It was the first of December, and just like anyone else, Gilbert Beilschmidt was out doing a little more Christmas shopping. But, something was very off about that day, very off indeed. Since Gilbert had moved to Canada, he'd felt a bit off, too be exact. He'd been getting more sluggish, despite the fact he'd only been here for roughly a week, the cold weather must have been taking its toll on him. To admit, Gilbert would have never thought of coming to such a country unless it was for work. His work was as a teacher, if one was to be wondering. Back in Germany, he worked as one of the best World History teachers known in his area (while he also taught German to travelers for extra money which he needed when his teaching job wasn't cutting it). Since his roommate, Roderich, had moved to Switzerland to be with his 'boyfriend', or well, whatever the two wished to call their relationship, Vash, so they could, as Roderich put it, 'take their relationship more seriously', Gilbert had decided it'd be a change for the better, to move to Canada with some distant family that moved there a few years back. By now, he'd been able to find an apartment on the cheap, and was beginning to look for a job at the local high school. Damn Roderich and his sick relationship. It wasn't that Gilbert was a homophobe or anything… But he just preferred that the gay stuff be kept /away/ from him.

Now, back to the sluggish feelings! It wasn't unlike someone who wasn't used to the Canadian weather, especially in Yellowknife, where he was staying, it was known to get rather cold there, but this felt different. Germany wasn't too hot itself, but Gilbert had never felt like this and it was starting to worry the poor boy. Normally, he would've been focused, trying to spot out the best type of Canadian alcohol on the racks of this store that he could send to his brother, Ludwig, back in Germany, but his mind couldn't seem to focus. Heat was radiating off his face, and a stabbing feeling in his chest numbed the outside world as of the moment. Worst of all was his couch, almost every two seconds Gilbert was coughing violently into his scarf, which only hurt his chest worst, by the way. But a close up second to his pain was the growling in his stomach. He hadn't been able to eat anything, whenever looking at food, even some of his favorite dishes, he couldn't find the stomach to at least take a single bite.

A few cracked coughs escaped Gilbert, whose face was painted in red as he did so, and were muffled in a vain attempt by the scarf, which was wrapped firmly around his neck. After the coughing fit had ceased, Gilbert though it'd be safe to take another glance at the bottles of fancy wine and alcohol, only to find his head going into a whirl as a sharp pain stung his chest. It couldn't have been even a second later before the world around him, the cabinets and shelves of bottles began to swirl around him. The sinking feeling only hit the pits of his stomach once the feeling of his knees locking, and a shriek from a girl alarmed him that he was falling...And then hitting the ground to discover his world going black. 'Someone call a doctor! He looks sick!' The shout came from the left, distant and faint, but there, as Gilbert's mind slipped under, and he found that to be the last thing he remembered from the day that would start the worst and best journey of his life, the journey that led him to where he is today.

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The small groan came from the body, which was sunken into the hospital bed, crimson eyes cracking open but quickly attempting to escape the light.
"Ugh… What the fuck…" Gilbert croaked out. His voice was sore, but nearly as painful as the last time he could remember. The German went to move his arms, but quickly realized there was a decent amount of needles protruding his skin. Honestly, Gilbert couldn't remember anything after he'd entered the store… earlier, yesterday, a week ago? How long had it been? A few minutes, hours, days? The frustrated male rubbed the bridge of his nose, releasing a soft groan. He was nearly about to press the nurse button with his other hand, before he heard a soft whimper from behind the curtain separating his room. He really didn't mean to eavesdrop, but how could one not?

A small whimper could be heard from the room, causing Gilbert to blink. What was going on? He leaned closer; this is what he heard, from two unknown people, in two unknown voices.

"I'm sorry, darling. I know it hurts, but there's nothing else we can do. We won't let this get the best of you, now, will we?" The first voice was compassionate, caring… It had to be a nurse, just by how caring her voice sounded.

"I know... Kateryna, do you think I'll make it through this? I've been having these spurts of bad days lately. It feels like it… is getting worse…" The second voice was male, but soft. It didn't sound weak, though, it sounded determined, like he was never going to quit.

There was a pause between the two voices as Gilbert tried his best not to make a single sound, or let anyone know that he was awake yet. The sound of the smile in the female's voice was clear, almost reassuring, which made even Gilbert smile a little.

"Of course you are, sweet heart. It's not going to get you down, I promise. You've been strong, and you always will. I promise." The sound of lips against skin was clear, probably a kiss to the forehead from the nurse. As soon as rustling could be heard across the curtain, Gilbert laid back in bed, ruffling his snow white hair to make his awakening to look new. It worked, because not soon after a nurse, as he took it her name was Kateryna, had walked to his room and given a gasp at the sight that he was awake.

Needless to say, Gilbert's eyes were distracted to the outstandingly large chest area, but the girl didn't seem to notice. "Oh darling, you're up! You've been out for almost an entire day! Are you feeling alright? Is your Pneumonia feeling any better? It's a good thing we caught it in time, you were really sick." Without Gilbert even having to ask, the silver haired girl had taken a cup of ice chips and placed it beside the albino's bed. "I'll be back; I should go let the doctor know you're awake, he can explain it better." And without a word from the albino in the hospital bed, the nurse was gone, causing Gilbert to sigh out in frustration. He had places to be, not at the stupid hospital.

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After a moment of irritated silence, the small voice was once again heard. "Hey…" It said, in a slight cheerful tone, yet it was slightly laced with the sound of exhaustion. "What's your name?"

Gilbert blinked a few times, as he looked to the closed curtain. He couldn't see this guy, but he smiled and replied slight, slight irritation hidden behind a tired voice. "Gilbert. Gilbert Beilschmidt." He announced, and questioned back. "Who are you?" But, before the German could get an answer, he heard coughing from the other side, and released a sigh. Another nurse ran in, this one looking rather… creepier than the previous nurse, but holding the same accent as she rushed past Gilbert's side of the room to the mysterious person.

The German leaned back, sighing softly as shaded red eyes closed. In that moment of silence, he could hear the birds' chirping from outside the window, which held the pitter patter of rain against the glass, it was a glum day. But, the birds were still singing, which brought slight hope to the albino. It caused Gilbert to remember the boy, and his voice, how hopeful it sounded in the grimmest of days. .. With a slight smile, Gil felt himself begin to fade off again; it must have been from the earlier drugs he was given… But before he was out, one last thing was said…

"I'll call you Birdie… Yeah, Birdie fits well..."

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