Gilbert stuck his tongue out at her as he grabbed a few bottles of beer and gently set them in the basket next to the cake. Elizaveta sighed again, knowing that there would be no changing Gilbert's mind when it came to beer. He lived on the salty stuff and there was no point in arguing. Besides, she didn't mind a beer herself every once in a while. It wasn't like alcohol could hurt her. "You ready to go now? Is there anything else you think we need before going out?"
"I kind of know that we needed to bring food. It's a picnic, after all. What were you planning to eat, the grass?" she fastened the top of the basket closed and held the handles in the crook of her elbow. "But yes, I'm ready now. You're the one that was late, might I remind you."
"Awesomeness takes time, Lizzie."
"Awesomeness is throwing on a shirt and questionably clean pair of pants before falling down the stairs?"
"…yes." Gilbert's face turned bright red. He looked straight ahead and led her from the kitchen, holding open the front door for her.
"Thank you, sir." She smiled and stepped out onto the porch into the sun. The air was scented with a hint of fresh flowers. Gilbert stepped out behind her and gently pulled the door closed. He took her small hand in his own rather large ones and pulled Elizaveta down the porch steps. "In a hurry?" she asked, grabbing onto her hat as it began to fly off of her head from being pulled down stairs. "We're just going to lunch."
"I know," he said. "But we already wasted so much time, and I want to spend the rest of the day with you." Smiling, her led her down the sidewalk, pausing for a moment or two every once in a while so greet the neighbors. They seemed to be a bit quieter than usual, but still waved at Gilbert and Elizaveta when they passed by. All the lawns were neatly kept and a few had a nice birdbath filled with sparkling water, songbirds chirping with joy as they shook water off of their feathers.
"The birds seem happy today." She smiled. It was nice to spend some time alone with Gilbert for a change. Roderich was too stuffy and prissy. He never would have agreed to spend time at the park, on the ground, in the dirt. He'd much rather have her listen to his piano playing before taking her out to some expensive restaurant where they would be serenaded with more songs on the piano. Elizaveta was surprised that he hadn't married that instrument by now. She glanced up at Gilbert's bright face.
"Yeah, they do." He said. "I wonder why." That last comment confused Elizaveta a bit, but she just shrugged it off and kept walking with him.
After a bit more walking, the pair ran into Arthur and Francis walking in the opposite direction.
"Bonjour, Gilbert. Elizaveta." The Frenchman smiled at them.
"Guten Tag, Francis. Arthur. What are you two doing here?" Gilbert said. It was strange to see the two so far inland for no reason. Arthur answered first.
"We just wanted to take a nice walk. The weather at home is dreadful, but you got a nice bit of sun."
"Oui." Francis said. He put a hand on Gilbert's shoulder and made eye contact with him for a moment. A very serious moment. Elizaveta had no idea what was going on, but noticed Arthur staring at Gilbert as well. Their green and blue eyes staring deeply into Gilbert's red ones. After a while, Arthur broke the silence.
"You two take care now. Good day." He took Francis' hand and the two walked off down the sidewalk, never looking back. Elizaveta glanced at Gilbert and saw that he was staring at the two leave.
"You're not staring at their asses are you?" she laughed. Gilbert seemed to snap out of his trance.
"What? No! Francis is one of my best friends!" he said. Elizaveta noticed how defensive he was acting, so she just took his hand in her own and led him further down the road.