Chapter 19 (Going back Home)

"How bad, it all ended too soon" Feliciano was checking he hadn't left anything at the room while Ludwig helped him carry some stuff.

"It is not as if there wasn't going to be a next time" Ludwig said, a little red on his face

Feli turned to see him as if what the older man had just said was something extraordinary, and indeed it was, the expression on Feliciano´s face made the german nervous.

"Well of course as long as you want to, it's not like… what I really meant to say was…uhm" The Italian planted a smooth kiss on the german lips, no further words needed, it was clear for both of them.

"I'll take this downstairs" Feli left the room with a big smile on his face, but it all vanished at the instant he found Gerhart in the stairs.

"Morning Sir" Feli managed to say not sure if it was anger or frighten what he felt at the moment. He now had no doubts he will defend Ludwig and himself, this was the bravest thing that had ever cross his mind. He stood there in front of Gerhart, the way those blue eyes looked at him as if they were scanning every detail about him made him lose some of the spirit he had just gain, but he wasn't going to run away, he wasn't going to give this man more reasons to call him a naive brat. Even there were just a few seconds, a lot went through Feliciano´s mind in this time, he remembered all what Gerhart had said the day before and now he had to fight the urge to yell at the man, but no it would only make things worse, he didn't want to screw it; he tried his best to clear his head and finally broke the silence between them.

"Sir I'm sorry we didn't tell you about this before, but please all I'm asking from you is an opportunity, this is not a game for me, so please let me show you how much I care for your grandson, I don't want to be the reason for the two of you be fighting", Feliciano was trying his best to repress the tears, he didn´t want to make an scene, he had to be serious.

Gerhart didn't even wink while Feliciano was talking, he spend the whole time looking at the italian in the eyes, as if he was searching for something, to his surprise Feliciano didn't hesitated when he was talking and kept his eyes on Gerhart's, once he finished talking, it was obvious to Gerhart that the boy was about to cry. Perhaps he had been too hard on the kid.

He had been thinking all night in what Arsenius told him, and came to the conclusion that his judgments were unfair, that perhaps in the talk he had had with Ludwig it was his own feelings the ones showing. He let out a loud sigh which startled Feliciano.

"Listen boy, I won't lie and say I'm enthusiastic about this, but since I won't be around to check on you kids…" Gerhart couldn't finish the sentence because Feliciano was hugging him strongly. The rest of the speech died in his mouth.

"Ok that's enough boy"

Feli recovered the bright smile and to his delight he saw Gerhart quite embarrassed due to the sudden outburst 'Just like his grandson' he thought.

"Yeah you may go now" said Gerhart, still a little affected for the incident.

Feli continued his way, while Gerhart searched for Ludwig, but the later came outside the room he was in, he had heard what Gerhart had just said.

"Thanks Vatter" There was a sincere expression of gratitude in the younger german and something Gerhart had never seen in Ludwig before, happiness, he could have never thought it was possible but somehow that happiness, he was feeling a part of it too.

"No Ludwig thanks to you for ignoring me this time"

( = w = )

Mathew was in the kitchen washing the dishes from lunch while staring outside the window, it seemed the Vargas were the first ones leaving, he could see Romano and Antonio taking some heavy luggage to the car.

"It isn't that heavy bastard stop complaining!"

"But Romano I don't understand how could you and Feli bring so much stuff for just a few days"

"It´s because contrary to you, we are careful in what we wear it's called style"

"I guess I won't argue about that, you do look amazing no matter the time"
Romano wasn't prepared for that answer. He wasn't used to get complements; Antonio aware of this used any chance he had to do it.

"I'll miss you Roma"

"Oh shut up, is not as if we were parting ways, you know you can see me whenever you want" Romano covered his mouth, he wasn't controlling himself today, -well any day he was with Antonio-

Antonio wrapped his arms around Romano

"Let go off me!"

"No, as long as you want me by your side I will never let you go"

Romano stopped fighting and returned the hug. "You better keep your promise idiot, cause there's no way I wouldn't want you by my side"

'Those two always fighting but still they couldn't be without each other' Mathew couldn't help a sad smile. He continued his duty when he saw the other two Italians leaving the house. They had already thanked him for the attentions in the past days, so now there was no need for him to be outside

Feliciano jumped in the car next to his brother, he called Ludwig from the car, and when this one approached, the boy stole a kiss from him, making the blond look over his shoulder to see If the others had noticed, fortunately for him it wasn't the case. Just Romano who was showing an ill face, Matthew laughed a bit ´Another match made in heaven, I'd say, they are total opposites and still perfect for each other´.

Again he couldn't help feeling sad, well it was obvious his life was now a complete mess, he still had no idea what he was going to do once he was back on the city, but there was something else that was bothering him now.

Ludwig walked back to the house but shyly looking back once in a while to see Feliciano, the smile of the Italian made him aware of how lucky he was, but he had to stop daydreaming when in his way he found Arsenius.

"Uhm have a nice trip Sir"

Arsenius who had a severe expression, put a hand in Ludwig's shoulder, he then smiled "Thanks son, but come on you are a nice boy you don't have to panic each time you see me, it´s the Spanish the one that makes me worry" Arsenius then threw a glare to were Antonio was standing, the later starting to panic.

'Mierda, does he know? Crap but how could he?'

"Why so nervous son? Just kidding, you guys should relax you´re still young"

Ludwig and Antonio started breathing again, "Thanks Sir"

"But please you two do me a favor"

"Whatever Sir" they both said in unison

"Be sure of using protection" Arsenius smiled mockingly at the younger men

"Oh grandpa shut up", "how could you say something like that?", "seriously what the hell"
Feliciano and Romano were totally embarrassed

Ludwig and Antonio weren't so happy either, both frozen in their places, but for different reasons of course.

"Bye bye Lud oh, and tell the loud brat I don't want him near my house"

"Whit pleasure" Lud managed to say before leaving with Antonio

"Lud I really thought this was over, but this man seems to enjoy… toying with us"

"I know Antonio but, it's worth don´t you think"
Antonio saw the german smiling, something quite rare, but he nod at the statement

"Totally my friend"

Arsenius was about to take his seat on the car, when he saw Gerhart coming outside the
house, he then walked in his direction, he assumed that his friend didn't want to say goodbye, "fortunately I was wrong" he thought.

Mathew could hear everything clearly since both men were now in the terrace.

"Well old friend I'm leaving now, and as always it was a pleasure spending some time with you" the cheerful Italian was obviously forcing this words.

"Thanks Arsenius I was glad to see you too" the german didn't even try to simulate the coldness.

"Uhm if you want to pay a visit anytime, you´re welcome at your house" Arsenius said this from the heart, a little of hope in his voice.

"I guess we'll see each other more often because of the boys, but don't get the wrong idea, I made it clear a long time ago that between you and me there won't be anything anymore"

The words were like a sharp knife to Arsenius, he couldn't hide how hurt he felt when he heard them, but he recovered almost immediately, or at least that's what he wanted to look like, with a fake smile he said "I know my friend"

'I can´t be frank to you Arsenius, when we finally met again a few days ago, after all this years, I felt I was glad to see you, but been with you so close again…it convinced me… I can't stand how much it hurts being with you when I can´t forgive you´ this thoughts crossed Gerhart's mind, but as always he just kept silent.

"Then I guess I'll see you around my friend" Arsenius was clearly broken inside, he walked back to his car trying to recover the smile so his grandsons didn't notice.

"Goodbye Arsenius"

Matthew saw with horror the cold eyes Gerhart had at the moment, an insensitive expression that made him shivered, not just because of the pain it had caused to Arsenius, but because that same expression was the one Gilbert had the night before. Matthew felt a horrible pain inside him, 'what have I done?'

( = w = )

With what he had just witnessed Matthew didn't noticed somebody entering in the room.

"That has to be the cleanest plate in history"

"What?" Mathhew still a little pale turned to see who had talked to him

"That plate in your hands it's like the fifth time you wash it, you should consider the ones missing instead" Francis was sitting in the table whit a quizzical expression in his face

Matthew felt embarrassed maybe Francis noticed him spying "Ha ha I guess I'm a little distracted" Matthew continued his labor hoping for the other man to leave; right now he wanted to be alone.

"I heard something interesting mon amour"

"Please don't call me that" –it´s creepy-

"Oh I'm sorry, do you prefer …Birdie?"
Matthew broke the glass in his hands

"You were right, you really are distracted today"

"Yeah" Matthew now was feeling anxious it seemed the Frenchman hadn't come for a casual talk.

"How rude of me let me give you a hand with that"

"No thanks, it´s my job to do it after all"

"I'll do it gladly" Francis took one plate and started washing it

´What does he want? He never acted like this before´

"As I was telling you, I heard some interesting news yesterday"

Matthew froze completely so this was what it was all about; he was trying to punish him for what he made to his friend.

"Listen Francis I am…"

"Oh I know, you´re going back to Canada, how sad is that?" the sarcasm obvious in Francis voice

"Well that´s how it is, and I expected Gilbert would understand it"

"Gilbert? oh yeah he didn't mind really, you guys had a great time here"

´What?´ Matthew was taken off guard

"But that isn't what I want to talk about, you know he had his chance with you, but now it´s my turn"

"what?"

"Matthew don´t tell me you didn't notice since the beginning that I really "enjoyed" your company"

Matthew couldn't believe what he was hearing "Stop playing Francis"

"Mon amour I'm not the type who plays with this kind of stuff"

"Then why?"

"Because I like you I thought that was already understood"

"No I mean why are you doing this… to Gil…" to Matthew until now Francis seemed like somebody who take care of his friends, but the attitude he was showing now, the way he was speaking, this person wasn't acting at all.

"Oh cut it out already Matthy, you clearly said to him it wasn't something serious"
Matthew opened his eyes wide, he felt the words stocked in his throat, Francis stepped closer putting Matthew against the wall.

"Don't give me that face, we aren't doing anything bad Matthy, although if you accept is gonna be a very good thing"

"Get away" came out as a whisper, this was too much more for Matthew to take

"Don't be so difficult, I've seen you, you like to flirt" Francis closed the distance between them to just a few inches. "So what do you think? I imagine you won't be leaving soon, so if you wanna have a good time before parting, we should…"

"I said get away!" Matthew hit the Frenchman with all he had
Francis was about to say something when they heard somebody coming.

"Francis!"

Matthew recognizing the voice in an instant, he paralyzed and looked in the direction it was coming, Francis left the shorter man´s side and calmly walked away

"Yes mon ami?"

Gilbert was standing in the front door "We´re leaving now is all of your stuff in the car?"

"I'm just missing one thing"

"Hurry up, my old man will get mad if we make him wait"

"Ok, I'll be right there"

"Fine"

"Oh Gilbert what about you?"

"What you mean?"

"Don´t you forget something?" Francis who was standing outside the kitchen in the corridor, gave a quick gaze to were Matthew was standing, obviously Gilbert couldn't see him but was aware of what Francis had meant.

Gilbert kept silent for a minute, the three men didn't move from their places for what it felt like a lifetime until Gilbert finally answered.

"No" He then left the entrance

Matthew fixed his eyes in the floor hiding his face from Francis, afraid that he could see all the emotions going through him at the moment.

Francis smiled to the other man "As you can see mon petit Matthew I must leave you now, perhaps I was too bold for a start, but let´s forget all about it, really no hard feelings hu?, here´s my card I hope to hear from you soon"

Matthew betrayed his initial wish and raised his head to see Francis, but the later was
already gone, and in the table a white card with a phone number.

Author´s block is horrible, and since I want to start a new story (I´m not planning on leaving this unfinished I'd say) I can't fully concentrate, I hope I find a way out of this, please tell me u still like it, u can lie to me people just to make me feel better, no seriously be honest what do you think of this chapter?