There was another flash and Ludwig shielded his eyes. He found himself hit with a sudden curiosity as he felt the light fade down. What would he be shown this time? Something else from his past? Or…

He opened his eyes more eagerly than he'd like to admit. Ludwig tried to tell himself that no, he wasn't actually interested in whatever game his brother was playing. The sooner this whole thing finished, the sooner he could go home and apologise to Feliciano. In fact, the German was fairly sure he was going to have to ground Gilbert again after this.

But when he did open his eyes, Ludwig paused. He recognised this place, of course, but it wasn't from a long ago memory.

This was his house.

Yes, this was definitely where he lived. There was no way he could mistake the building in front of him. It seemed rather casual at first glance, but the tomato curtains and the messily painted yellow front door could never be found anywhere else. Through the upstairs window, Ludwig could see the bedroom light was on. Was Feliciano home?

Why am I here? Ludwig thought. Did brother get bored and decide to send me home? Feeling confused, Ludwig walked forwards and went towards the door.

It was unlocked, which relieved Ludwig considering he didn't have his keys. He entered the house easily.

The darkness surprised him. Sure, he saw there was only on light on, but he was so used to Feliciano leaving all the lights on that this almost felt wrong. The Italian always made sure the house was well lit and welcoming, and that there was some food waiting for Ludwig when he came home, and stay up as late as possible to wait for his boyfriend. Ludwig often found Feliciano passed out in the living room arm chair, and he would either carry him up to their room or throw a blanket over him.

There was nothing like that tonight, however. It made Ludwig feel a little sad.

He could see a faint light coming from the top of the stairs. It must have been from the bedroom.

"Feliciano?" Ludwig called. No reply. "I… I'm home." Still nothing. Confused and worried, Ludwig began walking up the stairs.

Once he reached the top, Ludwig froze. He could hear something. He could hear… crying? Ludwig frowned. Was… was that Feliciano?

Ludwig didn't think. He immediately charged forwards and ran into the room.

The bedroom was bright compared to the rest of the house, and Ludwig squinted for a second when he first slammed the door open. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the red carpet, the bookshelf containing both recipe and text books, the photo on the night stand, the bed…

A familiar shape was curled up on the bed, sobbing quietly. It was Feliciano. Of course it was Feliciano. Ludwig stepped forward tentatively.

"Feliciano… are you all right?" What a stupid question. Ludwig immediately kicked himself for even asking it. He obviously wasn't 'all right.'

"I'm sorry, Feliciano," Ludwig said quietly. "I'm sorry. I've been neglecting you, haven't I?" Slowly, he went towards the bed. He sat on the end, faced away from Feliciano. "I promise, I didn't mean to. That probably doesn't sound like much, but it's the truth. I had been intrusted with my father's company, and I wanted to make it great. I thought I was ensuring our future; I didn't realise I was only pushing you away."

The crying had stopped, but nothing was said. Ludwig closed his eyes before continuing.

"And it's not just you. I was pushing everyone away. I saw my brother today, and he was putting me through… something, but now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time I went out of my way to talk to him. He said he was trying to save our relationship, but I think he was also a little upset. I… I'm sorry. I honestly had no idea. I will make it up to you, to both of you, and I mean it."

Still, nothing.

"Feliciano?" Ludwig turned his head. He reached out a hesitant arm towards the Italian. "Please… Say something. I was wrong, I know I was wrong, but I—"

He froze. Though his fingers should have brushed past Feliciano's shoulder, they touched nothing. Nothing. Ludwig reached forward again, but his hand only closed around air. But… why? Feliciano was right there.

After one last attempt, Ludwig felt the blood drain from his face. As he watched, he clearly saw his hand pass right through Feliciano. It was as if he wasn't even there.

Ludwig jumped to his feet, trembling slightly, staring at the curled up form of Feliciano.

"Feliciano?" Ludwig's voice was barely a whisper. "Why…?"

"Didn't I tell you?" A familiar voice sounded behind him, and Ludwig spun around to see his brother leaning against the door frame. His wild grin was gone, replaced by a more apathetic expression. "These are only shadows of the past or, in this case, present. You can say whatever you want, but they won't hear you."

The sobbing started again. Ludwig looked back, back at the shivering Italian. How long would he have to listen to this, knowing he couldn't do anything about it?

"Stop it…" His voice could barely be heard at first, but it turned to a shout when he spoke again. "Stop it, brother!" He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head back and forth. "I understand! I really do! Stop this, please!"

"Do you?" Gilbert was suddenly stood right in front of him. Ludwig's eyes had opened in surprise, hearing how close his brother sounded, but now they were clouded with confusion as they took in the area. The room was gone. It was all gone. There was only darkness. Feliciano's sobs, however, continued clearly. "Do you really get it? Feli's been really upset, especially recently. It's nearly Valentine's Day, after all, and that was always your special day. The way you just decided to scrap that so you could work more really shocked him."

Ludwig nodded sadly. What else could he do? He had practically betrayed Feliciano.

"Now, with the way this thing usually goes," Gilbert continued, "I would have to show you your future next. But there's a problem with that—I can't predict the future. I don't think anyone can. I like to think the whole 'future' thing is just a blank slate until you actually get there, you know what I'm saying?"

"…Not really…"

Gilbert sighed and shook his head, but he was smiling. "I'm saying you've got to make your own future with Feli. That's the only way you'll get anywhere. If you want to take my advice, then treat him with at least half as much love he shows you. That way, I'm sure your future will be all bright and happy. But if you continue with the way you are, then… Well, let's just say I'm pretty sure Feli won't be in your future. Do you really want to risk that?"

"No, of course not." Ludwig felt his own smile form. Treat him with at least half as much love he shows you... That honestly had to be the best advice Gilbert had ever given him. "Thank you, brother."

"No problem!" Gilbert grinned at him. "But, if you really want to thank me…"

"I'm not buying you beer."

"Wha—? No, that's not what I meant! I mean, it'd be awesome, but— Gah, you've ruined the mood now!" He laughed and patted Ludwig's shoulder. "No, if you really want to thank me… then come back."

Ludwig frowned. Come back…?

"We miss you, Luddy," Gilbert said, a little sadly. "We really do. Feli and I… We need you."

And then he was gone. Ludwig blinked, staring at the space where his brother once was. What was going on? Come back? What did that even mean?

Ludwig turned to get a better look of his surroundings. Wherever he was, he was alone. There was nothing here except for himself.

The sobbing, however, remained. It was all he could hear. Ludwig took a step forward, and the sound grew louder.

Is… Is Feliciano over there? Ludwig wondered. From this thought, he felt a spark of energy. First he took another step, then he started walking, then he was running. The sound of Feliciano's cries grew louder. This only spurred Ludwig on further. He continued, faster and faster. Feliciano was the only thing on his mind. He had to find him. He needed to go back.

Feliciano…!

-Chapter end

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I updated this, huh? XD Sorry, school's been around lately and they're only going to pile more work on. Also, I keep finding myself updating some stories more than others ^^'

Next chapter is actually the last one :) I did say this was going to be short XD

Well, please review and tell me what you think ^_^