"Hey Feli," Mei said as she looked out the window. "I think your brothers are here."
"My brothers?" Feliciano asked as he closed his sketchbook. He stood up and walked over to the window. Peaking from behind the curtain he saw his older brother's car. "What the... I didn't know they were coming."
"I'll let them in," Mei said running out as Feliciano continued to stare out the window. Feliciano turned around to say something but Mei had already closed the door behind her. Feliciano sighed and leaned against the wall.
"Feli!" Feliciano looked up and saw Marcello running towards him. Before Feliciano could say anything he felt his younger brother bring him into a tight hug. Feliciano quickly hugged him back.
"Hi Marcello," he looked up at Lovino. "What are you guys doing here?"
"What we can't surprise our brother with a visit?" Lovino said sounding very annoyed and with an eye roll.
"We haven't seen you in over a month," Marcello said crossing his arms.
"Also we wanted to give you this," Lovino held out a thick white envelope. Nervously Feliciano took it in his hands. Not even looking at the return address he opened it up. His brothers and Mei looking at him intently. Slowly he pulled out the folded paper inside. Hands shaking, he took the paper in his hands and started to unfold it. The envelope falling on the floor. Still, all eyes were on Feliciano, who was glued to the paper in his hands.
"I don't believe this," Feliciano said. His eyes not leaving the paper.
"Come on, what is it?" Marcello said jumping up and down in place.
"I-I have a court date," Feliciano said in shock his eyes not leaving the paper. "In two weeks, for my name change."
"What?" Both Mei and Marcello said at the same time.
"Are you serious?" Lovino said shortly after.
"Yes!" Feliciano said with tears forming in his eyes. Turning the paper around as he started to collapse on the floor. Marcello took it in his hands as Lovino bent down to catch Feliciano. "I-I can't believe this."
"You're so close Feli!" Marcello said excitedly. Feliciano buried his head in his hands as Lovino pulled him close. Marcello and Mei quickly joined in.
"You know what we should do," Mei said after a little bit. She stood up and dusted herself off. "Go out and celebrate."
"I'm all for that," Marcello said standing back up. He helped Feliciano and Lovino stand back up. "We can catch up."
"That doesn't sound bad," Lovino said before crossing his arms. "Unfortunately we can't stay too long. We told Mom and Dad we just grabbing a bite to eat."
"I don't mind Lovi," Feliciano said tightly hugging his brother again, to the latter's slight annoyance. Feliciano continued with a twinge of sadness in his voice, "Just seeing you and Marcello is good enough for me."
"Oh there's a nice cafe down the street," Mei said with a comforting smile. "We could grab something there."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Soon they headed out. Due to it being mid-afternoon the cafe was not that crowded. They were able to get a four-person table by one on the window. Feliciano smiled as his brothers joined him and Mei. The four of them started to eat in silence for a few minutes. Feliciano didn't really mind this though. He missed those days at home with his brothers. Sure it was just for a little bit but for him, it was all he needed.
"So," Marcello started to say after a while, trying to hold back his laughter. "How's the boyfriend?"
"Oh well," Feliciano said awkwardly.
"Come on Feli," Mei said slyly, nudging Feliciano on the shoulder. "Your brothers want to hear all about him."
"Stop it, Mei," Feliciano said quietly and pushed her away a bit.
"When will we get to meet him?" Marcello asked before Feliciano could even answer the first question.
"Marcello, calm down," Lovino said with a lot of annoyance.
"But Feli has a boyfriend now," Marcello complained looking at his older brother. "Aren't you excited?"
"He isn't marrying the damn guy," Lovino said as pushed his younger brother away.
"Don't you want to learn about him?"
"He's Feli weird boyfriend, that we heard nothing about until last semester."
"We met in October," Feliciano said defensively. "He's a great guy and I wouldn't be with him if I thought there was anything wrong. He accepts me and loves me for who I am. I want to be with him."
"I can vouch for his boyfriend cool guy," Mei said with a smile.
"I still don't know..."
"We haven't even met the guy," Marcello said to his brother glaring at him.
"Exactly how can I trust him if I never met him," Lovino pointed out.
"Lovino," Feliciano reached over and grabbed Lovino's hand. "I know you're worried about me but right now I'm the happiest I've ever been. I'm finally in a place where I don't have to deal with people who don't accept me. Soon I'll legally be Feliciano and finally, no one will be able to deny it. But I've found people who don't need legal documents for this. To them I am and always will be Feliciano. Ludwig is one of those people and I feel so many things with him I haven't felt in such a long time. This is what I want and please Lovino trust me with this."
"Alright," Lovino said after a few seconds. "So you gonna tell us more about him or what?"
"I never thought I'd be back here so soon," Feliciano said as he and Mei drove through his old hometown.
"Hopefully this will the last time for a while," Mei said a bit angrily as she looked around.
"Mei we won't see them," Feliciano said though he said it with hesitation. "They both work these days."
"Thank god," Mei said as she pulled up to the parking lot. Quickly she found an empty parking spot and pulled in. The two of them were met up with Lovino and Marcello.
"Do you have it?" Feliciano said nervously. Shaking a little bit.
"Right here," Lovino said with a smile and handed a piece of newspaper to Feliciano. Quickly reading it over he saw a small article saying, Feliciano Vargas. He held it close to him.
"This should be everything," Feliciano said staring at the newspaper again. The small group quickly made their way into the courthouse. Feliciano could feel his heart racing as they got closer to the right courtroom. Looking up at the big clock in the center saw he had about twenty minutes until his courtroom. The four of them walked around before finding the right courtroom. They sat around for a while before the clock turned to 1:30.
"Here goes nothing," Feliciano said as he stood up. He held the papers in his hands tightly but was still careful not to crumple anything. Mei, Lovino, and Marcello all gave him a thumbs up before he walked inside the courtroom. Walking inside he found the room practically empty aside from the judge and a few other people sitting around. Feliciano slowly walked up to the front of the court, keeping himself straight and firm. Once reaching the judge he slowly placed the items on the judge's desk.
"Hello I'm Alicia Vargas," he tried his best not to stutter at saying that. "And I'm here to finalize my name change."
"Very well," the judge said taking the documents and other papers in her hand. Feliciano stood there silently as she looked everything over. "Everything is in order. Congratulations Feliciano."
Before Feliciano could say anything else, the judge handed him a signed document. Feliciano stared at it for a moment. On it was the words, Feliciano Vargas. Feliciano said a quick thank you before excitedly leaving the courtroom.
"How'd it go?" Lovino asked standing up as Feliciano left the room.
"I got it," Feliciano squealed holding up the document. Everyone jumped up and the four did a quick hug. Feliciano smiled and it did fade for the whole day.