Germany X Reader: Asthma ~ Part 8

Ludwig's room was cool and orange-tinted; the first was because of the open window, the second was the soft light that poured out from his desk lamp. You moved toward the ridged wooden chair you occupied when you first entered his office. Ludwig shook his head. "No, sit on zhe couch."

For the first time, you noticed a small maroon loveseat against the wall. You settled into it uncertainly.

Ludwig disappeared into his room for a moment, before returning with reading glasses positioned on his nose. After rustling through his desk and uncovering a pad of paper, he pulled up a chair next to you and sat down.

"Vhat you did was incredibly stupid. "

Ouch.

"I know…" You begrudgingly conceded.

"Und, according to the law of this camp, I should send you packing for lying about your medical state on your paperwork."

Your heart sank. It was the first time you were here all over again. Again he was going to be disappointed in you, again you were going get criticized because of your bad choices…

"But I'm not going to do zhat."

…and again he was going to surprise you.

He looked at you over the rim of his glasses. "Even though what you did was immature and dangerous, I must admit: it's…admirable. If you're willing to risk you life for the sake of self-improvement, you must really vant it. So I'm going to keep helping you."

"However," he placed the paper down on his lap, "zhere needs to be rules. If I am going to continue training you, ve haft to take precautions. No more accidents."

You nodded slowly. "Alright. What are the rules?"

"I have been zhinking about them. For starters, I am assuming," his pen darted over the page, "you have an inhaler, ja? You will have it on your person at all times."

You bit your lip. "I really did mean to have it yesterday. I just forgot it."

"You will not forget it again." He didn't look up from his writing. "Second, if you feel an…incident like that coming on again, you haft to tell me immediately." "

"I think I can deal with that. you laughed lightly.

"Gut. Und lastly," He met your eyes, "you will take breaks vhen I zhink you need them. Even if you don't want to."

You cringed. "No. No breaks. I don't like that rule."

He glared at you. "Vell you don't get a say in zhe matter."

"But how am I going to get better if I constantly have to stop?!" You leaned toward him in anger. He didn't understand, you needed to get better, and you couldn't do that if you didn't push yourself!

He matched your intensity. "Your pride can not get in the way of your heath!"

"Ludwig, you don't need to baby me!" It was hard to sound respectful and resentful at the same time. "I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"Clearly, you are not. Und until you do learn to take care of yourself I'm going to have to do it!"

"Why does this matter so much to you!?" Your friends had never taken this (freaking obsessive) level of precaution around you!

"I care about you!" The words fell out of his mouth, startled, like when something secret slips out of your back pocket.

You looked away, a bit taken aback, as a blush crept up your cheeks.

That sounded almost instinctual…and totally sweet….

"…Thank you." You mumbled into your hands.

He muttered something in German, and stood up, rubbing his eyes under his glasses. "It's late. You should be heading back to your room.  Ve'll start again tomorrow, ja?"

You pressed up off the couch and made your way toward the door. Cold air hit you as you stepped onto the porch, making you shiver slightly in the wind. Ludwig walked behind you.

"Gute Nacht, Frauline. Bis morgen." He was closing the door, but you had one last  question…

"Wait, Ludwig."

His hand stopped. "Ja?" he raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"W-when you said…that you "cared" about me…I just wanted to know…why?"

He rolled his eyes. "Miene Gott, you're so analytical. You can never just accept somezhing, can you?"

"But…is there some sort of reason?"

"I-" A frustrated groan was the only warning you got before he grabbed you by the shoulder, pulling you into his chest and wrapping his arms around you. He sighed into your hair, hot air tickling the side of your neck. "I just vant you to be safe, alles klar?"




Summer was turning, and though the air was starting to bite with the familiar chill of autumn, you felt inexpressibly warm as you walked back to your cabin that night.