Chance Encounters [Ludwig Beilschmidt]

[Feliciano Vargas]

Feliciano frowned at the facade of the pub before him. It wasn't particularly large, nor elaborate; in fact, compared to his usual revenues, it was downright quaint. The Queen's Head Pub--a fancy name for such a...bland bar. There were plenty of people milling inside, but they sat in small groups or alone to enjoy their beer and food, and none were dressed in the flashy attire he was used to. Was this really the best drinking place this city had? That can't be. The Italian will have to hunt down the underground clubs, wherever they were hiding.

This place will do, for now.

The heavy door creaked as he pushed it open, a rush of cool air doing wonders against his skin. A quiet sigh escaped him, happy he'd gone with tight black jeans and a silk button-up for his first proper outing into the city. Enough to impress but understated enough to mingle with this crowd. There's nothing more off-putting than someone who stands out worse than a sore thumb. He wouldn't be able to find a friend for the night with that kind of attitude.

Before any of that, though: the brunette needed a drink. Just a shot to get things moving, a moment to peruse the bar for anyone interesting. Feliciano lifted a hand to his head, brushing his hair back from his eyes. Amber eyes wandered briefly as he meandered through the crowd, passing a wink and a smile at a few passerby who glanced his way in return. He earned a few appreciative looks in return--perhaps all wasn't lost, after all.

There were plenty of people meandering near the bar, waiting to order or to pick up their drinks. He squeezed in the first space available, grazing against a well-built blonde stranger sitting at the bar in the process. Feliciano couldn't help the approving smile on his face even as he ducked his head slightly. "Ah, chiedo scusa, signore," he hummed, shifting back to put a little space between the two of them. He waved over at one of the bartenders to make sure the two of them were noticed, even if most of his attention was focused on the handsome man standing beside him. "I hope I didn't spill your drink."

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

With a steady breath, Ludwig aimed and fired, letting a specialized bullet plunge into the skull of its victim. The bullet, silver in nature and blessed by a priest, also included a symbol meant to banish demons back to the hellish realm from whence they came. Judging by the squealing and convulsions of the pig the bies had sought refuge in, the bullet was doing its job. However, wasn’t until a bit of black smoke flowed out of its nostrils and sank into the ground that Ludwig relaxed and replaced his gun in his holster. There had been only one creature that had been involved in this predicament, despite the fact that Ludwig normally found them in groups. Unfortunately, the creatures also had a terrible habit of jumping from body to body of livestock, infecting them with madness and thus making it difficult to track them down. Thankfully, however, once they were found out, they were fairly easy to dispatch and while half a dozen pigs and cows had fallen victim to this particular little devil, Ludwig had managed to stop it before it caused further damage. For that, he felt he had earned himself at least one beer down at the pub.

Unlike a few of the other patrons, the Hunter has still clad in what he had worn in the field—most notably, muddy combat boots and a dark jacket that may or may not be concealing a few choice items or signs of just coming from a hunt. After all, it wasn’t the most high-class establishment in the city and the change of clothes that Ludwig often brought with him had fallen victim to mud and dirt as well from the previous assignment (and he really just didn’t feel like going out of the way to go home when this place was so very close already).

Nudging his way to the bar, he ordered a beer and took a long drink before setting it aside with a content sigh. At first, he altogether ignored the brush of the stranger against him—it was a bar, people were bound to move against you at one point or another and especially at such a busy time as this. The foreign tongue was familiar to him (his Italian was rusty, but he understood it well enough) and thus he shifted to allow the man a bit more room, thinking nothing of it. His glass raised to his lips again, but he couldn’t help but see the man flag down the bartender before continuing. “Nein, it’s f—“ Ludwig furrowed his brows as something seemed to click. The dialect—that familiar pitch and tone… Ludwig’s head turned so that he could fully take in the stranger.

“Feliciano?”

If anything, he looked like the German’s old friend but with a few differences here and there…then again that’s perfectly normal since they had both aged since the last they had seen one another. Ludwig gave a small shake of the head and set his beer down with a look of disbelief and a small scoff-like laugh. “W-What are you doing all the way out here? It’s been ages—I’ve not seen you since…” the slight grin that had been trying to form on his lips slowly faded as he cleared his throat and shifted his eyes away from the man for a brief second before returning. He didn’t want to remember when he had last seen Feli…that was just full of unpleasant memories and part of the reason he had pursued the path of a Hunter in the present.

“How have you been?” Ludwig’s voice seemed to lose the excitement it held initially and was filled more with concern. After all, it would be a lie to say that he hadn’t been worried about Feliciano after his sudden disappearance. He did what he could to try and reconnect, but it seemed as if all ties with the man had been severed at one point. That didn’t mean they couldn’t mend them now, however.

[Feliciano Vargas]

"Feliciano?"

The Italian immediately stiffened at that, on high alert. This man, for the moment who's face he didn't know, knew his name. Rather, knew his vessel's name. Think, Feliciano, think. Tall, buff man with blonde hair and a deep, deep voice. Where would you have met him before that he'd know who you are? Think!

A face would at least help him remember who this person was--and if he should be running and screaming for help. (A small, cute person like himself? There's no way the other patrons would ignore him if he kicked up a fuss. At least he'd have a way out in case this man was someone to be feared; either a spurned lover, or god forbid, a hunter after his blood). Forcing himself to relax, if only a little, he cast a curious gaze to the man next to him. Strong features, a square jaw and a slightly hooked nose--more of a prominent curve than bird-like; perhaps it'd been broken and re-set? Deep, deep blue eyes stared at him in both wonder and confusion, just as surprised to see Feliciano as Feliciano was surprised to see him. There was something familiar about those eyes, and that voice... But for the life of him, the young man couldn't think of what it was.

The blonde 'stranger' continued on without much heed to the fact the brunette hadn't immediately responded, wracking his brain for any memory that might give him some answers. "W-What are you doing all the way out out here? It's been ages--I've not seen you since..."

Since what, he wanted to demand, because damn it that still wasn't any sign where exactly they'd met. Obviously it wasn't a hunter, since the man would've reacted far differently from this--either been completely friendly and open about how they'd met, before leading him out back and trying to get rid of him there, to avoiding him entirely before stalking him home. (Unless the hunter was so idiotic he'd attack in public, that had happened more than once, but far more frequently in the past, when the authorities weren't as smart as they were now).

The happenstance of their meeting had to be important--more importantly, painful, given the way the blonde tried to turn away a moment to recompose himself. Not necessarily a one-sided breakup, since they usually slapped first and asked questions never. So something important and painful, a blonde and blue-eyed man--

Not a man, but a boy?

Feliciano's eyes widened, and he openly looked over the blonde once again. There's no way. No way his vessel's scrawny little German friend grew up into this. Sure, Feliciano wasn't exactly short, but the man would practically tower over him should he choose to stand from his bar stool, and those muscles...

No, no, now was not the time to gawk, not when Ludwig Beilschmidt was looking at him with concern and asking if he was alright. Hot damn. Time certainly gave this kid plenty of favors. A smile bloomed on his face and he reached over to hug the blonde. "Luddi! I had no idea I'd run into you here!" he chirped, squeezing tightly for a few moments before pulling back. "It's really good to see you again--you're right, it's been such a long time!"

You were the last person I saw before 'I' ran off, was what he didn't say. After all, why bring up such a raw topic when the blonde seemed so put out by that. Poor thing must've missed Feliciano a whole lot--most people would've been mad after being ditched like he had. Smiling to himself, the man shook his head, leaning against the bar. "I'm good! It was a bit rough at first, but I'm pretty settled into life, now~ How about you, Luddi? What've you been up to since I last saw you?" It might be a bit informal talking like this, as if it had only been a few weeks, a few months at most, since they'd seen one another, but they had been good friends. Gotta treat him the way Feliciano told him to--be nice, be friendly, and all that.

He let his gaze wander one last time, taking the blonde's appearance in. Even with that horrendous jacket and the mud staining his clothes, he certainly wasn't hard on the eyes. And the way part of him sang at the sight of the blonde... it would certainly be in his best favor to be friends again. "Time's been really good to you, Luddi. I'm kinda jealous!"

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

Ludwig, thinking that Feliciano was just as shocked as he was by this chance encounter, gave the man time to compose himself and fish for a few words that he could stutter out at the very least. That said, Ludwig was altogether unaware of the man’s internal struggle (he did well to keep up a confused and surprised look) and merely let his own eyes wash over the man.

Feliciano had definitely filled out a bit more—not as much as himself since Feli still had a few boyish traits about him—but it was enough to count, and was where it mattered. If Ludwig didn’t know better, he’d say the man had been sick recently or just simply hadn’t been in the sun for long. He seemed a bit paler, one could say, but still looked mildly healthy. If anything, those amber eyes still shone with just as much joy and mischievousness as Ludwig could remember and that grin was just as wide as it had been those years ago whenever Feli had come to visit him during the summers. ….And he’d still failed to tame that strange hair of his or had just given up trying. Heh... yes, this was definitely his old friend.

"Luddi! I had no idea I'd run into you here! It's really good to see you again--you're right, it's been such a long time!"

Torn from his own musings by a hug, the German’s face colored a light pink due to a mild emas Feliciano’s arms wrapped around him and gave a tight squeeze. Ludwig grunted a bit in response and patted his back a couple of times…albeit a bit hesitantly before trying to pull back himself—thankfully, however, the Italian released him before long so he wouldn’t have to pry Feli’s arms from around him.

“It has und it’s nice to see you as well, though.” He moved to take his beer back up and furrowed his brows as Feli continued—not out of aggression, but in concentration more or less. He was indeed interested in what the man had to say, and while, yes, he was initially furious with Feli years and years ago for having left without a trace, but Ludwig was forgiving and was just relieved to have him here now. After all, there was no sense dwelling on the misadventures of the past.

"How about you, Luddi? What've you been up to since I last saw you?"

He would have to ask that question, wouldn’t he?

The Hunter’s eyes drifted to the bartender as the man finally approached to take Feli’s drink order, all Lutz could do was inhale deeply and shake his head. “Just miscellaneous jobs here and there. Nothing entirely steady quite yet.” That was …true. He didn’t have a steady influx of beasts to deal with, so it really was more or less like doing different little odd-jobs from time to time. “But you’re doing well? That’s gut.” He paused to take a sip of his beer. “What is it exactly that you’ve settled into?” Judging by the man’s dress it had to have been some sort of profession that paid well. Not many jobs—his own included—would allow someone to wear a silk shirt to such a casual bar as this one? It just normally wasn’t done.

"Time's been really good to you, Luddi. I'm kinda jealous!"

Ludwig’s face took on another shade of pink at the compliment and he shook his head. He looked to Feliciano. “N-nein. There’s nothing to be jealous of.” Downplaying the remark, he drew a finger over the side of his mug where it had collected some precipitation and furrowed his brows before cutting another blue eye over to the man. “You’re the one sitting in a bar wearing designer clothes, after all.” Or it looked like them to the German—he didn’t really know, nor did he entirely care about familiarizing himself with name brands. Nevertheless, it was intended to be a sort of mild jest.

[Feliciano Vargas]

Even all these years later, it was startlingly simple to draw a blush out of Ludwig. Feliciano couldn't help but chuckle, still smiling even as the bartender appeared to take his order. A momentary glance showing that the German still had plenty of beer left in his glass, he was happy to turn away and quickly order a drink--a Bad Apple sounds ironically delicious right about now. He wasn't ignoring the blonde, of course not, but he did come here for a drink and some fun and meeting an "old" friend shouldn't stop him from that. The other seemed content to speak despite Feliciano's split attention, anyway.

"Just miscellaneous jobs here und zhere," Ludwig explained, sounding, dare he say, uncomfortable? "Nozhing entirely steady quite yet." The Italian raised an eyebrow, curiously intrigued by that. From what his host's memories were telling him, the gangly blonde he had befriended was always at the top of his classes. To think that the other was doing menial work with all that promise he'd shown as a child, while he had shaped this failure child into a rich success... It was only by turning to the bartender and paying for his drink could he keep the smug smile away from Ludwig's eyes. The other only made it more difficult by asking what Feliciano was doing, instead.

He didn't respond at first, swallowing down that smile with a mouthful of his drink. What exactly should he tell the other? The truth that he'd worked his way to playing whore and psychiatrist for his wealthy clientele? He immediately ex-nayed that thought--He didn't need to go around saying things like that. Escorts were only ambiguously legal, after all. "I'm something of an... assistant, si?" he began after a long pause, mulling over his words. "Freelance. I temporarily fill in positions that business-owners need filled, usually under a time crunch. Sometimes it's sensitive work that I do, so it's all confidential." The Italian offers a mild smile, comfortable with his own answer.

Of course, the other's words can't help but draw a laugh out of Feliciano, and that smile morphs into a grin. "You mean this?" he mused, plucking at the collar of his shirt, which of course had three buttons undone. He's teasing a little, of course, but it's all in good fun. "It's tailored, not designer. It's really hard for me to find clothes that fit--the sleeves are either too long or it's too tight." Amber eyes slid over Ludwig's frame, a thoughtful hum escaping him. "I bet it's hard to find clothes that fit you, built the way you are. Tight clothes would look so good on you, though..."

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

Ludwig began to comment about the little chuckle that had been drawn out of the Italian, but as Feliciano turned to regard the bartender, the blond merely offered a bit of a frown and a shake of his head. However, he did loosen his lips at the raised eyebrow Feliciano offered with regards to his current employment.

“I haven’t found anything I’m terribly fond of is all,” he offered, drowning the little lie in gulp of beer. “And there aren’t lucrative employment options in most of the places I’ve been…unfortunately.” His gaze lingered on the mug at the larger lie. He wasn’t entirely sure what Feliciano would say if he had told him immediately that he had been hunting monsters ever since that night in the woods those many years ago. His guess, however, was that the brunette may laugh at him and call him crazy (most would) or perhaps freak out and start crying. The latter option would be the most likely from what Ludwig knew of the other, but he’d like to avoid either reaction at this moment. Such a scene would draw unwanted attention, and for whatever reason, Ludwig felt a bit put off by his old friend. Something just seemed different.

When they were younger, it seemed as if Feliciano’s attention would have solely been on him; his eyes would have been glued to Ludwig’s face and he would be leaning in to listen to whatever the blond was saying. Then again, as a child, Ludwig was a bit more on the quiet side and wasn’t known as a chatterbox, so it wasn’t uncommon for one to have to stop and take note of what he was saying. Regardless, for the moment, Ludwig watched Feliciano down some of his drink and managed to convince himself that it would be ridiculous for the other man to still hang on his every word and action. After all, people and their attitudes change over time.

“An assistant?” Ludwig repeated, quirking an eyebrow as Feliciano explained the position a bit more. “Ah, I see….” Not really. Ludwig wasn’t entirely sure what sort of work that entailed and sorely wished to pry further. What sort of businesses? What do you usually do? He wouldn’t ask about the confidential stuff, but Feliciano didn’t seem keen on explaining it further and Ludwig didn’t want to pressure him too much. He’d probably pry back, after all, and Ludwig would like to keep Feli’s questioning to a minimum with regards to his own occupation. Therefore he simply offered a nod. “I’m glad to see that you’ve found something worthwhile, then.”

Ludwig couldn’t help the roll of his eyes as Feliciano plucked at his shirt and passed off the outfit as nothing. Compared to the mud-covered boots that the Hunter was presently wearing, it was definitely something. “It’s still nice, regardless. Not many people in this bar would be able to wear somezhing like that—tailored silk and all.” Ludwig fought back another blush and downed the rest of his beer. “Why the hell would I wear somezhing like that? Tight clothing is rather impractical on a daily basis anyway.” The red on his face darkened ever so slightly as his thoughts wandered for a split second, but he managed to order another beer without any complication. Yes, he had promised himself that he’d just get one, but, two beers and the company of an old friend wasn’t something he wished to pass up at this time.

“So I take it you’re here on business matters?” the blond turned back to Feliciano as he reached for his second beer. “I don’t suspect that you’ll be here for a while will you?” It was an unspoken hope that the brunette would be around more than just a day or two. Especially after all these years of separation.

[Feliciano Vargas]

Even if the incubus weren't skilled with lying and spotting lies in turn, Feliciano knew he'd spot that lie a mile away. "No lucrative employment options", yeah right. Ludwig was hiding something, that Feliciano was sure of. There were a million reasons the blonde might be hiding the truth, and there weren't many the brunette was interested in figuring out. Let Ludwig keep his secrets, for now. Feliciano was certain he'd be seeing plenty of his 'old friend' during his stay here--he planned on it. This whole situation was too amusing to let lie.

Feliciano could feel Ludwig's stare even as he focused on his drink, and the brunette had to concentrate very hard to not preen under the attention. Ludwig hadn't lost that hyper-focus in the years they'd been apart, and it was a matter of pride that Feliciano could still hold so much of the other's attention after all this time. Perhaps he'll grow frustrated with it in the future, but for now, it was amusingly pleasing to behold. Especially when he caught a glimmer of frustration in the other's bright blue eyes when Feliciano flippantly dodged Ludwig's question about his own profession. A small grin graced his features as Ludwig backed off, that displeasure still evident at the corners of Ludwig's mouth as he simply nodded and said, "I'm glad to see that you've found something worthwhile, then." Feliciano counted it as a win.

It might be fun to push, just a little. Amber eyes locked onto pale blue and the brunette pulled his face into something more 'sympathetic'. "I'm sorry you haven't found anything yet, Luddi," Feliciano hummed, tilting his head to one side. "If you'd like, I could help you look. I have a few connections I don't mind using, if it'll help you find a job." If Feliciano's 'reassuring' smile had a bit of private humor sprinkled in it, he didn't care. "I could put in a good word for you with a few of my employers."

He'd just have to make sure they didn't think Ludwig was an escort as well. Feliciano didn't need that blow to his business, nor did Ludwig need to know what he did. At the same time, though, imagining Ludwig going in for an interview and expected to suck off the interviewer... Feliciano had to kill the thought before he actually burst out laughing. That would be amazing.

That humor bloomed fully at Ludwig's next words, and Feliciano had to swallow an amused scoff with another sip of his drink. In his world, the blonde's words were nothing. He told Ludwig as much. "Up until the past few decades, people were using making their own clothes, Luddi. Tailoring clothes is nothing, ve. And if you don't need to go knee-deep in mud every day--" amused amber eyes glanced pointedly down at Ludwig's jeans and boots "--silk isn't really that hard to come by." Feliciano let his gaze linger along the German's form as he lifted his eyes back to match Ludwig's. His grin was both knowing and amused. "I really think something...tighter would suit you, Luddi~ Unless 'tight' actually means leather or...spandex in your dictionary." His grin grew ever-wider. "Those suit you, too."

Feliciano allowed Ludwig to fluster over his words in peace. As the bartender wandered over to deliver Ludwig's second beer, the Italian ordered a second Bad Apple for himself. He hadn't quite finished the first yet, but he was close enough to want another. There was no desire to sit over an empty glass, not tonight. Once again, it was hard not to visibly preen at the disappointment poorly hidden in Ludwig's last statement. "I don't suspect that you'll be here for a while, will you?" Oh, did Ludwig miss him, already? Such a needy boy. Part of Feliciano wanted to play with that desperation, see how long he could string Ludwig along before he snapped. The end result might be delicious.

"Don't worry your pretty little head, Luddi," he said instead, finishing his drink with a laugh. "I'm here one-hundred-percent for pleasure!" Feliciano sent a saucy wink Ludwig's way. "You can see plenty of me, if you'd like~" Gosh, he loved teasing this idiot already and they've hardly spent any time together.

---

Ludwig Beilschmidt

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

As he waited for an answer, he took a long drink of his second beer.

"If you'd like, I could help you look. I have a few connections I don't mind using, if it'll help you find a job. I could put in a good word for you with a few of my employers."

While he didn’t mind his friend’s offer to help, it …something about it just made him feel insignificant and irritated. Perhaps it was that mild hint of smugness in the other’s attempted symphathy. Ludwig was hardly one to accept handouts—not that this would count as one, really, but he would prefer to exhaust all of his own resources before relying on the help of someone else. His lips twitched into a little frown as his brows knitted together and his gaze dropped momentarily. He took another quick sip of his drink and shook his head. “Thanks—I’m sure I’ll find something eventually. Perhaps, if anything, with a mechanic or machinist. I have always fascinated with those sorts of careers.” He offered a small shrug before adding. “Though I’ll take whatever you find into consideration as well.”

It would probably do him well to get a part-time job or something, since he could have a steady income, but at the same time, Ludwig was aware of how much that may interfere with his ability to hunt—and to do so efficiently. That, of course, was the biggest reason he had stayed away from getting a more permanent and “traditional” sort of job in the first place.

He furrowed his brows, looking to Feli at that scoff and declaration. “That doesn’t make it any less expensive—not everyone has that skillset or the wallet to have every garment in their wardrobe tailored.” Hence why the blond stuck to a few looser fitting pieces of clothing. “I’m perfectly fine with what I –-“

"I really think something...tighter would suit you, Luddi~ Unless 'tight' actually means leather or...spandex in your dictionary. Those suit you, too."

Ludwig’s ears turned a mild shade of pink as he rolled his eyes and raised his bottle back to his lips. “Shut up…” he mumbled into the beer, unamused by the other’s insinuations.

Ludwig raised his eyebrow with a hum. He’d normally assume that Feli meant he was on vacation or the like, but with that added emphasis on it being all about pleasure and little wink, it made the blond a bit curious and skeptical. Not to mention something seemed off about the Italian. Ludwig couldn’t say what—maybe he had just grown up and become molded into the stereotypical “wealthy, spoiled, pretty-boy womanizer that gets what he wants”. For now, Ludwig would stick to that theory, considering their years apart and his lack of knowing anything about man after they parted ways.


For a moment, he stayed silent, but then he looked to Feli, a bit of severity coloring his features. “What exactly happened to you…?” he asked softly, brows furrowing slightly in concern. It could very easily be taken as a double entendre, but in truth, Ludwig was more curious as to what had happened to him those years ago (especially since Ludwig had spent several years afterwards searching for him) and how Feli got to where he was now.

---

Feliciano Vargas