Part 2

Gilbert sat on the couch with his knees pressed tightly to his chest as he slowly shoveled a bowl of chocolate ice cream into his mouth that was forever agape from the movie he was watching.

"Ugh, stupid! Why would you split up directly after saying not to split up?! Yup, he's totally gonna die. Ah shit, shit! Not that way! He's there, idiot! Behind you, he's—"

The front door suddenly swung open and Gilbert noticed the silhouette of a giant figure in the doorway.

"ARRRHHHH!" Gilbert jumped up from the couch and launched his bowl of ice cream at the giant. "Stay back, beast! I have a…spoon! Yes, the deadly spoon of awesomeness. It's real silver, so don't come any closer!"

"Gott, Brother! What the hell was that about? You got ice cream all over my jacket!"

"West?" Ludwig stepped inside and into the light and he was, indeed, covered in ice cream. "O-oh. Oh, mein Gott, West!" Gilbert sighed in relief and burst into laughter. "You scared the pants off of me!" He fell back onto the couch. "You have ice cream everywhere, kesese!" He clenched his side and continued his fit until Ludwig closed the door and carefully slipped off his chocolate-stained jacket. "But seriously, though! Why the hell would you come bursting through the door like that when I'm watching a scary movie?!"

"How was I supposed to know you were watching a scary movie?!"

"Well duh! It's late and I'm home alone. Perfect atmosphere for it, right?"

Ludwig let out a soft breath of laughter and shook his head at his brother.

"Sorry about your jacket, though."

"Ah, no. It's fine. It'll come out in the wash." Ludwig stared at his jacket. "Chocolate, huh? Just like…the cake." he said softly, almost seemingly to himself, and he sighed contently.

"Pfft, what's with that expression, Lud?! It looks like you wanna take the jacket out to dinner and schmooze it or something!"

"No, it's nothing like that! I just had a nice evening, is all."

"Oh?" Gilbert questioned. "Ah, right! You said you'd be getting dinner in town. So, where'd you go?"

"An Italian place near Arthur's."

"Italian? Seriously, Lud? You never eat Italian."

"I know, but the aroma coming from the place was just too pleasant to pass up."

"So it was good, I'm assuming?"

Ludwig remembered how delicious everything was; the salad, the ravioli, the cake. Then there was the most beautiful person Ludwig had ever met. "Feliciano." He whispered, not realizing he said it out loud until Gilbert snorted.

"Wait, what? Who's Feliciano?"

Ludwig flushed. "W-what? No one! He-he's no one!"

Gilbert cocked a brow at Ludwig. "No one, huh?"

"Exactly. No one." Ludwig knew that Gilbert could tell he was lying with the smirk he was giving him. He started to feel a little uncomfortable, so he started down the hall. "I'm going to bed."

"Oh no you're not!" Gil jumped up from the couch and quickly barricaded himself between Ludwig and the hall. "Not until you tell me who this Feliciano guy is!"

"Please, Brother, I just want to go to bed."

"Oh, come on, Lud! I just wanna know more about the guy who caused you to get such a dorky look on your face!"

Ludwig sighed and gave in. "He was my waiter at the restaurant."

"Oh?" Gilbert grinned deviously. "Do tell me more."

Ludwig flushed again; he had been doing that far too much this evening. "Please, Gil. I don't want to talk about it."

Gilbert pouted. "But Luuuudwiiiiiig. Come on! I have to know!"

"Why?"

"Because you're my shy, lonely, little brother who rarely wears the expression you had a minute ago. Because the only time I see you smile is when you bake. Because you never go out to have any fun for yourself, so I literally have to drag you to get a beer with me. Because the minute you get home from an evening out that you enjoyed, you have this aura about you, this look on your face. And I know it's because of this Feliciano guy! Lud, seriously, you look so happy. Happier than I've seen you in years and I just wanna know about the guy who did this to you. Is that so much to ask?"

Ludwig was slightly surprised by Gil's sudden change in tone, but he was definitely serious. Ludwig's expression softened and he let out a breath of air. "Well, I guess it isn't so much to ask. I-I'll tell you."

Gilbert's face lit up. "Really?! Awesome!" He took a hold of Ludwig's arm and dragged him over to the couch. "Sit, sit! Tell me everything!"

Ludwig chuckled lightly at his brother and began to tell him of his evening. How warm he felt when he first set eyes on Feliciano and how flustered he made him feel. How Feliciano danced across the floor as he served his customers and how he talked to Ludwig. How mesmerized he was when Feliciano would talk about food and how endearing he found Feliciano's constant positive attitude. He talked of his beautiful amber-colored eyes and that brilliant smile that made his heart melt. He even told him how he stayed for dessert despite being very full just because he didn't want to leave.

Gilbert snickered after Ludwig finished his story. "Wow, Lud. I've never seen you talk so much in your life!"

"D-don't make fun of me!"

"I wasn't, I wasn't! I was just sayin'. Gott, you kept making the most adorable faces too!" Gil pinched both of Ludwig's cheeks. "Your face must hurt from smiling so much, haha!"

"Gilbert, stop! That hurts!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Gilbert released Ludwig's cheeks and ruffled his hair a bit and smirked at him again. "So, did you get his number?" he waggled his eyebrows.

"I uh…actually, no."

"What?! Why not? You have the hots for him, right?"

Ludwig felt his face flush once again. "Well, um…ja, but I…I don't think he..."

"What? You don't think he likes you? Pffft, oh pa-lease, Lud. The way you said he talked to you, there's no way he couldn't like you! I mean, just look at that face!"

"I'm sure he was just being nice because it was his job to, Gil. Besides, I didn't even get his last name, how can you expect me to get his number? That…that would be way too embarrassing."

"Luddy, Luddy, Luddy." Gil wrapped his arm around Ludwig's shoulder. "Sometimes you just gotta take that chance, y'know? How about instead of asking for his number, give him yours. You don't even need to give it to him directly; all you have to do is slip it underneath a glass before you leave, and there you have it!"

"I-I don't know, Gil…" he looked to the ground, his expression saddening for the first time that night. "What if…what if he never calls?"

"Well, then you never have to see him again. No harm done!"

Ludwig's sad expression grew worse. "But...I don't want to never see him again. It'd be better to just not say anything."

Gilbert sighed. "So you'd rather just admire him from afar for the rest of your life instead of taking a chance? He sounds pretty damn cute from what you said, I doubt he'd stay single that long."

Ludwig looked up at his brother and felt slightly panicked because he knew he was right.

"You said you wanted to go back again, didn't you?" Gilbert asked, and Ludwig nodded. "Well, then try flirting with him a bit more! Pluck up some courage and slip him your number! You never know!"

"You make it sound so easy, Gil. You know I'm not good at talking to people. Especially not in that kind of situation."

"Well, even if you don't do it next time you go, visit the restaurant again and give it another shot!"

"Gil…I-I don't know if I..."

Gilbert pouted and suddenly started sobbing. "Please just try, Ludwig! I just want to see you be happy and have a cute boyfriend and have a bunch of cute dates and then get married and have a bunch of little Luds running around! I wanna be an Uncle, Lud! I'd be the most awesome Uncle ever and you know it and I'll never get the chance to be one because you won't even try and you'll be single foreveeeerrrr!" He slumped over Ludwig's shoulder and continued his melodramatic sobbing.

"Alright, alright, fine. I-I'll try."

Gilbert sprung up from his fit and lit up, no tears in sight. "Really?! Now that's the spirit!"

Ludwig shook his head and sighed. "Okay, I'm going to bed now."

"It's only 9:30. What are you, 90?" Ludwig shot him a stern look. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Now get to bed, ya old man!"

"Gute Nacht, Brother."

"Yeah yeah, sleep tight!"

Ludwig turned to head down the hall and to his bedroom. He faintly heard Gilbert swear that he had missed the ending to his movie before closing the door and collapsing on his bed without even bothering to change. What was he going to do with him; honestly. He loved his brother, but he could definitely be a handful sometimes. He figured that's why he suddenly felt so tired.

After a few minutes, he finally decided to sit up and strip himself of his work clothes before pulling back his sheets and slipping into bed. As tired as he was, he didn't fall asleep as fast as he had wanted to. He turned over onto his side and let that bright smile and those deep amber eyes fill his thoughts before he sighed contently and slowly drifted off.

"I just don't understand you, Feli! A few weeks ago, you complained every single day about not having any time off, and when Grandpa finally decides to heed your request, you want to come into work!" Lovino's voice was harsher than usual and Feliciano sat on the couch, holding a throw-pillow up to his chest for protection.

"I just don't really feel like I need any time off right now, is all. I want to work!"

"Bullshit! Since when do you not want any time off?! What's been going on with you? Are you sick?"

"No, Lovi! I—" Feliciano was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Ah, perfect timing. If I can't make any sense of this, he can." Lovino hurried to the door and quickly opened it.

"Hey, Lovi! What's up? Your text sounded urgent!"

"Get in here now!" Lovino grabbed Antonio by the shoulders and pulled him into the house.

"Oh, did you miss me that much, Lovi?" Antonio smirked. "I'm flattered."

"Shut up, bastard. I called you over here to help me with Feli. There's something wrong with him."

"Aww, that's why? I thought you wanted some time with Boss. I even wore those tomato boxers you like so m—" he was cut off by Lovino shoving his hand over his mouth.

"K-knock it off, you jerk!"

Antonio smiled through Lovino's hand, slowly removed it from his face, and kissed it softly, causing Lovino's face to turn bright red. "Okay, so what's been going on with Feli?"

Lovino shook Antonio away and lead him into the living room where he was immediately greeted by a hug from Feliciano.

"Ciao, Toni! It's good to see you!"

"Haha, calm down, Feli. You saw me yesterday, didn't you?" he turned to Lovino. "See, why don't you ever greet me like this, Lovi?"

Lovino ignored him. "So, this little shit here complains all the time about not getting any time off from work and when Grandpa finally decides to give him a few days off, he doesn't want to take them!"

"I told you, Lovi! I really just don't feel like I need any time off right now."

"Ah, there it is! You see what I mean, Toni? In what universe does my little brother not want any time off?"

"Lovino, please just let me go to work! I thought maybe you wouldn't mind more help, since that's something you complain about a lot."

"Aha, Feli has a point there, Lovi." Lovino shot Antonio a death glare. "B-but yeah, you wanting to go into work so badly is a little strange, Feli. Why not just take the few days off? Maybe it'll help you feel better."

"I'm not sick, Toni. I just…want to work." Feliciano looked down at his feet. He just couldn't miss a day of work, and he definitely could not miss two; not with the chance of Ludwig returning. What if he had decided to come on one of those days Feliciano took off? It had been nearly three weeks since their first meeting, sure, but Ludwig said he'd come back.

Antonio studied Feliciano's expression for a few minutes and then let out a breath of realization. "Wait, wait, wait...is this about that German guy, Feli?"

"German guy?" Lovino questioned. "What German guy?"

Feliciano choked and his face turned a brilliant shade of pink. Antonio had not been there the day Ludwig came into the restaurant, but Feliciano told him all about it because he just couldn't stand keeping it bottled up. He was going to talk to Lovino at first, but decided against it because he figured Antonio was better at this kind of thing and could give him some advice.

"Aha, so it is about that German guy!"

Lovino growled. "What German guy?!"

"Feli didn't tell you yet?"

"Tell me what?!"

"Well, there was this German guy who came into the restaurant a few weeks ago and—"

"Toni!" Feliciano interrupted. "You promised you wouldn't say anything!"

"Ah, sorry, Feli. But why shouldn't your brother know? He's bound to find out soon anyway if this guy does come back, right?"

"I-I guess so." Feliciano sighed and let Antonio proceed to tell Lovino about the day Ludwig came into the restaurant. He sat on the couch again and hid his pink face behind the throw pillow; he'd never felt this embarrassed before.

"Oh yeah, I think I remember him. He was the scary-looking one who gave you the ten dollar tip, right?"

Feliciano peaked from behind the pillow and nodded. "Y-yes."

Lovino started to laugh. "Ha! No wonder you were so spaced-out that day! I mean, you can be pretty spacey normally, but you were overly so that day. Grandpa told me you even danced into the kitchen humming and washed the dishes!" Lovino calmed his laughter. "But ugh, why that guy, Feli?"

"What do you mean by that, Lovino?! He was actually really nice and liked when I talked and he didn't find me annoying!"

"Well, there's obviously something wrong with him if he didn't find you annoying. You sure he wasn't just trying to spare your feelings? It wouldn't be the first time."

"Lovino!" Antonio pushed on his shoulder lightly. "Now that wasn't very nice!"

"Well, he seemed genuine to me." Feliciano said softly.

"You said so yourself that he was mean and scary-looking, didn't you? I can't trust a guy who scares my fratello."

Antonio playfully rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around Lovino's shoulder. "Aw, c'mon, Lovi. Feli said the guy was nice and genuine, didn't he? He even gave him a ten dollar tip for crying out loud!"

Lovino sighed. "Fine, whatever. Come into work tonight if you want. Just don't get distracted if the guy shows up again, okay?" he pushed Antonio's arm off and stomped up stairs.

Antonio shook his head and laughed as he watched his moody boyfriend stomp up the stairs like a brat; he then sat down next to Feliciano. "So, Feli. What does this guy look like, anyway?"

Ludwig hadn't been this excited about something in a very long time, and he was anticipating the time he would be able to get off of work and head to Arthur's house for some more documents. Of course, as if on purpose, the day was going by dreadfully slow; even slower since Ludwig glanced at the clock every 15 seconds.

He was going to go back to the restaurant once he was finished at Arthur's, and his heart swelled at the thought of being able to see his beautiful Italian waiter again. It had been nearly a month since he saw him the first time, and he felt completely horrible about the long wait.

He had promised Feliciano he'd return, but he had been so busy with work that tonight was the only time he would have been available to go to dinner, and the restaurant wasn't exactly a hop, skip, and a jump from where Ludwig lived; and with Gilbert needing the car for his work more than he, it made it even more difficult. But having to meet up at Arthur's house again for work, he finally had an excuse to go.

Deciding to take a quick peek at the clock after resisting many attempts before, it was actually nearly time for him to leave. Heart pounding slightly in excitement, Ludwig started packing up his briefcase and then nearly sprinted to the elevator once the clock hit 5:30. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the elevator to reach his floor, and then was taken aback at the person who emerged from it once the doors opened.

"Arthur? What in the world, I was just heading to see you."

"Ah, Ludwig! I'm so glad I caught you before you headed out. That would have been a waste of a trip!"

"H-how—"

"Well, my house is actually being fumigated at the moment, so I'm staying at an…uh, an acquaintance's house for the time being. He lives much closer to the office than I do, so I thought I'd meet you here. I tried to phone, but it went straight to voicemail."

"Oh, sorry about that! I keep it off at work sometimes because my brother enjoys spamming me with random text messages."

"So, now that I've caught you," Arthur opened his own briefcase and retrieved a manila folder from it. "Here are the documents for Monday."

"Danke, Arthur." Ludwig took the folder and stashed it away.

"You must be relieved. I know it's a long ways to my house outside of town and it must be a bother since you don't have a car."

"Ah, ja."

"Oh!" Arthur looked at his watch. "I have a meeting with the editorial staff and the executive director in ten minutes and I'd like you to be there to observe."

"Oh, um, actually I uh…" Ludwig looked at the clock out of the corner of his eye. The last bus out of the city for the evening left in about 30 minutes, and he knew that the meeting would most likely take longer than that. But, he'd never been to such an important meeting before and it'd be a great opportunity. Unfortunately, that would mean he'd not be able to go see Feliciano. "Ah, sure. It'd be great experience. Thank you, Arthur."

"No worries, lad!" Arthur clapped him on the shoulder, and then Ludwig followed him back into the elevator and they ascended to the sixth floor and to the meeting room.

As expected, the meeting lasted longer than 30 minutes and after Ludwig thanked Arthur once again, he got into the elevator, and sulked on the way down. He had been so excited to see Feliciano, but that's the way it was, he supposed. He took out his phone once he reached the lobby and turned it back on so he could let Gilbert know he was heading home.

To no surprise, Ludwig was greeted with nearly 15 unread texts from his brother. All pointless things like the adorable cat he saw on the way to work, and how there had been traffic, and that a couple in the car in front of him were arguing so rigorously that one had opened the door and stormed out of the car. Just about to send a text, he had received another one from his brother.

"so are ya on the bus out of town yet?! let me know when ya get to the restaurant. ;D"

Ludwig sighed and typed up a response. "No, actually. Arthur showed up at the office last minute and then he wanted me to sit-in at a meeting with the executive director. So I missed the last bus out of town. Maybe next time." Ludwig slid his phone back into his coat pocket and then it almost instantly started to vibrate. He took it out and looked at it; it was another text from Gil.

"WHAT?! OMG THAT IS SO NOT AWESOME! STAY RIGHT THERE I'M PICKING YOU UP RIGHT NOW AND TAKING YOU THERE MYSELF!"

It took a few seconds for Ludwig to fully process what he had just read. Was Gilbert…actually coming?

"Brother, it's okay! You don't need to leave work early for that. I can go another time!" He sent the text, but received no response for 20 more minutes.

"oops sorry already here"

"GILBERT!"

"kesese x3"

Ludwig exited the building to look for Gilbert and saw him parked across the street.

"Hurry up, West! This is a no parking zone!"

Ludwig hurried across the street. "Then why did you park there?"

"We're in a hurry, right? Come on and get in. I told my boss it was a quick family emergency. I've gotta be back in an hour!"

Ludwig looked utterly appalled. "You lied to your boss?!"

"No no! I didn't lie. You are family, and this is an emergency…"

Ludwig sighed, got into the car, and told Gilbert where to go; then Gilbert sped off. It had been a while since they drove together and Gilbert's driving was ridiculous and a bit frightening. Not nearly as frightening, however, as the music that was coming from the radio. Gil grinned and sang along, completely out of tune, but that had never stopped him before.

"Alright, we have arrived! Now hurry up and go see that sexy Italian of yours!"

Ludwig took his seatbelt off, but as he reached for the door handle, he just remained seated in the car and stared at the door.

"Lud? You okay?"

"What if…what if he doesn't remember me? It's been nearly a month and I was just one customer…it's possible that he—"

"Lud, Lud! Calm down. I'm most certain he'll remember. I know I'd never forget someone who gave me a ten dollar tip!" Ludwig turned away from the door and pulled Gilbert into a hug. "L-Lud?"

"Thank you. Thank you so much. You went completely out of your way and—"

"Of course, Lud! You're my little brother, after all. You were so happy to see Feliciano again today and Arthur ruining your plans and making you sad was so not awesome, and it kills me to see you sad." He pulled away from the hug. "Now go!"

Ludwig nodded and hurried out of the car and to the front door of the restaurant. The smell was exactly how he had remembered and he could still hear the festive music playing from inside. His heart was racing, so he took a deep breath and opened the door. This time instead of the young man with a scowl, he was greeted by a cheery man with bright eyes and a Spanish accent.

"Welcome to Buono Tomato! How many in your party this evening, my good sir?!"

"Ah, just me, I'm afraid."

The man's eyes widened for a second and he seemed to be studying him, but that quickly passed and the man smiled again, retrieved a menu, and gestured for Ludwig to follow. To Ludwig's surprise, he was seated at the same table he had been at the first time.

"Your waiter will be with you in just a moment! Please review our menu in the mean time!" The man smiled once again and then rushed off to the kitchen with a determined look on his face.

Feliciano had just started his ten minute break and was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of coffee and looking at an art supply catalog. He jumped slightly when Antonio burst through the door and rushed over to him.

"Feli! Feli, come quick!"

"Aw, Toni. Why? I just started my break!" he whined as he flipped the pages of his catalog.

"No, Feli, you don't understand! I think your German just came in!"

Feliciano's head practically jumped off of his shoulders at the mention of Ludwig and he stared at Antonio in awe. "Are-are you sure?!"

"I think so! He matched your description exactly! And he's alone and he had that deep voice like you said!"

Feliciano's hand found its way to clench at his shirt and his face felt hot. Could it really be him, after such an unbearably long time since their first encounter, could he have finally returned?

"I put him at table nine." Antonio informed as Feliciano sprinted toward the door to peek out of it. He spotted table nine instantly and felt himself gasp as he noticed the man sitting there. "So? Is it him?!" Feliciano grew silent and his face flushed furiously, then a huge smile spread across his face. "So it is him! See, I told you he'd come back!"

Feliciano rushed back into the kitchen, gulped down his coffee, and grabbed his notepad and pen, ready to rush back out.

"Whoa there, Feli. Didn't you just start your break? Don't you wanna finish it?"

Feliciano laughed. "Are you kidding me? I've waited long enough!" He danced past Antonio and out to table nine. He slowed down a bit just before getting there, not wanting to startle Ludwig or look too eager. He took a deep breath, and slowly glided the rest of the way to the table.

"Welcome to Buono Tomato! It's nice to see you again, Ludwig!"

Ludwig jumped slightly at the sudden appearance of Feliciano, but relaxed once he processed the voice and looked up at him and smiled. "It's nice to see you again too, Feliciano."