Surviving Winter

Chapter 8

Feliciano Vargas

Columbia wasn't sure when her weariness started to fade. All she knew is that her head was spinning crazily and her back was on fire. Literally.

Hands her from behind and at her side. "Come with me-!" A desperate voice shouted.

"BASTARD! Hands off! You're insane, insane I tell you!"

"Come! With! Me!" The voice repeated, and she dared to glance over her shoulder to see the burning face of her fiancee.

She screamed, jolting awake with a start and pushing her hands in front of her defensively. Her body bounced off the bed, and she winced in pain, swearing loudly. "Oh, SHIT."

"Shh! It's allright, it's all right..." A voice soothed.

A hand rubbed her shoulder. "K-Katyusha?"

"Yes, how are you feeling?"

Columbia licked her lips. Her room was dimly lit, and she was laying on her bed, Katyusha dressed in a nightgown she recognized as her own next to her.

"What time is it?" She noticed she was in a light cotton t-shirt.

"About three in the morning..."

"Ugh...my head...my back...what happened?"

"You fell back into the furnace. It's pretty large...hold on. Going to check bandage..." Columbia felt hands on her back, and she hissed when something sticky pulled on the tender edges of her skin. "Looks all right. It should take a couple of weeks or less to heal."

A rapid knocking made her head spin.

"Is everything all right?" She didn't recognize the muffled voice immediately.

"Da, we're fine."

"Come in." Columbia called.

"Coli!" Feli ran inside, sliding around to the edge of the bed and leaning down to her eye level. His eyes were big with worry. "Are you okay?"

"Sore. Thirsty..."

"I figured as such." A bottle of water came into her view, and she glanced up to see Ivan's smiling face looking down on her.

She looked at him for a short moment before scowling. "You ass!" She swore, swiping the bottle from his hand and propping herself up on shaky elbows. Drinking deeply, she noticed he was wearing a thick turtleneck and sweatpants.

"It was accident..." He started, looking apologetic.

"Not THAT! What the hell did you say to me?"

"Idiota, ho detto così..." Feli muttered quietly. She caught the he was saying about Ivan being stupid.

"Why? What's wrong?" Ivan asked.

Columbia only managed to stick her middle finger up at him. "Not gonna talk about it." She groaned. "Feli, there's some pretty strong painkillers in my bathroom over there. Medicine cabinet. Bring me a dose." He obeyed.

Ivan bent down to her. "I was trying to help." He said.

"Thanks for the nightmares. Ass."

His face scrunched up a little. "...I'm sorry."

"Hmph..." Feli returned with the medicine, which she downed with some water. "Thanks."

"No problem..." The young man yawned.

"Go back to sleep, Feli. I'll see you in the morning."

"Si."

"Ivan."

"Da?"

"...You dance well."

"Good night, Columbia. Sister?"

"Da, spokoynoy nochi." Katyusha waved him off, and she gently rubbed Columbia's shoulders as the men left the room.

Columbia woke the next morning to find that her house was still full. The only person who went home last night was Yao. Katyusha helped her dress and walked her downstairs, where Feliciano and Lovino were cooking a large breakfast. She didn't even begin to ask how sleeping arrangements had worked, namely because she couldn't care less at the moment. They had obviously figured something out.

"Buenas dias, mi amiga!" Antonio greeted from the kitchen table as the girls came down the steps. "How's the burn?"

"Sore as fuck." Columbia groaned, leaning forward as she sat down in a seat.

Ivan was settled comfortably across from her, scarf wrapped tightly around his neck and smiling peacefully.

"What are you so happy about?" She asked.

The question caught him off guard, and his expression turned blank. "I'm not sure. It feels...warm and fuzzy this morning. For some reason." His head tilted as he tried to think of what it was exactly that made him feel so bright.

"Well, it's nice to wake up to friendly faces instead of an empty room, da?" Katyusha said, sitting down herself.

At this Ivan and Columbia both frowned. He quickly turned contemplative.

"...I guess." Columbia said.

"Breakfast!" Feliciano twirled into her sight, setting a plate of piping hot eggs and bacon in front of her. Conversation was stalled as food was set out and everyone ate hungrily.

"Sorry I couldn't say goodbye to Yao before he left last night..." Columbia said between bites.

"You'll see him again, Coli." Feli said. "Oh, here." He placed two pills from his pocket on the table in front of her. "You want these?"

"Feli, you're awesome." The pills were picked up and downed with orange juice in a flash.

"Ivan, my friend, I didn't know you were such a charmer!" Antonio faced the taller man with a smile.

"Hm?" He seemed to be confused at being adressed. "I'm sorry, but what exactly are you referring to?"

"Your dancing was great! You really want to charm Ms. Columbia, huh?"

"Oh. Is that what I was doing?" His face tinted pink. Columbia inwardly cringed. Why did he have to look so innocent?

"Of course you may want to skip the twirl into the furnace next time."

Columbia laughed. "Yes, please Ivan, if you're going to charm me into a stupor don't burn the skin off my back to get to my heart."

"Ah! I meant to do no such thing-! Was an accident!" Panic set into his features far too quickly.

"I'm teasing you Ivan. I'll be fine."

"Columbia. Thank you for inviting for dinner and last night. I'm sorry it ended so badly." Katyusha said sympathetically.

"Badly? Seriously this -" She jabbed a thumb at her back. " -is not much to fret over. Don't worry about it. Are you guys leaving?" She asked as both Ivan and Katyusha stood.

"I have to go to work soon. And I need to change." She looked down at her clothes, which were the same ones she had from last night.

"Oh, of course." She couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that Ivan was leaving. "I'll call you guys soon then?"

"Oh, I'll be back over to help you!" Katyusha said determindley. "It was brother's fault after all - "

"Sister!" Ivan whined, looking a bit depressed.

"It's really really okay. Really." Columbia looked up at the tall man as he stood to leave with his sibling. "I'll see you later."

"Da, later..." He replied. Farewells were exchanged, and the Russians left.

"So. Just us four." Columbia said, taking another bite of egg.

"I did not expect him to act like that!" Antonio exclaimed.

"I know. It's like he was-a totally different person. Maybe it's a trick..." Lovino added.

"You guys, Ivan isn't that bad..." Feli piped.

"It was just so off to me." Antonio continued. "He's been known to be pretty violent before...strange of him to act so...flirtatious?" He pondered his thoughts a moment. "Yeah, I guess if it's Ivan that's what it would be."

"Wait a sec. Go back to the violent thing." Columbia stated curiously, leaning forward. "How so? Really, I'm very interested to know about all I can. He seemed to have a reputation but I'm still not sure why."

"That's-a because it's nobody's business!" Lovino shouted angrily. "Those potato-eating BASTARDS treat the whole thing like it was-a Feli's fault but no-! It was those damn hooligans!"

"Fratello!"

Columbia turned to her friend, he was raised in his seat, his arms shaking.

Lovino held his arms up in defense. "Mi dispiace, fratello."

She looked between the three men. The mood had turned dark again. "Is there something I should know about?"

They returned her glances, and Feli shifted uncomfortably before falling back into his seat with a sigh. "Si..." He was suddenly so utterly dejected that it caught Columbia off guard.

"You sure you want to talk about this, Feliciano?" Antonio asked cautiously.

More shifting. "S-Si... Columbia should know more. Antonio, if you...could..."

"Anything for you, mi amigo. Columbia, go ahead and tell us what you know, huh?"

She nodded. "Right. Okay. I know about...Hartwin. Right? From what I understand...Hartwin died, beaten to death. It was a hate crime against him because he was gay with Feli. Hartwin was the German's brother, which is why Gilbert almost...fracking..." She tried to think. "That's all I know." She tried to state the words as factually as possible, to keep the tension loose. Hopefully that would help. It really didn't seem to.

"That's a portion of the story." Antonio said.

She glanced towards Feli. "You want to scoot a little closer here?"

He nodded, doing just that. "I...I don't want to say much..." Shoulders drawn, eyes glue to the floor, this was not something he really wanted to talk about.

"Lovino?" Antonio glanced at the smaller man.

"Fine. Feli and Hartwin were together, yes? All good and-a steady for..." He thought a moment. "Almost-a year. Then these bastard tourist season hits. And some all high and mighty group starting picking on them for being all gay and crap. Stupid bastards, should-a kicked them out of town when we had the chance-!"

"Easy Lovi, regretting it won't help anything."

"I know -!"

"Calm down, mi amigo. It escalated slowly. But Feli and Hartwin were out a little too late that night. They were cornered in an alley..."

Feli had grabbed her hand, and was gripping it tightly.

Colmbia nodded. She was relieved to get information, but at the same time she saw the distress on her friends face. His family was speaking carefully, gauging his reactions to everything they said.

"They...forced him to watch." Lovino spat.

Feli stood. "I'm going upstairs!" He shouted suddenly. "Uhm...please...continue, just..."

"It's okay Feli, go on." Columbia soothed, and he nodded and bolted up the stairs.

Lovino sighed uncomfortably, making sure his brother's bedroom door had been slammed closed before continuing. "There were at least four guys, Hartwin was no pushover either. It was...not fair. Th-then they turned on him..." He stopped talking. His fists were shaking. "Ch-chigi!"

Antonio sighed. "Calm down, Lovi. I know you're angry. They stripped Feli...beat him. He would have died too."

"Braginksy stepped in. No one really knows why he was there, or if it was just dumb luck or something but he saw what was going on and attacked the hooligans."

"Four to one? On his own?" Columbia raised an eyebrow. Was he that good of a fighter?

Lovino folded his arms over his chest, shutting up again. "Chigi- !"

Antonio picked up. "No one got out of that fight unscathed. One of them ended up dying. Ivan beat them with a pipe."

"He got out of charges because it was defensive fighting. Smashed the guy rib and burst-a lung or something. It was just bad luck. Their fault for picking on my little brother! And he never got over losing Hartwin-! Bastards, bastards...he still gets picked on by locals because they think he was responsible for that potato-eater's death-!"

"Lovi."

"I KNOW! CHIGI!"

There was a short silence, and she processed the information. "So why all the hesitancy around Ivan? Surely he would have been seen as more of a hero than a scoundrel at that point?"

A thick silence, and neither of them looked to be in a talking mood.

"He...has a reputation." Antonio continued. "There used to be alot of people living in that mansion out there. I mean...a - LOT. There was one young man. I think his name was Toris...he would be sent into town for errands and things. Usually with two other guys. They were always so jumpy and shaky, people began to wonder what happened to them while they were staying there. There was even an incident where this Toris ended up in the hospital with a broken back. There were alot of rumors like that about the Braginsky manor before what happened to Feli. Other people and other incidents. That's why there where all that controversy when he wasn't convicted...the newspapers even twisted the truth to make it sound bad. They made it seem like he finally went the touch too far."

"Carrying around that damn pipe like-a trophy doesn't exactly improve his looks, either!" Lovino added.

Columbia stared up at the ceiling, then closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Lovino growled lowly. "Nothing that-a I know of. You want to interrogate that Braginsky, do so on your own time..."

"Plan on it." Columbia said, and the men shrugged at her.

"Why are you so interested in Braginsky?" Antonio asked.

"I dunno." She replied, trying to pin a good reason herself. "Maybe I feel like I have to redeem myself somehow. God that's such a stupid...hm." She thought of her trip to the mall with Katyusha and Ivan. "Maybe it's because I've already seen that he can be...okay. In other words, I know better. I hope." And the fact that she still couldn't get him off of her mind. She rubbed her neck. "What do you two think of him? He saved Feli's life, right?"

Lovnio looked cross. "Si...but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still scared of him. He just seems unstable. Feli seems to be all right around him, too, and he was cool last night but still."

"Most people around here wouldn't approach him willingly. Even if I saw him on the street now I don't think I would rather avoid him..."

Columbia inhaled slowly, processing the information. "I think he's just lonely. He's not inherently violent."

"...How can you even think that? He did still attack you."

"It's the way he acts...I'm...familiar with it." And by all means should be wanting to avoid him like the plague but the more she learned the more her mind craved to see him again. "It just seems to me he doesn't know any other way to get his point across." She sighed. "I'm going upstairs to talk to Feli."

"Sure..." Antonio said warily.

Columbia winced as she moved, making her way upstairs slowly. She felt bad for Feli. And she was now more curious about Ivan Braginsky and his home life. Questions kept piling in her head, scratching her brain. Or maybe that was the bandage on her back.

"'M fine mom." Columbia droned, almost wishing she hadn't called home now. Thanksgiving was tomorrow, and Feli was terribly busy keeping the kitchen clean as he prepared food to cook tomorrow. "Honestly you should be more worried about yourself! Hows the prengancy going?"

"Oh, doing well! The doctor is a little worried about my age, but this is definitely the last one... which reminds me - " She rolled her eyes as her mother rambled on tangents unrelated to the question. "Yep, good deal." She heard a small crash from the kitchen and pulled the reciver of the phone down. "Feli, are you all right in there?"

"Si, mi dispiace! I broke a glass..."

"Don't cut yourself! Sorry mom, yeah?"

"Whose Feli?"

"Oh, he's a farmhand. A good worker."

"...Honey, it's winter."

"Yeah, and? This house was a mess when I moved here! And the barn needed fixed...plus he's a very good cook. He's Italian, and holy crow mom you would NOT believe the food here-"

"You're really enjoying yourself out there, aren't you?" The woman had a touch of sadness in her voice.

"Of course I am. I wouldn't have stayed if that wasn't the case. Mind you, there's been some...rough spots, but I've...I've made...friends. Feli even lives with me now."

"Columbia Marsh! You should have told me if you were getting involved! I want to meet this young man-!"

"What?! No, mom, he's not into me. I'm not into him! We're just good friends."

"Columbia - "

"Mom, he's gay -" There was another crash in the kitchen. "FELI! Stop breaking dishes before I make you go buy a whole new set! ...Actually we could use that anyway." She added.

Footsteps padded from the kitchen into the living room, the Italian flushing deeply. "What are you talking about?!"

"You of course. Oh don't get so flustered Feli, it's just my mom, like she cares...huh? Yeah, it's him. It's funny, he gets embarrassed about it...yeah, he's really cute! I'll send you a picture!"

"Mio Dio, Coli!" He buried he face in his hands, blushing deeply.

"Aw, poor Feliciano. It's okay." She teased. "Huh? No, he was speaking in Italian...yeah, he's an artist too...he's really good! Oh, I'll give you the website...yeah. Oh, hey, I had better go. I told Yao I'd call him and there's something else I gotta do today. No, it's important...yeah. Tell everyone I miss them. Have fun tomorrow. Right. Love you too. Bye."

"I can't believe you said that..." Feli said, grabbing the broom leaning against the wall.

"Eh. I can't exactly keep the fact you're living here from her. Moms are kind of funny that way. And then of course she's gonna get worried from there."

"I guess." He went to clean up the mess he made, and checked his preparations. She frowned, wondering if that was the wrong thing to say to him. Did he ever have a mother figure in his life? Maybe that's why that got along so well?

"So, you ready to go?" She asked as he finished sweeping the glass up.

"I...I suppose. Do we really have to do this?"

"You said it was a good idea. Look, it's not right, okay? Plus we should at least go thank Ludwig."

He sighed deeply. "You're right."

"Good. Get your coat on, let's go." Quietly, they walked out to the car and drove the ten minutes into town. Pulling into the lot of the bakery was easy enough, but Feli had started a steady breathing exercise before he shakily opened his car door.

"We're just normal customers. Get a cake."

"Right..." The bell chimed perfectly.

"Guten - " Ludwig's normal greeting was cut short as he looked up. "Columbia." He stated dumbly. "Been awhile."

"Sorry, I've been busy." She said, grinning. She checked the store. Empty, good. They came in at undesirable hours for a reason. "I'll have - "

"Mint Chocolate?" He asked, and she nodded, licking her lips eagerly.

"Fery vell. And..." He coughed slightly, facing the nervous Italian stonily. "Feliciano?"

Columbia pushed on his back a little, encouraging him. "U-um...the german...chocolate..."

"Good." Ludwig typed into his register.

"Also...um..."

The blonde paused, looking up.

"I wanted to thank you...for last time. And...I'm sorry for causing all the commotion..."

"Nein...mein bruder is not...agreeable, sometimes. I must say. I admire your courage. Not eferyone vould hafe ze guts to come back after all zat."

"I...thank you."

"Hm. No, Danke. I truly appreciate zat."

Columbia dug some money out of her wallet as Ludwig retrieved the cakes. "I also wanted to extend an invitation to you, as a thank you of my own." She said cheerily.

"Oh? Vhat kind?"

"Family plans tomorrow?" She asked.

"Nein, not really..."

"VEST!"

Ludwig muttered something in German, a swear, she thought, and pale faced, white-haired Gilbert strolled in behind the counter.

"The avesome me has had enough of ze -" The cheerul tone turned downright venomous when he spotted the customers. "Vhat ze hell is HE doink here?!"

Feliciano fought not to cringe and hide behind Columbia, who narrowed her eyes into a sharp glare at the albino. "Getting a damn cake. What, is that a crime now?"

"Oho! Oh, little bitch haz some spunk, ja? You vant to rumble wis AVESOME GILBERT?!" He pounded a fist into the opposite hand. "I hafe been itchink for a good fight!" A strange 'kesesesese' laugh erupted from him.

"Bruder this is mein store and if you scare off anymore of mein customers, you vill be sorry-!"

"Sorry, Ludwig." Columbia said, quickly snatching her and Feli's cake. She shoved his plate in his hand, shooing him to go sit down. "Just know that I don't think any less of you or the store even with the less than desirable company you keep."

"Vait. You're not really-"

"Iz zat supposed to be a threat?" Gilbert inquired, interrupting his brother and leaning over the counter top. His tone was threatening and upbeat at the same time.

"It's an invitation. To Thanksgiving dinner at my house. I owe Ludwig a thank-you, he's been very informative and helpful to me since I moved here. As much as I don't like you, you are his brother and I wouldn't dare split a family for Thanksgiving."

"Vhy ze hell vould I do zat?"

"Because you're an ass if you decline."

"HAH! Schows vhat you know! I LOVE beink un ass!" He patted his chest, puffing himself out like a proud peacock. "KESESESE!"

"You're grudge is misdirected." She shot.

Columbia was dragged over the counter, the cake in her hand crashing to the floor and her collar tightened around her neck as two hands had grabbed the material of her shirt and coat and her face was shoved into a pair of pissed off red orbs. "Ze fuck does zat mean?!" The upbeat nature was gone, leaving only malice in the words.

"Feliciano lives with me. He moved in a few days ago." She tried to stay calm and even.

"FICK DICH! Zat means nuzink!"

"Wanna bet?" Her voice lowered to barely a whisper. "He still paints him." Her eyes glanced over to the still stunned Ludwig. "...He looked alot like you, huh?"

She never saw the punch coming. Her vision went blind as a streak of lightning pierced her forehead. "ZE FUCK DO YOU KNOW?! HUNDIN!"

She was too surprised to move. The sound of Feli calling her nickname was all that really registered for a moment. Why was she poking the bear? What kind of sick masochistic urge was overtaking her senses enough to get beat up over?

"ZAT IS ENOUGH!" Ludwig pried Columbia from his brothers grip, looking to punch the albino's light's out himself.

"Haha, Ludwig, it's fine." Columbia said, the shock wearing off and wiping blood that dripped from her nose. "You want to vent, Gilbert? Fine. I'll be in the parking lot." Her head hurt and she was going to lose but she wanted to get a punch back at the foul-mouthed albino.

"Dummkopf! You can't be serious-!"

"Shofe it, Vest, I'll be back-!" Gilbert threw off the apron he was wearing and ran around the counter, ignoring the terrified looking Feliciano who had not been able to take but one bite form his cake. "You vant to rumble, fine! Vhat are ve bettink?"

"Nothing. I just want to fucking hit you." She replied, shooting him a glare. They were marching side by side now.

"Dammit, dummkopf, you got some spunk, ja?"

"Shove it."

"You first." They were both thin enough that they could step through the doorway at the same time, and Columbia took the cheap shot. She purposely tripped him going out the door, grabbing an arm and twisting it behind him, pulling it high to inflict as much pain as possible.

"VHAT! NO FA- OUCH!"

"Fucking - karma!" She bit out, struggling to sit on the man. He was stronger though, and she was rolled to the side. Tumbling quickly, she laid on her back roughly, almost screaming at the impact due to the still healing skin there, and as he lunged she struck her legs up, knocking him right where his legs met his pelvis with her feet.

"FICK! VERDAMMT! OH, FICK DICH!" He doubled over, wincing pathetically. She stood, punching him in the face for good measure. Damn that felt good.

In pain, but wanting revenge, he managed to loosen his arms enough to grab one of her wrists and punch her in the gut. Multiple times. The wind was knocked out of her, and she struggled to breathe for a moment, and was pulled into the asphalt face first, the rough edge scratching her face.

"COLI!" Feli cried out, rushing to her side. He helped her stand.

"M fine..." She mumbled, trying to ignore her spinning head, her bleeding nose, and oh God her sides hurt. The pain was worth it though, and she smirked as she saw Gilbert redoubling over to his injured privates.

"You are some saucy bitch, you know zat?" He breathed, his voice somewhat higher pitched.

She grinned, tasting blood. "I've felt worse than this. So I'll see you tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner? I would love for Ludwig to attend."

"Moser of - vat is vrong wis you?!" The albino demanded.

She shrugged. "Inferiority complex?" She suggested. It was a possibility. Although, this bout of violence was new for her. She admitted with all of her muscles and working body she had never gotten into a brawl before. Spur of the moment anger vented though, and her revenge on Gilbert for pointing a gun and her best friends sated, she decided she wanted a few bandaids and some hot soup.

"Bruder?" Ludwig approached the crouched albino carefully, seemingly shocked that Columbia was still in one piece. "Vhat ze hell? Vell, I supposed you had it comink..."

"Hey, Vest...I don't sink I can stand." He laughed nervously.

"Mein gott, ze hell did you do to him?" He leaned over his brother, alarmed.

"Hey, he had it coming!" Columbia replied. "You just said so."

"I needed his help for ze shop today..."

"Hey, do you efen care if I'm hurt?!" Gilbert asked, slightly panicked.

"Oh. Sorry..." Columbia stated apologetically. "I guess I could have kicked a little lighter."

"Ja, like how about not at all, zose are precious you know!" Gilbert droned. Columbia kept cracking a smile every time he talked, as the rough German voice tenored.

"Schtop your vhining. I am tryink to sink of who to call for help."

After a moment of silence, vaguely interrupted by Gilbert's groaning, Feliciano shakily spoke. "Um...if you need help...I could...for today."

"Oh, hell no!" Gilbert screamed, and Ludwig sent him a harsh glare.

"...Zat is a kind offer." Ludwig started.

"Mi dispiace...I'm sorry...for Hartwin."

The brothers stared at him, eyes widening.

"I...did love him. Truly. Th-that night, he protected me...a-and because of him I've...always...hoped...because he was so close to Gilbert...and..." His voice cracked, but he was refusing to cry.

Columbia placed an encouraging hand on Feliciano's shoulder.

"I nefer blamed you." Ludwig started, approaching the smaller man. "I didn't know him vell myself."

"O-oh..."

"Oh, schut up!" Gilbert cried from his fallen form. He was shakily trying to stand. "I don't care vhat you hafe to say! Vest, I'm goink upstairs...do not boser me."

"Fine." The blonde turned back to Feliciano. "If zat is vhat you vould like, I vould appreciate ze help today."

"S-si! Coli?"

"Sounds fine to me. I won't be able to pick you up though, I have an important meeting today. I don't know how long I'll be."

"I vill take care of it."

"Thank you Ludwig."

"Oh, and I'll be replacing your cake for free, of course..."

"Oh don't bother. I just remembered, I have an important lunch date I don't want to spoil my appetite. Repay me by showing up tomorrow with your brother, huh?"

He hesitated the smallest bit. "Ja, fery good zen."

"Veee, Coli, what about your injuries?"

She stood, feeling her side throb in pain and her head hurt, but she nodded. "Oh, I wasn't kidding when I said I've felt worse than this." She grinned. Her back burned though, and she was afraid that in her tumble the bandage might have gotten torn.

"At least let me help you get cleaned up." Ludwig offered, and she nodded.

"Very well."

Gilbert had to be half-carried to the upstairs apartment above the bakery before Ludwig came down with a first aid kit and set Columbia on the counter inside the kitchen of the shop. Feliciano was changing into a uniform top and apron.

Columbia bit her tongue as Ludwig dabbed antiseptic on her face and frowned stonily at the thick black and blue bruise that was swelling her cheek. While he worked, she looked up, wondering how many of the stores doubled as living spaces in this town. "Stupid of you to challenge mein bruder."

"It's not like I planned it. I feel better though. And Feliciano didn't like the way his relationship stood with you two." She peeked over the large man's shoulder, making sure the frail Italian was nowhere in earshot. The couple of kitchen workers that were around were actively trying to ignore them. "He had always considered you two family, because of Hartwin. Before what happened I guess he and Gilbert were actually good friends."

The blonde frowned, huffing lowly. His entire body seemed unnaturally tensed. "I see."

"Feli's a crybaby. And my best friend." She paused, her tone dropped to something more angry sounding. "Plus Gilbert had a gun on him..."

"Ja, he deserved vhat you did to him. Um." He stopped, and his face flushed. "He punched your schtomach, ja?"

"Oh." The word fell from her mouth and she realized the awkwardness of the situation. She felt through her shirt where the hurt was, realizing it was more her side under her ribs. That wasn't too bad. "It's here." She said, hiking her shirt up to reveal her naval. She flushed slightly at the action, and watched as the large man turned pale.

"Zis isn't bruder's doink, is it?!" His fingertips brushed the bruised flesh that mingled with scar tissue.

"Hm? Oh, no that's an old injury. I was caught in a fire."

"No vay! Zat's a hell of a mark..." He looked up at her face. "No vonder you're handling fighting Gilbert so vell. High pain tolerance?"

"Accustomed." She replied. "I...hate to be a bother, but there is another injury on my back. I think the bandage ripped, could you check it for me?"

"I suppose..." He said warily, turning her as far as she could go without falling off the counter. He tried to ignore what he was looking at, but his embarrassment disappeared when he saw the two large bandages plastered over red, swelling skin. "MEIN GOTT! You fought him wis zis on your back?!"

Columbia shrugged. "It's just a small burn. How are the bandages?"

"Moment..." She winced as he peeled on back and replaced it with a fresh one after cleaning around the red skin.

"Almost done? I really don't want to hold my shirt up all day, if you don't mind."

"Ah, ja, sorry." After he was done with that, he took a simple bandage and wrapped her torso gently. "Is zat all right?"

She breathed, she wasn't sure why but the wrapping around her midriff did make things feel better. "Great. Thank you, Ludwig. Take good care of Feliciano today, oh...and he usually naps during the afternoon a little so he might get a little sleepy after you have lunch rush. It's habitual for him, so sorry."

"Oh great. Saddle me wis your bad habits."

She folded her arms, cocking an eyebrow at him.

"All right, all right, I promise to return him safe und sound." He promised.

"Good." She checked her watch. "Fuck, I'm late. I gotta run." She jumped down from the counter with a wince, throwing her coat on and dashing out the door.

"Bye." Ludwig called, but she barely acknowledged it.