GerIta

The Kinda-Date

"Feliciano!" Ludwig yelled down the hallway. He had been unusually nauseous after the show and raced into his dressing room. After a five minute pep-talk in his dressing room bathroom... and another two minute pep-talk on the way to the greenroom, Ludwig had finally built up the courage to take Feli to dinner.

Fearing that the Italian had already left he was know sprinting towards the greenroom. "Feli I'm..." The German collided with someone who had been running the opposite way, "Oh, my god. Feli I'm so sorry."

"I'm not Feliciano you stupid German," yelled the person getting up. Now that he had the chance to really look at the person Ludwig discovered that he did have slightly darker hair than Feli. "You going gawk at me all day pervert?"

"Are you Feli's brother?" asked Ludwig stupefied.

"Yes and now that we've got introductions finished, move because I hate you." Romano shoved his way past the taller man and stormed off towards the exit.

Ludwig was left confused and slightly startled that someone could hate him when they just met him. Did Feliciano hate him?

The anxious German was about to head back to his dressing room for another self peep-talk when another, much nicer, red head called down the hallway.

"Ve, Ludwig! There you are," Feliciano ran to the taller man completely unaware of the inner turmoil going on inside his brain. "Um, Ludwig, you look a little nauseous."

"No, I'm fine." He was not fine. His heart was beating way too fast. "Let's go," said the German and he instantly regretted it. Was that too forward? Too demanding?

"Okay, let's go!" Exclaimed the smaller man excitedly taking Ludwig's arm and pulling him towards the exit.

~O~

Not wanting to seem too excited about the dinner, Ludwig had walked the two around New York City a little bit and made it seem like he found the restaurant by accident. He had actually made reservations as soon as he asked Feli out and worried that the man he talked to would forget and mess everything up and then Feli would hate him.

"Hello sir," said a man in a suit. He stood behind a podium, "we have received your reserva...."

Ludwig sent a harsh glare at the man daring him to continue while Feli looked around the restaurant completely unaware. The man gulped and quickly scurried off to make sure that the table was ready. When he returned, he wouldn't look at the blond man in the eyes and after taking their drink order, practically sprinted to the kitchen.

Feli stopped looking at the scenery of the restaurant and finally made eye contact with the taller man. Ludwig, realizing that he had been caught starring at the Feli, quickly blushed slightly and looked away. Feliciano giggled, "Ludwig this place is very nice."

"Ja, it is. We are very, um, lucky to have found it by complete coincidence." Remarked Ludwig trying to stop his hands from shaking. Was that sweat? Did he need to put on more deodorant? Was he smiling weirdly?

"So, what do you like to do outside of work?" The Italian asked innocently while looking at the menu to see what to get.

"Oh, um," crap! What did he do outside of work?! Play with his dog's was the most honest answer, but did that sound lame. "I like to... spend time with animals."

"Ve! What kind?" Asked the smaller man excitedly. A small waiter came by with their drinks and politely took the appetizer order before the pair continued.

"I e-enjoy playing and training my dogs mostly," Ludwig admitted sheepishly. No use in lying.

"Ve! How sweet! What kind of dogs are they?" Feli happily took a sip of his lemonade.

"German shepherds," Ludwig answered very relieved. He made a mental note that Feli liked dogs and quickly stowed that away for future use.

"How old are they?" Inquired Feliciano who was looking over the menu with his eyes, but was obviously listening.

"One is very old, I've had him since I was very young. The other two are about three years old, give or take." The German had never gotten the chance to brag about his dogs and honestly felt tremendous pride for them. "They are all impeccably trained and very loving."

"Oh, how adorable," the Italian squealed. "I would love to meet them!"

"You could come over to my house anytime!" Ludwig said excitedly instantly regretting it. That was way too forward! Now Feli is going to think of him as some pervert!

"Ve? I would love to come over to your house," the Italian replied too loudly making the other members of the restaurant turn to them. Ludwig ducked his head in embarrassment and Feliciano didn't seem to notice.

"Here is your order of cheese fries," politely said the waiter placing the tray of food and dipping sauce on the table. "Are two ready to order?"

"I am!" Answered the Italian happily before he ordered a family size plate of spaghetti.

"That's pretty big Feli, don't you think we should share it?" Ludwig asked. This sent Feliciano into a laughing fit that confused both waiter and German alike.

"No, no, Luddy. I'll be fine," answered the Italian trying to calm down.

"Um, okay. I would like the sausage and potato combo," Ludwig ordered before waiter nodded and went away.

"So, Feli. What do you like to do in your free time?" Asked Ludwig easing up. He noticed, happily, that he wasn't as tense as before. Feli looked like he was enjoy this kinda-sorta-date and that was all the man could ask for.

"Ve? I like to nap and sleep and cook," said the Italian happily. "Mi fratello and I can make great pasta. You should come over for pasta some time!"

Ludwig's heart jumped and he let his small smile turn into a larger one. He had actually been invited to Feli's house. Could this moment get any more perfect?

"I would love to Feli," Ludwig politely accepted the invitation. Now that that stage of the this kinda-date was over he could execute part two of his plan: Romance. Knowing that he was especially unprepared for this part, he had looked up a very suave saying to say to Feli in case he managed to get to this phase.

"A women who looks like you and can cook, that's a dangerous combination." Repeated Ludwig verbatim, feeling very accomplished for remembering all of the phrase and making it sound natural.

"Wha-What?" Asked Feli looking at the taller blond like he was insane. All of the confidence that the German had built up from the rest of the evening was instantly demolished. That was too forward! Oh, god! Oh, god!

'I screwed it up!' Ludwig thought frantically trying to find his voice. 'Why I couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?!' He tried to regulate his breathing and took a swig from his glass of beer to try and calm his dizziness.

"I-I'm saying that you're a very p-pretty woman and the fact that you can cook is g..."

"Ludwig, I'm a man." Feliciano interrupted looking up at the stunned German across the table from him.

The glass of beer he had been holding slipped from Ludwig's hand and shattered on the restaurant floor.

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I'll update this story in about a week. Any comments are appreciated. :)