That night Feliciano had slept on the rocking chair on the porch. The chair wasn't as pleasant as he would've liked, but it wasn't too uncomfortable either. He was just glad the temperature had stayed moderately warm throughout the night. At the crack of dawn he was awoken by the sound of creaking footsteps on wooden ground. Just as he opened his eyes Lovino had exited the building, closing the door softly behind him as if he had done so many times before. Lovino stopped when he noticed his brother and a flash of guilt appeared behind his eyes. Feliciano stood up.

"Where are you going Lovino?"

Lovino scuffed the heel of his boot on the porch. "I've already said goodbye to Toni."

It was at that point Feliciano noticed the large military style bag slumped over Lovino's shoulder.

"You're leaving already?"

"They wanted new recruits as soon as possible."

"And you were just going to leave?"

"You know I'm not good with goodbyes."

"But this isn't goodbye, this is see you later. Right?" He cocked his head to the side.

The two stood in awkward silence for a couple seconds until Lovino stuck out an arm, expecting Feliciano to take it. "See you later, Feliciano."

Feliciano just stared at the extended hand for a few moments then practically leapt onto Lovino for a hug. Taken by surprise Lovino had to step back a little, then awkwardly patted Feliciano on the back. Once the two ended their embrace Lovino stepped back, nodded at his teary eyed brother and started to walk down the road toward the centre of town.

"See you later, Lovino!" Feliciano shouted as loud as he could and waved wildly at the disappearing figure, who raised a hand in a wave without turning to look back. Feliciano stayed mid wave until he could no longer see Lovino then lowered his hand slowly, and half heartedly went back into the house.

Sunday afternoon the following week, Antonio was preparing a large basket of food for Feliciano's week ahead. It was after the sermon, but a handful of children still lingered in the courtyard passing around a football, in ignorant bliss of what was happening in the world around them. Seeing the priest leave the church with a basket in hand made the children flock toward him in curiosity. There were four of them in total; and they all spoke at once asking where he was going, why with a basket and what was in the basket. Antonio contemplated for a moment on whether to let them in on the secret of Feliciano. Since half the town already thought he was already dead, Antonio believed it was best if the military thought the same, so didn't mention his brother-in-law to anyone. These were only small kids and it's not like anyone took notice of them anyway. They belonged to the makeshift orphanage type thing in the church some of the women ran for the children whose father had gone to war and mother was too busy with the war effort to look after them. Antonio crouched down to the right height.

"I'm bringing some food to a good friend of mine."

Echoes of 'who' bounced between the children until Antonio stood back up. They waited expectantly for a reply.

"Just a friend of mine." Antonio smiled and started to trot out of the courtyard but the children persisted. They followed him halfway up the road until he stopped and turned to face them. He chuckled slightly at their enthusiasm

"My brother, okay? Now go back to church." He said lightheartedly.

"I didn't know you had a brother, can we see him?" The others agreed with the one who had spoken.

Antonio sighed. "Fine, but as long as you bring that football with you." The children cheered and ran up the path towards the Vargas' cottage.

Feliciano got along with the children almost as soon as they introduced themselves. Feliciano often played football with them, but not after too long he usually had to sit down and watch from the sidelines. The more they came to play, however, the more Feliciano's lungs got used to the exercise. Antonio could see with each passing day that Feliciano was getting healthier and healthier. If he kept up this lifestyle he might be able to get through the winter without some sort of chesty cough like the years prior. Antonio even thought this war would pass quite peacefully. If Lovino was there everything would be almost perfect.

Everything was not almost perfect for Lovino at that moment. On the Italian Front in Isonzo both sides were worn out of morale and artillery, but that didn't stop the Austro-Hungarians from capturing the platoon Lovino was in. He felt sick as he and a dozen other men were escorted by the enemy to the nearest train station. That sickness would probably wear off though, since the train station was more than a couple days walk away, and they were told they would have to wait another day at the train station for the train to actually arrive.

During the second day of marching towards an uncertain future, Antonio received a telegram. It was one of the days he didn't visit Feliciano due to the amount of work he had to do to help their village, but today he made an exception. Through his numb feelings after hearing the news, he had an outburst of anger directed toward the kids, who were only asking where he was going. When the children shrank away at his tone of voice he immediately softened and answered their question.

"I'm going to see Feliciano, but this is serious business so you can't come. Okay?"

Three of the children nodded and went back into to church. The one who had stayed looked determined to get answers. He had blonde hair and striking blue eyes which seemed to have a set goal in place.

Being 8, he was oldest of the four by a couple years, but despite having the obvious advantage in age and height he was often ridiculed by the other three. Antonio knew it was because he was originally from Germany, and kids will be kids, but this also meant the other adults were prejudice against him as well. Of course, when the boy, Otto, met Feliciano, one of the kindest of people Antonio had known, they soon became quick friends. Feliciano had no prejudice against this boy and the boy was lonely. Otto had often said he wanted to live with Feliciano.

"You and Feliciano aren't brothers, are you." It was more like a statement. Otto knew what he was talking about.

"Go back into the church, Otto. I will tell you what's happening when I get back."

Otto looked down at his boots. "Fine." As soon as he had turned around Antonio hurried towards the cottage.

"I have to go find him." Feliciano was more determined than Antonio had ever seen before. Usually Feliciano would laugh something like this off; he laughed off the news of illness when the local doctor broke it to him all those years ago. Obviously Lovino meant more to him than that.

Lovino.

Antonio missed him so much. He was very tempted to go there himself, but he knew the church wouldn't let him. In the end he decided to keep Lovino's wish.

"Don't go Feli, you'll just get killed." He looked down at the natural weaving patterns of the wooden table and traced a few with his finger.

"But what if we never see him again?" Feliciano hiccuped and tears began falling.

"Don't say such things, Feliciano." Antonio's steely emerald eyes met Feliciano's watery amber ones, and softened. "We'll see him again, don't worry."

That night Feliciano lay staring at the ceiling. Didn't he promise himself to go? After a few hours thinking about it, he leapt out of bed. He wasn't too ill anymore, he was sure he would be fine if he though optimistically. He drew in a deep breath, said a few last silent goodbyes to the cottage he grew up in, and went to join the army. He was going to find Lovino and bring him back.

Before he left for good, however, he decided to make one last stop. Otto was quite annoyed when he was woken up in the middle of the night by someone poking him on the cheek. As rubbed his eyes clear of sleep he realised it was Feliciano his anger subsided.

"Otto, I'm sorry but I am going to war. We might not see each other in a long time."

"But you're a girl, and girls can't go to war."

Feliciano chuckled. "Nope, I'm pretty sure I'm a boy."

"Oh." The young boy seemed crestfallen. "Will I ever see you again?"

"As soon as I get back, I promise I'll come and see you again."

Feliciano stood up to leave.

"No, wait! What'll I do without you? Don't leave!" He looked around for inspiration. "Here, take this with you" He held out a piece of clothing. "Maybe it will help you think of me, and then," He sniffed. "Then you won't forget about me."

Feliciano looked down at the clothing and took it. "Si, grazie. I would be honoured to have you underpants." Feliciano smiled sweetly. "I feel like I should give you something too." He bent down and kissed him on both cheeks, and left the church with a blushing Otto on the verge of crying.

To be continued...

Also, if you got which country Otto is then yay! He didn't have an official human name so I made it up.