Author's Note- I have already uploaded this story before, but it kind of sucked with how rough it came across. Now, I have edited it a tad bit, (added scenes, more flowing sentences, deleted stupid stuff...) and hopefully, it sucks a little less. That does not mean it is any less messed up.

Chapter 1


"I made pasta!"

"I have told you many times! You do not make pasta for breakfast!"

"You'll still eat it, right?"

"Well, we can't let it go to waste..."

The slamming of cabinet doors roused me from a light sleep. I yawned, listening to my housemates work through their morning routine. I rubbed my eyes, slowly rising to sit, and my covers from my body. I stretched generously, but a pain stung my back. I grabbed at it, yearning for my bed on the floor back at my own house.

There was a knock on the door.

"I am awake," I announced. It swung open and my eyes widened as a slender brunet burst in the room, and dove at me. I gasped when his arms wound around my sides.

"Good morning, Kiku!" He sang, rocking us both back and forth.

"N-no, please," I pleaded, putting a hand on his chest to push him away, yet I do not think he understood the gesture. My eyes squeezed shut as I tried to take a leveling breath against his overbearing warmth.

"Feliciano!" A loud and deep voice called, the only thing that could get him to relent his hold. A much burly man ducked into the bedroom and glared at him with icy blue eyes. "Did I not tell you to ask before you hug someone?"

My friend leaped off the bed, whining, "Aw, but Luddy, hugs are nice! What if he says no?!"

"Then don't hug him!" He snapped. I put an embarrassed hand over my eyes. "Go eat your pasta before it gets cold!"

"Okay!" Feliciano bounced away. I stared after him in surprise. It seemed like Ludwig was angry at him, but I guess he has been around him long enough to know that is how he normally spoke. They live under one roof, and were close enough to fool outsiders to think they were more than just housemates. However, somewhat to my disappointment, such was not the case. Not yet at least. Allow me to keep that a secret for the moment.

Anyway, I was just visiting from my homeland of Japan. Many of my past acquaintances live in this relative area, like my old friend Arthur, who persuaded me to reconnect with them, and stop by his place whenever I could. I still had to do that, since I only arrived the day before, and the jetlag was just dreadful to step out of Ludwig's cozy cottage. I do not know why Arthur was worried about Ludwig and Feliciano, since they do not talk to him often...

Ludwig grumbled, breaking me from my thoughts, "Sorry about that."

I straightened up. "You do not have to apologize."

He frowned, and his chilling eyes flickered to the lone window. "Feli can be a lot to handle. Thank you for visiting. I could use some help making sure he doesn't do anything absentmindedly. You know, he gets...angsty when left alone for a while, and with my temporary position taking up more time during the holidays..."

I softly smiled, and slipped my feet into my house slippers, assuring my friend, "Not a problem,"

"If you want something else to eat, do not be afraid to ask. You are welcome to use anything you need."

He says that, but I would not like to gamble with my chances. "I will keep that in mind."

Ludwig cleared his throat, something I noticed he does when nervous. "Our...outing is still set for Thursday, ja?"

"Yes. Did you set the reservation at the restaurant, and get the movie tickets for three?"

"It's been done," he confirmed. A loud banging sound resonated from the kitchen. We both stiffened, and he sighed, "I will go see what that is."

My friend exited the bedroom, and after a few moments of silence, I heard Feliciano cry out, "Your pot is still good, Luddy! It just has some character now!"

I was unsure how long I was needed to stay here, but I knew it was going to feel a lot longer that what it would be.

~.~

~BOING~

~.~

Cold air nipped at my skin as my white jacket offered no protection from the German winter winds. I held it closer to my body as I ambled along a trail in the woods behind Ludwig's house. I stopped and grimaced, looking at the bare branches reaching across the pale sky. The path was the same stretch of dull brown barks. I was wandering again.

I jumped when my cellular device rung. I fumbled through my pants pocket, and flicked it open to greet a familiar number.

"Hey, Kiku!" A woman's voice cheerfully greeted me from the other end. "How has it been? Are you at Ludwig's house now?"

"Yes, I arrived yesterday. How are you, Elizaveta-san?"

"Everything is peachy, thank you. Is it all ready for Thursday night?"

"Ludwig-san has made the reservation and bought the movie tickets."

She giggled. "It is a shame how one of those will go to waste. Oh, well. I will see you Thursday!"

"A shame," I agreed, slyly smiling from our shared plot. "Thursday it is."