originally posted on Tumblr on April 1st (because prucan) Set in the same au as Et Caedis In Proximo, but takes place after the events of ECiP.
"Wait," Gilbert looked at his neighbor, "You're the one who introduced these two?" he pointed at Ludwig and Feliciano.
Francis nodded.
Gilbert wrapped his arms around Francis and kissed his cheek, "Thank you for making sure my baby brother won't die alone."
"Well, I wasn't really thinking of that when I did it, but you're welcome." Francis shrugged.
Matthew pulled Gilbert away from Francis, "I would prefer it if my boyfriend didn't go around kissing other people's husbands, thank you."
"You're still favorite Birdie." Gilbert promised as he wrapped an arm around Matthew.
"I'd also prefer it if I was your only Birdie."
"Well," Arthur interrupted, "Now that we've learned how Ludwig and Feli met, what about you two?"
"Noooo," Matthew groaned, "You don't want to hear about that."
Alfred sat up, "Oh, yes, tell them how you made out in the produce section!"
"It was the breakfast aisle." Matthew corrected him.
"It was pretty awkward." Gilbert added.
"Well now I want to hear it." Arthur said
"Me too!" Feli exclaimed, sitting down and making himself comfortable.
Ludwig have his brother a suspicious look, "I didn't think you've even told me about this."
"Because it's unawesome!"
"Nah, it's pretty great." Alfred stood up, "If you're not going to tell it, I will. It all started with a butt-load of unresolved sexual tension."
"There wasn't any of that." Matthew pushed Alfred back down, "You could at least tell it right."
"You want it told right, tell it yourself."
"So Mattie and I were friends for a while," Gilbert started, "And there's this unspoken thing between us, right?"
"And then we went to this Christmas party together," Matthew continued, "And then it all went downhill from there."
~~~flashback~~~
"Birdie," Gilbert whispered, "There's no Mistletoe here."
"I know." Matthew whispered back.
"Then why did you kiss me?"
Matthew stepped back from his best friend, becoming aware of the Christmas party going on around them again. "I-" Gilbert looked confused. Gilbert hadn't kissed him back. Gilbert- "I'm sorry." He pushed his way through the crowd, wanting nothing more than to disappear.
"Birdie!" Gilbert called after him, but Matthew didn't stop.
…
"Hey," Alfred didn't look up from his computer when Matthew entered their dorm, "Thought you were going to that party with Gilbert."
Matthew leaned against the door, sliding to the floor and choking back a sob.
"Mattie?"
"I'm such an idiot."
"What happened? Did Gilbert try something? Do you need me to beat the crap out of him?" Alfred came over to sit next to his brother.
Matthew shook his head, "It's my fault. I was stupid. I thought, I don't know."
"Mattie-"
Matthew leaned against Alfred, "I just want to go home and never see him again."
"Well, I don't know about never seeing him again, but we can go home tomorrow."
…
Since Gilbert didn't actually go to school with them, avoiding him the next semester was easier than Matthew expected. It helped that it was Alfred who had introduced them, and Alfred was avoiding Gilbert too. But even at that, they still ran in the same circles. And every time they ran into each other it felt like Gilbert was avoiding him right back. It worked for a while.
"Matthew."
He turned to find Gilbert watching him, "Oh, hi." he went back to his shopping.
"Can we talk?"
Matthew's stomach twisted, "About?"
"Us."
"I don't think there's really anything to talk about, Gilbert."
"Birdie,"
"Can you not call me that?"
"Oh, right sure." Gilbert scoffed, "Fine. Matthew. Can you at least explain what happened at that party to me?"
Matthew was surprised at bitterness in his tone. "I thought it was pretty obvious."
"Right," Gilbert sighed, "Thought so. I thought you were better than that." he turned to leave.
"Better than what?"
"I thought you were real, not just some… some player."
"Me?! A player?"
"Well what else would you call it?"
"What would I- why would you- You're the one who wasn't interested."
"Who said that? It wasn't me! You didn't give me a chance to say anything before you ran out!"
"Fine! I'm listening now, what were you going to say?"
"I like you!"
Matthew froze. "You what?"
"I like you and you caught me off guard when you kissed me and then you ignored for three months. Very unawesome, Mattie."
"...I thought you weren't interested and I was afraid of having you say it. Very unawesome."
Gilbert grabbed Matthew, pulling him closer and kissing him.
~~~present day~~~
"And that's the story of how the two most awesome people in the world realized they were perfect for each other." Gilbert finished.
"...You really did make out in the breakfast aisle?" Arthur asked.
"Of course, breakfast is awesome."