Chapter Two
The minutes passed quickly as the two men spoke. Ludwig revealed how he had managed to sneak back out there without Bernhard stopping him, the little scheme had earned him an enthusiastic laugh, accompanied by praise from the werewolf. Although Ludwig wasn't too sure if it was a compliment or not. "I never would have pegged you for the rebellious type!" he had said. In turn, Gil told him he'd been turned four years previously, not long after finishing his training to become a Handler - on his sixth full moon with his first charge, in fact.
Eventually Gil looked at Ludwig seriously, the blond had been sitting there, talking to Gil for just over an hour and it was getting pretty late. "You'd better get going on home." Ludwig looked at him, eyebrow raised in a questioning manner. "You said you snuck out while your friend was sleeping, didn't you? So you should probably get back before he wakes up." Gil shrugged, leaning back against the wall. "Besides, Ivan will probably be here with my 'dinner' soon. You shouldn't be here when he arrives."
Although Ludwig frowned at that, he could see the albino's point. Just the memory of that man still sent cold chills down his spine, and he wasn't particularly eager to run into the large foreign Handler again any time soon. So he nodded slowly in agreement and got up to his feet. He hadn't realised how long he had spent conversing with Gil, the werewolf was actually quite impressive in a way - despite the obvious lack of nutrition and decent shelter. After four years of what Ludwig could only call neglect and abuse he hadn't lost any of his spirit or his self-confidence. In fact there was a playful and teasing manner about the way he spoke. If Ludwig hadn't seen that murderous look in Gil's eyes a week previous then the blacksmith's apprentice wouldn't have believed this man to be dangerous, at least when he was like this. If he'd been a Handler then Gil was definitely an accomplished fighter of some sort.
All in all, Ludwig had found himself actually enjoying the other man's presence - that wasn't something many people could boast aside from Feliciano and possibly a tiny scattering of other individuals. His lack of respect for others had been a constant throughout their conversations, though and that was one thing that really did grate upon Ludwig's nerves. Especially where his own father was concerned.
"Hey. Before you go..." Ludwig looked down toward Gil, unsure what to make of the uncertainty he heard in the other's voice. "Will you come back and keep me company again, sometime? We're all kept too far apart by these chains, and it would be awesome to have someone to speak to once in a while that isn't Ivan." Gil wouldn't look him in the eye as he made this request, almost like he was embarassed about it. Then a smirk played across his pale lips as he seemed to seamlessly shift back to what Ludwig supposed was his normal demeanor. "Besides, I think with a father like yours you could use a bit more of an awesome influence in your life, kid."
Ludwig visibly twitched before hitting the back of Gil's head with the palm of his hand. This man really needed to learn some respect. "We'll see. Getting past Feliciano is easy, I don't doubt that when Father gets back it will be more difficult." He didn't need to say any more, the point was clear and Gil seemed to get the message.
The albino laughed, caressing the back of his head where he'd just been smacked. "Smart guy, like you? I don't think you'll have much trouble figuring something out." he only laughed more at the slight colouring that appeared on Ludwig's cheeks as the younger man coughed. He never was the best at receiving compliments like that. Even though Feliciano had been throwing them at Ludwig constantly for years now. "Anyway off with you now! Go on, scoot!" Gil chuckled as he waved a hand dismissively in Ludwig's direction to hurry him up.
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Ludwig had been lucky in his timing, Feliciano woke up just fifteen minutes after he'd arrived home. Unlike the previous couple of nights Ludwig managed to convince the youngest of the Vargas brothers to go home, only succeeding because he promised exactly thirty two times to still be alive when Feliciano came to visit the next day. As close as the two of them were, there was only so much Feliciano anybody could reasonably handle in one go - and it was time for the apprentice to have his brief respite.
The next night, Ludwig snuck out once more; this time taking the leftover dinner with him for Gil. He would just tell Feliciano that he'd grown peckish while the other was dozing. Sweet, gullible, Feliciano would believe him without a second thought.
As soon as he passed through the gate Ludwig saw Gil's eyes snap up and a toothy grin spread across his features. "Well, I didn't expect you back so soon!" the werewolf chuckled, waving a hand to indicate he could sit down anywhere. "Whatever's in that box smells pretty awesome, you bring that for me?" Gil wondered, after a long sniff; his eyes were glinting, and Ludwig didn't miss the way Gil's tongue flitted over his lips.
"I may as well use the fact that Feliciano is acting as my supposed caretaker, while Father's away, to my advantage while I can." Ludwig shrugged, setting himself down beside the albino werewolf. "And, as a matter of fact, this is for you. Feliciano always cooks far too much and I'd rather someone ate it instead of having to throw it out." he watched the other man's eyes widen briefly in genuine surprise as he took the box and peered inside. The blond could practically see Gil's mouth watering at the smell (and likely just the prospect of a decent meal). Ludwig had even had the foresight to pack a fork his new acquiantance could use in the box. He watched in silence as the man in front of him savoured every bite that entered his mouth, chewing as if he would never get the chance to chew again.
Even so, the meal didn't last too long and with a contented sigh Gil returned the fork and box. "Y'know what? I take back what I said yesterday - you're already quite awesome." Gil told him with a chuckle and a broad smirk when he noticed Ludwig look away and cough in an attempt to hide his embarassment once again. "Don't worry though, some time in my awesome presence and you'll be just as great as I am!" he went on and added with that playful smirk and teasing glint in his crimson eyes.
Ludwig snorted, fighting the amused smile which was tugging at the edges of his lips. "Are you sure the world can handle that amount of greatness?" he asked, voice dripping with sarcasm which only made Gil laugh whole-heartedly and clap Ludwig on the shoulder.
"I like the way you talk kid, obviously I'll need to try and keep you from getting too awesome." the werewolf consented. "We can't have the world imploding because it can't compensate for our combined amazingness. So, unfortunately we'll have to greatly limit your progress." he sighed dramatically, laying a hand over his heart and shaking his head in a show of faux-remorse.
"I'm sure it's a great loss."
"Heh, you're damn right it is! No matter though, I'll just have to be awesome enough for both of us." Gil assured him with a strange hissing snigger. That was a laugh Ludwig hadn't heard from him until now, but he had to say it was the most annoying one yet. In fact Ludwig found himself preferring the harsh, barking one he had grown accustomed to hearing pass those lips. "But only if you keep bringing me food like that every time you visit - because seriously if that stuff was a woman I'd marry her right here and now!"
A/N: And here's chapter two - it's a little short compared to my normal chapter length (prologue doesn't count because I always make them pretty short) but still i'm quite happy with it. Anyway let me know how I'm doing, guys, like I said this is my first time writing any of these characters and I want to keep them from going OOC as much as I can! Also any helpful comments or just what you're thinking so far would be greatly appreciated :)
Thanks for reading!
