POS **ON HOLD**

Chapter Seven

Feliciano jumped off the counter as soon as he heard the front door creak open. Flushed, flustered, and distracted, he panicked and burst out from the kitchen into the dining room to help with what they'd bought.

"Uh, uhm." He mumbled, holding a pecan pie in both hands as he stared at his parents. "Ludwig has to go." He blurted.

The German finally emerged from the kitchen, straightening out his shirt. "Yeah, uh, yeah, I have to be at a meeting tomorrow. You know, cop training stuff."

John and Paula frowned and looked to Feliciano who was shifting uncomfortably, and rightly so. He wasn't having fun with his situation down south.

"Yeah, so, y'know, he can't really stay for dessert. He has to study or whatever for cop.. Stuff." He finished intelligently, ushering Ludwig to the door. "Thanks for coming, goodnight, was a pleasure!" He laughed nervously and nudged Ludwig out the door who just laughed with a wide grin as he walked to his car.

~

Feliciano was sprawled across his bed, video chatting with Romano. They'd talked about school and the upcoming Christmas break. Finally, Romano asked the question.

"So," he grinned, "what about you and that cop?"

Feliciano flushed immediately and ducked his head. Romano laughed and his younger brother covered his face with his hands.

"You gotta tell me what happened!"

Feliciano groaned and took a minute to compose himself and make sure his bedroom door was closed.

"Well, they keep inviting him over for dinners and stuff because he's supposed to be a good 'mentor' for me." He rolled his eyes. "They think I'm on the wrong path. Whatever."

"Aaaand?" Romano pried.

"And," The Italian looked away again, he blushed, lowering his voice to a whisper. "He was over for dinner one night and, well, mom and dad went out to get dessert and we were just washing the dishes. And then one thing lead to another and he was grinding and we both, well, and then mom and dad came home and I kicked him out of the house." He rubbed his eyes. "As politely as I could."

Romano laughed, "That's awesome! Did they find out?"

"I'm still alive so probably not." Feliciano shrugged. "He's just so hot, and nice at the same time and I don't know what I'm doing but I don't want to stop."

"Look, you gotta stop worrying. Whatever will be, will be, alright? Just enjoy it, have fun."

Feliciano nodded and laid back on his bed with a sigh. They talked well into the night and all Feliciano knew was that he couldn't wait until his brother came home for Christmas.

~

Walking home from school, Feliciano passed by the police station. He never dared go in there, even if it was safe. He always wondered what the large yard was for, only occasionally he saw dogs being trained in there.

Today was different. Today he walked by, earbuds in, and he stopped. The yard was full of the cops that made up the town's department. They ran laps and lifted weights, pushed over a huge tire. Their shirts were sweat-soaked and they glistened in the sunlight.

Especially the blonde one doing pull ups, a line waiting behind him. Feliciano swallowed hard and watched from around the corner, he didn't want to be seen. It seemed that was the last circuit of the training and then the men went into the shade and drank from huge water bottles.