"Well, here we are," Lovino said as he and Feliciano sat in their living room. "Our last winter break together."

"Really? We should do something together then," Feliciano said as he leaned over the arm of the couch. "Maybe see a movie or something similar."

"Hmm, that would be nice," Lovino grabbed the soda can from the table and took a sip. "But I would like to start some job hunting at some point"

"But there aren't any good movies around this time."

"Yeah, we'll find something. When's the last time we got to see and make fun of a bad movie?" Lovino stretched a little and stood up.

As Lovino walked out of the room, Feliciano pulled out his phone. He opened his text messages. Slowly he scrolled down to his parents and found no texts from either of them. He sighed in relief. He closed it quickly and started looking over his games. A few minutes later Lovino walked back in the room, with a bowl of chips. He placed them on the table. He grabbed a handful. Looking over at Feliciano, he gestured for him to take some. Feliciano sat up a little and grabbed a handful for himself.

"Do you know if Marcello is doing anything after school?" Feliciano asked as he ate his chips.

"I think he's going to one of his friend's house." Lovino paused for a minute. "Though Mom told me to keep my eyes on my phone."

"She didn't tell me that," Feliciano mumbled to himself.

"And you're surprised?" Feliciano jumped back a little.

"Not really," Feliciano said even quieter.

"Don't worry." Lovino leaned back and smiled widely. "Soon I'll be working full time and have my place. Then when you're on break you can go there and never set foot in this house again."

"Except to visit Marcello."

Lovino laughed a little. "As if."

"He's my little brother," Feliciano said immediately and firmly.

"I mean coming here." Lovino rolled his eyes a little. "I'll be the one to pick him up and bring him to our apartment."

Feliciano smiled and took another sip of his drink. Lovino looked at his phone again. For the next few hours, everything was calm. Feliciano couldn't help but smile. It was so calm and peaceful.

After a few minutes, Feliciano stood up and walked upstairs in his room. He sighed as he slowly walked in. The bright pinks walls and motivational posters stared at him as he walked in. He sighed and collapsed on his bed. Immediately a fuzzy, pink heart-shaped pillow fell on him. He picked it and held over his head. Just staring at it. Soon he tossed it behind him. Sitting up straight he leaned back on the back of the bed. Then he heard a car drive into the driveway.

"Well here goes nothing," Feliciano said as he stood up. He took a deep breath and started walking downstairs.

"I know you just got back," Karla said as she sat down on Ludwig's bed. "But it makes things easier for going to the lake house."

"Don't worry Mom, I already set aside clothes for the trip."

"Look at you always planning ahead," Karla said wrapping her arm around him. Gently she kissed him on the forehead and smiled at him.

"Mom are you okay?" Ludwig asked after a few seconds.

"Of course." Karla stroked his cheek. "Just happy to have you back."

"And I'm happy to be back." Karla kissed him on the forehead again. Before standing up and leaving his room. Ludwig stared for a second before going back to unpacking. He put a few of his clothes in his drawers. After that, he sat there and stared off. His mind started to get all fogged up. He felt himself starting to get colder and breathing getting heavier. Eventually, he leaned his head on his bed. He sighed. Moving his bag off his bed, he climbed on it and stared at the wall. At one point he thought he heard someone move towards his room. But when he looked no one was there.

The next morning Ludwig went downstairs and saw his parents in the living room.

"Good morning Mom, Dad," Ludwig said as he walked into the living room.

"Good morning Ludwig," Wolfgang said as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Morning Sweetie." Karla gave him the same smile she gave him last night. "There are some bagels in the kitchen if you want one."

"Thank you, Mom." Ludwig walked into the kitchen. As his mother said he saw a package of regular bagels on the counter. He grabbed one and put it in the toaster. Taking a glass out he started to pour himself a glass of orange juice. After a few seconds, he thought he heard his parents talking and took a few steps back. Not far enough so they wouldn't see him.

"It's just not something you talk about," he heard his mom said quietly.

"It will be alright darling," his father said calmly. "Feelings like that tend to go away."

Go away. The words started to repeat in his head. Immediately Ludwig walked back up to the toaster. He leaned on the counter and watched his bagel cook. He could still hear his parents talking in the living room. Unintentionally he started to hold his breath. He could feel a few nervous sweats forming on his forehead. Quickly he wiped them away. Longer than he hoped, he heard the toast ding. He sighed a little and grabbed his bagel. As he walked back to the living room he remained quiet. Slowly he sat down.

"So are there any guys that have your interest?" Karla asked before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Not really," Ludwig said as he took a bite of his bagel.

"Well," Karla put her mug down. "You'll find someone eventually."

Ludwig gave her a smile before looking back down. He continued eating in silence. Occasionally looking at his parents. For the moment nothing seemed wrong.

I just don't know if it's a good idea. Feliciano sent to a group chat with his friends. He rolled on his stomach. Placing his phone on his pillow, he sighed. It was silent for a while. He could quietly hear Marcello and Lovino playing a video game in the next room. When he heard Marcello laugh a little from the other room, he couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad those two are having fun," Feliciano said as he smiled. A few seconds later he heard his phone buzz. Immediately, he grabbed it and opened the text messages.

I think it's a great idea! A message from Mei said

But we barely know each other. Feliciano responded after a few seconds.

What's going on? Tezera sent. Feliciano sighed and leaned back on his bed.

Oh, Feliciano wants to draw something for Ludwig for Christmas but doesn't think it's a good idea. Mei sent less than a minute later. Feliciano frowned a little and shook his head.

What were you thinking of drawing?

Not sure. I remember him mentioning an old dog of his so maybe that. Feliciano thought back to the picture of Ludwig in his graduation cap and gown while kneeling next to an old german shepherd.

Oh my god, are you talking about Aster? Feliciano was taken aback. The name certainly had some familiarity.

That name sounds familiar Feliciano smiled weakly. He sulked a bit.

I might be able to help you. Just give me a sec.

Feliciano kept staring at his phone. His other friends started to encourage him. Mainly about how Ludwig would love a gift from him. Feliciano felt his face starting to heat up as he read some of the texts. He grabbed a nearby pillow and embraced it.

Guys, I don't know him that well. He'll probably feel super awkward if I do it. Feliciano buried his head in the pillow. He held back his scream as best he could. After a few seconds, he turned to his brothers' room. He didn't hear anything except what sounded like them yelling at each other.

Hey, guys, I'm back Tezera sent after a while. Immediately anyone who was typing stopped. Feliciano held his breath as she typed. Talked to Emma and she was able to get me this

Below her message and was a picture of the same dog from the picture. However, the dog looked younger and was by himself in this one. He could tell it was the dog due to the blue color with a silver dog tag. The dog tag was of a distinct shape that Feliciano couldn't describe.

That's the dog! Feliciano sent.

Yup, that's Aster. I asked Emma about it, she said Ludwig would love it.

Feliciano smiled and save the picture. He quickly pulled out his tablet and sent the photo to it. He placed the picture on a blank canvas. Starting to sketch he let his ideas fly free.