A/N: The final chapter. Get ready. There's some weird references to specific episodes.

Chapter 22

The Call

February was chilly and a little gloomy with the present snow still melting away, but Feliciano was fine with that. He was allowed to work at the flower shop again after begging for his job back. Roderich was surprised to see the teen genuinely liked working there.

After school and in the shop Feliciano tied his apron on, noticing how it still wrapped around him like a dress but wasn't quite as tight before. As it turns out, proper nutrition does that. There were more people working there so it was no longer the Edelsteins and Feliciano. The Italian was pretty happy to come in one day and see Kiku, his friend from History, sweeping the floor by the back near the stock room.

"Hello, Feliciano," he formally greeted.

"Hey, Kiku! I didn't know you worked here, too!"

Elizaveta waited behind the counter, occasionally calling the boys over for some work to be done or some new instructions. It was refreshing to have so many young people in the shop, even if they were working.

"Italy, Japan!" She called out.

"Coming, Miss Hungary!" Japan watched the two, confused at the nearly-racist nicknames. They met her at the counter and she pulled out a chart all about flowers and focusing on roses.

"It's February, which means we'll be a lot busier. We'll have men in here a lot for roses around Valentine's Day, so I need you boys to work especially hard on prettying-up the roses! Trim them and make sure the wilting ones are in the back or thrown out."

Kiku stayed back to study the chart, taking note of the different rose color and rose number meanings. Feliciano, on the other hand, skipped away to continue watering the flowers.

"Very interesting, I did not know color could convey such meaning," the silent boy remarked.

"Oh yes, most flowers are symbolic of something romantic," Elizaveta hummed.

"Red for love, pink for grace, white for remembrance," he noted to himself. "Orange for gratitude and yellow for congratulations. Very interesting indeed."

The month dragged on and Feliciano remained in better spirits as the days passed by. His job was something he remained looking forward to, this time not just as an escape. He learned Matthew, too, worked there on certain days, having work around his hockey schedule.

It was nearly Valentine's Day when Antonio stepped into the shop. It was busier than he'd ever seen it and there were men looking for anything even somewhat romantic. Roderich had taken to selling chocolate and pink dolls as well, making quite a profit from it. He spotted Feliciano carrying a stack of boxes from the stock room and he hurried to him, taking a few and setting them down when the Italian began to struggle.

"Ah, grazie, Spain!"

"Oh, we're back to countries?"

"Force of habit," Feliciano blushed. "Do you need something?"

"Ah, si… I kind of forgot to get anything for your brother and I know shops will be sold out on Valentine's Day, so… help me out here," he begged.

Feliciano smiled and went back to the stock room, holding a heart-shaped box of chocolate in his arms and a red teddy bear with a bored expression. "Here, take these. Roderich said we couldn't sell them because the box was bent and the bear wasn't cute, but there's nothing wrong with them!" He glanced around before whispering, "And it's our last box of dark chocolate."

"Wowzers! Thanks, Feli!"

"We have some roses someone never picked up, I can give you those, too!"

"Feliciano, I couldn't have asked for a better future brother-in-law!"

Feliciano grabbed the roses from the back, quickly pruning off some damaged petals before escorting Antonio to a register to get him out as quickly as possible.

"And remember! Don't let Lovi see them! And keep the flowers in sunlight or they'll wilt before you give them to him!"

The hectic day continued and they quickly sold out of dolls and chocolate. Roderich muttered about the next delivery being the following day and a few threats to no one in particular if it was late. The shop closed and the four workers got ready to leave.

Roderich stopped Feliciano and Kiku as they were hanging up their aprons. "You two did very well today. There's some damaged stock in the back, feel free to take whatever you want as a thank you for helping during the busiest time of the year."

Kiku turned down the offer but went with Feliciano as he rifled through their "damaged" items. Roderich had such high standards sometimes—there were an entire bouquet of roses sitting there just because it began to wilt! Nothing some hardcore pruning couldn't fix!

"Italy-kun," Kiku slipped, falling into the same nicknamed pattern. "Do you really want those? They're dying."

"They're just as good," the Italian cooed. "And I want to give them to Ludwig! He's my best friend and I kinda owe him. This will show him how much I value our friendship!"

And before Kiku could give any kind of logical explanation why that was a poor idea, the Italian was off and skipping down the street with his bouquet.

Feliciano knew Ludwig would be getting out of the gym by now, so he took a few turns and walked to the big building, waiting outside and humming to himself as he waited. It only took a few minutes before the blonde came out the front with his brother, who was laughing about something or another.

"Luddy!" Feliciano called. The German startled and turned to him.

"Feliciano, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to give you something!"

Gilbert eyed the two and said, "I'm going to wait in the car, West." He walked off, straining his ears in hopes of catching something before he was gone. He was disappointed when he got to the car with no new gossip.

Ludwig stood in the cool air, sweat still glistening on his skin while a duffel bag with his gym clothes hung from his broad and muscled shoulder.

"Well, what is it? It's almost nine," he reminded.

"Oh, yeah! Here," Feliciano handed him the bouquet, the red roses illuminated by the light spilling out of the gym windows. "I got you some flowers since it's almost Valentine's Day!"

Ludwig stared at the flowers that were pushed into his hands, eyes wide as he stared at the flowers and looked back to Feliciano.

"Feliciano, what does this mean," he cautiously asked, knowing for a fact that presenting red roses, especially so close to a romantic holiday, was a confession of love.

The Italian tilted his head and wondered how Ludwig could be so smart all the time and not grasp the concept of a thank-you gift he got for free from work. "Um, it's exactly what it looks like?"

Ludwig's face became as red as the roses and Feli gave him a quick hug before he dashed off, saying he needed to get back to the flower shop before Roderich left.

Of course, when Ludwig got to the car with the bouquet he was laughed at by Gilbert until they got home. As a sign of respect, Ludwig searched out a vase for the flowers and placed them on his desk near a window. He sat on his bed and stared at them, confused about the sudden confession. Did his best friend really feel that way? Was he hiding it the entire time? Is that why he seemed better whenever Ludwig visited him—because he was reuniting with his love? Did he think Guardians of the Galaxy was a date? Is that why he let Ludwig see his ass in the bath?! WAS HE PRESENTING HIMSELF?

That night was spent in a restless sleep for the German.

"Kiku, you work at Edelsteins, ja?"

"Hai, I do."

It was lunchtime and Ludwig hadn't been able to focus at all during his classes. All he could think of was those damn roses mocking him and calling to him.

"I take it you understand the meaning of roses?"

"That is correct, I do. Did Italy-kun give you the bouquet?"

Ludwig's face reddened. Fuck, even Kiku knew. "…Ja, he did. And… what does a bouquet of red roses mean? I'm sure it's different in America!"

"Red stands for love."

"And the bouquet itself?"

"Also love."

Ludwig put his head down and ignored his food. How was he supposed to eat when he knew his best friend was in love with him? He'd never had someone confess love to him before! What the hell is going on?

"Germany-san? Are you not hungry?"

"Nein, Kiku. I'm just going to lay here for now."

Kiku shook his head and watched his friend curiously as he sat with his head down. He loved his friends but sometimes they were so weird. It'd be much easier if they adapted the Japanese way and be completely conservative.

It reached study hall and Ludwig was doing his best to avoid eye-contact with Feliciano. They had a substitute in class, which simply meant everyone could get away with much more nonsense. Feliciano didn't seem to notice he was being ignored, thank Gott, and he drew away in his artists pad. Some kids near them were playing on their smartphones and tablets, watching videos and movie trailers.

Ludwig heard the familiar music from Guardians of the Galaxy accompanied by Star Lord's voice.

"Hey, Luddy, it's our song!"

"What?" Feliciano was smiling happily at him when he turned to see him. Then he heard it—the damn trailer song.

"I'm hooked on a feeling! I'm high on believing that you are in love with me!"

His face flushed and he got flustered, asking, "Why would that be our song?!"

"Because we saw the movie together!" Feliciano replied naively.

"I have to go." Ludwig packed up his books and rushed out of the room, unnoticed by the substitute who was far more preoccupied in a crossword. Feliciano sat there, staring at where he was, wondering what was bothering him so much.

Are you ok?

Luddy?

Did I do something?

Talk to me

I love youuuu

Ludwig stared at his phone in horror. He thought he felt bad when he saw the texts of self-blame but then that last text, another damn proclamation of love! What was he going to do?

Gilbert approached his door, having heard the distressed noises through the walls, and forced the door open. "What's eating at you, West?"

"Never mind it, Gilbert."

The albino stood in the doorway and glared at him. "You've been moping around since you got those damn roses. If you won't talk to me, I'll just go ask Feli myself why you're being so—"

"Nein! I'll tell you if you just shut up leave Feli out of this," he bargained. The panic on his face was clear as day.

Gilbert smirked. "I'm waiting."

"Feli… gave me roses. Before Valentine's Day. A dozen red roses," he groaned.

"So?"

"SO! Even an idiot knows that it's symbolic of love! He was confessing his love for me and he just texted me he loved me! And I don't know what to do about it! He's my best friend…"

"Then ignore it."

"What?"

"Ignore it. It's only weird if you make it weird. I'm guessing you've been making it weird."

Ludwig looked away and mumbled something incoherent.

"If Feli doesn't care that you haven't answered yet, then he won't care if you wait. Just drop it and move on."

Ludwig watched his brother as he walked away from the room. He was an idiot but it seemed like sound advice. So he did his best to ignore the glaring, wilting roses and didn't say a word about that day to Feliciano, who didn't seem any different than before the incident.

Months passed and Feliciano still didn't mention the roses, something Ludwig was grateful for. It was like it never happened and things were right again. It was late May and time for the seniors to graduate, meaning Ludwig would be moving on and out to college soon.

Feliciano was given one of his tickets to get in early for graduation. Along with Gilbert and his grandfather, Feliciano sat with Lovino, Antonio, Elizaveta, and Roderich. Admittedly, Feliciano looked good in his blue suit and black tie. He wanted to look good for his best friend's graduation.

And they cheered the loudest when Ludwig Beilschmidt was called. The German cringed a bit when he heard "VIVA LA LUDDY!" from the audience. Well, from Feliciano.

Once the ceremony was over he met with them all in the front of the high school and Elizaveta made everyone get together for photos. She caught a few candid ones, deciding to keep them to herself for now, when Feliciano approached Ludwig with a rose.

"A… r-rose?" Ludwig stuttered, holding the thin stem.

"I even cut the thorns off for you!"

"But… Feli, what does this mean?"

"Exactly what it looks like!"

The German was left stunned, holding onto the yellow rose as the Italian happy skipped back to his new family. He was glad, yes, that the carefree Feliciano was back… but all these roses were going to be the death of him!

His grandfather had invited the mixed family to go with them on their celebration dinner, which they all happily agreed to. Lovino cleared his voice and announced he would have to meet them at the restaurant and had an important errand to run first. So Antonio gave him the keys, carpooling with Elizaveta and Roderich instead.

Lovino drove away from the high school and didn't stop until he got to the cemetery. A shiver ran through him as he parked the car and pocketed the keys on his way to the headstones of his parents.

The names were printed plainly along with their birth dates and years. Lovino had total control of what was carved in and refused to let anyone write some bullshit about them being "loving parents" or whatever generic shit was always on them.

The dirt was packed and there was lightly-colored grass and some weeds growing where it was once bare. It was weird to see it so different since he had only seen it at the burial in November, hard and cold. He didn't have flowers or anything to give to his dead parents, so instead he pulled up some crabgrass from the side and placed it over both their graves.

"Hey, mamma. Hey, papa. I liked to think you two went to Hell for what you put us through—what you put Feliciano through. But I can't help but think maybe you went to Heaven, and you're the way I remembered you as a kid; back when you cared about us. I'm hardly a good Catholic and I can't tell you what kind of eternal torment I think you two deserve for what you did, but I can tell you that Feli beat you. You beat him for years and in the end he beat you. He's alive and well and finally getting over the shit you did to him.

"You made him miserable and think he deserved the life he had, but now that you're gone, he finally has a family. And heads up, I'm gay as hell and engaged to the greatest man I have ever met. You couldn't keep us down and I'm glad you'll always be six feet below us.

"And sorry for not having flowers, but you don't deserve more than weeds."

Lovino stood up, brushing the dirt from his knees before walking away from the grave site. He hopped in Antonio's car, quietly composing himself before he put the keys in and drove toward the restaurant. Inside he found their table, already seated, with Feliciano sitting next to Ludwig and talking with his hands like a true Italian.

Everyone from graduation were there and Antonio waved his hand when he saw him. There was a seat saved just for Lovino and he took it, grabbing his fiancé's hand under the table and smiling at him in a very un-Lovino-like way. He couldn't stop the smile, much like Feliciano. It was nice to sit there, surrounded by their family.

A/N: This still isn't GerIta, but I did love the Buon San Valentino comics and episodes.

This is it! It's all done now. Thank you for reading my trash fic.

And there is a sequel in the works, though I'm painfully slow at sequels. This one will focus on Spamano and Lovi and Toni's wedding.

"The Call" by Regina Spektor

Now we're back to the beginning

It's just a feeling and no one knows yet

But just because they can't feel it too

Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger

'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back when they call you

No need to say goodbye