that he shouldn't when Ludwig was just a border away.

didn't want to bother him to be honest. Ludwig was a busy man after all.

never to busy for family, so to say.

might come and visit then. His house felt too empty.

get the cake ready. He had just baked it.

knocks on Ludwig's door.

doesn't even wait for the second knock before he's at the door and opening it. "Roderich, Hallo." He gives the other a small smile. "Come in."

's hand is still in the air, ready to knock again. Well~ "Hallo." He greets, smiling brightly as he steps into the home and out of the cold.

helps the Austrian out of his jacket before tucking neatly in the closet. "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte?"

looks up at him, looking like a child who'd been told he was getting a pony for Christmas. ".... You honestly don't even have to ask."

laughs and nods before heading to the kitchen to cut them both a slice. "Make yourself at home. Sit down and relax." He calls from the kitchen.

sets down the bag he'd brought over -just in case it was too cold to go back home later- and moved to take a seat on the living room couch. "Danke. So, how have you been?"

come out with two plates and sets one down in front of Roderich. Smart that the other brought some clothes over, just in case. "Bitte. I've been alright, you?" He takes a seat infront of the Austrian.

- "Ah, alright for the most part." He chews his bottom lip idly for a moment before he takes a bite of the cake. "Mostly keeping to my music room." He smiles at him. "The cake is delicious, by the way."

smiles at the compliment as he picks up his fork. "Danke...it's fresh from the oven. Although, you'll have to take me out for some Sacher-torter...when you have time."

- "I've no problem making one for you. It's one of my favorites." He had a bit of a sweet tooth. >>;

also guilty of having a sweet tooth, he just never really admitted to having one. "Gut. I'll hold you to it in that case. I can never get the recipe right when I try." He sighs.

smiles, licking his lips. "It's a bit tricky, but with enough practice you'll get there."

wasn't so sure...Roderich was the only one with the real recipe. "Maybe one day." He had eaten a good portion of his slice already.

- "I don't mind lending you a helping hand." He was just happy to have company, really. As much as he loved his music, he was tired of singing and playing to empty walls.

felt bad for not visiting the Austrian more often. "I'd like that actually." He smiles as he finishes off what's left on his plate before gently placing it on the coffee table.

he doesn't have to feel bad. It's hardly his obligation to visit him. "Great." He smiles, looking down at his slice of cake.

that whether it is or not it's always nice to visit someone of importance in his life. "Care for some coffee, tea...beer?"

- "Tea, please. Is it alright if I help you prepare it?" He didn't want to be a burden.

would not protest if Roderich insisted on helping but the Austrian was the guest. "If you really want to help...but it doesn't take that much effort to boil water." He says as he gets up.

knows this. "Perhaps not, but.." Well, to be honest, he just wanted to stay close. He just didn't want to admit it. Standing up, he follows him into the kitchen.

would not deny him that in that case. He fills the kettle with water before putting it to boil. Now all they had to do was wait. "What kind of tea?" He asks as he turns around to face Roderich. "I have quite a

selection."

- "Oh it doesn't matter, really. Something strong if you have it, though." He smiles at him, leaning back against the counter.

had a good earl gray that he had gotten from England as a gift. He pulls out the box and sets it on the counter. "Cream? Sugar? ....honey?"

hums softly. "Honey." He looks up at the other and then glances away, thoughtful.

what the quick glance was about as he grabs the honey and sets it down. "Is...everything alright?"

- "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't it be?" A bit defensive, perhaps, but.. He clears his throat softly.

quirks a brow at the defensiveness. "Ja, right, of course. Silly question." There was definitely something amiss however he is momentarily distracted by the hiss and screech of the kettle. He places a tea bag

in the mug before pouring the hot water into it and gently pushing it over to Roderich so he can add the honey.

going to avoid looking at him now that he's made a complete ass of himself. He thanks him softly, adding a spoonful of honey and some sugar.

here if the other needed him. He hoped the Austrian new that.

knew that but he would rather just avoid this all together. He wraps his fingers around the mug, enjoying the warmth.

now curious to what this thing is...he could probably help...but only if the Austrian opened up to him. "Shall we head back to the living room?"

(( For some reason I almost wrote...'shall I fuck you on this counter top?' Mein gott. xD ))

( sweet jesus. You could have and Roddy would have said yes. )

smiles, nodding as he moved to leave the kitchen, mug still hot in his hands. Well, that was awkward.

( I'll save that for a little later, maybe. >D )

follows semi-quietly behind as he takes a seat in the chair he had been sitting in before heading to the kitchen.

( Don't tease, Luddy~ )

takes a seat on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. "Were you planning on decorating for Christmas?" Yes, a subject change.

quirks a brow. He most certainly had decorated already. "I have decorated...maybe not as much as previous years but its better than nothing."

( : D < - innocent face ))

( The face is a liiie. )

looks around. Oh... Oh, he had. Why hadn't he noticed? Oh Gott. His face burns red and he really wants to drown himself in his mug of tea. "... Right." Really? Hello mouth, meet foot.

( Why would my german face lie. xD )

laughs a little at the colour the Austrian's face took on. "You were preoccupied with other things. Don't worry about it so much."

( I have no response to that... xD )

swallows. He really needed to pull himself together. "Forgive me. I just..." Well, his mind was certainly on other things that it shouldn't be.

leans back in his chair. "You just...what?"

( Haha, fair enough. )

pushes his glasses a little higher up on his nose. "Nothing." He'd always been an excellent liar and he was hating himself for getting rusty.

didn't quite believe the Austrian but would not press him further. Not yet anyway.

sips from his tea. "Did you have plans today? I hope I didn't interrupt them."

shakes his head. "Baking was all I had in mind but I'm glad you came over."

smiles, a bit flattered. "Are you really?" he stirs his tea a little. "I think I am, too."

had to admit it was a nice break from all the running around he had been doing. "Ja, why do you find that hard to believe?"

(( Alright, my e-mail address is : [email protected]... ))

( Kay I'll add you )

( Brilliant )

shrugs his left shoulder. "Not sure." He didnt know what to say now, really. His mind kept straying...

had noticed that. The Austrian was being very space-y with him. He gets up from his chair and sits beside Roderich placing a hand on his shoulder. "Roderich...Bitte...talk to me."

( Sorry. I was on my phone so I couldn't add you until now. ;; )

( It's all good. )

didn't really expect him to get so close. He swallowed, trying to focus on his tea. "It isn't anything, really. I just... I can't explain it."

let's his hand drop to his side. Maybe the Austrian needed his piano?

sighs softly. "I'm sorry. I know I'm acting like a complete idiot."

( I added you~ )

( I accepted. >D )

doesn't know what to do to help him if he doesn't say anything. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's bothering you..."

- "I know. I think perhaps we should just move on." He offers him a small smile before taking a drink from his tea, if only for something to do.

quirks a brow but doesn't press forward as he nods.

incredibly foolish now. He sets his tea down, avoiding his gaze. "So..." Ever the eloquent fellow...

if it would make it less awkward they could play some sort of board game...chess? "Do you want to play chess?"

- "Yes." He says quickly. A bit too quickly perhaps. He clears his throat softly. "Yes... that sounds like fun."

nods as he gets up and grabs the old wooden chess board he used to play with his brother back during WWI in the trenches. He sets it on the table between them and fixes the piecces in their proper places.

watches him. Well, mostly just watches his hands. He really hates how much Ludwig has grown. :/ "I haven't played much chess to be honest."

why he would hate such a thing? "That's okay, we'll take it slow."

bites his bottom lip. "Right... slow."

sits back when he feels all the pieces are in place and ready for action. "Alright, you go first, white always goes first."

nods and moves a pawn forward, not really putting much thought behind the move.

studies the board for a few seconds before moving one of his pawn forwards. This would be an interesting game.

- "Should there be a prize for the winner?"

ponders that over. "Ja, that's actually a good idea. What did you have in mind?"

about it for a moment before shrugging his left shoulder a little. "Perhaps... the loser has to do whatever the winner asks of them?"

doesn't see why not. "Deal. Let's see who will win."

smiles a little, pulling his gloves off and setting them aside. "Alright.." He moves the pawn forward a few spaces.

taps his finger against his cheek pensively before moving another of his pawns forward to eat that of Austrias.

hums softly, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips as he moves another pawn forward. Sacrifices were always necessary.

knew that very well and had laid a trap in the way he had moved many of his pawns around the board. His gaze flickers to Roderich's face before flickering back to the board waiting for the others next move.

bit his bottom lip thoughtfully, just staring at the board for a few minutes before finally moving his queen one pace forward.

space* )

moves his king one space to the side placing the piece in a very good defensive position seeing as it was surrounded by the knights, bishops, etc.

simply moved his queen forward again, watching him.

moves his knight forward trying to lure the queen into a trap to eat it with another one of his pieces.

moves a pawn forward.

studies the board for a bit before moving another one of his pieces forward. It was getting to be a close game. Many pieces were eaten from both sides and they were left with very few.

moves his queen forward, leaving her completely open.

( Sorry. I'm sure msn just died. )

takes the queen with his knight. His queen having been eaten a while back. They were left with only their kings and two more pieces besides that.

( Oh msn, you piece of shiesse. It's all good. )

( -huffs- BT )

smiles a little. "Good job." He said softly before taking Ludwig's King with one of his last pawns.

sighs. He had really hoped he would have won that one. "Good game." He congradulates. "So, what can I do for you?"

.... didn't think this through at all. He /knows/ what he wants and his cheeks flare with color a bit as he thinks about it. Oh Gott. "... Er..."

's brow quirks as he leans back into his chair. "I'll give you time to think on it..." He says more to himself really than to Austria.

really doesn't want to do this. It would be far too forward of him. He sits there awkwardly before grabbing his still half full mug of tea and standing up before retreating to the kitchen. "I need more tea."

( sdfgh )

( Hahaha! )

blinks but decides not to say anything about this. He'd just clean up the chess board. "Teas are in the left hand drawer." He calls to the Austrian just in case.

- "Danke." He calls back, face-palming because Gott. He was such an idiot.

cleaned up the chess board and genlty put it away before fixing up a few other things that he had noticed.

really doesn't want to leave the kitchen..

have to come check up on him if he doesn't return.

doesn't think he'll be leaving the kitchen soon. He's just standing there, his back to the doorway, stirring his tea very determinedly.

strides in with a questioning brow. "Did you find everything alright?" Everything looks to be in order...he wonders what was taking the Austrian so long.

- ".... Oh, yes." He'd spaced out a bit. "Er, yes, I'm just... waiting for this to cool." He doesn't turn to look at him. He's afraid of what he might do if the blonde gets too close.

edges closer and peers over his shoulder. "You've been in here for fifteen minutes. I'm sure it's cool enough."

swallows thickly, his fingers closing over his mug. "Have I really?" He breathes. Oh, he was horrible...

nods. "Ja, you have." He answers straight to the point.

a bit put off his tea now. He turns around, a bit surprised. He didn't expect Ludwig to be that close. He looks up at him, meeting his eyes. "Forgive me. I guess I was just lost in thought."

can't help the higher quirk of his eye. "It happens." He steps back from the other not having expected him to turn so soon.

- "Ludwig..." He's starting to think that it would be a good idea to leave.

- "Ja? Where you not able to find something?"

finds himself staring down at Ludwig's lips. He leans up a little, giving in. However, he forces himself to stop when he's mere centimeters from Ludwig's lips. "I should go.." He whispers, moving to brush past.

wasn't sure what the other was doing but at close proximity he can't help the flush that creeped across his features. He doesn't even know what to say but to turn around as the Austrian brushes passed him.

goes to fetch his coat and gloves, trying to slide them on as quickly as possible. This was ridiculous.

- "Austria..." He's really at a lose for words but he feels like the other doesn't need to leave in such a rush. "...was it something I did?"

- "No, don't be silly. It's something I did. I'm a fool, and I need to leave." He hisses softly, so angry with himself as he finally gets his coat on. He leaves behind his over night bag, though and leaves.

didn't even get a chance to say goodbye....

so sorry and he honestly feels terrible and he's such a horrible person for acting this way but...

to know but what?! He'd go over to Austira's to repair the damage...