Secret Santa for emsiecat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did while writing it :)

It was exactly as it appeared to be, but at the same time it felt like it was something more, surrounded by a completely different air to it. Ludwig didn't understand what about this shop was making him draw nearer. It was just a hole-in-the-wall café, not too uncommon from any other place you'd find in London by looking at its outside appearance. In fact, you couldn't tell what was in the shop as white curtains had been placed by the windows blocking the view indoors and the door window filled with advertisements. One would have thought it would be a home if it hadn't been for the small, café sign standing out a foot or two away from the place with the cheerful message "WE ARE OPEN!" written in bright red cursive letters.

The café was calling him, and Ludwig knew not why his feet were moving closer and closer to the door, determined to set foot across the threshold. He was only out for a stroll, just to get a breath of fresh air from his home, and he didn't mind the lightly snowing weather outside. He actually wanted to be in the cold weather to forget, so why was he going to a café shop? The more Ludwig questioned his actions, the closer he came to the place beckoning him. He placed his gloved hand over the knob and easily opened the door that came with a chime from above.

While the outside somewhat blended with the other surrounding buildings in color and looks, the inside was definitely diverse. It was warm, brightly colored, and very much homey. Poinsettia centerpieces were positioned on the wooden tables that were spread out on both sides, accompanied by chairs with red cushions. Christmas decorations hung from the top of the walls and along the counter, which had several sweets securely protected in glass. Pictures of various locations were hung about the room, and soft instrumental music played from above. It was quaint, and Ludwig was sure that if such a lovely place truly existed, many people would have flooded each and every speck of space. And yet, there seemed to be not a soul. If it wasn't for the delicious smell of coffee hanging about, Ludwig would have thought he entered a different world altogether alone. After taking a good look around, he approached the counter and said in a strong voice, "Hello? Is anybody here?" A soft gasp was heard and the rummaging of pots and pans from the back erupted like fireworks. Ludwig cringed as each cuisine instrument was dropped, banged, and clanged together. Did this person trip over every utensil in the entire kitchen?

A man soon appeared in the doorway, brushing off what seemed to be specks of cinnamon from his hair and clothes, and wiped his hands on his green apron. Ludwig had to stifle a gasp, eyes growing slightly wider at the sight in astonishment. The young man had to be the most beautiful person Ludwig had ever seen. He was about half a foot shorter than he was with a slim-shaped body, and looked perfectly wonderful even though he was wearing just a simple black shirt and an apron wrapped around his neck and waist. He had this feather-like hair the color of autumn leaves that glowed underneath the well-lit establishment, and a small charming stray curl over by his left ear, complimenting his light skin. He had a slightly red blush brushed across his cheeks, probably from all the work he was doing in the back, and so very astounding dimples that made his smile wider. And his smile indeed! It was bright enough to light the darkness of a thousand galaxies.

In spite of everything spectacular the man had that Ludwig mentioned, nothing could beat the gorgeousness of his eyes. Honey-amber brown, a color that you don't normally see on a daily basis. They were brilliant, joy-filled eyes that held the innocence of a child but the knowledge of someone much older than he seemed. They held so much in them, and yet there was this twinkle in his eye that gave the impression to be out of place from what Ludwig noticed, but found that the face he was so captivated by was only a few inches away from his own.

Ludwig stumbled back, a pink blush spreading on his face. The young man had leaned over the counter, and was now laughing. God, his laugh as well! It was the sound of tiny bells ringing in a silent night, as exquisite as the ringing of church bells on a dreary day. The man wiped a stray tear from his eye, straightening up his posture and leaning a hand against the counter. "I'm sorry for scaring you sir, you were just standing there and you couldn't hear what I was saying so I thought maybe that I could get up real close to you and then you would notice me! My brother does that all the time with me and it works quite well! Actually, I wish he would do that every time to get my attention instead of hitting me on the head. Though I really shouldn't space out too much so I guess it's partially my fault as well, but there's just so much to think about so it can't be too much of my fault that I get distracted! Ah, but I should pay more attention when I'm waiting for something to get done in the kitchen, I've lost a few good meals because of that. I'm getting better though! Oh, speaking of meals, would you like to have anything to eat? Or maybe some hot cocoa or coffee instead since it's so cold outside? I prefer a cappuccino myself on most days, but in December I like to opt it out and go for some hot cocoa instead with the tiny marshmallows because it reminds me of home back in Italy when my grandfather used to make it like that! So, what would you like?"

The vast amount of information passed to Ludwig was something he was not prepared for. He couldn't help but stare at the handsome individual in front of him in slight shock. Said individual then gasped. "I'm so sorry! I didn't even introduce myself, how rude of me! My name is Feliciano! It's nice to meet you…?"

The sentence hung in the air for a short few seconds before Ludwig caught it. "Ludwig." He managed to say, still surprised at the man behind the counter.

"Ludwig, that's a very nice name." Feliciano complimented, smiling. Ludwig turned his head slightly to the side, not wanting the other to catch a glimpse of his dark colored cheeks. The way Feliciano, oh God was that a beautiful name, rolled his own name off the tip of his tongue in his Italian accent was so powerfully overwhelming to Ludwig. He never knew that just by saying his name could affect him in a way he never felt before, the fast beating of his heart.

"T-Thanks. This café… are you the owner?" Ludwig asked. Feliciano nodded his head. "Yes, I am. I love to bake sweets and brew different kinds of drinks. Cooking has always been a favorite pastime of mine! Though I'm still thinking of maybe doing art as a career on the side, I love it just as much! Oh! We also have pasta available here too because I love pasta and I find it hard to believe when someone says they don't even like it in the slightest! Do you like pasta, Ludwig?"

Ludwig slowly nodded his head. "Yes, I enjoy pasta." The other man gave him a large shimmering smile and began to talk about the history of pasta, so it seemed. This was not what Ludwig was expecting when he came in here.

Wait a minute. Ludwig felt compelled to come here, but why did he come in here? With the sudden urge to see the outside world, he turned around quickly back towards the door during Feliciano's ongoing talks of pasta and grasped the handle. It wouldn't budge. Ludwig tried harder, but nothing happened. Feliciano's quieted as Ludwig tried to open the door, almost frantically. Seeing no other choice, Ludwig took a few steps back and ran into the door with his shoulder.

"It won't open. At least not right now." Feliciano said, the cheerful tone gone from earlier. Ludwig, somewhat out of breath, turned to him. He may be a glorious creature that had the appearance rivaling that of an angel's, but he had basically locked him in! He strode to the counter in huge steps, his boots squeaking against the hard floor. Ludwig raised his hand and grabbed the collar of Feliciano's shirt, pulling a third of his body over the counter, face-to-face.

"What the hell is going on?" He asked, glaring straight into Feliciano's now teary eyes. The other man sputtered a few things out in fear, rapidly and pointlessly shrieking about unnecessary things like how he had family still back in Italy, was a virgin, and that he didn't want to die yet. Ludwig's patience was growing thin, and ended up yelling in his deep voice, "STOP RAMBLING AND TELL ME WHY!"

Feliciano screamed. Ludwig was being quite firm. He responded back quickly and panicky, stuttering out something Ludwig was least expecting. "T-This is a s-shop that gr-grants a wish and it w-won't let you leave until y-you tell me your wish and it has c-come true!"

Ludwig knitted his eyebrows together. "A… wish shop?"

"Yes! And it won't let you out until a wish has been made!"

"Do you think I was born yesterday?!" Ludwig yelled into Feliciano's ear. Feliciano brought his hands up in defense. "No no, I'm telling you the truth! Just please put me down, you're starting to hurt me!"

It was true, the hold of Feliciano's shirt was causing him to be pushed into the counter and his back was sure to be sore after bending back from his hold. Though he was unhappy with the ridiculous answer and quite angry, Ludwig let go of Feliciano, who rubbed the back of his neck. "Y-You sure are scary when you can be! Sit down at the table right over there," Feliciano pointed to the one closest to him on the right. "I'm going to get a cup of chocolate, do you want one?"

Just like when he entered the café, Ludwig found himself going against his wishes and nodded before even thinking about it. What was this place doing to him? "Alright, I'll be back in a quick second!" Feliciano hummed, skipping back into the kitchen like he hadn't been hollered at and as though everything was perfectly well.

The tall man walked over to the table, taking off his gloves and rubbing the bridge of his nose with his hand, trying to calm himself down. Nothing was making sense anymore. He unconsciously walked into a café where a beautiful man had trapped him in saying it was really a wish shop instead of a café, and after being told that Ludwig found himself believing it and having nothing to fear! What's wrong with him?! This had to be the most bittersweet day in Ludwig's life.

Feliciano came out much faster than Ludwig had anticipated. He placed a green, steaming cup complete with marshmallows in front of Ludwig with a small spoon on the side, and an identical one in front of him, though he also placed a small, white covered dish to his right. He sat down, stirring his cup of hot cocoa and took a sip, smiling. Once the cup was placed gently back on the table, Feliciano rested his head on his hands, elbows on the table. "So, I'm sure you have a few questions, yes?"

"You said that this... this place is actually a wishing shop?"

"Well," Feliciano paused briefly, looking straight into Ludwig's eyes. "It technically is a shop that will grant your deepest desire. There are some people that come in and once I tell them it's a wishing shop they say what's on the top of their heads. Money, women, power, love, all that kind of stuff. But that wouldn't be what they truly want, and so I try to help them figure out what it is, though I already know what that certain wish is."

Ludwig slowly nodded, gathering the information in. "So do you just randomly grab people out the street and do this?"

Feliciano tilted his head, looking puzzled. He closed his eyes in concentration. "I'm not too sure, the shop is really the one who picks the people and lets me know of the wish, and I just help it along, regardless of the outcome. But I can't disagree with the shop for some of the people it chooses to have come in." He smiled, grabbing his cup and pointing it towards Ludwig. "There are quite a few gorgeous girls that come in, they are always a nice sight to see and chat with. Though there is a particular tall man with soft blond hair, such pale skin that looks like royalty, and the bluest blue eyes I've ever seen in my entire life that I very much appreciate coming by."

Ludwig coughed, not in the slightest bit uncomfortable but in another poor attempt to hide his blush. Feliciano laughed at the gesture, taking another sip of cocoa. "I'm sorry, but it seems to me like you are telling me this shop... is alive?" Ludwig questioned after realizing what Feliciano had just said. The man across from him answered, followed by a giggle. "Yes, but don't dwell on it. You might hurt yourself even more just trying to think about it!"

It was strange. Ludwig didn't understand what he was feeling. Upset and angry for not being able to leave, but there was another emotion he was feeling with Feliciano. ...Had they met before? Surely they couldn't have, the striking young man would have stood out most definitely, so what was it? It was hard for Ludwig to feel comfortable around people he didn't know, but he had no trouble with Feliciano.

"Do you know what it is that you truly desire, Ludwig?" Feliciano asked, snapping Ludwig away from thinking further on the subject. He paused, crossing his arms.

"There's only one thing I can think of, but it is so insignificant, it couldn't really mean much."

Feliciano slapped a hand down on the table, making Ludwig twitch. "No wish is insignificant! If it was, then why would you wish for it in the first place?"

Ludwig looked at him in surprise. He watched as Feliciano sat back upright, a small, sad smile on his face. "Sorry, but I don't think any wish should be considered insignificant, especially to the person making the wish."

A stir of the cup, a clinking of the glass. "Tell me, what is it you wish with deep desire."

Ludwig gulped, somewhat nervous to be telling this to a person he'd only just met. Then again, there was that air about him that just took down all of his defenses… "I probably wouldn't have thought of it if you had asked me any other day, but today… today hasn't been very generous to me, and I was reminded of this. Deep down I believe this has been plaguing me for many, many years."

Feliciano smiled. "Your deepest wish you desire… what is it?"

A sigh with the sip of cocoa and downcast eyes. Ludwig regained his composure and sat much straighter than ever before. This was something he had never told anyone before, something that no one knew that he wanted. But here was a man, claiming he could grant it. It was ridiculous, to believe in something like hope as Ludwig was a practical thinker. In fact, this whole ordeal was ridiculous, especially that he was going along with it and not trying to escape! But Feliciano… sweet, kind Feliciano had hope in his eyes. And his hope made Ludwig hope.

"I want to regain back my memories from childhood."

A/N: Happenstance means chance, coincidence, incident, luck, destiny, fate.

This is a secret santa work for emsiecat. And though originally this was just going to be a two-shot here (which it still will), I've been thinking of making it a mini-series with other pairings. So thank you emsiecat, for giving me inspiration on this. I hope you have a merry Christmas! Next part on will come out on Christmas Eve.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia in any way, shape, or form. It belongs to the wonderful Hidekaz Himaruya.