Okay, now we're back to Earth!
By the time Ludwig returned home, Feliciano had already awoken from his nap, and was lazing on the couch.
"Feliciano?"
"Yes?" Feliciano's head popped up from the couch.
"I'd like to show you around."
"You mean the fields outside? But didn't you say that I should stay inside?"
"No– well yes, but I'll be nearby, so you don't have to worry."
"Okay! It sounds fun. It's better than sitting around on this couch all day."
"Sorry about that... It's just that I'm always busy. I decided I shouldn't just keep you locked up in here. Come on, follow me." Ludwig opened the front door for Feliciano, and they went outside. Feliciano had been able to see the outside from the windows, but being outside gave him an all new experience. In front of him there were fields of corn and other crops. Behind him was a large field of flowers. Feliciano also noted that it was a valley, surrounded by snowy mountains.
"Wow... It's so beautiful outside! It almost reminds me of home!"
"I'm glad you like it. Come on, follow me." Ludwig led Feliciano through the flower fields. It was a slightly windy day, but it was warm. The flowers in the field varied in color, from purple to white. Some were tall, and others were short. They continued to walk for a few minutes until Ludwig stopped in a circular patch that had no flowers.
"Let's sit down here." he said. Feliciano joined Ludwig in the flowerless patch.
"Why are there no flowers here?"
"I'm not sure. I think that maybe it was burnt or the plants were cut off. Now, we should talk. I brought you here specifically to talk about something."
"What is it?"
"We need to think of ways to get you home."
"I thought we already talked about this! You said it yourself! Your planet doesn't have the technology to get me back home!" Feliciano was getting grumpy about this conversation. Why did they have to talk about this now?
"Okay, then tell me exactly how you got here."
"I crash landed. You know this."
"Be more specific. Why did you crash land? And how did you get here alive if you live so far away?" Ludwig was being serious.
"I... I remember that we were on a spaceship. We were far from Roma. Grandpa told Lovino and I that he was going to show us what his military did to protect our planet, Roma."
"Interesting... Lovino is your brother, right?"
"Yes... As I was saying, we were guarding, when suddenly we were attacked. I remember this part better. There were sirens and flashing lights everywhere! People ran all over the place! Roma told us to follow him, so we did. He was going to take us to the defense station, but the majority of it was burning. Quickly, Roma shoved Lovino and I into escape pods. After that, I lost track of everyone. The last thing I saw before I was plunged farther away was the enemy ship attacking ours." Feliciano really didn't want to discuss this, but it was necessary. Maybe Ludwig was right. Maybe they could find a clue through his story.
"You don't remember your journey here?"
"There wasn't that much to remember! I was stuck in that escape pod for an equivalent of five Earth days! All I saw through that tiny window was darkness and stars." Feliciano felt claustrophobic just thinking about it. Being stuck in that small escape pod with almost no view of the outside was a scary experience.
"I really wonder how you got here so quickly." Ludwig tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Well maybe I went through a portal?" suggested Feliciano.
"A portal?"
"A portal... Don't you know what that is?"
"I've never heard it being used seriously. Isn't it a passageway that can get you to places quicker?"
"I can't say your wrong."
"I think all we need is to find that portal again! Then we'll be closer to your planet."
"But how will we get there?"
"That is a good question. I'm not sure." Feliciano stood up.
"Listen Ludwig. I know you're trying to help me, but I know that it's impossible."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying is that I'm pretty sure I'll be stuck here for the rest of my life!"
"You really think that?"
"Yes!"
"Don't you think that everyone is looking for you? Especially since your related to the emperor?"
"I don't even know if they're alive! Even if they are searching, how will they be able to find me through this portal?"
"Is there any way you could contact them?"
"Not unless... they were close enough."
"Oh." replied Ludwig. Feliciano sat back down, and they faced the setting sun in silence. If felt like hours, and Feliciano began to feel regret. Maybe he was a little to hard on Ludwig for something he could not change. To break the silence, he began to speak.
"So, Ludwig. What do you do for fun?"
"Fun?"
"Yeah! Don't tell me humans don't have fun."
"Humans have fun! I just... I don't do it often."
"Then what do you do?"
"I... I don't really ever have time for fun."
"What do you do all day then?"
"I work."
"Is that fun to you?"
"No, but it keeps me busy... I'm used to it."
"Don't you ever play games? Or have something... like a hobby?"
"Not really." Ludwig could tell Feliciano about the fun times he had with his brother when they went out to drink, but he kept it to himself.
"Then you should get one! Let me help!" Feliciano was excited now. He was thinking about playing a game.
"Like what?"
"I know! How about I hide in these flowers and you find me? Turn around and close your eyes! I'll tell you when you can start!" Feliciano forced Ludwig to face the other way and dived into the massive field of flowers.
"Feliciano, I don't want to–"
"I'm ready Ludwig! See if you can find me!" Ludwig sighed and turned around. Feliciano had disappeared.
"Okay, fine." He stood up and began to walk through the tall flower field. "I'll play with you." He looked all around, but could not see any trace of Feliciano. These flowers were a good place to hide. He walked around the field several times but could not find him. Ludwig was beginning to worry. He was just about to call for Feliciano when he tripped over something and heard a squeak.
"Ow! Ludwig, why'd you have to trip over me?" Feliciano popped up and rubbed his back. "Ow..." Ludwig lie face down in the field. "Hey, Ludwig! Are you okay?" He did not respond. "Ludwig!" Feliciano poked Ludwig's back and he quickly turned around snatched Feliciano's arm. Feliciano let out a rather effeminate yelp.
"Got you." Ludwig smirked at him. Feliciano felt himself blush and he looked away. How did Ludwig make him feel like that? He turned back around after calming himself down.
"Good job!" Feliciano smiled at him. "Now it's your turn!"
"My turn? Feliciano, you'd be able to see me easily! I don't think that'd be fair."
"Fine. What did you think of it though? Wasn't it fun?"
"I suppose it was okay..."
"Ha! You liked it! I told you it'd be fun! You should do stuff like this more often. It makes you seem less scary!"
"You think I'm scary?" Ludwig gave Feliciano a strange look.
"Well, not right now! I meant to say that you always look so serious and intimidating and when I first met you I was really scared and I... I should stop talking." Feliciano laughed nervously.
"So that's what you think of me. I'm not surprised. Even my brother has told me something that. But I'm glad that I don't scare you."
"Huh?"
"I mean– nevermind..." Ludwig covered his face with his hands.
Feliciano wondered if he was hearing correctly. Did Ludwig really just say that? Feliciano finally got to know what Ludwig was thinking! So he didn't hate Feliciano. Well, that was good news.
"Ludwig, I've decided something."
"What is it?" Ludwig put his hands down and faced Feliciano.
"I've decided that if I'm stuck down here forever, I'll be fine with it."
"But why? Don't you want to go home?"
"Of course! But I don't know if I'll ever have the choice. I'll be fine staying with you in your house surrounded by all these fields and mountains!" His voice got increasingly shaky. "I'll be perfectly fine."
"Feliciano..."
"Don't worry about me Ludwig. I told you, I'll– I'll..." Feliciano stopped before he could burst into tears. Instead, he settled for silently weeping as he buried his face in his knees.
"Feliciano, it's okay to be sad about this, but I don't think you should give up so easily. I'm fine with you staying, but I think you'd get bored."
As soon as Ludwig ended his sentence, Feliciano jumped on Ludwig and wrapped his arms around him. He buried his face on Ludwig's warm chest this time. Ludwig froze for a few seconds but slowly returned the hug.
"Ludwig, I don't think I would." His voice was still shaky. "I just don't know what to do..." Ludwig only sighed.
Both of them stayed there for a long time, and fell asleep before the sun had completely disappeared.
I'm not sure what else I can say. Thanks for reading!