Chapter Text
“...Gilbert. Gilbert. GIL”.
Bam!
Gilbert jumped- the hand he was resting his cheek on slamming down to the table, “What?”
Across the high bar table, Erzsébet gave him a wry look, “You were staring off into space. It’s weird seeing you quiet.”
Gilbert leaned back and stretched his arms over his head, “Ha Ha.”
“What were you thinking about?” Ludwig asked next to him.
“What makes you think I was thinking?” The warm glow of the fireplace and candles must have lit up his blush, because the flat looks he got in return oozed disbelief.
“Aww come on!” Sang Feliciano, leaning forward to see Gilbert, “You were looking all day-dreamy!”
“Wha- No I wasn’t!” Gilbert squacked indignantly.
“Then what do you call sighing and gazing at the wall like a lovesick teenager?” Asked Antonio, elbowing Gilbert in the side.
He pushed Antonio off, “I don’t sigh!”
“You totally were.” Lorenzo added.
“Why are you all ganging up on me?!”
Erzsébet filled the mug she just cleaned with more beer, and took a huge swig of it, “because someone's got a crush, and it’s getting obvious who it is!”
Gilbert slammed his head on the counter and groaned.
It had been three days since Alfred left for Taishui, and that had freed up Matthew to come into town way more often. He and Gilbert had been spending a lot of time together since then, hanging in Erzsébet’s or in the bakery. Going on walks. Evening before last, Matthew had complained of a headache, and Gilbert hadn’t seen him since. That had given Gilbert plenty of time to pine and sigh.
Tonight was no different than any other night, he, Ludwig, Feli, Antonio and Lorenzo crashing Erzsébet’s brewery. Or, well, it was supposed to be no different.
“You’re going to have to face it sooner or later, Gil.” Said Ludwig, cutting into his thoughts.
“I don’t have anything to face!” Gilbert whined, throwing an arm over his own head.
“Don’t be shy! It’s fun having a crush on someone!” Gilbert tilted his head to the side to glance grumpily at Feliciano. “You have to tell us everything about them now!”
“Is he cute?” Asked Erzsébet. “Quiet-ish?”
“Does he have glasses?” Asked Antonio.
“Blond hair?” Asked Lorenzo.
“SHUT UUUUUP!” Gilbert yelled.
“I KNEW IT!” Shouted Lorenzo, clapping excitedly, “Feli! Hand it over!”
“Uuuuuugh, Gilbert why did it have to be the horse boy?” Felicano whined, slumping out of his chair to fish money out of his pockets.
“The ‘Horse Boy?’ “ Gilbert asked incredulously, sitting up, “he has a name you know!”
“Go on, tell us, say it. What's his name?” Lorenzo snickered.
“....It’s Matthew.”
“HA!” Lorenzo grinned at Feliciano, who just stuck his tongue out at him.
Ludwig gave Gilbert a small smile, “Good choice.”
“What's that supposed to mean!?”
“HEEEY!” Erzsébet bellowed, slamming her hand on the table. Everyone flinched and froze.
She pointed at Gilbert, “I think the more important thing here is that we have a mission to go on!”
“A what ?”
“Oh yeah! Gilbert, we’re your friends, you have to let us help you get the boy!” Antonio cheered, clapping his hand on Gil’s shoulder.
“No! Absolutely not!” Gilbert protested, swinging his arms, “I don’t even know if he likes me back!”
“Oh he does.” Erzsébet said suggestively, “Have you seen how he watches you?”
Gilbert rolled his eyes, “ ja, he doesn’t.”
“Whaaat? He totally does!” Feli argued, leaning on Ludwigs back and stretching his arms over his shoulders, “I saw him the other day, when he came with his pony!-“
“Horse.”
“-He looked really happy to see you!”
“And tuesday, when he was waiting in the bar!” Antonio added. “He looks incredibly weak to your flirting, by the way.”
“And when you left,” Erzsébet cut in before Gilbert could protest, “He was staring after you the entire time.”
“W-What!?” Gilbert felt his face heat up, and he grabbed the bar table, “He- No he-“
“Just accept he loves you already!” Lorenzo drawled impatiently.
Other villagers in the bar were starting to pay attention now, growing excitement and humor written all over their faces.
“Y-You shut up! Go away!” Gilbert tried to yell at them. Tried.
“Are you talking about that tall blond boy?” Someone yelled.
“Who?” Yelled another.
“That kid Gil’s always with!”
“NO WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT HIM! STOP LISTENING!” Gilbert yelled.
“You have to go tell him now!” Feli said, eyes shining.
“What? No!” Gilbert cried.
“Grow some balls!” Lorenzo called.
“What's with the hold up? It’s not like it’s hard!” Asked Antonio.
Gilbert pulled at his own hair, “That’s easy for you to say! You’ve all got someone!”
“Ah-“
The laughter and noise died down for a second, and Erzsébet smiled bitterly. Antonio lightly kicked Gilbert under the table.
He was quick to apologize, “Shit- I didn’t mean it like that, Erzsébet, i’m sorry-“
Erzsébet only looked at Gilbert kindly, in a sad sort of way, “I know. It’s… fine.”
Erzsébet had dated someone too, years ago.
The girl lived far away, and she would sneak out into the village in disguise. Everyone knew something of her, she had a lovely personality, and there was something about her appearance that stood out…
That girl and Erzsébet fell in love slowly, and danced around each other for some time before somehow, something or someone pushed them together. They were such a happy couple before something happened one day, and she never came back.
Word on the street is that she was caught and… punished, though barely anyone could remember anything about her. It was wise not to bring it up in front of Erzsébet.
“Anyone with senses can tell how in love you two are,” Erzsébet continued quietly, “you should try making a move, you never know how it will end.”
Gilbert huffed, “I would but I… What if I can’t?”
Self-doubt. Gilbert did a good job hiding most of it but…
Ludwig elbowed his arm lightly, “come on, Gilbert. You aren’t my awesome older brother for nothing now. That boy makes you happy, and you’re always telling me to go after what makes me happy. Take your own advice, ja ?”
Erzsébet raised her eyebrows, and Gilbert gaped.
“Ludwig…”
The phrase ‘my awesome older brother’ rang in his head like a victory bell, and the giddy rush from it made him beam.
Gilbert flung an arm around Ludwigs shoulders.
“ Ghck-!“
“So you do listen to me when I talk to you!” Gilbert cackled, using his other fist to muss up his younger brothers hair.
“ Yes I do now get off! And don’t touch my hair!” Ludwig complained, shrugging Gilbert off.
“Alright, alright!” Gilbert let Ludwig go, and chugged some more alcohol, “I’m gonna do it…! I’m gonna do it. ...How am I gonna do it?”
“Take him on a date!” Sang Feliciano.
Lorenzo downed some more of his drink, “you have to ask him first, moron.”
“Where would I even ask him to go?” Gilbert whined, “He stays at home all day!”
Erzsébet leaned forward on the counter, “hmm. Is there anywhere you know he likes to be outside?”
Gilbert snorted, “ yeah, the library, but I can’t take him there.”
Feliciano blinked, “why not?”
“You afraid of Basch?” Antonio asked, mildly surprised.
“Yes- He hates me!” Gilbert whined, throwing his hands up, “I try to be nice to him or talk but he cuts off every conversation!”
Erzsébet sighed, “yes, he does that to everyone. He tries for Lili and Matthew, though. Maybe having them there would lighten things up?”
“Excuse me!” A tiny voice piped up.
They all turned towards Feliciano’s side of the bar, where Lili stood nervously.
“I don’t think the library would be such a good idea, but Matthew likes going on walks!”
“Lili!” Erzsébet said, laughing and running over to hug the younger girl, “It’s good to see you, how are you doing?”
Lili smiled widely and hugged back tightly, “I’m good!”
Gilbert turned his attention to the wall in front of him.
He likes going on walks… Likes reading… Likes food… Hm…
He snapped suddenly, “AHA! I got it!”
Lili, who was talking, stopped in surprise. Erzsébet raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll take him for a walk at noon tomorrow and we can stop and eat along the way! Then I can take him to the library afterwards!”
“Ooh, thats good!” Antonio said, patting Gilbert hard on the back.
“Uh- um…!” Lili squeaked again. Everyone turned to her.
“Yeah?” Erzsébet said.
“The library isn’t ah… hm. I don’t think Basch wants any guests right now, but if you have any books in mind I can bring them to you!” Lili clasped her hands in front of her chest nervously.
Feliciano frowned, “is he okay?”
Lili nodded a little bit too enthusiastically, “oh, yes he’s fine! We’re just uh… Cleaning! Right now.”
Gilbert went back to thinking, missing the knowing look on Erzsébet’s face.
“I'm not sure what he likes though…”
Lili smiled widely, “Leave that to me!”
______
The next morning, Gilbert paced up and down the hallway of his house. Into the kitchen and living room, then past the bathroom, then bedrooms, then back again.
“Come on!” Feliciano called from the kitchen, “You were so ready yesterday!”
Ludwig turned back from the stove, “What, do you need Antonio and Lorenzo to come with you too? We should get moving before Vati comes home, he’s going to want some peace and quiet.”
“Oh, is he coming back this week?” Feliciano asked.
Gilbert crossed and uncrossed his arms, still saying nothing. Their conversation melted away as his thoughts raced.
What if he says no and I took everything the wrong way- he kissed me didn’t he? That should mean something… What if he’s been leaving hints about something he really likes? Will he be disappointed if I don’t know? What if- what if he does say yes but he changes his mind later? I guess I don’t mind being friends but what if he hates me- oh he probably doesn’t HATE me but what if I mess up? What if-
“Hey.”
Gilbert flinched as Ludwig pressed down hard on his shoulders. He didn’t realise that he’d been muttering.
“ Ja? ” Gilbert asked, slipping back into his normal cheeky attitude.
Ludwig kept staring him down. Gilbert watched his brother’s eyes flick over his face.
Ludwig sighed, “You’re overthinking too much. Again.”
“What? No i’m not!” Gilbert argued.
Feliciano, who was still at the table, leaned back in his chair, “I can practically hear you thinking from here!”
Ludwig backed off as Gilbert pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I’m not worried! Come on let’s just… go.” He said lowly.
“All right! Wait just a moment, I want to finish my food!” Feliciano sang happily, before proceeding to inhale it all.
_______
The walk out of the village was a quiet one, everything muffled and sleepy in the cold winter air. A few people were awake and moving about, and Gilbert waved to Emma as she unlocked the bakery.
“Good morning you three!” She called drowsily, “You’re up early! Where you headed?”
“To Matthew’s place, we’ll be back quickly.” Ludwig replied.
Emma tilted her head, “Who?”
Feliciano wakes his hands, “You know! Tall, lanky, blond! He has glasses and that big white pony-“
“It’s a horse.” Gilbert cut in.
“Oh!” Emma snapped her fingers, “I’ve seen him! Okay you guys, take care!”
“We will!” Feliciano said kindly.
The white clouds overhead rolled peacefully as they passed under the town gate’s arch. Dead and dormant grass poked out of the snow, and Feli cooed at a white rabbit hopping nearby. Gilbert could pick up the tone in his voice as he turned to talk to Ludwig about it, but the words were lost to the anxious swirl of Gilbert’s mind.
Why do I feel like this isn’t going to work…
The long walk to the little house in the distance grew tenser with each crunched step in the snow. In an attempt to lighten things up, Feli smashed a snowball into the back of Gilberts head. He squawked and arched his back as snow slipped down his coat, and let Feliciano off with a ball to the head.
“How does he make this trip everyday?” Feliciano wondered aloud as Ludwig helped him brush the snow from his hair, “It feels like we’ve been walking for miles!”
“The town is just back there, Feli.” Said Ludwig, pointing behind them.
Gilbert squinted ahead. They were close enough now that he could make out the details of the house, and the stables and chicken pen next to it. Gilbert sped up a little.
“Gil?” Ludwig asked, picking up his pace a little.
“Somethings wrong.” Gilbert answered curtly, “Thats’s Alfred’s cart. It shouldn't be here- he wasn’t due to be back until late next week.”
“Why’s it out in the snow?” Feliciano asked.
As they got closer, Gilbert’s frown deepened.
“What’s that all over it…?” He asked no one in particular, “Is that…”
Feliciano made a little choked-off gasp behind him, “Thats- that’s blood! All over the sides…!”
Breaking out into a sprint, Gilbert ran up to look at it.
The cart’s all damaged- And Kumajirou isn’t in the stable…
He glanced around- at the dark windows, the smokeless chimney. There were footsteps leading up to the stairs… coming from wagon tracks that lead to…
Gilbert leaned back to look at the road- continuing up towards the mountains. The wagon tracks led as far as he could see- but there was no sign of any hoofprints.
Ludwig and Feliciano caught up to him.
“Gilbert? What is it?” Asked Ludwig.
“ Dio mio that is a lot of blood…” Feli squeaked, tightening his vice grip on Ludwig’s arm.
“Something’s not right.” Gilbert muttered as his brother subconsciously stepped in front of Feliciano.
“What-“
Gilbert turned on his heel, and quickly strode up to the steps. It was too early for any chickens to be about, so he made it up them no problem.
Knock-Knock-Knock.
“Matt?” Gilbert called. The drapes over the windows were drawn tightly shut.
It was silent.
“Matt?” Gilbert tried again, “Are you there?”
Again, nothing.
Footsteps came up the stairs behind him.
“Maybe he’s still asleep…?” Feliciano tried, “He said he had a headache and it’s a little early…”
“That doesn’t explain the cart. ” Gilbert snapped, half turning to look at him.
Feliciano recoiled a little, “Maaaaaybe Alfred came home early?”
“I said wasn’t supposed to be back until next week.” Gilbert hissed, turning back around to knock.
“There's a chance something could have happened.” Ludwig added pensively. He was looking at the footsteps from the cart tracks. “If that cart is anything to go by-“
BAM-BAM-BAM.
“HEY!” Gilbert shouted, fist still curled on the door.
Feliciano jumped half out of his skin, and Ludwig reached for Gilbert’s shoulder.
“ Cut that out, you’re going to break something.” He reprimanded.
Gilbert shushed him hard, “I heard something!”
The three of them stood stock-still at the door frame, listening.
Messy, uncoordinated footsteps down the hallway. Muffled cursing. A flash in the window caught Gilbert’s attention for a moment, but the blinds closed before he could register anything.
“...Did you see-“
The door flung itself open halfway to reveal Alfred, bruised and bandaged, leaning on the handle. His deadpan expression was no more pleasant than the rest of him.
“Alfred!” Gasped Feliciano, “what on earth happened to you!?”
“You… need medical attention…” Said Ludwig worriedly, at the same time.
Alfred didn’t respond, he kept his glare unwaveringly on Gilbert. It was hard to tell if he was squinting in annoyance, or because he wasn’t wearing his glasses.
“Whatever you want, make it fucking fast. ” He growled. His voice rasped horribly.
“Where the hell is Matthew?” Gilbert threw back in the same tone, “I haven’t seen him in two days.”
Alfred’s scowl deepened at the mention of his brother. The dry blood crusted around his face and hair added to it’s menacing effect.
“He’s-“ Alfred broke off to cough harshly into his sleeve. He looked pathetic like this, bandaged and shaky. Like one light push to the chest would knock him over. Gilbert restrained his temptation to try it.
“I’m... sick.” Alfred hissed once he stood upright, “I had to come back early and Mattie… Took my place. He won’t be home for awhile. Don’t come back.”
SLAM.
The door swung shut without warning.
Gilbert stayed in place for a moment, glaring daggers at the old wood. Then he turned, swiftly pushed past Ludwig and Feliciano, and carried on silently down the stairs. He held his head high, and tried to ignore the tightness is his chest.
...Something was horribly wrong, and he needed to figure out what.