Thanks for all the reviews saying I should continue. I'm sorry I didn't update sooner! I was preparing for a convention.

Yesterday, I went to Zenkaikon with my sister (Hungary) and my friend (Ronald Knox from Black Butler). Hetalia basically took over the place. I met 4 other Italys and must have posed for about 50 pictures :P I met 2 Germanys (I have pictures *fangirls*) and a lot of other characters. There was a guy dressed as Sebastian from Black Butler that was molesting a neko-Italy. He stopped and stared at me. He reached out to touch my curl and the whole Hetalia crowd screamed :3

Anyway, enjoy! ~


For the rest of the day, Ludwig was worried about Feliciano. He decided that after school, he would find his new friend and ask him what was wrong. Ludwig wasn't very experienced in comforting a friend (or friendship to begin with), but he figured it was the right thing to do. Plus, Feli seemed so nice and he wanted to help with whatever bullying problems he was having. Even if he only knew him for a few hours.

After lunch, Ludwig had social studies class with one of his new teachers. When walking through the hall, he saw Elizaveta. He trotted and caught up with her. She greeted him with a smile.

"Hey, Ludwig. Are you going to social studies, too?"

"Ja. I was wondering, what is the teacher like?"

Before Elizaveta could speak, another girl passing by chimed into the conversation. "Who, Mr. Jones? He's amazziinng!" she smiled brightly.

Ludwig raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah, but not in the way you may think," Elizaveta giggled. "He is a good teacher, sure, but the girls love him because he's hot."

Ludwig instantly blushed and began to walk faster down the hall, trying to tune out the series of giggles coming from the girls behind him. If the girls thought the teacher was hot, he would probably think the same. That's not good.

Ludwig entered the classroom and plopped down into a chair with a sigh. He turned around in his seat to look at the clock hanging on the back wall. 1:05. Another hour and fifty-five minutes to go before he could ask Feliciano what's wrong. For some reason, it was really bothering him. He looked around the class and saw one of the boys he met at lunch, Arthur, talking to Elizaveta. He turned around when he heard the door open. Through the door walked a man in his late twenties or so. Ludwig felt his cheeks grow warmer. The man was pretty attractive… He had dirty blonde, wispy hair with a cowlick right near his forehead. He had sparkling blue eyes covered by glasses that only added to his looks. Ludwig noticed his teacher was wearing a brown leather jacket with the number 50 printed in white on the back.

Mr. Jones smiled. "Good afternoon!" he greeted in an overly-cheerful voice. He turned to Ludwig. "Ah, you're the new boy. Ludwig, right?" Mr. Jones held out his hand. "I'm Alfred F. Jones. You can call me Alfred or Mr. Jones, mkay?"

Ludwig smiled back and shook his hand. "Okay, Mr. Jones." Ludwig didn't feel comfortable with addressing his teacher by his first name, so his last name would do. He was a little surprised by how casual Mr. Jones acted towards his students.

Alfred winked at Ludwig (making Ludwig's cheeks burn even more) and turned to the chalkboard. "Today, class," he turned on his heel to face his class. "We will start learning about War World II. Neat, huh? This is the interesting part of history." Some members of the class looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Ludwig also liked the topic and grinned. Mr. Jones turned to Arthur and grinned cheekily. "Almost as interesting as the time when the Americans kicked England's butt and won our independence." Arthur rolled his green eyes and looked away from his teacher, blushing slightly. Mr. Jones would always bring up the American Revolution just to get on his nerves. It irked him to death. The class chuckled. Ludwig had a feeling he would like his social studies class and teacher very much.

The blessed hour finally came after a long day; 3 o'clock. The students ran from their classrooms like a pack of wild animals. Ludwig walked to his locker and took out the necessary supplies for that night's homework. He couldn't help but smile. His first day had been a good one. He actually made friends! Pathetic as it may sound, he never really had them before. He locked his locker and darted to the front doors of the school. He patiently waited outside the building for Feliciano, hoping he hadn't left already.

"Hey, Ludwig," an unfamiliar voice called. Ludwig turned his head to see a group of boys standing near him. "We're going to the park to play baseball," the same boy said. "Do you want to join us?"

Ludwig blinked in surprise. These boys, who he didn't say one word to, were asking him to hang out? He smiled. "Oh, no thank you. I'm waiting for someone."

The boy shrugged. "Sure. Another time." The group walked away. Ludwig honestly couldn't believe how much he was welcomed that day. He really thought he would be alone for a few weeks. Maybe the whole year. Sure, that Nicky kid and his group were assholes, but everyone else was fine. Maybe it was because of the long talk Mrs. Tori gave them. He didn't know. Or maybe it had to do with the posters he saw on the walls that said things like, "Love your neighbor a yourself." Suddenly, the front door swung open and hit Ludwig right in the face. He gasped and held his now throbbing nose.

Feliciano's amber eyes widened and he ran to Ludwig. "Oh, Ludwig!" he put his hands on Ludwig's. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you!" Oh no, he hurt his new friend! Ludwig probably thought he was an absolute idiot now!

Ludwig sniffed and removed his hands from his face. "It's fine," he managed to say through pain. Ludwig wasn't a crybaby, but getting hit in the face with a glass door would hurt anyone. He looked at the palms of his hands and was relieved to find no blood. Feliciano was still panicking. "Are you b-bleeding? Wah! I'm such an awful friend!" Feli's eyes filled with tears. Ludwig quickly put his hands on Feli's shoulders like last time. "Look! I'm not bleeding, see? I'm fine!"

Feli raised his watery eyes to look at Ludwig's face. He smiled when no bruises or blood appeared. He couldn't help but notice how terribly close he was to the new boy. He also noticed how much taller the German was than he. He would say he was a good eight centimeters taller. Feliciano looked into Ludwig's sapphire eyes. His cheeks turned a light pink and he could hear his heartbeat. The gel in Ludwig's hair must have been coming undone because a stray blonde hair fell over his face. Feli wondered what he looked like without any gel in his hair.

Ludwig noticed their closeness and hastily removed his hands from Feli's shoulders. "Uh, ahem, look," he rubbed the back of his neck and could feel the tip of his nose turn red. "I wanted to ask you something."

Feli's watery eyes grew a little more serious. "What is it?"

"Um, well…" Damn, how was he to ask his question? It's not the easiest thing in the world to walk up to someone you've barely known for a day and ask, "Hey, why are you being bullied?" Ludwig realized they were still standing in front of the front door. "Uh, can we talk somewhere more private?"

Feliciano was very curious, but agreed. "My house isn't far from here," Feliciano said. "It's about four blocks away on Chadwick Street."

"Really?" Ludwig recognized the street name. "Mine is on Ritner Street."

Feli smiled. "Really? Cool! We only live a few blocks away from each other! Why don't we talk and I walk you home?"

To Ludwig's knowledge, walking someone home from school was something people did when they were either in a relationship or had some kind of interest in each other. He gulped nervously, but agreed.

They walked the pavements covered in orange and brown colored autumn leaves. Feliciano had launched into a conversation about…well, Ludwig's really wasn't sure. He just nodded his head from time to time, still amazed a person could talk so much in such a short amount of time. He was talking about his older brother, Ludwig at least thought. Ludwig finally interrupted Feli by saying, "Feliciano-"

"Oh, you don't have to call me 'Feliciano,'" the Italian said.

Ludwig stared at him. "Then what can I call you?'

"Well, you can call me that, or just 'Feli.' Just whichever is easier for you. You were saying?"

"Okay, Feli," Ludwig used the new nickname. "I want to ask you something."

"Oh yeah. I forgot about that. Sorry. What is t?"

Ludwig mentally prepared himself. "Why are you being bullied? I mean, you seem so nice and…"

Feliciano frowned. "Oh, that." He stared at his feet. They walked in a moment of silence. Feli turned to Ludwig with a look of genuine sadness. Tears did not come to his eyes, which was surprising to Ludwig. Ludwig frowned. His friend looked so sad. Was it really that bad?

"They bully me because I'm gay," Feli said quickly, walking a little faster. Ludwig stopped walking and stared at his friend. Feli was gay? But why were all those girls around him earlier? "Wait, there were a bunch of girls around you! You weren't flirting?"

Feli quickly spun around. "No, I wasn't flirting!" he spat venom. "They're just my friends!" He turned back around and began walking again. He felt tears of anger and humiliation emerge.

Ludwig ran after him. "Wait!" he called. "I didn't mean to upset you!" Feliciano kept walking and did not say a word. "I was just surprised!" Ludwig yelled. "I didn't think you were like that, too!"

Feliciano halted his steps and Ludwig's heart halted its beats. Oh fuck, he thought to himself, why did I say that? Feliciano turned to Ludwig with the utmost look of shock on his face. Did I hear that right? He saw the uncertain look on Ludwig's face and the blush on his pale cheeks. Feliciano took slow steps towards his friend. He walked up to Ludwig and looked up at him. Ludwig looked down and bit his lower lip, not appreciating the scrutiny or lack of words. "You're gay, too?" Feliciano asked quietly so no one around could hear. Ludwig had an awful feeling in the pit of his stomach. Should he really admit his sexually to a boy he met seven hours earlier? But then again, he had a feeling he could trust Feliciano with something like this; especially if he was in the same situation. Taking a deep breath, Ludwig nodded. "Yes. I am."

Feli's heart thumped loudly in his chest. The boy he was developing a crush on was gay, too? He stared up at his friend. Ludwig lips were so kissable. He wrapped his arms around the larger boy's torso. Ludwig's face turned a bright cherry. "Fe-Feliciano! What are you doing?"

"We have to stick together," Feli did not let go. "I won't tell them about you. I don't want you to end up like me. But, I want you to help me."

"Help you?" Ludwig awkwardly stood there. Noticing Ludwig was not planning on returning the hug, Feli dismissed his feeling of disappointment and let go.

"Si. Help me with the boys that pick on me." He averted his eyes. "You look big and strong and stuff."

Ludwig sighed. "Feliciano, I can't just randomly beat them up."

"I know!" Feli looked up. "I mean, just protect me and that stuff," he twiddled his thumbs.

Ludwig thought about what Feliciano said. They did have to stick together. The gay kids in a Catholic school. They couldn't be left alone. The discrimination they would receive may not only come from the students…Ludwig felt angry. How dare those assholes pick on his friend just for being gay! What the hell was wrong with them?

"How did they find out anyway?" Ludwig asked calmly.

Feli shook his head sadly. "It was in 10th grade, I was reading a magazine with Elizaveta during recess. I idly commented on how cute a guy looked in one of the pictures. The boys overheard and started to call me 'faggot' and all kinds of nasty things." Feli wiped away a stray tear with his sleeve.

Ludwig almost growled. He fucking hated that word. He saw the tears threatening to spill from Feliciano's eyes. "Don't worry, Feli. We just have a few more months left."

"I can't wait a few more months!" Feliciano yelled. Ludwig flinched. "I've been putting up with this for two years!" Tears were running down his tan cheeks. He took a deep breath. "Please, Ludwig," he breathed. "Tell me; how were you able to get through school? How did you survive the bullying in Germany?"

"Well," Ludwig shifted from leaning on one foot to another. "No one ever found out. I always studied hard and kept to myself. I'm sorry, but I never really went through bullying before."

Feliciano and nodded and there was a long moment of silence between them. "Does anyone else know?"

Ludwig nodded. "My older brother. I'm kind of afraid to tell my parents," he admitted sheepishly. He didn't know why he was telling such intimate parts of his life to this kid, but he was.

"My whole family knows," Feliciano said. "They don't have a problem with it at all. Actually, my brother's gay, too."

"Hm. It must be nice…" Ludwig did not finish his comment.

Feliciano frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Oh, no!" Ludwig responded quickly. "It's fine."

They stood there in the middle of the sidewalk. "Hey," Feliciano tapped Ludwig's arm. "I'm sorry I yelled at you," Feli apologized. He averted his brown eyes. Auburn lashes blinked slowly and sweetly.

Ludwig made a "tch" sound and shook his head. "No, it's fine. We'll put an end to the bullying, okay?"

Feliciano's eyes brightened like the sun. "Really?"

Ludwig allowed himself to smile. "Really."

Feliciano made a mental note about how cute Ludwig's smile was. He had a strong urge to hug his new friend. His whole body felt warm. He didn't think he could hold back the feelings much longer. Feliciano had always been a flirt. He flirted with girls when he was younger, but just for fun. He didn't know what to do when it came to flirting with another man, though. Plus, Ludwig seemed very serious and stoic. He highly doubted the German would ever return feelings other than that of friendship.

A door to the house they were in front of swung open. Ludwig rolled his eyes upon seeing his older brother smirking at him. "I guess we made it to my house and never noticed," Ludwig said to Feliciano.

Gilbert's smirk widened. "Wow, did you actually make a friend?" he asked in German. Feliciano stepped back. "Veh, German sounds scary."

Ludwig chuckled and Gilbert's eyes fixed themselves on Feli. Feli whimpered under the older German's stare. His scarlet eyes made him very intimidating, Feliciano thought. "Feli, this is my older brother, Gilbert," Ludwig said with some distaste. "Gilbert, this is my new friend, Feliciano."

"Hmmm," Gilbert hummed. "You actually made a friend, West?" Ludwig merely growled and turned back to his friend. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Feli."

Feli smiled. "Yeah. Bye, bye, Luddy!" he skipped down the street. Wait, what the heck was with that nickname? Ludwig's flinched at his older brother's cackles.

"Awww, he calls you by a nickname!" Gilbert laughed.

"Go away!" Ludwig switched to German and pushed himself through the door. "And what the hell was with the comment on how I actually made a friend? Must you embarrass me every chance you get?"

Gilbert grabbed his brother in a headlock. "D'aww, I'm sorry I upset my poor baby brother."

Ludwig groaned and pushed Gilbert's arms off his head. "Will you stop it?"

"What's going on in here?" a voice made the two brothers freeze. They stood up straight as their father entered the room. "Nothing, Dad!" Gilbert replied with a nervous grin.

Mr. Beilschmidt narrowed his blue eyes. "Gilbert, go to your room."

"But, Dad, I'm twenty years-old! Aren't I a little too old for that punishment?"

Mr. Beilschmidt did not reply. He stood there with his arms crossed and a hard glare. Gilbert knew by now that this meant the argument was futile. He sighed and climbed the stairs to his room. Mr. Beilschmidt shook his head. "I don't know what to do with him." He turned to Ludwig. "How was your first day?"

Ludwig shrugged and set his schoolbag down. "It was good. I made a few friends."

His father smiled. "I'm glad. I was worried about you. Your mother was, too."

Ludwig smiled in return. He was always close with his father. "I was fine. The work doesn't seem too hard and the people are nice. Well, most of them."

Mr. Beilschmidt sat down on a nearby armchair and raised an eyebrow. "Most of them?"

"Ja," Ludwig sat down on the couch. "There's a group of boys that were bullying one of my new friends."

Mr. Beilschmidt waved his hand. "Don't worry about them," he said. "If they ever lay a finger on you, just beat them up. You could, after all."

Ludwig looked down at his hands. "It's not me I'm worried about, though. It's my friend."

" 'Cause he probably has a crush on the kid!" Gilbert yelled down the steps.

"Go back to your room!" Mr. Beilschmidt yelled. They waited until they heard footsteps disappear and the shutting of his bedroom door. Mr. Beilschmidt turned back to his youngest son. "Why do they bully your friend, do you know?"

This was indeed, not something Ludwig wanted to talk about with his father. He was never entirely sure of his position on gays. "Uh, it's kind of personal," Ludwig replied.

"Alright, then," Mr. Beilschmidt asked nothing more. "If Gilbert is right, and you do have a crush on your friend (Mr. Beilschmidt smirked at the look of horror on Ludwig's face) then you should help her."

Ludwig didn't bother to tell his father his friend was a boy. He just nodded and told his father he wanted to start his homework. When he went upstairs, he knocked on his brother's door. "Yeah?" Gilbert called.

"Open up," Ludwig said.

Gilbert got up from his bed and opened the door. "Look," Ludwig's voice grew low. "Can you please not joke that I have a crush on Feliciano? I don't want Mom or Dad to find out about, you know."

Gilbert nodded. "Okay. I'm sorry." Ludwig simply nodded and tightened his grip on the strap of his schoolbag. Gilbert smirked, a thought reaching his mind. "Do you like the kid, West?"

Ludwig's cheeks instantly flashed red. "No!"

"Hmm, suuureee," Gilbert hissed. Ludwig loved his brother to death, but he was such a fucking ball-breaker. "I see the way you blush," Gilbert continued. "The reason why Feliciano is being bullied is because he's gay, right?"

Ludwig stared at Gilbert in shock. "How were you able to figure it out?"

Gilbert laughed. "Well, he called you 'Luddy' and he was blushing. That's all the evidence I needed."

Ludwig sighed. "Ja, because you're so smart."

"I am!" Gilbert pouted. "You know, the kid looks a little familiar. Kind of like my buddy Tony's boyfriend."

"Well, he did say he has an older brother," said Ludwig. "But I can't remember his name. Look, I have to do my homework. Just remember what I said, okay?"

"Okay," Gilbert winked. He leaned forward and whispered, "You may not know it yet, but I know you like that kid." Before Ludwig could tear his brother's throat out, Gilbert quickly shut the door and locked it.


I really didn't want to keep Luddy or Feli's sexuality a secret in this story, that's why I said it so early. Yes, America is the teacher! I still have about 4 characters to introduce that are not going to be from Hetalia, but based on people from real life. Did you like this chapter? Please review~