Einsamkeit ; A Germany/Italy Story

Chapter Three

Many things seemed to all happen at once.

First, Feliciano introduced him. Second, Lovino's face twisted with a rage that could only be described as 'uniquely infuriated'. Third, before the boy's Grandfather could stop him, Lovino was on his feet and gripping the collar of Feliciano's button up shirt and immediately began shouting.

"WHAT THE  HELL WHERE YOU THINKING BRINGING THIS- THIS NAZI BASTARD INTO OUR HOUSE?!"

Lovino's shout echoed through the small kitchen, and immediately sharp throb of pain rocketed through both Ludwig's head and his heart. Nazi. He hated that word. It was a word that had been many things throughout his life. In the beginning, a cloak of honor, a proud title to carry on your arm in the form of a red band. Now, the word was a curse. A terrible label slapped on him by more than just Lovino. Each time he was branded with that word he could feel his skin crawl and shame form a deep, dark wretched pit deep inside himself. A pit he often stood on the edge of and contemplated jumping off of. He hated that word..but he could not deny its use in relation to him. Silently, and without protest, Ludwig looked away from Lovino. Something his younger self would have spit on him for. He knew why he deserved that word..and as such he held no anger at its use. However, despite Ludwig's calm acceptance, Feliciano was not to be so easily silenced.

"For once in your life Lovino, will you shut your mouth!" Feliciano gripped his brothers wrist and pried it away from his shirt collar, the Italian had enough of his brothers constant anger, and he was going to say something about it. "How could you say that about someone you don't even know? What has this man ever done to deserve you label him something so terrible? you know as well as I do that just because you live somewhere doesn't mean you agree with what it's leaders are doing! Our country was on the wrong side of the war, same as his! So for once in your life could you please, just maybe think about somebody else before you open your big fat mouth!"

"Why you Little-- How can you even defend him after what his kind did? Honestly Feliciano you can't be--"

"SHUT UP THE BOTH OF YOU!"

All eyes in the room looked over at the tired old man who had shouted. Roma's patience was growing thin, he loved his grandsons. Deeply and truly he loved them, but their constant bickering weighed heavy on him and he would not stand for any more of the nonsense.

"Lovino, Go take a walk, I don't care where you go, but you need to go and clear your head. Feliciano you and me will speak in the other room, If either of you protest I will wallop the both of you so hard your great grandchildren will feel the sting on their arse, 25 years old or not , Do I make myself clear?"

Ludwig's eyes flicked between all three men in the room, Lovnio looked even more infuriated at his grandfather's words but the threat must have been enough to keep his lips sealed. Feliciano turned away from his brother, crossing his arms over his chest in childish recognition of his grandfathers instruction. He was honestly impressed how easily the man was able to get them to discontinue their bickering. With a curse in Italian Lovino stormed towards the door, shoving his shoulder firmly into Ludwig's on his way out of the kitchen. They only heard the slam of the front door that left  the two Italians and Ludwig hanging in the tense atmosphere. Ludwig stood in the doorway, not sure what do do with himself he glanced between the man and Feliciano. Waiting to be told to leave.

Roma ran a hand through his thick, grey-streaked brown hair, he looked at Ludwig after a moment of contemplation, and relaxed his face into that of apology.

"I am sorry for my grandsons" He apologized in a terse voice, "They have no sense of manners, I truly and deeply apologize for them. If you'd be so kind, Please take a seat while I talk with this one out in the living room for a moment."