ｔｈｅ ｂａｌｃｏｎｙ ｂｅｌｏｗ ｍｅ

[zombles]

[ pffft you're fine. and so am i haha lol ]

If Ludwig wasn't going to explode, he was going to implode. Stupid blush and having someone be this concern for his health was a little bit new and nerve-racking. He hadn't meant to get Feliciano upset by his actions, and most importantly didn't want the other going through this much trouble for him when they had just met. He glanced down at the blanket in his lap with a frown before watching Feliciano again, opening his mouth to protest but nothing came out.

"Yes, I do. Thank you," the blond sighed. He wasn't going to decline the offer since he really didn't or couldn't think of an excuse to get his way out of this one. He would of said he needed to feed his dog or something, but the apartment building sadly didn't allow pets and Ludwig couldn't find another building close to his work that did. Ludwig ended up draining the cup of coffee and softly setting it down on the counter and went back to focusing on how the other's apartment looked like. His was the only place he had seen, but the other's apartment almost looked exactly like his, besides the furniture and all as well.

[vault]

Amused, but so happy that his offer had been accepted, Feliciano smiled and got right to searching for food. Thank god his foodie genes kept his pantries (yes, of course he had more than one, quickly converting an extra closet upon his arrival) stocked. He was rather impulsive in his food-buying, but his tendency to involve people in his life so quickly made up for that. Either way, he was still able to narrow down his selections considerably. "Well, breakfast-wise, I have some sausage, fruit, Rösti and eggs. Do you have a preference? Because I definitely can make some of each, it won't take long. Whatever you'd like."

Looking up, he noticed Ludwig's eyes flickering around the apartment. His art was everywhere, he hoped lud didn't hate that sort of thing. Despite the monotone cream walls, carpet, and furniture, the multitude of paintings and sculptures and sketches and bright-colored blankets (not to mention the flowering plants he'd recently rescued from the balcony) really created a smorgasbord of visual stimuli. "You can look around, if you want." He motioned at the walls. "They're not much, but..." He trailed off, resuming his rapid food gathering and preparation. "Sorry if the plants get in the way, I was really worried they'd freeze!"

[zombles]

Ludwig glanced over the other' shoulder as he began listing off things he could serve him. He bit down on his lip in thought, trying to decide what he wanted for breakfast. Feliciano looked like he would be a good cook, or just the type that would be good at cooking. The blond wasn't the best at remembering dishes to cook and preferred to bake. He could possibly bad the other something someday... "Uh, I'm fine with anything. Whatever you want is good."

Well, Ludwig did not hate the art decorating the brunet's apartment. It was pretty and a cheerful setting. All his apartment had was old furniture, white and neat, and old paintings that he had brought from Germany when he moved. "Oh no, it's nice. It's much more happy than my apartment, believe me." Ludwig offered with a small chuckle. He stood up and gently folded up the blankets and placed them back on the stool. He headed to the closest piece of art, studying each one of them before moving on to the next. "You're a really great artistic, Feliciano."

[vault]

BAKING!LUD IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE THOUGH THANK YOU

At the German's neutral response, Feliciano shrugged. "Okay, Well, I'll just make up some of each. I'll eat it at some point if you don't want all of it!" Feli was down for that. Cooking was just edible art... he paused—realizing that most art was technically edible—before shaking his head. "I don't really have regular hours at the university, so I just eat whenever I can." He laughed softly, adding "This is actually helping me be healthy." Shredding a potato to brown for the Rösti, he hummed to himself, trying to decide how to prepare the food so that it'd all be done near the same time. He really didn't want his new friend to have to wait.

In the middle of coating a pan with olive oil, Feliciano registered the compliment, and promptly dropped the bottle on his toe in response. "OW, S-sorry, thank you. That's really good to hear. I'm glad." Luckily, he'd gotten it upright before spilling much. Walking lightly to where Ludwig was, he looked over (well, around, he was way too short for over) the other man's shoulder. "Oh, that's the first painting I did when I arrived here in London." He smiled fondly at the memory. "My brother was tired and cranky, so I sent him to the hotel, but I really had to paint that." There were lots of imperfections, but he liked it that way. Blunt as ever, Feli continued completely off-topic. "You're really tall."

[zombles]

[ he's such a baking papa<33 ]

Ludwig jumped upon seeing something loud come in contain with the floor and a muffled sons as he. He glanced over at the Italian and a small frown, ready to walk over and make sure that he was okay. He didn't want Feliciano to murder his foot, that would be really bad. He was still doubtful as he walked over to the blond.

Maybe he had seen Feliciano's brother before in the building, because he remembered someone with darker hair and another curl. Based on his memory, the two didn't seem like they were brothers. Feliciano was kind and quieter while Lovino, right?, had been very uh opinionated.

At the new comment, Ludwig still couldn't get how blunt this kid was and his ability to not read the atmosphere as well. I guess, it was pretty good when it came to somethings. In Ludwig's case, however, that wasn't. "Uh, I'm only 5'11"." He said, amused.

[vault]

Making a show of looking up, he stood on the tips of his toes, still not close to being even in height. "You're taller than me, so you're tall." He added matter-of-factly, measuring his height on Ludwig's shoulder before bouncing back on his heels and running back to the kitchen to make sure the oil wasn't burning. Luckily, it was still fine. He definitely didn't want to start the building on fire.

"I assume you don't paint?" He added, wanting to keep conversation up. "So what do you do in your free time, other than setting absurdly early alarms and standing outside until you catch a cold?" He tossed the uncooked food into the pan, making sure to catch the other's eye as he smiled over his shoulder. He really didn't want Lud to think he was being mean.

[zombles]

"Maybe you're just really short," Ludwig teased lightly as Feliciano stood upon his tippy toes and tried to match his height. It was a good effort, but not enough. He slipped his hands into his pocket as he not-so-enthusiastically followed Feliciano back to his kitchen to watch him cook.

"I'm not very good in the area.. of um arts," he remarked, folding his hands together and watching the Italian do his thing. What did he do in his free time? Ludwig raised an eyebrow at the question. To be honest, he really didn't know what he did in his free time. Besides embarrassing stuff that he wasn't going to tell Feliciano since the other seemed the type to tease him for it, and no one knew about that stuff because he hid it when Gilbert or when Gilbert brought one of his friends over. "Uh.. I like researching on the Roman Empire."

This made Ludwig realize this was the basically the only hobby he had that was not childish or grandma sounding. He liked building those model airplanes, baking cakes and pies (okay- well mostly German pastries were the best), knitting mittens and scarves, making those LEGO Architecture buildings, the Roman Empire, and watching Netflix when he didn't want to do any of those. Wow. He sounded like a loser.

[vault]

I love love love love that list of hobbies.

"Yeah, I seem to get shorter the farther north I go." Feliciano remarked from the kitchen. Many people in Northern Europe were pretty tall and intimidating. Especially in northern Russia and Scandinavia... he really didn't know what those guys had in their diets. He was very glad, however, that Ludwig seemed just comfortable enough to tease back. Positivity was like Feliciano's battery, he was only able to run properly if everyone was relaxed and cheerful.

The young italian worked quickly, searing the sausages and browning the other two foods together, proud that his timing skills worked out in his favor. Dishing up the food, he brought it all to the counter so as to let the other man choose first, handing him a light robin's-egg-blue plate. "Do you like all history, or just Ancient Roman?" He questioned, and stared at the eggs before mournfully adding; "I wish I was closer to home, I'd show you my grandfather's library. If you love the Roman Empire, you'd love that. I mean, he's got everything in there. He writes new manuscripts all the time." Brightening, he realized it was closer than he'd originally thought. "Hey, actually, there's a new one I'm proofreading for him right now. Let me know if you wanna see it. It's good, but I don't know how helpful I can be without all the prior knowledge. I'm only good with the more artistic ones!" He returned his focus downward, this time tracing the grooves on his own salmon-pink plate—he'd made these, actually, a really long time ago—and frowning at the flamboyant spirals.

"I'm sure you're good at some art, Lud." Oops, he really hoped Ludwig didn't hate nicknames. "Everyone's good at some art." Tilting his head to the side, he added; "But you should do what makes you happy! If art doesn't make you happy, then it's good that you don't waste time on it." He hesitated. "What's important is that you find what you enjoy most, and do it for yourself, not anyone else. And do it despite anyone else's thoughts. I mean, unless you're murdering people. Oh, but you're a policeman, you know that."

[zombles]

[ he's such a nerd it hurts
and whoops i'm sorry for not replying yesterday, i'm finally feeling not that tired ]

Ludwig let out a small chuckle at his reply. He let the subject drop since he was going to poke more fun at Feliciano, but the time wasn't now. Maybe later. He blinked at the food before using his fork to dish some out on his plate, taking a couple of sausages of course, eggs, and bacon because bacon tasted great. He took a forkful of eggs before nodding and an embarrassing flush overcoming his face again because he choose to stuff his face rather than reply. He swallowed before giving another nod, "I would love to, thank you."

He pushed back his hair with a small sigh. Ludwig smiled at his words. He wasn't exactly sure how to reply, having not being good at literally any form of besides knitting if that was even considered an art. It was an embracing talent at best. "I'm an investigator and or detective, not a police officer, Feli. I don't sit in a cop car and try to speed trap people." He snickered.

[vault]

Please don't worry about it, you're just fine. Take all the time you need. :3

He pouted at Ludwig's words, whining; "I know, you're more important than that." He studied the German, still getting the vibe that the other was uncomfortable with—or about—something. He was just so... gentle, somehow. He held himself so straight and severe, acted so formal, but his currently-rebelling hair, the joking, that little smile that was gone so quickly you had to really look for it... man, there was just something familiar about him, but Feli just couldn't quite figure out what it was. Yeah, that was the last straw. He had to paint him sometime.

Realizing he'd been staring, Feliciano snapped to a new topic. "Ah, but if you want to read the new book, I'll get it!" Taking off towards his bedroom (Feliciano didn't have a "slow" speed setting) immediately, he searched his desk for a few minutes, manuscript buried in piles of concept art, essays, and notes in various subjects. Finally retrieving it, he returned to the kitchen, and hopping back up on the chair next to Ludwig. "Sorry about the pink penmarks, those are my edits." He scratched absentmindedly at one of the more exuberant strokes. "It's the only way my brother and I don't fight over pen color." Humming (it helped him think), he came to another conclusion. "You could make notes, too, if you wanted. Like, with sticky notes or something. I'm sure you'll have something to say, and I'm also sure you're an expert in areas that I'm certainly not." Not wanting to make the other more uncomfortable, he continued. "I only said sticky notes because then you wouldn't have to feel bad for marking it up, if you want to use pen you absolutely can do that too. I trust you." Nudging it closer to the other, he finally grabbed some food for himself.