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Ludwig was perplexed by Berwald's house because Berwald had no Grandpa or big brother Gilbert. It was filled with furniture he saw at Ikea. Berwald also had a thing called a 'Mama', whom looked like Berwald but with long hair, who equally confused Ludwig. Ludwig also was perplexed by Susan, Berwald's cat.

"Our cats are twins!" Ludwig exclaimed as he saw the grey cat with an equally grumpy face, searching for intruders.

"My cat has little glasses though." Berwald held Susan up so that Ludwig could see the black markings that made Susan's "glasses".

"Is Susan a boy or a mama cat?"

"Susan is a boy cat but I couldn't think of a cuter name. I love Susan." Berwald hugged Susan tightly and the two boys gave Susan kissies for being a good boy too. Susan grumpily accepted the kisses.

"There's something I need to show you."

The little German boy followed Berwald to his bedroom window. They sat on his bed and watched intently. Just as Ludwig was going to question the purpose of this, Ludwig saw a chubby little boy, around their age, appear with a dog.

"Who's that?" Ludwig whispered, even though the little boy wouldn't be able to hear them.

"Tiny. He is going to be my wife."

"What's his dog called?"

"Bomber. His dog looks like our Egg."

"He does look like Egg!" Ludwig gasped, waving to the little white dog, "that's a Maltese dog, I think."

Berwald blinked, impressed with Ludwig's knowledge. Bomber waved back with a tiny white paw.

"Does he play football?"

"No, he just goes out to walk to school or to walk Bomber."

"How strange."

.

The years flew by. Nothing really changed. They walked to and from school together with Ludwig's grandpa. They still swapped identities every now and then. They played football. They loved dogs. Egg was stuck on Berwald's fridge as Berwald's house had the advantage of not containing Gilbert the destroyer. They were both best friends. 'Kissies' stopped as Berwald told Ludwig he wanted to save his kisses for Tiny. Berwald nodded and decided that this was a good idea. He was going to save his kisses for Cat Boy and his future dogs.

When they were nine, Berwald came in talking excitedly to Ludwig about 'Arnold Sausage', a strong man who sounded just like Ludwig. Ludwig watched a clip of him on the TV and decided he sounded nothing like 'Arnold Sausage', but was inspired by his muscles.

"I bet Tiny would like it if I was big and strong like him. Then I could help him carry his backpack."

"If I was big and strong, I could hold a leash with twenty dogs with just one hand!" Ludwig exclaimed. The two made a pact to get big and strong just like 'Arnold Sausage'. They tried harder in PE and ran around the playground chasing imaginary dogs.

All continued in a status quo, until the last day of primary school when they were eleven. Ludwig, Berwald and Mathias were all going to a good state school nearby, which Gilbert was already attending. However, Feliciano was going to a Catholic school with his brother Lovino.

The two boys stood outside the school gates, crying.

"Why won't you come to my high school?"

"I have to do as Grandpa Rome says."

"Well, I guess this is good bye."

Ludwig, full of courage and the knowledge he may never see Cat Boy again, gave him a quick kiss. He had saved them all up for this moment. Then he dramatically ran across the road, with tears in his eyes, where he expected to see Berwald and his Grandpa.

Except he never made it.

.

Berwald spent those summer holidays crying. He sat in his bedroom and cried. He watched Tiny come and go with Bomber, and then cried some more. He refused to go see Ludwig until high school started. He believed that only then could he see Ludwig, any time before then would cause Ludwig to die. On the last day of summer, his mother called him down.

"Berwald, baby, come here to Mama. I need to tell you something important."

Berwald plodded slowly down the stairs, a little frown stuck on his face. A frown that would never really shift. He sat on his mother's lap, his own lap soon occupied by Susan.

"Sweetie, Ludwig is okay." His mother whispered, rubbing his back gently, "But he has lost his memories."

"Wh-What?" Berwald whimpered, his eyes brimming up again. "Has he forgotten me and Egg?"

"I'm sorry sweetie."

.

For Ludwig, that summer was the worst. He spent most of it in hospital, with strangers telling him who he was supposed to be. They brought him photographs and books he loved. He loved these new books but could not remember anything. Instead he decided to love the albino and the pretty grandpa anyway, even if he could not remember their past together. However, he felt guilty for the sadness on their faces when he failed to remember something.

Being at home was weird too. He had to be told which were his toys and where everything was. He did not even remember Germouser. Due to his struggles, Grandpa said he was going to get him a present. Gilbert rushed in and told the German boy to close his eyes. When he opened them, he heard a woof. A baby German shepherd bounced into his lap. Ludwig hugged him and cried.

"What's wrong Luddy?" Gilbert asked.

"He's so cute," Ludwig sobbed, "I'm going to die."