Chapter 1: A Second Meeting

Gilbert sighed as he looked in the mirror, eyeing the bruise that covered his nose. It had been almost a month since the incident with the human girl, Alli, yet for some reason the bruise that should have disappeared was still there. Even for a human it should have vanished by now, yet there it was. Chalking it up to his pale skin the man gave a second sigh, digging underneath his bathroom sink to find a makeup kit he had hidden below some cleaning supplies.

"Verdammt… This is getting ridiculous!"

Hurrying to cover the bruise the man hissed at his reflection, hoping that his brother wouldn't come looking for him. Luckily it didn't take him but a few moments (a record he begrudgingly admitted was in part due to his easily-injured nature) so he was soon walking out of his bathroom to get dressed for the day. It was then that the sound he had been waiting for was heard echoing through the house: Ludwig knocked on his brother's door with a worried stroke.

"Gil, are you okay in there?"

"Ja, West! I just can't decide what to wear!" that part was true at least, as he found himself stuck trying to decide between two different shirts. "You don't have to get so worried you know."

His brother cautiously opened the door, peeking in before entering. "I'm not so sure about that."

"You worry too much. I'm the older brother, I should be worrying about you, not the other way around!" Gilbert turned to toss a boot at the blonde. "So, black or red?"

"Black."

"Black it is!" he laughed, hanging the red shirt back up to pull on the black one. Ludwig eyed the gold crown patterned across the dark fabric before meeting his brother's gaze.

"Breakfast is ready, by the way."

"And?"

"Food."

"That doesn't tell me anything!" he gave a pout. "I thought I was the annoying one here."

"Just a little payback." the blonde smirked, turning on his heel to leave. "besides, you are the annoying one."

Gilbert shook his head, following him out only to jump on his back a few feet down the hall. "Sometimes I question that!"

Ludwig stumbled with the sudden weight increase. "Hey! Get off!"

"Nein!" he laughed maniacally. "To the kitchen!"

The blonde groaned, doing as he was told. He carried his older brother to the kitchen, shaking him off as soon as he could. The older man laughed, jumping away before he could hit the counter. He didn't miss the playful eye roll his brother sent his way, dashing over to the table to tear into the delicious food let waiting for him.

"Should it bother me that you cook so well?" he managed to get out between large mouthfuls. "'Cause if it should, I don't ca-ck!"

Ludwig walked over, smacking his brother on the back to dislodge the bit of food that found itself stuck in his throat. "Don't talk with your mouth fu… Are you wearing makeup?"

Gilbert scoffed, giving a playful smirk. "Nein, I'm just naturally this good looking."

The blonde seemed uncomfortable, getting that look on his face that told Gilbert his little brother knew he was lying, but didn't want to question it. So instead, he walked away to finish the cleanup he had abandoned when his brother hadn't ran down to eat.

"If you say so bruder."

"Of course I do West! I'm awesome!" Gilbird seemed to tweet in agreement as he flew over to perch on Gilbert's head. "O~i! Where have you been mein awesome little buddy?!"

"He was in the window for a bit."

"Oh? And where are the cats?"

"Outside. I think Feli and Kiku's cats are out there too."

"A~w!"

Ludwig chuckled lightly, tossing a wallet at his brother. "We're out of milk and sausage."

"OK!" he caught it effortlessly. "That it?"

"Might want to get more eggs, and some pickles. Oh, and sauerkraut."

"Got it."Gilbert stood, whistling to himself as he walked over to where his shoes were. Once they were on he was out the door, his little birdie started flying around his head, tweeting along to his whistle. The man smiled, busier watching his little friend fly than pay attention to where he was going. And he wouldn't pay attention, not until he was forced to.

A young brunette woman didn't step around him in time, and instead ended up plowing right into his chest as she tried to dash down the sidewalk after a large Leonberger. The dog quickly stopped, returning to where the two were now laying on the ground as a whine rose in its throat. The girl groaned, lifting herself off her victim, but stiffening the second she saw his face. Looking up at her, the man realized why she had froze.

"Hey, uh, Fraulein Scheinberg!"

"H-Herr Beilschmidt!" Alli scrambled to her feet, hunching over to help him up. "I am so sorry! Uhm, again! I didn't hurt you did I? Again?"

"Nein, nein, I'm perfectly fine this time!" he laughed, reaching over to scoop up the leash of the dog beside them. "Yours?"

"Ja, das ist Fritz." she smiled, taking the leash from him. "I kinda tripped and he got away from me… I think he was chasing a cat."

"Cat?"

"Ja, it was white, with, uhm, a scar over his eye and a torn ribbon."

"Wait, was?!" the man started looking around wildly, whistling. "Here kitten, come back!"

It took a moment, but the mentioned cat soon poked his head out. It hissed at the dog before dashing over to Gilbert, quickly climbing up to his shoulder. It perched there for a second before lying down across his owner's shoulders, glaring daggers down at the dog.

"Oh, uh, your cat?"

"Ja," Gilbird tweeted at the cat, who in turn tried to stand on Gilbert's shoulder to look up at the little birdie. "These two are mine. My brother won't let me have a dog because he says I'm high maintenance enough as it is."

Alli giggled. "Aw."

"So!" Gilbert gave her a grin. "Besides chasing your dog and running random people over, what are you up to?"

"Well I was on the way to the grocery store." she gave a thoughtful look, trying to hide the blush rising on her cheeks. "And you?"

"Same here! Why don't we head over together?"

"O-okay."