6
Feliciano sluggishly stomps down the stairs, clothed in nothing more than a pair of bright red boxers. He holds his hand up, hiding the sunlight from his eyes. His head is still throbbing horribly after a long night of drinking. A bang sounds from the front door, and he covers his ears immediately. "Ouchhhh!"
Ludwig strolls inside, seeing his fiancée making a face. "Oh, sorry." He quietly announces, ready to close the curtains. He's been there numbers of times as well. After covering the windows, Feliciano approaches him, placing both hands atop Ludwig's shoulder.
He smiles, slicking back his greased blond locks. He bends his knees, moving down just a step for Feliciano to peck his cheek. Ludwig blushes just a touch, and leads the way to the kitchen.
After pouring two cups of coffee, one creamed one black, he joins Feliciano, who is face down on the short, pine, dining table. Feli moves one of his arms around the pine, feeling no sign of his breakfast. Ludwig rolls his eyes, "Oh for God's sake." He moves back up, opening the fridge ajar.
His hand grabs a blue plastic container labeled 'Friday'. He places it in the microwave above the dishwasher, then removes it after a moment of heating. Finally he returns to the table and presents the container to Feliciano.
The Italian grabs his fork and breakfast, his head is finally up. Nothing wakes him more then morning pasta. He ruffles his ginger curls, smiling brightly. "Buon giorno~" "How was your morning cucciolo?"
Ludwig is still a bit stiff, unwinding after trimming the shrubs. "It was fine, ja. But I couldn't help but notice some guy sleeping down the street. I don't think I know him, but it was odd still."
"Ah? Some guy?" Feliciano questions, wondering. He knows many people, and in this neighborhood? It has to be no stranger. But who? He stands up, dashing over to the window. His head peaks around the curtains into the blinding light. It hits him like a blow to the head. But now he has seen that far off bench. "Ah~ Those are Kiku's sheets!" And that long hair sticking out, is that the cashier from the grocery store? It must be!
Feliciano stumbles back, smiling after slamming his eyes shut. He races over to the phone in the kitchen, calling Kiku immediately. His face is mixed with excitement and joy, and a bit of annoyance after Kiku hasn't picked up the second time. "Who are you calling?" Ludwig asks.
"Kiku, I have to talk to him about this now!"
Ludwig pauses, not bothering to ask why. "Calm down, he's probably still sleeping in.".
The phone goes to voicemail for the third time, and Feliciano has quickly run out of patience. He drops the phone, letting it hang from the wall with it's twisted cord. Ludwig, stand up as he jumps out the door, telling him to get back here! It isn't right to go run over to a friend's in nothing but boxers!
I'm still caught it this warm room, a tunnel of dark navy. Once again it will fade into carmine. There is this little light in my chest, one that keeps me from freezing in this desolate dream. It's pointless to search this wide tunnel, for we all know it will never stop.
I'll just remain here, curled into my luminescent chest, exposed without flaws. I'll just smile into my knees, keep my arms so weakly caressed around myself. Things are so pleasantly quiet in this place. But wait, what is that noise? What is that near-silent pitter-patter? This has never happened before, I have always been alone here...
My head will now avert up, so I can see who I am hiding from now. Who? My heart can only light up this path so far... The silhouette I see, it is not human. It is something much less fearful, pouncing up towards me. I see her, that is Yuki. That is my cat! Why of all places is she here, this dark, cold, wonderland?
She is almost here, beside me, which I honestly don't mind too much. But those pitter-patters, there is more than one set. What else is approaching? It's shadow, it's definitely human. Who else would be in here? I can almost see them, a male. His build, that hair, I know him. Why is he here, will he see me like this? We only just met, so why are you here? Nobody should be here! How could it be you? Go back, if you can you must go while you can!
He stopped, but why? Can he hear me? Ah- what is this? What is this black ooze, trickling upon me? It's only a drop? No, only the start. Up is a scary, ebony condensation. Why would I look up, I know better. Now it will pour.
And down it rains that liquid, dimming what light I had left in me.
The sound of raindrops tap on the window, opening Kiku's eyes. That was an interesting night, to say the least. He shuffles over, uncomfortable after sleeping so roughly in his day clothes. Is his cell phone ringing? Yes, that must be it. It's all the way over on the kitchen table.
Kiku is now on his feet, going to the kitchen. Yuki is following him like always, she's such a cutie. He looked at his phone, blinking at the unknown number. How peculiar, it couldn't have been his work or neighbors, and nobody else really calls him. Huh. Kiku glances upward, seeing the rain stream against the window. "I hope that Karpusi-san isn't still out there," His thought cuts off. "Maybe I should check just in case."
He grabbed the nice little red umbrella near the door, opening it before stepping outside. It's chilly for a summer day. He wanders to the sidewalk in front of his lawn. The bench is clearly spotted, and nobody is there. That's nice to know. With a slight sense of relief, Kiku turns back to his house. When he re-enters, his phone is ringing once more.
Kiku removes his outside-shoes, placing them near the umbrella. Next he goes to the counter, grabbing his cell just a moment too late again. This time it was Feliciano's home calling, three times already. How is that even possible? Boy, he can be frantic. Kiku is about to call him back, but while dialing the front door is knocked on.
He sways the door slightly ajar, not seeing anyone. Kiku shakes his head a bit, opening the door wider. No, nobody is there. Then Feliciano turns the corner, looking quite cold in such skimpy crimson apparel. Kiku averts his eyes to the Italian's joyful morning face, ignoring his lack of decency. "Ah, Vargas-kun? Did you knock on my door?"
Feliciano blinks, not understanding. "Ve? I just got here!"
Kiku shakes his head once more, this morning is crazy. "R-right, please come inside." "You must be freezing!" Kindly they both return back inside, Kiku grabbed Feliciano a sweater immediately. After he settled Feli in the living room with a blanket and the company of Yuki's fluffy presence. Once the tea is put on, he finally joins Feliciano for his much anticipated chat.
"So what happened last night Kiku?" Feliciano questions rather abruptly, smiling foolishly. "I don't think I remember that!"
Kiku blushes a bit, also slightly shocked. "Uh- You mean Heracles? How do you know?"
I saw him sleeping this morning with your blankets! Why was he out there, couldn't you have let him inside?"
Kiku puts his hands out, shaking them in rejection. "No, no." He stops. "Sorry, but it's not like that. I don't know why he was out there, but I couldn't wake him. So, I..." There is a little pause, and he tries to think of a reasonable thing to say. "I gave him the blanket."
Feliciano takes no time to analyze, he just smiles more. "Well, he must have left quickly, when I ran out he was gone! I wonder if he went to work? We should see him again!"
"Ah-! I don't know," Kiku gestures with his hands, "Perhaps I should keep my distance."
"But-" Feliciano starts. Kiku's phone is ringing again, and Kiku is a bit dumbfounded at how many times it has rung in so little time. He picks up, recognizing the contact.
"Konnichwa Ludwig-san." He listens, looking up at Feliciano. "Ah yes I see, here just a moment." Kiku holds it out to the Italian, and it is hesitatingly answered.
"H-hey cucclio, I was-" He is cut off, and is half-listening now on his end, making faces. "That's today? Why didn't you say so!" It seems now he is the one cutting the other end off. Feliciano hangs up quickly, handing the phone back to Kiku. "Sorry Kiku, I have to go! I gotta go to the city today, we are looking at wedding stuff." He smiles.
Kiku smiles in return, he understands. "Ah, before you go," He gets up, grabbing his umbrella "Stay safe."
Soon enough Feliciano has left, and Kiku is back to his morning routine: feed the cat, tidy up a bit, squeeze in some work on the computer, etc.
Tino is checking out some items for some guy, just finishing as Heracles waltz in. He appeared to be a bit soaked, holding a blanket over his shoulders. The tips of his hair are dripping and his eyes are their normal, half-lidded gaze. Heracles doesn't say a word, but Tino has already accepted his apology for coming in late. His answers are usually so curt, it wouldn't be of much use to ask.
The greek folds up that blanket, storing it under his register. His fingers caress a crumpled up note placed at his station. Tino speaks up "Oh, Mr. Heracles, that note is from Mr. Sadik. He came in looking for you this morning at opening."
Heracles takes no time to read it, he merely throws it in the garbage by the wooden stool. "Did he give you trouble, Tino?" He asks, speaking softly in his morning voice.
Tino shakes his head. He notices that that soaking outfit was the same outfit as yesterday, and sighs. "That's Mr. Heracles for you." After finishing his thought, be checks out for lunch.
The day has only just begun.