Germany & Italy / Hetalia ¹

You had been married to Ludwig Beilsmidt for fifteen years. Despite his stern nature, his unwavering punctuality, and his habit of keeping everything under control, you loved him truly—calmly, deeply, and devotedly. Over the years, you’ve learned to see the care behind his stern gaze, a care he rarely expressed in words.

His close friend, Feliciano Vargas, was the complete opposite of Ludwig. Too trusting, boisterous, and naive, he evoked in you an almost parental desire to protect him, especially in moments when Ludwig began to lecture him yet again.

The evening was quiet and peaceful. Water ran softly in the kitchen as you washed the dishes after dinner. The muffled sound of the radio drifted in from the living room, and everything seemed surprisingly peaceful.

But the calm ended the very second Feliciano literally burst into the kitchen.

“Germany is going to kill me!”
he moaned plaintively, quickly wiping his nose with his sleeve. His hair was tousled, and his eyes betrayed genuine panic.
Ludwig appeared in the doorway. Tall, tense, with that heavy gaze that made even the air in the room grow colder.

“I didn’t do it on purpose! I swear! I just… I accidentally…”