"You sure got everything sweetie?" Karla asked as Ludwig closed the trunk of his car.
"I'm sure Mom. I triple checked everything," he responded with a smile.
"And I wouldn't expect anything less from you." Karla laughed a little. "Now I'll be by in a few hours to drop off some food and make sure everything is all set. Then you and your friends can enjoy your week."
"Understood Mom," Ludwig said as he started to get into the car. "See you in a few hours."
As Ludwig drove out, he gave his mom a small wave. She meanwhile waved largely to him before entering back into the house. When Ludwig got a little way down the street he pulled himself over and pulled out his phone. Quickly he sent Feliciano a text, Just left the house be there in about an hour.
Ludwig proceeded to add the address that Feliciano had sent him the day before into his GPS app. It was about an hour away drive from where he was right now. Nothing too much out of his way. Smiling to himself a little, he started to drive off. As he drove he thought about how the week was going to go. Sure the house was right on a lake, where he and friends would probably spend most of their time. But there would plenty of other stuff to do. Such as an arcade, some restaurants, and other stuff like that. It was sure to be a week the none of them would forget.
But then he thought of Feliciano, the two of them would have some time together. Alone. Not just in the car, but if there was little to no traffic they would arrive at the house around one o'clock. Everyone else wouldn't show up until later that night. Even with his mother present for a little bit, it really wouldn't hinder anything. Just the two of them. Together. Even the thought of it was making Ludwig's heart skip a few beats.
"Okay here's a spare key," Mei said as she held it out to Feliciano. "Make sure you lock the house when you leave."
"Okay," Feliciano took the key in his hands. "I'll make sure to give it back when I get home."
"What no!" Mei shouted very offendedly. Almost dropping her hat for work. "That's yours to keep."
"Really?" Feliciano asked in surprise, glancing back down at it.
"Of course," Mei said as she adjusted her hat. "Gotta go now. Have this week!"
"Bye," Feliciano waved before walking over to the couch. As he walked by his bags he grabbed his backpack. He dug through it a bit before pulling out his lanyard. Slowly he placed his new key with the others. Gently he held his old house key. It was decorated in pink with white stripes. Fancy for a key but he was fifteen when his parents gave it to him. Just seeing made him feel a little bit of excitement. It may have seemed like a small thing but to Feliciano, it was the first bit of freedom given to him by his parents. Though there wasn't really a need for it. At the moment he couldn't part with it. It was like a little bit of his old home was with him.
Hi Feliciano, I'm outside. Feliciano nearly jumped out of his seat. He grabbed his bags and started to run out. Making sure to lock the door behind him. With each second getting happier and happier. Outside he noticed the familiar black car he started to bounce a little.
"Ludwig!" Feliciano cheered waving excitedly. He started to jump a little. Ludwig got out of the car and if it was even possible he smiled wider.
"Hi Feliciano," Ludwig said as he walked out of the car. Feliciano hugged him tightly but still briefly. "Do you need a hand?"
"No, I'm fine," Feliciano answered but adjusted his backpack strap a little. He smiled as he walked over to the car. Placing his bags into the back seat before sitting in the front seat.
"I hope you don't mind but my mother is dropping some stuff off today," Ludwig said as he typed in the address into his phone. "But she shouldn't be there long."
"Oh I don't mind," Feliciano beamed. "I honestly wanted to meet your mom for a while now."
Ludwig smiled a little before driving off. The two sat in silence for a little bit. Ludwig tried to speak a few times but stopped himself. He wasn't really sure what to say. Luckily, Feliciano seemed to be caught in the music. Occasionally changing the station when the music stopped playing.
"So how have you been?" Ludwig asked after a while.
"Fine I guess," Feliciano said quietly. He started to look out the window longingly. "It could be better but it defiantly could be worse."
"You okay?"
"Yeah guess I'm still adjusting to this whole thing." The two were silent for a moment before Feliciano spoke again. "There is nothing good on the radio."
"I have an aux cord somewhere," Ludwig send as he dug through the compartment between them, before pulling it out. "Here put on something you like?"
"You sure?" Feliciano asked as Feliciano nodded. He smiled before plugging his phone in.
He gently placed the aux in port. As he searched through his music he pressed the button. Before he could press anything, he heard A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from the Disney movie Cinderella play. His first instinct was to check his phone but nothing was currently playing. He turned and saw Ludwig with the most embarrassed look on his face.
"You're a fan of Disney movies?" Feliciano asked with a slight laugh as the song continued playing.
"Yeah," Ludwig said very awkwardly. "Always have been."
"You don't have to embarrassed about that," Feliciano told him very sweetly. "I think it's cute."
"Well, it's not really something you expect from me." Ludwig rubbed the back of his head.
"Like I care about that." Feliciano started laughing again. "If it makes you happy then it's fine by me."
"Wow it's beautiful here," Feliciano said looking out the window. The area where the lakehouse was, was surrounded by woods. Full of many trees both deciduous and coniferous. He also saw many types of ferns and colorful flowers. His mind was nearly exploding with art ideas. Luckily his social media followers loved his nature drawings. And aside from his occasional fanart piece, they were his most popular pieces.
"And here we are," Ludwig said as he pulled into a driveway.
"Your family owns this?" Feliciano asked in shock. The house was bigger than his own and probably around the same size as the house he lived in back in Heartsdale. Ludwig had mentioned they didn't go there often but the house looked like it was rather well kept.
"Having your father and grandfather being successful lawyers has it's perks," Ludwig said turning away for a moment. "They're some of the lucky ones."
"Lucky ones?" Feliciano asked as he got out of the car.
"Most people you go into law think they're going to make a lot of money but it's rarely the case," Ludwig explained. He was looking at the ground as he spoke. "Both my grandfather and father got lucky to be where they ended up. I can only hope I can be as lucky as them."
"Hey," Feliciano walked around the car and placed a hand on Ludwig's shoulder. "I'm sure you'll do great out there."
The two of them spent the next few minutes unpacking Ludwig's car. For the moment the placed the bags in the living room. When that was all set Ludwig started moving his stuff to one of the rooms. It was like a machine, something he had done many times before. Feliciano was quick to follow him.
"Where are the other rooms?" Feliciano asked poking his head into the one Ludwig had walked into.
"They're right next to this one and the bathroom is across from the next one over. " Ludwig paused and looked at the second bed in the room. "You can stay in this room if you want."
"Wouldn't want a room to yourself?" Feliciano asked.
"When everyone gets here there's a small chance I'll be alone and I already room with Alfred during the school year."
Feliciano couldn't help but laugh. He smiled as he brought his bag in. Gently placing it on the other bed. He ran downstairs and grabbed his other bags. As he walked back in he thought he saw Ludwig blush a little. But he quickly turned his head away. Feliciano started to unpack but constantly found him staring at Ludwig. The light the shone from the window, added an angelic glow to him. And it made him look so good.
"You want to grab something to eat?" Ludwig asked he finished packing. Feliciano looked at his bag and quickly shoved a bunch of them in a draw. He quickly closed it and leaned on it.
"Sure," Feliciano said with a slightly nervous laugh. "You know of any place good nearby."
"There's a couple of good places."
"Your choice," Feliciano said. He turned his head a little and played with his hair.
Ludwig thought about for a moment. "I got a place."
Feliciano quickly kicked the bag under his bed. He dusted himself off a little. He ran downstairs. As he did Ludwig watched him from behind. He smiled to himself. Despite the other's speed, it seemed like the world slowed down. His hair bounced as he ran. When he reached downstairs, returned around, making it perfectly framed his face. Ludwig froze for a second. Feliciano titled his head and looked at him in confusion. Ludwig gave him a nervous smile before walking downstairs. The two drove for a little before reaching a small town. Reminding Feliciano of his college town. Ludwig led him to a small restaurant where they sat outside at a small table.
"I can see why you like coming here," Feliciano said leaning on his chair. "It's so wholesome here. Reminds me of Heartsdale."
"Yeah it's really nice here," Ludwig said taking a sip of his water. He glanced at Feliciano who smiled at him. He started to feel his heart race a little.
The rest of the lunch was rather peaceful. However, throughout it the two couldn't keep their eyes off each other. They were like two magnets drawn to each other. At one point Ludwig noticed his hand slowly reach for Feliciano's. He quickly stopped himself from moving forward. Silently sighing to himself. It was worthless.
Back at the house, the two sat around for a little bit. Before the lake caught Feliciano's eye.
"I'm gonna sit by it," Feliciano announced standing up. HE started to speed walk to the door.
"By where?" Ludwig asked before quickly realizing what Feliciano meant.
"By the lake duh!" Feliciano laughed to himself.
"I'll come with you." Ludwig quickly stood up. Feliciano looked at him confused, leading to Ludwig to look at the good. Feliciano shrugged and opened the door. Ludwig was quick to follow him. The two made their way to the beach. Feliciano quickly sat on the sand and Ludwig followed suit. Though he was more cautious than his friend.
As the two sat, they slowly moved closer to each other. Ludwig placed his hand on the sand. Soon he felt Feliciano's hand touch his. Quickly he held it. He felt Feliciano rubbing his thumb against the back of his hand.
And before he knew it Ludwig said, "I love you."