lost ~completed~

chapter 18

say Arthur's visit surprised Ludwig would be the under-statement of the century. He could hardly understand why the Brit would come to take guilt off of Ludwig's shoulders now.

Ludwig was in for a second surprise when Yao came in. Arthur left with Yao and left Gilbert with Ludwig.

"Ok Luddy! We're heading out again!" Gilbert said with a grin. Ludwig got his crutch and stood up.

"Where are we going?" Ludwig asked wanting to hear from Gilbert.

Gilbert was quickly spinning around the room with about as much organization a tornado. He was making more of a mess than he was packing but Ludwig just let him go. He would never tell anyone but he enjoyed to see his brother so energetic.

"Uh...Romano joined Feliciano to spy for us. He got the locations to Feliciano's new base so we're going there now." Gilbert said. To say that Ludwig's emotions were clashed would also be an understatement. He kept his facial expression cool and emotionless while he could feel anger, and sadness all swirling around in him in a torrent of confusion.

He knew they would have to kill Feliciano but he didn't expect it to be so soon. He had hoped for some more time to come to terms with the Italians fate.

"You do not have to go, Ludwig. We can go back to Germany; you and me." Gilbert said pausing in his work for a moment to observe Ludwig. He was surprised that Ludwig's hands weren't trembling.

"Nein. I'm fine. I-," Ludwig paused thinking. Could he stand there quietly as his allies killed Feli? Would he be able to bear the sight of Feliciano's precious blood or hear his pained screams as he drew in his last breaths ? Could Ludwig let Feliciano die without letting him know how much he loved him? "-I want to be there for him." Ludwig said finally.

He didn't know why he said it. He just had to be there for Feliciano's last moments; for closure and to feel like he was there for the Italian even though he hadn't.

Gilbert nodded; his facial expression unreadable. He finished packing in silence. Ludwig didn't know what else to say. His Feliciano would be dead soon. He wouldn't do anything to help him. Did his pinky swear mean anything? Did he love the Italian as much as he said he did ?

Since they didn't have anything accept for the medical things that had been bought, which took long enough to gather since Gilbert tossed everything around when he was taking care of Ludwig and their weapons, packing didn't take too long though it did cause a big mess.

"Hey West ?" Gilbert asked.

"Hmmm." Ludwig said half paying attention.

"How's your leg? It should be healed soon." Gilbert said. Ludwig blinked his eyes into focus and looked down at his bandaged leg. It was still sore but not nearly as sore. His other wounds that had been infected had been healing quickly due to the medicine Gilbert put on it.

"It's better. Danke." Ludwig said though it was clear there wasn't a lot of emotion behind it. Gilbert grinned and ruffled his hair playfully.

"Lets go, dummkompf." he said affectionately. He picked up their supply and strutted to the door. He held it open with his foot for Ludwig as he crutched out. Everyone but Mei and Kiku was out already since they hadn't had anything.

"Aww!" Gilbert said grinning. "Did you guys wait for my awesomeness ?"

Roderick crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes narrowed into slits. "No." he snapped. "This is serious so we don't have time to goof off!"

Gilbert made a face as if he had just eaten something sour, "You don't have to be such a prick, specs."

Roderick sighed and decided against arguing with him.