Hello! I totally don't want to bother you but I was wondering if I could ask you a question regarding cosplay. Have you ever traveled with a you styled or with props you've made? I'm worried hairspray might set off a detector at the airport. Thanks!
It’s totally fine, cosplay questions are always welcome here.
I can say from my experience, all of the conventions I’ve ever gone to I’ve traveled to by car, including my trip from Orlando to NYCC.
I’ve never had experience with airport security regarding my props or wigs because I’ve never flown for a convention.
Someone with airport experience give some help to this lovely lady, since I can’t.
Author: Kimi
Type of Gift: Fic
Title: The First of Many
Rating: PG
Summary: Ludwig makes some plans to surprise Feliciano on their first Christmas together. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned.
Author Notes: Sorry this is so late! I hope you like it :)
Feliciano couldn’t help but continue smiling as he drove to Ludwig’s house. It was much too late for anything special, seeing as it was already nearly 1 am on Christmas day, and the roads were nearly dead. Excitement swelled in his chest when he thought of how surprised Ludwig had been when Feliciano instantly agreed to spend Christmas with him this year and honestly, he couldn’t possibly imagine spending it anywhere else. Especially after things had just become official.
For the Italian, they’d felt pretty serious for a while, but hearing the words come from Ludwig made it all the more special and he wouldn’t have it any other way, finding a skip in his step over the past month. He tried to keep quiet as he climbed up the porch and used the spare key under the doormat. He was instantly met with Ludwig’s three dogs who seemed more eager than usual, and Feliciano smiled, making sure the dog treats were completely wrapped and hidden from their view before taking a step inside.
“Hi, boys!” he greeted softly, as he closed the door behind him. The dogs circled his legs, bumping into each other as they tried to get as much attention as possible. Feliciano offered them gentle pats before shifting the bag in his arms. When they all froze, he couldn’t help but laugh at their expressions.
“Not until Christmas!”
They practically groaned in protest before Feliciano shushed them again, glancing at the clock when he realized that the house was rather quiet, even if it was so late. He immediately realized the reason, smiling when he found Ludwig fast asleep on the couch and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh against the back of his hand. He’d packed almost everything he could’ve imagined, but the thought of sliding into his sleeping arms after such a busy day of work was almost too much to bear and after tucking his own presents under the tree, he found himself fitting himself into the spot next to Ludwig and taking in a deep, tired breath. He tried not to allow his fingers to curiously trail up Ludwig’s chest, instantly feeling his warmth and loving every moment. It certainly wasn’t the first time he’d cuddled up so closely, but it definitely was the first time that it’d been “official.” Or, well… that’s what he figured it was called, anyway.
Right as he had begun to nod off, he felt the form next to him shift and quickly reach a hand out to catch the Italian when he realized he wasn’t alone.
“Feliciano?” he tried sleepily before clearing his throat. “What…What time is it?”
Feliciano suppressed a yawn, staring at the clock before rubbing his eyes. “Almost…2.”
Ludwig groaned and the other smiled, nuzzling against him further. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I really, really wanted to come see Ludwig early, but my meeting went so late. My boss can really talk…”
He was silent for a moment before he reached around for Ludwig’s hand and interlocked his fingers into a slightly bigger hand. “But I made it, and now we can celebrate together. I can’t wait to see the surprise!”
“Tomorrow,” Ludwig murmured with a smile.
“Just a quick, teeny-tiny hint tonight?” Feliciano urged.
“No, Feliciano.”
The Italian deflated slightly, letting out an audible little huff before another smile took over and he wasn’t able to keep his pout going.
Ludwig slowly lifted himself up, before he stretched and sighed. “We should sleep in the bed, we’ll both be sore if we stay here.”
Feliciano beamed. “I love your bed.”
“I know you do,” Ludwig replied, a smile tugging at his lips as he took the other’s hand in his own and started up the stairs. “You’re always in it, every night.”
“It’s comfortable,” Feliciano replied. “It’s even more comfortable when you’re there, because you’re so warm.”
The German tried his best to ignore the comment as he pulled back the sheets and slid underneath them, propping his head up on a few pillows as Feliciano scooted even closer and rested his head on his chest.
“I’m really excited,” he mused sleepily. “Are you excited for my present?”
“I suppose so,” Ludwig said tiredly.
“No, no!” the other replied instantly. “You have to be excited, or it will ruin the fun! So excited that it’s hard for you to go to sleep!”
The German raised an eyebrow as his lover continued to send a horribly cheesy grin in his direction. “This is only because you can’t contain your own excitement, right?”
“Just one hint.”
“Fine,” Ludwig said, turning off the lamp on the bedside table. “Your present is a place. That’s all I can say.”
“The bakery?!”
“How would it be a surprise if we went to the bakery? We usually go every week. Besides, they’re closed for the holiday.” Trying to hide his smile, he rolled over and pulled the sheets over his shoulder. “You’ll find out in the morning, okay? Knowing will be part of the present.”
Feliciano nodded, rolling over himself before trying his best to close his eyes despite the anticipation that was eating away at his thoughts and swirling in his stomach.
****
Although falling asleep had proven to be quite a challenge, staying asleep was definitely something Feliciano was not only used to, but excelled at. So Ludwig wasn’t very surprised when 9 o’clock came, and then 10 o’clock, and so on. However, when the Italian had finally climbed out of bed, he found himself lying in bed next to a German Shepherd instead of his lover. When he finally got downstairs, he found Ludwig standing at the window in the living room, a look of not only shock, but disappointment on his face.
“Good morning, Merry Christmas!” Feliciano chirped, and he instantly whirled around, trying to offer him a gentle smile.
“Merry Christmas, did you sleep well?”
The Italian nodded, taking this as an invitation for a hug and it took less than a moment for him to appear in Ludwig’s arms, nuzzling against his chest.
“I slept really, really well! Even though it was hard to fall asleep.”
Ludwig’s smile faltered. “I need to tell you something about the present…It was snowing all night and…I can’t open the front door. It’s stuck. I’d…” the tips of his ears were darkening, as well as his cheeks. “I’d set everything up at a cottage about an hour away.”
Feliciano gave Ludwig another loving squeeze before he burst into laughter, the same wonderfully cheerful, warm laughter that was one of the first indicators to Ludwig that it was something he wanted to hear every day for the rest of his life. He only wished now that pure happiness and shock of his doing would’ve been the cause.
“That’s okay!” Feliciano replied, reaching up to pull his head down and press a kiss against his reddening cheek. “I’m so happy that Ludwig had this planned all along, that I can’t be disappointed! You must really love me!”
“I…I, er…Yes…” Ludwig sighed. “I just…that was all I had. I’m sorry.”
He rested his head in his palm as his dogs circled his legs, eager for breakfast and he looked up at Feliciano hopefully. “I’ll make breakfast and we can find another way to celebrate?”
“Of course! I want to help, can we make the oven-pancakes?”
“Eierkuchen?”
“Yes, but first, I want to give you my present! Close your eyes.”
Ludwig obeyed, taking a seat on the couch. He frowned slightly at the sound of tearing paper and the shuffling of a box. “Are you opening it, or am I?” he joked.
“I changed a few things, so keep your eyes closed, okay?”
After a bit more shuffling, Ludwig felt a strand of fabric on the back of his neck and something draped over his chest.
“Okay, open your eyes!”
When he did, he found an incredibly giddy Feliciano before him and a brand new, bright apron down his front, a hand-print heart painted directly on the chest.
“I-I know you don’t like to get flour on your clothes when you cook, and I noticed your other one was getting really old. I hope you like it!”
His cheeks had taken on a scarlet hue, but he couldn’t shake the wonderful feeling that was bubbling in his chest. He hadn’t even thought that Feliciano had paid such a careful eye to detail, especially when it came to his habits in the kitchen.
“I do, thank you so much.”
Feliciano beamed. “I wanted to show you how much you mean to me, so I wanted it to be perfect. This is our first Christmas together.”
Ludwig’s eyes widened. Come to think of it, it was. He’d hardly noticed even after spending the entire night with Feliciano. It felt so wonderfully comfortable, almost as if it had been like this for years and years, and certainly much longer than a mere month.
“I didn’t even notice,” he admitted. “It feels like I haven’t spent a Christmas without you, for as long as I can remember.”
“R-Really?” Feliciano climbed into Ludwig’s lap, leaning forward and drawing him into a gentle kiss.
“For me, it really does feel like the very first one. It’s the first one that I can kiss you,” he added another kiss to further his point. “And spend every single moment with you. I’ve always loved to be around you, but this is a lot more special. I’ve known for years that I’ve wanted to spend my life with you. You always help me tie my shoes and make me feel safe, let me sleep in your bed, share all of your delicious food…and…you’re always there for me.”
Ludwig smiled. “The first time I heard you laugh really hard, I…I knew I wanted to hear that every day,” he replied softly and Feliciano laughed, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“That’s so cheesy!”
“B-But it’s true! Don’t say things like that,” Ludwig huffed, his cheeks darkening. “There are other things, too. Whenever I call you, you’re there for me, too. Even if you’re scared, I can always count on you to be by my side and I’ve always been able to. I used to be so lonely, and now I never feel alone, even when I am.”
Feliciano placed a hand on both of Ludwig’s cheeks, pulling him in for a deeper kiss. “I love you,” he murmured. “So, so much.”
Ludwig smiled. “Merry Christmas, Feliciano. I love you, too.”
