Chapter 2:

True love imprisons you and never let go~

Lieutenant Ludwig Beilschmidt also known as Germany, a tank commander and watchman (on the streets), was walking over the streets of his country. It was an incredible chaos out here, many people were forced home or put into cars. Ludwig knew exactly where these cars were heading to and he preferred not to think about it.

Ludwig preferred to listen to his assignments, he was a disciplined and hardworking man, he had always been that way, already since he was a little kid. Ludwig stared around, the crowd of people became smaller yet he searched for someone who needed his help. When his eyes suddenly fell on a little Italian boy that disturbed the hard work. Ludwig immediately recognised him, but that couldn't be! Ludwig sighed deeply, "idiot" he thought to himself.

For some reason Ludwig didn't want anything to do with it, yet a part of him knew why Feliciano had come from so far. How did he even manage to come inside his Country? He didn't even have the right papers for it. Ludwig tried to walk as fast as possible, he didn't care that it looked suspicious, not at all, he just wanted to get away as soon as possible. Maybe he even walked a bit too fast because he accidently bumped into someone and tripped. These days had been so hectic that Ludwig had almost been unable to hold his head up.

"Autch! Scheisse! Can't you look out?!" Even though Feliciano was Germany's ally the little brunette was still scared of the intimidating and large men in this Country. Because all kinds of men walked over to him he waved his little white flag passionately. He was almost whimpering and the only thing he was focussed on was to find Ludwig and not getting hurt. Suddenly someone ran into Feliciano. But of course! Feliciano had always been a clumsy person and when he was scared he never looked out. Just like the other person he tripped and fell pretty hard on the cold, stone, ground, it hurt and Feliciano started to whimper softly, when suddenly the other person started to shout angrily at him which made things even worse.

"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry! Please don't kill me! I don't want to die! Also please don't hit me! That would hurt! I'm sorry!" Feliciano wailed almost begging as he got onto his knees, he didn't even look up at the person he had bumped into, he was too busy crying and hoping that he wouldn't hit him.

Ludwig slowly stroke his own head, it hurt just a bit but that was alright. The German slowly stood up and another military walked over to him. He probably wanted to help him because he pointed a gun at the little Italian boy. Ludwig shook his head and tilted his hand in the air, telling him that it was alright. When the Germany had walked away Ludwig turned around to face the other boy, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Italy?! What are you doing here?!" Ludwig said with his funny, strong, German accent. He sighed deeply and shook his head in disbelieve, did this just really happen? Ludwig pointed his hand at the boy and his expression softened to a new level of tenderness. "This is war! Don't you know that it is saver to stay in your own country?!"

Italy wiped his tears away and lifted his head up to look at the German. And he immediately forgot all of his worries as he noticed the man in front of him. The man he wanted to be with so badly through this war!

"Doitsu! It's you!" He immediately jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around Ludwig. "Yes I know, but I felt lonely so I came looking for you! But then I got lost and everybody looked so scary!" Feliciano tried to explain everything as clear as possible although it wasn't easy through his happiness. He was just so happy that he was finally able to see Ludwig again, to feel him. It brought him back to life again and that was something that only Ludwig could do. The boy stepped back and was about to say something, but he was interrupted by the growling of his stomach. "And also now I'm really hungry… You don't happen to have any pasta, do you?"

Ludwig growled slightly, Feliciano could be really exhausting with his energetic attitude. He slammed one hand on his forehead and immediately a drudgery sigh escaped his lips before his eyes finally drifted off to Feliciano.

"Italy… What have I told you about eating too much pasta?" Ludwig immediately looked around in a quick movement. Seeing how the other German's stared at him made him absolutely uncomfortable. Ludwig put his hand on Feliciano's shoulder in a firm way while he tried to whisper something in his ear unnoticed. "We better can talk somewhere else… This isn't a good place…"

Feliciano followed the other obediently as he walked away from the busy place. Ludwig held the boys hand all the time in his, it just felt right to him, yet he was angry at the Italian for risking his life for him. Feliciano could be very stubborn when he had his mind on something.

"Are we going to your house? There is lots of food there right?" Ludwig walked in a rather fast pace and the little boy had trouble keeping up. He stumbled a few times but luckily found his balance back just on time. "Doitsu, wait for me. Can we slow down a little? I'm tired of walking!" Feliciano complained for like the third time while trudging after the other male. He let his arms and head hang low in exhaustion. Typical Feliciano to be like that…

Ludwig noticed just on time that the Italian couldn't keep up with his fast pace. Ludwig grabbed the boys hand even firmer and Feliciano's heart immediately skipped a beat.

"We need to go faster… I could walk a little slower, but you should try and walk a bit faster because your rhythm is cock-sucking slowly." Feliciano had always loved Ludwig's voice, it was deep and strict and had a strange accent making it harder for him to say the "t". Ludwig looked from left to right and back again to make sure that nobody was following them. "We are almost there…" And Ludwig continued to walk way too fast for Feliciano's admission.

"Ah, Doitsu, not so fast! That really hurts!" The Italian boy nagged at the much stronger German. Why did he had to be so strong. "Why are you in such hurry anyway?" He continued as he stumbled after the male who dragged him by his arm. Feliciano met Ludwig's eyes and they were filled with fear, Feliciano immediately knew the answer to his first question, but he didn't like to think about it. "Doitsu?! What's going on? I'm scared!"

"Ssst! No one may see us now Italy! I am not allowed to talk to people from another country that isn't a part of the Axis…" Ludwig tried to slow down a little. One wrong movement and they were captured or transported to even worse destinations. The German's eyes fell at a small alley, it was a faster routine towards his home which he normally didn't use. Ludwig ran into the alley and didn't try to look back, Feliciano still had trouble to keep up with his friend but didn't complain this time. Ludwig lead him out of the alley to a pair of houses. Ludwig stopped for a moment to look around before he finally ran the last few meters with Feliciano by his side. "Here we are… You are going inside, then I will go back to my work. You know that I can't stay away from my work right?"

A friendly smile appeared over the German's lips and Feliciano's heart skipped a beat. He felt his blood thrum beneath his skin and every single part of his body was filled with warmth now. Ludwig was a light in the darkness, a light Feliciano had to follow so he was able to beat these dark times.

"Yeah I know that, but you are not going to send me back home, are you?" Feliciano feared the worst and his voice sounded a bit desperately as he looked with puppy-eyes at the strong German right in front of him. "It's lonely there. Big brother Romano is far too busy with his own plans to even look up at me. And mister Austria is scaring me during those times." Feliciano wrapped his arms in a very fast movement around Ludwig and buried his face between the military clothes. There was nobody around anyway. "And you have been so busy lately, we have hardly spend any time together lately. I-I miss you Ludwig!"

Feliciano started to wail as a few tears left his eye corners. He didn't care that he cried! He cried a lot and he just couldn't help it! Being together with Ludwig just felt so great, it felt like the only thing that kept him alive. Ever since he met him he was unable to leave him. There was just something about this German that captured him like a prisoner.

"Ah…" Ludwig swallowed deeply and tried to hold back some tender words. He rather didn't show his softer side, not even amongst friends, let alone in these times. Feliciano could make him feel very uncomfortable when doing this. He felt like he didn't deserve these hugs, didn't deserve a friend, because he was a monster after all he had done. There was only one reason why he didn't leave Feliciano and that was because he knew how much pain he would give the little Italian. He didn't fight for himself, nor for his country but for his dear friend Feliciano. The person who never left him no matter what. Ludwig hugged the other Country a little hesitating back but soon let go off him. "Uh… No… I promise I won't…"

Feliciano looked up while he still was trying to hold onto the other male. "Thank you…" He whispered happily, his eyes were slightly wet, something Ludwig had got used to. Feliciano did cry a lot after all. "Eh… Doitsu, you're blushing!" The little Italian boy let out a small giggle and laughed away his tears at the sight of the taller male looking so bashful. Feliciano freed himself from the other's embrace and softly touched the other male's cheek. "You should go back to work, I'll wait right here. Don't worry about me!" Feliciano laughed as he pointed at the ground.

Ludwig shook his head like he didn't agree with something. Feliciano couldn't wait outside, people would see him! And that wouldn't pay off properly.

"No, it's too dangerous outside… I'll first get you inside my house…" Ludwig reached for the other's shoulder and leaded him to the front door. The house was small, but big enough for two men. Ludwig walked up on the small stairs and opened the door with a quick movement. He smiled a friendly laugh towards the Italian and Feliciano's heart literally melted. Feliciano took a quick peek inside and decided to walk the last part himself.

The house had a simple décor. The living room was right next to him at Feliciano's right side. It was just a simple couch with a small table right in front of it. A few chairs were next to the table and an old radio was only a few meters away on a closet. At the table were a few beer bottles, of course! Ludwig loved beer, just like his brother! Feliciano's eyes drifted off and they met the dinner room, well… It were not really rooms because the dinner room was right next to the living room and the backyard was right behind it. Feliciano looked toward his left side and found a simple kitchen, unlike the other rooms the kitchen was separated and thus an own room. The stairs for upstairs was right next to it.

Feliciano turned around to look at Ludwig and smiled childlike. He was so innocent and totally unaware of everything that was going on in the world right now. "Thank you, Doitsu! Be save at work okay? And don't get yourself killed because that would be very terrible!" Feliciano cheered happily and gave a little goodbye-kiss on the other's cheek like he always did when he was a little scared.

"Uh… I will" Ludwig said as he touched his cheek and after waved goodbye with the same hand. He was blushing madly but tried not to show it. Why was he blushing so much lately?! "Goodbye Feliciano!" He almost shouted, but there was a little bit of excitement in his voice. "I will be back in the evening! You can find some food in the fridge if you are hungry!" With these words the German left for work. The day went smoothly and nothing happened that was a bit off. Ludwig had watched in terror at the sight of three men being killed and around 8 p.m. he was finally allowed to go home.

When Ludwig had left Feliciano immediately went to the kitchen and opened the fridge to find himself something to eat. "Hmm… Let's see… Pasta~ Pasta~ Pasta~… Eh? No pasta? How disappointing!" Feliciano's eyes met a box full of tomatoes and an idea hit him. "But there are tomatoes… Big brother Romano always eats them raw… I guess I could try eating them like that too…" Since Feliciano couldn't find any pots or pans, he didn't had much of a choice but to eat them raw. So he took the fruits from the fridge (why would Ludwig even put tomatoes in a fridge?) and ate them one by one. Once he had finished eating he laid down at the couch. His eyes felt so heavy and he just listened to his body, closed his eyes and soon after drifted off to sleep. Feliciano was still asleep when Ludwig finally returned from his work.

Ludwig carefully opened the door and was a bit frightened because he had left Feliciano alone at home. What could have gone wrong? So many things could have gone wrong with Feliciano being alone! Especially inside HIS own house. Ludwig sighed in relief at the sight of the sleeping Italian just when he wanted to grab and blanket from above his eyes drifted toward his kitchen.

"Italy! What happened to my kitchen?!" Feliciano woke up from the German's shouting and he didn't even think about getting scared of Ludwig because he was still sleep-charged.

"Ah? Hi Doitsu, I tried to find a pan but I couldn't find one…" Feliciano slowly stretched his arms and rubbed his eyes as he got up from the couch and stumbled towards the German. Ludwig sighed deeply and put his hand in front of his eyes.

"Oh Italy… What would my live be without you…" The German said a little annoyed, yet he went back to the kitchen to clean it all up. Later when he was done walked over to where Feliciano was and sank himself between the pillows of the couch. Feliciano stared a bit worried at the German, seeing him like this really cough his attention. "So… What have you been doing today?"

"Well this morning I wanted to see you…" Feliciano didn't like to lie especially not to his best friend. But he didn't want to tell Ludwig about the days before and how long he has been desperate for Ludwig's company. "So I snuck out without Romano noticing me. But when I got here I couldn't find you. And all the Germans were so scary! That was why I have been carrying my white flag the whole time! And then YOU ran into me! And then I ate some tomatoes and took a nap…" The Italian said it as happy as if it was a daily routine. "And… How was your day?"

Ludwig closed his eyes and his expression was filled with sorrow. He looked down for a moment like he didn't even want to bat an eye at Feliciano. Talking to a friend, that was all he needed now.

"Oh Italy… My days have been so hectic… I had to watch how people got killed, were brought to… To camps… How whole families got torn apart… And I was unable to do anything but watch… I even had… Even had…" Ludwig was unable to get these words out, they were just too painful and made him feel even worse. "To kill some myself…" He took a nearby bottle of beer and opened it, taking a big sip.

Feliciano looked shocked at Ludwig, unable to bring out words. Was it that bad outside? Feliciano knew that things had been going on for a while now, but never that they could have been this cruel. He was unaware of the fact that his friend had to go through all this. He didn't like to see him like this because it literally broke his heart. War had changed, this wasn't how it used to be.

"Doitsu, I'm so sorry! I didn't know you had to do all that!" Feliciano looked like if he was about to start crying and all he wanted was to see just a tiny smile across the other's lips to know that he was okay. Without thinking Feliciano jumped at the other and buried his face in Ludwig's shoulder as he now sat on his lap. The smell of his clothes made him feel a bit easier, it smelled like Ludwig and Ludwig was everything. "Doitsu! Doitsu, Doitsu, Doitsu! Whaaa! Please don't be sad!" Feliciano cried and almost knocked the bottle out of the German's hand.

Ludwig sighed and pulled Feliciano in for a strong, save hug. When Feliciano was in Ludwig's big strong arms, everything was okay and nothing would be able to hurt him. Ludwig softly petted the boy's hair and reached for the small curl that dislocated from his hair and never went flat. This was what he needed now. "It is what Germany wants us to do right now… Otherwise…"

"Say no more!" Feliciano wiped his own cheeks and looked at Ludwig, he reached for his skin to though him softly and let him know that everything was alright now. "Is there anything I can do to make you happy Ludwig?" He hiccupped. The Italian had noticed lately that Ludwig would act rather strangely when he hugged or touched him. Could it be… That Ludwig… Liked him? "Maybe… This…" Feliciano whispered a bit hesitating and slowly pressed his lips against those of the other male.

Ludwig almost bumped against the wall behind the couch in shock when the Italian touched his lips. First Ludwig wanted to push him of, but for some reason… He didn't, he just couldn't. Why did his body not listen to him?! Why didn't he just push the boy off?! Maybe… This felt right… So he continued to kiss him. He had to get used to this feeling, he had never kissed someone before let alone another guy. A warmth spread through every single vein in his body and Ludwig got lost, lost in his thought, lost in this kiss. He was so confused. But he knew one thing for sure, he was in love with Feliciano Vargas… And he would be unable to let him go.

To be coninue...

Sorry for the late update, I was so busy with school... D: Only 7 weeks left until summer-breaks start, I can't wait because it will be the first time for me to ever go with an airplane. :D We are going to Spain... This makes me so happy. ^o^ I can never look normal towards the Country-names and the world card... Ever again...

They went a little fast... I'll warn you for the next chapter though. But later during this story more drama will come and romance between them will be a little hard. =/

Hope you liked it~!

Please review~! c: