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Now Ludwig isn't necessarily fond of the existence of magic. He has always been a person of science and things that can be explained. Things that have a concrete explanation to them such as... why is the sky blue? A lot of people would say it is because it was created blue but science had declared it due to the light particle reflecting. However, there is also an answer that makes him sigh and nod along.
"Because the sky is a source of magic!" Feliciano, the Witch of the Town that would always be seen creating more chaos than actually helping the townspeople, would say to him, eyes glistening with mischief while Kiku, ever the silent one, would nod along. "Silly question Luddy! The sky is the bearer of the wind and the rain and the sun and the moon..." and so forth and forth.
If needed, Ludwig is 100% sure that he can quote him word for word for it. The witch was fond of telling him about Magic even though Magic isn't necessarily part of his agenda as a Librarian. He never needed it in this World where everyone was born with one special ability.
When asked by either of the two magically-gifted beings, Ludwig just shrugs. "It never appeared." He says, ignoring the curious beaming eyes of Kiku who would always be seen behind the counter of his library. Now the shaman is another matter compared to his mischievous and louder counterpart. No matter where he goes, Ludwig is sure that when he returns to his Library after a lunch break, he would see the shaman curled up underneath the counter. Humming along with the radio while reading a book.
It's rather odd to say that their presence... just suddenly appeared in his Library. A bright color in his monotonous life after years of working in the town that was far off the capital or any major city. But he can't say that they were unwelcomed. For a matter of fact- Ludwig is a bit shy to profess that without them in his life currently, their warmth pressed against his sides, elbows hitting each other while they all struggle to focus on what they're doing in the little space meant only for the Librarian, he wouldn't know what to do.
But he has a sort of an inkling that Kiku- the wise and benevolent of the Sea as Feliciano once called him when Ludwig had to bear witness to the spiritual powers of usually calm and shy man- knew about it. Not when Ludwig would wake up to warm food in his kitchen, bread, and boxed meals already prepared for him with a small note that would come from Feliciano. Kiku always knows what's about to happen. Feliciano said it's because that's his job!
The Witch telling him stories about the time where he and Kiku first met- aged and ancient stories that spoke of the time where magic and kings and royalty were the norm- and it never failed to make Ludwig sit still, staring up at the brunette who speaks with such... life. Eyes opened for the rare times where he just couldn't contain his excitement of sharing all his knowledge with Ludwig.
"I'm really happy though!" Feliciano once said, legs swinging from one of the swing chairs that Ludwig had around the Library. The Witch with golden eyes pushed it closer to the counter so that he can present and give Ludwig things he created from magic when he finished one project after another. It was his designated chair now. A small table beside it just in case that Feliciano decided to bring something in. A vase with blooming flowers is always part of the tabletop, Ludwig always remembers to change the water every now and then.
"Hmm?" It was a busy day of reshelving books and reorganizing, Ludwig had to bust out his glasses and had to ignore the heat on his cheeks at the coo that Feliciano gave him. "Happy about what?"
Feliciano leans forward, grinning. He propped his chin on top of the counter, poking Ludwig's face with a gentle-oh so so loving smile that Ludwig wanted to melt right there and then but he resisted by coughing. "That we met you."
Huh?
Ludwig pauses, unsure of what he just said. He looks down at Feliciano who laid his head on his arms. "I'm really really happy because... Kiku is happier now... and I'm happier too." He- he wasn't expecting this. Feliciano is affectionate, he made his intentions as clearest as possible if can, the first one among the three of them to press a kiss on a cheek, on the lips, or even on the hand if he feels a little bit playful. But... this is out of the norm.
"Hey Luddy?"
He gives out a grunt, closing one book after he filled up the charts in front of him. "What?"
"Are you happy with us?"
...
"Of course I am." For a matter of fact- there were times where Ludwig feels bad. Undeserving of their attention. Of their love. Not when he is giftless. There is nothing interesting about him aside from his looks that were said to be pretty rare in the Town. Only those from the Capital have his looks. Tall, blonde, and sharp blue-eyes that Feliciano can go on and on waxing poetry to them.
He can't leave that conversation out of his head.
And looks like he's not the only one who realized that. Kiku, on one evening where it was just the two of them in the Library with Feliciano off to nowhere, speaks up. Breaking the comfortable silence between them.
"Are you alright Ludwig-kun?" He asks in the same polite tone that the blonde once tried to insist that there is no need- not when they were uhm... in a relationship together. "You have been off lately."
He has? Ludwig stops pacing around the entranceway, broom in hand while the other was holding a bucket. "I was?" He can't help the confusion in his tone and slowly, Kiku nodded. The bells hanging off his ears ringing softly together with the keys of the piano from the radio.
"You are. Is there something bothering you?"
There is nothing that is bothering him. A lie that could have easily spilled from his lips but when confronted with the unusually worried eyes of the shaman, Ludwig can only freeze. He can't lie to Kiku. He's too observant for that and so- he can only spill all his worries and woes and Kiku listened, moving closer to him to hold his hand while he says everything that has been bottling up inside of him.
I don't have a gift like you or Feliciano.
I don't know what to do if something were to happen to the both of you.
I don't feel like I deserve you.
Kiku listened to it all. Never saying anything but squeeze his hand tighter and tighter until Ludwig finds himself being embraced by the shaman.
"We love you." Kiku says. "Without you, we would have been so lost. We don't care if you don't understand magic. We love you because you make us feel safe- because you don't care about magic enough and are just content with watching us. We love you Ludwig-kun."
Kiku, compared to Feliciano at least, is usually the quietest among them. Never been one for public display of affection or the sweet nothingness that they have both grown used to with Feliciano holding their hands out in the open. However- Kiku has always been there to listen and talk to.
A comfortable silence.
A reassuring silence.
"So don't worry-" except ever since the Witch and the Shaman have lived in this town, there is never a moment of silence and peace and Kiku paused in his words as Ludwig looks up from the floor to watch as an explosion of purple clouds came from one of the neighboring shops and the familiar screen of the Town Witch echoing through the streets.
Oh dear Feliciano.