Sooo.... this is my first attempt at writing for Meine Liebe. This one is meant for humour, and is meant to be OOC. Yes. If you don't like OOC don't read this one, please. XP (I can write more seriously, I promise.)
Hope you enjoy.
Chapter One
"Good morning, Orphe!"
"Good morning, Ed," the young, blonde-haired man said, still walking along the corridor briskly and impatiently. He had a royal bearing and a kind face that lent him a charisma the likes of which most had never seen. However, today he was uncharacteristically late to be seen in the hallways, and uncharacteristically inconsiderate of his friend. Normally, Orpherus would stop and wait, but today he continued on his way, ignoring how quickly Eduard had to run to hope to catch up.
"Orphe, why so fast-paced today?" Eduard asked, trying to keep up with his friend. As he drew near, he saw the blue eyes, distant, unfocused. "Are you feeling well?"
"I'm feeling fine, Ed. Thanks for asking."
"Did you go to visit your sister yesterday?"
A pause, but only for a hair of a second. It was enough to see the change of expression, from the façade of normality to one of absolute sorrow. "Yes."
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry."
The mask had flickered back across his features in that split second of pause. "No, don't be. We have to hurry, otherwise we'll be late for class."
Those blue eyes were slightly red-rimmed. Eduard had thought it strange that Orpherus was a bit later than usual. He must have had a hard day yesterday, and a rough night. He knew how hard it was for Orpherus to continually deal with the pain of losing his sister, whom he had been very close to. It wasn't uncommon for the pureblood noble to lose sleep after a visit to Robertine's grave. Eduard would back off and give him some quiet today.
"All right, Orphe."
It wasn't much later, after most classes had started, that a tall, darkly man their age was passing through the same corridor. He wasn't in a hurry, so he glided near-silently down the now-empty hallway. He was deep in thought himself, so if it weren't for the slightest glint that caught his vision out of the corner of his eye he might have continued on his way. But, surprised by the silvery light, he paused in his path to find the source.
"… Hm."
He knelt, carefully picking up the locket. Its fine chain made the softest of tinkling noises as he lifted it closer to his view. The lily blooming on the door of the locket was familiar to him, though he had only glimpsed the jewelry perhaps once or twice before.
"This is Orpherus's," Ludwig mused to himself as he stood up straight once again. He glanced around the hallway to look for the blonde, but as it was just moments before, the corridor was empty.
He looked back down at the innocent jewelry with a slight frown. It was strange for Orpherus to carry his sister's locket with him – it was only on very rare occasions he had the pendant on his person. And for him to drop it carelessly and not notice… it was unthinkable. The Görz heir treasured that necklace as if it were a votive.
He had an idea. It was horrible, but he couldn't help but smirk to himself. He had to amuse himself somehow, after all. He slipped the locket into his coat and continued on his way.
~.oOOo.~
Orpherus let out a long sigh, leaning back against the tree and allowing his blue eyes to slide shut. It had been hard to shake Eduard off, especially since he knew his friend was only worried about him, but for right now he really just wanted to be alone.
How many years had passed since that day…? Since the day he had discovered his sister had been engaged? Yesterday had been the anniversary, but the exact amount of time had completely fled him. Since her death, things had been a blur.
Orpherus knew he would have never been able to keep things the way they had been – those innocent times, when his sister had been his very best friend, his very comfort, his support and strength – and that eventually, things would change. He had felt somewhat bitter about her engagement, since it had been the sign that it was time to move on and mature. He missed the young days, when he could still spend time with her… when he could still see her.
But she had been so happy, and he couldn't deny that, due to that fact, he had been happy as well. The bitterness had left, replaced only with a sad nostalgia. He had prayed every night for her continued happiness, for success in her marriage, for a good friendship with Marquis Schreier, who would be his new brother-in-law.
But now…
Glazedly, he raised a hand to his breast pocket, in order to hold the single token he had left of her. It was only a locket, but it had been her most prized possession, and its mere presence brought comfort. His fingertips met nothing.
He opened his tired eyes for a moment – certainly it was in his coat. But a search in the other pockets turned empty. Panic hit him, and he frantically began searching his person. He had to have it. He knew he had brought it out of his room with him. But he couldn't find it. Nowhere.
That only meant he had dropped it. His panic heightened. The campus was huge, and he had classes all over. There was no way he could retrace his steps from the morning and hope to find it. Surely someone else already had. He had trust that most of the students would be honest and take the locket to the headmaster for safekeeping, but he would be naïve to think that all would do that. He could name a few extremists in Ludwig's following that would no doubt try to do something should they have happened across it.
He could hope. He headed back to campus, praying and running his sister's many advisements through his head.
I'm so sorry, Robertine… I'll find it. I'll find your most precious treasure, on my honour!
~.oOOo.~
"Orpherus?"
Slowly, he raised his head to look at Naoji, who was hesitating nearby. Obviously, the Japanese man could sense his discontent. Orpherus tried to smile, but the muscles in his mouth wouldn't work.
"Naoji. What are you doing here?"
"I was just passing by to the library. Are you okay? You look like you might be sick."
"I'm sorry to worry you. I've just lost something important and I'm upset I can't find it."
"Did you just lose it today?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I think Lui mentioned in passing that he had something of yours to return to you. Perhaps you should go see if that's what it is."
Ludwig? Orpherus was very relieved. Ludwig might be a pain sometimes, but he was in nature a very honourable man, no matter how much Orpherus couldn't agree with his views. He could rest knowing that his sister's locket was in Ludwig's possession. Apart from one of the other Strahl candidates, he couldn't have picked someone better to have found his treasure.
"Thank you very much, Naoji. I will go speak to him."
"I'm glad I could help you. Good luck."
The dorms weren't too far away. Orpherus half-ran, heart in his throat. If it wasn't the locket that Ludwig had, he would be very upset, and just have to hope that it would turn up within a few days. He stopped in front of the Liechtenstein heir's door and knocked carefully.
"Enter," came the clipped voice.
Orpherus slowly pushed the door open and entered. As to be expected, Ludwig was sitting comfortably in his chair, reading in the fading red light of day. Those amethyst eyes flickered up as the door clicked shut.
"Orpherus."
"Ludwig."
He didn't close the book – instead, his eyes turned back to reading. "How can I help you?"
"Naoji mentioned that you might have something to return to me."
"That's right."
"Would it be my sister's locket?"
"Yes."
Thank goodness. Orpherus closed his eyes in relief. "Ludwig, I'm truly indebted to you."
"I hope you don't mind if I make you get it yourself."
"Not at all. I am grateful that you were kind enough to pick it up for me."
"It's on my chest."
Orpherus crossed the room to the large, oak chest that stood in the corner of the room. The lid of the chest would be an odd place to put something, but he supposed he couldn't complain. As he approached, though, he became confused. His locket – indeed, nothing at all – was resting on the furniture.
"Ludwig, it's not here."
"It's on my chest."
"It's not here."
"It is on my chest, Orpherus."
With the third repetition, horror struck Orpherus. Slowly, he turned. Ludwig hadn't moved, and was still calmly reading his book. His heart was beating hard now – he could feel it raging against his ribcage. Surely, Ludwig didn't mean… he swallowed hard.
"On your chest, Ludwig?"
"Yes. Please get it yourself, Orpherus."
Unbelievable. He had to be joking. Orpherus began walking around the room, checking Ludwig's dresser, the bedside table, on his bed. He circled around to look at the table again, but it wasn't there. Now across from the dark-haired noble, Orpherus stared. Ludwig was still as calm as ever, not having moved at all.
On his chest. Orpherus swallowed hard again, staring at the human, breathing chest. How was he supposed to do this? No, how could he even think of doing it? He gritted his teeth. Ludwig's face was blank, the only show of emotion being the interest in the book he was reading. Orpherus, though, was sure the dark-haired man was laughing internally. He could almost see the spark in those grey eyes. Was this his consideration of 'fun'? He probably didn't expect Orpherus to actually do it. The blonde was fuming. That was his sister's locket. He would get it back.
Slowly, he went around the back of Ludwig's chair. He took a deep breath and reached forward around the elder's neck. His fingers fumbled with the elder's necktie, but it was held in place by the decorative pin that pierced through. He couldn't get a grip on it, and, irritated, he straightened up long enough to tear off his gloves and shove them into his pockets before he bent forward again. The pin came off easily now – he threw it onto the table and tugged at the tie. It slipped free without difficulty, allowing Ludwig's collar to slump. It was pulled away a bit further than Orpherus had expected, weighted by the long, violet cape. Ludwig's strong neck and collarbone were bared to the light, curtained slightly now only by his elegant, silky hair.
He heart had stopped in his mouth. He tried to swallow it back into place, but he couldn't manage it. Somehow, the sight of Ludwig's smooth skin was making continuing very difficult. He had to finish this and get out… but even as he tried to move back to his task, his gaze was drawn to that perfect marble shoulder. Lightly, shudderingly, he felt along the base of Ludwig's neck, searching for the chain. His probing fingertips found nothing. Where was it?
"You said it was on your chest, Ludwig."
Had Ludwig heard his voice shake? He must have, for there was the slightest colouring of amusement in his tone now. "It is, Orpherus."
Orpherus could have sworn. He could feel his cheeks growing hot. How long was Ludwig intending to keep this up? He puzzled over what to do now. He could lean further forward, but then he would be all but on top of Ludwig. He didn't want that… he could tell he was going redder at the mere thought. He would have to go around front. He realized his arms were still resting on Ludwig's shoulders. He snatched them back and straightened up, trying to keep himself under control.
Ludwig wasn't likely to move, even if he asked. Orpherus grumbled under his breath and went around to the front of the chair. He dropped to his knees, carefully hefting Ludwig's leg off of where it was crossed over his knee. He straightened up having accomplished that, waist now between Ludwig's knees. His shoulders were fenced by Ludwig's arms, his head in the way of the elder's book. He was sure Ludwig would say something, but he remained silent. His pale grey eyes flickered, piercing deep into Orpherus's blue.
The spark in those flint depths put him on edge – he couldn't look into them. He turned his gaze to the pocket over Ludwig's chest. With trembling fingers, he unbuttoned the pocket and hesitatingly slid his fingertips into it, searching. Not there. He knew his face was flame-red by now. There was only one other place the locket could be, if it was indeed resting against Ludwig's chest. He moved to the buttons on Ludwig's coat. Carefully, he slipped one button out of its place. In response, the coat and shirt underneath slipped lower, over the end of Ludwig's shoulders, now baring his strong chest to the light.
His eyes were drawn to the sight, and he was unable to look away… for some reason, his eyes were fastened on the toned, muscular torso that was now revealed to him. His heart was pounding hard, and he was suddenly very aware of how close they were, of Ludwig's knees holding his waist. His hands, neglected of attention, slowly slipped down, rippling over his chest down his abdomen, skin brushing against skin.
Panic took over, and he was willing to let it rule him now. He jerked back and to his feet, knocking Ludwig's book out of his hands as he half-bolted from the room. The door slammed behind him as he ran down the hallway, racing for his own room. Why… why?
Ludwig waited to hear the slamming of Orpherus's door before he let a smirk cross his mouth. He reached into his inner breast pocket, which Orpherus had been so carefully trying to reach, and drew out the delicate pendant.
"He almost got it. I wondered if he would even try."