wasn't sure what he was expecting by making a break from home but he wasn't fond of the afternoon rush around Gerngross looking like a lost child.

troubled since the coats on sale are of better quality than he expected. For 30 euros those can probably last 20 years (as opposed to the 2000 euro handmade clothing that lasts forever in museum)..

and he has a handful of it that he can barely wield his arms. Tha Kaufhaus is tremendously crowded, so he did not even bother looking around until checkout, spotting a child walking around without guardian...

wait!?!? Heinrich!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!?! Wait no, probably Ludwig... He would have dropped everything and ran outside only if the cashier wasn't withholding his credit card...

With three bags of clothing, Roderich finally walks out, crying out Ludwig's name because it is needed during afternoon rush. "Ludwig!" And with a big frown.

doesn't understand why Ludwig would choose here over KaDeWe...

had found a place to sit looking a little irritated but mostly relieved that he didn't have to be stuck home. He was sure he would get in trouble again but he'll deal with the consequences later. He

was an adult after all. He hears not only a familiar voice but his name as well before he's glancing up and looking for the source. He spots it in the shape of a very familiar Austrian

man. "Roderich?" He flushes a little embarrassed that he's caught in this state but it seemed like every already knew he was a kid now anyway.

he doesn't get into trouble if security guard notices he has (inadvertently) left a child behind.... Walking over and pretending he has instructed the child to sit there while eating ice cream,

he places down the shopping bags momentarily and gazes at Ludwig with a complicated expression. "Are you ready? Let's go." He extends his hand over, expecting Ludwig to hold onto it.

gives him an unimpressed look but forces himself to understand why everyone is doing this. He stares at the hand for a while before giving in and taking it. "I see you've found things on sale." He

says softly, a little relieved that he's been saved from the madness. He had seen the security guard eye him awkwardly.

"Is there other reason why I am here?" Upon hearing Ludwig's unenthusiastic words does Roderich notice that he is still the old Ludwig in the twenties.

He has gotten used to getting ordered by a similar figure, but it still irks him until no end that a seven year old looking boy speaks in an aged tone. "Why are you here anyway."

glances up at him. "I needed to get far away from the house. I didn't expect to run into you so soon...then again I had to really be careful not to get picked up by worried authorities."

honestly thinks that Ludwig should adapt to children's mannerism. "Yes, definitely, they would of course worry about a child who appears to know what he is doing, except not."

"It might have been better if you can at least speak like a child."

tries to frown but ends up pouting. "I'm hardly that age..." He sighs. "Sometimes I do sound my physical age..."

"Good. Now you qualify for Nordsee's children meal." He lies - technically everyone can order the kids meal with tiny apple juice bottle anyway.

Holding Ludwig's hand, he goes down the escalator to the first floor, where many sports equipment are sold. "Since you are here - do you need anything? Some clothes or equipment?"

gives him another unimpressed look. "I'm fine...although a little hungry." He admits. "No one would take his card without a guardian with him.

"...You should have gotten cash from the ATM." Though Roderich tries to imagine Ludwig being too short to even enter the password, and that is too funny. He ends up chuckling. "Sure, what fits your appetite?"

"A krapfen, maybe?"

| "I'm not even going to deem that with an answer." He says as he thinks of what he wants to eat. "Honestly, Anything to eat would be nice. Surprise me."

What to eat in Mariahilferstrasse... there is a great gelato store nearby, but he is not sure if the young boy is in the mood for it. "Chinese takeout? I will go for Eis myself. "

thinks he'll just make food at home. "It's fine...I think I can wait till I get home."

"You cannot even reach the counter, my boy," and Roderich is very concerned about Ludwig cutting himself accidentally. "Tell me what you want to eat and I will cook. If not, choose something around here."

glances around the area. "Honestly...I wouldn't mind your schnitzel..."

Wouldn't mind.... what a difficult boy to please.... again, why does he needed to be pleased? He tries to remember if he has all the ingredients at home, and there is.

"I didn't drive today, though. We will have to take the U-bahn back. "

doesn't mind he wasn't really in a body that allowed him to drive. He's been taking public transport ever since he's reverted.

takes Ludwig striaght to the U4 line, purchases a ticket (rather cheap), and takes the subway all the way to Hütteldorf. "What else do you want, other than schnitzel?"

hums at that. "Potatoes and maybe some sauerkraut." He was really feeling traditional food today.

"Then I would want some sausages, or even Schweinebraten with Dunkelbiersoße." He remembers Bavaria sending him a garage full of Augustiner that can probably last for 5 years.

nods liking that idea as well. "Ja, that sounds good."

"Sounds like a early Christmas feast, doesn't it?" Roderich is quite entertained by that idea. It is a joyous season to him, after all. "Would be better if Gilbert is around as well. Where is he?"

shrugs. "He tends to disappear for days on end. I'm never able to keep up with his whereabouts. He'll make himself known...eventually."

gets off the station since they are at the final stop. "I tried ringing him- didn't answer." Next time he sees Gilbert, the other definitely would not have a good time around his bed...

"I rode a bike, so..." He places the shopping bag in the front basket, and points at the foot rest at the rear of the back wheels. "You will have to stand on those."

doesn't mind to much. "Ja, ja, get on the bike." He says waiting to get on. "As much as Gilbert is good with technology he's horrible with answering his handy."

shoves his helmet onto Ludwig's little head, and have him tying up the fasteners himself. How silly and cute of him wearing an oversized helmet. Getting on the bike, Roderich swiftly turns left towards home.

expects Ludwig to hold onto him.

nearly loses his grip and has to hold onto him tighter as he tries to do the helmet. "Idiot...give me time to fix your oversized helmet!" He growls in his young voice which made it sound odd.

"oh." And he brakes promptly as soon as he heard that, letting Ludwig to finish fixing the helmet. "Be more efficient." He chuckles, and starts riding again when Ludwig is done.

nearly topples over but fixes the helmet in time for them to set off again. It was almost pointless wearing the helmet it was moving so much.

chuckles and turns for several streets. He makes sure Ludwig doesn't fall off by patting Ludwig's back singlehandedly , signaling him to cling closer.

tightens his grip on him. "It's a nice tour." He adds conversationally trying to be amicable, at the very least.

"It is, when people don't drive." Roderich also laments that people do not stop enough and admire what is around them. Heading towards the woods, he stops at his house, not too big, but cosy enough.

And it starts to snow. He quickly lets Ludwig off and then parks his bike outside, unlocking the door. "Come on in, or you might catch a cold."

wonders if he's making a jab at him for driving more often then not. He hums as a reply and jumps off before Roderich stops to stroll up to the house the rest of the way.

locks the door when Ludwig enters, walking hurriedly into his bedroom and places the new items into his dressers for laundry later. He then returns to the living room area. "Do you want orange juice?"

quirks a brow at him. He doesn't comment on it immediately. "I'd prefer apple juice." He says rolling his eyes as he walks around studying Roderich's place as if he's never been here before.

"Toilet is over there, study is over there, and library is over...there", he points at different direction and makes sure he doesn't get his home wrong. Ludwig usually stays at the living room area anyway.

He might not know about the hidden rooms and basements.

's lips thin. "I'm not an idiot Roderich. I've been here many times before."

"Just making sure." He goes to the fridge and takes out a mini bottle of apfelsaft that has "kinder" on the label, and hands it over to Ludwig.

enjoys apfelsaft quite a bit. He takes the bottle and goes over to sit at the table. He places it on the table waiting for Roderich to join him.

to start working on the Schweinebraten since that can take over 3 hours.... thus he heads straight to his open kitchen not far away and watches Ludwig at the table.

"I don't have a lot of apfelsaft, so don't drink too quickly. The other thing I have is spiced apple cider, but not sure if you would appreciate it."

is taking his time with it. "Do you need help with the cooking?" He offers knowing deep down that he would reject the offer because of his size.

hums. "Hmmm, , get me some potatoes and starch from the bottom cabinet. I will need it for Kartoffelkloesse." He begins cutting perpendicular to the roast, rubbing the cuts with grill spices.

slips off the chair and makes his way to the cabinet. He pulls the potatoes out and the starch and brings them closer to the sink. "Want me to wash and peel the potatoes?"

judges Ludwig's height. He can barely touch the sink.... "I will wash and cool them," by cooking, he means the much quicker way of microwaving instead of boiling.

"After that, perhaps you can mash them and kneed them into dough with nutmeg and eggs?"

That would be the easiest task for a child sized person to do. Besides, kneading tough should be fun.

was resourceful. His height shouldn't be an issue but he concedes and goes back to the table to sit and watch.

quickly washes the potatoes and puts them into microwave for eight minutes - a good prime to turn them into fluffy potatoes. In the mean time he continues to prepare the pork cut, about to put it in the

preheated oven. And then he notices that the house is a bit too quiet, so he goes up to his sound system at the living room area to select songs. "Mozart or Brahms or Nena or Herbert Grönemeyer ?" He throws up

random German singer names, and beckons Ludwig to come over and choose himself. The stereo system is connected to the internet, so he can search whatever he wants. At last, the potatoes are done, so Roderich

puts them into a bowl and offers them to Ludwig, if he really wants to work on them.

hums as he listens to the options. "Mozart's fine." He answers as he takes the bowl and gladly gets to work seeing as it would definitely beat the boredom.

"Mozart, then." He clicks onto the Mozart playlist and Dies Irae played immediately. ...That's what happens with random listings.

finishes prepping the meat, and now it is time to move onto schnitzel... He is not entirely sure why he is making so much food, but if Ludwig likes it, he doesn't mind eating the remains for the next week.

gotten so skilled at pounding the veal cutlet with the mallet that it does so less than two minutes. The bread crumb batter is easy to make as well. Now he just needs to fry it, and re-fry it, and he is done...

For Sauerkraut, he doesn't even need to make it (plenty in the fridge). So he just needs to make the dunkelbiersoße thirty minutes for the Schweinbraten is done... that was rather quick.

glances at Ludwig and the potato, wondering how he has been doing with the dough.

had gotten it to the desired state. It had taken a little while because of his small hands and lack of strength but he had done it. "Should I keep it here on the table?"

nods. "Yes please," he says, finishing up cleaning the utensils, and then sits opposite of Ludwig. "Two hours before dinner time," he glances at the clock. "Do you want some beer? If you want to."

laughs. "You're the first person who's offered when I look like this. I'll be fine...I can't handle beer so well in this state."

shrugs in good humour. "I have been drinking strong alcohol since five in appearance. That is no such thing as drinking limit. Back in the days..."

smiles nostalgically. His childhood was very tough, but still enjoyable.

only had vague recollection of his first childhood. The kitchen was smelling good of food.

flicks through the playlist and decides on a more cheerful sonata. "So? How long have you been in this condition? I reckon it has been a fun experience with Gilbert."

glances down for a second before his gaze falls on Roderich. "A little less than a month."

"Must have been fun!" Roderich smiles. "You get to abuse the child privilege. What have you been doing during this period?"

's lip thins. "Fun? This is not fun."

looks over. "Why? Elaborate."

sighs but complies with the others wishes. "Because I'm restricted, I have no freedom, I can hardly cook for myself, people think I'm incapable when I'm more than capable and I get babied all the

time. I can't go to work or put on my clothes....my dogs drag me around when I take them for walks and if I'm seen alone I get taken in by a random adult or security guard asking me where are my

parents or guardians. I have to actually ask for help when I want to reach for things and above all I can't be intimate with my own partner. That's why it's not fun. Maybe if I had a mentality of a

six year old I would enjoy it but I don't and so it's been hell. I also hate that I get tired in the middle of the day and need to take a damn nap."

that all those descriptions constitute very adorable moments that Ludwig does not know how to appreciate. He can't help but ruffle Ludwig's hair gently. "Well well." He recalls himself not treating Ludwig

affectionately during his younger times. "Out of curiosity - is there anything that you wished me had done back in the times of endless lessons?" If there is something he can do now, he would

want to fulfill his unrealised wish.

falls silent. He remembered those years very well. He hadn't been easy on himself just like Roderich and Gilbert although as much as he protested Gilbert would still treat him with brotherly affection

whereas Roderich wouldn't. "Maybe if you had been more insistent on showing me affectionate..."

startled. He was expecting something like "why haven't you taught me piano" or things that Roderich would usually have performed as a service to other people. Little did he expect he wanted simple things like

that. "I can, if you would like some. Or have the mindset for it." Not that he has been very loving to many people anyways.

stares down at the table a little embarrassed by that confession. "I think it's fine now. I 've already become who I am...but I think I should thank you for the sentiment nonetheless."

"You think," Roderich chuckles, leaving his seat and walks up to Ludwig so they are about same height. "It is difficult for me to act like your brother - in all honesty. It has never occurred to me that we can

sustain a fraternal relationship." He felt like more of a adopted parent, frankly. He places a light kiss on Ludwig's forehead. "You have done very well, Ludwig. You always are. I am very proud."

| It was hard to say what he was truly feeling but inside the comment and the action, even if the conversation had been brought up casually, had struck a cord inside Ludwig. Those words had never

really left the man's lips. It just wasn't something he was used to nor did he really expect. A part of him couldn't help but wonder if maybe Roderich was playing a joke but the man had never been

known to be so cruel especially when Ludwig was being completely honest with him. It was true they could have never had a brotherly bond but whether Roderich knew it or not, the man was important to

him and had added him in most of his most crucial moments. He could still remember the time he had been asked to visit the hopeless German after the war. It had all been hard at that time but the

allies couldn't have asked for anyone better to come visit besides Gilbert. There was a part of him that just wanted to go hide away after receiving that comment and another part that wanted to cry

because those words meant so much more coming from the man before him. His wide eyed gaze remained planted on Roderich's face before he turned his face away trying to wet his dry mouth. "...." He

wasn't sure what to say because a thank you just didn't seem right.

"Haha, that hurts." Roderich is not offended with the lack of response. Rather, he finds the little German turning around very adorable and amusing. "To think of it- you seldom had the consciousness as a child-

or, you never had one to begin with. I tried giving you toys but you were already in adolescence, and rejected them with great passion." He picks up the boy with his arm at ease, holding him lightly and

carrying him around. "The only time I have seen you in this size was.... when I was created? Heinrich appeared to be around seven that time,

while I was probably four or five." The past no longer frightened him, and he could now talk about it casually as if nothing tragic as happened before. "Soon after, he grew up in such as

a fast pace that I failed to catch up. In the past, there was no such concept as children.... all of us were treated as miniature adults, supposedly equipped with mature thinking."

Chuckling, he finds a spot to sit at the couch, but still not letting Ludwig go. "I don't recall Heinrich once considering himself a child, nor he would show that side to us."

He smiles, fixing Ludwig's clothing gently. "If anything, I think you should try to enjoy the childhood that you never really had."

doesn't protest much as he's picked up and brought over to the couch. Heinrich...his infamous other self. "How do I even act like a child when I've never known how to..." If what Roderich was saying

is true then he really didn't know how to be a child whether he wanted to or not. He settles a bit on his lap.

laughs. "You observe, and you imitate. Being a nation requires a lot of acting - assuming identities that you often do not associate yourself with." Especially with espionage, the skill is more than necessary..

and being a stubborn German along is not going to be enough. "Do you need help acting like a child?"

's lip thins. "If I can pretend to be American...I'm sure I can take on many other identities. And it's not often I turn to a child physically so this was a role that I've never really had to take on. I am six

three, Roderich....hardly the height of a child when I'm an adult."

"Well,"he pulls the little boy's cheek lightly, something Gilbert does to him often."You learn to smile in a carefree manner. You have curiosity of your surroundings. You don't speak as if you know everything."

pushes Roderich's hand away and rubs at his cheek. "I know a lot....not everything."

"Aww, Pretend you don''t." He lightly pokes Ludwig again. "Like music theory." Not that he knows any.

sighs. It was very difficult. "Why do you want me to act like a child so much? You know you shouldn't feel guilty anymore about anything in the past. Things happened..."

"No, I am not feeling guilty as much as I should be," he shakes his head. "I just thought it is quite an entertaining idea for both of us."

it would be entertaining for others if he could actually pull it off. He had to much pride for that.

sighs... what a prideful man. "How about storytelling?" Roderich knows everything German related, or even Europe.

it's better than having no pride at all. "I like stories especially folklore. I've always had a liking for the Brothers Grimm."

"Folklore... Have you ever thought of the possibility of getting kidnapped or lured away, and never to return?" The first thing he could think of was, of course, the legends about children. "To be captivated by

the sound of magic flute. Or to be taken away by black birds for being a bad child... To an unknown world. What do you think the unknown world is like?"

| "Me personally no. I have no idea how the other world would be like." He thinks softly. "

[is it completed?]

( yes. )

"Ach, your creativity." Roderich grimaces and pinches Ludwig's cheek lightly."Imagine, Ludwig. The mystery of folklore stems from imagination and creativity. One closes their eyes and visualise the otherworld."

huffs and closes his eyes. "Is it supposed to be despondent? Because if saw the place looks filthy and all the lost children are covered in dirt and have starved."

"It is possible," he covers Ludwig's eyes gently and whispers into his ears. "There are no definite answers in the literary world. Trust your German mind. If that is what you see, it reflects how you view the

origin of the folklore - a crystallisation of tragic memories of the poor peasants, losing their lives in times of famine. If you change your mind, you might arrive in different conclusion. Try."

can't help but tense a bit when his eyes are covered and things become a little darker. He listens to Roderich's voice. "Ja, okay....get on with the story...bitte." He adds that last.

"I think you have heard of this. Let's just do the modern one-" To make imagination more difficult, since Ludwig was alive back then. "The rumour was as follow:

In the year 1284 a mysterious man appeared in Hameln. He was wearing a coat of many colored, bright cloth, for which reason he was called the Pied Piper.

He claimed to be a ratcatcher, and he promised that for a certain sum that he would rid the city of all mice and rats. The citizens struck a deal, promising him a certain price....

The ratcatcher then took a small fife from his pocket and began to blow on it. The animals all followed him, fell in, and drowned....After the plague the citizens refused to pay him. And he went away, bitter

and angry. He returned in a hunter's costume, with a dreadful look on his face. When he sounded his fife, the boys and girls from age four came for him,

and he led them into a mountain, where he disappeared with them. So, what is beyond the mountain?"

had heard this many times and in that village try did reenactment's every year of the story. "The other side of the mountain and more forest?"

".......No Ludwig, not the physical location." Jesus Christ.... why is Ludwig's mind so pragmatic and lack of colours.... "More mythically. "

's lips thin. "A black hole Roderich. There's a large hole that the kids were sucked into and transported somewhere unreachable."

bursts out laughing. "Ahahahahaha.... Ludwig.... what is with the sci-fi answer... are you sure you are from 19th century?" He sounds like he is a Millennial, only know of scientific mystery. "Think of more

periodically appropriate answers. You must have watched the modern reenactments too much... though I cannot blame you for that."

flushes darkly. "I'll have you know Sci-fi was very big in the early and late nineteenth century. More so than the Millennial who seem to like fantasy and the supernatural much more than other

centuries..." He crosses his arms.

"But not the concept of Black Hole, which began with Einstein's general relativity during the Great War. The research on Black Hole did not become prominent until after the second war... Fine, you are the

Doctor Who generation. A half century back." He ruffles Ludwig's hair lightly. "Have you heard of the oldest version of pied piper?"

slides off his lap and fixes himself. "Of course I have." He says as he trots into the kitchen to check on the food. Wasn't sure who this Doctor who was or why this person was brought into the

conversation.

conversation.

considering stocking his library with physics textbooks instead. "The food is far from ready- the smell is a deception." It takes a while for the meat to get very tender.

was really just trying to get away from his constant ridicule. "It never hurts to check."

doesn't understand why it is necessary to check knowing that they will have to wait. He sighs and picks up some magazines from his newsstand. The sight of jumping up and down near the oven is adorable, however.

isn't jumping up and down. He's peering into the oven.

To Roderich, that is how he looks like when he walks around like a child. It can't be helped... so who sent him this People Magazine? How badly tasted.... He decides to flip through the pages out of curiosity.

decides to go preoccupy himself with other things as he takes his own tour of the place even though he was familiar with all of it minus the man's bedroom.

decides to leave Ludwig alone until dinner time, when the smell of dark beer sauce fills the entire house. He hums happily, stirring the sauce slowly before pouring it onto the roast. He also roasted some s

sausages, sauerkraut warmed, and potato dumplings boiled. He heads to the wine cellar, trying to find a bottle that fits well with pork.

had found his way into the library a while ago. Unfortunately, he had fallen asleep a book blanketed across his chest while he was reading. Apparently it had been nap time.

Dinner is ready - all is served on the table, waiting for hungry human to devour. Roderich begins to wonder where did Ludwig go.... "Ludwig, Ludwig-" he cried, his voice resonating in all rooms.

was fast asleep. He had exerted himself coming to Vienna especially avoiding all the security workers.

finds himself nearby his library, door widely open. Ludwig must be inside. "Ludwig-" he calls again, except finding the young boy sleeping with books covering his small body. Sighing, he removes the books

around him, patting his shoulder to wake him up. "Time for supper- Ludwig." He whispers.

shivers a bit when the book is removed from on top of him. He groggily blinks opens red eye when he's being shaken awake. "What time is it?" He asks sleepily.

"A quarter to eight," He extends him a hand in case Ludwig needs to use it to get up.

flops back down against the sofa. He's still very sleepy but eventually he manages to sit back up rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"I honestly wonder what would Gilbert do to you if he is here..." Roderich gets up, opening up the library door. "I expect you to be downstairs soon for supper." Bad briquette is simply not acceptable.

pouts at this and sits there for a while before sliding off the sofa and steadying himself on his wobbly legs. He drowsily heads towards the kitchen, it was taking him time to wake up.

places a jar of apple cider and grape juice on the table, watching Ludwig waddling over. "I will prepare the bed after this," he comments casually, placing more silverware on the table. He isn't sure

how much the boy needs to sleep now.

glances up at him and nods lightly as he immediately goes to the sink climbing a bit on the counter to wash his hands before he's taking a seat at the table. It was like he became mute.

"...." He simply pours Ludwig half a glass of apple cider. He will drink that first before picking something else. And he leads the dinner prayer, a very brief one, nothing substantial. "So, what did you read?"

doesn't really partake in the prayer. He glances up at him after sipping a bit at his cider. "I found a book on the Ottomans...it was quite interesting."

's collection on Ottomans are mostly very, very old books and manuscripts, back in the times he still faced threats from the Turk. "You find that interesting? Why?"

frowns a bit, not that it looked much like a frown on his young features. "Because it was during a time I can't remember and you have to give him credit...he was a large empire."

"And ridiculously annoying." Roderich frowns even deeper, and is more visible than Ludwig's. And he always picked some terrible timing to strike... Reformation and thirty years war....

hums. "From a strategic point of a view. They were some smart times to strike. He had some good bosses before his decline."

"So let's hope that Sadik gets a great boss soon?" Speaking somewhat insincerely, he cuts his slice of meat and begins eating. That comment was too general - everyone had good bosses before their decline.

rolls his eyes, Sadik also had a really good one at the destruction if his empire. However, he would keep that to himself. "He can be frustrating, I agree. But we've come a long way and his current

boss isn't quite what many of us thought he would."

"....You are referring to Mr. Erdogan, I suppose?" Sure, leaders' intention can often be misinterpreted, and same view can be applied to Turkey's prime minister. Perhaps it was his pursuit of Neo-Ottomanism

that made Roderich felt rather uncomfortable. "He would not be the most brilliant, either."

gives him a look. "There is only one Prime Minister and I'm certainly not referring to the President of Turkey. Erdogan's lack of care for his own people's freedom of speech leaves a lot to be desired

amongst many other things. He does not have a good image in Germany especially after a particular visit."

"Exactly," he honestly thought Ludwig was defending the Prime Minister. "You said, he 'is not quite what many of us thought he would' after you used a 'but' in his defence. I was worried that your logic

had gone wrong."

would never especially not after what Sadik would occasionally confess to him when they were both drunk.

"I'm just saying I wouldn't want to wish him ill because we have come this far."

frowns at his comment. "I would not want anyone to be ill either, not just Sadik." Why does it seem like to others that Roderich wants Sadik to die in the next minute? He simply wants Sadik to be less annoying,

nothing else. Wishing others death is a sinful thought that Roderich doesn't quite have for a long, long time.

didn't think that Roderich wanted Sadik dead. He just knows that Roderich isn't the biggest fan and has been known to vote against his ascension not that Ludwig was that innocent in those regards

either. "Thanks for the meal..." He would leave afterwards to not be a bigger burden.

"That quick? I thought you were hungry." Other than being the least fan of Turkey, Roderich is also known for hospitable to be best of his ability. It is a great insult to him if his guests leave dissatisfied.

He gets up from his seat and walks towards the guest bedroom. "Let me go prepare bed first."

hums. "I do have a smaller stomach now. Maybe if I were an adult I could consume much more."

goes up to the bedroom and pulls out the sheets from the spare dresser, covering the bed with fresh linen for the boy to sleep on. The bed is king sized already, and with Ludwig, it should be enormous. "That is

very true. You can bring some leftover back home if you want." It probably takes him more than a week to finish the remain anyway.

watches him get up. "Roderich...I can just go home. It's really no problem."

"How are you going to go home at this time at night without your own car?" Sometimes Ludwig can be so stubborn it defies logic... "Unless you really want to follow to piper into the unknown world. Just sleep. "

It doesn't take him long to fix the sheets anyway.

thinks the train isn't to far fetched. He does have a place in Munich. He remains silent and nods a bit at that. He had packed extra clothes and toiletries just in case.

With everything settled, Roderich decides to go back to the kitchen and begin cleaning up. "Sweet dreams to you," he lets out a small smile and presses Ludwig's head lightly before closing the door. allowing

boy alone in his own room.

flushes a bit and ends up staring up at the ceiling for a while before slowly falling asleep.