((Warning: This fanfiction contains violence, yaoi, and a little bit of smut. If you don't like any of the three I suggest you read something else because those three bits are central to my story. Sorry if I offend anyone or anything like that but, it is your choice to read this. I would love some comments and feedback; anything to make it better! This is the first draft and I'm working out the plot as I go (and I won't give away the ending) so don't ask for the end! Thanks for reading!))

Chapter One-Emptyness

Ludwig brushed a strand of blond hair away from his face and concentrated on the map he was trying to decipher; he needed to find clean water and soon. His lips were cracked from the sun and his normally fair skin had tinged brown but would soon turn red in the unforgiving sun. He turned northward, hoping that he had read the map right and would find the river that flowed through the outskirts of the small town he was now lost in.

He walked down the streets, trying to keep a brisk pace, and tried to turn off his mind. The rhythmic beats of his steps did part of it and his exhaustion did the rest. He wished he had Feliciano with him; he missed his old friend. The italian would have been great, albeit loud and sometimes annoying, company; he could always bring out the caring, protective side in Ludwig like no one else could. He smiled slightly and chuckled at a memory.

When he and Feli had first tried living together, Feli wanted to take over the cooking so Ludwig could work and concentrate on his hobby, clock making. Long story short, when he came home the italian had wrecked the kitchen in the process. He couldn't have been more angry nor happy; the full handmade meal was set out in the dining room but the kitchen was a complete mess. Flour on the counter where Feli had made pasta from scratch, spots of sauce on the stove and the sink full of pots and pans. Ludwig didn't know weather or not to yell at the italian or say thank you.

Feli had burst out of the kitchen, apron still on, and jumped at Ludwig. He had caught the young man in his arms and he had said, "Germany! Welcome home! I made pasta just for you and I know you always love what I cook. You used to beg to take home my food!" Ludwig had smiled widely at him and kissed his cheek then said, "Feli, thank you for all this." He hugged Feli close and held the italian for a long while, simply enjoying the love flowing from him for Ludwig as he wrapped his arms around him.

The memory faded away leaving a hollow, empty feeling in the german's heart. There was definitely an empty place in his heart for the italian; he missed him dearly. Everything about him, even the annoying parts. With a sigh and a slowing of step he continued on his path, lonely as ever.

The houses and apartments were empty; there was nothing he could find anymore but bodies and decay. The whole world had died and was decaying, the stench of it always rode on the wind. The buildings loomed over him, burnt out, abandoned or broken into. A soft breeze came up for a second, washing away the filthy smells surrounding Ludwig and replacing it with a simple clean smell that made him think of the past and how this had all began.

Ludwig and Feli had been on a visit to Alfred's home in America, they had soon after decided to visit Matthew after. The trip had been uneventful, for the most part. Feli got lost in New York for hours on end and Alfred and Ludwig had scoured the city looking for him. After hours of searching and having only sore feet and a staggering cab fare to get back to Alfred's, they found him inside a little hole in the wall chinese restaurant, surrounded by food and eating like crazy.

Both he and Alfred had gone inside and sat with the italian and asked him where he had been all day. Feli answered with a long story of getting separated in Times Square then wandering the city and mainly just shopping. As he talked, he brought out the bags that were under the table, rendered invisible by the tablecloth, and passed his purchases around the table. There was a Yankees baseball cap, a snow globe with the Statue of Liberty inside, mainly tourist crap but the last thing he pulled out stunned Ludwig to no end when he saw it.

It was a little, hand-carved, stone German Shepherd; his favorite animal and he had never really told Feli that. "Ludwig, this is for you. Keep it." he said as Ludwig tried to hand it back, "I thought of you when I saw it. So, this is just for you. It was supposed to be for your birthday but I'm a bit early aren't I?" Ludwig couldn't be more delighted with the little stone dog. From that day on he kept it with him as much as possible; he thought it his good luck charm.

He pulled the worn stone dog out of his coat pocket and gazed at it as he kept walking. The new instinct to keep moving was hard to ignore but it had saved his life many times. He kept looking at the dog and was barraged with memories; his and Feliciano's first encounter, their long friendship, and eventually, and most recently, a brief spat as lovers and roommates. The last had been some of the happiest days of his long life; finally having someone to confide in and to love but best of all, someone who loved him unconditionally. That is what he missed; that love he could give and receive from Feli.

Ludwig glanced around and checked that he was alone then, sat on the curb, drawing his legs up to his chest. His boots scraped loudly in the unnatural silence and his clothes rustled with his movements. His hitching breath was the loudest thing for miles; his emotions were finally getting the better of him. His tears fell upon his tattered sleeves and gloves, dampening them; he sat there for what seemed like hours and just cried. Screaming his grief, regret, and loneliness to the empty world.

((~Doitsu))