Kind of Like You

5. The Beast in Beauty

Jesus, Ludwig never wished he'd studied Italian more in his life. He'd repeated the sweet words Feliciano had told him in his head long enough for him to make it down the street and start furiously typing it into his phone for a translation.

See you soon.

Feliciano wanted to see him again, he hadn't screwed it up — the date was a success.

Ludwig flipped around in his bed a few more times, staring at Feliciano's contact. He'd typed it in as Feli ♡ and that alone had been enough to make Ludwig's heart skip a beat or two — now he actually had to text him. Or should he wait until morning? He flipped around some more before throwing himself upwards and out of his room to go to the living room where his brother liked to sleep regardless of how many empty rooms were in the house.

Maybe he'd seen him on the couch, but he'd been too distracted by his thoughts when he walked in to be certain. A quick peek into the living room confirmed it — Gilbert was sleeping not so soundly, arm hanging off the edge of the couch and leg hung over the back.

"Wake up."

Gilbert's growling snores fell to a whistle and he blankly answered back without shifting or opening his eyes.

"No."

Ludwig sat on an adjacent loveseat and slouched, phone in hand.

"I need your help — it's about Feliciano."

One crimson eye peeled open curiously, yawning before his mouth fell into a scowl again.

"Continue."

Ludwig stared down deeply at Feliciano's empty chat screen on his phone.

"Should I text him?"

Gilbert bolted up, throwing the blanket that was already halfway off his body completely to the floor. He braced himself against the arm of the couch with heavy fear and shock on his face.

"You got his number?!"

"Yes, I got his number, why are you so surprised — you're the one who told me to go for it!"

Gil leaned back into the couch and looked up to the ceiling, half of a nervous smile on his face.

"Right, I did. Text him..." Gilbert paused, bringing his hand to his chin in thought before clapping his hand to his thigh with a sharp sound of realization.

"Text him right now! You've gotta' make sure he didn't give you a fake!"

Ludwig paled completely, staring a hole into Feli's name at the top of the chat before looking up into his brother's eyes.

"You really think... ?"

"Of course I think, give me that!" Gil moved over to where Ludwig sat and snatched the phone from his brother's grasp, "I've got irresistible charm and tact on my side — watch and learn."

There was much protest on Ludwig's part, but Gilbert's foot was basically stone pushed against Ludwig's tired chest in order to keep him pinned to his seat.

A few yells of protest, punches, and keyboard clicks later and Gilbert dropped the phone in Ludwig's lap. He pushed his brother away from him as he thoroughly examined the text.

Or the texts.

The horrendous texts.

- Hey bb boy
- That date was awesome, can't wait to go on another one ;)
- By the way, this is Luddy, txt me back whenever <3

He wanted to throw the phone in the garbage and simply give up on going outside or seeing anyone else for the rest of his life after seeing the texts on the screen.