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Feliciano had just successfully convinced Ludwig to walk with him in the park. It took some convincing considering Ludwig's tough demeanor, but he eventually agreed after a lot of persuasion from Feliciano. The atmosphere was cold but slightly warm with a mix of the smell of the fall leaves and a bit of cappuccino aroma coming from the cafe not far from them.
“Ve~ Ludwig isn't it so pretty outside?” Feliciano commented while stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. He was wearing a navy blue fur coat with a black beanie topped with a little puffball on top. Slung around his neck was an old camera he had kept away in his room but brought it along with him to take pictures of them.
“Ja… it is. Ludwig said. With two thermoses of coffee in hand, they walked towards the park. As they stepped they crunched on the fallen leaves that fell from the changing season.
“Here, this bench looks good,” Ludwig handed Feliciano his thermos of coffee and they both sat down on the bench. The large maple tree above them made Feliciano beam with joy.
“Ludwig, look at this big pretty tree!” He said as he reached for his camera around his neck and raised it to the tree. Ludwig's head just peeked through the camera's lens, getting in the way of Feliciano's photo, but instead of repositioning the camera higher, he lowered it so Ludwig was fully visible in the photo. Feliciano grinned as he snapped a picture of Ludwig with the big maple tree still in the background.
“Feli, I think I was in the way for your picture.. Did you want me to move?” Feliciano grabbed his camera and kept it close to his heart. “Nope! You weren't in the way Ludwig! Don't worry.” He grinned while Ludwig gave him a suspicious look but ignored it, blushing unnoticeably he changed the subject.
“You should drink your coffee before it gets cold, you know.” Taking Ludwig's advice, Feliciano nodded and released his camera. “Thanks for the reminder! The trees distracted me…” He lied, he knew it wasn't the trees but it was the person that was sitting beside him that caught his attention.. Feliciano just sat and admired Ludwig for a good 5 seconds before sipping his coffee from the thermos. The heat of the coffee hitting back up against his face made his cheeks heat up and he set back down the thermos onto the empty spot on the bench next to his leg.
“Ve~ it’s really good Ludwig, it's sweet just the way I like it.” Feliciano complimented quietly before smiling at Ludwig, causing him to blush a little bit more. “Danke feli.. I always try to make it the best I can when you're the one that is drinking it. I pay attention to what you order a lot so that's why I made it sweeter.” Ludwig realized he might've come off creepy, “N-not that I'm purposely eavesdropping on your orders.. You're just loud.” He patted his forehead with the end of his scarf and reached for his thermos.
Feliciano also grabbed his thermos which caused their hands to brush against each other, causing them both to look up at one another. Ludwig once again cleared his throat and apologized, “S-sorry..”
Feliciano just smiled and sipped his coffee more and looked down to talk but Ludwig noticed Feliciano's hat slipping off of his hair and reluctantly reached to pull it back on his head. Feliciano looked back up, “Hm?” Ludwig cleared his throat and sipped his coffee, “It was falling off your head.. So I fixed it.” Ludwig's action caused Feliciano to smile and chuckled softly before thanking him. “Thanks!” “No problem.” Ludwig replied, trying to go back to his nonchalant attitude but failing miserably.
“You know,” Feliciano added softly. “You always do this.. Make me warmer.” Ludwig looked at him surprised. “Please elaborate.” Feliciano smiled softly, continuing his gentle tone. “You fixing my hat, you bringing me coffee, always looking out for me..” His Italian accent perceptible as he spoke. Ludwig doesn't reply right away, but instead he sets his half-empty thermos down on the bench and shifts to fully face Feliciano as he continues to speak.
Feliciano, slowly gaining confidence continues, "I've liked that about you- I've liked it for a long time actually..” His words careful and precise. “I.. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship because well… you're my favorite part of my day Ludwig.” Feliciano looks up to face Ludwig, both of their cheeks half tinted pink from the cold and the other half from their blush. “Even when we're training together or just sitting together during world meetings..” Felicano takes a deep breath before fully looking at Ludwig this time.
“I really like it. I like you. And i think… i was just waiting for you to give me any signs or to say it first,” He sighs. “But I cant take it anymore Ludwig I.. I just needed to say it.. It's been driving me mad because I wasn't sure if you felt the same.” Feliciano finishes his confession and looks nervously at Ludwig.
“I thought I was being obvious, Feli.” Ludwig replied.
Feliciano perked up. “Eh? What do you mean?”
Ludwig sighs, “I do Feli, probably more than you know.” A gust of wind blows past them as Feliciano smiles and fidgets with his fingers nervously. “Really?” Ludwig nods, “Really Feli.” Ludwig reaches for Feliciano's hand and they sit on their bench, fingers intertwined as the fall sunset peaks through the trees.
Neither of them say anything, they don't have to. Some things are better felt inside than actions and that's exactly how they felt.