Summary: Gilbert Beilschmidt and Roderich Edelstein have been friends ever since childhood. Both have developed special feelings for each other at an early age, but even though many years have already passed, neither were still able to notice that they actually felt the same way for each other— because of their insecurities, and the fear that maybe one wouldn't accept the other…

Introduction.

Little Roderich continued walking through the woods despite the fact that he knew and felt how terribly lost and afraid he already was. He just moved here in this part of Germany from Austria days ago— along with his father and half-sister— so he decided to explore the new surroundings, not expecting a forest nearby, nor being lost in it. He has been roaming around for hours now, tired and hungry and thirsty, but to no luck, has not found his way back yet.

Roderich's feet already ached. He sat on a big rock to rest. After a few minutes, he heard some bushes rustle behind him, sending chills down his spine as the thought that it might be a wild animal about to attack him entered his mind. His whole body stiffened as the rustling grew louder. But when he turned his gaze, he was surprised to see another boy, a couple of years older than him perhaps, captivating him with that very pale hair it was white, staring at him with very bright incarnadine eyes. Roderich was almost relieved— if only the other boy did not grin and laugh at him so suddenly.

"You're lost, aren't you!?" the boy asked.

"Excuse me?" Roderich stood up and fully turned. He felt his cheeks burn for he knew he was lost indeed, and he was being laughed at because of it. But he decided he will not lose to this seemingly idiotic guy. "I'm not lost, if you must know."

"Oh?" the boy raised a brow. "What are you doing here then?"

"What are you doing here?" Roderich threw back angrily.

"I always play here. Now would you answer my question?"

Roderich crossed his arms and swiftly turned a bit before saying, "I don't have to explain myself to you."

"Go home, princess!" said the boy, catching Roderich's attention. "This isn't a place for girls like you!"

"I beg your pardon!? Girl!?" Now Roderich was furious. How dare this guy call him that? "What is your name!?"

"Gilbert. Gilbert Beilschmidt—" Gilbert said proudly, "—the most gorgeous and most awesome guy in the world!"

Roderich had no hint of amusement in his face. Actually, he found this Gilbert person stupid. "Right," he said, glaring at Gilbert. "Gilbert Beilschmidt. May I advise you to get a pair of glasses? I. Am. Not. A. Girl."

The grin on Gilbert's face finally faded as he narrowed his eyes. "I don't need those," he said. "My vision is just right and it'll just cover my amazingly stunning eyes. I mean, they're red! Is that cool or what?"

Okay, Roderich admitted those eyes really were stunning. They were beautiful. They were like burning flame and not cool at all but, well, he knew what Gilbert meant. He had to agree on that one, as he was immediately infatuated by those crimson eyes. Still, that did not give him the right to call Roderich a girl!

"You do need glasses… to cover that arrogant face of yours," Roderich said and turned around to leave. But as he did, Gilbert grabbed his right wrist and did not let go. It hurt Roderich.

"And you need me, to keep you from getting lost any further. That way's gonna lead you to the heart of the forest, princess."

"Stop calling me that!"

"Well, what do you want me to call you?"

Silence. The question practically stripped Roderich off of his bratty kind of demeanour, his cheeks turned pink, his shy violet eyes fell to the ground; he was suddenly embarrassed. He did not even know why. Then after a few seconds, he answered, "Roderich."

"Roderich. That's your name?" Gilbert asked.

"Yes," Roderich nodded. "Roderich Edelstein."

"Edelstein? You're from the mansion?"

Roderich nodded again.

"Then we're neighbors! And since I'm very kind, I'll lead the two of us out of here and take you home, okay?"

"'Kind'? Oh, please."

"Hey, I'm trying to help here, alright?"

"What? What did I say?"

And that was how Roderich Edelstein and Gilbert Beilschmidt met.

. . .