Ending stuff wow! Again, sorry if magic isn't your cup of tea. (waggles five pairs of eyebrows)
Ludwig clasped desperately at Feliciano's back, trying to adjust the body into a securer position. Well, things certainly couldn't get any more awkward, considering he was holding an unconscious merman bridal-style in front of his annoying older brother and two other mermen he had never met. Life sure was convenient when it came to the public embarrassment sector. After what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, Gilbert rushed forward to greet Ludwig.
It really wasn't fair of him to try and envelop Ludwig in a hug, because he certainly wasn't dropping Feliciano's body onto the sand, or even adjusting his arms for that matter. Gilbert then broke the accursed silence in a rush.
"Oh my god Ludwig! I'm so glad you're okay! I really have no idea what's going on, but please tell me I've actually found you!"
When Ludwig finally regained the ability to speak, he cleared his throat and politely asked, "Uh, perhaps we ought to sit down and talk this through?" Ludwig indicated towards Lovino and Romulus, who up until this point, had been standing rather awkwardly off to the side.
The awkward little group congregated around Ludwig, who had yet to relinquish any of his grasp on Feliciano. Once everyone was comfortably positioned, it was painfully clear to Ludwig that no one was willing to start conversing on their situation, each still stunned for their own reasons. Ludwig wasn't really sure who to address first, but it was best to introduce themselves, at least.
Turning towards the older of the two mermen, Ludwig slipped his hand out from Feliciano's lower body to extend in a gesture of friendship. "Uh, well I'm Ludwig Beilschmidt, and this is my brother Gilbert," he stated rather nervously, indicating towards the albino seated next to him.
Warily, the merman eyed the hand before finally taking it. "Romulus Vargas, and this is Lovino, my grandson. It would appear you have already met my other, Feliciano. He seems to have taken a liking to you." Beneath the friendly facade, Romulus' eyes were like that of a vulture's, and his words carefully guarded.
Ludwig couldn't help but squirm under the intense scrutiny of Romulus' gaze. But for now, he threw that thought away, as there were more important things to be speaking about. Like Feliciano, for instance. He had hardly moved at all, although distressed murmurs seemed to slip out from between his lips every so often.
"A-ah, um, I apologize but, speaking of Feliciano, ah..." Ludwig coughed slightly, suddenly very aware of how he had been holding Feliciano in front of his relatives and Gilbert.
It was then that Lovino decided to butt in. "Yeah, speaking of Feli, what the fuck did you do to him, you bastard? He just went out cold! Not to mention you're all he seems to care about now! How dare you pollute my innocent little brother's mind!"
Gilbert took this as an invitation to speak, "Wow, looks like someone needs a glass of calm-the-fuck-down. Maybe you and your pet tortoise need to speed things up a bit, eh?"
Lovino was up, fists at the ready at that statement. "You little shit! I haven't even said anything to you! But maybe your ego needs some reworking, now that I have to see your ugly inner self or whatever you pansies call it!"
With that, Gilbert and Lovino were at each other's throats, with no end to the brawl in sight. Ludwig sighed and turned back to Romulus, it wasn't like those two had anything productive to add anyhow.
Romulus raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Always quick to get into fights, Lovino is. Is your brother much the same?"
Surprised by this question, of all things to ask, Ludwig took a moment to reply, "Yes, he can be. But despite his rancorous behavior, he's still my brother, and he has a good heart."
The tension seemed to melt as they slipped into such casual conversation, and Ludwig noted with dismay that he had been running his fingers through Feliciano's hair. Quickly he removed his hand, and was rather surprised when he looked up to see Romulus smiling kindly at him.
"Rather endearing when he sleeps, no?"
Ludwig felt the blush rising to his cheeks yet again. "U-uh, ja..."
Romulus' moment ended as suddenly as it had begun. The smile was soon replaced by a small grimace, and a hand moved to rest heavily on Ludwig's shoulder. The intense gaze returned, only this time, the gaze was less scrutinizing and more the look of one who had Romulus' words were carefully chosen, each rung forth like a decree from the Caesar something serious to say.
himself. "I can see that you too, care for him deeply. Perhaps to a depth that you do not understand yourself. It pains me greatly to see him go, but yours was a match made in heaven, it seems, as I have not seen him nearly this attached to any maiden he knew for years. And your personality certainly does not seem the type to forego such emotion."
As Ludwig met Romulus' eyes, his brain finally caught up with the words that fell forth from the tightly draw lips. Shaking his head at the revelation, he couldn't bring himself to admit to it, but certainly he couldn't deny it. And what was this? Romulus saying he was letting his grandson go, and yet didn't he realize how very impossible it was for Feliciano on land? Hadn't it been one of Feliciano's main concerns, that he could not move on land, or that the laws that bound the land would catch up with him in his vulnerable state? With this last thought, Ludwig drew Feliciano's body into a tight hug, wrapping his other arm protectively back over Feliciano's legs.
Wait. Legs. Breathing quite heavily now, Ludwig looked down to find he had a nude, yet most certainly human version of Feliciano Vargas curled into his lap. Ah, well. Silently, he raised his head to look confusedly at Romulus, only to be met with a wistful smile. Quickly unbuttoning his shirt, he threw it over Feliciano's' body hastily, leaving him in his black work-out tank.
It didn't really make sense, at any level. Yet Romulus seemed to be expecting it with a sad hum of acceptance, and Ludwig supposed as a merman, your expectations were set on a different level, so perhaps this wasn't as much of a struggle for him to believe. Lovino and Gilbert had stopped throttling each other by this point, leaning over Romulus' shoulder to see what the awkward break in conversation was for.
Gilbert's jaw dropped, and Lovino let out a sputtering whine. Gilbert was the first of the four to say anything on Feliciano's condition.
"Didn't the little dude have one of them tail thingies before, or am I just really drunk and this whole thing is a dumb dream?"
Lovino was too busy observing his younger brother to make any snarky comments at that statement. "B-but how, I mean, what?! How is that even possible?!"
Romulus turned his gaze to each of the three bewildered men in turn, observing them silently before raising his voice to speak. "I think, perhaps, that Feliciano believed more than any of us in his fairy-tales and folklore, and it would seem our good fellow has been justly rewarded, with a wish."
Lovino rolled his eyes at this. "Right, that sappy gay wizard story, is that what we're supposed to believe? Hah, I'd be willing to bet you there never even was an Arthur Kirkland. There's got to be a more logical explanation to this!"
As the two bickered about this and that legend or tale, Ludwig felt Feliciano's body stir slightly in his arms. Two amber eyes popped open excitedly, and a small squeal of delight was heard as Feliciano was met with the sight of concerned blue eyes oh so close to his face. Without so much as a second thought, Feliciano wrapped his arms around Ludwig's neck, connecting their lips in one smooth motion. Blue eyes widened in surprise, but gently leaned into the kiss, giving way to a fiery dance of passion previously unknown to either man. Something about this just felt right, the moment felt as though all of perfection had found its way into one seemingly simple action, sealing an unspoken promise of devotion and the purest love. Both broke away in a flurry of pants, red staining both cheeks, the two would have barely been able to stand had they not been sitting in the soft, warm sand.
Ludwig noticed immediately that all present were staring, and wasted no time in burying his face into Feliciano's shoulder in embarrassment. Gilbert would never let him live this down, and Lovino looked practically ready to burst with anger. Romulus simply looked on with his knowing gaze, the wistful smile gracing his lips once again.
Gilbert whooped and whistled from beyond the pair. "Alright West! I didn't know you had it in you!"
Feliciano took the opportunity to wriggle out of Ludwig's immobile arms, though his movements where rather forceful and choppy. Clutching Ludwig's shoulder like a lifeline, Feliciano shakily brought himself to stand upon his new feet. This displayed to all parties present that he was indeed not wearing any pants, earning a few cat-calls from Gilbert and an angry scolding from Lovino.
"Feliciano! Put that thing away, have you no decency?!"
Feliciano's hands instantly went to cover himself, only for him to lose balance and crash back down into Ludwig's lap. At this, Ludwig seemed to awaken from his frozen state, and carefully gripping Feliciano's upper arms, he pulled the two of them into a standing position.
"A-ah, bruder, would you happen to have a spare set of clothes?"
As it turns out, Gilbert did have a spare set of Ludwig's clothes, but they were ridiculously huge on Feliciano, earning a few more giggles from Gilbert. Well, at least he was covered now. Once that was settled, there was a time where Feliciano discovered the functionality of legs (which involved a bit too much running and hopping about for a normal person, in Lovino's opinion), before settling back down into Ludwig's lap as the five discussed what would occur next.
Romulus had said himself that he was more than willing to see Feliciano off if that was what he truly desired, but Ludwig was still unsure. Lovino seemed royally pissed about nearly every topic that was run by him, so soon all gave up trying to speak civilly with him. Feliciano was now included in the conversation, however, and this seemed to resign Lovino into silent acceptance of his brother's choice. Gilbert was as helpful as ever, lacing nearly every comment with 'you two lovebirds' or something equivalent. Certainly, the tension from earlier had dissipated, and Ludwig felt less scrutinized by the older merman.
"A-and you're sure that you're okay with this?" Ludwig couldn't keep the hopeful edge out of his voice. While he felt guilty about splitting the family apart, there was nothing he wanted more than to bring Feliciano back with him.
Romulus gave him the first truly warm smile he had seen all day, before softly replying, "Of course. Everyone deserves to be happy, and you two belong, it seems. I would not be one to ruin that for you. So long as you come visit me, alright?"
With matters settled and a conflict successfully avoided, the group continued to chatter aimlessly through the rest of the day, exchanging stories and tales from the past. Lovino finally came out of his mood long enough to at least wish his brother well, but remained irritable for most of the time. At last, Gilbert said they ought to head out soon, before the sun went down completely, since it was dangerous to operate the boat at night. They said their final goodbyes, and the stress of the day finally unwound.
Ludwig and Feliciano sat, hand in hand, in the backseat, the boat moving slowly towards a newer, happier life. Together. Maybe that was all they needed.
/rolls away to find better writing skills
but yay cuties and happy endings so. um. ja. You'll be seeing me around the Gerita tag, I guess.