I stare at my sleeping companion's face. Pale skin stretched over his thin face and hollow cheeks. Long light eyelashes just caress the skin underneath the eye sockets. Raw skin, red as the blood that had dried over the patches, litters his skin not covered by clothes. Wheat hair sticks up in every direction - completely unlike usual - with blood still matted into the once shiny and slicked back locks. Black bags linger underneath his closed eyes. I feel a stirring of guilt creeps up my spine. As the guilt continues to grow, the logical part of my brain kicks in.
'You did what was necessary, stop kicking yourself about it. He… they… needed to be stopped.'
I allow a small sorrow-filled smile as I continue to gaze at the personification of Ger- West Germany. Turning in my seat, I look out of the airplane window. We had already landed at Heathrow.
"Ludwig…" I softly shake the German next to me awake.
"Huh? Wo bin ich?" He murmurs while stretching. As he does so, a pained expression settles on his face, causing me to lean over to him in worry. He waves my look of fear away dismissively. "I'm okay… It's just a little sore" by the look on his face, I know that he's trying to play his pain down. I hold my suspensions down to appease the Aryan.
"Okay… c'mon, get up - You need to get cleaned up and get a good night sleep" I stand up, stretch, then hold my hand out for him to grab. He wearily takes my hand and drags himself up.
Once we leave the plane, and step onto the tarmac. Grey clouds cover the sky from horizon to horizon, giving London it's usual dreariness. Turning to the Aryan, leaning slightly on me, and grab the German's hand that was hanging limply at his side. In turn, he gives my hand a small squeeze, which sends a blush surging to my cheeks.
'Why is this effecting me so much?' Mentally shaking the strain of thought from my head, I gently tug Ludwig to follow me to the black car waiting a few metres away.
"Morning Sir" says my driver and assistant, Harrison.
"Morning Harrison, is my house still standing?" I joke, giving the man a small smile. He's a tall man, mousy blonde spiky hair, grey streaks run through his mop. His hair is mostly covered with a top hat. His angular face, that had lost some of the fat since the last time I saw him. His slightly thinner frame is covered in his usual 3 piece suit, a silver pocket watch - a gift from a few Christmases ago from me - connected to the waistcoat.
"Yes it is, sir. I took the liberty of prepping the staff for your arrival." He starts the engine and drives off the tarmac towards the main road that will take us back to my home.
"Brilliant work as always, Harrison, ol' chap." Our conversation stops here as he focuses on driving, and I look to the blonde slumped next to me. I allow myself a small laugh, as I stare at Germany, who had - yet again - fallen asleep on my shoulder. Softly, I lean my head atop of his and close my eyes, breathing in deeply. He smells of blood, sweat and something I cannot put my finger on… it's addictive.
After around half an hour of moving mere inches at a time in traffic, we finally arrive outside of my home. It's a beautiful red brick, three story house - with white window frames and a wooden door. I check on Germany, who is still asleep on my shoulder.
"Umm… Harrison?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Could you… give me a hand with getting Ludwig into me bed, please?" he turns to look at me incredulously, then simply shrugs his shoulders and jumps out from behind the wheel. Once he opens the door on Germany's side of the car he leans in.
"If I grab his legs, you grab his arms. Is that alright, sir?" I nod and grab his arms tightly.
"3... 2... 1!"
15 minutes of struggling and tripping up stairs and down corridors, we finally get Germany into my bed, tucked in tightly.
"I'll wait for you in your office, sir." once he closes the door, I turn back to look into Ludwig's sleeping face. I lean down closer to him, and peck him on his soft lips. I retract, almost causing me to fall backwards.
Why on earth did I do that?