Convince Me

Chapter 3: See You Again

Romano's heart dropped.
"Hospital? What the fuck? Why?" he asked angrily. He was too shocked, too upset to register what was happening.
"We were jumped on our way back to my place. I tried protecting him, I did, but Feli... Feli took the worst of it," Ludwig murmured. "Mein gott, I'm a horrible boyfriend." Romano felt bad for him for only a second.
"Let's fucking go, idiota," he said, his feet propelling him forward. He didn't care how long it took, he would be by Feliciano's side as soon as he could.
"I have a car," Ludwig called, blushing. Romano frowned. Reluctantly, he got into the German's car and a few moments later, they were on their way to the hospital. Romano didn't say anything the whole ride. Then again, neither did Ludwig. He knew he was being rude, but his mind was on Feli. Please be all right. I can't live without you.
Ludwig got them to the hospital surprisingly quick. Romano couldn't stand still, he had to see his brother now. He was at the front desk in seconds.
"Feliciano Vargas, where is he?" he demanded. The woman at the front desk gave him the stink eye but looked through her list.
"He just went into surgery. You can come see him in an hour," she said. Romano's heartbeat sped up.
"Surgery?" he whispered. Feli wasn't going to die, was he? The woman looked annoyed.
"Yes, one of his kidneys was damaged so they're removing it," she said. Romano wanted to cry. Feli... not Feli. He did nothing to deserve this. He angrily turned to Ludwig.
"This is your fault, you damn potato bastard," he growled. Ludwig looked surprised.
"I did my best. And you know damn well Feli would not want you doing this," he said calmly. Romano shot him a look.
"You do not have the right to tell me what my brother would want. I know my brother. I have lived with him all my life. I know him inside and out. He may be a dumbass but he is the kindest, sweetest person in this world." Besides Antonio. Romano couldn't help the thought. He shook his head. Now is definitely not the time.
"Listen, Romano. I know you love your brother. But you have to understand, I love him too. I will do my best to protect him. I know how special he is. I know he's so important to you, but he's also important to me. That little Italian is the reason I breathe, the reason I can find joy in ordinary things. So please don't tell me I don't know what Feli would want. I know him too, even more intimately than you," Ludwig said, not condescending or anything. He said it like they were talking about sports. Romano was taken aback.
"I suppose you're right," he admitted. Ludwig looked relieved that he was cooperating. Romano dragged himself to a chair, putting his head in his hands. He wanted to cry, he wanted to murder whoever did this to his brother, his wonderful Feliciano.
  The next hour felt like years. Romano's heart felt heavy. Ludwig's face was solemn. A doctor came into the room, looking at the two of them.
"Are you the friends and family of Feliciano Vargas?" she asked. Romano looked up, eyes wide.
"Y-Yes," he stammered, afraid to breathe.
"First off, relax. The surgery was a complete success and Mr. Vargas is resting up in his room. He'll have to stay until tomorrow but he's expected to make a full recovery," she smiled. Relief flooded through Romano and he weakly stood up.
"Where is he?" he asked, needing to be by his side.
"Third floor, room at the end of the hall," the doctor said, leaving the room. Romano looked over at Ludwig who looked like he had fallen asleep. But before he could open his mouth, the German man stood up.
"Ja, let's go see Feliciano."

  The hospital wasn't as easy to manuever as the doctor had made it seem. Yeah, they got to the third floor, but the doctor failed to mention there were multiple halls. Ludwig ended up asking one of the ladies at the nurses station.
"He's down that hall," she told them. Romano's feet immediately began walking themselves. He knew that Feliciano was all right, but he just had to see him. In less than seconds, he came to the door at the end of the hall, written on the placard in hurried writing was "Feliciano Vargas." One deep breath and then Romano pushed the door open.
"Feli?" he whispered into the room.
"Lovi~!" Feliciano crowed loudly.
"Shut up, you idiota," Romano said fondly, coming to stand beside his brother. There were stitches along his left cheek and cuts on his knuckles but he had that same bright smile on his face. It was still Feliciano, despite it all.
"And Luddy came too!" Feliciano beamed.
"Of course I did, Meine Geliebte," Ludwig said, smiling.
"You worried me, fratello. I was so scared," Romano admitted softly.
"No need to worry about me, Lovi! I'm a fighter! I can take anyone with my hands tied behind my back!" Feliciano laughed.
"We're both well aware that that's bullshit and don't call me Lovi," Romano said. Feliciano gave a very obvious eye roll.
"Gimme a hug," he demanded and Romano complied. He carefully wrapped his arms around his brother, squeezing lightly.
"Luddy, hug me too! Famiglia hug!" Ludwig blushed, coming to Feliciano's other side and hugging him, one of his arms touching Romano lightly. Romano was smiling into his brother's shoulder. It did feel like a family hug. He still wasn't going to give Ludwig an easy time though.
A knock at the door and a nurse entered. The little family broke apart.
"I'm sorry, sirs but visiting hours are over. You're going to have to leave," she apologized. Ludwig crossed his arms.
"Ja, okay," he said. Romano, however was reluctant.
"Feli, will you be okay? I'm going to come after work tomorrow and see you," he murmured. Feliciano pat his brother's cheek.
"You worry too much, Lovi. Of course I'll be all right. And I'll be eagerly waiting for you!" Romano didn't bother to correct him this time. The older one of the pair couldn't stop looking back at his brother as they left the room. He committed the picture of a smiling Feliciano to his memory, something to get him through tomorrow.
Ludwig drove him home, silent. There was really nothing to say. Soon, Romano is home.
"Thanks," he murmured.
"No problem. Do you need a ride to the hospital tomorrow?" Ludwig asked, Romano shook his head.
"I'll just take the bus," he said, running a hand through his hair. "Um... good night," he added. Ludwig gave him a genuine smile.
"Good night," he said, driving off. Romano head inside, collapsing onto the couch. It was just a bizarre day. Before he could even remember the problem with Antonio, he was already sound asleep.