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Feliciano’s ears perked from within the kitchen at the sound of the front doorway being unlocked as he carefully, yet efficiently worked on peeling vegetables for the dinner he was preparing for himself and husband. Mainly for his husband, as food and cooking for others was his love language after all. He continued humming whatever random tunes were stuck in his head at the moment without any worry, since he knew without a doubt in his heart that it was none other than the love of his life entering their home together. Although he grew a tad bit concerned for a moment due to the lack of greeting or even noise from his spouse , until he sluggishly set foot into the kitchen Feliciano was currently inhabiting. Immediately, most of his troubled thoughts disquieted, but did not fully melt away. Even after a long day of work, his love always came home to the shorter with his head held up high, and of course with a greeting that included a forehead kiss for him too. So naturally, Feliciano was a bit concerned at the difference in his husband’s aura. “Ludwig-” he started, before being cut off by the other man wordlessly shuffling towards him and dropping to his knees right beside Feliciano’s chair, causing a noise signaling confusion to leave Feliciano’s throat. Ludwig sat there staring into space for a moment, before dropping his head onto his husband’s thighs with an extremely loud sigh.
Feliciano sighed as well, although endearingly, and chose to stay silent for once. Setting down the food he was working on, Feliciano took his gloves off, placed them on the table and began to pet Ludwig’s hair, occasionally threading his slender fingers through the short and pale blonde locks of his. He broke his silence to return to his humming, but this time it was specifically one of Ludwig’s favorite piano tunes. Ludwig recognized the song almost right away since it was very dear to him, and a song he once attempted to learn himself. Despite this, it was still a comfort to him, and he relaxed into Feliciano’s legs. Feliciano felt this, and smiled down at his lover. He continued to soothe Ludwig’s hair with his fingers, streaking it for a tad bit longer, but he couldn’t lie… he missed his husband’s face and voice. Feliciano also had dinner preparation to return to, but that wasn’t anywhere as important to him as Ludwig was. Begrudgingly, he released his soft grip on Ludwig’s hair, fighting the intense urge to return to it when he heard a small noise from Ludwig that was clearly an instinctual reaction to losing his touch. The Italian lightly tapped on the crown of the German’s head to get his attention. Maybe in a different scenario, Feliciano would take Ludwig’s chin in between his pointer and his thumb to get him to look at him, but he knew that his husband was obviously having a tough time. And he didn’t want to scare his dearest off… Ludwig didn’t often share his moments of weakness after all. He was definitely a lot more open than he used to be, albeit reluctantly, to being honest in that regard behind closed doors with Feliciano. Although it was still extremely difficult for him due to the fact that he was raised to almost never show any emotions at all, especially if they were considered weak in any way. For so long, having to put up a strong front was all Ludwig knew.
The blonde shifted, finally turning his head upwards to look into the eyes of his spouse. He did not speak though, and neither did Feliciano. They matched each other’s gazes full of love in the quiet walls of their home. “Ludwig…” the Italian eventually started again, and was met with a slight eye twitch from the taller, who was still kneeling on the floor beneath him. “…I can’t imagine that being very comfortable!” Feliciano nodded down at him, smiling widely, “Come, pull up a chair! I’m trying out a new recipe for us tonight, you can help me finish it if you’d like!” The Italian beamed at his lover, slipping his gloves back on and picking up his utensils once more. After taking him up on his offer to sit, Ludwig glanced around at the mess that Feliciano had created on their kitchen table from his preparations, but he didn’t let a single complaint about it out. Once again, Feliciano set his utensils down, his worries growing large again. Something was definitely wrong. “Amore mio..” the blonde glanced up at him at that, but only with his eyes before the shorter continued, “Please, what is the matter?” Feliciano’s voice cracked, and his gloves were discarded once more. He scooted his chair closer to the German’s, and took his hands into his own. Finally, Ludwig opened his mouth to speak. “Today…” he started with a mutter, “some… very incorrect and insensitive things were spoken about..” Ludwig paused, breaking the eye contact Feliciano was intensely holding with him. “About me. You. Us…” The Italian frowned, but once again fought to stay silent as he knew there was more that his lover had to say. “I did not necessarily pay any mind towards the words being thrown about in regards to myself. I do not let that foolish behavior affect me, as you know.” Ludwig paused again with a grunt, and Feliciano nodded in acknowledgement, “It was the fact that things were said about us. Namely, you… um ehrlich zu sein, it struck me to my core. And for once, it felt as though I was paralyzed. Unable to act.” He paused, turning away from Feliciano’s intense gaze even more to clear his throat. Feliciano noticed him pinching the bridge of his nose as well. Knowing that was the German trying to prevent himself from crying, or even just tearing up in the slightest, felt like a stab to the Italian’s heart. Yet he stayed quiet. Feliciano squeezed Ludwig’s hands for a moment to perhaps encourage him to continue, and to let him know that it is okay and that this is a safe space. Ludwig took in a sharp inhale, “…Because of that, they got to get away with the.. the extremely uncalled for things they chose to say right to my face.”
He finally turned back towards his husband, facing him once again. He remembered the discussions the two of them have had about communication. And so he wanted to be honest. Ludwig took in another deep inhale before going on once more, “I feel so ashamed. That was so very unlike me…” the German shook his head, trailing off quietly. Feliciano, his hands still holding onto Ludwig’s, caressed the skin of one of his spouse’s hands with his thumb. “Oh, Ludwig. My dear Ludwig.” The shorter of the two was the furthest thing from upset or any other negative emotion. He knew the way Ludwig’s family was about the two of them, so he couldn’t possibly be bothered with him. He knew of and had even experienced their treatment firsthand. He had most definitely seen it being directed towards Ludwig as well. The way that they purposefully poke and stab at his deepest insecurities, and it only got worse when his family had discovered Ludwig’s sexuality. Not to mention, the fact that he was already with another man. “Please, do not fret over this tesoro. I love you. So much.” Feliciano dropped his husband’s hands for a moment to stretch his arms out to their full wingspan. “Soooo so much! Thiiiis much!!” He giggled, especially once he saw that Ludwig was fighting a chuckle as well, and he picked the German’s hands back up, lacing their fingers together. “I know that you didn’t mean any harm, big guy. I know how it is.” The Italian had scooted even closer to his husband at this point. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned forward to close the distance, pressing a soft kiss onto Ludwig’s cheek. “I promise.”
One single tear had escaped from the well that had formed within the waterline of the German’s eyes. Before it had the chance to race all the way down Ludwig’s face, Feliciano quickly caught it with his thumb and brushed it away. Feliciano smirked, and spoke in a teasing whisper, “They’re just jealous of us, Luddy.” Finally, this brought a smile to his darling’s face as well, although it was a small one. “Here, I have an idea. Youuuu~” he paused, waving his finger in the other’s face, “You go relax! Do whatever it takes for you to feel as calm and as zen as can be, hehe. Me, your lovely talented chef husband, will quickly finish up our dinner! I will serve it to you in bed all special and fancy like, and we can cuddle up together and forget about those idiotas!!!” He may have giggled at certain points while speaking, but he was very serious about this plan he had proposed. “Seems like a plan!” Feliciano exclaimed after noticing that his husband’s smile had grown bigger. Still not feeling very talkative, Ludwig stood up out of his chair to exit the room, but not before returning the kiss that Feliciano previously gifted to him. “Ich liebe dich, Feli.” Ludwig lingered there for a moment still, “Thank you.” With one more kiss, Ludwig bid his husband a temporary farewell. Feliciano got back to work on the meal for the two of them, with the biggest grin and the deepest blush both plastered onto his face. The Italian returned to his original humming, happier this time. Even without saying much, he again felt absolutely zero doubts in his heart that Ludwig was grateful for him and adored him so. He knew that man was the love of his life, and he for sure knew that the other felt the same.