Wow. It's been like a week since I updated?

Btw if anyone is interested I've started a play list on my youtube account for The Matchmaker - the order is random but might give you some hints for future chapters ;)

Just search BlueMilkOnMars and you should find it in my play lists. Let me know if you've had a listen!

Anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter!

I don't own Hetalia.

Ludwig swallowed and looked up from the patient's chart to see Feliciano zipping up his jacket. He'd promised The Matchmaker that he'd ask him to stay behind so they could walk home together. The original plan had been to ask him at the start of their shift together but the opportunity never came. Ludwig sighed.

Damn it.

Feliciano bounded and smiled broadly.

"Night night Ludwig! See you tomorrow! Oh I was meaning to ask you what do you want in your lunch tomorrow? I keep forgetting to ask."

Ludwig smiled slightly.

"Whatever you think would be nice. Good night Feliciano."

Feliciano groaned.

"I keep telling you to call me Feli."

He nodded and pretended to be occupied with the patient's chart he'd been staring at for the last half hour. Feliciano hopped over and poked his arm.

"Come on! Call me Feli! I wont leave until you say it~"

Ludwig spluttered but quickly composed himself.

"That's…fine. Goodnight Feli."

Feli smiled then waved his arms in triumph. Ludwig stared at the absurdity of the young man being so happy over something so trivial as a nickname. Before his face could turn red he coughed to cover his face with his sleeve.

"You'd better go now Feli or you'll be more late than you usually are."

Feli's face fell. He leaned against the desk and then positioned himself so he could sit on top of it. He fiddled his fingers and mumbled.

"I'm sorry it just takes me a long time to get home and then I need to make my brother's dinner and then I like to get some art done before bedtime-"

Ludwig held up his hand.

Never a better chance than this one.

"Are you still scared of those boys under the bridge?"

Feli coloured, then nodded his head whilst staring at his feet. Ludwig ran his hand through his hair.

"Wait to the end of my shift and I'll walk you home."

Feli blinked in disbelief.

"Really?"

"Yes. It does you no good to be so scared you're late all the time."

He got off the desk and skipped towards him before giving him a quick hug. Ludwig straightened his face and remained completely still, staring down at him. Feli looked up with a smile.

"Thank you! It's going to be so much fun - I've never talked to you outside the hospital before."

Ludwig carefully wiggled his way outside the shorter man's grasp.

"Good. Now stay still and don't cause any trouble."

Feli mocked a salute.

"Yes sir!"

-/===========oooooooooooooo=-/

They stepped out into the cold night air and wrapped their coat's tighter to their bodies. Feli wowed at the trees outside the hospital coated in frost.

"They look like they're covered in icing sugar! Isn't it pretty?"

Ludwig nodded as they walked, not really listening. His head was filled with the idea of finally being alone with the man that he could not think of a suitable conversation starter or any way to make it known that he -

I can't even think it without blushing.

His worries seemed to matter nought as Feli was content on talking about anything and everything that he found facinating - from the crunchy leaves at their feet to the pretty city lights in the distance.

A sudden silence from Feli broke Ludwig away from his thoughts. He looked down at him to see his face furrowed and downcast.

"What's wrong?"

Feli quickly plastered a grin onto his face and carried on as if nothing happened.

Ludwig stopped walking, forcing Feli to stop with him.

"I know something's wrong."

"I don't want to talk about it- "

"-Well we're not moving until you do. It's bugging me. I don't like to see you so sad. It's not like you."

Feli widened his eyes and they stared at each other for a moment. He gulped at the boy's brown eyes still so bright in the dark. Eventually Feli nodded and they continued walking.

He stared up at the stars with a fond expression. It was the first time he had seen the boy so deep in thought.

"I miss my grandpa."

"Oh."

Feli gave a small laugh.

"Yeah. He died along time ago. We used to draw together all the time. It was the anniversary yesterday."

Ludwig shifted uncomfortably, unsure on how to comfort him. He settled for placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sure he's looking down at you. They never really go away."

"You think so?"

"Ja."

Feli chewed his lip.

"I think he'd be sad."

Ludwig raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because I never became an artist when I really want to."

"Then why'd you become a doctor?"

"I don't know. I want to draw all day but for a long time its been just me and my brother and I needed something with money because Lovi gets fired a lot…"

Ludwig hid a smirk in his coat collar. He patted him on the shoulder once more.

"You're a very good person. My brother lives with me to so I know how you feel."

Feli seemed delighted at having something in common with his colleuge and did a little dance on the spot, completely forgetting any past sadness.

"Cool! Is your brother really angry to?"

Ludwig let out a loud laugh.

"Nein. He's lazy though."

Feli gave a small chuckle and subtly moved himself closer until their arms were touching. The tips of Ludwig's fingers brushed his sleeve. When they came to the bridge where the young boys usually hung about Feli moved even closer to Ludwig's side then let out a small whimper. To Feli's credit under the bridge was particularly dark at this time of night, and the broken lamppost on the outside added to the creepy feel of the place. Ludwig looked forward and remarked that under the bridge was empty. Feli shook his head.

"N-no I don't want to walk there anymore! Let's go back." He shook. "They're probably hiding to jump out at me!"

He clutched at Ludwig's arm and dug his fingernails in deep. With a wince Ludwig pried his fingers out from his flesh.

"Don't be such a baby. You have to face your fears - if they jump out I'm tackle them to the ground and you can run."

Feli sniffed.

"You promise?"

"Ja."

He looked back at the bridge with uncertainly but with a nod of encouragement they moved forward. All was fine until they were halfway through the bridge. The chattering of Feli's teeth and shakey breath echoed on the brick. Ludwig slowly felt around for his companion's shoulder and when he found it Feli screamed.

"CALM DOWN. It's me."

"O-Oh…"

He moved his hand to his other shoulder so that his forearm rested against his neck. Feli leaned into the warmth and fitted himself to Ludwig's side. Thankful for the darkness, he let himself redden and relaxed his arm.

They reached the other side of the bridge in silence. Ludwig wondered sadly when Feli would move out of his grasp but he made no such motion, seemingly content to go the rest of the way with his arm around him.

/-/ooooooooooooo/0000

If your wondering what took so long… it was the characters. I was so nervous writing a chapter completely devoted to Ludwig and Feli as I've never wrote them before this fic - never mind from their point of view!

Please tell me how I did so I'll be able to not worry in future chapters (or be able to improve)

Goodbye for now!