Chapter Text
Gilbert woke up with the harsh blaring of his alarm at his ears. His hand scrambled around to find the snooze button to hopefully get a bit more sleep before his brother came to drag him to school.
This routine was getting tiring but it was the final stretch in his school life so he better just deal with it.
He got up and did his usual morning tasks; taking a bath, brushing his teeth, all that boring stuff.
Gilbert heard his brother’s voice boom through the slowly thinning halls — seriously what is with America and paper thin walls, “Bruder! You better get down here before I have to drag you here!”
He hurried and almost tripped his way down the stairs.
“I'm walking to school with Toni and Francis today.”
Ludwig hummed in thought, “Okay then, I'll be walking with Feliciano, I guess. Don't be late or skip class today.”
Gilbert heads for the door then turns to look at his brother. “No promises.” He shoots him a smirk then walks out.
The autumn breeze gently kissed his pale face. The temperature was getting colder as November was quickly approaching. He soon made it to Francis’ house. And knocked. He heard some heavy footsteps from beyond the door then it opened.
“Hey Franny!” He grabbed his friend’s hand and heard a yelp from the other boy. “Let's get going or else we’ll be late and West will be on my ass.”
He heard a snicker from the blonde and turned to see him raise his eyebrows. “Nice wording there Gil.”
Gilbert groaned at his friend and faked a gag. “Ew gross, he's my brother! And you know I wouldn't mean it that way.” He lightly shoved Francis and — Francis being Francis — dramatically fell to the ground.
The albino just rolled his eyes at him. “I guess you fell because of my great awesomeness!” He helps Francis up and they finally make their way to Antonio's house.
They picked up Antonio, they started chatting while they walked to their school — which wasn't that far away from Antonio’s house but because of their constant chattering and play fights made it a 20 minute walk.
“How was your presentation yesterday, Franny?”
“It was alright, I myself am not really satisfied with my data and presentation but I was really short on time. My professor said it was good though so a win is a win.”
“Mr future psychologist over here gonna be the next Albert Einstein.” Gilbert teased while Francis feigned offense.
“Albert Einstein wasn't even a psychologist, you imbecile!”
He muttered something under his breath in French, that neither of the other two boys could understand.
It was Gilbert's turn to snicker, “Whatever you say, Francy pants.”
Antonio started giggling and Francis — defeated and unable to shoot back a snarky remark to the albino — continued the walk silently. They talked about their classes today, Gilbert occasionally commenting on how annoying some of the professors are and Francis adding some of his own insights.
The gate of the school was finally coming into view and Gilbert checked his watch. “Shit, we gotta get to class.”
“Relax Gil, what's wrong with being a little late? You really have to chill, your brother won't slaughter you for being a little late, oui?”
“Give it up Franny, let’s just get to class. Gil’s right we can't always be late.”
“You two are no fun.” Without further discussion they sprinted to class. No one batted an eye while they were running because they were known for being troublemakers and the other students thought this was another one of their antics.
They managed to not be late and actually got there in time before the teacher arrived. Gilbert sighed in relief. Antonio cheered and said “Gil gets to live another day!”
He deadpanned and stared at the brunette. “Not funny.” Meanwhile Francis laughed at the joke “Nice one Toni!” and dapped him up.
They sat down in their usual seats, near the window towards the back and prepared their stuff.
———————
The trio finished their morning classes and met up outside and went to the food stalls. The place smelled of food and the slight smell of rain and dew. There was a large variety of food, spanning from fast food to Italian food to Japanese.
“What do you guys wanna eat?” Antonio's eyes roamed through the stalls.
“I'm fine as long as they have potatoes.”
They all thought in silence for a moment before Francis lit up and suggested, “How about a new cafe near the area, it will be a 5 minute walk from here. It just recently opened and I’ve been wanting to try it!”
“I'm down, what about you, Toni?”
“Alright, sure. I have a class at 2pm though so we can’t stay there for long.”
“Fine by me. Let’s get walking!” Gilbert pat the other two on the back and they made their walk to the cafe.
It was a nice day to walk, unlike other days, the sun wasn't so high up and the clouds started to clear but some remained. It caused the weather to be nice and breezy but still have that nice warmth of the sun.
Francis led the way, staying at the front of the trio. The three walked in silence for a few minutes until Francis and Gilbert started idly chatting about random stuff.
Antonio seemed to be deep in thought, zoning out from time to time.
Gilbert seemed to notice his silence, “Hey Toni?”
The Spaniard snapped out of it and looked up at the albino. “Yeah? What's up?”
“You good, man? You seemed kind of out of it.”
“Yeah I’m fine, I was just thinking because I didn't hear about this coffee shop which is strange since it is quite near my house.. When did it open, Francis?”
The blonde scratched his chin and in the process his fingers brushed his stubble. “I think it opened about a month ago? I’m not really sure, I just saw it online.”
They continued chatting — Antonio included this time — until they made it to the cafe.
The exterior was like a regular cafe, sleek and modern, but it had the cozy and warm feel of a cottage. It was two stories high and already decorated for halloween. It smelled of pumpkins — likely to reinforce the halloween theme — and sweet pastries.
The inside was full of people but not too much that it was suffocating. The three lined up to order, the line was quite longer than they anticipated and they ended up waiting for 10 minutes just to order.
The trio looked at the menu and Francis was the first to order, “I'll get the signature hot chocolate and the bagel sandwich with salad on the side.” Gilbert and Antonio shared a questioning glance at Francis, “What? You’re holding the line! Order already!”
Antonio smiled at the barista, “I’ll have the iced latte and the chicken bowl, thank you.”
“And I’ll have the pumpkin spiced latte and steak with mashed potato. Danke.”
“Will that be dine-in or take-out?”
“Take-out would be great.”
“Alright, your total is $107.63. Will that be cash or card?”
“Card will be fine, thank you.”
Francis tapped his card on the payment terminal.
They stepped aside and waited for their order.
Antonio sighed, “You really didn't need to pay for our drinks, you know.”
Gilbert joined in, “Ja, you really didn't need to.”
“I know but it's my treat since I was the one that suggested the place anyway.”
They wait for a while for their drinks and while waiting they spot Lovino and Feliciano by the entrance. Antonio spots them first and waves then drags his other two friends with them to greet his cousins.
“Lovi, Feli! Hello, what are you two doing here?”
Antonio goes to hug them, Feliciano jumps into his arms excitedly. “Ciao! We were just about to get some coffee, I heard from people that the coffee here is really good so I decided that I would try it out with mio fratello!! Lovi, say hi to Toni!”
Feliciano talked so fast and so high pitched that Gilbert almost wasn't able to understand, eventually he wasn't able to keep up and decided just to stay by the side and listen to Antonio and Feliciano talk.
Though there was another boy there, Lovi was it? He seemed more quiet than Feliciano and was apparently his twin brother. Their similarities were striking, they were no doubt twins but he never actually met him before despite the fact that Feliciano was Ludwig’s best friend.
Finally, Antonio addressed ‘Lovi’, “Lovino, why don't you give me a hug, it’s been a long time, no?”
“As if you stupid bastardo, I would never hug you.” Antonio pulled him into a hug anyways while he struggled.
Even if Gilbert didn't understand Spanish or Italian or whatever he was pretty sure Lovino called Antonio a bastard. Which took him by surprise because he thought that the darker haired boy was quiet and shy. That surprise slowly turned into amusement.
Antonio finally pulled away from the poor boy and looked back at his friends. “I believe I don't need to introduce them to you.”
Then he turned back to look at his cousins, “But I believe I owe you an introduction to them, this is Francis, and this is Gilbert, he is Ludwig's older brother.”
Feliciano suddenly pounced on Gilbert. Luckily he was able to stay standing while the younger practically jumped him. “Oh my, Ludwig always tells me about you! You’re such a great older brother to him, tell him I say hi! Oh wait, I'm meeting him a bit later, never mind then!” Feliciano kept rambling on to him, he shot Antonio a glance asking for help.
“Now, now, Feli, I think you need to properly get in line to order your coffee, sí? We’ll be going to get our coffees now.”
“Oh okay! See you later Toni! Lovi say bye!”
‘Lovi’ rolled his eyes, not wanting to say goodbye but eventually, “Goodbye tomato bastardo.”
Antonio waved bye and went to go pick up their coffee.
“Do you guys want to stay here or do you want to walk back and sit under the tree?”
“Let’s go back or else we might lose track of time and you might end up late.”
“Ja, good idea.”
They walked back to school again because exercise is good for you and went to the park in their school. They sat beneath their tree — a tree that they always sat by since their first year that they claimed theirs, they always met there if it was important no matter the weather.
“So, Francy pants, why did you just get hot chocolate? You normally get coffee, what's up with that?” Gilbert looked at him suspiciously.
“Oh, I learned that excessive amounts of coffee is bad for my face, and you know me, I need to keep this face beautiful and pimple free. Besides, all that work to make sure I get my beauty sleep would go to waste.”
Gilbert searched his eyes and body language for any signs of lying. When he found none, he teased, “And you wonder why we ask why you didn't take up cosmetology.” Antonio snickered at that.
“Hey, connecting with others is more enjoyable than all that beauty. I would do it as a hobby rather than study it. I am satisfied with what I chose.”
“What job are you gonna have with your BA degree? I feel like BS would've been more useful, no?”
“Says you as a culinary major. But I think that I’m going to be a Social Worker.”
“Wow such a noble job, mr psychology meant to be cosmetology.”
Francis just decided not to respond and just roll his eyes. “Anyway I really didn't expect Lovino to be rude, I’ve only met him a few times and even less speak to him. But every time I talk to him he seems timid. I didn't expect him to call you a bastard.”
Gilbert lets out a half laugh, “I didn't expect that too. I've never actually talked to him before.”
After a moment in thought he added, “Actually, I think I just met him today.”
Antonio took a bite of his food, “Really? Isn't your brother close with the both of them?”
“Mostly Feliciano but my brother is really reserved and almost secretive so I don't really know much about his social life, I'm just happy he has friends. Especially because when he was younger he wasn't really great at, you know, socializing.”
They all ate in silence after he said that. The words ‘I was worried for him.’ left unspoken.
Francis checked the time on his phone, “Hey Toni, it's 1:40. I think you should finish up and head to class, if you don't want to skip that is.” The silent offer seemed to linger, Antonio thought about it for a moment but he decided to turn it down because it was the last year of his school life and wanted to do his best.
“I'll get going now, bye! I’ll see you two tomorrow, and pick me up earlier so we won't be rushing to class?”
They said their goodbyes and the remaining two of the trio ate their food and started discussing random topics and then those random topics turned into reminiscing their younger years back in high school.
“Oh to be young and have those bright eyes again. I envy the adults who have held onto their youth — not just in a physical way but spiritually. Quite rare to find ones like that.”
“Woah there mr. psychology, don't turn into mr. poet now.”
“I just can't help myself, moments like this make me just want to share beautiful words.”
The albino paused for a moment to think about it, “Well I guess you are right. But sometimes the ones who hold their youth are the ones who are the wisest.”
“Who’s the poetic one now, hm?” Francis smirked at him.
“Shut it, cosmetology.”
“I really don't get why you don't show your intelligent side more often. It's really refreshing to see you like that. As well as your caring side. I’m sure more people would like you if you dropped the ‘awesome’ act.” he said with a soft smile, warm and gentle.
Gilbert huffed, the statement hurt. He knew it was true but it didn't make it hurt any less. “First of all, it’s not an act, it's a personality. Second of all, I think it's very awesome and many other people find it awesome.”
“Like?”
“Like… Like Toni! And- And you! And Ludwig, Eliza, Roddy, and uhm… many other people!
Francis looks at him, half unimpressed and half in pity — but he tries to hide the pity because he knew Gil wouldn't like it — he opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, deciding it was better to stay silent.
Unfortunately for him, Gilbert was able to catch a glance of the pity in his eyes. And he hated it. He hated being pitied.
“Well look at the time it's almost time for class.” It wasn't. He just wanted an excuse to go. To go where? He didn't know. Just somewhere where he wouldn't have to deal with Francis right now.
“Gilbert–” He reached for his hands, trying to stop him. He didn't have to continue what he was going to say, the other man fully understood what he was going to say, whatever was left unsaid was told with his eyes.
“I really got to go, Francis, I’ve got class.” He pulled on the grip, but it did not loosen, it just tightened further.
The blonde narrowed his eyes. He knew Gil’s schedule as well as his and he knew he was lying. He decided that maybe he had stepped too far and released his hand from his bruising grip.
“Fine, but we’ll talk later. Enjoy your ‘class’.”
“Will do, see you tomorrow.” he grinned at him, hoping that would ease the tension in the air before he ran off.
Once he was out of sight, Francis sighed. “What will I do with him.” he shook his head and started packing up his own things but staying under the tree for a while until his next class started.
———————
His final class had finally finished and he was ready to go home. His phone lit up with a text from someone. He hoped it wasn't Francis. He checked his phone and saw that he got a text from Antonio.
“walk home tgt?”
He thought about it for a moment, ‘If Toni is asking to walk home then maybe Francis is with him. I’m still not ready to face him.’
“sry west’s picking me up, maybe tmr?”
He put his phone back on his table and reorganized his stuff. Before he even got to touch a single book it lit up again.
“kay see u tmr”
He smiled. Sometimes he wonders how Antonio got into their friend group. He was really kind hearted and a good student. He sometimes thinks that Francis and he changed him for the worse. He shook those thoughts out of his head and finished up fixing his backpack. He slinged it on his shoulder — letting one strap loosely hanging from the bag — and walked out.
He used a longer way to get home to avoid seeing Toni or Francis.
The walk home was quiet. A nice type of quiet that let him reflect, normally he didn't enjoy silence because it left him alone with his thoughts, but today he found that it was a good thing. He needed a break from the noise.
It was nice, it was almost sunset and the sky turned into a beautiful orange, like the leaves you'd see falling onto the browning grass. The scene was beautiful, he wished he could capture it with his eyes. Why didn't he always take this route, again?
Even the atmosphere was beautiful, it fit the scene, the houses were quiet. Just the quiet crackling of leaves and footsteps of people going home from school or work.
He walked contentedly, the weird emotions in his chest from his earlier conversation with Francis disappearing. He chose not to think more of it. He stopped at his front door. The walk was shorter than it would've been if it were if he was with his friends.
He searched his pockets for the keys to the house and unlocked it.
All the lights were off, meaning that his brother wasn't home yet. He let out a happy sigh then bounced up the stairs, ‘More awesome me time I suppose!’.
He went up to his room then changed out of his school clothes into something looser and more comfortable. He checked the corner of his desk for a cage and opened it up.
Inside was a soft yellow chick. It chirped then flew out of its cage.
“Hey buddy, go stretch your awesome little wings.”
The small bird made laps around his room and eventually settled into its owner's hair. He gently petted his beloved bird then headed downstairs to go feed him something.
He went to the pantry and got some sunflower seeds out and put some on the countertop.
“Here you go Gilbird, eat up.”
The bird glided down then started picking at the seeds. Gilbert smiled fondly at it when he heard the door unlock.
He turned around from his place in the kitchen and saw that it was his brother, and called out, “Hey West!”
“Oh hello Bruder, you're home earlier than usual.”
Ludwig looked at him in suspicion. “Did you skip today?”
“I didn't, don’t worry bruder I wouldn't, I swear.”
He didn't believe him.
“I swear on Gilbird!”
He narrowed his eyes then he walked up their staircase, “If you say so..”
He huffed, “Can you believe it buddy, my brother wouldn't even think I’m serious even when I swear on you! He knows how much you mean to me.”
He nuzzled into his bird, and it chirped in what seemed to be affection.
“Awh love you too buddy.”
———————
After Gilbert and Ludwig finished cleaning up downstairs, they both went to their own respective rooms.
“Good night Bruder, don't stay up too late or it’ll be harder to wake you up.”
“Alright West, whatever you're not the boss of me! Don't forget who raised you!”
“Ja, ja. You taught me everything I know, I've heard it all before.”
“That's right! Anyway good night, have sweet dreams of Feliciano.”
His brother started turning a bit red, a light blush showing up on his face. Gilbert smirked at the sight. Busted.
“He's just my friend!”
“A very close one.”
“Good night!”
His brother slammed his door shut. And he went into his own room.
He chucked to himself, “Classic West..” he sighs.
‘I'm really glad that he has a lot of friends now. Maybe even a blooming romance..’
He felt something shuffle in his hair and realized that Gilbird was still there.
He tapped it on his head. His feathery friend flew down to his hands, “Time to get back to your cage”
The little creature chirped angrily and bounced in his hands. “Ja, I know it sucks but West will get annoyed if you're not in your cage.”
The looked at his door, then back to his bird. “You know what? Maybe I'll make an exception tonight.”
Gilbert walked over to his door and l turned the lock. It clicked shut. Most nights he didn't bother to lock it since he believed his house was secure enough and if it was locked he wouldn't have his brother as his second alarm incase he didn't wake up.
Gilbert sat at his desk and searched through his drawer for his dairy that was updated everyday. He flipped through the pages and got out a pen and started writing.
“Awesome me, I was very awesome today and wasn't late to class like what West told me! I ate with Franny and Toni today at this new cafe and we saw Toni’s cousins. Feliciano was sweet, as per usual, but the other one surprised me because he seemed quiet but was actually very rude. Francis was kind of unawesome today and said people would like me better if I stopped trying to be awesome. I know he's lying and I won't let it get to my head. That's it for today’s awesome diary entry!”
He got up from his chair and turned off his lamp. He hopped into bed and laid down. He bundled up under the sheets and closed his eyes.
‘What if Francis is right? Would more people like me if I dropped the act.’
His eyes snapped open. He groaned, why was he thinking about this? ‘No it's not an act, verdammt. He's getting to me. I should let it rest.’
He tried blocking away those thoughts. And attempted to sleep.
‘I'll worry about it tomorrow.’
Another thought entered his mind. ‘Hold on, I don’t really want to see them tomorrow. I can walk with West, I guess. I can just eat with his friends, they'll see my awesomeness and let me crash!’
He finally let his thoughts rest for now. As his eyes fell shut he felt his body relax and he finally drifted to a deep sleep.