Feliciano skipped towards the market, hoping to see that friendly German stranger again today. He set up the stand again, like any other usual day, carefully placing the fruits in order.

Soon after, he attracted quite a crowd.

"We heard you sell the best fruits here." said one customer, which caught Feliciano's attention.

"That's right, only the best for our delightful customers." He smiled, heart racing in his chest. Did Ludwig tell them about this?

Towards the evening, he glanced around, hoping to spot the blond hair and blue eyes in the crowded marketplace. But...nothing. His happiness drained away a little at the very thought of Ludwig not turning up.


Then, his thoughts were interrupted by that familiar deep voice that sent a shockwave through Feliciano's body.

"Erm, hello? Feliciano wasn't it?" Feliciano's eyes widened.

"Hello again, Ludwig." He nodded, trying not to sound too overjoyed at the thought of him turning up.

"I heard you sold the best fruits here." He winked playfully.

Feliciano caught up to the whole situation, his head was a whirlwind of emotions and he didn't even know why this German stranger made him feel like this. He had always been a confident person around people.

"So, you did tell them about this place." Feliciano exclaimed.

"Yes, I wanted to help you out."

"Thank you, kind sir." Feliciano almost said in a whisper, his voice was almost hoarse with emotion.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, want to go to the bar again? It's getting late, I have to pack up anyway."

"Hey, not before I buy more of that fruit." Ludwig held out his hand to stop the auburn haired Italian.

"Just take it you've helped me enough today."

"Oh really? Thanks!" Ludwig almost grinned at that, a warm feeling peered up inside him, he loved doing deeds for others. He took a few apples and oranges and bagged them up.

"I'm going towards the bar, I'll meet you there then?" Ludwig talked softly, his sky blue eyes pierced through Feliciano's heart.

"Sure, I'll be there in a minute." And with that, Ludwig walked off to the bar area.


Feliciano caught a glimpse of the blond hair in the crowded bar area, his heart raced as he got nearer. Ludwig was talking to the crowd yet again. His grin and his laughter seemed to be the only thing that Feliciano saw and heard, his eyes and ears too focused on him rather than the surroundings.

"Hello again, Ludwig." The cheerful Italian greeted towards him.

"Oh hello."

Suddenly, Feliciano felt his arm being grabbed and himself pulled along. He didn't know how to react to that, all he knew was that blood pounded in his head.

"Come, I want to chat with you a little more."

"Ok." He nodded, not knowing what to say other than the muddle of words inside his head which he wanted to choke out.

They sat at a table and had a long talk with each other, about their hobbies and favourite food. But then Feliciano accidentality blurted out something, something he's never trusted anyone with.

"My brother will be going into the military soon."

Ludwig's eyes saddened, he didn't know how to respond to that.

"I'm very worried about him." Feliciano looked down, tears flooded his eyes.

"I may not know your brother very well, but I'm sure he wouldn't want you worrying about him." Ludwig sighed. "I myself have a brother in the military."

"What's your brother's name?" Feliciano tried to direct the attention on another subject.

"Gilbert."

Feliciano stared into Ludwig's kind eyes, he truly knew that Ludwig deeply cared for Gilbert. This is how Feliciano should be for his brother's sake, but he couldn't bare the thought of Lovino just going off suddenly.

"I understand you're upset about it, but it's just one of those things you can't change, not by yourself." Ludwig shook his head. "I believe in you."

Those simple words gave Feliciano such power and strength, his lips curled into a smile.

I barely even know this person, yet here I am talking about my problems and deepest fears with him. Feliciano's very thoughts were flooded with those words.

"Are you ok?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts, Feliciano just realised that he was just staring into space.

"Oh, yeah sorry was just thinking."

"You may not know me that well, but I'll be here if you want to talk about anything." Feliciano smiled at how understanding and patient Ludwig was with him, it was like they were best friends yet they hardly knew each other.


"Happy birthday, Lovino." Feliciano exclaimed to his grumpy looking brother, today was the day that his brother went into the military. That didn't stop Feliciano from celebrating Lovino's birthday.

"We should enjoy this time together." Feliciano said, but Lovino just nodded sadly.

He decided to set off to the military base tomorrow to sign up, he may as well just enjoy this birthday with Feliciano. He managed to lighten up a little and relax throughout the day, enjoying some wine and joking and laughing with his brother.


Lovino called it a night early, leaving Feliciano sitting reading his book.

"Going so soon, Lovino?"

"Yeah, I suppose I better get an early night, since I have to wake up early."

"Mhm, well goodnight."

"Goodnight Feliciano."

Lovino closed his bedroom door, almost slamming it shut. He never wanted to cry so bad in his entire life, even when Grandpa died he stayed strong for Feliciano's sake. Tears pricked his eyes and he buried his face in his hand, the emotions flooding his head and he decided to lay down. He thought at whether Feliciano will be ok on his own or how the military will treat him and his brother. He landed his fist in his pillow and balled it up tightly, shaking his head of those thoughts.

"Sensitive Feliciano." He whispered to himself "You don't deserve this."


After a while, he tossed and turned throughout the night. He stared up at the ceiling and sighed. Lovino became frustrated with himself and launched himself up off the pillow.

"May as well start packing then, since I can't sleep." He mumbled.

Things were so lonely without Lovino greeting him or having conversations with him at the bar area. Everything around Feliciano was suddenly so empty and he felt a gap in his stomach everytime he returned from the marketplace.


He came back from the bar and switched the lights on, sighing. Feliciano was with Ludwig again that evening and he forgot the time completely. He did not have a brother anymore to get home to, so he didn't really bother rushing home. At least he had Ludwig to fill that emptiness now.


After 8 months without Lovino, he felt a strange feeling creep upon him. It was as if every piece of his memory regarding his brother was taken out, which resulted in any memories he shared with Lovino feeling like a dream. Was this the brain's way of dealing with painful memories? He asked himself as he sighed and unbuttoned his shirt, filling up a glass of wine just to relax himself a little. He was certainly overthinking, admitting to himself that Ludwig was his only escape from the hurt of returning to an empty house.

But that was all to come to an end, everything crashed down on Feliciano and he stood there in complete shock, almost shaking.

"I-I'm sorry, what?" Feliciano stuttered, trying to take it all in.

"I'm going back to Germany tomorrow." Ludwig sighed.

Feliciano's eyes widened. He didn't want the only thing that kept the emptiness of his brother leaving to just go.

"I'm sorry, but my train leaves tomorrow."

There was no point in fighting it, but Feliciano just slumped even further into his chair and sighed.

'Is this really it?' Feliciano thought, his eyes darted around.

"Don't worry though, Feli. Let's just enjoy tonight." He comforted. "I'll give you my number if you want."

Feliciano's eyes pulled themselves up at those words, a glimmer of hope shone in them.

"Sure."

Ludwig got out a pen and a torn up piece of paper and scribbled down a number.

"Here." He slid the paper towards Feliciano who picked it up and put it safely in his pocket.


They enjoyed the rest of the evening together, it may just be their last time together, so they cherished it.

"Listen, I'm coming back in another month before I go to the army." Ludwig suddenly whispered to him, making his body shudder a little.

"Really?" Feliciano almost shot up.

Ludwig just sat there and nodded, his sky blue eyes focusing on Feliciano.

"I'll make sure to get some fruits from the best fruit salesman in the world." Ludwig winked.

Feliciano's face flushed and a hot feeling came over him, his heart thumped to his throat and his stomach seemed like it was doing multiple backflips. He didn't understand why he felt like this only around Ludwig.

'Is this love, what I'm feeling?' Feliciano asked himself. The very thought gnawing at his mind, but it did not seem to bother him.

"Thanks. Be sure to recommend me." Feliciano smiled, almost choking out the words.

"Already have." He winked again, Feliciano's heart pounced in his chest at that simple motion he did.

He chuckled nervously, of course Ludwig did recommend him to the kind people of the village. But his thoughts were all on holding, kissing and holding Ludwig close to him, feeling his skin against his and the sweet smell of Ludwig hitting his nose. This thoughts sent a tingle down his body and a warm feeling pulsed through his body, waking up the butterflies in his stomach.

"Do you want me to meet you at the train station tomorrow?" Feliciano looked down, his eyes trying to find somewhere to focus.

"Sure, if you want." Ludwig smirked, he seemed to be pleased like it was what he wanted to hear.