Hello my dumplings! Since nothing special happened lately, I'm going to ask a random question. I have a few readers that are from other countries and are not native speakers of the English language. This question goes out to those people: what was it like learning English? Was it easy or difficult? What is the most difficult part about English? Also, does English sound pretty or ugly? As a native speaker I've just always wanted to know.
Enough of that.
Enjoy!~
Mr. Jones stopped the car in front of Feliciano's house. "Is this it?"
"Yeah," Feliciano answered weakly. "Thank you."
"No problem. I'm coming in with you, though. Your grandfather might want to hear an explanation from a teacher."
"Mmm. Good idea." Ludwig opened the car door and gently slid Feli off his lap. He got out of the car and offered his hand to Feli. Feli grabbed his hand and put his foot on the ground. His leg started to shake when he stepped out of the car and his other hand gripped Ludwig's arm. Ludwig noticed his boyfriend's trouble and helped him by pulling him from the car. He whimpered and managed to stand up straight on the sidewalk. He shut the car door behind him. Now onto the next challenge: walking. His legs wobbled and ached, especially where he was kicked in the shins (he was sure there were bruises). He still clung to Ludwig for support and was able to limp his way over to the front door. He reached into his jacket pocket and took out his house key. He opened the door and was greeted by grandfather. Now, you can very well imagine the surprised look on his face to see his grandson's blue jacket stained with crimson and his face dirtied with cuts. He knew that without Ludwig, he probably wouldn't be able to stand. Speaking of Ludwig, he had blood on his face, too. Wait, who the heck was the man behind them?
"Feliciano! What the hell happened to you?"
"They beat us, Nonno," he sniffed.
"Who beat you?"
"Three boys at their school," Mr. Jones answered.
Roma's golden eyes narrowed. "And who are you?"
"I'm Mr. Jones, their history teacher. I brought them home from the hayride."
Roma crossed his muscular arms and Mr. Jones grew a little uneasy. This man may have been older, but he looked strong. Strong and protective. Not a very good combination when you show up at his front door with his beaten grandson. "And where were you when this happened, Mr. Jones?"
Alfred gulped and put on his "adult voice." He was used to talking and laughing like a child, but he learned that he needed to sound professional when it came to an angry parent/guardian. "It happened in the boys' bathroom, Mr. Vargas. The other teachers and I were unaware of the situation until a boy notified us." By this time Ludwig had helped Feliciano over to the couch. Feli's head was spinning and his entire body throbbed. Ludwig was also in pain, but wouldn't show it. He was much better than Feli. He put an arm around Feli's waist and Feli rested his head against Ludwig's broad shoulder. Roma looked at the couple and his initial anger was replaced with worry.
"Thank you for bringing them home, Mr. Jones. I'll take everything from here."
Mr. Jones nodded, said goodbye, cast a worried glace upon his students one more time, and left.
Roma sighed and shook his head. "I knew this day would come," he muttered. The teenagers looked at him questioningly. "Let me get something to clean you two up. You should call your parents, Ludwig."
He disappeared into the kitchen and Ludwig dialed his home phone number on his cell. "Vatti? Uh, ja." Feli listened to the German words with slight amusement. German always sounded so silly to him. Rough, but silly. "I'll be home soon…Something came up and we got back early…I'll explain later…Ja, I'm okay. Bye." Ludwig put his phone back into his pocket and ran a hand through his messy hair, failing to straighten it. He did not want to talk to his father about this. He knew how he really felt about his relationship with Feliciano. It hurt. It really did. He was always so close with his father. They would always play sports together and just talk about anything and everything. But now he felt like a stranger. That was the part that hurt the most. He was now a stranger. A kiss on the cheek brought Ludwig back to reality.
"Are you okay?" he asked. That's when Ludwig noticed that Feli's right eye was bruised grey and purple with some blood on the top of his eyelid. Those assholes gave my boyfriend a black eye!
"Of course I am. I'm barely injured. I should ask that question to you."
Feli shrugged. "It hurts, but I'll be okay. I'm going to try to be strong like you."
"I'm not strong," he mumbled.
"Yes, you are. Stronger than I'll ever be. I'm a big crybaby."
Ludwig shook his head. "It's true that you cry over small things, but this is a good example of why you're not. You're badly injured and you're not crying."
That made Feliciano smile. "Oh, yeah! I didn't even notice."
Roma came back in the room with supplies in his hands. He set them down on a nearby coffee table. There were cotton balls, bandages, and alcohol. He dipped a cotton ball in alcohol and began to gently swipe it across Feli's cuts.
"Oww!" he backed away from his grandfather's touch. "It stings!"
"That means it's working," he smiled.
Ludwig grabbed a cotton ball and dipped it in the alcohol. He was definitely not about to be patched up by someone else. He can take care of himself. He winced slightly at the stinging pain that emerged from his cuts. He had a particularly large gash starting at his temple and ending at his cheek. How the hell they managed that, he didn't know. He covered the wound with a bandage. The pain almost immediately subsided when it was covered. He sighed in relief.
"You alright, Ludwig?" Roma asked when he was done with Feli. Feli had a large bandage over his black eye. He looked so pathetic and defeated that Ludwig wanted to hug him and never let go. To stroke his hair and tell him that everything will be alright in the end. But they weren't alone. And frankly, Ludwig wasn't even sure if everything would actually be okay.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Good." He sat down on the couch next to Feli. "Now, can one of you tell me what happened? I want every detail."
Ludwig and Feliciano looked at each other. "I'll start," Feli said, his voice still weak. "I was too scared to go into the corn maze, so I decided to wait outside. Ludwig wanted to wait with me but I told him to go and have fun. While I was waiting, I had to use the bathroom. When I was going to leave, the boys were there-"
"And who are these boys?"
"Three boys. Well, technically four, but I'll get to that. Nicholas Dowbroski, Vincent Arlanda, Joseph Nebbins, and Jack Pfettscher."
"Hmm, their names don't sound familiar. I don't think I know their fathers. Go on."
"Okay. So they were there but Joseph went out to get the teachers. But none of us knew it at the time, veh! Anyway, they started to…umm," both Ludwig and Roma frowned when they saw Feli's eyes overflow with tears. "T-they started to h-h-hit me a-and beat me and…" he trailed off.
"And then," Ludwig took the liberty to finish for him, "I didn't know where he was, so I checked the bathroom. I saw them hurting him and I started to fight them. Feliciano passed out and the teachers came in and broke everything up a few minutes later." Ludwig saw fire in the older man's eyes. He gulped. He didn't know why he was nervous. It's not like he did anything wrong, but still.
"Veh, Grandpa? What are you thinking?"
He blinked and shook his head. "Nothing, Feli. Nothing important. I'm glad you two are okay. I mean, you're hurt, but thank God everything will heal."
"Yeah," Feli smiled. "And that's what matters, no?"
Ludwig's cell phone abruptly took a fit in his pocket. He answered the phone. "Hallo?"
All three of them flinched when a shrill female voice hit their ears. "M-Mutti! I called saying I would be home soon…He didn't tell you?"
Feliciano and Roma could hear Ludwig's mother yell, "That jackass drunk fell asleep! HE DIDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING!" Ludwig held the phone away from his ear and held his head. "Mom, please don't talk so loud. I have a horrible headache."
"THEN GET HOME RIGHT NOW!" With that she hung up.
Ludwig calmly put the phone back in his pocket. "I assume you heard that?"
"Yep!" Feli beamed. "Veh, she sounds scary!"
"She's not always like that. Just when she's nervous. Well, I guess I should go now."
"Okay. Will you be okay walking home by yourself?" Roma asked. "It's pretty dark."
"I'll be fine. My house is only a block away."
"Alright. Be careful." He took the supplies into his hands and went into the next room.
"Don't talk to strangers!" Feli warned with all sincerity.
Ludwig grinned. "I'll be fine," he kissed his cheek. "Are you going to school tomorrow?"
Feli purred and stroked Ludwig's cheek with his thumb. "If I can walk, yes. I want to show them that I'm not afraid."
Ludwig's smile widened. "Good boy. I'll see you tomorrow. Or the next day."
"Okay. I would get up to hug you but, you know." Ludwig reached down and wrapped his arms around his back, careful not to hurt him. Feli hugged back and pressed a gentle kiss to Ludwig's neck. "This will all pass, right?" he whispered.
"Of course," he responded just as low. He ruffled his auburn hair. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
It did hurt to walk, but Ludwig made it home in three minutes. "There you are!" his mother yelled as soon as he walked through the door. "Now tell…Ludwig, what happened? Why are you bloody?"
"Bloody?" Ludwig's father came running down the stairs. Ludwig tensed and immediately wished his father was gone. Like he cares…
"I got in a fight," Ludwig plopped down into an armchair.
"With who? Those little assholes you told us about?" Rosa's face was red with anger.
"Yes, it was them. Want me to tell you everything?" He told the same story to his parents that he told to Feliciano's grandfather.
"My poor baby!" Mrs. Beilschmidt hurried over to her son and hugged him. She may have been tough and didn't really like to baby her children, but she would always soften up when one of her darling boys was hurt.
"You were brave. I'm proud of you," Mr. Beilschmidt said. Ludwig's eyebrow twitched and his ocean eyes turned dark.
"Don't act like you care," he spat. Mrs. Beilschmidt let go and stared at him.
Hans blinked. "Why do you think I don't care?"
"I'm not stupid," he felt his anger climbing by the second. "I heard what you said. You don't approve of my relationship with Feliciano. You don't think it's right!" he stood up, ignoring the soreness in his legs.
"Ludwig, you misunderstood…"
"Don't give me that bullshit!" his hands were now shaking with fury. Yesterday he was upset, but now he's just plain angry. "I heard everything!"
"Don't talk to me that way!" Mr. Beilschmidt raised his voice.
"Why shouldn't I? You think our relationship is wrong? Fine! I don't need your approval!" He was so angry that he just did not want to be in the same room. He needed to get out of there. He walked to the staircase with the intention of going in his room when his dad grabbed his arm.
"I won't take disrespect," he growled.
"You think I want to argue with you? I don't. You say you accept me, but then you don't accept my relationship? We have nothing to say to each other." He walked up the stairs and went past Gilbert, not even acknowledging him. He locked himself in his room and collapsed onto the bed. It could be worse. It could always be worse, right? His father could have beaten him. He shouldn't complain. He closed his eyes to prevent tears from falling. Damn, he's been crying a lot lately.
Mr. Beilschmidt shook his head. "Am I wrong?" he asked his wife.
"You're both wrong," she said quietly. "He shouldn't have yelled, but can you blame him? He just got in a fight protecting his boyfriend and you say you don't approve?"
Silence. She walked passed him and went upstairs, leaving him alone in thought.
Feliciano's pain was even worse in the morning. "You don't have to go to school today," his grandpa told him. No. He wanted to go. He was determined. His black eye felt like it had a pulse it hurt so badly. It probably looked worse than it felt. But he was going to keep the bandage on to help it heal and not to gross anyone out. He left a bit earlier than usual that morning because he knew he wouldn't be able to skip and sprint to school like he usually would. He finally limped to school after twenty minutes of fighting back tears. His legs hurt, but not as much as his face. It was hard to see with only one eye, too. When he got into the hallway, a smile was brought to his face. That's right, those assholes were suspended! He wouldn't have to see their ugly faces for a while! Any anxiety left him and he happily walked to his locker. Like every morning, Ludwig was already there.
"How do you feel, Feli?" was the first thing he said.
The Italian shrugged. "Eh, okay. Good as I can be, I guess. I'm happy, though."
"Why are you happy at a time like this?"
"They're suspended!" he jumped in the air and let out a small yelp of pain.
"Don't jump around! You'll only hurt yourself more."
Feli sniffed and nodded. "O-okay. How do you feel?"
The German shrugged. "Alright…. My, uh, father and I fought last night."
"What happened?" Feli rested his chin on Ludwig's shoulder.
"I got mad because he acts like he cares. If he doesn't approve, then I don't want to talk to him."
Feli wanted to tell him that he was wrong. That his father probably did care, and he was just overreacting. But he knew that sometimes it's just better to nod and agree with someone when they're upset.
"Feliciano-kun! Ludwig-san!" Kiku ran over to them. Last night he saw Ludwig come out of the bathroom holding an unconscious Feliciano. They were both so bloody! He was so concerned when the teachers didn't tell anyone anything. What happened to his best friends? Why did Feliciano have a bandage over his eye? "Are you two alright? Please, tell me what happened!"
"Kiku, please calm down," Ludwig was touched by his friend's obvious worry. "We're okay."
"Yeah," Feli offered him the brightest of smiles. "Everything's okay."
Kiku stared at them in confusion. "But, you have cuts and your eye, Feliciano…"
"Oh, it'll heal," he touched the bandage. "It was just those three."
"Nicky, Vinny, and Jack? What about Joey?"
"Joey didn't hit me. He was the one who called for help."
Kiku was still slightly confused, but put the pieces together himself. "So, let me get this straight. The three of them started to hit you, and Ludwig-san came in and started to fight them?"
"Right," said Ludwig.
Kiku nodded slowly. "Okay. I see. We were all so confused and worried when no one would tell us anything." His frown deepened. "Are you two really alright?"
"Of course!" Feli gave him a crushing hug. "Sure I'm a little sore, but I'm just happy they're suspended!"
"Uh, yeah," Kiku awkwardly squirmed out of the hug. "There's something that still doesn't make sense to me."
"And what is that?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow.
"Why did Joseph help in the first place?"
"It's 'cause I got sick of those bastards."
They all turned around to see none other than Joey standing there. He was twiddling his fingers nervously. "Uh, listen. Ludwig, Feliciano, I'm really sorry for making fun of you before. It wasn't right."
The three friends blinked in surprise, not believing their ears. "It's fine," Ludwig said, although he didn't entirely mean that. Should he forgive someone who made fun of him so easily? Then again, he did betray his dick friends and get the teachers.
"Veh, but why did you help us?" Feli tilted his head to the side. If it hadn't been for Joey and Kiku, Ludwig would have hugged him. He was just so freaking cute.
"I was thinking about it for a long time," he shifted his feet uncomfortably. "I was just a wuss who was afraid to stand up to them. Well, it's not like I really stood up to them. I just ran away and called for help."
"Which was the right thing to do," Kiku said.
"Mm, yeah. I guess. But I should have done it sooner. Years ago, when I really think about it."
"Why do they do it?" Feli asked. "The bullying, I mean."
He shrugged. "Man, I don't know. I asked them a few weeks ago. They said that they, um, people like you, make them sick. They all said that. I asked them why again. Then Nicky looked at me like I was insane and said, 'Because they're fucking faggots.'"
"So then why do you feel differently?" Ludwig questioned, still debating whether to fully forgive him or not.
Joey's cheeks flushed and he averted his eyes. "Well…"
The bell rang. He quickly walked away from them, not saying another word.
Feli pouted. "Aww, I wanna know why!"
"Maybe he'll tell us later," Ludwig stared after him. "I'm quite curious myself."
Ludwig was reading the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He looked up to see Father Brooks standing in the doorway. No! He just stood there waiting for Mrs. Tori to notice him. She doesn't see you! Just leave!
"Good morning, Father Brooks." Damn it!
"Good morning, Father Brooks," everyone stood up, "God bless you."
"Good morning and God bless you," he had his creepy smile etched onto his face. "Please be seated." He once again sat cross-legged on Mrs. Tori little brown chair, again making the image of his crotch forever burned into the skulls of the poor students sitting in front of him. "Now, I heard that the issue of gay marriage has come up in your classroom." Ludwig sighed. Not again. "I also heard that one of you has decided to write an essay about why gays should marry, and someone else why gays should not."
Feli's blood ran cold. Oh no. "And I won't ask who is writing what, but," he opened his maroon Bible to a bookmarked page, "I will read you a verse which specifically goes against homosexual relationships." Ludwig decided that he was just going to tune him out. He would think of happy things. He would think of Feliciano. There we go. His boyfriend always made him smile.
Father began to read. "Leviticus 20:13: 'If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.'" He closed the book. "I really don't know what more proof you need," he smirked. "Does anyone want to argue?"
A girl raised her hand and was called upon. "But aren't we all created equal?"
"Of course we are," he waved his hand. "But since it is a choice then-"
"No, it's not!"
The entire class looked to the sound of voice in shock. No one ever dared to interrupt a teacher without raising their hand, let alone Father Brooks.
All humor was erased from his features. "Who said that?"
"M-me," the voice sounded weaker this time. Ludwig nearly facepalmed. Feli, what are you doing?
"I'm s-sorry for interrupting, Father," Feli sunk in his chair. "B-but I don't think it's a ch-choice."
He stood up and advanced to Feli's desk near the back of the room. "You do not disrespect me like that," his voice was deathly stern. "You can disagree, but do not interrupt. Are we clear?"
Feli fought back tears. "Y-yes, Father."
He spun around and walked back to his chair. "Now the, Feliciano, why do you not think it's a choice?"
"Umm," he looked around anxiously. Why did he have to open his mouth? "I know that it's not a choice…"
"Nonsense."
"I agree," Ludwig said. Father Brooks opened his mouth but Ludwig cut him off, "And I don't care if I didn't raise my hand," he spat.
Father was stunned that a student talked back to him like that. Mrs. Tori was standing at the side of the classroom agape. "You know what?" Ludwig's voice grew calmer. "It's not a choice. No matter what you think, I'm telling you right now that it's not."
"How do you know?"
"Because he's my boyfriend!" Feli spoke up. For the rest of the class, this was the most exciting thing they had ever witnessed. They never wanted it to end. This was so priceless! Ludwig wanted to die right on the spot, his cheeks and ears beat red.
Father Brooks' expression turned into one of disgust. "What?"
"Trust me when I say it isn't a choice," Feli chose to not repeat his statement. "Do you think I want to be bullied? That I want to be beaten? If it were a choice, I obviously would be straight. But I can't help it. And it gave me this," he pointed to his eye. In short, no one knew what to do or say. Mrs. Tori was silently smiling to herself and the class used every ounce of willpower to keep from smiling. Some of the boys didn't like Ludwig and Feliciano because of their sexuality, but they loved the fact that they shoved it up Father's ass.
Father took a deep breath. "You two have detention after school," he stated calmly.
Throughout the rest of the day the couple was praised for standing up to the pastor like that. "Yeah, show that bastard!" Elizaveta fist-pumped.
It was at lunch when Ludwig approached Joey. "You're like us, aren't you?"
Joey hung his head in embarrassment. "How do you know?"
"You just told me."
He sighed. "Y-yes…Well, not exactly. I'm bi…"
Ludwig gave a small smile. "At least you have some hope of being considered 'normal.'" So now they were sitting outside the main office on a blue bench awaiting their punishment. "Veh, Luddy," Feli's eyes filled with tears. "I never had detention before!"
"Neither have I," Ludwig held his hand. "I'm sure it's no big deal." However, Ludwig was a tad nervous. In fact, he was angry that this would stain his perfect permanent record.
"By the way, how was practice yesterday?" Feli tried to take his mind off the pending punishment. "I forgot to ask yesterday."
"Alright. I did well, I guess. You really didn't have to wait for me…"
"But I wanted to!" he flailed his arms. "I'm going to your game on Saturday. Just saying," he sang.
"Fine," Ludwig huffed.
Father Brooks and Sister Katherine emerged from Sister's office. Her face resembled a tomato. Feli had to hold back a giggle as he thought of how red his brother would get when Antonio was near.
"What are you two thinking!" she screamed. "You do not disrespect an adult like that! I would have never even dreamed of doing that when I was your age!" There she goes again with emphasizing too many words. "Now I want you two to stand up and apologize to Father!"
They reluctantly stood up and in unintended unison said, "I'm sorry, Father Brooks."
He looked them over with his blue eyes. "Apology accepted. You two can leave."
Ludwig hid his surprise and thanked the man. When they got out of the building, Ludwig checked the time on his phone. "A fifteen minute detention? All we did was sit there and apologize!"
Feli giggled. "That's what all the detentions are like!"
"Then why were you so worried?" He shrugged. Ludwig shook his head. "You make no sense…One minute you're afraid of the smallest thing and the next you're standing up to the pastor."
"I was just so sick of him. I couldn't take it. I don't know what came over me…"
"I thought you were great," he gave him a quick peck to the cheek.
He giggled. "Grazie. So, you're not mad that I announced or relationship in front of the entire class?"
Ludwig blushed and rolled his eyes. "I guess it doesn't make a huge difference since most people had their speculations…That reminds me. Joey told me why he did it."
"Why?" Feli's amber eyes grew wide in anticipation.
"He's bisexual," he said low enough only for Feliciano to hear, even though they were the only ones walking down the sidewalk.
"Ohhhh that explains it!" he smiled. "Veh, I think Arthur might be gay, too! And I would say Francis, but he likes anything. Ooo! And…"
Ludwig couldn't help but smile as his boyfriend began to ramble. He was glad he was feeling better. Seeing him weak like he was last night was really disturbing. It was just the total opposite of what he was used to. They stopped when they got to Ludwig's house.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Feli."
Feli frowned. "What? I don't get a goodbye kiss?"
Ludwig grinned. "Alright. Come here."
Feli clapped in excitement and captured his boyfriend's lips in a sweet kiss. Ludwig wrapped his arms around the smaller boy's waist and held him closer. Feli purred into the kiss and wrapped his arms around the latter's neck. It was when their tongues started to fight for dominance that Ludwig remembered they were outside.
"Wait," he huffed. "We're outside."
Feli frowned. "But when are we supposed to kiss if we can't in school?"
"Another time, okay?" he stroked his cheek. "When we're at one of our houses."
Feli stared into Ludwig's cool, ocean eyes and felt his chest swell. He wanted to kiss him more. Lots and lots more. He wanted more hugs, too. His Luddy's chest was like a pillow! "Okaaay," he sighed. Yes, he could wait a little while longer to smother him in kisses.
Ludwig didn't tell his parents about his "detention." He didn't tell them anything. To be more specific, he didn't tell his mom. He just ignored his dad completely. What he didn't know was that like the detentions at that school, the suspensions were also short and barely a punishment.
I'd like to add that the real "Father Brooks" would sit in a brown chair like that. My friend and I were right in front of him and IT was right in our face. *shudders at memories*
I finished this 2:20 in the morning and am barely awake so I don't know how this chapter turned out...
Please review!~
