I wrote this story in my free time and I did it for fun, so it won't be the first in my ff priority list, but I'll keep it updated, just maybe isn't as quick and organized as The Forgotten update (I update it every weekend). Please don't kill me...
I just got this idea when I woke up from my siesta and remembered about a vocaloid's song titled the same, but the difference is in that song one of them is blind, the other is deadly sick. I didn't remember it too well, but it still is the idea for this fanfic.
This one won't be an angsty one. This will even have a happy ending :D And it doesn't have many chapters. Maybe this will end in 3-5 chapters.
I'm really being a terrible writer for this one, aren't I...? Please don't kill me...
So uhm, enough of my rant. Happy reading, I guess? :)
I do not own Hetalia
"See you this evening, fratello!" Feliciano squeezes his brother's hand gently and smiles up to him. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I will, Feli. God, I swear you've asked the same questions everyday. I've been like this for 13 years now, so would you stop fucking worried already?" His older twin Romano scowls.
Feliciano pouts. "But I can't not worried, fratello. You insist on taking me to my workplace when I should be the one who do that."
"And why should you? I can defend myself better than you do." Romano pinches his brother's forehead. "Even though I can't deny that you're the fastest in the world with your fucking wheelchair."
Feliciano laughs. "Ve… Just like you're used to your condition, I'm also used to mine, fratello."
"Good fucking point, so just stop being a damn over-protective." Romano grumbles. Feliciano pouts again, "But you're the one who's always over-protective!"
"Gah! There's just no end with you!" Romano throws his arms back in exasperation. "I'm gonna be late at this rate. So, see you, Feli." He squeezes his brother's hand back and turns to leave.
Feliciano waves cheerfully at him. "See you, fratello! Be careful, okay?" Romano waves back in response and walks away. The younger Italian watches as he brushes past people and disappears at the turn, before entering his workplace, a small diner with homemade menu and homey atmosphere. Tables with checkered tablecloth are decorated with small vase on each, with different flowers in each. Some have carnations, the other have irises, asters, or lilies. The chairs are wooden and are in light brown in colors. The counter is the same color as the chairs and is lined with stools. Feliciano directs his wheelchair to the back of the counter, where his boss, a middle aged man with beard and friendly face, is. "Good morning, boss!" He greets happily. The man lifts his face from the box of potatoes he's examining and smiles at him. "Good morning, Feliciano! Early as always."
Feliciano giggles and grabs the water spray and cloth from behind the counter, then goes to do his first work : wipe the windows. His boss' smile widens at that. "I wish all of my workers are as spirited as you are. How's your brother?"
"He's doing fine." Feliciano answers as he moves from the first window to the second, moving his wheelchair around without any difficulty. "He still insists on taking me here instead of me taking him there." His boss laughs. "That's what big brother does, right? But he is indeed pretty stubborn."
Feliciano joins him in his laugh. "Fratello is always stubborn. That's what makes him himself." His boss laughs again. "Still, it amuses me. You two are identical in physical appearance, but your attitudes are 180 degrees different."
The Italian smiles, "Ve…. We support each other that way, boss."
"I know," his boss' laugh ceases and he smiles knowingly. "I wish people will just learn from you brothers."
Feliciano only smiles at that, moving again to clean another window.
-colorful wall-
It took Romano 30 minutes to walk from Feliciano's workplace to his. He never gets into any trouble on the way and that pleases him. He prefers it much more for people to be unaware of his condition, because he doesn't want them to fucking stare at him like he's dying or what, when he's very much alive and as normal as they are. He arrives at his workplace, a restaurant, and enters through the backdoor with the sign "staffs only". Some of his co-workers are already there, he can tell from the sounds of footsteps and the cooking utensils. Upon entering, he turns left and grabs his apron from the hanger. He let his instinct leads him to his part of the kitchen and his ears perk up when the head chef enters, telling them to start working as he yells the names of the food ordered.
Romano likes the bustling activity in his workplace, when they all start working and concentrating on tasks at hand. Only his boss and the head chef know about his condition. His fellow workers are all pretty busy to even cast a second glance at him, and he's glad for that. He doesn't really get along with them too.
Romano smiles to himself as he chops the vegetables. Cooking is one of the things he likes and able to do, and he always enjoys it. After all, who says that blind people can't cook?
-colorful wall-
It's 9 in the evening when Feliciano finishes his shift and sees his brother comes. His face lightens into a wide smile and he waves cheerfully from behind the counter. "Fratello!"
"You finished, Feli?" Romano approaches the counter, being careful with each step. He still doesn't know and memorize this place's layout very well. He doesn't want to trip over something and embarrass himself.
"Yep!" Feliciano exclaims cheerfully. His boss grins and claps his back, gesturing him to go. There's only few customers right now so Feliciano can maneuvers his wheelchair freely to leave the counter and onto his brother, throwing his arms out and hugs him on the waist, since that's as far as he can reach in his position. "How's your work, fratello?"
"It's good, I suppose." Romano smacks him lightly on the head. "You can fucking let go of me now, idiot little brother."
Feliciano pouts, but lets go. He looks back at his boss, who laughs and says, "Romano is still touchy feely I see. You can leave now, Feliciano. Don't keep your brother waiting any longer."
"Mind your own business," Romano grumbles under his breath. Feliciano elbows him lightly on the stomach and smiles to his boss. "Thanks, boss! See you tomorrow!" Romano also nods slightly to him and they leave, him pushing Feliciano's wheelchair.
The night air is chilly, so the twins are glad that they wear their coat. Feliciano chats happily on the way about his day with Romano making short comments on it. But sometimes the chat is cut with Feliciano warns him that there are people or street lamps ahead and which way they should go so they don't bump into them. When they arrive, their hands are practically freezing. Romano curses as he fumbles through his coat pocket and pulls out their apartment key. "Remind me to get us fucking new gloves next time we go shopping. My hands are freezing."
"Okay." Feliciano replies happily as the door's unlocked and they step inside. "Oh, and I'm cooking today, fratello. So you can use the shower first."
"Fine." Romano puts his hand on the wall and begins walking toward their bedroom, the wall becomes his guide, just like when he walks on the street. Of course sometimes there's no wall to guide him so he has to memorize the street in his head and estimates how far he has to walk before arriving at his destination.
Feliciano sings a happy song whose lyric consists of pasta as he cooks, sometimes his head bounce with the rhythm, making the curl on his left side bouncing around with him. Romano yells from the bathroom about how he should sing something else beside that pasta song, but Feliciano only laughs and continues singing.
After they finished dinner, Romano takes the dishes to the sink and starts washing, while Feliciano heads to the bathroom, taking a bath. After the dishes are washed and Feliciano is out of the bathroom, they sit down in front of the television and watches some news and crappy soap opera. When the news is on, Feliciano keeps quiet so Romano can listen to it. When the soap opera is on, he tells him about what's happening on the screen as the actors and actress' voices fill the gap between each words. Romano responds by complaining how stupid the main female character is and how bullshit the main male character acts. Feliciano laughs until his eyes tear up hearing that.
At 12, Feliciano turns off the tv and both leave to the bathroom to brush their teeth, and then head to their shared bedroom. Romano collapses first on the a bit too small bed and rolls to the right side, as Feliciano moves from his wheelchair to the left side of the bed, but not before he turns off the lamp and turns on the bed lamp. Both mutter a quick prayer and in several minutes, they fall asleep.
-colorful wall-
Today's not a really good day for Ludwig. Yesterday he messed up with his work and his boss got angry at him. He sighs. That's because his brother was heavily drunk in a bar last night and he had to go there to pick him up and carry him home. When they got home it was really late and he was too tired to finish up his work. He pinches the bridge of his nose exasperatedly. He needs to forget about that and concentrate on today's work instead. Being grumpy about the past won't do him any good.
His stomach grumbles and he realizes he hasn't had lunch yet. So he decides to take a break and walks to the nearby restaurant. But he finds himself stopping by a diner instead. It's unusual for him since he always orders delivery, but today's different and the homey air of the diner makes him relaxed. So Ludwig enters. There's quite a lot of people inside, but it's not too crowded as well. Ludwig glances around for a seat when a voice that greets him makes him turn to its direction.
"Welcome! May I help you, sir?"
The source is a young man behind the counter. Light brown hair with a strange curl on its left side, hazel eyes, and a bright smile on his face. Ludwig finds himself at loss of words. The guy just beams at him, before a girl with long wavy brown hair and green eyes approaches him. "Let me get a seat for you, sir." She says and leads him to a table alongside a window. Ludwig sits down and the girl hands him the menu. After she takes his orders, she leaves into the kitchen. While waiting, Ludwig studies the diner. The layout and interior is so familiar and homey, he can't help but feel relaxed and warm. He leans back on his chair and examines the customers. He spots some of his co-workers there, although he doesn't know them that well. His gaze stops at the counter, where the previous guy is listening to someone's orders. He's still smiling brightly and thanks the guy for ordering before he tells another serving girl who's on her way to the kitchen the customer's orders. The he seems to start chatting with the customer who's now sitting at one of the stools. Ludwig raises his eyebrow. Do they know each other? It doesn't seem that way, judging by the customer's gestures. But they talk pretty lively before the customer's orders come and he excuses himself to eat.
Not long after that the previous girl returns with his orders and leaves to attend another customers. Ludwig takes a bite of his omelette and lets the flavor sinks in. Like a homemade, warm and familiar. He decides he will eat here again next time.
-colorful wall-
Antonio is on his way back from his editor office, his head's full of the nearing deadline and his editor's warning. He sighs and rubs his head. He's in writer block right now, but time can't wait and his editor surely can't either. Especially the readers.
The weather seems to respond to his mood as the bright warm evening is quickly darkened and few rain drops start falling.
"What a day," Antonio grumbles. He quickens his steps as the rain becomes heavier. He's so deep in thought that he didn't see that he's walking straight to a man and not before he knocks down the smaller man into the ground that he realizes.
"My God! Sorry!" He hastily tries to help the man up but his hand is slapped instead.
"Look when you're walking, bastard!" The man curses as he stands up, wet from head to toes from the rain. But a strange curl that pops from his head seems to be defying gravity as it still stands on its place.
"I'm really sorry." Antonio quickly apologizes, eyes are still fixed to that curl.
"You bast- never mind. Just pay fucking attention when you're walking next time." The man grunts and pushes his wet bangs away from his eyes, groaning in annoyance. "Stupid rain that stupidly started falling."
Antonio looks down and their gaze meet. No, not really meet, because the man's hazel eyes don't focus on him. They're not focusing at all. Antonio realizes with a surprise that this man is blind. But he doesn't see any cane anywhere. Did he knock it away when he bumped into him?
"I'm really sorry!" Antonio gaps. "Sorry, I didn't- I'll help you look for your cane!"
The man blinks, before his face comes to a realization and he curses under his breath. "Don't even bother. I'm not using the stupid cane."
It's Antonio's turn to blink. "You're not- but you're…"
"Blind." The man finishes, irritated. "Yes, I can't see, but that doesn't mean I have to rely on a stupid cane. Why do I even talk to you in the first place? I have to go now." He brushes past Antonio and starts walking away, fast for a man in his condition.
Antonio is dumbstruck for a moment before he begins chasing after the man. "Hey, wait!" He runs until he's side by side with him. "It's dangerous for you! I'll take you there."
The man glares (or tries to) at him. "Why do you fucking care? I can get there on my own. God, that's why I hate people knowing that I'm blind. They'll treat me like I'm some pitiful human being who needs to be over protected or pitied." He tch-s. "Fuck"
Antonio can't help but grin. He finds this man interesting. Not many people he knows has vocabulary as colorful as he does. And he certainly doesn't know any blind people who don't rely on canes. Maybe it'll be a good topic for his writing.
"Come on, I'm interested in you!" Antonio says, smiling. "Let me take you to wherever you're heading. It won't hurt, will it? I won't act like you're blind too so people won't notice."
"Leave me alone!" The man yells, clearly annoyed. "Go back to your own fucking business and don't bother me!" Antonio's smile only widens at that.
-colorful wall-
When Ludwig has just finished his dinner at the diner, the rain started to fall so he decided to wait until it ceases down to go home. He's the only customer there at that time and the comfortable silence of the diner calms him.
Not long after, the counter guy approaches him on… Ludwig blinks. A wheelchair. So that's why that guy looks so short. The guy smiles at him and says, "How are they, sir? Are they good?" Ludwig looks at him confused. The guy chuckles. "The food. It seems you're new here."
"Ah, yes. Very." Ludwig manages a small smile. "It tastes perfect."
The guy beams at that. "Ve… Are you happy, sir?" Ludwig blinks. "Our goal is to make our customers feel at home, and thus make them happy. Are you happy, sir?"
Ludwig looks at the empty dishes in front of him, the iris in the vase, the checkered table cloth, and around the diner. He thinks for a moment before replying, "Yes. I am. This place makes me feel relaxed."
"That's great!" The smaller guy smiles brightly, and Ludwig finds himself smiling too. For some reason it seems that this guy's smile and cheerful attitude affect people around him. Ludwig wonders if he is ever sad.
"My name's Feliciano, Feliciano Vargas." The guy offers his hand, still smiling. "What's your name, mister?"
Ludwig only stares, too awestruck to do anything. Feliciano keeps his hand stretched though. A man who seems to be his boss laughs from behind the counter. "It's his habit, Mr. customer. He makes friends with every customers we have here. Almost all of our regulars know him."
Ludwig nods understandingly and hesitantly shakes Feliciano's stretched out hand. "Ludwig."
"Ludwig!" Feliciano squeezes his hand gently. "You're German then? I have friends who are Germans too!"
"I, I see."
"Where do you work, Ludwig?" Feliciano leans back on his wheelchair, but his smile stays.
"An office not too far from here."
"As what? Manager? Secretary?"
"No, accountant."
"Accountant! That's really cool!" Feliciano exclaims cheerfully. "I can never be one like that. Math and numbers make me confused, ve."
Ludwig can't help but smile at that. No wonder. Feliciano doesn't seem like a type who can sit still for even 5 minutes.
Their conversation is interrupted when the bell on the door rings, as two soaked men enters, one is taller than the other. "Fratello!" Feliciano wheels to the shorter man, who's wearing an annoyed face. "You're drenched!"
"Thanks for stating the obvious," The said man rolls his eyes. Upon closer look, he looks identical to Feliciano, except for the darker hair color and the place of the curl. "It started raining when I'm on my way here."
Feliciano's boss leaves the counter and back with some towels, giving one to Feliciano and the other to the other man. Feliciano hands his brother the towel. "You should just take cover in one of the shops until the rain ceases!"
"It's no big deal, so stop making such a ruckus. I don't want you to go home alone because you think I don't come" his brother replies, before sneezes. "Shit."
"I told you," Feliciano's brows furrow together in worry. "I won't. Let's get you dried the first thing when we get home." But when his brother sneezes again, he 've's in worry. It's clear that his brother's cold, he's shivering.
"Are you sure you're okay?" The other man asks, seems worried.
"Of course I am, idiot." Feliciano's brother answers, voice lowers with each shake. Feliciano cover his brother's hands with his own to try to make it warm, only to flinch from the cold. He looks at his boss, worried. The middle aged man looked worried too. "I'll go look if I have spare clothes. Wait just a minute." He disappears into the back.
Feliciano turns his gaze to the other man, who's finished drying his hair and now is gazing back and forth from his brother to him. "Who are you, sir? Are you an acquaintance of my brother?"
The man opens his mouth to answer but the older Italian cuts him, shaking his head. "No. He's just someone who bumped into me at the street and won't leave me alone. He kept pestering me along the way."
Instead of looking disturbed, Feliciano literally beams. "You made a new friend, fratello! Congratulations!"
"I didn't." His brother grunts.
"What's your name, mister?" Feliciano pointedly ignores him and asks the man.
"Antonio." The man smiles widely and shakes his hand. "What's yours? And your brother won't tell me his."
"I'm Feliciano. And my brother is Romano." Feliciano releases his hand to cover his brother's again. "Nice to meet you, Antonio. And oh! Here's Ludwig." He pulls both men to the awkward German and introduces them. "He's a new customer here."
"Ludwig as in Ludwig Beilschmidt?" Antonio asks, seems a bit surprised. "Gilbert's younger brother?"
"I guess you're my brother's friend?" Ludwig stands up and offers his hand. "Yes, I'm his younger brother. Thank you for… taking care of him."
Antonio laughs and shakes his hand. "No problem. Though he's really a handful sometimes."
"I apologize for that." Ludwig bows his head slightly, looks disturbed. Their conversation is cut by Feliciano's boss enters the room with a shirt and jeans on his hands. "Good thing my son left his clothes here days ago. Here, it might be a bit large, but better than nothing."
"Thank you, boss!" Feliciano gives him a waist hug and takes the clothes from him, handing it over to his brother. "This way, fratello." He takes his hand and leads him around the counter to the back. When the twins is out of sight, Antonio speaks up. "It seems that you're close to them, sir." He looks at boss. Boss raises his eyebrow. "I am. Why?"
Antonio scratches the back of his head and smiles sheepishly. "You see, I'm a journalist, and I thought they might be a good topic for my writing. They're so cute too!"
Boss raises both eyebrows. "What's the connection between your writing and their cuteness?" Antonio laughs, "Nothing. Just want to say it." Boss looks at him funny, before laughing too. "You're funny, boy!"
Antonio grins. Ludwig rolls his eyes inwardly. What kind of conversation is this? When boss' laugh ceases, he says, "Yes, I've known them for about 3 years. I don't know much about their past though." His face turns serious and he looks at Antonio. "Don't you dare put them in your writing. Those kids are not animals at the zoo, exposed for the world to watch and pity."
"But-"
"I'll only allow it on one condition," Boss raises his pointer finger in front of Antonio's face. "Believe me, if you don't fulfill the condition and still write about them, I'll find which office you're in and make your life miserable. I have many ways to do it." He looks so serious that Antonio gulps and nods.
"Learn about them, about how they spend their days, about how they go through their problems, about how they live their life. That's what you have to write at your newspaper."
Antonio's eyes widen and Ludwig frowns. That will take time, and this man doesn't seem to have it.
"Why? It's a… unique condition, sir."
"You'll know. Trust me, because I did." Boss gives him a reassuring grin and claps his back manly. "You won't regret it. Do we reach an agreement here?"
Antonio hesitates for several seconds before finally nodding, just when the twins appear from the back. The rain hasn't ceased down and the clock shows it's 10 in the night. Romano touches his watch that's been without its protective glass and frowns.
"It's late," he murmurs. "Let's just take a taxi and go home, Feli. The rain doesn't sound to be ceasing soon." Feliciano seems to be agree, taking his coat from the locker on the back.
"Let me call a taxi for you." Antonio offers, and without waiting for an answer, he steps out into the pouring rain. Boss facepalms, "Why didn't he ask for an umbrella? He's gonna be soaked again."
"Stupid bastard. I told him to mind his own business," Romano murmurs. Feliciano looks at him disapprovingly. "Fratello, don't call him that. Antonio's just trying to help."
"Because he knows I can't see," Romano replies sharply. "He just pitied me."
"Ve, I don't think so," Feliciano pouts. But he remembers of Ludwig and leads his brother to him, smiling. "Fratello, this is my new customer, Ludwig. Ludwig, I think I've introduced you both just now, but he's my brother."
"Nice to meet you," Ludwig replies.
"Hmph," Romano scowls. "Don't try anything funny on my brother, potato bastard."
Ludwig frowns, "Potato…?"
"You're German, aren't you? Germans are all potato bastard."
"Fratello!" Feliciano whines.
"I don't like you, so stay away from my brother." Romano's eyes narrowed, just the time when Antonio enters, wet again from head to toes but is smiling a toothy smile as he declares, "The taxi's here!"
Romano pulls on his brother's clothes and gestures him to the door. Feliciano yelps but keeps steady and he manages to squeeze Ludwig's hand again before leaving, "See you tomorrow, Ludwig." He smiles to him and leads his brother outside after his boss hands him an umbrella. He waves to them and they leave through the door into the darkness outside.
-colorful wall-
The third day after the twins met both Antonio and Ludwig, the former appears in the morning in front of the diner as Romano and Feliciano arrives. When he sees them, he waves cheerfully. "Romano! Feliciano!"
"Antonio!" Feliciano cheerfully waves back as Romano groans from behind him. "Why is he here?"
"He asked about our jobs and I told him that this is the time when we usually arrive at boss'. I also told him that you always take me and pick me up, but go to your place alone. He offered to walk you there. Isn't that great, fratello?" Feliciano replies, smiling at him. Romano headbutts him in return, earning a surprised yelp and teary eyes. "What'd you do that for, fratello?" Feliciano whines.
"Why did you tell him? Now I'm stuck with a bothersome idiot guy!" Romano grits his teeth. "Take responsibility! You have to make dinner for 3 days straight!"
"Eeehhhh?" Feliciano cries out. "No fair, fratello!"
"You started it," Romano grumbles in reply, scowling and crossing his arms in his chest.
"Okay, I'll do it, I'll do it," Feliciano sniffs. "We're going to be late, fratello." Romano tchs and continues pushing his brother's wheelchair.
"Good morning, Feli, Roma!" Antonio smiles widely as they stop beside him. "I'm glad I'm not late."
"You're early, Antonio." Feliciano smiles, ignoring Romano's choked out words ("When did he start calling us that?") "You're even earlier than us, ve!" The older man laughs. "I woke up early, because I don't want to make both of you wait. Shall we go now, Romano?"
"I entrust my brother to you, Antonio!" Feliciano chirps happily. "I'll be fine. See you after work, fratello!" Romano tchs for reply and leaves, faster than usual. "You can go, Antonio," Feliciano smiles apologetically. "Otherwise, you'll lose him. Fratello's fast on his feet."
"I'll be going then! See you this evening, Feli!" Antonio gives him a bright smile and turns around, chasing after the already disappeared Romano. Feliciano chuckles and shakes his head, entering the diner.
Antonio runs until he is side by side with Romano, the younger man is fast indeed. "So, where do you work, Romano?"
"What's the point of asking if you're going to know soon, idiot?" Romano looks annoyed. "Don't you have any brain cells?"
"Oh yeah! I didn't realize!" Antonio laughs, "Good thing you remind me, Roma!" and he earns a painful elbow on his ribs. "Stop calling me that!"
Romano is strong, much stronger than he looks, Antonio decides, as his eyes begin tearing up and he feels bruise is starting to form on his ribs. "Why? It's cute! Feliciano lets me call him Feli too!"
"My brother's different than me." They turn left on an intersection and come into the busy street of the city with people waiting for the traffic lamp to turn green for them. Both Romano and Antonio stop and join them. "How's so?" Antonio asks.
Romano rolls his eyes. "Why are you so oblivious? Or are you just too stupid? He's always smiley and ve-ing, I'm not."
"So both of you are different only in that way?"
"No, but I'm not fucking telling you."
"Aww, you're so mean, Roma!" Another elbow on his stomach, and Antonio yelps.
"I'll fucking punch you next time you call me that." Romano grumbles.
The traffic light turn green for the pedestrians and they cross the street. "Hey, Romano, how did you, you know, walking at the street? How do you know which way to go, how far, the traffic lamp, and not to bump into people?"
"Habits." The Italian answers, brushing past a woman. "I know which way and how far through habits. Feliciano has to take me for the first times, and I'll memorize from the many times we go through the street." Antonio frowns, "Isn't it dangerous to walk without cane though? You'll never know if there's a hole or street lamp ahead, and you'll bump into people too."
"If there's a hole ahead and they don't put warning signs, it's unfortunate, for them, because I'll rip their balls out and make them beg on their knees for forgiveness. I memorize the place of every street lamps, and I depend on luck not to bump into anyone. For the traffic lamp, if people stop, I do too."
"That's selfish for the people in the hole you know. And how will the warning signs affect you?"
"Who cares? It's their damn fault for not putting those stupid signs. If I take a step and my feet bump into something like a sign on the ground, I'll change path. Fucking simple."
Antonio decides not to argue further. "But still, how do you go to other places? Convenient shop for example."
"I ask Feliciano to write the direction for me." Antonio raises his eyebrow. "In Braille of course, duh." Romano adds without even looking at him.
"But," Antonio's still unconvinced.
"I use walls as my guide too. Satisfied now?" Romano huffs. "We're here."
Antonio looks at the place and his eyes widen. "You work here?"
"Damn obviously."
"You cook?"
"Why shouldn't I?"
"But how do you-"
Romano groans. "I told you. Habits. I have someone guides me for the first times and memorize it. Of course I got some cuts in early times, but no big deal."
Antonio's mouth hang open. This guy, he's run out of words to describe him. All that through habits and luck? As Romano opens the "staff only" door, Antonio asks him one final question, the one that keeps bugging him since the first time they met. "Why do you despise using cane that much?"
Romano turns around and look at him (his direction) and shrugs. "Because people will know that I'm blind, and they'll start to treat me like one, and me and Feli won't be able to live like we are now." With that, he slams the door behind him.
-colorful wall-
"Good morning, Ludwig!" Feliciano greets happily as the blonde German steps in, beaming his cheerful smile at him. Ludwig flushes at that. "Ve, I'm so happy you decide to have breakfast here too!"
"It's nice here," Ludwig replies, trying to suppress another blush. He's not used to people act so cheerfully nice to him, and seem to be happy to see him. Except his brother, his co-workers seem to avoid him, maybe from fear, maybe from respect. He doesn't have any friends either. Ludwig has been used to living his life by himself and depending only on himself. Feliciano's acts toward him is really new for him.
"Ve, I'm happy that Ludwig's happy!" Feliciano giggles. "So, what will you have?"
"The usual." Ludwig sits down on one of the tables. It seems that he's the first customer today. The diner is still empty. Sunshine pours inside from the windows, warming the place and filling it with nice smell of the sun.
"Right away, sir!" Feliciano replies cheerfully, handing the note to the girl on the back. While they're waiting for the orders to be served, Feliciano leans on the counter and starts a conversation. "How's your work, Ludwig? Is it going fine? Is it getting too much? Does your brother still like to be drunk? Don't get too tired so you don't get sick. Sick is not good, ve. It'll make you sad and weak and unable to do anything well, but I think it's not that bad too because when I'm sick fratello's profanities decrease and it makes me happy because even though I don't mind fratello saying rude words but I'm worried that he'll make other people mad and he'll get into trouble and I don't want fratello to be injured or in danger." He says all that in one inhaling of breath. Ludwig blinks. He really questions Feliciano's ability to talk that much in just one breath, but he decides to just accept it. There's nothing normal about Feliciano anyway, the same goes for his brother.
"My job's fine," He replies, "My brother's still often drunk, but I'm used to it."
Feliciano laughs. "You should bring him here next time, Ludwig! It's going to be so much fun with more people! And boss will be happy his customers increase!"
Ludwig thinks for a moment. "I will, someday."
The waitress girl comes out with Ludwig's orders and Feliciano moves from the counter to his table, positioning his wheelchair in front of him. Ludwig looks at him questioningly.
"It's sad to eat alone. So I'll accompany you," The smiling man exclaims. "I'm always sad if I eat alone. It's not comfortable either. Food tastes better with more people."
"I-I'll be fine," Ludwig stutters, flushing. "Don't bother yourself."
"Ludwig is not fine," Feliciano sings, "It's no good to eat alone, ve. There's no customers too, so you don't have to worry!"
To be honest, Ludwig feels more uncomfortable if he eats with someone else instead. He's so used to eating alone. He has breakfast alone because usually his brother's not up yet, and lunch because he always ordered delivery. He rarely have dinner with his brother, since he always works until really late in the night. Feliciano changes most of his habits with just simple acts. Greeting him cheerfully, seeming happy to see him, smiling to him, and now insisting to sit with him on his breakfast. The Italian has changed his world quite a bit in just three days.
Ludwig successfully forces his flushing face to normal again and decides to strike a conversation so he won't feel awkward. "Who do you usually eat with?"
"I have lunch with boss and the others, and dinner with fratello! In our days off, sometimes we eat out, sometimes we try new recipe at home."
"I see…" Ludwig sips his coffee. "How about your parents?"
Feliciano's face falters a bit, but so vaguely that Ludwig hardly notices it, but his smile stays, only softens. "It's just two of us."
"I see," Ludwig feels ashamed to have asked such a question. Why did he ask such a private question to the guy he's just known for three days? "I apologize for asking such question. Please just forget about it."
"Ve, Ludwig's so nice." Feliciano chuckles. "It's okay, don't be sorry. You're my friend so I'll tell you. My dad's died. I don't know where my mom is. She left when we were little."
Ludwig looks at him. "Why are you telling me?"
"Because it seems that Ludwig and I are going to be best friends!" Feliciano's smile brightens. "Best friends are honest to each other, ve!"
Ludwig almost spills his coffee and he stares wide-eyed at the younger man. Feliciano laughs seeing that. "You look so funny, Ludwig! Oh, a customer! Good morning, miss!" He waves to the entering customer. Before he goes back to his place behind the counter, he says, "Sorry, Ludwig. Gotta go now, but let's chat again this evening! You'll come, right?"
Unable to resist the wide smile Feliciano's beaming at him, Ludwig sighs and nods. "I will."
"Yaaayyy! Grazie, Ludwig!" Feliciano throws his arms around his neck and hugs him for a split second before pulling away, happily wheeling to the back of the counter. Ludwig is left at his table with wide eyes.
I know Ludwig doesn't have a last name, but I make his the same as Prussia in this one because he's his brother.
Sorry for terrible grammar and OOC-ness...
Thank you for reading! :)