Germany X Reader: Asthma ~ Part 4

[Note: Ugh, there was no good way to break this up without making one part, like, 2000 words long. So, for best literary pleasure, I suggest going back and reading the last bit. But, regardless, enjoy! ;D]

. . .

Ludwig sat at his desk, trying to work on his papers. He couldn't concentrate, however. His thoughts kept drifting back to you and the nagging feeling he did something wrong this morning.

He had seen you later, throughout the day. You looked a little more tired then usual, but seemed back to your normal self.

But try as he might, he couldn't get the image of you crying out of his head. It bothered him; no one else he trained had ever broke down like that. Well, except Feli. But he was a whole other story…

He took off his reading glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Maybe I shouldn't have yelled at her," he thought. "It's worked with everyone else. Well," He paused, thinking. "I guess all the people I've personally trained in the past have been men."  He thought back to his past students, all of them the tough, rugged type. Whereas you seemed…well, not like that. You shared their determination, but you were much smaller and more delicate.  You were much nicer too. And you smiled a lot more. A genuine smile, that reached your eyes and made them sparkle. You had such bright, earnest eyes…

Ludwig shook his head, startled he was thinking like that. He forced his mind back to the problem at hand.

"Maybe girls don't like to be yelled at. I should try something some other form of motivation. Girls like…kittens, right? Maybe I should borrow one from Heracles…and have her chase it around the field…Ugh, I'm thinking of Feliciano again…"

He leaned back in his chair, at a loss. And then there was the matter of the routine. You looked completely worn-out, like you could barely stand. He would not do that to you again. Tomorrow you would have to do something light, to give you a chance to recuperate…

"I know! I'll take her out on a run. That seems to be her problem area, anyway, so it will be good for her. How many miles should we go? 10? That's what all my past students have done… Oh, but I should cut it back some, for her. So…8? Ja, that sounds good."

He smiled, pleased with his solution, and how he took your feelings into account. He would even try some more positive motivation tomorrow.

Tomorrow would be good.

He wouldn't have to see you cry again.

Standing up, he shuffled some of the papers away and yawned. It wasn't that late, but now that he was training you, his morning started a lot earlier…

He headed off to bed, unfinished papers still strewed across his desk.

. . .

"Eight miles?"

You looked at Ludwig in shock, an out of character smile on his face. Was he trying to kill you?

"Ja, I shortened it for you because I know you are…not zhe best at running."

"Shortened?!"

"Unless you vant to do ten?"

"No! I-I just don't think I can do it…"

"Nonsense! Don't think like zhat! You have to stay positive!" His voice was unusually upbeat and cheery.

You were still skeptical. I don't think I've ever run more than 3 miles…and then I had to keep stopping to take hits off my inhaler…

OH CRAP.

Your heart stopped as panic erupted inside you.

I FORGOT MY INHALER.

You chided yourself, quickly letting your nerves take over. How could I be so stupid? I can't train without my inhaler! But I can't just tell Ludwig I don't want to do it, especially not after he's taken so much of his time to help me... Besides, he'd ask questions. I'd have to explain, and then he'd probably kick me out. No. I have to do this. Be strong, (Name). It can't be that bad…

Right?

Right.

You took a deep breath, a newfound determination setting in. "Eight miles?"

"Ja,"  He nodded.

You gulped.  "Guess we'd better get going then."

He let out a large grin, showing his flawless straight teeth.

"It vill be over before you know it."

If only you knew, Ludwig.