Disclaimer: Why no own Hetalia? Then I could do whatever I wanted to those poor Nations... *evil smile*

A/N: So, Chapter Six! This is a record for me, since this is the longest I've ever gone in a story :3 Sorry again for the super long delay... all of life's normal problems interfered, I decided to finish a Fullmetal oneshot before working on typing this up (since my phone can only hold so many documents at once, I have to pick and choose what to work on). Add onto all of that, the fact that one of my Christmas presents this year was a Pink 3ds, and I've been unhealthily addicted to Pokemon Y... *bows humbly to my followers* I hope you forgive me, video games are an evil adversary of mine. So please enjoy this brand new chapter, set once again in Ludwig's perspective!

Chapter Six: Feliciano is terrified of Mr. Braginski, and Ludwig does something about it

5th July, 1968

It was rather odd that I did not see Feliciano by the corner of my workplace that Tuesday morning, very odd indeed. There was no spastic waving, or "Mornin' Ludi," chirped in his accented voice, to greet me. So I started my day rather worried, and a little out of sorts. Everything else about this morning was the same as always, everything except that minor, excruciatingly essential detail.

The entire day seemed bent on making my life hectic. Everything was breaking from a strict schedule, and crumbling like ancient brick around my ears. All of this was mostly because there was no adorable Italian man there, to set my perfectly scheduled day into motion. By the time work was through, I felt utterly drained and more than exhausted...

Alfred wouldn't shut up about the Baseball game He, Mattie, and Arthur went to; and Kiku was being as socially distant as always, which somehow began to frustrate me, even when I normally cared less about my co-worker's behaviors. I just clenched my teeth, and endured it as best as I could, and when it was time for me to get off work, I just left the building without my usual goodbye's.

Walking swiftly down the sidewalk, lost in my own thoughts for the moment, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a certain Italian's cheerful voice. "Ciao, Ludi! Sorry I didn't see you this morning, I had to take Fratello to the Hospital for a check-up."

Heaving a sigh, because I was irritated with myself for being so dependent on Feliciano to brighten up my mornings, I at least managed to smile half-heartedly at my friend. "It's okay Feliciano, how is your bruder by the vay? I hope he is alright."

The younger man smiled, even if the edges looked too strained for it to be genuine; his warm brown eyes seeming somewhat lost. "He's fine, not worse, but not any better either. B-but sadly enough, Fratello's health isn't my biggest concern right now. I... I really need to shine your shoes Ludi!"

Looking at him oddly, I glanced down at my shiny dress shoes in confusion. "But, they're clean..." I simply supplied.

He bit his lip harshly, tears pooling at the edges of his tawny colored eyes. "Please Ludwig? I really, REALLY need the money right now... Y-you see, I have this big, scary, Russian Landlord- and if I don't have the rent money today, I'm afraid he'll grind my bones to make his bread!"

A rather unexpected smile split my mouth in two. "Isn't that a nursery Rhyme?" I questioned in a teasing manner. He just looked at me pleadingly, tears in his eyes, and pouty bottom lip trembling. I reflected, for only a moment, over how damn adorable he was when he looked so pathetic.

"Please Ludwig? I promise I'll never ask you another favor ever again, well unless I'm actually forced to, like in a life or death situation or something..." he rambled.

Shaking my head at his absurd imagination, I just opted to ask, "How much money do you need?"

He stared at me, his face rouging in shame for a moment before replying, "About ten dollars more..." I reached for my wallet in my back pocket, and without hesitation, pulled out a twenty. He frowned at me, and refused to take it.

"I'm not taking money I haven't earned." His voice was low, and firm. My eyes softened at his display of stubbornness and pride; he really acted like a child some times.

"Feliciano," I murmured softly, looking directly into his enchanting eyes. "Take it. It vwould tear me up inside, if I couldn't help you this much at least. You're... you are my best friend, and I vwant to treat that vay." He folded his arms resolutely, still refusing to take the offered bill.

Letting out a deep sigh, I grabbed a hold of his scrawny arms, and wrenched them apart gently; pressing the bill into his hands. "Money is immaterial to me, it alvways has been. Vhat matters most to me is my friends, und my family. Take the money, you've earned it just by being there for me, vwhen I needed it most."

A light pink color flushed Feliciano's young face, his eyes sparkling with unwavering emotion. He gripped the money tight, and stood up on his tip-toes; placing a quick kiss against my cheek. I felt the gentle, wet press of his lips against my skin, and my head began to spin. I jumped in mild surprise when I regained my faculties, my own face flaring a hot pink as he pulled away. "I'll never forget your kindness Ludwig," Feliciano looked away shyly, "for as long as I live."

~O.o.o.O~

We parted ways shortly after that, the both of us blushing heavily, and me feeling significantly awkward. As I walked towards my flat complex, my heart kept pounding, and I couldn't calm the flush along my cheeks. I chewed my bottom lip nervously, trying to decipher this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, that crawled its way up to my chest to settle there, all warm and tingly feeling. Growing frustrated with this peculiar emotion, I gave up trying to figure it out; expelling the situation along with a tired sigh.

I reached the shiny, black building that housed all of the flats that mine was connected to. I walked into the lobby, and sought out the elevator. The dull metal doors slid open, to reveal the small, stuffy space that two other people occupied. I shuffled in, and pressed the button labeled 5; and waited for this hellish ride to be over with... I hated being crammed into small spaces, it made me all too aware of how tall I was, and of every inch of broad muscle that made up my body.

Finally the doors slid open to reveal my floor, and I made my way to the spacious flat that Vash and I called home. I opened the door, setting my brief case down on the small bench by the entryway. My fingers immediately began working at the dark blue, silk tie around my neck; because even though I seemed like a man comfortable in suits and ties, in reality I much rather preferred to wear simple shirts and pants.

I scanned the living room, and found Vash on the leather couch, taking a nap. Smiling, I shut the door quietly behind me. I dragged my weary body over to the love seat across from the couch, flopped down, and kicked off my dress shoes.

"How was your day?" Vash questioned, an Emerald eye cracked open to study my face. The image of Feliciano's lips pressed to my cheek, came to mind, and I blushed at the sudden memory.

"Uh... fine- my day vas fine." Vash gave me an odd look, but just shrugged and closed his eye.

"Gilbert sent a card, it's over on the counter if you want to read it; though it mostly just mentions how great he is, and all that nonsense he always goes on about."

Straightening in surprise I replied, "Bruder sent a card? How sentimental of him." Vash seemed to smile at my dry humor, some thing the two of us always connected with.

"Ja, he mentioned some thing about sending us an auto-graphed picture of Himself and Gilbird next time..." I laughed, and shook my head at Gilbert's ridiculous antics.

~O.o.o.O~

After a delicious meal that Vash had prepared, I sat in silence in my room; my thoughts revolving around Feliciano and his desperate position. The young Italian seemed to be absolutely terrified of his Landlord, and scrounging up money to pay his bills, was evidently becoming harder and harder.

Money was never an issue for me, I always had more than I even needed... so, it was a little hard to wrap my head around a life lived in a proverbial struggle. Not only was my family sending money over for me and Vash every month, but I was also paid rather handsomely from my job. I knew that Feliciano wouldn't just keep taking my money for no reason, though...

I wanted to help him, but how? If only we just lived together... it would make it all so much easier! If only I moved in with Feliciano, I could pay part of the rent easily, and maybe things wouldn't be so hard for him. Plus, I would be standing even more on my own two feet, not having to rely on my family to support me. But where would that leave Vash? Surely Bruder would have his qualms about my hasty decision.

Letting out an audible sigh, I got up from my overly plush bed, and made my way back into the living room where Vash was still on the couch. "Vash, can I speak vith you?" He turned to me, and just nodded curtly in response. So I sat upon the couch beside him, chewing my lower lip nervously.

I swallowed harshly, slowly mulling over the thoughts in my head; trying to find the best way to approach the situation. Well, I guess the best thing to do would be just attack it full force. "You remember me mentioning that I had made a friend here, ja?" Another curt nod from Vash. "Vwell... his name is Feliciano Vargas. You see, he's extremely poor and vworks himself to the bone to support his ailing twin bruder, who has tuberculosis.

"A-and I got to thinking, how could I help him out, vwithout throwing my money around like a pompous lord? So I- uh... I've decided to move in vwith him."

Vash straightened up quickly, a look of pure shock cracking his neutral features. "Wait- what?" He cried in astonishment, his Emerald eyes wide and questioning.

"You heard me Bruder, I vant to move in vwith him." I crossed my arms defiantly over my broad chest, hoping I look resolved, even if I didn't quite feel that way.

Vash leaned forward, expelling a sigh, and looking me straight in the face. "Have you talked extensively to him about this?"

His question floored me, causing me to blush at how irrational I was acting. "Vwell no but-" Vash cut me off.

"See? You don't even know if he'll LET you move in yet. You should make sure you have all of your cards before you play them!" Looking away in shame, I began to feel rather stupid for making such a hasty decision. Vash's Emerald eyes softened from their hardened state, and he slung an arm around my shoulder. "If he says yes, than I guess there is nothing I can do about it, eh Bruder? I can't keep babying you forever, I've got to let you grow up."

I smiled gratefully at his acceptance as we embraced, and chatted about the future for a short while.

~O.o.o.O~

That very night I gathered my things. My clothes, some books and tools, and the picture I had purchased from Feliciano. I said my goodbye's to Vash, promising to meet up with him to go drinking as much as I could; and then I called up a cab. Around 8:30 I arrived at the front of Feliciano's apartment complex, pulling the directions from my memory, and feeling rather nervous.

I took a deep breath, counted to 3, and made my way through the rusty iron door that lead into the dingy, rundown lobby. A very large, snowy haired man with Violet colored eyes, regarded me from behind the front desk. He wore a long beige trench coat, and had a faded pink scarf wrapped tightly around his neck; regardless of the fact that it was the beginning of July.

"You are needing of the assistance, da?" He spoke in a thick, Russian accented tone. There was this disturbing smile plastered on his face; like he didn't quite mean it, but did it anyway.

"J-ja, I vish to speak to one of your tenants. His name is Feliciano Vargas, could you get him for me please?"

"You want to speak to little Feli? He never gets any visitors, this should make him pleasure smile." The man picked up a rather battered looking phone, and quickly punched in the number; smiling at me in his disturbing fashion all-the-while. "Hello Feli!" The Russian man crooned after a few moments, "it seems you have a guest in the lobby, you shouldn't keep him waiting- it's rude you know."

There were some spastic words cried in excited Italian before the Russian hung up, propping his clunky snow boots on the cracked plastic covering the counter. Moments passed into awkward minutes in absolute silence, the Russian man regarding me in amusement; another one of those smiles about his creepy visage. The sound of heavy footsteps made my head swivel towards the stairwell, and then the Italian was in the lobby; looking utterly confused.

"Ludwig I- what are you doing here?" Feliciano questioned as he looked from my face, to the suitcases I was holding in my sweaty grasp.

Taking a moment to gather my wits, I then replied, "I know this is rather last minute, und probably very rash of me but..." there was a pause for thought, "I vwant to move in vith you."

Heavy thought was blatant upon the Italian's brow, his mouth working to find the words to say. "W-why? I don't understand what you're saying Ludwig."

I smiled affectionately at him, how typical for him to react like that; instead of getting mad, he was just confused. "It's exactly vwhat I said Feliciano, I vant to move in with you if you'll allow it. I just feel like I should pay my own way through life, but I don't really know where else to go until I find my own place. U-und I'll pay half of the rent, until I get my own home."

Feliciano thought.

And thought.

Then thought some more, before he came to a decision.

"W-well, if it's okay with Mr. Braginski, it's okay with me." I faced the Russian eagerly, pleading with my eyes as best I could, hoping he would say yes.

"Hmmmm, well I guess it will be fine. You will be paying rent, so I have not much complaints." Mr. Braginski tilted his head in what would have been an adorable fashion if he wasn't well... him. He then rifled through a bunch of old papers before handing me a document. "Sign this da? Then you can become one with Mother Russia." A creepy glint of possible insanity flickered through his Violet eyes, and I swear to this day the temperature dropped a few degrees.

"Ummmm..." I was at a loss for a response, to those bizarre words.

"It was a joke da? I gave up Communism when I came to America for opportunities." Papers were signed, a deal made with the Devil. "Thank you for your choice, please enjoy living here comrade."

I nodded resolutely at the odd Russian Landlord, and Feliciano wordlessly began to lead me up the stairs. "I hope the apartment is to your liking Ludwig. I-it's kind of small, but we make it work." Feliciano was blushing fiercely, probably secretly ashamed of what I was to see. My heart strings were pulled, that adorable Italian playing them like a lyre.

"Don't vworry Feliciano, I'm sure your home is lovely, simply because it's yours." My cheeks burned, why was it that every time I was around Feliciano, my mouth sputtered forth such awkward sentiments? But he smiled, and looked absolutely flattered none-the-less, so I guess it wasn't all bad.

After climbing a third flight of stairs, we reached a red door with chipped, fading paint. Feliciano grasped the knob, took a deep breath, and opened. A part of me sighed in relief, my wild expectations of absolute squalor were annihilated. The apartment was extremely small, but bright and cheerful.

There was a small t.v. that looked outdated, but still functional; a green and white striped couch that could at seat at least two people, and that's what made up the living room. The dining space consisted of a tiny white table, and two green plastic chairs. A fridge, stove and a couple counters plus a few wall cupboards, were all that was in the Kitchen.

All-in-all, it looked rather cozy and inviting, especially with the obvious touches of Feliciano flair. White daisies in vases on the table, pretty paintings on the walls; it made it really feel like a home. "Umm, would you wait here Ludwig? I've got to break the news to Romano, and- well, it might not be very pretty..."

"Sure," I replied, setting my things down by the couch.

"Make yourself at home okay?" With that, Feliciano went towards a door across from the living room, leaving me to sit upon the slightly lumpy couch awkwardly. I could just barely hear Feliciano's voice through the crack in the door, going on in rapid Italian.

A few minutes ticked by in this manner, before I heard another harsh voice cut in in English. "What the hell, Feli? Why are you letting some potato sucking bastardo move into our house?!"

Feliciano's voice rose, shocking me as I heard him yell for the first time. "Romano, stop being selfish! He's my friend and he needs a place to stay. Just give him a cha-"

"Shut the fuck up, Feliciano! Don't you dare make me feel guilty about this, you're the one who moved in a damn German without asking me. You know what they did to our people!" Before there could be more arguing, all of a sudden I heard some one coughing harshly, and gasping for breath.

Scared of what that sound could mean, I rocketed off of the couch, and slammed the bedroom door open; images of Feliciano's twin brother, his hands clenched around that delicate neck, surfacing in my mind. What met my eyes was Feliciano in tears, as his twin hacked and coughed, holding his stomach tight. Blood dripped down from the corners of Romano's lips, his chest heaving in painful looking spasms.

Through all of the bleeding and coughing, the fiery Italian managed to glare at me with blatant hatred. The bright red liquid staining that sick man's teeth was revealed, as he curled his lips in contempt. "You have no fucking right to be here, bastard." Those were the first words Romano Vargas ever spoke to me.

~T.B.C.~

E/N: I really hope you all don't hate my Romano, 'cuz I realize I made him kind of a super dick, more-so than usual... Because the next chapter is all from his glorious perspective! I plan to possibly finish another FMA one-shot before I post chapter 7, but I definitely plan to have it up by the end of January, maybe sooner since I finished Pokemon Y today. Love and kisses to all of you, you're all so special! :3 Now I'm off to listen to some A Fine Frenzy, and IV breed an Absol, cuz I finished IV breeding my Ralts.

*oh, if any one wants an IV bred Ralts, just message me and I'll see what I can do!

Sayonara, lovelies ;)