Chapter 2

Contrary to popular belief, Matthew Williams was not a lonely man. Sure it was a little overwhelming to have this massive space all to himself and maybe he had adopted a cat. So what? Just because he had a cat didn't mean he was taking steps to becoming a lonely and crazy cat lady. It just meant he liked cats.

But no matter how much Matthew stressed this to his foster brother, Alfred was convinced that Matthew had been struck with a severe case of crippling loneliness and that he was in need of a roommate. Particularly himself.

"Dude, you should let me be your next roomie!" Alfred suggested, dropping Matt's groceries onto the counter in a way that was not suitable for the fragile carton of eggs that Mattie had let him carry.

"No way."

"Aw, c'mon brosif, I mean imagine it! The Jones-Williams team take New York in this banging apartment," Alfred exclaimed, hopping onto the counter next to the bags.

"Nope," Matthew repeated, shifting through his groceries to find his eggs and make sure they were alright.

"How come? I'd be a hell of a room mate! For all you know I could get you laid and shit. You're turning down one amazing offer, dude."

Matthew snorted, which got him a swat to the head from Al.

"Don't be a dick Mattie. I'm just saying I'm a fucking awesome roommate!"

"I'm sure you would be...for some other lonely guy in New York City who isn't supposed to have a roommate because he lets a crime family pay his rent so he can house and take care of some poor bastard who they have to protect," Matthew explained, sighing at the sight of his mostly shattered eggs. "Plus you're an egg murderer, I don't room with egg murderers."

"Wait, they pay for your rent? Son of a bitch, I have to pay rent, why don't they pay my rent?"

Matthew shrugged, annoyed by the yolks that were dripping into his hands. "I guess I'm a better host than you?" he suggested, tossing his eggs into his trash can. "Or maybe I don't tell them 'no'? Or maybe...no it couldn't be."

Alfred raised his brows, his interest sparking. "What couldn't it be?"

"I shouldn't say."

Alfred rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Don't be an ass! What is it?"

"Maybe it's because…"

"Because…?" Alfred leaned forward, clearly believing what Matthew was about to say would clear it all up.

"Because you're a dirty egg murderer. Go buy me new eggs, asshole," Matthew said, laughing as Alfred scoffed.

"Buy your own dang eggs."

"I did and then the filthy egg murderer, Alfred Franklin Jones, shattered them. So now the egg murderer has to buy me more eggs," Matthew explained, shoving the older man off the counter. "Now go on, get me my eggs."

Alfred stumbled off the counter and then groaned. "Fiiiiine," he grumbled. "But you're going to have to buy the snacks for movie night!" he shouted, and made his escape out of the apartment before Matt could protest.

God he loved his foster brother, even if he was somewhat annoying and kind of a dumbass. But that was part Alfred's charm and besides, Mattie owed his brother a lot.

As a kid Alfred was a blessing when he moved in with Matt's foster family. He was constantly bullied at school and the older kids weren't much better at home. Either he was completely ignored or he'd be the prime target for kids who were way too big to really be in eighth grade. But then Alfred came along, better known as the best thing that could happen to a small quiet nerdy kid like Matt. He made sure Mattie wouldn't get messed with in school or at home. He was Matt's best friend and for once the two actually felt like they had a family after entering the foster system. And by some miracle the two were able to stay together all the way through high school. And then Alfred went to college all the way across the country on a football scholarship and Matt took a gap year to figure out what to do with his life. For the first time in years his best friend, his brother was gone and it scared the shit out of him.

So what does any kid who doesn't know what to do with his life do? Head to NYC because why the hell not? In Matt's opinion his life deserved to be lived and he wasn't going to do it in hicksville where his current foster family lived. So he took a leap of faith and rode a cheap bus to New York to start a new life.

But what a piece of shit that life was turning out to be. He could barely afford to live in the hotel he managed to get set up in, teetering on the brink of homelessness. He had been mugged at least three times. Every move he made while in this big city seemed to be a mistake. Everything was crumbling and he was about ready to give up and maybe go back home, his real home in Canada, when he got his first job at an odd little cafe working for a Spaniard named Antonio Carriedo.

And then suddenly and miraculously his life began to pick up. Antonio, after finding out he was battling being homeless, agreed to house Matthew in his own apartment until Matt could handle life on his own. Then Antonio introduced Matt to Kiku Honda and the Vargas Brothers, who had come to offer the young man a deal. He could live in an apartment all by himself, rent paid and everything. The only catch was he had to house some...less than ideal people. Matthew jumped at the opportunity.

After that everything was going great. Matt was now in college taking general classes to just get some vague liberal arts degree so he could get an actual job and buy his own place. His brother was in New York with his friend Toris living it up working for some big business or something and even started helping the Vargas family like Mattie did. Matt had a cat now. Life was good.

Matthew however found himself being shaken from his memories at the sound of his phone ringing. He tugged it out and frowned slightly at the name of the caller. It was Ludwig, the more cheerful Vargas Brother's bodyguard. Why the hell would he be calling?

"Uh, hello?" Mattie said cautiously, holding the phone tightly.

"Guten tag," the gruff German's voice answered. "Is this Herr Williams?"

"Ah, yup," he said, trying to disguise the nervous quiver in his voice. Ludwig never called, like ever. He only knew the man because he was the one who would pick up the temporary roommate that Matthew would care for and when he occasionally saw Feliciano.

"Is everything alright?"

"I-I could ask you the same thing, Mr. Beilschmidt," Matthew laughed, an awkward air filling the he panicked and tried to cover the awkwardness, "Uh, what can I do for you, Ludwig, sir?"

Ludwig cleared his throat and could hear him say something, probably to Feliciano or maybe Kiku. Oh, Jesus he was getting evicted wasn't he?

"Ludwig, Mr. Beilschmidt, sir," he said with panic, gripping the phone so hard his knuckles were turning white. "P-please don't kick me out. I just managed to get on my feet. This is the best opportunity I've had since I got here. I-"

"Ah, calm down, Herr Williams! I'm simply asking for a favor," Ludwig said quickly.

"A favor?"

"Ja. I need you to keep an eye on my dummkopf cousin."

"You need me to babysit your cousin?" Matthew asked, confusion clear.

"Uh, ja. I need someone to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't leave the apartment. You're very good with this type of work and I think the only one who can make sure Gilbert doesn't do anything too stupid."

"Oh! Yeah totally, I can totally do that," Matthew said with a relieved, sort of desperate laugh.

"Are you sure that is fine? I don't want to put you on the spot."

"As long as the Vargas' are fine with it, then sure I can watch your cousin!"

"Danke, Herr Williams. Gilbert and I shall be over shortly. Is that suitable?"

"Sounds great! See you soon!"

And with that the line went dead.

It had been some time since Gilbert had had to live with anyone, especially by the sounds of it with some meek nerd. It had to have at least been since Roderich and even then the musical prodigy was more outgoing than whoever this dork he was about to live with was.

"How is this guy supposed to protect me?" Gilbert asked after Ludwig's friend Kiku showed him a picture of his new roomie. Matthew Williams looked like a cute, but frail as fuck guy. Tall, probably had at least four inches on Gilbert, but that's the only advantage he had over the German probably.

"Eins: he's not supposed to protect you, dummkopf. Herr Williams is going to help you remain off the grid," Ludwig said, tossing Gilbert's backpack to him. "Zwei: Herr Williams is very good at helping the criminals we put in his care. You will most likely be the easiest one he has had to deal with in a long time."

Gilbert scoffed. "C'mon Lutzy, can't I just stay with you? You work with the Vargas', Braginski won't dare to fuck with you. We can be the amazing Beilschmidt cousins again! You can protect me! I could pay for everything! Win-win!"

"Nein, it is out of the question," Ludwig stated, crossing his arms firmly. "Also I am confiscating the money."

Gilbert's eyes widened at this, panic setting in. "What?"

"That much money is too much power for you to have. Besides, you aren't going to be going anywhere to spend it."

"I stole that shit fair and square, Lutz," Gilbert snapped. He began rifling through his backpack and indeed all that cash was gone. Instead it was filled with clothes and things he could use at his dumb new roommate's apartment.

"Don't. I don't have to help you, so don't you get like that with me."

Gilbert tossed the bag to the ground and leaned against his chair, clearly pissed off. "Schwein," he muttered.

Ludwig rolled his eyes with a sigh, a headache already forming at the front of his head. Jesus Gilbert could be such a pain in the ass. He turned his attention to Kiku who was quietly sitting at the conference table. Once realizing the German's attention was on him, the small Japanese man stood.

"The car is ready for you, Mr. Ludwig," the small man said, placing the keys on the table.

"Danke. You can keep an eye on Feli for a little while?"

"Hai."

Ludwig nodded and motioned for Gilbert to come on. The man groaned and grabbed his bag. He felt like a kid who was getting grounded. Well he kind of was a kid getting grounded if he thought about it. Ludwig had taken his money and is locking him with this random kid to keep an eye on him. Holy shit he was totally getting grounded.

He followed his cousin out to his car, his hoodie pulled far over his head just in case Braginski somehow was watching. It always felt like the Russian was watching. With a quick glance over his shoulder, a tick he had developed over the past few months, Gilbert gave himself a comforting nod and slid into the passenger seat. Ludwig followed suit and put the car in drive. He gave his cousin a glance, watching as the man kept his eyes to the window. With a sigh, he hit the gas and joined the dozens of other cars on the New York street, off to take Gilbert to his new and off the radar life with Matthew Williams.

Translations*:

German:

Guten tag - Good Day

Herr - Mister

Dummkopf - Stupid/Idiot

Danke - Thank you

Eins - One

Zwei - Two

Schwein - Pig/Bastard

Japanese:

Hai - Yes

*Because I speak no foreign languages I resorted to Google Translate for any words I may need in another language. Apologies for the shitty translations that may ensue*