AN: Hey guys! I would like to thank all the people who faved, or alerted on the first chapter!
KyuuketsukiNekko: Here;s the next part for you! :)
He woke up at about 1 o'clock in the afternoon, much later than usual. On an average morning, he would get up at nine a.m. sharp, shower, check on Elizaveta, make himself and her some lunch and then head off to work. On an average day however, he wouldn't have angered her as much as he did last night. On average day, he would have gotten away with only a couple of scratches.
Picking himself up from his bedroom floor, Roderich crept over to the bathroom to check how badly battered he was. His entire body was aching. The sight of his own form made him wince as he came into view of the mirror. There was dried blood on his shirt, forehead and lips, and he had acquired a black eye, and copious amounts of bruises. His glasses were cracked, and there was a swelling lump just underneath the one curl in his hair, which was sticking up even higher than normal due to its unexpected elevation. Disgusted by the massacre that was his reflection, Roderich closed the bathroom door and started to clean himself up.
It took Roderich forty-five minutes to get washed and dressed in the end. He was going to be late for work if he didn't hurry up. Running into the kitchen, he prepared two sets of sandwiches, picked one up and put it in his briefcase, took the case and ran out of the door. Locking it behind him, he prayed he could run fast enough to get in on time. He rushed through the clamour of the busy town, running, running. Mustn't be late.
Whilst running, Roderich realised that, although his plan to get him to work on time was quite excellent; running like hell was at his heels is generally a good way to get somewhere quickly, there was a spanner in the works. He had no excuse as to why he had a black eye and a multitude of swellings on his head. He could probably just say he got beaten up on the street, almost mugged or something. It wasn't uncommon in the town he lived in after all.
Swerving into the radio station building, he skipped the lift and hurtled up the stairs. His desk was within reach at last! Roderich let out a huge sigh of relief, plopped into his chair and began to get his breath back. Slightly loosening his cravat, he looked up at the clock. Five minutes to two. He'd done it. While opening his briefcase and pulling out his sandwiches, a familiar voice brightened the room about him.
"Edelstein, you Priss, good to see yo- woah…"
Roderich turned in his swivel chair to see his workmate Gilbert Weillschmidt saunter into the room. Gilbert was an albino man; his piercing red eyes a complete contrast to his shining white skin and silver hair, and as obnoxiously loud as a person can get. Or worse. He was only a year older than Roderich, with an ego the size of the empire state building, it was obvious to anyone who even glanced that Gilbert worked out a lot. Always out to impress, with a cocky smirk and a glint in his eye (and a healthy swig of beer, if what his friends said was anything to go by), Gilbert didn't let life take him places; he took life places and brought it back completely wasted.
"Good afternoon Gilbert. I see you wasted no time in insulting me today. Now, why are you gawping at me like a zoo animal?" Roderich asked, as pleasantly as one can when their nickname is 'Priss'.
"It's just, woah Priss, you got yourself pretty beat up this time huh?"
Smiling, Roderich took a bite out of his sandwich and chewed, watching Gilbert as he sat on the desk. Swallowing, he scolded the other man. "Are you three? Or do you simply have to sit on my desk because it's a matter of life and death?"
Gilbert laughed loudly, a harsh shade of red spotting out. "Fine, I'll get my awesomeness off of your desk, but only if you tell me who screwed your face up this time." Roderich frowned. "Oh come on priss, I'll totally show them what it's like to have their face kicked in for you."
Roderich snorted in indignation. "Actually I was going to tell you, the reason I frowned is because I'm not sure that the massive ego perched on my desk is as awesome as he thinks he is."
With that, Gilbert pushed himself off of the desk, and dramactically announced; " I AM awesome! You just have such a huge stick up your ass that you don't appreciate it!"
Finally, Roderich gave in. "Fine. I was walking home when three hoodies attacked me. They tried to steal my briefcase; probably after money or something valuable like a laptop, but I made too much of fuss so they ran off." Gilbert was still pouting. Honestly, Roderich was sometimes convinced that he was working with a child. "And you're awesome." The albino perked up.
"I knew you'd give in to my awesome," he insists, and hugs Roderich, who out of surprise, (and pain) drops his sandwich. Yelping in pain and outrage at the loss of the only meal he had to eat for sixteen hours, Roderich pushed Gilbert away.
"That was my lunch!"
Gilbert grinned like an idiot at him, "I'll buy you something to eat after work." Idiot.
"I'm married you know. I have a wife to look after." Roderich picked up the forlorn and wasted sandwich, and tossed it into the bin.
"Well that's weird you see," Gilbert supposed nonchalantly, and sat in the chair opposite to Roderich's.
"How is that weird? Women do like me you know. You're not the only attractive man on the planet." Roderich retorted. Why does he think he's God's gift? He's not particularly special…
"Because," Gilbert spoke slowly, smirking at Roderich, "you never talk about her. Ever. Most married men talk about their wives Roddy."
Roderich shuddered at the pet name he associated with pain, provoking a mildly daunting reaction from the albino opposite. Honestly, look at him. Smirking at me. Thinks he's clever because he can make me shudder.
Looking up at the clock, Roderich tried to change the subject. "It's twenty past two. Do you know the playlist for this afternoon?"
The red spats of Gilbert's coarse laughter were visible again, as he vocalised his thoughts. "You need to get laid Roddy."
Roderich snorted in shock. Not after the first time, not after the pain I caused, no. It's all my fault… "I do not!"
Gilbert slid over to Roderich on the wheelie chair, sitting right behind him so that the younger man could feel the warm breath of his workmate on the back of his neck. "Well your wife doesn't seem to be giving you any," and with that there was a sudden change in his words, the red of his voice became a fuller, deeper red, unfurling in ribbons around Roderich. "Maybe we could go for a drink some time…"
And as soon as it had occurred, the moment was gone and Gilbert was heading towards the soundproof broadcasting area. "Hey, pass me that playlist will you Priss? I need it."
Snatching up the piece of paper, a confused Roderich followed. Did he just… ask me out? Seating himself in front of the mixing desk, he passed Gilbert the playlist and set the equalisers straight. Counting down, he cued Gilbert until:
"It's two thirty, and this is Gilbert Weillschmidt leading you through the afternoon at your local radio station; Harmony Fm."
It's strange, how someone can change their personality at the drop of a hat. Roderich had daily experience of it with Elizaveta, and the same at work with Gilbert. The second the microphone was switched on, Gilbert became an amiable, friendly presenter, helpful and full of joy. And yet once the show was over, he would go back to his complete arrogance. Not complete arrogance, Roderich deliberated. He tries his best to be that way normally, if he feels like it. His ego just gets in the way.
Two hours later, Gilbert and Roderich strolled out of their workplace. Just as he was about to turn towards the direction of his home, the young brunette was pulled back by his workmate. "What?" he snapped.
"I need to buy you another lunch. You can't run home on an empty stomach, and my awesomeness simply won't allow it." Sometimes, Gilbert's awesomeness was quite adorable in its endeavours, but Roderich needed to get home. He'd like to remain conscious for the rest of the evening.
Turning, he glowered at Gilbert, but the effect was soon lost as he shivered on account of the crisp winter air. Gilbert smiled, and then took off his thick winter coat. "What are you up to? Hey wait I-" Roderich protested as the heavy garment was placed on his shoulders. It was warmer than his thin suit jacket, and it wouldn't hurt to get a quick snack, he supposed. Nodding in consent at Gilbert, he was enthusiastically taken by the arm, and the albino tugged him down the street.
As he was dragged along, Roderich considered what exactly he was doing. He was going for a late lunch, an extremely late lunch, with his workmate, and only friend now that he contemplated about it hard. Innocent enough. Although, this was Gilbert, and he swore that all that man thought about… Well things were innocent enough so far at least.
They came upon a sandwich shop; Antonio's was the name hanging above the door. Looking through the window, he got the impression that it was quite cosy, a warm colour scheme of red and yellow illuminating the place. Roderich glanced at Gilbert questioningly, who was grinning like an idiot again. "Antonio's?"
"I know him, don't worry. We're about five minutes before closing, come on!" The albino practically bounced up the step to the shop, before turning back to Roderich. "Your wife won't miss you if you're a tiny bit late. Aren't you hungry? Or has my awesomeness whet your appetite already?"
With that Roderich marched up to the shop door and playfully smacked him on the back of the head. "You're not that awesome."
A bell tinkled pleasantly in blue drops as they entered. Roderich found the atmosphere to be as he had expected, and they were soon greeted by a brunette man with large brown eyes and a friendly smile. "Hola!" he waved delightedly. "Gilbert! So good to see you instead of hear you!"
Laughing, Gilbert hugged the brunette. "Hey Antonio. How's business?"
Roderich surveyed as the two conversed, joyful to be in each other's company. He wondered how it felt, to have so many friends like Gilbert did? He himself had always been shy, and after his parents had moved away, he had struggled to make many friends. But that joy… He had last felt it on the day of his wedding. Since then, such emotions had abandoned him. And he felt lost and uncomfortable near the two firm friends before him.
"Antonio, this is my workmate; Roderich. Priss, this is my best friend; Antonio." The conserved brunette shook hands with the other, glaring at Gilbert the whole while.
"Is it really necessary for you to humiliate me in front of your friends Gilbert?" he reprimanded.
Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Aww come on Roddy, you're my friend too. You think I'd supply you with so much awesome everyday if I wasn't?"
"Yes." replied Roderich, and, to his surprise; Antonio. He span, startled, to meet the gaze of the Spaniard.
"I think we will get along well, amigo," Antonio smiled, and ushered Roderich and Gilbert to a table. "I have to close up shop, but I can get you something out of hours. Anything for mis compadrés!"
Before he could even look at the menu, Gilbert had ordered for Roderich. "Two of the usual please Antonio."
After the agreeable shop owner had left, Roderich hissed at the albino; "Did you even think that maybe I would like to choose the first decent meal I've had today?!"
Gilbert blinked in shock. "That lunch was your first meal? Man Priss, your wife ain't treating you right. I am so sorry."
Believe me, you don't know the half of it… Roderich thought, watching the last shimmer of sunset drift away. Turning his attention from the growing darkness, Roderich found his eyes resting on Gilbert; who was engaged in conversation with Antonio. The younger man pondered that Gilbert was quite nice when he felt like it. His eyes wandered the body of the albino, white skin positively glowing in the golden light, and a tight t-shirt which highlighted his toned chest and stomach. Before his traitorous eyes could roam any further, Antonio served the sandwiches. They were egg and cress, just like the sandwich which he had been consuming before Gilbert had rudely interrupted earlier on. His stomach growled and, uncharacteristically, he ravenously bit into the meal.
Gilbert's table manners weren't any better, but the man still managed to pick Roderich up on his own. "Woah Roddy, slow down there buddy!"
"Shut up, it's your fault I haven't eaten properly since yesterday." Roderich growled from behind the sandwich.
"Fine, whatever. It's not like I'm paying for it or anything." Gilbert grumbled, and angrily bit into his own sandwich.
Taking the final bite of the meal, Roderich sighed deeply. "You know, I don't appreciate being called a priss on a daily basis, Gilbert."
"Hmm?" Gilbert had been too engrossed in his food to hear what the other man had said.
"I said: I don't appreciate being called a priss everyday. It does nothing for my self esteem."
"I'm sorry. I won't call you that name anymore," Gilbert was being surprisingly understanding- "Don't worry about it Specs."
Roderich shot a death glare right at him, "I mean it."
"Woah ok sorry. My awesome nicknames are clearly too awesome for you." Gilbert stood up, heading over to the counter. Standing up and brushing crumbs off of himself, Roderich picked up Gilbert's coat and waited by the table. With a wave from Antonio, they departed.
As they stepped outside, Gilbert insisted that Roderich keep his coat on. When Roderich pointed out, however, that he only intended to go home, the albino disagreed in uproar. "You're already out with me, staying out won't hurt!" he had exclaimed. "My awesomeness will make sure you have a good time, don't you worry!"
At this, Gilbert turned and smiled at Roderich, a genuine, glowing smile which made him want to melt… except, his mouth was covered in crumbs. That had to be dealt with. Roderich's thumb reached up and ran along Gilbert's full lips, sweeping away the crumbs. His lips were soft, unlike Elizaveta's cracked and bleeding lips. They were so soft…
A warm hand gripped his wrist, and Roderich's eyes flitted back up into the blood red gaze of Gilbert's. Such deep, beautiful eyes. His breath hitched in his throat, and he felt his eyelids flutter and begin to droop. Wait. He was married. He pushed himself back, away from the other man, who looked a little hurt.
"So…" Gilbert breathed out, puffs of vapour mixed with purplish colour emerging from his mouth, "How about that drink?"
AN: And that's the end of chapter 2 :D It's all kicking off here in England. What with the hung parliament and all that. Very exciting. See you next chapter~