lost ~completed~

chapter 36

As soon as Ludwig realized what Lovino had done, he quickly rose to meet him as his knees crumbled. He wrapped his arms around the Italian and gently lowered him to the ground, settling him on his lap. Ignoring what Feliciano was quietly murmuring to himself, Ludwig tried to make Lovino comfortable and shield him from the rain that pelted down on them.

"Lovino!" Antonio's heartbroken scream split the air. Everyone seemed to stop what they were doing to watch. Antonio abandoned his fight as he sprinted to his lover, tears streaking his face.

A weak groan escaped Lovino's lips. Ludwig couldn't help but realize this could be the second time someone died because of him that night. Ludwig's eyes trailed down his body to see the knife jutting out from his stomach, Ludwig's face rose to look at Lovino's. He did not want to see the knife that was almost in the same spot as his brothers. He did not want to see the knife that would take Lovino's life.

"I-I didn't mean to!" Feliciano whimpered behind them. Ludwig didn't turn around to see him. He could tell from his voice that Feliciano was shocked and heart broken. "Lovi..."

Ludwig ignored him. He looked to Lovino, to the man who openly expressed his hatred for him, who criticized everything he did, who had suffered so much hardship because of Feliciano, and now, the man who sacrificed his life to protect Ludwig.

But with his sacrifice, he just might have saved his brother. Feliciano didn't look like he could hurt anyone else. The one person he hadn't planned to die could be dying.

Ludwig was shocked into silence. What could he say ? He silently looked down at the Italian, his blue eyes wide in shock. The Italian looked up at him, for once, not an angered expression on his face. He looked surprisingly at peace. His honey colored eyes met Ludwig's eyes and a small smile tugged at his pale lips.

By this time, Antonio had reached them. Ludwig willingly gave Lovino to Antonio. Antonio wrapped his arms around his lover, rocking him gently and hunching his back to press his forehead to Lovino's.

"No!" he begged, "Please no! Lovino, don't leave! Stay here! Stay here with me, amore." he sobbed, gently stroking Lovino's cheek with his hand. Lovino lifted a hand and gripped Antonio's shirt as if he was trying to root himself to something. He looked to Antonio's eyes, his breathing getting labored. He did not reply, only looked up at Antonio, his eyes saying all that needed to be said.

The sound of feet sprinting through the soaked ground interrupted Ludwig's thoughts. Azure eyes looked up to see Arthur charging towards Feliciano, who was still staring at his brother in shock.

Ludwig quickly jumped to his feet and intercepted Arthur before he could run into Feliciano. The force of his blow caused Arthur and him to fall into the dirty mud. Immediately, Arthur scrambled to get to his feet, as if anticipating for that person to attack him. With all that had happened, Ludwig didn't blame him for being cautious. Sky blue met emerald green eyes. Arthur seemed to relax seeing that it was Ludwig but a confused look replaced his relieved expression.

Ludwig scowled at him, "You will not hurt Feliciano." he hissed at him dangerously. Despite all that Feliciano had done, this was the closest to the old Feliciano that Ludwig had seen. If there was a change that he could get his Feliciano back, he didn't want to risk it. There didn't need to be any more blood spilled. He was tired of death and didn't want to see anyone else die.

"Why are you protecting him?" Arthur snapped. His emerald eyes narrowed with fury. Ludwig couldn't blame him. He had suffered just as Ludwig had, if not more so. He had lost Alfred, Peter had betrayed him and Francis was taken from him. "He killed Alfred! He killed Kiku and Gilbert, and attempted to kill you! Let it go! He needs to pay for what he did!"