Locked Away (GerIta)

Chapter 29

Time, it went on and on and on. At first, every ticking second felt like an hour and it dragged on forever. At least thats what it felt like. But eventually it became something that needed occupying, hobbies to fill the empty space in which one's mind would wander.

And now, time was just time. Something Feliciano checked on his watch, something that he kept an eye on while he cooked. Something that wasn't observed as dreadful but just... time.

The time was 1:26 pm as he made his way to his favourite café, meeting up with Elizabeth, the only friend he'd allowed himself to make outside of his home.

She was sweet and kind and thoughtful but also clever and humorously wicked. Feliciano loved spending his time with her.

He smiled as he spotted Elizabeth sitting at a table in their favourite café and waved when she looked at him. He was just on time.

"It's always so good to see you, Feli!" She smiled brightly and threw her arms around him, giving him a friendly squeeze. "How are you?"

"Good, good." He replied with a smile of his own, squeezing her hand gently before they both sat down across from each other. "Just trying to occupy myself. I know I've got a job but I feel like I still have as much free time as I've ever had."

Elizabeth sighed and sipped at her coffee. "Go on a date, I'm sure you'd definitely qualify as handsome enough." She winked playfully.

Feliciano felt a pang in his chest but smiled anyway at her effort. "Yeah," he said softly, looking out the window. "Maybe someday soon."

~

They strolled along a quiet street, Elizabeth's hand hooked in the crook of his elbow as they laughed and enjoyed the spring day. He smiled and watched as helicopters twirled down to the ground from the trees over their heads.

"I love spring." She took a deep breath and sighed contentedly. "The air is so fresh and clean."

Feliciano nodded and hummed in agreement. He continued humming a quiet song as they walked and gently patted her hand when they'd reached her home.

The house was large and it's exterior was built of beautiful stone with two big oak doors. The Italian marvelled at the size of the building even though he'd visited before many times.

He heard the sound of a piano carried in the wind and followed the sound with his eyes, turning around to see a man playing just inside beside a huge window.

He was passionate and serious and his music was beautiful and he'd never seen him before.

"You never told me you lived with someone." He spoke softly, still pleasantly distracted by the pianist.

They stood there quietly for a while, watching and listening while Feliciano wondered many things and had many questions circling around in his brain. He wanted to know how long it took to be that good and how to do that and just... wow.

"That's Roderich."

Elizabeth's voice broke his trance and he looked down at her playing with a small gold locket around her neck.

"He's.. He's amazing at anything musical." She gazed at him through the window. "He's my husband."

Feliciano grasped her arm, "Hey! You never told me you were married!" He said exasperated.

She looked down sheepishly at her bare ring finger as the Italian wondered where her wedding band was.

"It just never came up." She shrugged. "We're just.. He's a very busy man. He owns an opera house in Stockholm, he travels there a lot so he isn't home often."

"Well go see him! Before he has to take off again!" Feliciano said excitedly.

"I will, I will." She rubbed her arms and then looked for her house keys in her purse. "I'll just tell you about him a little more. He loves his job, he loves his opera house. He loves music and Stockholm and every aspect of it all. He wants to move into the city but I never want to leave. Its beautiful here and I grew up in this neighbourhood." Elizabeth smiled sadly. "I couldn't leave this place. Roderich just..." She sighed. "I don't know. Like I said, he loves his work..."

"He loves you too, Elizabeth." Feliciano said softly, catching a glimpse of her sad smile. "He stays here, he loves you."

"Yes, of course." She admitted but Feliciano frowned at the sadness behind her voice. "I know."

He opened his mouth to say something but Elizabeth said she was going to go inside to see Roderich and thanked him for the coffee. She promised to get together soon and then rushed inside.

Feliciano watched her and shoved his hands in his pockets before reluctantly turning away and making his way back to Vash's house.

~

To be continued...