~New Year~

Date: December 31
Time: 22:34 (10:34 pm)

It was always a well aware fact that Ludwig absolutely despised mess and would snap at a mere speck in his clean, bacteria-free room. So, why bother to even invite him to a party? Especially one that everybody already knew was bound for disaster, even Ludwig himself was well aware.

Ludwig sighed in frustration at the turmoil unfolding in front of his icy blue eyes. He was here, indulging in what the party had to offer: drinks, snacks, the works. But... why was he even here to begin with? Surely the snacks (wurst) and drinks (beer) weren't good enough reason, even now.

So, why did he agree to come? Well, Ludwig himself didn't know. All he knew is that this party would stir up trouble, something that Ludwig had neither the time or patience to deal with at the moment. So, he really did not want to deal with grown men (Was twenty grown?) fighting over silly things like their accent for one.

The German, a drink gripped tightly in his right hand, reclined, somewhat lazily, in his seat and watched everyone he knew, all loud and rowdy by the way, with a nervous glint in his eye. And he had a reason to be nervous. He had been awaiting the collapse of the final wall, the one that would surely spring forward arguments. Although, as of yet, the wall seems fairly stable and secure. But looks can be very deceiving.

Yes, the fact remained that he was not even at his house, and thus had no real reason to worry about the mess, seeing as it was not his job to clean up afterward. That was all on Alfred. Although that one piece of information did little, if almost nothing to clam his nerves, which were currently skyrocketing. He knew, at some point, a fight would break out, and he had to be prepared for anything.

Ludwig's pools of icy blue darted around the room, glancing at each flushed face.

He caught a quick glimpse, all he needed really, and saw his idiot of a brother without a shirt, hair drenched in a transparent, brown substance. Maple syrup perhaps? Alright, so Matthew was most definitely somewhere around him. Good. Matthew didn't drink (But he smoked weed) and hopefully he wasn't high and could keep Gilbert away from danger.

Then there was Arthur, who had his tie tied tightly around his forehead. He was obviously drunk. Either that or the tie was to tightly wrapped so the blood couldn't rush to his head, and his thinking was clearly affected. He was knocked off his rocker! So much so that the Brit only managed a weak complaint when Francis - being the pervert that he it - decided to attempt to stick his hand down Arthur's pants.

Ludwig eyed them with disinterest. Though he was somewhat grateful for the Brit's condition at the moment. If he had been right in the head, a fight would have broken free from its constraints and would have been well under way by now. But, the Brit could not even begin to hold his liquor, and he would not even remember that incident in the morning.

"Ludwig."

The German turned his head and glanced up at the person who had spoken, Feliciano. His voice had an edge in it. He seemed worried about something.

"Yes, what is it?" Ludwig asked, raising a blond brow at the Italian.

"Have you seen Lovi around? Antonio and I have been looking for him for a while now, and we can't find him. So have you seen him?" Feliciano asked frantically, a worried look taking control of his face.

"Nien, I am afraid I haven't seen your brother around." Ludwig shook his head, speaking the truth. He hadn't caught a glimpse of the bad-mouthed Italian the whole night. Ludwig wondered where he could possibly be. "I can help you look for him though."

"Will you really? Thank you Ludwig! I'll go tell Toni!" The Italian scurried away, looking for the Spaniard who was most likely drinking to his Spanish heart's content.

Ludwig quickly finished off his drink and placed it on the ground and stood from his seat. He searched through the crowd for Lovino or perhaps maybe even Alfred. It was his home after all, and he would know where every room was.

Ludwig caught a glimpse of the American's obvious cowlick (or ahoge according to Kiku), and headed for him immediately. He found the man dancing to an extremely ironic song that reminded Ludwig of a certain Russian he knew. Ludwig placed a hand on Alfred's shoulder and the American jumped in surprise.

"Ludwig! What did you want, bro?" Alfred asked, a goofy grin plastered on his face.

"I apologized for intruding on your... dancing, but have you seen Lovino around by any chance? Feliciano and Antonio have been looking for him, but they can't seem to find him." Ludwig said.

"Yeah, I saw him go outside like half an hour ago. I dunno where he was going though. Sorry dude." Alfred shrugged.

"Thank you anyway, Alfred." Ludwig nodded and began to head towards the door.

"No prob! Oh, and try to loosen up man, this is a party after all!" Alfred called out as Ludwig walked off.

"I'll keep that in mind." Ludwig mumbled before going outside.

The chilly air of a normal Chicago night hit his skin and he shivered. He had forgotten to put on a coat, and it was very hot inside, so he only wore a thin black t-shirt, allowing the wind to get access to his exposed skin and nip on it.

Walking down the stairs and onto the front lawn, Ludwig searched for the fiery Italian. There was still many people outside, even though the weather was terrible. Though none of them were Lovino.

Rubbing his arms, Ludwig decided on going around the house to the yard instead of heading back inside. He didn't want to be back in that claustrophobic room full of people. After all, Ludwig thoroughly enjoyed the feel of open space; he welcomed it with open arms.

Much to Ludwig's displeasure, the yard was just as full as the front lawn. Just how many people did Alfred invite to the party anyway? The German searched the crowd, yet again failing to find Lovino. Just as he was about to retreat back inside, he heard him.

"Your ass is going to get a cold if you don't get inside."

Ludwig turned and sighed in relief. There was Lovino, arms crossed, and a smug smirk on his face.

"Not that I care anyway." Lovino shrugged. "I originally came out here to get away from your potato loving ass, so I have no reason to stay in this damn cold anymore. You feel free to freeze out here though."

"Well, at least make sure you tell your brother you're inside. He was looking for you." Ludwig pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll tell him." Lovino waved away the request, walking around Ludwig and headed to the door.

Ludwig turned to tell Lovino something else, but when he turned, he was greeted with something thrown at his face. It was a leather jacket. Lovino's leather jacket. He held the jacket in his hands and looked up at Lovino in confusion.

"If you're gonna be out here, then put it on. I don't want to hear my stupid brother whine about you because you fucking died from pneumonia or some shit." Lovino spoke before turneing around andand heading to the door.

"What ever you say." Ludwig said jokingly. "Oh, and Lovino?"

The Italian raised a brow at him and answered, "Yeah?"

"It's called hypothermia, not pnemonia." Ludwig spoke with amusement.

"Chigi! S-shut up, I knew that." And he scurried inside.

Pulling on the jacket, Ludwig sat on the back stairs and sat there for some time, taking in the beauty of a chilly night.


"Feliciano." Ludwig called, seeing the Italian rub Antonio's back as the Spaniard proceeded to vomit in a potted plant. It was a little less then disgusting.

"Yes Ludwig?" Felciano asked, turning to face Ludwig, still rubbing Antonio's back.

"Can you give this to Lovino?" Ludwig held up the leather jacket.

"Sure." Feliciano smiled. "But why did you have it?"

"He let me borrow it." Ludwig explained, becoming confused when Feliciano let out a small giggle. "What is it?"

"It's nothing Luddy." Feliciano giggled some more. "I'll give him the jacket."

"So much alcohol!" Antonio cried before bending back down and vomiting again.

Ludwig glanced down at the Spaniard in mild amusement, staring for some time before finally opening his mouth to speak. "Thank you Feliciano. Now if you don't mind, I must go look for my brother. I seriously doubt he hasn't broken anything yet."

It didn't take long for Ludwig to locate the albino, seeing as he was in the middle of singing a karaoke song. Everything around the albino seemed to be intact, relaxing Ludwig to some extent.

When the song finished, Gilbert let out a hiccup before speaking. "I wanna dedicate that song to by brother, Lud... Lud something. Anyway Lud, I wanna tell you that I'm too wasted to drive, so we're sleeping over. Sound awesome?"

Gilbert stalked off the stage, and disappeared into the crowd.

Ludwig frowned. He wanted to go home and sleep in his bed alone for once. He almost always woke up with someone next to him. Be it Gilbert, Feliciano, or even Roderich. Ludwig did not want to go back to that last one, it didn't end well.

If he was staying at someone's home, he would prefer someone less messy, and someone whose home did not suffer from the aftermath of a party that destroyed everything in it's wake.

Sighing, Ludwig went off to find something to drink. Preferably something with alcohol.


Date: December 31 Time: 23:54 (11:54 pm)

"Lovi! Lovi!" Feliciano called out, a smile still on his face.

"What do you want idiota?" Lovino asked, his annoyance evident in his voice.

"Here's your jacket! Ludwig told me to give it to you!" Feliciano said, a knowing smile on his face.

Lovino blushed and ripped the jacket from Feliciano's grip. "Shut up! You didn't say anything did you? Because if you did I swear-"

"Ve I didn't!" Feliciano yelped.

"You better not have! I don't want that bastard finding out I like him." Lovino mumbled, his face as bright as a firework.

"Don't worry brother, your secret is super safe! I haven't told anyone!" Feliciano chirped.

"It better be. I swear if trusting you was a mistake, I'll kick your little ass!" Lovino growled.

Feliciano giggled and a comforting silence surrounded them. Well, as silent as it can get with eardrum shattering music blaring from the speakers.

"Lovi, it's almost midnight! Don't you want to celebrate?" Feliciano asked, breaking the silence.

"Hell no." came the blunt reply.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Feliciano grabbed Lovino's arm and pulled him into the crowd of people, whose all eyes trained on the television.

The music was cut off and people waited in anticipation for the count down to begin.

"We are seconds away from a new year! Hopefully it'll be full of wonder for you listening at home!" the lady on the television spoke, a smile taking over her face.

"Hell yes!" A voice called out.

"You know it!" Another called out.

"Fuck yeah!" A third voice said.

Soon the whole room was full of yelling and cheering.

"Here it comes!" The lady said happily. "Ten!"

"Nine!" Everyone joined in. Hell, even Lovino joined them.

"Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"

The Italian threw his fist in the air and shouted out in excitement. Feliciano gave him a quick hug and went to hug others like the social butterfly he was. Lovino then craned his head and saw Ludwig practically standing next to him. Olive eyes met icy blues and Lovino, despite himself, gave Ludwig a bright smile.


Date: January 1
Time: 9:14 (am)

Hazy olive eyes fluttered open. Lovino slowly say up, having difficulties because his younger brother had his arms tightly wrapped around Lovino's waist. Scowling, Lovino slapped at his younger brother's hands until he was released.

"Lovi?" Feliciano mumbled, sitting up on the bed, rubbing his eyes with his sleeve.

"Morning." Lovino yawned, stretching his arms. "Mind learning not to cling on me when your sleeping?"

"Sorry." Feliciano giggled. "Ve, where are we?"

"That bastard Alfred's house, we slept over." Lovino explained. "Now let's get downstairs. I'm hungry as hell and I smell food."

"Smells like pancakes!" Feliciano smiled, springing up from the bed and running to the door.

"Wait up, dumb ass!" Lovino growled, running towards his brother who had already opened the door and was heading down the stairs. The two sprinted down the stairs and into the kitchen where seven people stood.

There were Ludwig and Matthew, who were busy cooking. Arthur was seated on the counter, groaning in pain from the aftermath of a night full of alcohol. Antonio, Francis, Gilbert, and Alfred were busy eating the breakfast Matthew had whipped up.

"Hey! Save some for us you bastards!" Lovino snapped, running up to the table, Feliciano happily skipping behind him.

"Your fault for not getting here sooner." Alfred chided, his words incoherent because of the pancake in his mouth.

"Whatever." Lovino growled, picking up a plate.

"Mattie your pancakes are the best!" Gilbert called out, his voice also muffled by the food. "It's like an orgasm in my mouth!"

"He learned from the best!" Francis exclaimed happily.

Matthew blushed bright red and shook his head, getting back to the cooking.

"Could you be any louder? My headache is already bad enough, and I don't need you bloody wankers making it any worse!" Arthur growled, holding his head.

"You got it captain!" Antonio said happily, smiling at Arthur in a taunting manor.

"Shut it." Arthur snapped.

Lovino rolled his eyes at the two. 'Why don't they just fuck and get it over with?' Of course that wasn't what he really said. What he said was, "Will both of you shut the fuck up already?"

"Lovi, that isn't nice!" Antonio pouted.

"Look like I give a shit?" Lovino snapped.

"Lovino, watch your language." Ludwig sighed from his spot next to Matthew.

Lovino blushed bright red and managed a decent response. "Was I talking to you? No, now get the fuck out of the conversation."

Ludwig shook his head and turned around to face Lovino. It was then that Lovino noticed the German hadn't bothered to slick his hair back yet. He looked cute.

"You never listen do you?" And there it was, a small smile. Barely notable, but it was still there.

Lovino stuck out his tongue and turned away, never noticing the German's smile grow, just by a bit.


A/N - I apologize for horribleness. Bonus points for the first person that can guess the song Al was dancing to.