Philophobia: A GerIta story

Chapter 10: Feliciano

It's Sunday, which means our bakery is closed for the day.

Lovino, Antonio, Feliks, Toris, Vlad, Gilbert, Elizaveta, Roderich, Camille, Vash, Lili, and I go to Church together from 9:00 to 11:30.

Matthew, Alfred, Ivan, Natalia, Francis, and Arthur go to their Synagogue.

Michelle and Sava go to the Mosque to read the Qur'an and pray the middle of the day prayer. Sometimes Berwald and Mathias join them, but today they aren't able to.

Sunday, from 9:00 to 12:45, is religion day for us. Most of the time, we split up, go to worship or to quietly read, then meet up to eat.

Simple, but very special to us.

Sadly, it's been a few days since I've seen Ludwig, but Gilbert said that he decided to come with us today since he hasn't been in a few years.

I managed to convince Gilbert to take me instead of Lovi because I want to pick up Ludwig, and drop off Matthew, plus, riding with Gilbert is fun because he listens to rock music instead of Antonio's Spanish music, which I like but you can only listen to the same songs on repeat for so long.

"Okay Feli, Lud isn't expecting you so be prepared if he's shocked," he says, putting the car in park.

I nod, smiling brightly, "deal!"

I hear Matthew hum, "have fun at church Feli, and say hi to Ludwig for me, I'll see you three at the restaurant."

I hear him get out of the car with Gil's help, and for a moment they talk as Matthew gets situated.

"Ah, little Feli is driving with you today, Gil?" I hear Francis ask, Gilbert doesn't reply so I guess he nodded.

"Well have a good time, and we'll see you at the restaurant," Francis purrs, I'm used to it by now so it doesn't bother me anymore.

Gilbert laughs, "okay Franny, you have fun too."

Gilbert climbs back into the car, turning up the radio.

He doesn't say anything, driving us and humming along to the music, whenever we stop I hear him drumming on the steering wheel to the beat.

"Sorry the drive is kind of long Feli, Lud doesn't like living near people so he lives a complete of miles from the city," Gilbert apologizes, the music gets a bit quieter.

I smile, "it's okay Gil! Lud already told me that, I think it would be fun to live so far away from people!"

He chuckles, "maybe." He turns the music back up, singling the end of the conversation.

"Okay, we're here Feli! Do you want to come in? I need to make sure Lud is dressed descently," he chuckles, "maybe you could meet his dogs? They'll all get along with Noodle." I nod happily.

Gilbert gets out, opening the door for me and helping me out of his truck. Noodle jumps out after me, I grab her guide handle tightly, shivering at the cold.

"Okay Feli, remember that Lud isn't expecting you." I smile and nod, "I remember!"

Gilbert helps lead me to the door by holding my hand, "take a small step Feli." I do as told, I feel we reached a higher level than the ground. Gilbert knocks on the door, automatically I hear dogs barking at all levels of noise, some deep barks others light and young sounding.

"Down! Sit and back up!" I hear Ludwig yell, the door opens a few moments after.

"Hi Gil-" he stops, I wave and smile at him. "Feli?" I nod happily.

"Yep! I decided to come with Gil to pick you up!" He doesn't say anything back, my face falls.

'He didn't want to see me...he probably hates me now...did I do someth-?'

"It's nice to see you Feli, I didn't know you when to church," he says, almost sounding relived.

My smile softens a bit, "yeah, both me and Lovi go every Sunday, same with a lot of people we're friends with." I hear Ludwig chuckle.

"Yeah...I know, Gilbert and Matthew have told me about the 'religion Sunday's'." A dog comes up and jumps on me, almost knocking me down.

"Jäger nein!" Ludwig yells, the dog being dragged away from me.

I giggle, "it's okay Lud, I love doggies! Do you...think I could meet them?" I ask, pausing for a moment because I was a bit afraid to ask and that he would say 'no'.

"It should be okay...Gil do we have time?" Gilbert makes a sound of agreement, I smile, jumping in excitement.

"Um, okay, everyone sit!" Ludwig orders, after three seconds Ludwig, I can tell by the heat and roughness, grabs my hand, telling me to sit on the floor.

"Okay, this is Alaric, you've already met him, he's an eight year old Alaskan Malamute." I gently pet his fur, it's soft.

One by one a different dog comes up so I can pet them.

"This is Blackie, he's a German Shepherd that is six years old."

"Berlitz is five, and he's a Kuvasz."

"Aster is five and a half chow chow, he's very energetic and loves the snow."

"Jäger is the one that jumped on you, he's a Shuba Inu that is three years old."

"Amara is two, almost three, and she's a Great Pyrenees."

"Schatzi is a Keeshond and she is two years old, she needs a lot of attention."

"And the youngest is Imelda, she's a Tibetan Terrier that's nine months, and very very lovable."

I pet and hug each one, Amara seems to like me the most by all the kisses she's giving me. Noodle walks off when I give her permission, letting go of her handle. Imelda, I can tell by her size and fur, jumps onto my lap, basically pushing Amara out of the way.

I giggle, "Imelda! Thats rude," I playfully scold, smiling at her.

Gilbert laughs to the left of me, "alright Feli, I think it's time to go to church, say goodbye to all the dogs." I do as told, kissing both Amara and Imelda.

"Noodle come!" In a moment I feel her brush up against me, I grab her handle once I find it, standing up, "okay, guide Noodle."

"Ludwig actually combed his hair! Such a good boy," Gilbert jokes, I hear the door open.

"Gil..." Ludwig whines, obliviously embarrassed. I smile toward his voice.

"Can I...feel it? To get a picture of it? I don't think I've gotten a picture of you yet...you know, feel your face and ask questions of your hair and eye color."

He pauses, but answers right as I was about to tell him it was okay for him to say 'no'. "Sure Feli, I think I can handle that type of touch." I smile in gratitude.

I reach up and gently touch his face, "close your eyes." I feel him do I as I said. I slowly feel his face and hair, getting a picture of him.

"What's your hair color?"

"Blonde."

"Eye color?"

"Light blue."

"Skin color?"

"Pale."

I smile, "it's done!" Gilbert is silent, they both are. I hear Gilbert whisper something in German, Ludwig replies quietly. I'm scared of what they're saying, my hands are gently grabbed when my breathing starts to get heavy and I begin shaking.

"It's okay Feli, Gilbert just asked me a...private question," he pauses, "how about we go to church? We're running a bit late." I smile, nodding as I take a few a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.

"Yeah...that sounds great."