Archive of Our Own ^beta

There was a sound of the car door falling shut before the engine awoke.

And soon the sight of that small home behind them faded into the distance as they drove down the road.

A narrow country lane with Poplar trees on each side, through which a bit of sun shone through and onto the face of the young boy sitting in the back.

He did not seem to mind the warmth tickling his nose or blinding his eyes for a few split seconds.

No- all he did was stare out the window past the trees and the fields.

"How are you feeling, Ludwig?"

Came the voice from the front, dark eyes starring from the rear mirror before looking back onto the streets.

Ludwig however did not answer, his gaze still fixated on whatever it was out there.

Not that there was much to look at anyways, so early in the morning.

"Are you still feeling sick...?"

The voice tried to catch the boy's attention again, raising it just slight in a hopeful attempt to get an answer from him.

But once again nothing came and Roderich grew a bit tense, clenching the steering wheel beneath his hands as his face made a few grimaces.

He let out a deep sigh and remained quiet for a bit, continuing to drive down the road while avoiding the small potholes.

"You know... it would be nice if you could answer me, Ludwig. So, I know if you are okay or not-"

There was a slight annoyance in his tone, but he tried his best to keep it down, not wanting to grow mad at the child behind him for such a small reason.

But it seems they had still caught on the sudden tone change, cause as Roderich looked back again he saw them not starring out the window, but down onto the floor in front of them.

With their hands tightly holding onto the edges of their shirt.

Seemingly tense and barely moving, but still not answering despite knowing the adult wanted them to open their mouth.

Roderich sighed again and forced his eyes back onto the road, driving in silence while trying to think of how to make the other speak.

He did not want to force them but knowing how they felt would be beneficial for both of them.

Especially now that they would be living together. Away from their brother they knew much better.

With growing nervousness, he tapped the steering wheel, drumming his fingers in a rhythm that was familiar to him.

What caught him by surprise though- was that he could hear clapping behind him.

And with a quick look up into the mirror he spotted the small Ludwig tapping their thighs with their hands in the same rhythm, trying to follow him.

He observed that for a bit longer, his facial features having softened a lot.

"Do you enjoy music-?"

The brunette asked, his tone sounding more hopeful than in the beginning. Cause at least with that topic he would be well educated.

He had to wait again for an answer, seeing Ludwig in the back stopping their tapping and keeping their head down.

Roderich has tried to not lose that hope, giving them a bit more time to answer as his eyes flickered from them to the street.

"Mhm.."

Came the quietest sound from the back, but that was enough to make Roderich feel such relief. His chest falling with a sigh and slight chuckle.

That was a small journey, so he would let the both of them rest now- not wanting to push his luck in asking anything else.

"That’s... wonderful. I'm sure we will get along just great, Ludwig."