I blacked out. I had no idea how long I was gone for. The first second I could, I opened my eyes quickly. Everything was spinning. My head and vision wouldn't go clear. I felt like I was going to throw up. When my vision finally cleared up, I wanted to scream. A tall man with long white blond hair stood over me, glaring at me like I was vermin with his cold blue eyes.
"Who are you?" he asked harshly, his voice rather cold and filled with envy.
"Feliciano Vargas, 37521/ 62, trainee," I said, my voice shaking dangerously.
"Well, Feliciano Vargas, you should feel rather scared about now, because I'm the one watching-," the man said, his voice dripping with harsh venom before he was interrupted.
"Opa?" the man that interrupted him asked him quietly. He had slicked back blond hair that practically glowed golden. He also had a lot of tough muscle in his arms and legs. His eyes... His eyes were the frozen blue colour of Italy's sky that I loved so much. I couldn't stop looking at him. I was so engrossed, I hardly realized what was going on until I was shoved at him.
He caught me around the waist, and pulled me up. A light blush dusted my cheeks as he looked down at me. "Come on, Feliciano. I'm going to be watching you now," he said soothingly. His voice was so comforting and warm. I smiled a bit and followed him outside, and to a flower patch.
It was warm for a winters day in Germany. I was comforted in his arms as he sat me down. "Sorry about my grandpa. He's started to hate people like you..." the strange man asked.
"That was your grandpa? I guess he looks like you... Why does he hate people like me? What is that even supposed to mean?" I asked, truly confused.
"Yes, he was my grandpa. It means people from Italy. He hates people like you because..." he trailed off for a bit, "Because some Italian troops killed his wife..."
I gasped, "That's horrible! Why would someone do something like that?!"
"You are strange... Most people in the war aren't that considerate... My name is Ludwig, what about you?" he asked holding out his hand.
"My name is Feliciano! I'm very pleased to meet you, Ludwig!" I said shaking his hand.
"You know, you kind of remind me of my brothers old girlfriend... or boyfriend... I really don't know, it was a girl that thought she was a guy. He's gay, you see. Now he's dating a Canadian named Matthew Williams. She, or he, was always happy, but could be very intimidating if she, or he, wanted to. Her, or his, name was Eli. Or, at least, that's what my brother called her, or him," Ludwig said.
"You can call Eli a she, I will understand what you mean!" I said cheerfully, "Thanks for talking to me, Ludwig! I don't know many people that would talk to the 'enemy'! We aren't enemies any more, though, right? We're friends, right?"
Ludwig chuckled, "Yes, I guess... strange... Okay, time for bed, Feliciano. Follow me to the prisoners sleeping corners..."
.~*~.
I woke up early the next morning and thought about Ludwig. The way he just sat there awkwardly while I carried on the conversation, but when he did talk, he was so diligent and bold. I wondered if he was up thinking about me too... Probably not. I was not making him feel like this. He probably already was dating someone, and even if he did like me, his grandpa would never approve of us getting together. Nonno and Lovino probably wouldn't either. I inwardly sighed. I couldn't wait to see him again.
Within the next hour, they got the prisoners up to eat breakfast. I saw Ludwig from the corner of my eye, and smiled a bit.
"What are you smiling about?" an Australian named Jack, also prisoner, asked, "Since if it's to see your family again, forget it. You've been captured, dingus."
I sighed, "I'm just thinking of home..." which was partially true, because I was thinking of Ludwig's eyes.
Jack sighs as well, "You're a believer, and I wish I was. Best to you mate."
I smiled a bit again. Ludwig came over to our table and said, "Feliciano, I've been instructed to watch you again. Come on. If you haven't finished eating, take it with you."
I collected my leftover food, waved bye to Jack and the other prisoners, and followed Ludwig outside to the same flower patch.
"So, Feliciano, tell me about your life back in Italy. I want to hear everything."
A soft heat grew between Ludwig and I as I spoke, "Well, I've got a brother named Lovino who is normally bad tempered, and very over protective, but he is nice for company, and is always there when I need someone. I'm also living with my grandpa. He is really strong and nice to me, but most of the time he hardly realizes Lovino is there, but I can tell he really cares, even if Lovino can't see it. I'm living with my grandpa, because my mom died in childbirth. You see, Lovino and I are twins, and she was very sick and weak. After we were born, we were left in my dad's care, but he couldn't take care of us, so he gave us to my grandpa. A week later he was found dead in a lake. Everyone thought he committed suicide, but it was never tested. Italy is a really nice place. It's normally sunny and warm, but when it does storm, it's really bad and last for a very long time in in bursts throughout time!"
By the time I finished, Ludwig was stunned that I managed to say that in one breath. I laughed a bit at the look of confusion on his face, and he smiled a bit. It wasn't much, but it still made my heart swell and skip a mile a minute. This was the first time he smiled around me. He didn't look like the smiling type, that's why it made me so happy. I could make him smile.
"Ludwig? Can you tell me about your life here in Germany before the war?"
He nodded, "Yes. So I have lots of brothers, but I only really met two. Roderick and Gilbert. Roderick is a musician. He loves the piano and music in general. He has ended up marrying Eli, so she is now my sister in law. Gilbert is an albino. He is gay, as you know, and is dating Matthew Williams, as you know. He is now in Canada with Matthew for a bit of alone time. My grandpa only came to taking care of us, because after my mom had all of us kids, my dad killed her and ran away. My grandpa was quite nice before the war, but he was very short tempered and unamused. Germany is normally cold in the winters, so this time right now is very rare and enjoyable. The summers are very warm though."
I smiled at Ludwig once he finish, "Thanks! Your family sounds really nice, well, except for your dad..."
He chucked a bit, "Feliciano, you are one interesting man..."
"Well, you will always remember me now! Won't you?"
He smiled a bit more, "Yes, Feliciano, I will.
Opa: Grandpa in German
