This is a companion story to my other fic, When the Storm Breaks, telling Feliciano and Ludwig's POVs. I've tried to make it so they are separate enough to make sense on it's own, but it might make a little more sense if you read both. Thanks.

23rd of May 1915, in the small town of Fonte D'olio in Italy

Feliciano almost jumped out of skin when he heard the front door open. Lovino stormed into the kitchen where Feliciano was slicing the skin off an apple with a blunt knife, the only one Lovino allowed him to use. He looked more huffy than usual which made Feliciano expect the worst. He was anxious too, all morning; ever since the priest called the whole town to the Church for a meeting. The priest had never done that, and consequently, Feliciano worried. At least one person from each household had to go, Lovino ultimately rejected Feliciano's offers and made the small journey into town. Feliciano was still recovering from an almost fatal disease he had a few winters ago and Lovino was determined to keep Feliciano sheltered from the world since then. Feliciano knew his brother was just trying to protect him, but this inside life was stifling. Sometimes, when Lovino was at his job or the market, Feliciano would step outside for just a few moments and breathe in the fresh air, letting the scent of the Italian countryside fill his lungs. He had done so a few moments before Lovino arrived back and hence felt refreshed and at peace. Now he just felt apprehensive.

"Those bastards," Lovino grumbled as he slumped into the chair opposite.

"What? What happened?"

"They've only gone and declared war."

"Who have?"

Lovino looked at him like it was obvious. "We have, Italy, has declared war on Austria-Hungary."

Feliciano nodded as he accepted this new information. So his country was at war, but why was Lovino so angry? What did it mean for them?

"What does that mean for us, then?" Feliciano decided to speak his mind. Lovino was clearly agitated by this question and his face fell into even angrier angles. Was it not clear to him that this war will be devastating for the both of them? Feliciano looked down at his apple, regretting ever asking.

"It means, dumbass, that I have to go off to war." Lovino spoke slowly for his half witted brother to understand.

"Oh." A small syllable Feliciano could only just manage. Those last words floated around in Feliciano's mind for a few moments and then he looked up at the man who had spoken them. He could see that Lovino was contemplating something and waited until his stare drew Lovino's eyes towards his own.

"What?"

"Why only you?" Feliciano felt like he knew the answer and Lovino would probably get annoyed at this question, but he asked it anyway.

Lovino did become annoyed. "Do you want me to remind you for the hundredth time that you're too sick and too weak to even step foot outside, let alone fight in a war!" He was out of his seat and shouting by the time he finished his sentence. Feliciano shrank back at the words he had recently grown accustomed to over the past few years. Lovino, at his brother's reaction, sank back down into his chair and looked away. Silence echoed throughout the room. Feliciano had long since forgotten his apple, but now started to work back into it just for something to do.

"How's Antonio?" Feliciano decided to break the heavy stillness of the room. Mention of the Spanish priest made Lovino's eyes light up for a brief moment and he sat up slightly straighter.

"He's doing well, for someone who just broke the news of war to the town." Feliciano nodded and Lovino went on. Lovino could talk for hours about Antonio if he wanted, and Feliciano knew this. It was a good distraction. "He said instead of fighting, he's been allowed to look after the church and help with the morale of the town." Lovino looked down at his hands, somewhat relieved of this. Suddenly, realisation hit him and he looked up excitedly.

"What? What is it?" Feliciano was immediately confused.

"Antonio can look after you while I'm at war, until I get back!" Lovino bounced in his seat. At this rate, Feliciano could make it through till next year, Lovino could go fight in Isonzo or whatever it was called, and be back before either of them knew it. The only thing that bugged him about this whole mess was Feliciano's health, and know there was a solution Lovino could fight diligently and whole heartedly for his country. And for Feliciano and Antonio.

"Promise you'll come back?" Feliciano timidly asked for his brother's confirmation.

"Of course I'll come back, Feli." And Lovino meant it. He would come back to Fonte D'Olio, to his brother and Antonio, after a successful war. Lovino silently promised himself that he would. Even if they weren't victorious, and their small farming town had been taken over by Austria-Hungary, he would still come back.

An explosion that tore through the peace faltered Lovino's thoughts and he looked in the direction it came from.

"That sounded like it came from Ancona, do you think everything is ok?" Feliciano was always fretting about everything. Lovino strode to the front door, grabbing his jacket along the way. As he swung open the door he informed Feliciano that he would be back soon.

"Let me come with you, I want to know what's happening too—"

"No, Feli. You stay here. I'll tell you when I get back." The door slamming seemed to echo the faint but evident eruptions coming from the west.

Next day

Feliciano was restless. It had become dark and Lovino was not back yet. He was especially worried because of yesterday. The Austro-Hungarian Bombardment on Ancona had been strong and fierce all through yesterday evening, and this morning and afternoon too. It had stopped now, though, and Feliciano wanted it to stay that way. Although he was hungry, he did not want to eat dinner alone. He would probably be eating alone from now on anyway, and he wanted to savour every last moment he had with Lovino before he left. Feliciano couldn't wait any longer. For the first time in about three years Feliciano put on his jacket and stepped out onto the road. He looked out on the fields he had grown up to love and sighed wistfully. Looking down from their small hill to the centre of town, then out to sea, then back at their unattended farm, he started to trot towards the church. His and Lovino's small cottage was situated further from town than Feliciano could remember and he became short of breath very quickly. He didn't care though. He was outside, in the moonlight. He was going to see the old church again. He used to go every Sunday along with Grandpa and Lovino, and after the service they would go out into the church gardens and sing, or draw, or both, and… and there it was! The small, picturesque church looked exactly as it did when he last saw it three years ago.

Feliciano gained speed before he knew it. He felt so alive at that moment. He was actually running, and laughed as he did so. The last time Feliciano walked at a speed higher than his normal pace Lovino sat him down and told him to rest even though he did not need to. Feliciano felt like he was flying, and once he reached the church he flung open the doors excitedly. He did not care if there was a sermon happening. Heck, he didn't even care if two people were getting married. He was at the church after so long.

But there were no sermons, nor weddings. The church was completely empty except for two men stood hand in hand at the alter. Before Feliciano could make them out (this was not a big church, it had just been so long since Feliciano had to look that far away) the two broke their embrace and moved toward Feliciano. One was more deliberate and faster than the other, who was struggling to keep up. Lovino grabbed Feliciano's arm.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Lovino exploded.

Feliciano stammered "I.. uh… I—"

"Don't worry, Lovino. We needed a witness anyway." Antonio's soothing voice behind Lovino seemed to calm him a little. He relaxed his iron grip on Feliciano's arm.

"Witness?" Feliciano couldn't help but be bewildered.

"But how did you get here?" Lovino ignored Feliciano's question.

"He probably just walked here. He's not as weak as you think." Antonio answered for him.

Feliciano started smiling widely and he said with a matter of pride "I ran the last part,"

Antonio gestured toward the gleeful Italian. "See? He's as strong as a bull."

Lovino finally released his clutch on his younger brother's arm.

"That's great and all, but what if the military find out? Will they take him to war?" Lovino turned desperately to Antonio. "I don't want that for him."

Antonio placed a soft hand on Lovino's cheek. "The military won't find out. I'll make sure of that." He reassured.

Feliciano blinked a couple times at the gesture, and noticed how his brother was staring deeply into the Spaniard's eyes. He immediately understood. "Ah, witness."

Antonio, taking his hand away, nodded eagerly. He took Lovino's hand in his and turned to Feliciano. "Feli, would you do the honour of being the one and only witness to our wedding?"

Feliciano grinned even wider, which both other men did not think was possible, and nodded enthusiastically.

Walking back, well more like Lovino and Antonio were strolling hand in hand and Feliciano was skipping, the happy-go-lucky of the three decided to make conversation.

"I knew it all along, you know."

Lovino snapped up his head to look at Feliciano. "You knew what all along?"

Feliciano smiled knowingly and giggled. "That you two are in love." Feliciano spun around at the last word and Antonio chuckled. Lovino promptly looked as red as a tomato.

"Shut up, bastard, I was saving that for tonight." He spat.

"Oh you were, were you?" Antonio raised an eyebrow. Feliciano giggled again.

Lovino turned a deeper crimson, if that was possible. "Well, I.. uh.. bastard—"

"How did you know, Feli?" Antonio saved Lovino from even more embarrassment.

"Well, the way you look at each other… um.. the way Lovino talked about you.. and…. um.." Feliciano looked lost for words. He tried to gesticulate instead. "It's hard to describe, you know?" He looked wistfully ahead. "I wish I could fall in love."

Antonio smiled. "I'm sure you will, Feli." He said wisely. "And when you do, we will be here to support you and your love," He jabbed Lovino in the ribs. "Won't we, Lovi?"

"Um, yeah, sure. Whatever."

Antonio started ridiculing Lovino for his lack of support but Feliciano wasn't listening. 'You're love.' His love. The idea was alien to him. He only knew three people in the entire world, one of them was about to leave for war and another was already dead. He was sociable with the villagers before illness struck, but he had not spoken with them since. How was he ever going to find his love when he couldn't even leave the house? Feliciano felt very tired suddenly and started to walk a a slower pace. He had been stood up for too long and he had actually ran somewhere. It was too much for his lungs to cope with.

As soon as they got back, Feliciano knew they would want the bedroom so sat on the rocking chair on the porch. Antonio nodded at Feliciano as a thanks and ushered Lovino inside. Once the door closed shut Feliciano let out a small sigh and realised his stomach was rumbling. After all the excitement, running, seeing the church again, the wedding, Feliciano had completely forgotten about dinner. He knew he would find it awkward going back into the house, and it wasn't like he could reheat the pasta anyway without making some sort of noise, so he eventually decided to venture out into the middle of the overgrown field outside their house. Situated here was a lone orange tree, the one which Feliciano visited often before his illness. He knew the season oranges became ripe enough to eat had ended last month, but he could still see a few late bloomers Lovino had not bothered to pick. He plucked a plump orange off the nearest branch, tearing off some of the skin as he lowered himself to the ground. Leaning on the trunk he looked out to sea and let his mind wander. Although so far Lovino had tried to hide it from him, he knew there was a possibility Lovino might not come back. That's why Lovino and Antonio had decided to get married that night, they might not get the chance ever again. What if Lovino got captured by the enemy? What would Feliciano do then? Antonio would be heartbroken. Feliciano made a fateful decision that night. If Lovino ever got captured by the enemy, Feliciano would go find him and bring him back.

To be continued...