Locked Away (GerIta)

Chapter 28

Feliciano found work at a small restaurant on a pretty little side of town. Today was a slow day and he stood at the bar, resting his chin on his elbow as he propped it up on the bar.

He looked out the window at the blue sky and the puffy clouds, a typically perfect day. Feliciano wished he'd have a perfect day, he wished he could have today be a perfect day but Ludwig wasn't there, therefore nothing was perfect. It was just sad and lonely and-

The Italian groaned and shook his head, chastising himself for thinking so negatively. This wasn't going to help his case. He just needed to start over.

He idly slid an ice cube around the bottom of a glass with a straw that had been left there and sighed. Sundays were always so quiet and boring. Not to mention it was getting cooler out and fall was starting to colour the tree's leaves.

He heard the door jingle and looked up, smiling brightly at the prospect of actually having a customer. Feliciano's smile faded when he realized it was Vash coming to pick him up. He blinked and was a little confused when he noticed the smile on the guy's face.

"Let's go home."

"It's so early." Feliciano looked at the clock behind him and frowned, he still had an hour.

"No one is here." Vash gestured lamely and raised an eyebrow. "You and the cook can close up early."

Feliciano shrugged and took off the apron around his waist.

~

"Oh just go inside, you'll see." Vash encouraged.

Feliciano had been determined why he was picked up so early from work and also why Vash looked so pleased. The guy wasn't miserable but content smiles were never on his agenda. The Italian was suspicious but he made his way inside anyway.

Cautiously, he looked around and then made his way into the living room, a loud gasp rushing past his lips as he saw Antonio and Grandpa Roma sitting on the couch. Tears flooded his eyes and he ran towards them, immediately being collected into his grandfather's arms and hearing his rumbling laugh in his chest.

"You're here.." He breathed out, choking back a tiny sob.

Feliciano couldn't hear exactly what he said over the pounding heartbeat in his ears so he just held him close, savouring the moment for as long as he could. He then pulled back slowly and looked over at Antonio who was smiling, but it was sad and tired and weary. He stood up anyway and gave the brightest welcome he could muster before hugging the Italian and ruffling his hair. Feliciano rubbed the tears from his eyes and smiled, laughing softly as he felt joy bubble up in his chest.

"What are you guys doing here?" He asked, smiling at the both of them.

"We came here to meet up with some important people and then this young man," Grandpa Roma gestured at Vash, "Stopped us and said we needed to come with him immediately."

"I recognized them from the photograph on your dresser." He spoke softly, leaning against the doorframe. "I explained to them how you two got here and I just had to let you see them."

Feliciano hugged both the men and they smiled, hugging back. He mouthed a thank you to Vash and smiled as he remembered what it was to have your family back.

~

Later that night, when everyone had felt the surrealness of having loved ones back calm down, they all settled down to a nice dinner. Except for Romano. He'd been gone for hours, Vash sais he stormed out as soon as he laid eyes on Antonio and Grandpa Roma.

Feliciano's worry for his brother remained at the forefront of his mind all throughout dinner but he engaged in the happy conversation around the table. Grandpa Roma stayed behind for a game of cards before he insisted that he and Antonio get home for the night but Antonio said he could get to their place himself.