Ch.6:

The next day Feliciano brought an art kit with him to the silo.

"What's that for," Ludwig asked, lying on an old blanket he found at home. It was better than lying on the dirt.

"For me," Feliciano said, sitting down with cross-legs on the blanket. "I thought I'd try to draw you."

And so Ludwig ended up sitting perfectly still as Feliciano drew him, the boy's knees up holding a sketch book which had his utmost attention except for the few times he cast occasional glances up at Ludwig.

The German was content on sitting still and watching Feliciano draw from out of the corner of his eye, but after a while he couldn't help but speak, "How's it coming along?"

"Vee~ you have a very defined jaw line, "Feliciano smiled up at him, "It makes for a handsome face, but its hella hard to draw."

Ludwig chuckled as a slight blush warmed his cheeks.

Feliciano's tongue sat partially out of his lips in concentration as the sound of graphite on paper echoed through the silo, "Almost done…~"

"Good," Ludwig smiled, "How long have you been an artist?"

Feliciano shrugged, focused on his image in progress, "Since I can remember. Grandpa Roma taught me how to draw and paint when I was very young."

"I see. Mine made me pull carts and such, which is probably why I have things like a hard jaw line."

The comment made the Italian giggle, giving one last pencil stroke. "Vee~ there~ Done," he proclaimed, turning the book around to show Ludwig the drawing.

Ludwig scooted over to take the paper and observe it, he couldn't help but stare with awe at the amazing look alike on the paper. It was like looking at a mirror made of lead and paper. "Oh…"

His silence caused Feliciano to bite his lip in anxiety, "Vee…do you like it?"

"Oh-yes, yes I do it's just…wow."

Feliciano flashed a radiant smile, "So you think it's really that good?"

"Of course," Ludwig answered matter of factly, "I wouldn't lie."

Not to you, anyway, he couldn't help think the guilty thought, knowing his grandfather and brother thought he had gone for an afternoon jog.

"Good to know."

Ludwig smiled warmly at him as Feliciano started another of one of his long rants: "Vee~! I was gonna tell you~! When I was picking grapes the other day I saw this butterfly fluttering through the vineyard and it landed on this leaf all regal-like and it was so pretty! And it was so yellow and brave! I say brave because when I walked by it, it didn't fly off; you know like butterflies do, and it was so yellow and strong-seeing it reminded me of you! So I sat down and drew it and it stayed there the whole time!"

As Feliciano flipped through his sketchbook to find said drawing Ludwig suddenly remembered something he had wanted to tell the Italian and now seemed the best time so before Feliciano could say more he spoke: "I punched Gilbert in the face."

Feliciano stopped his search to look at Ludwig with confusion, his head tilted to the side, "Vee…?"

"I-I…" Ludwig looked away, his face heating up, those words had sounded better in his head, "I hit him because of what he did to you, I avenged you." He couldn't help but flinch at those last words, "avenge", like Feliciano was a damsel in need of rescuing.

Glancing back at the Italian he saw that Feliciano was smiling sweetly at him, when their eyes met the smaller boy leaned forward and pulled the German into a hug, "I had already forgiven your brother… But nevertheless, grazie for defending me~! I'm glad to know you would." He pulled away from Ludwig, his sweet smile still in place.

A small smile curved Ludwig's lips, "He took it very well…not that I'm that surprised."

Feliciano giggled and scooted over to Ludwig's side so he could lean against him, his head resting on Ludwig's broad shoulder.

Ludwig couldn't help but tense up a bit at the boy's causal contact; he just couldn't stay calm with Feliciano's warm skin brushing against his own. "Are you tired?"

He shrugged, "Not really, just kinda bored."

"Hmm," Ludwig murmured thoughtfully, "Surely there's something we can do." He stood up, his mind clearing when he was no longer touching Feliciano, and walked out of the silo. Feliciano quickly jumped up and trotted after him only to suddenly trip once he made it outside.

The thud made Ludwig whirl around in surprise, "Are you alright?"
When Feliciano didn't move Ludwig's heart pounded painfully and he walked over to him, "Feliciano? Did you hurt yourself?"

A muffled sound that sounded suspiciously like a giggle came from the Italian, and then suddenly he sat up, his thumb partly over the opening of a hose and suddenly Ludwig was sprayed with water. Ludwig nearly jumped out of his skin and stumbled to the ground sputtering as Feliciano laughed.

He kinked the hose, stopping its spray and still giggling spiritedly, "Vee~ I got you~!"

Ludwig was silent for a moment, shocked at the sudden water attack and his immense relief to see Feliciano was okay. Then a devilish smile turned up his lips, "Oh, you are so going to get it."

Feliciano stood up and sprayed Ludwig again as the German rushed at him with his arms raised, letting out a energetic "Vee" as he ran as far as the hose would allow, spraying Ludwig any chance he got.

But Ludwig was able to fight through the spray and wrapped a strong arm around Feliciano's waist, he snatched the hose out of the boy's grasp and now it was Feliciano's turn to be sprayed.

"Aaah," Feliciano tried covering his face with his hands as he attempted to twist out of Ludwig's grip but wasn't strong enough. "Hahaha," he giggled, "No fair! You're too strong!"

"This is punishment for that dishonorable sneak attack," Ludwig said sternly but couldn't help a peal of laughter escaping him.

Feliciano looked at him with delight sparkling in his eyes and laughed even harder, "It's not dishonorable if it's the only way I can win!" The soaked Italian tried to plug the hose with a finger but it did nothing to stop the water.

Ludwig hadn't even realized how lost in the moment he was, he tossed the hose aside and pushed Feliciano firmly yet gently to the ground and started to tickle the smaller boy.

The feel of Ludwig's fingers made Feliciano squeal in surprise and delight, he tried squirming away, his laughter causing his eyes to well up with good-natured tears, "N-No-! HAHA stop..!"

Finally Ludwig released him, catching his breath and smiling, "I-win."

Feliciano was trying to catch his breath through his laughter, "I'll…I'll get you next time."

Ludwig's smile slowly turned to a frown when he noticed a small red cut on Feliciano forearm. He pointed to it, "When did that happen?"

"Vee," Feliciano looked, "Oh. I think when I tripped over the hose."

Ludwig gently grabbed his arm for closer inspection, "Doesn't look too deep but you'll want to bandage it anyway." Ludwig ripped a small piece of his shirt and wrapped it around Feliciano's cut.

The action brought a blush to Feliciano's cheeks, "Vee…grazie." The smile that was gone for a moment returned instantly and he wrapped his arms around Ludwig in a warm embrace, practically sitting in his lap.

Ludwig hesitantly but firmly returned the embrace. As they warmed each other Ludwig couldn't help but notice how he suddenly felt much more at ease with touching Feliciano. He smiled a bemused grin, maybe getting soaked by a water hose was just what he needed to open up.