A/N: Yay, chapter 2! (Or theme 2...w/e) Hope you enjoy!
Scheisse: shit (in German)
2: Complicated
"Ludwig! Ludwig, say something!" The frantic Italian cried, violently shaking his German friend. Ludwig just stood there, expressionless. But in his mind, a complete meltdown was occurring.
WHY DO I FEEL LIKE MY HEART'S ABOUT TO BURST OUT OF MY CHEST? I'M SWEATING I HATE SWEATING. WAIT AM I BLUSHING? I HATE BLUSHING MORE THAN I HATE SWEATING! SCHEISSE SCHEISSE!
"Uhhhh" was all the German could managed to utter before doing something completely unlike him, mirroring the Italian.
He ran. No, he bolted out of the restaurant at lightning speed, tripping over various cracks and steps, not looking back. Mein gott, how can you be so thick? You just proposed...TO FELICIANO. His breath became heavy, thick as smoke. His legs buckled under pressure and he fell to the ground, embracing himself. Shutting his eyes, he sighed, and withdrew a long, labored breath. He was miles away from Feliciano, so it was safe to rest, just for a little bit. He didn't even want to imagine what Feliciano thought. He potentially just ruined his only good friendship because he couldn't differentiate romantic and friendly feelings. He was screwed.
The sun was setting on the horizon when Ludwig finally made it back to his house. He took a long walk back, contemplating on what he should do next. Problem was, he had no idea what to do. The only thing he planned ahead was drinking some beer as soon as he got home.
"Oy, West! Busy day or somethin'?" Gilbert called from across the house as Ludwig entered. Ludwig didn't answer and went straight to the fridge, pulling out a Heineken. He settled himself down on the couch and sighed, taking a huge gulp of beer with him. Gilbert joined his brother, beer in hand and towel in the other to dry his hair.
"So...how'd that dat- lunch with Feli go?" Gilbert asked curiously. He wasn't going to admit that he saw the whole thing; he wanted to torture his bruder just a bit.
"Don't wanna talk about it," Mumbled Ludwig, taking even bigger gulps of his beer this time.
"By the looks of it, horrible. You're already done with your beer!" Gilbert joked, slapping his bruder's back. Ludwig wasn't amuse and rubbed his eyes.
"It was really that bad?" Gilbert asked, somewhat concerned. The look on Ludwig's face read complete dread.
"Like I said, I don't want to talk about it." Ludwig got up, and slammed his empty beer on the end table. He went to his room and locked the door, not wanting to see anyone, especially Feliciano. There was a rational, perfect explanation for all of this. I over analyzed his actions and perceived them to be...more than they are. He's just really friendly; he's Italian. I just need to adapt to it and set boundaries. That's it. He sighed, turning off his light and shutting his eyes. It was nights like this, when his brain was wired from thinking too much, that he couldn't sleep. Eventually, he found sleep, a hollow, empty sleep.
To his relief, Ludwig woke up without Feliciano by his side. He sighed, trying to think of his next plan of action. As he got up and entered the kitchen, he noticed Feliciano, sound asleep on the couch. His brain went into panic mode. What- why is he here? He's suppos-
"Ve~ Good morning, Ludwig!" Feliciano chirped. Ludwig remained stoic, but managed to gulp.
"G-good morning."
"I was going to sleep in your room, but you locked your door, and I'm not really good at picking locks."
Ludwig was beyond confused. He couldn't even comprehend why Feliciano was engaging in casual conversation, not even remotely recalling the events yesterday.
"Feliciano," Ludwig managed to say, "I think...we need to talk." Ludwig approached Feliciano, seating himself next to him, but not too close.
"What do...we need to talk about?" Feliciano looked hurt, his voice shaking a bit. Ludwig sighed,
"I've...I've tried, for months, to understand why you..act the way you do, and I still don't know." He rubbed the back of his neck, "It's...I guess I'm not used to it, still."
Feliciano's eyes soon watered up, his lip quivering, "A-are...are you leaving me?"
Ludwig's eyes widened, "No, that- no!" He raised his voice, further upsetting the Italian. He sighed, "I'm sorry, but I'm not leaving you. I'm just...I..." He paused, trying to think of the perfect, once sentence to say. "I can't have you act the way you do. The hugs, kisses, even sleeping in the same bed as me. You should...stop, before you further complicate our...friendship." That stung. He didn't even know what he and Feliciano were anymore. To Feliciano, we're friends Ludwig thought. But...to me...
"O-okay." Feliciano uttered, trying not to cry, "So, you're not leaving me?"
Ludwig slightly smiled, "I made a pinky promise, remember? And I'm not breaking it." Feliciano smiled, and hugged his friend for one last time. Ludwig rested his head on the Italian's shoulder, actually not wanting to let go. He immediately regretted what he said, but it was too late to take back his words. When they parted, Ludwig shivered, missing the warm embrace.
Hopefully, things would be more certain; but, then again, nothing in life is certain.
Not even pinky promises.
