun game we can play, ve~"
Ludwig turned his head briefly to see Feliciano's excited smile. He was in that horrible apron again, the one with food stains older than the universe. The man had somehow managed to get tomato on his face and, wait, his hair curl too? His cheeks grew warm as numerous ways of getting the sauce off flitted through his head. Some undoubtedly inspired by his private stash of magazines.
Oh god stop it you idiot, enough of that. Ludwig mentally slapped himself and replied:
" Hm. Maybe tomorrow, all right? I'm very busy now." He lifted the magazine briefly for Feliciano to see. " I have to make sure I remember all of this. It's very important for my-"
He was about to finish his sentence when the diminutive Italian reached forward, wrenched the magazine from his hands with surprising strength and flung it out the window.
200 pages of meticulously researched, ground-breaking information made a pathetic 'plop' as they fell into the drain.
" ...Y-you idiot!! What the hell did you do that for?!" Ludwig yelled, standing up and dashing frantically to the window sill. " My boss is going to murder me if I don't have all of that engraved in my memory by Wednesday!!"
" But you're so smart, Germany... I think you can do it even if you start tomorrow! Anyway, I'm sure that you can read it again once we've hung it out to dry." Feliciano half-sang, the carefree cheer in his brown eyes revealing a complete failure to understand how print and water worked.
Ludwig turned around to face him very slowly.
" You mouth-breathing, ham-fisted, pasta-slurping moron, by the time we get that thing out of the drain it doesn't matter what we do, I won't be able to read it! Can't you think a little before doing stupid things like this?! Why must everything you do give me so much trouble?! Sometimes I just feel like-"
His barking faltered quickly when the Italian's shoulders began to tremble, his head hung low.
" I-I... I'm sorry. I only wanted to spend some t-time with you." The voice coming from Feliciano was so soft and shaky Ludwig could barely understand him. " N-nowadays it's like I never see you even though I'm right h-here in your house and I m-miss you.. I'm sorry for being s-so stupid.."
An extremely awkward silence ensued, punctuated only by Feliciano's choking sobs.
" I g-guess I'll just go now.. The snacks are on the table if you w-want them ve.." He clumsily wiped the tears from his face, accidentally got some snot in the process, proceeded to wipe it on Ludwig's curtains, and then headed for the door.
" … Italy, wait."
Ludwig cleared his throat nervously, his face burning with guilt.
" I'm going to order a replacement book tonight. With overnight shipping it should get here by tomorrow afternoon, just in time for me to complete my task." His blue eyes wandered towards a chair, desperately trying not to look at Feliciano's, which were now widening with hope. " So I guess this means-"
" Si?"
" This means tha-"
" Si??"
" Today we can play that game you thought of and maybe have some of those snacks." Ludwig blurted out the sentence as quickly as possible before Feliciano could interrupt with another 'si'.
The resulting 'yay' could be heard two blocks away.
" I'm so happy~ Germany's going to play a game with me~ I'm so excited~ ve ve~" Losing his stutter and, to Ludwig's chagrin, his pants, the Italian did a skippy dance around the room and hugged Ludwig tightly. " Don't forget about tonight by the way! Some very fun people are coming over, ve~"
" All right, all right, that's enough now." The tall blonde gingerly patted Feliciano's head and made several gentle attempts to pry him off his person before his own body did something embarrassing. " Let's go to the yard where there's no chance of you breaking something expensive. And for heaven's sake-"
Long breath, eyes firmly on ceiling.
" Please put some pants on."
To be continued...
A/N: Coming up next! Outdoor fun with awkward/stupid questions and dare I say, garden vegetables? Emotional turbulence. Bickering dinner guests who make an offer Ludwig wishes he could refuse. AlfredxArthur, FrancisxKiku and a Gilbert+Roderich+Volino love triangle looming on the horizon! Stay tuned.
