**Shout out to FullmetalRocks: Thanks so much for your support! Keep It Awesome!
*By the way, there are Nyotalia characters in this, forgot to put that in the summary!
-J
The days flew by, as well as the weeks, both men working to get everything ready for the grand opening. Ludwig looked at his phone for the date, which was October 1. It was Thursday, and tomorrow he was needing to go back to the clinic for Chemo; not even needing to ask the other if he was going to come along. They had over the course of three weeks, developed a daily routine. Feliciano would show up at Ludwig's to pick him up, they would clock in at six and get to work. Lunch they would either make something, or go someplace; taking turns on the tab. Then when they closed up 11, they would walk to the underground coffee shop, and get coffee. Finally Feliciano would take the blonde home, and they had started to have nightly chats before the other went home.
"Ve~ Ludwig, I called up my brother-in-law who's in charge of the schedules. I told him that you and me needed Fridays off, so for now on you don't have to ask." The blonde looked up from the basket of fake Ivy he was untangling and handing a strand up to the Italian who was on a step latter.
"Oh, Thank you Feliciano. When was it we're opening again?" The blonde asked, not really remembering when it was they were supposed to officially open. Around the room Feliciana and Lovina were untangling and hanging Ivy from rafters; Lovina who he met the day after Chemo, what colorful. She cursed more than anyone he'd ever met, and Feliciano told him that she was the woman version of Lovino…
"Ve~ Lovino told me there were some plan changes and that they were coming back sooner than expected, so we may open Saturday." The blonde hummed, and focused on untangling some more Ivy. Lovina kept looking at the clock and tapped her foot. Feliciana looked over at her twin and raised a brow.
"Is there something you're waiting on Lovina?" the angry girl looked at her sister, and scowled.
"Do you not remember that we were going to introduce our girlfriends to each other today? The damned Tomato-Bitch is late, and she's probably going to come in here all fucking cute as always and give me some bull-shit excuse." She crossed her arms over here chest and grumbled as the door opened. Feliciana looked at the door, and squealed. Everyone in the room looked to the entrance, to see a girl. She had cotton blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and pale skin. She wore a heavy jacket, boots, dark denim jeans, and a old World War II style military hat. The blonde girl looked up, spotting Ludwig and grinned throwing her arms up.
"Ludwig, Cousin! I didn't know you worked here, how've you been?" the blonde man laughed loudly, and he hugged the German girl.
"I've been doing well Louise, are you the dashing young lady Feliciana has been speaking so Highly of?" the Italians stared at the almost Identical relatives, when a Spanish girl whirled in.
"Sorry I'm late! I saw a puppy that reminded me of my Lovina, and I had to hug and squeeze it. But then I lost track of time, and I ran all the way over here!" Louise looked over at the sweet Spanish girl, walking over and patted her on the back.
"It's okay Karen, I got lost on the way here. I had to pull a Lud and use my phone GPS." The two girls laughed then looked at their girl friends.
"Hallo, my names Louise Beilschmidt, nice to met you Lovina." She held her hand out to the angry Italian girl, who slapped her hand away and scowled.
"Potato-Bitch I don't care, I'm just doing this for Feliciana." The blonde girl held her smile, and simply retorted back.
"The action mutual." Earning a glare from Lovina, and Karen stepped in by hugging Feliciana smiling.
"Nice to meet you! I'm dating your sister!" the ditzy girl hugged back and they squealed. As the girls chatted/argued they yelp, followed by a crash. Everyone directing their attention back to the men in the room, Feliciano tripped off the step latter and fell on Ludwig; both men groaning as they sat up. The blondes glasses flung off his face when he hit the floor, and Feliciano rolled off the blonde.
"Ve~ I'm so sorry Ludwig, you're not to hurt are you?" the blonde groaned, but and sat up. Feliciano stared at the other for a moment, never really seeing the other without glasses before and blushed. Quickly snapping himself out of his trance, he started feeling around for the blonde's glasses. Upon finding them he walked over, and placed them back onto the others face smiling.
"Danke, are you okay?" the Italian nodded and smiled.
"Ve~ yes a handsome German man broke my fall." He said with a wink, and the blonde cracked a grin. The girl were giving them knowing looks from afar, and they men both got up to standing. Feliciano dusted himself off and held out his hand to the German girl with a smile.
"Ve~ nice to meet you, you must be Louise; Feliciana has told me a lot about you! I didn't know you had a handsome cousin neither." He said the last part with a wink and motioned to Ludwig, causing the girl to laugh.
"Nice to meet you again, I've met you before remember? You went with your Opa Roma to our Großeltern house that one Christmas. That's how Toni and Lovi met, Gilbert invited the 'BTT' and me and you sat in the corner with my sister." The Italian's eyes widened, and gasped.
"Ve~ You're right! That was so much fun!" clapping his hand together, smiling big. The whole group chattered for a hour, and soon the two girlfriends were helping put up Ivy and false grapes. Art work was being put up, and the one Feliciano painted while the blonde was asleep. Though he purposely hung it wear it wouldn't be noticed as easily just in case anyone would make a connection. After everyone was done with hanging up the false greenery, Feliciano declared lunch time.
Inside the kitchen Ludwig and Feliciano worked like a well oiled machine. If one was chopping vegetables, the other was stirring a pot or cooking meat. They decided that pasta would be easy to make, so as one made homemade sauce, the other cooked the meat and boiled noodles. Soon they had the meal fixed, and came out with the food on big platters severing everyone a plate. The girls chattered, but Feliciano to busy staring at a angelic blonde.
He didn't know why, but he wanted to run his fingers through those perfectly slicked back locks. He wanted to hold his face, and he'd stared into pools of crystal blue, but god more than anything he wanted to him to talk in that silky deep voice he uses when they're relaxing on the couch chatting after work. Sure his voice was sexy all the time, but when the blonde was completely relaxed and it was just the two of them, his voice became deeper and it was… there wasn't any other word for it other than addicting. He was addicted to the other, and he knew he didn't like his friend as just a friend. He wanted to be more, he stared at the blonde in till the other noticed and stared back. Blushing he turned away, feeling his heart speeding up at the way the blonde man was looking at him.
His eyes were piercing into him, like he was reading into everything he was feeling. Ludwig's face was soft, his eyes had a different feature to them than they always. The blonde lightly grabbed the others hand, and squeezed it slightly.
"Feli are you okay?" the Italians blush intensified and he nodded.
"Ve~ yes I'm fine…" the blonde looked down at their hands, realizing he was holding the others hand; blushing he let go and begun to rub his neck nervously. All the girls watching, and Lovina spoke.
"Feliciano ask the guy out already; this is getting painful to watch! You've never had this problem before; just do it!" Feliciano blushed, and Ludwig stared blankly. Louise looked over at Ludwig, who's blank stare had progressed into a smile; causing Louise to raise a brow.
"When'd you learn to smile?" the blonde man didn't respond, turning his head the Feliciano.
"So- Feli. What would you say if I asked you out to coffee?" remembering the Italian man asked him the same thing the first night he worked. The Italian blushed, but played along.
"Depends… Are we going as friends or more than friends?" The blondes smile grew, and lean forward.
"I dunno, You tell me. I think you already know my answer." Feliciano's eyes widened. What? Did that mean what he thought it did?
"Ve~ so… are we?" he couldn't even ask more, to shocked and confused to even ask properly.
"Yeah, we'll go as more than friends." Feliciano took a moment to register, that he had a coffee date. A coffee date with the cute bartender he hired, after it finally settled in he smiled big enough to show teeth. Soon everyone was done with their food, and the all male duo went to clean the dishes. As they were putting the dishes away, Louise came into the kitchen.
"It was nice seeing you cousin, I'll see you at Halloween." Ludwig nodded, and she left out of the kitchen. Feliciano noticed how different Ludwig acted with certain people. He acted like the perfect customer service employee when he served drinks to him and his sisters, he acted professional with his siblings and from what he could tell his family; then when it came to the Italian himself. Ludwig acted different. He acted caring, friendly, and over all gentlemanly. He remembered Ludwig always without fail opened doors for him, pulled out his chair and pushed it in after he sat down. All these things that would point to the other liking him, he somehow didn't notice.
"Ve~ Ludwig do you really like me? more than a friend I mean…" the blonde looked over, a unreadable look on his face as he took the others face into his hands. He leaned over, ghosting his lips against the others before planting a soft gentle kiss on the Italian. Feliciano felt weak kneed, and the kissed back ever so lightly, only to have the blonde part from him and look him in the eye. Ludwig's cheeks flushed, and he looked thoroughly embarrassed.
"I like you enough that I gave you my first kiss, if that helps you feel better." Feliciano's widened, and started to blush and sputter. He was Ludwig's first kiss? He felt honored, that the blonde chose him to give that special kiss too.
"Ve~ Y-you never h-had been kissed before?" the blonde blushed, and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah well, can't have a first kiss if you never had a first date or boyfriend."
"You've never?" the blonde shook his head. "ever?" again the blonde shook his head. Feliciano stared at the other in shock. The blonde was so handsome, how could he not of gotten a date or anything?
"Ve~ how is that even possible? You're so handsome! Didn't anyone tell you were cute in school?" the blonde looked away at that.
"I was home schooled… I was too sick to go to middle school all the way through high school." Feliciano then remembered the other was always sick, probably never get better. That thought made Feliciano felt a deep jolt of sadness.
"I'm honored to be your first kiss… Ve~ and tonight with be the best coffee date ever!" the Italian cheered, and the blonde laughed.
"But every night we get coffee is the best date ever." He laughed some more as Feliciano blushed.
"Ve~ why did you never say anything?" asked the Italian a blush still showing on his face. The blonde stopped laughing and thought for a moment, looking as if he was deciding if he should really tell the other. Sighing and running a hand through his hair, the German spoke up finally.
"I've never had friends before, and most coworkers were to scared to get to know me. You were the only one who stuck around, even after you saw I was tatted up. You never saw me as a thug or bad guy. So when I started developing feelings for you- I just kind of decided to keep it to myself. I didn't want to lose you." They stared at each other for a long time, both of them busting grins and laughing.
Coming out of the kitchen and seeing everything was already close up they just left, both of them walking to the coffee shop. It was like normal nothing different. Feliciano decided to change that, reaching for one of the Germans large hands. At first the blonde looked surprised, but quickly recovered and holding his hand back. The walked that way in and out of the coffee shop, and were sipping on their coffee as they walked to the Italians car. As soon as they got into the car, and started their way to the other apartment Feliciano spoke.
"Would you mind if I stayed the night? You know, it's hard waking up really early sometimes. Then we'd get to sleeping in." the blonde nodded, and smiled. After the first time Feliciano accompanied him, he set up his appointments later in the morning. Instead of five am, they would come in at seven am, and buy the time they were done they would spend the afternoon and evening watching a movie or reading.
"No I don't mind it, you can stay over whenever you want." Feliciano nodded and the blond smiled. Soon they arrived at the building as Feliciano activated his car alarm. Once they were together walking, Ludwig swung a arm around the other, and they walked up the stairs that way. Once they arrived to the apartment, a notice had been posted on every door in on the floor.
'To whom it may concern,
Due to failure to pass the building inspection, this apartment complex will be needing tenants to be moved out by October 2, 2015.
-Thank you,
Management'
Ludwig looked at the notice, and gritted his teeth. Who the hell in their right mind, only gives a day notice for people to move out of their apartment? Then moved onto the next question. Where the hell was he supposed to go?
"What. The. Fuck." Was all the blonde could manage to grind out before flinging open his apartment. Seeing that the fridge and stove were already gone, and he walked into the bathroom. The sink, toilet, and shower were gone. He then rushed into the bedroom, nothing was miss placed. Feliciano watched the blonde move around the small apartment swiftly, and finally the blonde just stopped in the living room. He was staring into thin air, and then he began to laugh nervously.
"Oh god what am I going to do? Where the hell am I supposed to fucking go?" Feliciano never had heard the other whisper a cuss word, and he had said 'fuck' twice. the Italian could see the blonde was frantic in his eyes, but stayed calm. Walking into his bed room, and pulled out a stack of plastic totes he used as a nightstand. Feliciano never really had been past the living room which really was just a couch and coffee table. But looking into the others bedroom made him sad. He had a twin sized mattress on the floor, with the totes he just pulled out as a nightstand. A battery running clock perched on top, a phone charger and nightlight plugged into the wall. He had command hooks hanging three dress shirts he wore to work, he had two clear plastic filing cabinets holding his street clothes and shoes. A stack of dress pants folded neatly on the filing cabinets.
Ludwig stuffed his clothes and shoes into one tote, and his blanket, sheets, laptop and chargers into the other. He walked into the living room and grabbed his laptop and DVDs and into one of the totes and closed them both. After all that was done he calmly sat back down on his couch, ran a hand through his hair. he sat there for a moment, just trying to think of what was going to happen. Not realizing the Italian sat next to him, and rubbed his back.
"Ve~ Ludwig, put your stuff in my car. I'll grab your filing cabinets, and we're leaving." The blonde nodded, he stacked the totes and lugged them down the car, the other man following not far behind. Soon they packed the totes into the trunk, and the filing cabinets into the back 'seats' and were on there way back across town to Feliciano's apartment. Once there the blonde slowing grabbed his stuff, and slowly walked to the elevator. They both rode up, and soon were in the condo. Feliciano walked into his guest room, which was a queen sized bed and nightstand. He carefully placed the cabinets down, and motioned for the blonde to follow.
"Ve~ This will be your room, you also have a on suite bathroom." The blonde nodded, and placed the totes on the bed. Feliciano walked to the bathroom, and turned the light on pulling out a toothbrush and a bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap. He placed a towel on the counter, and walked out to see the blonde sitting on the bed.
"Thank you…" Feliciano smiled, and hugged the blonde; who hesitated for a moment before hugging back.
"Shower off and come to the living room, I'm calling in devilry. Ve~ I'm still planning to make this the best date, regardless of the bad beginning!" Feliciano left the room, the blonde closed the bedroom door and peeking his head into the bathroom. The bathroom was of course huge, and he saw the thing Feliciano left out for him. He left a new pair of clothes on the bed, and started shedding the ones he was wearing. First he unbuttoned his dress shirt, letting it fall to the floor. The white t-shirt underneath was pulled over his head, and then he pulled his pants and boxers off his body.
His arms and torso wasn't the only heavily tattooed parts of his body, his whole body was covered almost. Ludwig being shy enough to not let anyone near is butt and crotch, much less with a needle. Feet, ankles, crawling up his legs, brushing up his hips, and expanding to the artwork that was usually displayed when he walked around topless. He started early, every year for his birthday and Christmas he got a tattoo starting when he was fourteen. First was a white lily over his heart, with a ribbon that was blank. He had decided when he found his true love he'd put their name there, why a lily, he himself didn't know. Hands to wrist were untouched, as well as head to collar bone. Most of the time he wore long sleeve and nobody knew about the tattoos.
He sighed at his reflection, and climbed into the shower, turning the water on really hot. He let the water wash other his body, and let it run through his hair. After a minute of just letting scalding water wash over him, he squeezed shampoo into his hand and started to scrub his hair. Soon he was scrubbing his body with the bar soap, and then rinsed off; climbing out and drying off. After he was done, he tied the towel around his waist and walked into the bedroom. Walking to the bed, he pulled on a black tank top on and a black pair of heavy sweat pants, then tugged on some socks.
Ludwig opened the bed room door, and saw his 'date' sitting in the living room with a pizza on the coffee table. Feliciano had showered, and changed as well. Wearing a white thin t-shirt, light gray sweat pants, and bare foot. As soon as he saw the blonde, he patted the place next to him and smiled. Seeing Feliciano after being able to relax a bit, he couldn't help but smile.
"Soooo- I just got cheese because I had no idea what kind of pizza you liked. Ve~ what would you like to drink?" he had started to get up, and waited for a response.
"Beer, if you have any." The Italian smiled, he had bought beer to keep in the fridge; after one time when it was just him and the blonde working, when they went out to lunch, he ordered beer. After learning that was what indeed the blond preferred in alcohol, he had gone and gotten a six-pack.
"You're in luck, Ve~ I had bought beer for the next time you visited!" he cheered as he pulled out a bottle of beer, and filled a glass of wine for himself. He quickly walked back, and smiled handing the beer to the German.
"Thanks again…" looking away Ludwig continued. "For you know letting me stay here, I'll help pay rent."
"Ve~ I don't pay rent. I called it a apartment, but I own this condo. Really my family owns this building, the neighbors are my siblings, and my Nonno." The blonde stared at him.
"I'm paying you rent, how much are you wanting."
"Ve~ a hug everyday!" the blonde blushed, and mumbled as the other leaned forward. He captured the blonde in a hug, and snuggled. After what felt like five seconds, he let go and grabbed a slice of pizza, taking a bite and taking a sip from his glass.
Ludwig took a slice, and turn it around to the crust and took a bite. Feliciano watched the blonde eat the pizza backwards, and after he was done eating his slice, he took a swig of beer. And started on the next piece. They chatted and finished the pizza and drinks, both beginning to yawn.
"Feli, I think we should call it a night. We don't want to stay up all night and barely wake up to make it to the clinic, do we?" the Italian laughed, and nodded before placing a kiss onto the blondes cheek.
"Night Luddy."
"Gute Nacht Feli." They both went their separate ways, and both went to sleep.
Feliciano woke up to the smell of something wonderful. He sat up, he climbed out of bed and padded his way to the kitchen. Here he was, his crush topless, frying up pan cakes, singing some song to himself; expertly flipping them into the air and catching them again. He had also from what the Italian could tell, cooked some eggs and bacon. He had set the table, and had everything set out. Feliciano noticed that the blonde brewed coffee and smiled, sneaking over to the coffee and whipping them up like the way they ordered from the shop. Sugar, sweet heavy cream, some cocoa, a pinch of cinnamon, and whipped cream. All shaken together till it's silky smooth and blended completely, and filled two big mugs and placed them in the spots set out. He quietly sat into of the seats and waited for the blonde to notice him, which was almost immediately after he sat down.
"Didn't know you came in, hope you like breakfast." Feliciano took a bite, and felt like he was in heaven. They finished breakfast, got dressed and made their way out the door. As Feliciano locked up his condo, they heard something drop and looked over. Ludwig looked over to see a man identical to Feliciano, with only subtle differences, glaring at him.
"What the fuck was this guy doing with you in your house Feliciano?" Feliciano on the other hand smiled, and latched onto the blondes arm cheered.
"Ve~ oh Lovino! This is my new boyfriend Ludwig, Ludwig this is my twin brother Lovino." Ludwig mentally sighed, he was right. Lovina was a exact copy of Lovino, and he saw the other fuming. But before the man could ask any more questions, Feliciano pulled the blonde away. They ran to the car, hoped in, and Feliciano raced the clinic.
"Sorry, Ve~ but I didn't want to deal with him right now. Sorry I called you my boyfriend. For some reason that was the only thing I could think to call you." The blonde chuckled, and shook his head.
"Doesn't bother me, I mean it wouldn't be weird we've known each other for a month almost." He shrugged as they pulled up to the clinic. They entered, and Ludwig was about to enter the room for Chemo when the doctor pulled him aside and into his office. Feliciano waited outside, looking at all the little kids art work.
"Mr. Beilschmidt, I am happy to inform you that the treatment we did worked, and you will now and the rest of your life be cancer free…" the blonde stared for a moment.
"I'm cancer free, from now on in till I die of old age? I'm going to die of old age?" the blonde was smiling, as he looked the results over. He could barely contain he joy, as he thanked the doctor and bolted from the room.
"Feli, Feliciano Vargas- I Ludwig Weston Beilschmidt, am officially cancer free!" Feliciano took a moment to register what he was being told, and smiled in glee.
"Luddy, oh my god are you serious? Ve~ have to told your family yet?"
"No, I had to tell you first! I get to die as a old man, I can finally start living my life." Ludwig had a huge grin, and hugged the other tightly and started to dance around the clinic with him. Neither noticed a group staring at them.
"Hey Lud, how could you not tell your awesome older brother you're cancer free first!?" the blonde whipped his head up, and smiled.
"Gilbert I'm cancer free!" the albino man crack a huge smile, and tackled his brother. Feliciano recognized the man, he was Toni's best man at their wedding. Just looking at the two, they didn't even look related. The blonde towered over then other, and was broader. Gilbert wore his black jeans, red tank top, and had his ears pierced. Black converse, black nails, and black eye liner outlined his eyes. That was when Gilbert noticed the Italian, and smirked.
"You're Toni's brother-in-law! Nice to see you again!" Feliciano smiled and waved, then he noticed Matthew, and a couple who he assumed were Arthur and Alfred. And of course they wore stuff similar to what gilbert was, and they all looked over joyed. Gilbert looked at Ludwig, and smiled big.
"Ludwig, I have a huge favor to ask you! Will you be my best man? Birdie got the news he's cancer free too, and I need you and Antonio to be my best mans!" Ludwig raised a brow.
"Why do you need two?"
"Because I'm too awesome to have one! Duh, don't be such a dumme arschloch!" Feliciano could say one thing, Gilbert was louder than him when he was excitied.
"Oh and we are throwing a 'Thank God You're Not Going to Die of Cancer Congratulations' Party! Our family, the Vargas's, and Birdies brother and husband are coming, the whole thing starts at eight pm tonight; I'm ready, are you ready!?" the blonde laughed, and shook his head.
"No, I'll have to go home to psychologically prepare myself." The albino German laughed, soon the group left leaving the blonde and Italian alone.
"Ve~ So I've met your brother before… he's louder then me." The blonde laughed, and ruffled the others hair. Feliciano giggled and they climbed into the car, driving back home. They walked up to the Italian's condo when almost the same reunion was happening in the hall, only Lovino seemed un-amused, and a Spanish man he remembered being Antonio, who seemed beyond happy. Added to the mix though, was this a French man, to which Ludwig was not happy to see.
"Oh, Ludwig how are yo-" before the French man could finish, the blonde punched him in the jaw.
"Don't come near me pervert!" Gilbert and Antonio laughed hard.
"Mi amigo, I don't think he forgot!" Lovino's eye twitched, and he pointed to Ludwig.
"Wait, you fucking know him!? How the hell do you know Feli's new boyfriend!?" everyone looked to the couple; the French man, Spaniard, and albino blushing.
"Dude you two are boyfriends?" Ludwig looked over a Feliciano as if asking if they were. Feliciano nodded, and the blonde blushed.
"Uh, yeah- we're boyfriends Gil." Gilbert stared, and smiled.
"I'm glad you finally got your first boyfriend!" the three friend finally saying in unison "Congratulations!" Ludwig was started to feel the pressure on him as his brother started to ask questions, and more people started to crowd him, ask similar questions. Before he knew it he had bolted for the condo, ran in and went to his room. Slamming the door shut, and scurrying to the bathroom and close the door and leaning against it. Breathing heavily, and trying to calm down. Usually he was good in a group, when all attention was brought onto him, that was when things got hard for him. Ludwig was sitting in the floor of his bathroom, long had moved to the tub with the curtain drawn. A soft knock came on the door.
"In less you're Feliciano, go away." The door cracked open, and the Italian peeked in. Seeing the silhouette of the blonde through the curtain, he walked over, and sat on the toilet looked over where the blonde was sitting.
"Ludwig, would you be my boyfriend?" the blonde opened the curtain to look at the other.
"piacerrebe molto anche a me." Feliciano blushed, and gave the blonde a peck on the cheek. Feliciano got up to leave the room, and smiled at the blonde. The blonde smiled back, but felt his heart flutter. Ludwig decided he probably need to show, and prepare himself to have the spot light as well as Matthew about being cancer free and their steps in their relationships. With a sigh, and stood up; he stripped. Beginning to wash his body, his brain already aching as he though 'this is going to be a long night'.