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“Luddy? Oh my gosh is that you?”
Now, let it be said that in their office, Ludwig is known as someone who is more or less work first, fun later. Always the first one to finish work and would often work overtime to do more- regardless of whether his partner would like it happening. Always stoic and strict, everyone who is quite close to him knows that’s not the case, he would often be the first person most of his co-workers to depend on to get things done. Always soooooo serious, a lot of them would think he isn’t capable of taking it easy or even laughing about it.
So when both Arthur and Francis saw the way his face lit up when the barista came closer to them- they automatically looked at each other, each with their own speculation in their eyes. ‘You see this shit?’ Arthur’s eyes seems to say, taking a sip of his own tea before they flickered back to the pair when he heard Ludwig laugh so loudly that it was almost unnatural unless they were far from work and he was free to… well… talk about his interests.
“You should have told me you were back in the country,” Ludwig scolds the barista lightly. “We should have gotten back together-”
Francis slaps Arthur’s knee at the mention, the long-haired man almost choking on his own coffee when he heard that. ‘Arthur, what do you think their relationship is?’ He communicated through his eyes and Arthur pursed his lips, trying to sneak some glances to the pair who was happily talking in the middle of the cafe.
If they had any decency, they wouldn’t dare speculate their co-workers’ relationships with other people HOWEVER Francis and Arthur knows that Ludwig is in a relationship with another person who is coincidentally their other co-worker. So seeing this happen in front of them… that is simply cannot be! Absolutely cannot be! They will never allow such a thing happen! Rejected! Not under their watch! Who do they think they are- this barista daring to flirt with their Luddy? No no! Ludwig is the only one who can make that one calm down enough to listen to reason during a meeting.
Absolutely cannot happen!
“Gosh you’re so tall now too! Last time I saw you-” France gripped Arthur’s arm tightly at the sight of the barista patting Ludwig’s head, the man intently looking at the pair before back at his partner.
‘No way.’
Arthur didn’t know what to say at the sight of Ludwig’s blushing cheeks or the way he refused to look straight at the barista. ‘I think yes way.’ For a pair of lovers who wanted to make it look like they hated each other’s guts, they were quite… close at the moment. They had no choice but put aside their play-pretend in their worry.
“Do you really think they’re…” Francis raises his hand and crosses both his middle finger and index finger together. “You know…” He tried to keep his voice as low as possible, not wanting to gain anyone’s attention to them.
“Bloody hell Francis just say it when we both know that’s fucking impossible.” Arthur hisses, raising his voice while slamming his cup down to the table. “He’s not that kind of person.”
“Your voice!” Francis scolds him, covering his mouth with his hands and warily looking at everyone that looked at him with an apologetic smile. “Do you think… Do you think Savino knows about this?” He hisses between his teeth clenched together.
Arthur made an ugly face, not liking the way that Francis put his dirty cold hands on his face. Just before he was about to answer- there was a voice that echoed behind them. Almost angrily and short of a shout while a weight presses itself behind their chair. The smell of tobacco and dark coffee told them of his arrival and when they looked up-
“What don’t I know huh?” There and behold was Savino Vargas, one of the managers of their company and the someone that they were trying to avoid in this scenario. “Well? Out with it? What don’t I know huh?” Maybe it was because he was holding his own cup of coffee and he was just fresh from a nap but he seems to be rather… tamer than the one in the meeting room earlier that day.
“Well you see-”
“Nothing! Nothing at all! You know everything!”
Ah. They’re caught. Savino doesn’t seem to believe them. At all. Raising an eyebrow with how the two clinged at each other, trying to cover their lies with more lies. “What? I’m not fucking blind. What the fuck is going on?” He puts down his coffee a bit too heavy on to the table, leaning against the two despite their height difference.
He stares at them intently. Francis moves closer to Arthur, seeking a little bit of protection while refusing to look at Savino straight up. The Italian only stares longer and closer, taking a step forward before he notices that something was missing. There was Arthur and there was Francis and him… Usually there will be four of them going out for their lunch break always, secretly bonding over things but when Savino counts them once more- ah. His own boyfriend isn’t here. Weird though? Considering that the last thing he saw before he ended up taking a nap in the middle of work was his boyfriend and this two old coots together. He would presume they were all down here, probably waiting for him to wake up but…
where is…
“Where’s Ludwig?” He stands up straight, taking a sip of his coffee. “Comfort room?”
‘What should we do?’ France grips Arthur’s arm tightly, looking at him from the corner of his eyes. ‘Should we lie?’
Arthur elbowed him, slightly shaking his head. ‘No. Are you insane? Do you think we’ll be safe if Savino finds out?’
Just from small movements and gestures- ah the wonders of being together for quite some time~ But they are forgetting one important thing and that is the presence of the man in front of them who has an inkling that something isn't right. Squinting at them, Savino crossed his arms together before angling his chin upwards as if to give them the impression he was taller than any of them. (He is in fact the smallest in terms of height.)
“Well? You two are hiding something and it’s very much obvious.” But Savino would give them the time and moment to gather their thoughts and answer him properly. He’s not that mean outside the meetings- and usually the only reason he would even raise his voice while they were working is because those imbeciles can’t even know the difference between an excel and a powerpoint.
“...” No one dared to answer him at all.
With a sigh, Savino shook his head and before the two knew it- he was already staring at Ludwig who was still gleefully in conversation with the barista who was being stared at a little too harshly by his own manager. Oh no. Oh no no no- oh no.
“Listen- it’s not what you think!” Francis tries to defend Ludwig by standing up, almost dragging Arthur off his own seat because he forgot he was even clinging to the British man. “He’s not going to-”
“Hold my coffee.”
Helplessly, the two of them watch as Savino marches towards the two. Francis holds on to a half-empty cup of coffee while his partner is struggling to get him to let go of him. “Oh dear. I might have started an office war.” He bemoans, sitting back down and still dragging Arthur with him.
“You think? Now let go of me! I can’t drink tea like this!”
France looks down at him before sneering. “Good then.”
“You-”
“You.” For anyone who is looking at the scene, they would think this is like those typical telenovelas happening except this time in real life. Where the mistress is found out on a date with the husband by the legal wife. Savino marched towards them, scowling and the whole cafe grew silent in fear of receiving the short-tempered man's ire. Everyone held their breath when he reached out for the barista.
Oh dear.
"Savino wait- Ludwig didn't mean to-" Arthur simply couldn't help it, standing up and almost toppling his own cup of tea to the floor when he saw Savino grab the barista from the back of their apron and with a swift movement, already had them in a chokehold.
“You bastard! Why didn’t you say anything when you're in the country huh?” There was no anger in Savino’s eyes, only a playfulness none of them expected from him. The man took his fist and began to rub the person’s head a bit painfully. “You didn’t even bother to tell me huh? I could have picked you up you bastard-”
“Waaaah! Fratello! It hurts, it hurts!” Through the motions of Savino doing so, the barista couldn’t help but cry out, all the while trying to pull apart Savino’s arms away from him. “I’m sorry I’m sorry! I wanted it to be a surprise! Frateeeellloooo! Luddy! Save me!”
Helplessly, Ludwig had to intervene, coaxing Savino softly to let the barista go who was near to tears which then leaves the bystanders- well not really bystanders- Francis and Arthur standing up, a little bit confused? Fratello is brother in italian? But they never knew that Savino had a brother, they all just assumed he was an only child. Except the moment the barista was freed and was able to breathe safely, his cap fell on the ground which reveals an obvious familiar curl which bounced with their steps away from Savino.
Ah.
A hit of realization went through both the Frenchman and the Englishman. They are brothers. They look so similar that it wouldn’t be shocking if they can be easily mistaken as one for the other. Sure the barista’s hair was a bit lighter compared to Savino and Savino’s eyes were a brilliant hue of green compared to the amber eyes of his brother- but apart from all that? They were the splitting image of one another and Francis can’t help but hit the top of his palm as if to go ‘ah!’ without saying anything.
“So you’re brothers?” What a relief- surely things are quite easier to understand now but how… How does Savino’s brother know Ludwig?
“Si!”
“Unfortunately.”
Both of them spoke at the same time and it was quite odd seeing a smile in what can be said as Savino’s lookalike. They seem to be quite so… cheery? Still, they make quite a pair with how Savino began to rant in Italian to which his brother can only hide behind Ludwig while chirping his replies behind the blonde man who looks quite familiar with the two.
“Then… How does he know Ludwig?” Arthur was still isn’t convinced.
He can’t help but be wary of the appearance of Savino’s brother. It seems rather outlandish- like it was straight out of a show where some character’s brother, whom the cast doesn’t even know about the whole time the show was running, suddenly appeared to be this sort of antagonistic character. They’re usually there for old times sake or used to further the relationship of the character and their love interest by being the one who’ll intervene in said relationship.
It’s a trope to which a lot of them (four. There are only four of them in the group) said that they don’t like to see whenever they see it in their chosen media but one might think it’s because… all of them… have siblings one way or another.
“Ah about that…'' Ludwig coughs into his hand, his cheeks still a bit flushed from embarrassment from the two. “Feliciano is my childhood friend and we went to the same school together.”
“Yup yup! I was Luddy’s friend first then he met my brother and now they’re working together- but they didn’t even bother to tell me that!” Feliciano, Savino’s brother, pouts, moving to the front with two of his hands on his hips.
Savino scoffs, rolling his eyes. “And you never said you were back in the country. So where did you go off to this time huh? Milan? Paris?” His hands trying to get into his pockets to get his cigarettes because heaven knows he needs it. Especially after that stressful thing.
“Tokyo!” was his cheerful reply. “Ah! Vino, can I please stay over-”
“No.” Without any hesitation, Savino cut him off. He knows what his brother is trying to make him do and what he was about to say. “No you cannot.” Not when he’s planning to have Ludwig over for a small date.
Is this some sort of a fucking joke?
Savino was in the middle of the sofa, biting down on his cigarette after work while watching his little brother yell and scream at the same time as that blonde’s cart crashed into him. His only saving grace at the moment was Ludwig’s leg pressed against him and if not for his stupid little brother- he would have already wrapped his arms around the man regardless whether or not the two old man would want to see it. But-
“Fuck.” He looks up from his own controller when he feels someone tap his hand, only to meet worried blue eyes and right now- Savino wants to kiss him. Kiss him a lot but he can’t because Feliciano is here and as much as he adores that little shit- it’s just difficult to… well admit that he, that little shit’s brother, and his best friend is in a relationship.
Not that he thinks Feliciano would be against it- he didn’t actually know what his brother’s reaction would be but... It’s more like a constant worry he can’t help but think about. An anxiety which bubbles in his stomach and threatens to overflow if Feliciano does find out they were dating, he doesn’t even know what his brother might say especially since he wasn’t planning to tell their family anytime soon. Not yet anyway.
Savino sneaks a hand underneath a pillow, poking Ludwig’s pillow- hoping to be able to hold his hand and squeeze it. His only joy in his current predicament but they had to be sly. Just because his brother was distracted with trying to beat Arthur in the game and with Francis trying to make their dinner after he insisted that all four of them take their time and enjoy it, it doesn’t mean that they were completely safe. Feliciano has the nose of a bloodhound when it comes to gossip and conversations he shouldn’t be getting his nose into.
“Can I stay over longer-”
“No.” Savino lived with that brat for years and he was so thankful when he found out that Feliciano got into a college abroad and moved to a different country for his studies. Hell no is he making Feliciano live with him just when he was trying to get Ludwig to move in with him. After he already made plans to ask him to move in with him is what he tries to say.
“But-!” Feliciano was about to whine until he turned around, about to protest but he ended up staring at Savino. Paused and blinking owlishly. “You have a partner don’t you?” He accuses, ignoring the blazing game screen that shows that he already lost. “You would usually kick me out of the room if you have a boyfriend!”
“We shared the same room for years Feliciano-” Savino bites. “Sorry if I don’t want to deal with you singing so early in the morning.” He looks away, not trusting himself to look at his brother’s eyes. Squeezing Ludwig’s hand underneath the pillow covering the middle space between them as if to gather strength. “I enjoy my mornings in peace.”
Only the sound of the tv and Francis humming in the kitchen filled up the small space before Feliciano blew through his lips. “Liar. You’re seeing someone.” He sounded so sure that it annoyed him quite so well.
“I’m not.”
“Yes you are! Look at me then tell me you’re not.”
“I’m not.” He looked sharply at Feliciano and the two brothers stared at each other in silence. An uncomfortable silence which made Ludwig frown and try to settle the tension between them.
He coughed into his fist before raising his hand, the same hand that was currently holding Savino’s hand upwards. It was almost comical when he realized he was still holding Savino’s hand and watching the pillow fall down to the floor with a soft thump. Ludwig didn’t even realize it until Feliciano’s jaw dropped and the older Italian moved to hit him with a pillow.
“I KNEW IT!” Feliciano shrieks, before falling to the ground due to another pillow to his face. Then he stayed there on the ground.
Savino’s cheeks were simply red- too red and he was standing, huffing loudly while clenching his hands open and close. Embarrassment almost making him tear up and he stares at the floor, teeth gritting together while trying to find words to explain- excuses to tell Feliciano- anything to make him understand that he loves Ludwig and Ludwig loves him back and he’s sorry that he didn’t tell him earlier but-
“Thank god.”
Huh?
“Thank God.” Savino stares at his brother who was hiding his face with a pillow. Ludwig squeezed back, moving to stand by his side to stare at Feliciano. “I really though- I really thought that you might end up alone and I-”
“You’re not… mad?” Ludwig can’t help but hesitantly ask. “That we’re dating?”
It helped- knowing that they’re not alone when Savino moved closer to Ludwig, a bit worried on the way Feliciano didn’t reply as quickly like how he would usually do. Slowly, Feliciano moved the pillow away from his face and Savino felt Ludwig’s shock as well as his own when Feliciano revealed his crying face.
“Oi! Why are you crying-” Savino, at the sight of those tears, couldn’t help but cry with him. “I should be the one crying!”
Annoying- so annoying. So goddamn annoying!
“But but- you’re finally with Luddy and you’re both together and I’m so happy because at least- least I know it’s Luddy and not some random person you picked off the street! Do you know how worried I was? Because I thought you might end up living your life alone and lonely without anyone to help you out and and- be there for you when you need to cry? I was so worried!”
“Huuh? You really think that bad of your big brother huuuh?”
Maybe it’s a good thing- that at least he wasn’t against it. Or that he didn’t say to his brother and best friend that he knew that they were dating the moment he saw them together again. It’s hard not to notice it after all- their longing gazes and soft eyes they would direct at each other when they thought people weren’t looking at them.
They’re not subtle at all!
But it seems like they were forgetting about something… Or was it some people? Oh well- they’ll remember it next time if it’s that important.