A/N: So just a little notice – I changed a few things in the first part since I found a direction in which to take this story. Please take note that some parts in this story are subject to change. No, it won't ever be anything drastic – just a few details here and there. If I should decide to change anything in the future, I shall send out a notice informing you about it.

I would also like to thank everyone for giving this a chance - I have never received so much attention for a story that I have just published. Please bear with my inexperienced writing style; I hope to improve throughout the course of this story. Thank you!

.oOo.

The storm had lasted deep into the night – sending tremors of thunder throughout the house. Ludwig found it fitting to excuse himself for the day seeing as Feliciano had some family issues to attend to; however, the rainfall had settled into the marshes surrounding the mansion – flooding the area and making impossible for Ludwig to escape. Feliciano happily allowed him to spend the night in an old guest bedroom at the far end of the mansion.

It was a decently sized room; decorated with elaborate furnishings and covered with dust and cobwebs like the rest of the house. However, there were two things that struck Ludwig as peculiar: One). Despite the grand fireplace which currently contained a roaring fire, the room possessed an eerie chill that drowned out all feelings of warmth. Two). It presented a full view of the Vargas family cemetery which happened to be in the back yard.

Not that Ludwig had a problem with dead people – it just made him mildly uncomfortable knowing that they were so close to the house. In his mind, this fact increased the chances of a possible ghost sighting. Why should that be a problem?

Ludwig was a man who hated few things; nevertheless, if there was anything he could say that he hated wholeheartedly – that thing would be ghosts and anything to do with the like. He claimed that this phobia spawned from his brother, Gilbert - who tortured poor Ludwig as a child with ghost stories and fake "hauntings" (these so-called hauntings turned out to be Gilbert and his friends running around the house in bed sheets). Unfortunately, the fear that something would pop out from underneath his bed late at night lasted into his adulthood and the ambiance of the mansion was not doing anything to settle his nerves.

However, before he could give ghosts any more consideration he was interrupted by Feliciano who was frantically searching through a closet for some spare pajamas and fresh linens. "You know, Ludwig… I don't think I have anything down here that would fit you." Feliciano paused for a moment in thought; scratching his chin as he did so. "Oh! Let me check in my grandfather's closet! He was a big man – I'm sure his clothes would fit you!" The Italian let out an excited giggle before springing off into another room.

Ludwig sighed softly before carefully sitting himself on the edge of the bed. It always puzzled him as to how Feliciano always had so much energy – especially this late at night! He gave another sigh and turned his attention to the window. 'I wish they had some curtains, at least- 'he thought to himself, 'This is going to worry me all night.'

"Ludwig…?" Feliciano called from the bedroom doorway; carrying a pair of pink fluffy pajamas, "Is there something bothering you?"

Ludwig turned to face Feliciano – in doing so, catching a glimpse of the fluffy nightmare. He winced. "Errr… No. Nothing. Don't worry about it." He dismissed Feliciano with a wave of the hand.

Feliciano then walked over to him and dropped the pajamas on his lap and took a seat next to him on the bed. "Are you still thinking about what happened with Lovino? I'm terribly sorry if he made you feel uncomfortable…"

Ludwig shook his head.

"He's not well, as you might have guessed…" Feliciano sighed and slumped onto Ludwig's shoulder, "I try to keep him in bed as much as possible but I don't think he realizes what exactly happened."

"What do you mean?" Ludwig threw his friend a questioning glace.

"You mean you haven't heard?"

Ludwig shook his head once again.

"Well, you remember Antonio, right?"

"The Antonio that hung out with my brother when we were children?" Ludwig asked as he tried to recall all of the people he knew with the name, 'Antonio'.

Feliciano nodded. "Well, Antonio and my fratello were dating for several years- They were very, very happy together and Lovino was madly in love with him." He paused and looked up at Ludwig, who motioned for the Italian to continue on with his story. Feliciano rested his head against the other's arm which, oddly enough, sent an eerie chill down Ludwig's spine.

Feliciano continued, "But about… A year and a half ago, Antonio died and Lovino couldn't accept that- I think the only way he could cope with Antonio's death was to pretend that nothing ever happened. I still find him talking with Antonio; and laughing too." Feliciano sighed softly, "I don't even know if he can tell the difference between reality and the world that he made up- It scares me sometimes." He took Ludwig's hand in his and squeezed it tightly. Feliciano's hands were cold- which didn't surprise Ludwig. The room had to be near freezing; literally.

"I didn't even realize that Antonio was dead." Ludwig said; squeezing the Italian's hand in return, "Is that why you called me over here?"

"Kind of!" Feliciano giggled, "I guess I just needed to talk with someone sane for a little while. Besides! I really, really missed you! You hardly write to me anymore…"

"I'm sorry…" Ludwig sighed.

"There's no need to apologize!" Feliciano said with a sad smile, "I know you're very busy with work and all…" He paused for a minute; loosening the grip on his friend's hand. "Well, it's late. I'll let you get some rest."

Ludwig watched as Feliciano as he made his way to the door. "Wait!"

He stopped and turned to look at Ludwig, "Hn?"

"How exactly did Antonio die?"

Feliciano froze. "… I'm sorry. I can't say."

Before Ludwig could question the subject any further, the Italian had already vanished into the hallway; closing the door behind him with a loud smack.

Well, that was odd.

But Ludwig didn't argue with it- he was rather tired after all. Letting out another sigh, he picked up the monstrosity on his lap and examined it. 'These were supposed to be his grandfather's?' he thought to himself, 'I knew the man was a little bit strange, but I never imaged that he would stoop to this level."

Without another complaint, he slipped into them and crawled into bed. 'At least it's starting to warm up in here.'

The room did indeed start to reach a comfortable temperature and the oppressive feeling of being watched slowly melted away as well. A calm feeling of warmth filled his body as he sunk into the bed; wrapping the sheets around himself in order to contain that warmth. He eventually drifted off into a light slumber; always maintaining a slight awareness to his surroundings- just in case a ghost decided to pop out from underneath his bed.