Chapter One

"Foolish brat! I had thought you smarter than this, and now see where your stupidity has led!" Bernhard had snapped at his only son, smacking him right on the ear. Ludwig bit his lower lip, not allowing himself to make a sound – even though it hurt like hell. "You're lucky that beast only took half your sight, my runt." the Blacksmith sighed, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. "Even luckier that you won't get turned from that wound... still, perhaps this will be enough to discourage you from going out there again."

Ludwig stared out of his window, one hand gingerly touching the bandages covering his now-blind right eye. The Healer had been able to save the eye itself, but it was completely useless to Ludwig now.

As such Bernhard had forbidden Ludwig from continuing his apprenticeship until he full adjusted to this development. Luckily his father hadn't gone so far as to confine him to their home after the incident a week ago. Apparently Ludwig had been punished enough for his foolishness and no further action was necessary.

"Hey, Ludwig? I'm going to make us some dinner! I thought up a new pasta dish that I think you're really going to love! But don't ask me what it is, because it's a secret and you'll see soon enough, anyway!" Ludwig looked over at his best friend, Feliciano Vargas, with a small smile and nodded his consent. Feliciano had been practically attached to his side ever since he'd found out about Ludwig's injury – not that he hadn't had a tendency or clinginess before-hand, it had just escalated in the last week astronomically.

"Sure, go ahead." With what could have passed as a giggle, Feliciano clapped his hands together giddily and bounced his way into the kitchen to get started. Bernhard was away for a couple of days so Feliciano had taken it upon himself to stay and keep Ludwig company instead.

As much as the blond appreciated the sentiment, Feliciano could be quite overbearing without meaning to – and he already needed a break. Besides that, there was something Ludwig had been wanting to do ever since he was attacked. He wanted to go back to the other side of the walls.

Now normally Ludwig was an incredibly practical man, and such thoughts would never have made it anywhere close to the forefront of his rational mind. However, there was something compelling him to go back there and face his attacker, now that the beast would supposedly be in its 'right mind'. Would there be regret for its actions that night? Would it taunt Ludwig? Or would it try and finish the job? He highly doubted the last one, the Handler who was assigned to that one had come to the house the next day to assure them he had given the 'mongrel' exactly what it deserved. Just the way the man had said it with that cruel gleam in his eyes had sent shivers down Ludwig's spine, and not in a pleasant way.

Maybe that was another thing that was drawing him back ... Ludwig was quite a compassionate individual beneath his hard exterior – perhaps he wanted to be sure no real lasting damage had been done on his account.

No matter the reasoning behind it, Ludwig was determined to go back there and already his mind was formulating the plan surrounding it. Every night after dinner, without fail, Feliciano took a siesta which lasted roughly two and a half to three hours. It would take Ludwig twenty minutes, give or take, to make his way to the Western gate so that was forty minutes of the siesta accounted for. Ludwig would have more than enough time, even with his lack of eyesight hindering his normal walking speed, to get there then meet with the beast as well as get back before Feliciano even so much as stirred.

His musings were interrupted by said perpetually happy best friend arriving to announce that dinner was ready. Ludwig allowed himself to get dragged along with a fond expression on his face – he almost felt guilty for the deception he was going to perform on Feliciano but it had to be done for his own peace of mind.

The new recipe Feliciano had come up with really was amazing – Pasta with chicken and sausage in a creamy mushroom sauce. Of course it was topped with a light sprinkling of his family's famous cheese. Truly, Feliciano could easily become a chef for royalty if he wanted to; but the youngest Vargas brother insisted that he just wanted to help with the family merchant business. "Besides, cooking is my hobby! And Grandpa Callixtus says you should never do what you love for work – it takes away all the passion, you know?"

"So, do you like it? I tried to keep the garlic to a minimum since I know you don't really like it, Ludwig. Ohh, is there enough sausage in there? I was kind of worried there might not be enough but it was all that was in your storage; don't worry, though, I'll buy some more tomorrow to replace it all!"

Ludwig had to chuckle as he watched his friend ramble on like that. Feliciano was always so eager to please, and really he didn't have to try as hard as he did. Still, that was one of the things Ludwig liked about the bouncy little bubble of sunshine that was Feliciano – and while he might joke about it every so often, Ludwig wouldn't change the other man for the world. "It's wonderful as always, Feliciano." he assured, taking another eager bite of the delicious meal.

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For a moment, Ludwig stood above Feliciano's slumbering figure as he muttered an apology before turning to leave. The going was slightly slower than Ludwig had anticipated, he hadn't really gone anywhere since the incident so he hadn't realised just how much he would need to compensate for the loss of half his eyesight.

The streets were relatively empty so nobody questioned where Ludwig was going, or set him back time-wise by asking if he needed any assistance. For that, at least, he was grateful.

It took closer to twenty five minutes than the expected twenty. Perhaps it wasn't a huge difference, but Ludwig had to keep track of every minute in order to make it back home before Feliciano woke up. The blond paused briefly once he was past the Western Gate – glancing around to make sure that large Handler wasn't around. A wave of relief washed over Ludwig when he didn't see any sign of any potential problems.

Just like before he turned and stepped cautiously, keeping his good eye peeled for the creature from that night. Except, what Ludwig saw wasn't some inhuman monstrosity. At least not externally. He saw pale skin and a messy head of hair that almost blended in with said skin. The man was only a few years older than Ludwig himself; and there he was sitting on the ground, staring out into oblivion. His head unable to be held fully up, hindered by the heavy collar and thick chain which held him to the wall by his neck. This couldn't be the same person that Ludwig had encountered - had he died and been replaced in the last seven days? It was possible... turnings only occurred during the full moon, and one had just passed.

Suddenly the man's head snapped up, body tense and ready to pounce should he need to. As soon as those eyes met his, Ludwig was under absolutely no doubt that this man was the very same one who had half-blinded him. That deep, bloody, crimson was unforgettable. The man sighed, his body relaxing as he shook his head in what seemed to be exasperation.

"Seriously, kid, you again? What are you, some kind of masochist, or what?" he grumbled, and Ludwig was surprised to note just how normal that voice sounded in his ears. "So you just gonna stand there gawpin' all day, or are you actually here for a reason?" those eyes rose to meet Ludwig's again in what seemed like a challenge. "Let me guess ... you want to get back at me for your eye? Or are you just out here to rub it in my face that you're alive, because you think I actually give a shit, about that?"

Ludwig shook his head, debating whether it would be a good idea to sit himself down, near this man. "No. To be honest I'm not sure why I came back." he admitted, arms folded in front of his chest as he spoke. His blue eye roamed over the figure in front of him, searching for recent injuries that might just be starting to heal. Trying to pick up any indications of just how badly the Handler had beaten the older male that night. The natural frown on Ludwig's face deepened when the albino just scoffed and shook his head with complete and utter disbelief at his words.

"Well you're an idiot. What if I were to finish the job, hmm? Did you even think for two seconds before you came waltzing back through the Gate?" the man snapped disapprovingly, those terrifying eyes narrowing towards Ludwig in a glare.

In response Ludwig just sat himself on the ground, glaring back at him. "For your information yes, I did. I had to plan for two whole days just to make it out here, so the possibility had crossed my mind." his voice was cold, and hard as he fell into his default persona. The one that only Feliciano and his father got to see past. "But I hardly think I'm in danger of that now, if you'd wanted to finish me off you probably would have done it by now."

A harsh, barking laugh made its way past the other man's lips. "You've got guts, kid. I like that, doesn't stop you from being an idiot though." those pale lips curled into a toothy grin, revealing incredibly sharp-looking incisors. Were those natural? Or had they come with the turning. "So, do I get the honour of knowing your name? It's getting tedious calling you the blond with one eye in my head." the words were mocking, but the tone was lighter than it had been before - almost playful - so Ludwig found it hard to feel in any way insulted by the remark, like he would have been otherwise.

"It's Ludwig Abendroth." the younger man conceded, watching his companion expectantly. Waiting for him to return the favor.

He seemed to mull the name over, letting it sink in before nodding. "You'll be Bernhard's boy, I assume?" Ludwig nodded, unsurprised that this man should know his father - Bernhard was well-known in Relbin, and even in some of the other cities. Of course this man would have heard of Bernhard Abendroth, Ludwig just couldn't remember ever seeing him enter the smithy. He was sure he would recognise someone so distinctive. Again he heard that bark of laughter. "I should have known, aside from the hair you're the old, unawesome, bastard's exact double."

Ludwig stiffened at the lack of respect but before he could reprimand the other man, he spoke again. "I'm Gil Bloodgaze, or that's what they call me now, anyway."

A/N: And so the introductions are properly made. I like Feliciano, so I tried not to make him overly annoying since he is still Ludwig's best friend - even if they're not paired together in this story. Hopefully nobody's out of character, since this is my first time writing any Hetalia characters. Anyway let me know how I'm doing - whether there's anything I can improve on, or just let me know what you think in general. All reviews would be appreciated, so that I can make any improvements that I need to make.

Thank you for reading!