Germany x Reader: By the Book

"________!" someone called loudly across the break room, causing you to wince at the harsh tone. What did I do this time? you wondered as you turned around to face the source of the outburst- a tall German man named Ludwig; a close friend of yours but not terribly forgiving when he noticed a mistake.

"Y-yes?" you replied timidly as he stalked over to you. He noticed the intimidated look on your face and instantly seemed taken aback, rearranging his stern features into an awkwardly forced grin.

"H-hallo ______, I didn't mean to startle you... erm, can I, ah, ask you something?"

Pinpoints of sweat were gleaming on his brow, and you watched him puzzledly. "Of course, Ludwig. What can I help you with?"

Sighing briefly through his nose, he looked away and awkwardly ran his fingers through his slicked-back blonde hair. "I-I vas vondering if maybe you vould like to come... out... for a cup of coffee vith me sometime!" he finished on a triumphant note, the bright smile still painfully plastered across his face.

You bit the inside of your cheek to keep from chuckling at his incredibly out-of-character expression. "Sure, I would love that," you said truthfully.

Obviously embarrassed (and maybe a little surprised), he attempted to make small talk with you for several more minutes before making a hasty exit, picking up the book he had been reading and tucking it protectively under his arm before he left.

After he was gone, you gave in to your surpressed laughter at his flustered behavior, earning you some strange looks from your coworkers. After overcoming your giggles, you also allowed yourself to blush and smile excitedly into your hand. You really would be looking forward to this.

וווווווווווווווווווווווו×

All in all, your little date was going well. Quite well, in fact. The German was much more at ease with you than he had been the day before, talking casually as he always did and even laughing occasionally. You were thoroughly enjoying yourself- but you also noticed something strange.

Ludwig seemed to be copying all of your movements. When you crossed your arms or legs, he mirrored you; if you leaned back or forward in your seat, he would mimic the action (albeit with a slight glint of panic visible in his eyes if you leaned too far away).

He also seemed to be watching your eyes very closely. Once, after making one of his dryly clever remarks, he leaned closer and stared into them intently; only to quickly realize his mistake and retreat from your personal space.

You even noticed the obviously fake facial expressions make their return. You couldn't help yourself- you had to ask. "Is something wrong? You seem to be acting... different."

Ludwig immediately blushed and glanced to the side, adjusting his tie self-consciously. "Ahem... I'm sorry, I... you see.... I just thought that mdhflgbtfhjgbn" he mumbled incoherently, his face growing redder with every syllable. It made you blush a little yourself as well.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" you asked gently. He cleared his throat and looked up to meet your eyes with his piercing blue ones.

"Y-you see, I'm not terribly adept at... this type of interaction," he began. "So I was, ah, reading up on some tips to sort of... help me out." You cocked an eyebrow skeptically, and his lips formed a good old, natural pout. "I read that you can.. hold somevone's attention better if you copy their movements- or if their pupils dilate, then they're interested in vhat you're saying. Verdammt, that sounds so stupid, I'm sorry-" He broke off, cursing under his breath and knotting a napkin desperately in his large hands.

Once again, you simply couldn't help yourself- you burst out laughing, and the supremely mortified expression on his face just made it that much better. Setting down your coffee, you stood up abruptly and leaned across the small café table, flinging your arms around a very flustered German's neck and pulling him tightly into you.

"Ludwig," you said, "I can't speak for everyone, but those tricks just won't work on me." You felt his shoulders stiffen uncomfortably.

"But," you continued fondly, "you can do something for me that you won't find in any old book."

He removed his head from where you had forced it into your shoulder and craned his neck to look at you. "And vhat vould that be?"

Dipping a finger in his unprotected coffee, you scooped up a dollop of foam and plopped it generously onto his nose. "Be yourself," you said simply.

And cheesy as it was, it was true- and not something that could be described in any book.