After a few hours of chatting with Roderich in the warm summer sun, you decided it was time to head back to Ludwig. The realization came to you that you had to figure out what to do next. The mission had been completely backstabbed by your former commander and as far as most of the world knew, you were dead. Your mind continued to race through all your thoughts and emotions until you bumped into Roderich.
"Oh sorry I wasn't paying attention..." you silently commented.
"It's fine but I think we have a bigger problem," Roderich stated as he looked around confused. "I think we're lost. I don't know how to get to the main cabin."
"What? How did you remember this field in the middle of nowhere but you can't remember the massive cabin that you spent the past 10 hours in?"
"Sorry I should of told you earlier but I usually take someone with me whenever I go out. I can get lost very easily..."
"Yeah I see that now," you sighed, trying to remember where the main cabin was. You looked around to find a soldier and ask for directions, but you couldn't find any on this side of the camp.
"Oh mein Got, Ludwig is going to kill me!" The Austrian started to panic as he twirled the strand of hair on the top of his head with his hand. He was sweating so much that his glasses started to slide down his nose.
"It's ok, we will just head into the interior of the camp and find someone who can help us." You knew this camp was massive and there were many soldiers running in and out of places. Some were leaving the camp towards the lines hopeful, others dragging their bloodied feet in with shame and sorrow.
As you walked up a small hill to the center of the camp, a large German Shepard tackled you to the ground. He wasn't biting or scratching you, but he pushed you over causing you to roll down the hill. The dog chased you down the hill, wagging his tail and licking ur face whenever he got the chance.
"BEEEEERRRRRLITZZZZ! COME NOW!" A familiar voiced boomed down the hill. The German Shepard, Berlitz, ran up the hill and sat next to Ludwig. Ludwig was peering over the hill unaware of who his dog just tackled, but once he saw you wrapped up in grass and mud, he bolted down.
"Oh _... I'm zo zorry about my dog. I promise you he is quite friendly... maybe a little too friendly." He lightly smiled a little as he offered you a hand to stand up. You weren't sure if he was laughing at you or the dog but you smiled back anyways.
"Oh it's all good! Berlitz is quite cute." You tried to rub some of the mud and grass off you but it stuck to your uniform.
"I have somezhing to discuss vith you back at the main tent." Ludwig's expression was serious with his icy blue eyes glancing at yours. "You can go vash up zhere and get dressed into somezhing else. I know you've been in zhat uniform for several days so ve can provide you vith a clean one."
"Hey Ludwig, could you point me back to mein quarters. You know I've never been good vith directions and I got _ and I lost earlier," Roderich asked. He seemed a little guilty about leading you somewhere he couldn't find his way back from.
Ludwig pointed Roderich towards the right direction and lead you to the control tent. No one else was inside and Ludwig told you that you could take a shower in his quarters in the back of the cabin.
The warm water relaxed your skin as you watched the blood, mud, and grass wash off of you. A black German uniform was laid out on a stool in front of you. You first put on the white button down shirt and the black pants. You decided to take the jacket but not wear it unless you needed to. Just as you excited the bathroom you noticed Ludwig's jacket hung up on his bed. It was easy to identity Ludwig's bed from Gilbert. They both were quite neat, but Ludwig's bed seemed to be untouched. You put on Ludwig's jacket and headed out the door thinking you could get a small chuckle out of him.
You marched out the room like a soldier and stood at attention in front of Ludwig. You were trying really hard not to laugh as the jacket sleeves kept slipping down your hands. You placed his large black peaked cap on your head. It barely fit you as it covered your eyes. Ludwig was speechless. He simply looked at you with a small blush and eyes full of wonder. While you stood there he watched you silently almost in awe but definitely in confusion. You were trying your best not to laugh and act just as serious as he usually was. You saluted him half-jokingly but couldn't hold in your serious composure forever. You burst out laughing, tears almost falling from your eyes. The German smirked back and chuckled a little at your childish act.
"No way! Ludwig Beilschmidt actually laughs?!" You asked sarcastically as you put away his jacket and cap.
"Don't get your hopes up. I don't do it very often," he replied.
"Well... it just means that I'm tasked with the super dangerous mission to make you laugh at least once a day!" A blushed crept onto your face as you said this. You weren't sure why you wanted to make him laugh so much but it made you happy when you were able to get one out of him. "I swear Ludwig you're like a 70 year old man stuck inside a young adults body."
Ludwig chuckled at this remarked. You fist bumped the air. "I'll have a home run by the end of today!"
"Come, sit down. I have zomezhing to discuss vith you," Ludwig said motioning to a chair in front of him.
As you sat down his mood changed drastically. His head hung low as his golden hair drifted down his forehead. His eyes were half open, full of dark shadows and mist. He held his hands together on his black pants. Ludwig took in a deep breath and looked back up.
"I'm very sorry about your squad, your comrades," he said as he looked deep into your heavy eyes. You too were now frowning as your eyes filled up with tears. "I vish I could have done more, und if I could I vould do it in an instant." His expression was full of guilt and sorrow.
"It's ok Ludwig," you said as you reached out and placed your hand on top of his. "We did all we could in the moment. You saved my life and I can't thank you enough. I will always greatly appreciate that." You took a deep breath before allowing yourself to continue. Every word was like a dagger through your heart. It pained you to talk about it, but saying it to Ludwig somehow felt like the right thing. It didn't dissolve the pain completely but it gave you the courage to talk about it.
"I won't lie. I am going to miss them all greatly. I've spent a lot of time with them... drinking, eating, sharing stories... laughing..." you paused, remembering all the wonderful memories you shared with them. "But... I can't let that stop me from doing what's right. I can't let that slow down you or Gilbert or anyone else who wants to make a change in this god awful war. They've done their part, so I think it's right if we follow through on ours. I will not allow their death to be in vain."
Ludwig was squeezing your hand as you said this. He looked into your watery eyes allowing you to express all your anger, sorrow, and pain. Once you finished he pulled you in close for a hug. You cried into his shoulder, unable to hold back the tears anymore. His arms wrapped around your side as he rubbed the top of your hair.
"It's ok _. Ve vill not let them die in vain." His voice was full of determination and sincerity. "I promise you that I vill fight to zhe bitter end fur everyone ve have lost." Ludwig pulled you in closer, holding onto you tight.
"Thank you Ludwig." You sat there in his arms for several minutes. You finally felt safe from everything. Safe from the pain. Safe from the war. Safe from everything.