Locked Away (GerIta)

Chapter 42

"He's here."

Feliciano didn't even lock the door behind him.

~

He thought he would cry as soon as he laid eyes on him. He thought maybe a smile.

But Feliciano only took a shaky breath and bit his lip, watching Ludwig through the kitchen window in the backyard.

Gilbert stood next to him, hand on his shoulder. They watched Ludwig take swigs from a bottle of brandy, eyes on the fire he'd started in the pit.

The flakes of burning paper drifted through the air, wind sending them up. They burned orange as they came back down, some even landing on Ludwig's thigh.

Feliciano knew it must have burned, heated the skin a little.

Ludwig let it.

~

He finally went out into the yard, walking over and standing across from Ludwig, fire burning out between them.

The embers still glowed orange.

Feliciano didn't look at him, only the bottle in his hand. He finally met his gaze, which seemed to have been trained on him the whole time.

His eyes were the crisp blue he remembered, but not the same.

They stared at each other for a while before Ludwig moved over on the deck, a silent invitation for Feliciano to sit.

He sat, tugging his coat tighter as the fall air snuck beneath his clothes. They watched the fire, flames lowering.

Ludwig turned his head and kissed the Italian's forehead. "How was work today?"

"Good." Feliciano closed his eyes at the contact.

He smelled of alcohol and smoke. His lips were chapped.

The embers burned out.

~

Feliciano didn't expect there to be a marching band and fireworks when he laid eyes on him again but he expected something.

Something more.

He wasn't upset, he wasn't angry. He didn't know what he was.

~

Things carried on, life and time continued. Ludwig stayed with Gilbert until he wanted to stay with Feliciano.

He stayed in the guest bedroom and Feliciano lingered at the doorway most nights but retreated to his own bedroom.

It was a Saturday. He was at the kitchen table eating breakfast, Ludwig had already eaten. The radio was on but he didn't pay attention to it.

Feliciano washed his dishes and went to his bedroom to get dressed for the day. He froze in the doorway when he saw Ludwig sat on the edge of his bed, holding something in his hands.

"Ludwig?" Feliciano ventured quietly, stepping into his room and opening a dresser drawer.

The German didn't respond, Feliciano pulled a shirt out.