After the operation, everything seemed to click back into place for Feliciano.
Ludwig was allowed to return home after five days, once the doctors were sure the back wound was healing nicely and there was less chance of an infection. Feliciano was taught how to dress and clean the wound, and was given strict instructions to keep Ludwig in bed and rest, as he could not put any strain on his back yet at all.
Feliciano couldn't help but feel wary that he might mess up, might cause the wound to fester or something, but Ludwig had assured him he wouldn't, and had memorised the instructions as well.
The wound itself was a large scar, running at the base of Ludwig's spine. It actually made Feliciano flinch when he saw it. Ludwig had then instructed them to take a picture of it and show him. Ludwig had been himself taken aback when he saw it, and then shrugged. "I suppose it's what I expected."
But scars heal. Feliciano could easily see the indenture in Ludwig's back softening with the days passing by; healing to simply be an angry raised line, a reminder of what happened, but not a permanent fixture
The biggest challenge was making sure Ludwig didn't over exert himself. The first few days Ludwig had been good, propping up his back with cushions, spending most of it resting, but the boredom set in and Ludwig was itching to walk his dogs. Feliciano had refused, and eventually, somehow, Feliciano had won. For a week, at least. Ludwig did take Feliciano's words to heart though, and kept his excursions to a minimum, slow activity.
Sakura and Arthur had even visited, and the flat they had felt so full with four guests. They all intermingled well, and Sakura even shed a tear at Ludwig being well, which Feliciano felt was so sweet.
Lovino and Gilbert eventually left, as they knew they had to, with work and all. Them being there had been a constant source of support, as they had helped transport Ludwig home, as they had helped Feliciano keep on top of all the pain medications and the dressings and the numbers to call if he wasn't sure. Lovino cooked, Gilbert kept Ludwig company when Feliciano went to work, and Feliciano wasn't sure how Gilbert even kept his teaching job with his time away. "I'm good at what I do. They owe me for the good exam results" Gilbert had said as he laughed away Ludwig's pesterings, and eventually Ludwig accepted it.
Feliciano had hugged Lovino within that first week of Ludwig being home. "I guess when you return home, you can plan that trip around the world. Cause Ludwig is fine and all, and you deserve it."
Lovino had shrugged. "I… err… well, I'm postponing it to the summer. Gilbert said he'd come with me for at least some of it when the kids get off on their holidays."
Feliciano squealed. "So, what's going on between you two, it's a relationship?"
Lovino flushed red, "No- well, maybe. I don't know, it's not serious serious if you're asking. I thought it was just casual really, but then he asked to come with me. Ah fuck, I suppose it would be nice to have some company for a bit though, wouldn't it?"
Feliciano nodded. He hoped they worked it out, their relationship. Because now, he was trying to work it out with Ludwig and him. Well, they had already worked it out, but the next step.
Feliciano was behing Ludwig as the blonde slumped down as they reached a small bench. "I'm not sure if I want to go any higher." He stated, and Feliciano nodded.
It was 3 months after the operation. They were in the middle of Germany, climbing a mountain, attempting to have a good, healthy hike.
Feliciano smiled. "Thank god, I was getting tired!" He said cheerily as he seated himself on the bench as well.
Ludwig huffed. "I used to be able to hike to the top with my grandfather and Gilbert." He said.
"Well we'll just have to come back another day. The views are stunning though!" Feliciano said.
And it was. Spring air, blue cloudy skies, warm sun and beautiful views of the town below. It was a favourite of Ludwig, and so they decided to climb it when they visited Germany next.
Ludwig had wanted to go up the mountain, but warned he might not have the energy to go all the way up it. He still got tired easily, compared to how he was before the cancer, but Feliciano thought he looked better everyday, with a fuzz of blonde hair and a strong, proud stance in the way he walked.
Feliciano looked at Ludwig, looking rather content and happy on that mountain, and Feliciano's heart melted a little bit. He clenched his hand around his coat pocket, immediately feeling nervous.
"Oh Ludwig, what's that building in the distance over there!?" He asked, pointing in the direction away from Feliciano's right pocket.
Ludwig looked over, as Feliciano pulled a small box out from his pocket. "You mean the church looking building? Well, it's a church." He said, rolling his eyes at Feliciano.
"Ahaha, silly me!" He said, keeping the box in his hand hidden from Ludwig's view.
"I think the walk is getting to you." He said, laughing a little.
Feliciano's hand felt sweaty around the box. Sweat… ugh, Feliciano should be doing this when they're clean and not sweaty from a hike. Maybe they'd be in nice suits, drinking wine over a nice meal, perhaps they could even have a violin playing, or even a small orchestra…
But Ludwig wasn't into that sort of thing, he wasn't fond of grand gestures, he'd like this private and simple. Ludwig had mentioned that he wanted to go up this mountain, and Feliciano had thought why not now…
Ludwig was gazing at the view, but Feliciano pulled him to look at him.
"Hey Ludwig, I, uh…" He trailed off, but then bent down on one knee onto the path.
Ludwig immediately went pale.
Feliciano brought the box forward, and revealed the gold ring concealed within the box. "I think, you're the most handsome man in this world, and the nicest, and I feel so lucky when I wake up to you every day, and I'm so happy you're here with me… Will you do me the honour and become my husband?" He finished, his mouth dry and heart racing.
Ludwig looked shocked. "Well, uh…" a pause. It felt like forever to Feliciano, and he was inwardly begging Ludwig to at least end the apprehension. Maybe this was too sudden. Perhaps maybe he should've waited- "Of course." Ludwig stated simply in the end.
Feliciano grinned as his heart skipped back into working order. "Yes!" He full on kissed Ludwig, who kissed back. Feliciano eventually fumbled with the ring, and slipped it onto ring finger.
Ludwig's face had gone from white with shock to red with embarrassment. "You're so- it came out of no-where! You almost gave me a heart attack!" He exclaimed,
"I wanted it to be a pleasant surprise!" Feliciano said.
Ludwig shuffled and groaned, and bought a hand to his face in embarrassment. Feliciano cooed, and hugged the man, but then Feliciano heard the soft sobs trying to be stifled.
Feliciano immediately went to console him, and brought Ludwig's hand away from his face. "I'm sorry- you're right, I should've discussed this with you more-"
"It's not that. I just- a few months ago I didn't think any of this would happen, and now-" Ludwig said, eventually lifting his face to meet Feliciano's.
Feliciano smiled. "Well, it's going to happen."
Ludwig smiled again. "I suppose it is." He fumbled with the ring on his finger.
They hung around on the bench for a good half an hour, until they decided to descend.
Ludwig grumbled. "I suppose I've got find a way to break it to Gilbert. Knowing him, he'll make a deal out of it."
"He already knows." Feliciano flinched a little at Ludwig's glare. "I asked for his permission! Not that him saying no would've affected my decision…" he tailed off, and smiled. "He didn't say anything, but I have a suspicion that he's going to throw a party to celebrate when we get home."
"What if I said no."
Feliciano shrugged. "He was convinced you'd say yes."
Ludwig smiled. "Of course. As if there was any doubt I'd say no." he said, and gave Feliciano a sweet, light kiss.
Gilbert did have the sense to ask how the trip went, and when Ludwig replied that they were now engaged, Gilbert acted surprised.
"Let's go celebrate!" Was the call from his brother that Ludwig ignored, at least for that night, as Feliciano and Ludwig had simply decided to spend it within eachothers personal company. Their sex life had slowly returned to its normal, more penetrative form. Ludwig was on top tonight, showering Feliciano with so much affection. "I love you" he stated as they finished, feeling so close and content with eachother.
"Mmm, I love you too."
Ludwig could only resist his brother's calls for one night, and Feliciano groaned when he returned home from several bars the next evening with a wasted Ludwig and Gilbert.
Ludwig was always terrible with hangovers.
It was when Feliciano was awake in the morning, looking at the asleep Ludwig, who would soon awake with pain, that Feliciano reflected.
A lot had changed.
Ludwig was still fatigued easily, and slept more than before the cancer, and couldn't be as physical as he once was. He was improving, but Feliciano wouldn't know for certain if he'd get well.
Feliciano didn't need Ludwig to wake him up anymore; he now had too much of a routine to rely on Ludwig as an alarm clock.
They talked more about how they were feeling; good, bad, and everything in between.
Gilbert and Ludwig were closer than ever.
Lovino acted kinder with Ludwig and no longer made an effort to antagonise him.
Lovino and Gilbert had a… thing.
Yet, some things never changed.
Ludwig made an over abundance of cakes, and Feliciano made too much pasta.
Ludwig would overwork himself and Feliciano would leave his work unorganised and messy.
They walked their dogs twice a day.
Sakura was still a close friend.
Feliciano took pictures of whatever they could.
Feliciano adored Ludwig, and visa versa.
Ludwig and Feliciano were still here, living, breathing.
And then there's the future.
It wasn't certain. The cancer could always return. Ludwig could get sick again; and go through treatment, and the treatment could always fail.
But Feliciano also knew that he could also get hit by a car the next day, as that was just the way life went.
The future, for now, was their wedding and their continued life.
And that was fine.
Ludwig groaned as his eyes fluttered awake.. "I feel awful." He moaned.
Feliciano laughed. "It's your own fault."
Ludwig moaned a reply.
"It's fine, just go back to sleep." He said.
Ludwig fell asleep, and Feliciano realised that although Ludwig was moaning in pain; Feliciano didn't have to worry.
All was well.
I hope you like the story! Thanks for reading! 3
Didn't intend for the last line to be the same as the Deathly Hallows
Feliciano strikes me as the more romantic of the pair and the type to propose first.
Thanks for reaching the end of this fic, I hope you liked this fic, and I love feedback. Have a super day!
