The next day when Feliciano arrived at school, he was shocked to see Ludwig standing at his locker. His arms were crossed, and his usual stern look was plastered on his face. Feliciano's heart jumped into his throat. What was going on? Feliciano fought the urge to run up and throw his arms around him.

"Ludwig!" Feliciano exclaimed. "What are you doing here?

Ludwig looked just as surprised as he was, even though he was the one at Feliciano's locker. "I wanted to make sure there wouldn't be a repeat of yesterday." He said. "I would like to walk you to your classes today."

Feliciano wasn't sure he heard him correctly. "Walk with me? Won't you be late to your classes? Don't you get yelled at for being late? They yell at me when I'm late." Seeing as though he never saw him in the hallways, Feliciano had to assume his classes must have been in completely different areas of the building.

Ludwig shrugged. "Do not worry about me. Your safety is more important than my punctuality."

Feliciano couldn't decide whether to feel grateful, guilty, ecstatic, or some weird mix of the three. This situation was becoming more confusing by the minute. Just two days ago, Ludwig had been a perfect stranger. Now he was acting like they had known each other for years, and it almost felt like that was true.

"Thank you!" Feliciano walked over to his locker and took out his books. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Ludwig leaned against the locker next to them. "Do you not want me to?"

Feliciano shook his head immediately. "It's not that! I want to walk with you. I never get to walk with anyone and it's really lonely and boring, but it just seems like a hassle for you. That's all." He said.

Ludwig looked him dead in the eyes before responding. "Getting abused seems like a hassle for you."

Feliciano opened his mouth to speak when he was cut off by a stomach-turning voice. "Hey faggot, your boyfriend is back?"

He blushed a deep red and looked into his locker, avoiding looking at the boy at all costs. He didn't know who he was, and he didn't care. Feliciano flipped into survival mode. He just needed to get himself out of the situation and be careful not to aggravate him.

"Answer me, dumbass!" He yelled. Feliciano could only bite down on his lip, terrified of what could possibly come next. Breaking free of his thoughts, he glanced at Ludwig. Feliciano's blood ran cold. On his face was what was possibly the most terrifying facial expression he had ever seen on a human being. If looks could kill, the boy tormenting Feliciano would be long dead by now. Military drill sergeants had nothing on Ludwig.

"Move along." Ludwig said. His teeth were clenched like a guard dog. The boy simply scowled at him and ultimately did what he was told.

Feliciano's hands were shaking. He wanted to run, run someplace where he wouldn't need protecting, someplace with people that wouldn't anger Ludwig. He brought his hands up to his face as if to block something and closed his eyes as if he was preparing for something terrible. Ludwig turned to him and raised an eyebrow. Feliciano jumped when he felt his hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay." Ludwig said, continuing to pat his shoulder. Albeit somewhat awkward, Feliciano needed the reassurance. He opened his eyes to look at him and was comforted by the sight of his eyes. He slowly lowered his hands from his face.

"This is why I'll be walking you to your classes." Ludwig said.

Feliciano could feel his legs trembling. "Are you mad?"

"It makes me mad to see people who think they have a right to degrade others, that's all." Taking a moment, he looked at the frazzled boy. He seemed to be trying to shrink away from him, his shoulders quivering and his eyes locked on the floor.

"Feliciano, are you afraid of me?"

"Why would you think that?" He replied, chuckling. It sounded unnatural; he realized that right away.

Ludwig sighed. "Do you really still think I'm going to hurt you?"

"I…" Feliciano searched desperately for the right words. He had never had to justify his fears; they had always just been there. "When people are angry, they're usually angry at me. When people are angry at me, they hurt me." Feelings of shame rushed through him. "I'm sorry, I-"

Ludwig shook his head. "There is no need to be sorry, I understand." He checked his watch. "Now, let's get you to your class."

Throughout the course of the day, Ludwig greeted Feliciano within moments after he walked out of his classroom. Feliciano had trouble figuring out how he kept getting to him so fast. As expected, no one bothered Feliciano when he had the bulky German by his side. He felt like a young child with a teddy bear when he was with him. It was like the difference between day and night, although it wasn't until third period that the two actually spoke to each other.

"How long has this been going on?" Ludwig asked a few moments after they walked away from the classroom. Feliciano immediately knew what he was referring to.

Truth be told, Feliciano couldn't pinpoint any exact moment when the tormenting began. Hell, he was still trying to figure out what he had done so wrong in the first place. It had been a slow progression. At some point in a child's life, their peers start to realize that they aren't all the same. Some are weaker and slower while some are stronger and faster. Some don't have as much to say. They realized that certain clothes made them cool and certain pastimes weren't deemed acceptable anymore.

Somewhere in the process, survival of the fittest takes over. Feliciano must not have made the cut. It could have been his accent or the little curl on his head that never seems to stay where it belongs. Perhaps it was the way he showed his emotions or his aversion to conflict. Either way, somewhere along the line his peers made an example out of him. Since it's easier to continue a tradition than to break it, that's the way it stayed.

"I don't remember." He admitted. "It's been a long time. After awhile, it all starts to blur together. I guess it started one day and then never stopped."

He shrugged, looking up to Ludwig for a reply. When he said nothing, he continued. "It's no big deal, really."

Ludwig stopped dead in his tracks. "No big deal? How can you possibly say something foolish like that?" He said. His eyes were narrowed in what looked like anger. Feliciano stopped too, shocked by the sudden mood swing.

"This isn't just juvenile teasing, Feliciano. Your life was in danger the other day. I don't even want to think how far it would have gone if I hadn't intervened." He ran a hand through his slicked-back hair haphazardly and his mouth twitched in disgust. "You may be used to this, but I won't shrug it off as easily as you do. Are you not angry?"

Feliciano took a step back. The all too familiar feeling of tears welling up in his eyes returned as the harsh words set in. Was Ludwig already tired of him? He seemed so angry, so frustrated, like a bomb ready to explode. He'd never spoken for so long at once since they'd known each other, and the one time he did it was out of anger.

"I'm sorry." He said for what seemed like the millionth time in the past couple days. His lip was quivering again. "But I don't hate them. I don't like hating people. Even if I did, what would it change?"

Ludwig looked to him and instantly softened. "That's quite an amazing way to see things." He said. He took a second to breathe. "I did not mean to upset you. You are not the one I'm mad at." He gestured for him to keep walking, since they would be late soon.

Feliciano tagged along sheepishly with his head down. The nagging feeling in his gut continued to tell him that he'd done something wrong, that he'd ruined everything. When they arrived at the classroom, Ludwig could have left immediately, but he didn't. He stood by the door like he was waiting for something.

"Are we still eating lunch together?" He asked. His arms were completely straight by his sides. Feliciano sighed with relief. He nodded, smiling up at his friend before walking through the door.

It seemed like the wait for lunch lasted an eternity. Feliciano caught himself zoning out in his class and passing the period staring at the clock. All he wanted was to be with his one and only friend again. Even though Ludwig was a man of few words, he was more than happy to just have the comfort of someone next to him as they walked through the crowded halls. More than anything, he was glad to have someone by his side that actually wanted to be there.

When lunch finally rolled around, Ludwig came to Feliciano's classroom at his usual faster-than-lightening pace. They walked outside in blissful silence, the noise pollution from the school during the chaotic lunch period fading away as they walked. Suddenly, Feliciano felt the need to break the silence.

"Thanks for coming, Ludwig." He said, staring into the blue sky above.

"I wouldn't miss it." He said. "This is a nice spot, after all."

Feliciano couldn't help but notice how quickly he responded. He smiled to himself. They arrived at the hill and set up their little picnic, which really only consisted of them both taking out brown bag lunches. After only a minute or two, Ludwig spoke up again.

"I have been meaning to ask you something." He said. Feliciano looked to him and tilted his head, waiting for his question.

"Would like to lift weights with me after school?" He asked, not making eye contact.

Feliciano started giggling. "Very funny, Ludwig!"

Ludwig frowned. "What is funny about this? You should be strong enough to defend yourself." He stated, putting down his food and folding his hands in his lap. Feliciano stopped laughing and instead frowned. While it was a nice gesture, he couldn't help but feel somewhat hurt. Their conversations always came back to this.

"What if I hurt myself?"

"I will be right there if you need assistance."

He could picture it now. He imagined trying to bench-press even the smallest amount of weight and dropping it on himself. Maybe even worse, he'd be unable to even pick the weight. What if he cried? He was always told he cried too much. Masking his emotions was never an area he excelled in, especially when there was pain involved. He cringed. Feliciano didn't even want to think about looking pathetic in front of Ludwig.

"You already look pathetic." A voice in his head spat. He looked away.

"Look, Feliciano." Ludwig said. "I'm not going to force you if you do not want to. However, I would encourage it. I only want to help you and I feel this would do you good."

His blue eyes seemed to have a shimmer to them in the light. Feliciano just looked into them for a moment, mulling over what he had just said. The thought of his physical abilities being tested in front of someone as fit and muscular as Ludwig made him want to run away and hide, but at the same time the thought of spending extra time with him made him feel light enough to fly.

"Promise not to laugh?" Feliciano nearly whispered, playing with his stray curl. It was a nervous habit he picked up a couple years back.

Ludwig shook his head. "I would never."

Feliciano believed him.

As soon as Feliciano made it to the weight room after school, he immediately started to think this was a bad idea. Ludwig wasn't there yet, so he was left alone to absorb his surroundings. The room was uncomfortably humid and smelled like sweat. He was surrounded by impossibly heavy looking equipment as well as a slew of dingy looking towels. Why anyone would spend time here voluntarily was beyond him. He felt uncomfortable and out of place in his gym shorts, which were probably a tad bit too short on him. Before he had time to consider going back on his commitment and running off, Ludwig walked through the door, still in his school uniform.

"You've already changed." He said, eyeing Feliciano's gym clothes. "I'll be ready in a moment." Ludwig proceeded to sit down on one of the benches and began to undo the buttons on his too-tight polo.

"You're changing here?" Feliciano asked.

"I always change here. Does this bother you?" He made it seem as if stripping in a weight room was the most natural thing in the world.

"No!"

He stole a glance at Ludwig as he removed his polo, revealing a blank tank top. Feliciano couldn't help but notice how strong his torso really was and the way his back muscles stretched over his frame like a bodybuilder's. Feliciano caught himself staring and looked away, feeling confused.

What would cause him to stare at him? It wasn't like he'd never seen a boy change before. He had a brother, plus he had to change in school locker rooms every time he had gym class. Still he felt almost guilty; as if he had seen something he wasn't supposed to. He made sure to keep his eyes locked on the opposite wall until Ludwig finished changing.

"Are you ready to start?" Ludwig finally asked.

Feliciano whipped around, looking to his friend who was now in his tank top and shorts. His heart rate began to pick up even though the physical exertion hadn't even begun yet. No, he was not in any way ready. He doubted he would ever be ready. Even so, he nodded. Ludwig picked up a couple of hand weights and gave them to him, before getting his own and sitting on the edge of one of the benches. Feliciano did the same on a near-by bench.

"We can start with simple bicep curls. Follow after me." Ludwig instructed as though he'd been teaching this all his life. He spread his legs apart, rested his elbow near his inner thigh and began to simply curl the weight upwards towards his face. Feliciano watched the muscles in his arm contract as he went through the motions.

That seemed easy enough. He copied Ludwig's positioning and began to follow through with the movements. So far, it wasn't as difficult or horrific as he had anticipated it to be. Ludwig had given him a lighter weight, so he was able to complete the reps without straining himself. Although, after comparing his frame to Ludwig's, he couldn't help but feel inferior.

"You're doing well." Ludwig said, still with a stoic voice. The small compliment alone lit a fire in Feliciano's gut. When his friend switched arms, he did too.

After a few sets, Ludwig suddenly stopped. "Let's have you try the bench-press."

Feliciano's heart sank. Lifting simple hand-weights was one thing. Laying down on a bench and lifting a heavy steel rod right above his neck was a completely different story. He rapped his fingers against his leg. He questioned whether it was better to try it and make a complete fool out of himself or back out and look like a coward.

"Come on, Ludwig, I'll drop it on myself." Feliciano said, only half joking.

"I'll spot you." He said, walking to the press. Feliciano had no idea what it meant to "spot" someone. "I promise you will be fine."

Feliciano sighed. There really wasn't any getting out of this. He nodded before lying down, accepting his fate. Ludwig put weights on the sides of the bar before standing behind the bench. Feliciano grabbed the bar without thought, gripping it with his knuckles facing his legs.

"It's important to keep the proper form." Ludwig took his hands and placed them on the bar again, this time with knuckles facing the wall behind him. He kept his hands there; allowing Feliciano to recapture what he felt when Ludwig grabbed his hands after the locker incident. He wondered if his hands were callused from weight lifting, or if something else had caused it. For reasons that were beyond him, a flush appeared on his face. After his hands were positioned correctly, Ludwig moved his own hands next to his one the bar.

"I'm going to pick it up now." He warned. Feliciano could have sworn his life flashed before his eyes. "Make sure to bend your elbows by your sides."

Ludwig lifted the weighted bar off it's resting place. "Now bring it down." He guided the bar down to Feliciano's chest, keeping his hands on it the whole time. To his surprise, he wasn't quite as afraid anymore. He wasn't sure if that would be the case if Ludwig let go.

Still with the weight near his chest, Feliciano decided to speak up. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to lift it back up by myself."

"Feliciano, look up."

He did as he was told. When he realized that Ludwig's arms were by his sides now, he nearly did drop it on himself out of shock alone. If anything, he realized it wasn't nearly as heavy as he anticipated.

"Now all you have to do is bring it up."

Taking a deep breath, Feliciano pushed the weight upwards until his arms were straight again. When he succeeded, he grinned.

"Very good. Try it a couple more times."

Even though his arms shook, Feliciano did just that. Even though it was hard, he didn't feel an urge to give up. It was only a small amount of weight, but Feliciano felt empowered and in control. When Ludwig noticed his arms were shaking more than they probably should, he helped him return the weight to the holder.

"Excellent work, Feliciano. That wasn't so terrible, was it?" Feliciano noticed Ludwig was grinning. Was he actually joking around with him?

He smiled. "No, it really wasn't bad at all!"

Ludwig grinned back at him. "Excellent. Now, why don't you go on the treadmill while I do my reps?"

"Right!"

Half an hour later, they left the school. Feliciano had never been so happy about being sore and sweaty. In that moment, he swore he could take over the world. When they got in Ludwig's car, Feliciano was struck with inspiration. "Ludwig!" He exclaimed. "I have an idea."

"Oh? And what is that?" Ludwig asked as he pulled out of the parking spot.

"Since you taught me one of your hobbies, maybe I should teach you one of mine! You should paint with me!" Feliciano said, looking up at his friend with wide eyes.

Ludwig clenched his jaw. "I can't paint."

"Can you pick up a brush?"

"Well, of course."

"Then you can paint!" Feliciano said, smiling widely. He could find no faults in his logic. Ludwig could be the worst painter in the world, but it was an excuse to see him again.

Ludwig sighed. "I…will consider it."

Feliciano beamed. It wasn't a definite answer, but it was better than a 'no.' He smiled out the window for the rest of the way home. When they pulled up to his house, Ludwig let go of the wheel and just sat there for a moment, looking uncomfortable. A split second before Feliciano went for the door, he reached over and gave him a two second hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow." His words were quick and his eyes were glued to the steering wheel.

Feliciano smiled. "Bye!"

He almost skipped into his house.

To be continued...