"That was so cool! Thank you for taking us!" Feliciano commented, latching onto Kiku to give him a big hug.
"You're welcome." Kiku responded.
Ludwig recalled back to what had happened. From what he learned Feliciano wanted to see Kiku's first photo shoot. Since it was Friday, Feliciano decided to try and convince Kiku to let him and Ludwig see his shoot. Feliciano's enthusiasm surprised Ludwig. The trio was sitting down on a bench in the park.
"So," Feliciano started, tilting his head. "Those photos are going in a magazine right?"
Kiku nodded, and then Feliciano's eyes lit up. "That's so great! This has to be a dream come true!"
Kiku shyly smiled. Feliciano noticed that Ludwig wasn't talking, so he said, "What's your dream?"
"I'd like to run a bakery." Ludwig answered, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I didn't know you baked! You should make something for us sometime!" Feliciano exclaimed.
"Alright, I'll do that. What about you? What's your dream?"
"My dream?" Feliciano repeated. He seemed to already know the answer, as he responded quickly. "I'd love it if more people saw my paintings."
"Like a famous artist?" Kiku questioned.
"No, I don't want to be famous. I just want people to feel happy when they see my stuff. Like in elementary school after every art project our teacher would hang our drawings in the hallway. I always thought it was cool seeing everyone's work, and it made me happy!" Feliciano reminisced.
"Does your school not show its artwork?" Ludwig asked Feliciano. His school only displayed artwork from students that received an excellent grade.
"I can't go to school anymore, because… you know. Did you guys hear about the lunar eclipse tonight?" Feliciano immediately changed the topic.
Ludwig gave Feliciano a sad look.
They chatted about various things, such as events in current television programs, their hobbies, and more. The sun began to set and they all decided it was time to leave. Ludwig was finally able to share his number with Kiku, and they all left the park.
Like always, Ludwig and Feliciano walked home together. "So… What is school like now anyways?" Feliciano suddenly spoke up. "I've been wondering."
"I guess it really depends on what classes you take." Ludwig answered. He explained the different classes at his school, and what was common during the lunch periods, such as leaving to get your own food, or getting a school lunch. "Prom is also coming up."
Feliciano gaped in complete awe. "That sounds really nice!"
Ludwig explained other things about his school until they made it back. He walked with Feliciano to his door, but Feliciano didn't go inside.
Ludwig could hear Feliciano's brother murmuring about something, which was then followed by silence.
Feliciano rubbed his arm. "Man, I'm going to be in so much trouble!" he stated with a sigh. "I'm going to wait out here until they're done talking. You can leave if you'd like!"
Ludwig shook his head. "I'll wait with you. Who is your brother speaking with?"
"Antonio. He's a social worker. He visits a lot, but I completely forgot he was coming today!" Feliciano groaned.
"Oh, I see." Ludwig said, pondering on how he could help Feliciano out.
"Antonio is super nice though," Feliciano continued on. "It's just that my brother gets upset every time I leave without telling him!"
"What, how come you didn't tell him anyways?"
"He worries," Feliciano sighed again. "Most of the time he says no if I ask—"
"Feliciano." Ludwig cut in, his tone filled with disappointment. "You shouldn't sneak off like that!"
"I know!" Feliciano agreed. "But he expects me to rest all day while he's at work! He's even had neighbors check on me before… I wish he trusted that I can be alone."
"Is that why you won't tell him about you collapsing?"
"Not exactly."
Feliciano closed his eyes. He leaned against the hallway wall and slowly lowered himself to the ground. His voice turned into a whisper as he finally explained himself. "Lovino told me to try and get help or notify him right away if I ever collapsed—that was months ago. I just can't tell him though! If I told him or called medical services, I would go to the hospital," Feliciano then opened his eyes and made direct eye contact with Ludwig. "I'm scared to go there. I'm scared that once I'm there I'll be there for the rest of my life, or that they will tell me how much longer I have to live. I'm terrified, Ludwig!" Feliciano began to tear up, but he tried to force a smile. "It's happened so many times now, but I know how to take care of myself when it happens."
Ludwig tried to speak up, but Feliciano went on. "Do you understand now? Please don't tell Lovino! Please!" Even though Feliciano was still whispering, his voice was shaking.
Feliciano's eyes stayed locked onto Ludwig's, and Ludwig began to feel pity towards him. He knew it wasn't right for something like that to be kept as a secret, but by then Feliciano was completely broken down into tears and trying his best to stay silent.
"Alright," Ludwig mumbled, taking in a deep breath. "I won't say anything."
Feliciano wiped his face, "Really? Do you really mean it?" he said and crawled closer to Ludwig. "Do you promise?" Feliciano asked, holding out his pinkie finger.
"I promise." Ludwig intertwined his pinkie with Feliciano's indicating their promise.
"Thank you," Feliciano said under his breath.
Ludwig let Feliciano calm down. He eventually stood up and lightly set his ear on the door. "I don't hear them so I should probably go inside now."
"Are you feeling better?"
Feliciano nodded. "I'll see you later!"
As soon as Ludwig walked into his room, his brother grabbed his shoulder. "You were hanging out with that Feliciano kid again? It's almost like you two are dating!" he teased.
Ludwig ignored Gilbert. He sat on his bed and his expression became concerned. I wonder what happened with Feliciano, he thought.
"Is something bothering you?"
"It's just that Feliciano has been going through some bad things, and I wish I could do something to make him feel better." Ludwig explained.
Gilbert tilted his head. "Your school's prom is coming up, right? Why don't you try asking him to go with you? I went with Elizabeta and Roderich when I was in high school, going with friends can be fun."
Ludwig realized that none of his family knew he had feelings for Feliciano, but rather they thought they were close friends. The idea of going to prom with Feliciano did sound interesting to Ludwig. "I may try that!" Ludwig agreed to the idea. "Thank you for the suggestion."
"Of course!" Gilbert grinned, giving his brother a wink.
Ludwig came to the decision that he would ask Feliciano to go to prom with him. He didn't have an idea of how he would ask him yet, but he knew he would figure out something.
