I'm snowed in! Like half the country is. Pfft. Anyway, have a fluffy PruCan because of that!
Reviews are nice and lovely!
Walking along the snow covered road, Gilbert smiled over at Matthew. What a perfect third(ish) date this had turned out to be! No one expected a winter snow storm to blow through, or at least expected it to be bad enough to shut everything down. Gilbert certainly hadn't. The only thing he was expecting was a romantic dinner at home and a movie at his boyfriend's house. And that's exactly what he got, only with the addition of a foot of snow, burying his car and trapping him in the neighborhood and at Matthew's house. Not that he minded in the slightest. He and Matthew had had the best time so far. Pillow forts in the living room, hot chocolate as only Matthew could make it, a snow ball fight at 11pm, more hot chocolate and a fire in the fireplace.
Now, a midnight stroll as the flakes fell lightly around them. A perfect night.
As they walked under the orange tinged sky, Gilbert knew he was falling in love with this man. Everything from the way he spoke softly to the way his cheeks flushed when the wind kicked up. It was all awesome. Honestly he wasn't finding a single fault or reason why, even after just three dates, he shouldn't drop down on one knee and marry him right then. A good end to a wonderful night, he thought.
They had finally turned to go back to the house, for another round of fire and hot chocolate (and perhaps a proposal), when Gilbert spotted something. It was lying in the slushy gutter, bobbing in the frigid water. It was a bright yellow something and Gilbert might have mistaken it for a tennis ball if it weren't for the very small, wounded chirp it gave out.
It was a small bird! Injured at that!
Both boys raced over, slipping and sliding on the ice to get to it. Gilbert got there first, frowning as he reached out to give it a gentle pat on the head. The bird cringed a little bit but surprisingly let Gilbert touch it. That was all it took. It won over Gilbert's heart as easily as Matthew had and the German instantly became worried about the little creature. He looked up to Mattie, who was crouching down as well.
"I think it has und broken wing! We have to help it, Mattie!" He cried. The Canadian nodded back, placing a hand on Gilbert's shoulder.
"Of course we will, Gil. Step back, I'll get him, eh." He said softly. As Gilbert did as he was told, Matthew unwrapped the red scarf from his neck. Then, with one gentle and swift motion, he had the bird out of the gutter, in his hands, snuggled up. "Let's get back to the house and get this little guy warmed up."
Gilbert nodded at him, following him, careful not to let him slip and injure both himself and the bird. His arm hovered around Matthew's shoulder, stabling him ever time his wavered on the ice.
Finally back in the house, Gilbert started rushing around trying to gather supplies. Matthew held onto the bird, that was still shivering, telling Gilbert where items were. Seed, though Gilbert worried it wasn't the right seed since it was for wild birds, and some water. Also, first aid supplies. The best he could manage with what they had. Popsicle craft sticks would have to do.
Once that was done, he ushered Matthew over to the fire, sitting him down, carefully taking his jacket as the Canadian set the bird down on the rug. It was panting and shivering, clearly in a lot of pain but it looked just a little warmer. Gilbert sat with them, started to break the sticks in half to make a splint for his wing.
It took a long time, and a lot of patience but both boys had the bird's wing in a make shift splint and had gotten him to at least eat a little food. He still refused water, which caused Gilbert to worry some more but Matthew smiled and told him it would be fine.
"You sure he will be ok, Mattie?" Gilbert asked, after the bird fell asleep, curled up in Matthew's scarf still lying on the floor. Matthew nodded at him.
"Yea. Tomorrow he'll probably be up and eating. Drinking water. Being a little playful. I think he is going to be just fine, eh." He smiled. Then he frowned, "Gil? What are you doing?" he asked.
The self proclaimed Prussian was up and getting his coat back on. Hat, gloves, scarf, putting it all back on, giving Matthew a serious look.
"We need und cage. And better food for him. I am going to get that und be right back, Mattie. Promise." He replied, grabbing his car keys, heading for the door. In seconds, Matthew was blocking his way.
"Are you crazy?! There's more than a foot of snow out there now! Your car is buried! I am not letting you go out there in this!" He cried. Gilbert grew a little flustered with his boyfriend and tried to get him to move.
"But, Mattie! We need these things for Gilbird!" He blurted out, having already named the bird in his mind. He was attached, there was no getting around it. He tried pushing on Matthew to get him to move but the stubborn Canadian was steadfast, not budging an inch.
"No, Gilbert Beilschmidt! The road is covered in ice, it's still snowing and it's one in the morning! You are not going out there, it's way too dangerous!" He stated. The look in his eye was a worried one, he was only looking out for his safety, Gilbert knew that but he still tried to get out.
"You cannot keep the Awesome Me here! I'll be right back, nothing unawesome would dare happen to me!"
What followed was a power struggle at the door. Tempers flared and strain rose. Both meant well, of course but Gilbert couldn't see past his worry for the bird. He worked hard to get Matthew to move, but to his credit, the Canadian still refused to move from the door. It was frustrating. They both were getting mad and annoyed with each other and the night wasn't ending so perfectly as Gilbert had imagined it was going to.
After a few more moments, Gilbert took a step back and huffed at Mattie.
"I need to get these things to save Gilbird! Let me pass, Birdie!"
In an instant, tension in the room popped and Matthew raised an eyebrow before laughing softly. "Birdie?" He repeated, smiling at Gilbert and dropping his arms from the door. The laugh was infectious and before long, Gilbert was laughing as well.
"Ja, Birdie. Mien awesome new nickname for mien awesome boyfriend!" He responded, returning the smile broadly. Matthew shook his head fondly and then poked Gilbert's chest.
"Stay right here, eh. I'll be right back." He stated and then slipped out of the room. Gilbert was confused for a moment but, did as he was told for once, taking off his gloves and jacket.
Matthew returned with a small cardboard bow, lined with a fluffy maple leaf printed towel. He set it down on the rug by the fire and Gilbert came over curiously, shrugging off his jacket. He slung it over the couch and then sat down, watching his boyfriend intently.
He picked the bird up very gently, trying not to disturb it's sleep, not being all that successful as it chirped at him indignantly at being moved, but nestled into the scarf again. Matthew set him into the box and smiled at Gilbert.
"There. He has a broken wing, Gil. There's no need for a cage right away. The seed will be fine for him until we can get to the store," He gave Gilbert a serious look. "When the snow melts enough."
Gilbert was at a loss for words for a moment until he laughed and snuggled up to Matthew, kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Are you always this level headed," He smiled and then kissed him again, "Birdie?" He added, not able to help himself. Matthew chuckled and kissed him back, cupping his face.
"Someone has to be, eh." He replied and took Gilbert's hand. "And you can call me Birdie anytime."