Chapter Text
Lovino storms in, nothing at the door to hold him. He doesn’t care that Mr. Beilschmidt is scribbling away in his papers, he just drops the file on his desk interrupting the settled rhythm he had of his work. Still standing before him, he looks away, pretending to be uncaring, even if he was tapping his feet furiously, jolting certain movements all across his body that was enough for Ludwig to see that he was impatient. He wanted him to see these papers and he was not going to leave until he made clear his decision. If it was something he didn’t want to hear, Lovino was willing to stay as long as he needed to convince.
“What is this?” Ludwig asked, only tapping the file with his pen, uninterested enough to not even open it.
“All the information regarding my brother’s eligibility for an internship here. His resume is there, along with pictures of his past works and his pages.”
Ludwig, curious, finally opened the file, reading quickly through his resume, which showed no experience but past volunteering to two art museums in Italy and fluency in Italian, English and German, which he admitted was rather impressive. Then there were the pictures, some interior designs he surely worked himself in his own home or friend’s. Good perception of color, order, creativity, an inclusion of paintings, statues and objects that he made himself, all to fit the theme the person asked or he himself wanted. Ludwig nodded to everything fascinated, taking his time with each of the pictures to analyze, to inspect, which Lovino hoped was a good sign.
“I admit, it all looks promising, but I made it clear to you that we don’t have any positions for an intern. I can’t just open up space for him.”
“You don’t have to give him a position. Get him to bring us coffee in the morning, organize our archives, tend at the entrance, help with delivery or as assistant to projects. He doesn’t need anything big, he just wants the experience. He’ll only be here for a couple of months and then he’s off to Italy and I promise not to mention him ever again and we can go on with our usual business,” he promised with his ever present variety of hand motions to try and hide his desperation, but Ludwig knew, he had worked enough years with Lovino Valenti to know.
He sighed, gazing to all the potential in his hands that would serve well to add in the firm. But to add him when they were already so full of personnel, when he wasn’t sure if they even had enough money to pay him.
“This is a small company, Valenti. We haven’t been open for as long as others. We’ve never even had an intern before. Are you sure his time here could serve as good experience?”
“My brother has checked, and yes, it would be enough, and hey, first time for everything right, might give this place more name,” he tried to convince, leaning his hands unto his desk, making himself too familiar and Ludwig didn’t know how to voice his distaste about it. He turned away and looked down to some other files, mostly the expenses, trying to organize how he could make this work.
“If I do accept your brother, I’ll have to pay him the minimum wage.”
“He’s prepared for that.”
All he cared about was a temporary position.
“Is he here in New Jersey?”
“Been so for a week."
“Can he come for an interview tomorrow morning?”
“Absolutely."
“Very well then. I expect him here at nine o clock sharp,” he pointed commandingly, knowing how common it was for Lovino to arrive late, expecting the same behavior from any other Valenti.
“I’ll make sure of it.” And he turned away without another word, another expression, out the door and into the halls of the company to his own studio. He was supposed to be working on the arches and ceiling for that Danish guy’s house.
Lovino did well to awake Feliciano earlier. He took a century getting ready. He wore one of those branded suit jackets that he barely took out from his closet, he was even surprised he brought it over from Italy, with a crisp light blue shirt underneath, nice white pants and shoes, his curled hair combed to the best he could and his smile an always necessity that added well to his image. A charming man that had many of the passerbies of the street fawning and tripping, it didn’t help that Feliciano would smile to them so easily, even wave like they were all long friends.
“Could you stop and just come inside,” Lovino scolded, locking the small car with a beep, heading inside without any ounce of patience for his more cheerful and slow brother.
Feliciano didn’t move from his waves to a jogger until he noticed Lovino gone. He rushed inside to find him, remaining constantly by his side, following down the halls of the old building. He made sure the plate he had brought was foiled well, not an ounce of warm air to escape.
“Do you think everyone is going to like the muffins?”
“I still think you shouldn’t have done that, it’s not going to win you any favors, but sure, people here would eat anything,” he rolled his eyes, finally entering his own studio where his group for the latest project was waiting.
Tino and Haris were by the table ordering some tools, Michelle munching on some last minute breakfast, Antonio and Natalia going over the large plans where they decided everything.
“Ah! Amado mio!” Of course Antonio would welcome first, throw apart the plans to leave Natalia alone with it in her grimace.
He took Lovino’s waist, bringing him to a spin despite how the other tried to escape. “As dashing as every morning. I could kiss every inch of you right now and-” a harsh nudge of Lovino’s thighs against his groin was enough to set him free, move Antonio aside as if he wasn’t even there, addressing instead the rest of the group.
“Feliciano, you know Antonio."
“Ciao, Antonio,” Feliciano greeted the other with his familiar wave, concerned and hoping he was okay.
“Hey,” Antonio groaned, still trying to relieve himself.
“Guys, this is my brother, Feliciano. He’s here for an interview for an internship position,” he quickly introduced, Feliciano waving to all of them gladly and with a big smile.
“Wow, you both have the same curls, gives away to you two being clearly related,” Tino commented, much to Lovino’s annoyance.
“He’s adorable,” Michelle complimented, having Feliciano blush.
“It’s nice to have you here, Feliciano. Your brother talks often of you,” Haris welcomed.
“Yeah, he was extremely persuasive with trying to get you that interview with our boss. I wish you luck, you’re going to need it. He’s not exactly a walk through a calm pasture,” Natalia warned.
“It’s so nice to meet all of you, and I’m sure it won’t be that bad. If he decided to even give me an interview, I’m sure he would be willing. I brought muffins,” he presented.
“Oh, sweet!” Tino immediately went to serve his craving.
Feliciano moved the foil aside, revealing plenty for all of them to take, each getting one and indulging in the lemon taste.
“These are amazing!” Michelle announced as she quickly finished hers, having to hold herself from taking another.
“Mmm, definitely,” Antonio complimented as well, slowly getting over the pain in his groin.
A sudden clang resounded through all the halls and those who had been long enough in the company knew well what it meant.
“Welp, Ludwig’s here, come on Haris, we have to bring him the material expenses,” Tino suggested, already moving along, Haris behind him with all the receipts.
“Wait, hold up, first of all, he has my brother’s interview. I don’t need him stressed for this. Come on, Feliciano,” he ushered, heading out into the hall, just as several others from different groups, turning it to the liveliness Feliciano hadn’t seen it in when he arrived. It was rather amazing, but of course, they all came out wanting their meeting with Ludwig with whatever it was that they needed or had to show him. It annoyed him. He just arrived and was still managing with the lock of his office door.
“Sir, about that party-”
“We need a new set of light bulbs."
“Mr. Granger’s complains arrived.”
“The table in the Schultz room hasn't been changed yet.”
“The Prestons want that living room done by-”
“Halt die Klappe,” he shouted with strong menace, his composure somehow managing a firing command that stilled the whole hall into immediate silence.
“You all know that if you want to speak to me, you have to wait in front of my office and I shall attend each of you one by one. Please, organize between yourselves your turns. Lovino, has your brother arrived?” He immediately told and asked, just finishing with the last of the lock, the door now free to be opened.
“He’s right here!” Lovino quickly interjected, waving and trying to make themselves seen somehow between the crowds. With the urgency and hoping that this interview would be over soon so all could have their meeting with their boss, they made way for them to come at front and for Ludwig’s eyes to settle on this aspiring member for the first time.
He was dressed to perfection, proud curls, elegant smile, shinning and bountiful eyes, a stride in his step as he moved forward, slowed in Ludwig’s impressed mind…adding along with a golden glow, with haze, stilling him with a stare that widened with each movement forward, wishing he could respond to those eyes, that smile, but all he could think to himself was…hehehe, pretty boy, like a useless gay fool.
He broke whatever harmonious heavenly chants by looking away, scolding himself and heading inside, ushering with a quick wave for him to come.
“You got this,” was the only thing Lovino wished his brother before he pushed him forward, letting him disappear with a harshened crash of the door into the office.
“You have to excuse my staff, my office and my lateness,” Ludwig apologized as he reached his own chair.
Feliciano gazed to the clock, it was only nine o’ one, then to the office, completely organized but only a couple of papers out of place, but to Ludwig it was already a mess he could not take. Feliciano shrugged and took one of the pointed chairs before the desk, taking his most straight sitting.
“All right, we may begin. Now I read in your resume that-”
“Oh, before that! I brought you something.” That’s when he took out the tin foil and placed the plate with muffins on Ludwig’s desk, close for him to reach. Ludwig glared but Feliciano remained as vibrant, proud himself of the kind thing he did if disrespectful, wrong or would even cost him this position.
“I made them myself. They’re lemon flavored with a hint of vanilla cream. Just thought it would be nice since it’s breakfast time. I don’t know if what you had in your home was enough, so I figured I would bring these to keep you energized for the rest of the day.”
This did not change Ludwig’s expression. He kept on staring from the pastries to Feliciano, wondering if this could be some kind of joke, if something would falter in that smile or in that glow with his entire being.
He settled with just starting the interview.
Lovino waited for about forty minutes, ignorant of the groups huddling and deciding on how they should take turns talking to Ludwig. He was too busy worrying over his brother, over what he could say. He knew how dimwitted and naïve he could be. What if he said something that utterly pissed Ludwig? What if he accidentally revealed that one time he fell and made a hole in Signora Mazza’s living room? What if he talked on about utter bullshit? Ugh, the anxiety was killing him. He shouldn’t be freaking out about like this for his younger brother. It was his life. If he brought himself into trouble than it was his fault. He had to stop and think: Feliciano was exceptionally kind and friendly, a bubbly personality that everyone connected to and felt belonging with. If Ludwig got mad or remained as cold as he always did, then it would surely prove to him how heartless he was.
Finally, Feliciano bounced out of the office, jumpy and with a big smile that bore positive vibes.
“So, what did he tell you?” Lovino immediately asked.
“Well I think I did a pretty good job. He told me he’ll e-mail me tonight with the final decision."
“…Tonight? He actually told you…tonight…”
“Yes, he’ll tell me tonight!”
“Tonight! When I had my interview I had to wait an entire week!” He recalled.
“A week! Ha! Try waiting two!” Arthur, an English designer, shouted, having heard the conversation.
“I had to wait an entire month!” Toris, the Lithuanian one, in turn said, rolling his eyes as he continued down the hall to hand in some items.
“Oh…that’s terrible. Maybe it’s because this place needs extra hands."
“I doubt it. We’re actually overemployed."
“Oh, then…maybe he just liked me,” he smiled innocently.
“I seriously doubt that. This is Ludwig were talking about! But whatever, you got the interview and we’ll know as soon as tonight.”
Feliciano held his brother’s hand in great excitement, jumping and smiling and already expecting the best.
Feliciano’s hunch was right, the e-mail gave him his immediate acceptance as an intern in the company, mostly as a sort of assistant to the different groups, mainly Lovino’s, with who he will be permitted to work in designs from time to time.
Feliciano would officially start in two days, and in just those two days, Ludwig’s life was about to change.
That first morning, Feliciano had come giving greetings to everybody, as well as bringing a plate of panforte and a cereal English cake which Arthur deeply approved of (Rumors quickly spread than it was better than anything Arthur had ever made). He gave to everyone and when he spotted Ludwig coming out of the office to check some scheduling, he was not sparred of his own greetings, of sharing the little delights he made, waving goodbye with luck and wishing him a nice day.
When Ludwig ate in the privacy of his office, he let himself glow at the taste, to blush at how kind this had been and the smile Feliciano greeted him with that morning.
None of his workers greeted him like that. They usually just passed by him in the mornings. To them he was not there until business brought them together.
Feliciano continued to greet him as such and Ludwig actually began to enjoy it, a reason to let himself smile in the confines of his work.
As Feliciano’s first two weeks passed, he was starting to be seen as an errand boy, one who had to constantly run around asking, reserving and getting different things for different groups, not to mention the drinks they always asked for him to pick up at a café down the block. He never did any designs, just suggested a thing of two over people’s shoulders as they worked on their planning. Although he would occasionally sigh sadly about this, he should had been expecting it. In the end, he only needed this for a position in Italy, and whenever he was reminded of that, he would do his job with a proud smile, with constant energy, which was what kept him going whenever he was tempted to rest in one of the empty rooms of the building. It was because of this frivolous attitude that many sent him to talk or hand in the necessary things to Ludwig, since it seemed their boss was more easy going with him and because Feliciano was sometimes too dense to understand Ludwig’s stress and anger and could still come crashing into his office no matter to talk to him like there were no wrongs in the world.
“Sir, these are Kiku’s plans concerning the balcony design for Mr. Wang. He told me he needs your approval. Also, Sefina has changed the flowers for the mural as you suggested, but she still wants you to look at what she decided. And Arthur and Kiku are fighting over a fault in their last project. They gave me the pictures and want you to decide whose fault it really was.” Feliciano had all the necessary items in his hands.
“Very well,” Ludwig pointed to the spot in the desk he wanted them in and Feliciano placed them there. As he did, he noticed a disorder in Ludwig’s bookshelf.
“Sorry about that, just haven’t had the time to fix it.” It filled him with great embarrassment, especially having Feliciano see it. He prided himself in his order, but things had become so hectic that not even in that aspect could he focus himself on.
“Don’t worry, I understand how busy you are. Do you want me to organize it for you?” Without hearing his answer, Feliciano already began picking, watching and seeing how he was to do it. This was not his strongest suite, but he indeed wanted to help Ludwig and was willing to do what he could.
“Uh…um…” he was about to deny him, it should be his business, he had his own way of dealing with this and preferred that no other messed with it. Then again…Feliciano looked so cute today, bending on his bookshelf, already attentive eyes in thought on how it would be best to place, his back expanded, legs standing nicely and an ass- okay, no, he had to hit that one off, earning a perk from Feliciano.
“Yes, thank you. Do you mind doing it alphabetically?”
“Of course!” And he set right to it.
That’s how he spent the rest of his day, only to leave when Ludwig had finished some reports he wanted him to hand in. Although it was rather silent between them as they focused mostly on their work, Ludwig found himself thinking of more ways to have Feliciano often in his office as he watched him depart, eyes longing on his form until the door was shut.
More and more Feliciano spent his time in his office. Organizing, delivering, for their mornings greets, handing in the treats he shared with everybody and even for small chats. After it had officially been a month since Feliciano joined the company, Ludwig came to the horrible realization that he actually had a crush on his intern.
Did he do anything about it? Impossible. How could he when all strictness and order left him whenever he encountered him, replaced with stutters, awkwardness and embarrassment. Lucky for him, Feliciano did most of the talking, not seeming to notice the extended gazes, the way his eyes lingered on his hair, his cheeks, his eyes, his nose, even his slim figure, with amazing hips and legs that filled his dreams with all kinds of scenarios, innocent and not so.
The rest of the company didn’t notice at those beginnings, but one particular morning, one little event had all their eyes and ears curious, having them wondering what was the reality.
Lovino and Feliciano had arrived late that day…two hours late.
Alarms just didn’t work as they were supposed to with them.
They rushed the best they could, entering the already busy and blustering building in the middle of its usual work, not seeming to pay attention to the pair of brothers.
“Pretend we were always here. If anybody questions, just say that there was an accident in front of our apartment building that wouldn’t let us leave."
“Got it,” Feliciano agreed, although slightly tremulous. He wasn’t exactly the best liar and anyone could see past him whenever the situation occurred. He just hoped nobody really questioned him, but of course, Ludwig would notice the fault of bubbly and moving energy that had grabbed the full of his attention.
“Valenti!” He instantly called them both as he saw them made their way down the hall.
They both panicked and groaned, but still made their way dutifully to him, Lovino hoping that Feliciano would be strong for the excuse they concocted.
“It is eleven ten. You two should have been here about two hours ago. Care to explain what happened?" Ludwig scolded, arms wrapped on his chest, holding the notes that would surely get Lovino another memo…and Feliciano his first one.
“Yes…we have perfect reasoning…” Lovino thought he could start, but he was fearful, hoping that Feliciano would continue for him, who was just as nervous. He had to shrug him to let him know that he should say something.
“Oh yes um…you see, there’s a jewelry store in front of our apartment and there was this…robbery!”
Lovino pulled a face but quickly hid it, having to go along with it. “Yes, a robbery!”
“You should have seen it, Mr. Beilschmidt, police all over, hostages and guns! It was so scary, like, like, like in an action movie! Every exit was block and there was no way for us to escape! We had to um…climb! Yes, climb! And…and…walk all the way here!” It was purely exaggerated. Lovino groaned, hiding his face in his hands. He couldn’t possibly continue to feign like this, he was just readying himself to accept yet another memo.
“Really?” Of course Ludwig wasn’t taking it, raising an eyebrow, eyes with heavy question and disbelief.
“Okay no, so there wasn’t a robbery,” Feliciano quickly gave up, intensifying Lovino’s misery.
“I’m really sorry. I was awake last night baking this-” he raised a covered plate of a raspberry mouse chocolate cake, “-and Lovino was helping me. We went to sleep very late and were really tired, so the alarm didn’t wake us up.” He began to pout, with big eyes and an apologetic frown.
“We’re so sorry, Ludwig. I just wanted to bake you all a cake, but I won’t do it again if it means getting here on time. We’ll both work extra hard today and I’ll give you two pieces of cake,” he offered, with a such a gentile and innocent face frowned to misery that Ludwig just couldn’t take any longer.
“It’s all right." He raised a hand to get him to stop, and to Lovino’s surprise and intrigue, hiding the notes behind some other papers he was holding, a clear sign that he was not going to use it.
“Please, just organize your time for baking correctly so you can get some sleep and so you can always come at nine o’clock. Next time I will not be so forgiving,” he pointed and Feliciano nodded eagerly.
“I will, I will! Thank you so much, Ludwig!” There was that joyous glow that would always red his cheeks slightly. He had to hide and try to calm it by turning away as the brothers went past him to Lovino’s group room.
Well, now that it was over, he could focus on handing some new assignments. To which group should he trust the decoration of a newborn’s room? Ah yes, Kasem- he lost his thoughts when rushing footsteps came near him. It was Feliciano, raising up to him a plastic plate with a fork, napkin and two pieces of cake just as he had promised.
“I hope you like it.” And then he tip toed, placing a quick kiss on his cheek, an exalted smile and then he set off back to his cutting and giving to the rest of the workers.
Ludwig remained frozen, eyes widened, the only movement but a raise of his free hand to touch the area his lips had so gracefully kissed. It tingled to Ludwig, only turning him more red, even letting a perfect little smile arise on his lips, one, that to the many who spotted, was the very first they saw on him. When Ludwig noticed them, he soured. He simply handed the information to his workers and quickly made his way back to his office, to eat his cake in peace. But it was already too late, they all saw his blush, the fondness in his eyes, all directed to the cake, which meant Feliciano.
The rumor didn’t spread much, only slight thoughts in little groups, so it really hadn’t reached Lovino’s, which in turn, lucky for Ludwig, meant it hadn’t reached Feliciano.
Business continued as it should.
Two months in his internship, Feliciano had come into Ludwig’s office, handing files, ideas and requests, and once he spotted anything unorganized, he quickly went to fix it, an occurrence that Ludwig was starting to find normal.
He was typing and clicking away on his laptop, updating the company page, his eyes too dedicated to even indulge in Feliciano. In one moment it began to get strained, he groaned, he sighed, eyes switching as they decided and Feliciano had noticed it all.
“Is everything all right?” He asked, standing and beginning to join Ludwig’s side.
“I’m trying to upload eight new pictures, but this page only lets me deal with four, so I’m trying to find a way to upload all eight or deciding which four I should choose.” He rubbed his fingers on his forehead.
Feliciano leaned to take his peek at these eight pictures and understood why Ludwig was letting himself stress about this. They were all wonderful, fitting to the theme and what this particular page was explaining. Leaving four meant having to lose some details that could be enough to convince a customer to buy their services.
“Well, I have a page of my own, maybe I can help,” Feliciano offered.
Ludwig was uncertain at first but decided to confide in him. There wasn’t much threat in letting him try.
Feliciano leaned…much closer, an arm resting on the top of Ludwig’s chair for better leverage, his face before the computer as he clicked away testing all kinds settings. Ludwig had thought there was no wrong with this until he noticed how close to Feliciano he was, their heat lingering on each other, Feliciano’s scent of sweet cologne evident, his curls falling before him, so near, temping him the more to take into the spaces between his fingers. He swore Feliciano was oblivious, more attentive to the adjustments before him, finishing on some last clicks before he finally moved his gaze away from the screen.
“There, now you can place all eight pictures. I’m really glad Eduard taught me how to do this a couple of days ago-” their faces but mere centimeters apart now. Breaths mingling, eyes staring into the other, skin close to see their tinting, to see every aspect of their expression, of their eyelashes, of their lips, to leave them as the seconds passed, nothing to interrupt, nothing to stop them. Ludwig could let himself close that gap if he wanted and finally meet that smile with his own lips, and Feliciano was ready, oh so ready to accept it. When Ludwig finally thought he could be ready to have that crash, one came from his office door instead.
“Luddy! I know you usually don’t approve of me leading group projects, but hear me out this time! I have an amazing medieval idea for the restaurant and I brought along Francis and Antonio to help me convince you and-” that’s when he finally spotted the rather provocative position he found his brother along with the new intern.
“Oh…” Gilbert realized. Antonio and Francis smirked, and the three shared a knowing look in their eyes.
“We’re we interrupting something?” Francis teased.
“Oh no, I was just helping Ludwig with the company page.” Feliciano ever so oblivious, but Ludwig was glad for that, rolling his eyes and ordering himself in his seat as if nothing had happened.
“Just the company page? Nothing…else?” Antonio smirked, just as Francis’s tone.
“Um…well I did help him organize his office, but that’s about it, but hey, what’s this I hear about a medieval theme?” Feliciano asked curiously as he neared to them.
That’s just what was needed to change the air of question above them.
“Feliciano, take a look at this masterpiece,” and Gilbert opened his portfolio, showing a beautiful castle theme of old, with deep accuracy and perfection that had Feliciano’s eyes glimmering.
“Gilbert, this is absolutely stunning. Did you do it all by yourself?” Feliciano wondered.
“Most of it. I did have some help from Francis and Antonio.”
Both of them nodded proudly.
“It’s wonderful, I would definitely let you lead a project like this. I really hope Ludwig lets you," he said with true hope.
“See Ludwig, he likes it!” Gilbert used to prove.
“I still have to see it myself to make a decision,” Ludwig glared.
“I’ll leave you four to it then,” Feliciano smiled, giving the three a good luck smile and wave before he moved past them and out of the office.
Once they were sure they were all alone with Ludwig, they turned to him, bearing equal smirks and teasing eyes. It seemed creepy to the blond.
“What?” He questioned, adding some last touches to the page.
“Nothing just…you seemed to be really close to Feliciano a moment ago. It looked like something a little…inappropriate was about to happen,” Gilbert smirked as he neared with the rest.
Ludwig groaned and rolled his eyes. "No such thing. He was just helping me with the page, that is all. Like I would let myself commit such acts in my own office.” He really tried to keep his face in its grimace, but it was becoming hard as very…very indecent images came into his head at his own mention.
“Right, right…but just know, my young one, that any problem, any help you might need, we’ll all be here to offer,” Gilbert pointed to the three of them, all with trusting smiles…that Ludwig didn’t feel convinced with.
“Just show this theme to me."
“Of course!”