Disclaimer: Psshhhh, if I owned Hetalia... I'd own Hetalia O-O *twilight zone music plays*

A/N: Here is chapter 2, yay! I personally really enjoy writing this story, so I hope you enjoy reading it. This chapter will definitely pick things up, 'cuz guess who Ludwig meets? (Hint: his name begins with Feli and ends with ciano!) So please, enjoy ch. Numero dos!

Chapter Two: Ludwig confirms the theory, that all Italian's know how to smile.

~O.o.o.O~

1st June, 1968

Two weeks had passed since I first arrived in this busy city that seemed to never sleep... two long, grueling, magnificent weeks. There were no words to describe how much I truly loved my job here. I was learning so many new things, things that I never could have learned back home in Germany. My boss, Mr. Bonnefoy, explained that the first year or so of internship would consist of job training; and really, I was fine with that. Sure, I yearned to start getting my hands dirty, and calloused from hard work, but I knew it had to wait. If I didn't have all of the right tools to start, the structure would come crumbling down. Knowledge, and practice were the best tools after all.

Although, I could do with a less... French boss. Mr. Bonnefoy, though an excellent teacher, was very "hands on," if you caught my drift. Very flamboyant and showy too for that matter, but I digress. Regardless of all that, I found myself rather fond of my co-worker, Kiku Honda. He was polite, hard working, and calm; much like myself. He greeted me every morning with a quick bow and, "Good morning, Rudwig-san." Sometimes I had to work to decipher his speech, but over all he was very pleasant to work with.

Alfred on the other hand was loud, obnoxious, and rather self-centered. Now that I think of it, he reminded me an awful lot of Gilbert. He was nice enough, and you could really rely on him when you were in a pinch. I had to admit, he was growing on me a bit, but still annoyed me to no end...

"Herro, Rudwig-san," Kiku bowed slightly, offering me a tiny smile. My eyes met his, briefly abandoning the layout for a skyscraper.

"Hello Kiku, can I help you vith something?" Kiku shook his head, his ink black hair bobbing along with the sudden movement.

"No, but Francis-san wourd rike to see you prease." He replied, looking a little nervous. It had me worried, and a weight settled in my chest. Setting down my pencil and protractor on the work desk, I mumbled my thanks to Kiku, and made my way up a small flight of stairs

I was faced with the slightly ajar door to Mr. Bonnefoy's office. My heart beat frantically, and my mouth went suddenly dry. What if I wasn't doing a good enough job? Would he fire me, or just give me a slap on the wrist and send me on my way? Was there anything to really be worried about..?

Taking a deep breath, I knocked a couple times on the door, before deciding to enter. "You needed to see me, Mr. Bonnefoy?" I questioned warily, surprised to find my boss had company already. He was chatting in rapid French with a brunette secretary, but turned to me suddenly, when he heard my voice.

"Ah, Ludwig take a seat! Michelle and I can finish our... discussion later," the blond had that saucy twinkle in his eyes, and he discretely groped the woman's backside as she left. Taking a seat in the pleather chair, I cleared my throat nervously at such a blatant display of lechery. "You 'ave been working very hard mon ami! So, it is my pleasure to bestow you with your first pay check." He gave me a cheery smile, his hand outstretched to offer me a plain white envelope. My hands trembled with an odd emotion, as I grasped my very first paycheck.

This feeling, it didn't come from the actual money itself, but rather- the fact that I had earned this. My whole life, things were always just handed to me, I guess the feeling was pride. It felt like I could hold my head high, and stand on my own two feet, and it was exhilarating! My grip tightened around my earnings, my head dipping into a humble nod. "You can get back to work now Ludwig," Francis waved me away nonchalantly, "and try not to spend it all in one place, non?" I nodded quickly, and then I got up and left the office, to go do what I loved best.

The setting sun glimmered behind tall buildings, that reached up like hands desperately trying to grasp the heavens. I could feel the weight of happy earnings settled in my pockets, adding an extra pep to my step that rarely ever occurred. The city still thrummed about me, but not as insistently, as the hours tipped to darkness. Lost in thought, my eyes landed idly upon my own well-worn dress shoes, which were looking dull and scuffed. A flicker of irritation sparked through me, upon the realization that I had let my shoe's befall such a state of uncleanliness.

One of my eyebrows twitched in frustration, as all of my well-groomed habits resurfaced. I'd have to get them cleaned soon, maybe have Vash pick me up some shoe polish while I made dinner tonight. Letting out all of my frustration through a sigh, my eyes met the city around me once more- and here, is where my story truly began...

It's funny, how I met him really. There he was, just walking down the street singing cheerfully to himself. He had no special defining quality, except for the worn wooden shoe-shine stool slung over his shoulder, by a faded leather strap colored in the likeness of the Italian flag. This random urge came over me I guess, because before I knew it I was running towards the man, and waving to catch his attention. He stopped, and waited for me to catch up, a wary look on his face.

I came to a gradual stop, and slumped forward, my palms pressed into my kneecaps as I tried to regain my breath. When I stood upright I noticed the, what I assumed to be Italian man, looking rather worried; so I shot him a reassuring smile, and that seemed to do the trick. "C-can you... can you shine my shoes?" The small framed man smiled brightly, and unslung the stool from his shoulder. He patted the top of it, bringing out some shoe polish, a cleaning rag, and bristle-brush.

"Si si," he replied in a nicely accented voice, "ciao, my name is Feliciano Vargas, but you can call me Feli if you'd like." Resting my right foot first upon the stool, I rolled up my pants leg, so he wouldn't accidentally get my slacks dirty.

"Ummm..." I managed to mumble shyly, "my name is Ludwig Beilschmidt. Just call me Ludwig..." Feliciano got to work quickly, kneeled before me on the ground, his hands moving in a confident manner- obviously accustomed to his line of work. He looked up towards the sky, as he continued to scrub diligently at my shoe. I couldn't help but notice that his eyes were a very enchanting shade of brown, almost golden, but not quite.

My cheeks burned from my silent observation, and I quickly looked away. He started humming softly to himself, working away like it wasn't odd at all to be knelt rather suggestively before another man. "Isn't the setting sun, so pretty?" His question made me meet his gaze again, as he finished my right shoe, and signaled for me to offer up the other one.

"Uh huh," I replied weakly, not really knowing how to respond to the odd man's question. I was never one to really express my thoughts out loud.

"I really like how there are so many different colors painting the night sky, before the sun sets, don't you?" Feliciano's eyes looked up to me in such an innocent manner, that I couldn't help but smile.

"Ja, I suppose it is rather beautiful."

"Yay! Ludwig agrees," he cheered, finishing his work, and starting to pack up his things. Looking down, I was pleasantly surprised by how well he did; my shoes shined like they were new again.

I shuffled there awkwardly for a moment, expecting him to list a price for his services, but he seemed too preoccupied with adjusting the leather strap to his stool. "Umm..." I offered shyly, "how much do I owe you?"

He waved dismissively as he replied, "Well, how ever much you think I deserve for the job. It doesn't really matter I guess." Feliciano shrugged, slinging the stool back onto his thin shoulder. I fumbled around in my pockets for the envelope I had received earlier, and I pulled out a crisp ten dollar bill, and handed it to him. He gave me an odd look, like he was expecting me to pull the money away the moment he grabbed for it; when he did reach out his hand, he took it from me almost warily.

He smiled brightly when I made no move to take the money away from him and said, "Grazie! You are very kind Ludwig, I hope we meet again ok?"

I nodded my agreement, smiling softly as we parted ways; him skipping away and singing to himself again, and I staring down at my shiny dress shoes. His smile, was instantly seared into my heart, from the very beginning.

~O.o.o.O~

2nd June, 1968

Inevitably, I saw him again.

The very next morning, he was set up a block away from where I worked. I did a double take when I heard his cheerful tenor calling out, "Mornin' Ludwig!" Stopping my brisk pace, I took in the small man's appearance with slight awe. How come I just noticed how perfectly tan his skin was, or how his hair was the most enchanting of auburn hues? I thought to myself, because now the sun shone down shamelessly upon this delicate creature. He was a being, meant to be bathed in light.

"Guten morgen, Feliciano." I simply supplied, still enraptured by his brilliant smile. He just had one of those smiles that was infectious; like a deadly virus, it had my own lips tilting upwards in response.

"Ve~ You say funny words." Perplexed by the weird sound he had just emitted, I found myself chuckling over his rather brash words, still spoken through that radiant simper.

" 'Guten morgen,' " I continued to chuckle a bit more as I explained, "it means, 'good morning' in German." My tone was light, and oddly... cheerful. There was just some thing about this man, that seemed to break away all the ice usually surrounding my manner. Maybe that should have been the first clue, but I was naive when it came to myself.

I checked my watch discreetly, and my heart jumped into my throat. I only had two minutes before I was late for work, and I wasn't about to let my perfect record be tarnished by small talk, with a very sweet Italian. I waved goodbye quickly, and took off at a slow run so I could shout over my shoulder, "It vas nice talking to you!" He waved back, his figure steadily growing smaller in the distance.

Feliciano was there after work too, but this time he was packing up, happily whistling a catchy tune. His face was still split into a pleasant smile, and I wondered, were all Italians this cheerful and upbeat? "Hallo, Feliciano." I alerted him to my presence, and he turned to face me, smile growing even wider.

"Ludwig, I was just thinking about you! Mind reader." Beginning to blush because of his bizarre statement, I looked down at our feet shyly. My gaze flicked from my expensive, freshly polished dress shoes, to the tattered sneakers on Feliciano's feet; and I found it very weird that they were wrapped in, what appeared to be, duct tape.

"Ummm..." I offered uncertainly, "is there a reason vhy your shoes are covered in duct tape? Is it some new, 'fashion statement' I haven't heard of?"

A light blush painted Feliciano's cheeks for the first time, and he began to laugh rather nervously for some reason. "Y-yeah! Don't I look hipster cool?"

"Sure, if you like it, I guess it's cool..." I replied, rather confused by American fashion sense.

"A-anyways, I've gotta get home and make dinner," Feliciano stuttered nervously, "see you tomorrow, Ludwig!" Before I could respond, he was jogging away, leaving me rather dumbfounded.

Making my way into the hotel suite, Vash greeted me in the kitchen with an ice cold beer from the fridge. Shucking off my black suit jacket, I took the chilly can gratefully and flopped onto the leather couch in a rather undignified manner. I popped the can open, and took a few appreciative sips, before sighing in utter contentment. "So," Vash cut through the silence, "How was work today?" He seemed to study me warily with his intense Emerald gaze, a hint of worry etched into his somewhat boyish face.

Shrugging, I offered him a tired smile in response. "It vwas nice, I'm just a little vweary from all the new surroundings."

"Well, I would think so. This city is rather busy compared to our lovely Manor, in the rural German countryside." Vash opened his own beer, sitting next to me more properly. "Have you made any friends?" He asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Vhat am I, in Kindergarten? I've made some acquaintances, if that's vhat you mean." I replied, perhaps a bit harsher than intended, because Vash looked a little hurt.

"No need to get defensive Bruder, I was just wondering if you had met any one interesting. Besides, there's no reason why you shouldn't make friends here. It would be rather lonely if you didn't, don't you think?"

Shaking my head in disbelief, I was reminded yet again, why every one always said that Vash was the voice of reason in our family. He had great insight, and could read people like open books, and guide them without sounding too imperious.

"Ja," I amended, "I suppose you're right, again... I- I have met a few rather interesting people it vwould seem."

Vash gave me a rare smile, even though it was rather small, it was still a break from the neutral line his lips were always set in. "I'm glad to hear it, Bruder."

~O.o.o.O~

1st July, 1968

Time flew by, like the old saying Tempus Fugit. A month had passed on by in hazy consistency; now it was the beginning of July. The sun blazed so painfully bright, as I experienced my first American Summer. Sweat threatened to bead my brow, even now as the sun was just starting to set. Today, I found myself experiencing deja vous, as my foot rested idly upon Feliciano's worn stool.

A friendship had blossomed, though it was odd and somewhat strained, it still breathed existence. Upon closer inspection I had realized in shame, that the tape around Feliciano's shoes wasn't for looks; it literally held them together. His clothes were frayed, and he was painfully thin.

Although he never said it, I knew Feliciano was very poor. Once you looked past that blindingly bright smile, it was all too obvious. Yet he still smiled like there wasn't a care in the world, and he was always more then willing to accept no payment for his services; I had witnessed first-hand how people took advantage of his kindness.

"Hey, Ludi." He caught my attention, using that silly nickname he thought of a few days ago.

"Hmm?" It was all I had to do in response, to keep him talking. He really loved to talk...

"Did I ever tell you that I have a twin brother? His name is Romano! He looks just like me."

Shaking my head at that rather obvious statement I replied, "Nein, I don't think you've mentioned him before."

"Well, he's pretty hard to get along with, he has a nasty temper you see. But I love him - he's the only family I have left, so we're very close." Feliciano's thin shoulders slumped, his hands coming to a stop from polishing my shoes. A smile was still on his sweet face, albeit a sad one. "He's very sick though. Romano has tuberculosis... he contracted it a few years ago. That's why I shine shoes, to help pay for his hospital bills and medicine; or for food, and rent.

"I also do some freelance painting on the weekends, just to make ends meet. I-I'm not complaining or anything... I'm just letting you know, so you can stop staring at my shoes, and wondering why they're like that." He looked away from my face, and continued scrubbing at my shoes a bit slower now; like the energy was drained out of him, along with his confession.

I was ashamed that Feliciano had caught me staring, but more than anything, I felt such deep sympathy for my small Italian friend. I still didn't know the full story of his heartbreaking past, but I knew enough at the time, to wager his life was tough. Yet, there was always a smile on his face, always a happy tone lilting his accented voice. Feliciano was small, maybe not all that bright in the head, but he was strong. He was what any man aspired to be, all wrapped up in a sweet, bubbly package.

He really confirmed my theory, that all Italians knew how to truly smile.

"Whelp, all done Ludi! Your shoes look good-as-new." Feliciano clapped his hands in a triumphant manner, and I laughed at how the smallest things got him excited. Fishing into my pocket, I pulled out a ten just like before, and handed it to him wordlessly. Again, that exuberant tilt of lips grabbed hold of my heart, causing me to mirror the Italian perfectly. He took the money from me in that wary manner once more, and pocketed it. Then he made quick work of packing up, and slinging his work over his shoulder.

He gave me a cheery wave, and turned to leave; but before we could part, a question tore itself from my throat. "Feliciano, umm... Vhere is it that you paint on the veekends? I vwould very much like to see your art." He gave me that endearing simper.

"Oh, see that little park across the street? You can find me there from sun-up to sun-down on Saturday's and Sunday's."

"Perhaps I shall stop by tomorrow then?" I let the question hang in the air, not wanting to seem too desperate.

He nodded enthusiastically and replied, "Si, it would be wonderful to show Ludi my paintings!"

"Okay," I mumbled shyly, "see you tomorrow then." So with that, we parted ways, and I silently digested all of the things I had learned about my small Italian friend.

~T.B.C.~

Translations:

Si (Italian) Yes

Ciao (Italian) Hello

Grazie (Italian) Thank you

(The rest of the foreign words were used in the previous chapter).

Who was who:

Feliciano Vargas- Northern Italy

Michelle (the secretary Francis was trying to mac up on)- Seychelles. *very minor character who might not show up again*

E/N: Yay, chapter two is finished whoot! Hopefully it was more interesting then the last one. I made a couple format changes to make it flow better, I hope it helped. Also, I was very inspired by the Anime Baccano when I started this, so I reflected that with the ridiculously long chapter titles. I hope you look forward to ch. 3 because it will be the first glimpse into Feliciano's perspective.

Also, chapter three might not be posted for a good while, because I have at least one Fullmetal Alchemist oneshot to work on since it will be a birthday fic for my good friend Kiss-Me-DeadlyT_T please have patience.

Later guys, I'm gonna watch my brother play half-life. :)