The pale stranger was annoying. Infuriating. White trash. Overbearing…

And Matthew was fairly sure that he was in love with him. From a distance, of course, nobody of his stature would dare talk to him. Not because Matthew was lower than him, no… it was because he was so much higher than the pale man that haunted the roads outside his house, chain smoking and leaving the butts on his lawn no matter how much the blond yelled at him.

Of course the man made him angry, even cringe a bit, but there was the alluring promise of a good night and something that he had never experienced… a choice in his perfect, sheltered life.

So, this morning, Matthew was waiting on him when he came by to lean against the wrought iron fence of Matthew's father's estate and smoke.

"You're even prettier up close," was the man's greeting, and it made Matthew bristle and puff up indignantly. "What's your name, kid?"

"Manners dictate that you give me your name first," Matthew said through clenched teeth. The man turned dazzling red eyes on him, and Matthew fought the flush that crept up his skin.

"I'll ask you again. What's your name, kid?"

Matthew gritted his teeth, but fought down the frustration that bit at him with each growing day. "Matthew. Matthew Williams."

"Matthew…" He twisted his name on his tongue like a plume of spoke and exhaled it with a thick German accent. "Interesting."

"What's yours?"

"None of your concern, really… but if you must know, it's Gilbert Beilschmidt." Gilbert smiled widely. "So, Matthew… what do you say tonight you come out with me and I'll show you a good time?"

Matthew floundered for a moment. "Are you… did you really… the nerve!"

"What?" Gilbert looked more amused by the second. "Think you're too good for me, little Birdie?"

"I BEG your PARDON?" Matthew all but shouted.

"Little Birdie… you look like my pet when you get all… ruffled." Gilbert reached through the bars and grabbed Matthew's shirt, pulling him close. "And I bet you'd look twice as good in a collar."

Matthew went stiff (in many places) and pulled back. His face was red, he could feel it, and he found he didn't care. One night… it was only one night…

"Yes… I'll have one night with you."

"Oh, one you say?" Gilbert cackled as he flicked a butt onto his lawn. Matthew glared at him. "Babe, once I fuck you, you won't want anybody else."

"You're an arrogant son of a bitch…" Matthew licked his lips and looked back at the house. "Come and get me at eleven. We'll…"

"Go to my place." Gilbert dropped another wink. "I'll see you then, Birdie."

Matthew watched the swing of his hips as he practically strutted away. He shivered ever so slightly and looked down at himself. He had a lot of primping to do.

Author's Notes: OKAY... I just wanted to post something to let my few followers know that I'm not dead. I promise. I've had to deal with college and illnesses and a hellish writer's block. I AM still trying to work on The Fog Is Rising, though, at this point, I'm not so sure what to do with it. But that's okay.