Chapter Two

It was mind numbingly hot, and to Ludwig even more so by the heavy load that he carried on his back. Now he was used to trudging along with the weight of a tent and other essentials dragging him down, but carrying a man on top of that? Even now Ludwig wasn't sure how Feliciano had managed to convince him to give the latter a piggyback ride, but it happened. Both of his arms reached behind to support the Italian's bottom, while Feliciano carried both bags on his back with two straps on each shoulder. His thin arms encircled Ludwig's neck tightly to keep himself from falling off even though Ludwig would shoot himself before letting that happen. The blonde was bent over, almost double to make sure that Feliciano wouldn't slide off, knowing that the smaller man's arms wouldn't be able to bear his own weight, let alone that of two bags.

"Germany, I'm sorry." Feliciano whispered guiltily into his friend's ear, "If I hadn't been so careless you wouldn't have to carry me." He could feel Ludwig's perspiration through their clothes, and while the man was pretty strong, the Italian knew that everybody had their limits. It was his fault that Ludwig had to bear his burden, and that surely wasn't an easy one to bear. Of course, it was pretty evident that their strengths differed vastly, so maybe to the German, he wasn't that heavy at all. "But that's fine, right? Because Germany is really strong!"

Ludwig rolled his eyes, possibly for the tenth time that day. "We're almost at the town anyway, and from there it's only a short drive to my place." He stated, lengthening his strides. The tips of his ears turned a ghastly shade of red, but Feliciano didn't seem to notice. When Ludwig was physically exerting himself, he was red all over anyway. The remaining trek took only an hour, much quicker than he had estimated it to be, but that was possibly because he didn't have to constantly stop and wait for Feliciano. Ludwig suspected that the latter might have even taken a short siesta on his back during the journey. Still, the German found that he couldn't bring himself to make his friend walk the distance by himself. Ludwig had accomplished more with far greater injuries, but the man had to remind himself that Feliciano was not as disciplined as he was, so he couldn't really hold them to the same standards. Not many of the others would ever expect Feliciano to be strong, and perhaps that was why Ludwig always felt a need to protect him.

He wanted Feliciano to be stronger, to push himself past his breaking point because there would come a day when he would have to defend himself. Ludwig knew that he wasn't invincible, and that he couldn't always be there to protect Feliciano from the other countries. And even though the very notion of it made him feel an alien uneasiness in his gut, he would have to prepare for that day while he still could. And damn it, he would do a great job of it.

Walking into town with a sleeping man on his back, and looking like he'd just finished a global marathon, was not inconspicuous. Curious stares burnt into Ludwig's neck and made him feel prickly, but the soldier made no show of his discomfort and instead marched through the roads like he was the only one there. Still, he couldn't help but feel relieved as he finally hoisted a sleeping Feliciano into the backseat of his Kubelwagen and propped the brown haired head up on the two packs so that he wouldn't start snoring. Ludwig rolled his shoulders in relief as he slid into the driver's seat, grateful to have the weight off them. Now, there was only a peaceful hour's drive between him and a nice warm shower at home. Perhaps if they had time to spare, he could even make a cake! Smiling lightly at the thought, Ludwig started and engine and eased the vehicle onto the road.

Of course, things hardly ever went the way he planned them out to, especially since Feliciano came into his life.

It was about twenty minutes into the drive when a sleepy voice floated up from behind him. "Ve? Why am I in the back seat?"

"Oh, Italy, you're awake." Ludwig said casually, flicking his steel blue eyes over to the rear view mirror to make sure Feliciano didn't topple the packs or something. Only, instead of seeing a half-awake face, he was met with the side of a boot as the Italian began climbing over the back of the front seat, wanting to get into his usual spot. The Kubelwagen swerved dangerously as Ludwig used a broad shoulder to shove the flailing leg away from his face, trying to see the road. It was a few heart-stopping moments before he got the vehicle under control. "Don't do that!" He roared angrily, firmly fixing his eyes on the road. The other man shrunk back into his seat, frightened by the display of anger.

"Germany, I'm sorry." Feliciano whispered, fidgeting with the hem of his uniform. However, Ludwig ignored him, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. In truth, the German didn't even hear the apology. His mind was still reeling from the accident that they'd just narrowly avoided. They could have crashed, and Feliciano might have been hurt- or worse. Mein Gott, that's an idiotic way to go, Ludwig thought furiously, easing on the pedal as he made the turn into another street. But of course, he was always dealing with an idiot when it came to Feliciano. Slowly, bit by bit, his death grip on the steering wheel eased off as he calmed himself down to the point where he could risk another glance back at the Italian. Immediately, he felt bad as he saw Feliciano's guilt-stricken mien. Perhaps he had been too harsh, after all, he hadn't meant any harm.

"It's okay," Ludwig said quietly, "but please don't do it again. It's dangerous."

"You'll forgive me?" Feliciano asked happily, eyes shining. When Ludwig nodded, he bounced forward and threw his arms around the German's broad shoulders, hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad," He said dreamily, "I hate it when you get mad at me." In the front, Ludwig gritted his teeth and mentally shook his head at the other man's actions. Driving became ten times more dangerous when it came to Feliciano. Even though they were almost halfway home, Ludwig knew that it was going to be a long journey.

By the time they finally made it back (in one piece), the sun was already beginning to set, and the shadows were lengthening around the house. Feliciano had gone off to shower in his bathroom, completely at home in Ludwig's room by now, leaving the other man to wander around the kitchen with nothing to do but to listen to Feliciano sing in the shower. He couldn't make cake now because he was absolutely grimy, and it was with the greatest reluctance that Ludwig allowed himself to lean against the spotless counter. As if it were mocking him, the phone on the wall rang shrilly the moment he did, and Ludwig heaved a sigh as he strode across the room to pick it up. "Hello? This is Germany speaking."

"West! I'm going out drinking tonight at the bar, want to come?"

The blonde haired man winced at the volume of his brother's voice. "Not now, Gilbert, I just got back from a training exercise and Italy is staying over at my place for the night."

"You can bring him along!"

"No!" Ludwig rejected hastily, remembering what happened the last time Feliciano got drunk. "You're a bad influence on him."

He could practically hear Gilbert pouting over the phone when he said, "Aw, you're no fun at all. Fine then, more for me! I'll see you on Wednesday."

"Bye, Gilbert." Ludwig almost hung up, but at the last moment, he remembered something. "Wait! Do you- Have you heard of Holy Rome?"

Gilbert paused, but he replied in the end, "Yes, why do you ask?"

"It's nothing," Ludwig pinched the bridge of his nose, not really sure of whether to let his brother in the know. "Italy mentioned him a while ago."

"He's gone, you know? Out of all of us, only Italy can't seem to accept that."

Then the line went dead. Ludwig stared at the phone, wondering why his brother would say such a cryptic thing. Sure it made sense, but he seemed to be hinting at something else, like there was more to the story than he was letting on. Gilbert wasn't one to keep things from him like that, and it unnerved Ludwig. It was okay, Ludwig consoled himself, Gilbert was horrible at keeping secrets. A couple generous rounds of beer and he would be talking. Besides, interrogation was his forte, after all. Only when he surfaced from his thoughts did he realise that the house had gone silent; Feliciano was done with his shower, and it was his turn now. Out of pure habit than anything else, Ludwig barged into his room without much thought, only to freeze when he saw a naked Italian sprawled out on his bed, slumbering away. Now, he was not a stranger to Feliciano's urges to go without clothing, but it was the sight of those long fingers clutching desperately at the sheets and the tears that dusted his eyelashes that made him stop. Pale, taut lips moved soundlessly, or so Ludwig thought until he bent down to shake him awake.

"… do I do?" The words were mumbled, but that didn't make the desperation any less clearer. Ludwig's heart twisted at the pain in his voice, and his large but gentle hand came down on Feliciano's shoulder. It shook the man, stopping only when those lips ceased their movements, and the Italian slowly woke up. "Germany? I was having a bad dream… I think. I can't remember much." Feliciano gripped Ludwig's uniform tightly, burying himself into the larger man's chest. "But I was so scared!" Instinctively, the German's arms encircled his friend, one around the back, and the other smoothing out the frazzled brown hair. "I was alone." Ludwig began to feel a dampness seeping through his shirt, but he didn't say anything. The blonde was too worried to even be annoyed.

"You're not alone now," He soothed, "I'm here." Repeating those words, Ludwig held Feliciano for a long time, a very long time, until the man's shoulders stilled, and his back moved with the slow rise and fall of someone asleep. Maybe now he could sneak away and finish that stack of paperwork that loomed on his desk, yet something made him stay here, curled up on the bed with Feliciano. He couldn't leave yet- what if Feliciano got another nightmare, and he wasn't there to wake him up? Just a little bit longer, Ludwig told himself, maybe half an hour, and I'll go finish the reports. But soon, he too fell asleep.