had been meaning to come visit the Austrian but had gottens swamped with work before today. He's about to knock on the door and stops upon hearing the piano. He wondered if the other would mind if he just let -

himself in so not to interrupt?

wouldn't mind Ludwig letting himself in. He really enjoys the German's company and had been meaning to visit as well, but as it was, he had gotten a bit sidetracked. He was in his music room, playing away.

opens the door, making sure to take off his shoes as he pads through the large house (that he had memorized a long time ago) to the music room.

Ludwig shouldn't have bothered taking his shoes off. It was fine. He doesn't even hear the front door opening, or the footsteps that follow.

accostumed to doing so but would note that for the next time. He leans against the door frame listening to the music. He always liked when the Austrian played.

his eyes closed as he plays, the music growing aggressive, faster, and then abruptly slowing, only to pick up pace again. As much as he loved written works, he enjoyed doing as he pleased once in a while.

what has gotten the Austrian so riled up or rather so emotional to cause him to play in such a manner. Not that he didn't think it sounded beautiful.

a lot of feelings and perhaps why that is, is simply because he's been lonely. He was used to it, but... every so often it began to get to him.

understood that feeling all to well. He wondered if he should interrupt, he had the feeling the Austrian could probably do this all day or an entire week if they let him.

knows that he probably could. He just happens to look up at the doorway, gloved fingers instantly freezing over the keys, forcing a sour sound from them. Oh. He winced at it. "Ludwig! You... Have you been -

-standing there long?" His cheeks color a bit in embarrassment.

pushes himself off of the door frame with a shrug. "I didn't want to interrupt." He replies.

sits there for a moment before he rises to his feet, a small smile on his lips. "Nonsense. You should have said something. Forgive me if I kept you waiting."

shakes his head at that. "It wasn't that long but even so, the music was very captivating, I wouldn't have minded listening for an hour."

- "I'm... I'm flattered." His smile widens just a little further as he steps closer. "How have you been?"

- "I've been alright, busy and you? I haven't seen much of you as of late."

- "Busy as well. This and that. And music." He sighs softly, glancing back at the piano. "Though, not as much music as I would like." He smiles. "But what can you do."

nods at that, these times were a lot more complicated in their simplicity, if that made any sense at all. "Well, I'm sorry for interrupting after you did find time. I could go and come back later."

- "No, please don't leave." Perhaps he'd answered a bit too quickly. "I could use some company."

quirks a brow but nods. He wasn't about to go anywhere.

incredibly awkward now. Ludwig likely thinks him an idiot. He clears his throat softly, gesturing out the door. "I could prepare some tea, if you'd like."

would like that. "Ja, that would be great. Do you need any help in preparing it?"

shakes his head. "Not really. Though, if you wouldn't mind grabbing the sugar from the cupboard. I think I left it too high up." He says, walking past him and down the hall to the kitchen.

- "No, not at all." He says as he follows the shorter male to the kitchen and heads to the cupboard to fetch the sugar and placing it onto the table before pulling out a chair and taking a seat as he silently -

observed the Austrian.

fills the kettle with some water and puts it on the stove to heat. After setting the cups and saucers on the counter for when the tea is ready, he glances over at Ludwig. "So, what brought on this visit?"

didn't really have a concrete answer to that question. It was partially because he hadn't seen the Austrian for a while mixed with a need to check up on him. He can't help the flush that comes upon his -

features at a lack of a proper answer. "I guess mostly to check up on your well-being."

laughs softly. "I see. Well, thank you for that. I'm fine."

nods. "I've noticed, it's reassuring."

- "Is it?" He smiles, idly fiddling with the tea cups.

nods a second time. "Ja, it is."

- "Well, I'm honestly very glad to see you. I've missed you and... Alright, you're not allowed to say anything to him, but I've also missed your brother."

's lip quirks up at that. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I'm sure if he knew he wouldn't let you live it down."

groans softly. "Ja... so, we keep this between us." He said, moving to take the kettle off the stove in order to pour the water into the tea cups.

nods. "Unless you really want mein Bruder pestering you for a confession that I'm sure you won't give him."

- "No, we should just let that go." He laughs softly. "There is nothing to confess, in any case." He walks over to the table, setting Ludwig's tea down in front of him.

thanks him as he pulls it closer and immediately adds a bit of sugar. "No, there isn't."

takes a seat, stirring his own tea. "So.." A change of subject. "the holidays are coming."

nods at that. "I see your Christmas market is in full bloom. Have any plans for them?"

smiles. "Might just wander about from time to time. I don't have many plans to be honest."

quite enjoyed the Vienna Christmas Market, it was always one of the more eye catching and it certainly didn't hurt the location it was erected in. "Care to spend Christmas with us?"

enjoys them too, but he preferred someone to walk around the market with. "Us? As in... yourself and your brother?"

would be up for that after tea if the Austrian still wanted company. "Ja, and possibly Feliciano since he tends to show up randomly."

smiles. "That sounds wonderful. I would love to." And he wouldn'y mind going out to the market with him. He could get started on Christmas shopping.

had been wanting a good glass of malt wine as of late and hadn't had the opportunity to visit his own Christmas Markets. He smiles at the accepted offer. "I'll apologize ahead of time for Gilbert."

makes a slight movement with his shoulders. "Don't worry. I'm sure he will be too excited about gifts to pay me much attention." He smiles and lifts his cup of tea to his lips.

couldn't argue with that. He glances down at his tea having nearly forgotten it was there before following the Austrian's example and taking a good sip from it.

- "Aside from working, have you been doing anything else? On your free time, I mean."

places his tea cup back down on the saucer as he exhaled a small breath. "I've been working in the garage and gone out a few times but nothing out of the ordinary." He answers almost awkwardly. "I've also -

started cleaning out my attic..." He paused remembering the day well. "Until Feliciano showed up...."

chuckles softly. "Oh? Has he been keeping you good company?"

can't help but frown at that. "More like odd company...he has been acting very strange as of late...and he doesn't say much but I know something is bothering him."

blinks. "How strange?" Because Feliciano was strange on his own.. and that was normal for him. "What do you think it is?"

runs a hand through his hair, that was the thing, he had absolutely no idea. "There was a painting I uncovered of a sleeping girl that really unsettled him but I can't be sure of anything anymore." His lips -

thined out.

arches an eyebrow. "... A sleeping girl? Do you still have it?"

nods. "It's still in my attic...." He eyes the Austrian. "Do you know it too?"

shrugs his left shoulder slightly. "... I'm not sure, but perhaps if I see it, I might be able to recognize it?"

if he could get answers from him if the other did recognize the portrait. "I can bring it over next time or we can go over to my place a little later on?"

finishes off his tea, setting the cup down. "Or we can go now." He was actually very curious about this.

glances down at the tea and decides this is much more important and gets up bringing his tea and saucer to the sink. "We can definitely do that."

nods. He grabs his coat from and slips it on, before following Ludwig out of the house.

had shrugged his jacket on while stepping out the door as he leads him to his house. He had left the painting in his living room for further observation. When they arrive he holds the door open for the -

Austrian. "It's in the living room."

walks inside and heads for the living room, looking for the painting. He feels a bit wary, and when he spots it he bites his lip. Well...

had closed the door and just made it to the living room when he sees the Austrian's expression. "So...do you know it?"

( I don't want to make an ass of myself.. xD It's of Feli, right? )

( Yes. When he was a maid in your house. xD )

nods slowly, folding his arms over his chest as he examined it. "Yes," He said softly. "It hung in my home for years." He glances at him. "You don't recognize Feliciano?"

's brows crease...how was that possible...how could he not recognize Feliciano...he felt so stupid and right in front of Italy he had been unable to identify him. "...W-what..but I didn't meet Feliciano till -

The First World War...how could I have a picture of him before then..."

's lips curl a little. Ah, of course he wouldn't remember much. He shrugs one shoulder, not sure if he should be the one to tell him.

someone to tell him. He doesn't want a whole in his memory forever. "Roderich...you know, don't you...tell me...I need to know."

looks over at him, sighing softly. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather your brother tell you?"

runs a shakey hand through his hair. "At this point I think it doesn't really matter. If I find out from you or from Gilbert...it'll still be the same information."

notices this and he places a gentle hand on Ludwig's shoulder. "Relax." He said softly. "I still think you should ask your brother."

sighs....maybe the Austrian was right? If anyone...Gilbert probably should ne the one to tell him. Ludwig merely nods in resignation.

guilty and he gently tugs Ludwig over to the couch, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Tell me what you remember of you childhood." He said, watching him intently.

obeys and sits down as he rests his head in his hands messing up his hair by how much he had ran his hand through it. "That's the thing...I don't know if I remember anything..." He starts. "I remember a field -

and then I remember death, blood and pain...that is pre-dominante in my memory."

nods slowly, reaching out to take both of Ludwig's hands, trying to still them so he could calm himself. "That's because that just about sums it up." He says softly. "It's difficult to explain, really."

doesn't resist and actually takes comfort in Austria's hold. "That sounds like a horrible childhood."

- "Not that it was ever much of one to begin with." He offered the other a reassuring smile. "You and Feliciano were both in my home all those years back. And then one day..." He sighs, not wanting to talk-

-about it. "Then one day, something happened, and you.." Hm.. He couldn't say it.

couldn't even muster a smile in return as he keeps his gaze focused on Roderich's face. "...what happened?" He asked maybe a little to softly.

sighs. "I mean.." He sighs and settles back, averting his eyes a bit. "May I be honest with you in saying that after you asked Feliciano to join you as a new empire, you were never seen again."

( I don't know if we're doing strictly history based or Hetalia's history.. ;; fffff. So I went with Hetalia for now. )

( A mix of both is great so this is perfect. )

looked as if he were in pain upon hearing this. Feliciano and he as an empire...the thought seemed preposterous at its best. "..When did you know that I was...that I was..." He couldn't finish that sentence.

- "What?" He urges him to continue. He had a feeling as to what he was trying to ask, but he also didn't want to assume. "That you were what, Ludwig?"

pulls his hands free of Austrians. "That I was the former Holy Roman Empire?"

sits up a little straighter, meeting his eyes as he nodded. "Ja." He didn't know what to do. He was tempted to embrace the other, or to at least squeeze his shoulder for comfort. But he figured that was the-

-last thing the German wanted.

leans his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. He should have pestered Gilbert into telling him instead of accepting the others excuses. "But...when Roderich...when did you?"

- "When did I realize that it was you?" He fiddled with his leather gloves. "I suppose I knew the moment I laid eyes on you the second time around. After you'd been.." He paused a moment, remembering that-

-day as if it were yesterday. The day that The Holy Roman Empire had been all but dissolved; murdered. "you'd been gone." He'd rather not go into details.

pulls his face from his hands nodding numbly and swallowing the hardness that had lodged in his throat. "I see..." He didn't want to force the other further and neither was he sure he could take much more of -

this. It was like he was the butt of a bad joke gone really wrong. Almost everyone had known except him and even with all those history books and dates correlating with timespans that he didn't remember it -

still didn't link together well in his mind.

watches him silently before he moves to take his hand lightly between both of his, rubbing it soothingly. "I truly am sorry that you have gone all of these years without knowing. And that you had to find out-

-from me."

isn't even bothered that it was from Roderich...Roderich was pretty much family having been there (whether on good terms or bad) since he could remember and even before too (apparently). "Don't apologize." -

didn't pull his hand away but kept it there. He wished they could just forget about all of this now and go to the Christmas market but he had a feeling he wouldn't be very much fun.

they don't have to go anywhere and he's more than happy to stay here with Ludwig if he needs the company. "I only want for you to be alright, Ludwig." They'd had their bad times, and if anything he was-

-deep down, still somewhat resentful of the other, he still cared for him.

be okay, he has to be. He can't let something like this bog him down forever. "I won't be much company." He says quietly after a while of silence. He was giving the Austrian an opportunity to leave if he -

really wanted too.

smiles. "If you're trying to get rid of me, it isn't going to work. I'm not going anywhere." He wanted to make sure Ludwig was alright, and so he wasn't going to move from this spot.

( Where is Roderich sitting? Beside him, in front of him...somewhere else all together? He's not? xD )

( He's sitting in front of him. I assumed there was a coffee table there, so that's where he's sitting. xDD )

( Gotcha. Haha, just making sure. )

an adult now...he had had to grow up quickly, not that that wasn't the case for every other nation. He'd dealt with worse news and the like. "Well then, please, at least make yourself comfortable on the -

couch..." The coffee table didn't look as if it were going to be comfortable for long.

stands up and moves to pull off his coat, going to hang it up in the coat closet before returning to his side on the couch. "How are you feeling?"

wasn't sure if that even needed an answer instead he laid down, placing his head in the Austrians lap, and closed his eyes trying to quell down the storm of emotions that were coming close to overtaking him.

pulls his gloves off, setting them aside on the table so that he was able to smooth his fingers through Ludwig's hair. "Everything will be alright." He said softly, just smoothing his hair back.

tense but the fingers through his hair relax him and he can't help but let out a slightly shakey sigh as he takes comfort in the situation and the fact that Roderich was allowing him this small moment of

respite.

hums softly to him as he continues to comb his fingers through Ludwig's hair. He wouldn't speak though. He would just let him take all the time he needed to process everything.

hoped it wouldn't take him that long to sort himself out but one night wasn't going to be enough to fix everything. The humming and the combing made for a good combination because it was slowly lulling him to -

sleep and he wondered if he had ever had such caring treatement when he had been younger

.

wouldn't mind if Ludwig fell asleep. He could just switch on the television on low volume, or even on mute and entertain himself that way while he rested. "Sleep. It's fine." He whispers.

tries to stay awake but his body works against him and in a matter of seconds he has fallen asleep, comfortably on the Austrians lap, a location he probably would have never thought he'd fall asleep on.

( D'aww. ;w; )

glances down and smiles slightly, stilling his fingers for a moment and just letting him sleep. He enjoyed Ludwig's company, however quiet he was.

( To bad there was no camera! Kodac moment! )

( Should I make another plurk for when he wakes up or is Roderich just going to sneak off? )

( I knooow. You can make a new one for when he wakes up. :3 )

( Sounds good. >D )