Sorry this took so long to get out. I actually had a lot of trouble writing this. Honestly I'm not as thrilled about it as I should be, but I can't bare to look at this chapter anymore. Either way, at least the plot is moving forward. I hope you enjoy it!
Gilbert woke to cold hands shaking him gently. Eyes fluttered open, the strange taste of golden curls in his mouth made him smack his lips in an attempt to wake up. A muffled voice called his name, to which he grunted a very intelligent response before allowing his eyes to close again having not fully focused in the first place. He dreamed of golden feathers and peridots on a pastel splattered beach. Even now he could feel the warmth of the sun on his body.
"Gilbert!" The voice finally came through the fogginess of sleep before Gilbert bolted up from the sofa on his hands and knees. Panting, crimson eyes fell upon Matthew who kneeled beside the couch while he attempted to wake Gilbert.
"Vögelchen?" Gilbert's voice was dry and gave a crack towards the end when he slowly reigned in his breathing.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you? I didn't mean to, but your thing from yesterday won't stop jumping on the table and making noise." Matthew pointed to the table just as Gilbert's phone vibrated against it once again.
Gilbert lunged for the phone in case it was an important call, but found the vibrating to be from his alarm. It was set to go off at seven in the morning to make sure he got to work on time. Yet with Matthew at the apartment and it being Saturday there was no need to go into work to fill up the empty hours of his day. Sure, back home he partied on the weekend occasionally but with trying to put Ludwig through school he had other priorities. Still, Gilbert would have liked to find a more enjoyable job.
"It's fine Matthew. It's called a phone and it was just my alarm going off to tell me to wake up." Gilbert sat more comfortably on the couch finding it odd the two had spent the entire night on it instead of on the soft bed. Moving his neck from side to side, he heard a small crack. The sound made his neck feel better, but Gilbert knew he would be sore a little later.
"You have to go to work?" Matthew asked as he slowly stood up in what appeared to only be an oversized shirt belonging to Gilbert. Or at least Gilbert had found the shirt packed neatly in his suitcase the night he first moved into the apartment. It originally belonged to Ludwig who was taller and a little broader, who refused to take it back until Gilbert came back home.
"Matthew, did you find that in the closet?" Gilbert asked, rubbing at his tired eyes. A nod from Matthew confirmed his suspicions. "Please tell me you're wearing shorts or something underneath."
"I, uh, might have borrowed a pair. Yes," Mathew said quietly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as if he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Not that Matthew would even understand what that meant.
"At least there's that. What happened to the clothes you had yesterday?" Gilbert put away the phone and patted the seat next to him on the couch.
"You left them on the bench in your hurry. It was the only outfit I had to blend in with the humans," Matthew climbed on the couch, leaving space between himself and Gilbert. "I hope you don't mind me borrowing yours."
Gilbert gave a small cackle as he watched the shifter actually look sheepish for having put on clothes. Honestly, Gilbert was glad Matthew had them on, there was no need to wake him up naked. His brain supplied him with a flash of Matthew kneeling down with nothing on as he begged for Gilbert to get up. Shuddering at the thought, Gilbert shook his head. There was not time for thoughts like that. Now that he was responsible for Vögelchen he had to make sure to teach Mathew everything there was to know about being a human, which meant clothes, eating like a human, and learning the mannerisms of human life. Sex was down at the bottom of his list and he only wanted to cross that bridge if Matthew asked him about it.
"No, I don't mind. But maybe we should get your own clothes. You can pick them out if you want. I have a bit saved up that I can use for the occasion. Not to mention, if you want to be a human, or blend in at times, you'll have to learn to eat a bit more than just nuts and dried up fruit."
Gilbert checked his back pocket for his wallet, wondering if he should grab some cash, or just use his card. With the store he had in mind, it would probably be best to just take the card and save himself the trouble of teaching Matthew about ATM machines.
"Money? You mean the green paper that everyone gives to someone when they have items in their hands?" Amethyst eyes were trained on Gilbert, who saw the thirst for knowledge behind the innocence.
"Yes, the green paper. Each one has a different value on it meaning that one might be five dollars, or ten dollars even. You do not know about numbers right?" Matthew nodded, waiting for Gilbert to continue. "Right then, I'll show you how to use paper when we get the groceries. I know I'm going to need a few things, and we can pick up some fruit for you as well. How does that sound?"
Gilbert watched as Matthew just sat there quiet, but the shifter was only just containing the euphoria of the planned day it seemed as he bounced a little on the couch. His amethyst eyes reflected the feeling by shining bright at Gilbert as a broad smile was plastered on his face. Gilbert wondered if it hurt Matthew's cheeks to smile as such.
"Right, then we'll get some breakfast, head to get the clothes and then the food."
Eggs and toast sounded rather delicious to him, but he wondered if Matthew would eat that. Maybe he still had some trail mix, but with a human body, Matthew would have to eat a little more than just nuts and berries. A slow introduction to foods would be best. Matthew followed Gilbert into the kitchen, hopping to sit on one of the counters. He swung his legs a little as if he was a small child. The action reminded Gilbert of Ludwig when he was smaller.
"What are you doing?" Matthew watched Gilbert gathered a pan from the pantry and pulled the toaster a little farther away from the wall.
"Making eggs and toast for breakfast." Gilbert's his voice was muffled from bending into the fridge to find the eggs towards the back of the middle shelf in the fridge.
"Eggs? Gilbert are you - No! You can't be!"
Gilbert turned with the eggs in one hand and a few other ingredients he used to make scrambled eggs, in the other. Matthew jumped down from the counter and chirped angrily at the sight of the egg carton before dashing to the safest spot he could find, which was a corner in the kitchen furthest from Gilbert.
Brows knitted in confusion, Gilbert placed the items on the counter before turning his attention back to Matthew. Just like the day before, feathers had sprouted from his hair and arms. Gilbert would have to explain to Matthew the need to not get flustered so easily in public. The feathers and other shifted parts would surely give him away if someone were to see and who knows what sort of trouble the two would end up in.
"Vögelchen, what's wrong? What did I say?" Gilbert stayed where he was, closing the fridge softly behind him. Honestly he had no clue what could have upset his feathered friend.
"You're an egg stealer! How could you? Give the eggs back right now and promise not to steal anymore."
If the situation was not as serious for Matthew, Gilbert knew he would have laughed. But instead, he just smiled, holding out the carton of eggs he pointed to the logo. It was of a chicken with the words free ranged plastered on it.
"Vögelchen, come here. I'm not an egg stealer. These are chicken eggs that aren't fertile, meaning there is no baby inside the egg. You know about chickens right?" Gilbert watched Matthew as he spoke.
Straightening, from the crouched position Matthew was in, he slowly nodded his head as he made his way towards Gilbert. As the minutes ticked by, slowly he lost the feathers that sprouted from his initial shock and the talons receded. Once he felt comfortable enough, Matthew stepped forward to examine the eggs.
"D-Do humans eat eggs from other species too?" Matthew asked as Gilbert let Matthew examine the eggs while he continued to make breakfast.
"They do, but I don't. These eggs are plenty for me. Do you want some too?"
Gilbert started to heat up the stove, keeping a close eye on Matthew as he did so. The shifter shook his head as he hopped back onto the counter to swing his legs once again. The shifter was curious when the eggs started cooking, which made Gilbert wonder if perhaps he would try some after all. But Matthew said not another word, but he did hum a song or two while Gilbert finished cooking their breakfast. Gilbert had no recollection of the song, yet he found it familiar. It was soft and melodious, after the first few minutes he found himself humming along with Matthew. When the toast popped from the toaster and the eggs were finished, Gilbert wondered what he should put on the toast. If Matthew had no clue about eggs, then Gilbert doubted the shifter knew about utensils either, and so would just have to show him how to eat the bread with his hands for the time being.
"Have you had chocolate before?" Gilbert grabbed the jar of Nutella from the counter to show Matthew what he meant. Another shake of his head. "You're lucky you have me to show what food is totally awesome and which foods to stay away from Vögelchen. This is Nutella, you can put it on almost anything to make it sweet. It's called chocolate and this particular brand comes from where I live in Germany."
"C-Can I try some?" Matthew's amethyst eyes light up once again with a shine of curiosity. Gilbert couldn't help but chuckle at the reaction as he nodded his head.
"Go sit on the table. I'll bring it all over. Do you want something to drink?" Gilbert spread the hazelnut spread on the toast for himself and Matthew.
"Water please." Matthew hopped down from the counter to sit directly on the table, when Gilbert turned around to put the plates on the table he burst out laughing.
"Nein, nein. When someone tells you to sit on the table it means to sit in a chair around the table."
"Humans certainly are strange when it comes to their language. Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" Matthew cocked his head to the side in confusion, but did as he was bade the second time and took a seat on a chair.
"I don't know, English is weird. I've spoken it for many years now and found that the people who grow up learning English butcher it all the time. It's best not to even think about it for too long," Gilbert shrugged as he set the plates down. "Let me get the water, you can go ahead and start eating if you want."
Gilbert grabbed a mug for coffee and then a regular glass for water. Once both substances were in their rightful mugs, he placed the water in front of Matthew and took a sip of his coffee. The smell was familiar to him and he rather enjoyed the taste, but he wished he had creamer to put in it.
"What's that?" Matthew pointed to Gilbert's mug, the toast in the other hand and Nutella smeared across his face.
"It's called coffee and you're not getting any just yet. It's got caffeine in it and while I don't mind you trying things I would not have you bouncing all over the place on it while we look for clothes and food." Gilbert held onto his coffee rather protectively. It was the only thing he never shared, not even with Ludwig since it was the only substance that kept him awake during the long hours of work. Especially when certain office workers stole his cup from his desk, or stole the last bit of coffee he made in the pot he kept near his desk.
"Oh, okay." Matthew's shoulders hunched a bit as if he was closing himself off from the world. Gilbert sighed, knowing he should not have been so harsh, but then again it was coffee they were talking about.
"When you can stay in your human form a bit longer you can try some. Who knows what it will do to your little bird body." Gilbert tried to reason, knowing at this point he was just making up some sort of explanation in hopes Matthew would not be too upset about the whole ordeal.
Matthew nodded, his shoulders relaxing a little, but the rest of breakfast was silent except for the sounds of chewing and the occasional clink of a fork on a plate. After breakfast, Gilbert washed the dishes. But before he told Matthew they were going to put on different clothes to go, he cackled at the Nutella spread all over his face.
"Come here Vögelchen. You have Nutella all over. You can't go out looking like that." Matthew's face lit up a light red as he inched closer and let Gilbert take a paper towel to wipe his face clean.
"It was a little messy."
"Yeah, it can be, but it was good right?" Gilbert double checked to make sure he had gotten all the chocolate off as Matthew nodded, a smile on his face and curl bouncing. "Gut. Now let's get changed and head out to get you some clothes."
"Okay." Matthew took Gilbert by the sleeve of his arm and led him to the bedroom beaming proudly at where he had gotten the clothes he was wearing at the moment.
Gilbert found his clothes in disarray from the shifter scavenging through the clothes, but chose not to say a word. Instead, he silently picked up the clothes littered on the floor, shifting through them until he found a pair of jeans that might fit Matthew and found something for him to wear. Once he had the clothes, he dumped rest of his pile on the bed to be folded and put away nicely once they got back home.
"Here, just put on some jeans for now. The shirt doesn't look too bad." Gilbert tossed the blue denim in Matthew's direction.
The shifter caught it easily and started to put on the pants as Gilbert put on the shirt and jeans he found for himself on. Once dressed, the two were off to get the shopping done.
"I should probably let the landlord know you're staying with me. I don't want him to kick you out or something if I'm not around." Gilbert held open the door for Matthew and locked it before heading towards the elevator.
"Would he really do that?" Matthew moved slightly closer to Gilbert, the fear of him being an egg stealer gone and replaced with a new fear.
"Knowing him? Probably, but it won't come to that. I promise," Gilbert put on one of his usual grins which meant he had a plan. The company paid for his rent on the apartment, so what was wrong with having a roommate. The apartment had two bedrooms anyway, he just turned the other room into an office of sorts for the time being. If Matthew was planning on staying for a very long time, then he would redo the room to make it into a bedroom for the shifter. "I'll talk to be a little later about it."
Matthew nodded as the two headed out of the building, his day of learning to be a human only just beginning.
"Although Vögelchen, I have to ask something. How long can you stay in this form?" Gilbert asked as the two started on their way to the shop he had in mind for clothes.
"Since I changed only shortly before I woke you, I think I have about another two hours. It might be a bit more though. The polar bear who taught me explained that the more I shift the longer I can stay in a human form, but it takes a long time before I'll be able to stay the whole day as a human." Matthew clutched at Gilbert's shirt as people started to crowd around them on the sidewalk.
It was a normal busy day for New York which meant plenty of people walking around and cars stuck in traffic. Still, Gilbert was glad Matthew had the foresight of grabbing his clothes to keep from losing each other, but Gilbert really didn't want his shirt to stretch. While the thought was nice, it was really a terrible idea to try and keep together. Prying Matthew's death grip on his shirt, he held Matthew's hand instead as he led him through the endless throngs of people. Gilbert did not turn to look at Matthew. If anyone had a problem and voiced their opinion about the matter, Gilbert would knock their teeth out. Thankfully, the store was not too far from where he lived. It was just a matter of finding the owner. Stepping through a small group of business men, he brought Matthew into the store he had been looking for with a huff.
It was one of the hole in the wall stores considering all the random fast food places surrounding it. The store owner, who was French did not seem to find unless the smell of fast food permeated throughout his own store, making the expensive suits he had in the forefront of the store smell like grease. The inside was rather well kept, with the suits in front while the referred to as street clothes were kept in towards the back.
"I swear, when I'm done with this job I'm going to retire in the countryside." Gilbert ran a hand through his snow white hair. "Now, where is he?"
"Who?" Matthew explored the store with his eyes, choosing to stick close to Gilbert.
"The owner. His name is Francis and helped me pick out suits for business meetings. Of course he has more than just suits though the other clothes are towards the back of the store. He has the suits up front since a lot of business men come to him." Gilbert led them through the store until a French accent came wafting from the back of the store.
"Is that him?" Matthew asked as they happened upon Francis with another client who was trying on different clothes.
"Ja," Gilbert said, putting his hands on his hips as he grinned. "Franny!"
Francis stopped mid-sentence to look back. At first his face was set in a tight frown, but turned into a bright smile with a twinkle in his blue eyes when he saw Gilbert.
"Mon cher! It has been quite a while since I last saw you. I shall be with you in a moment. I just need to help him find a nice outfit for his date," Francis looked back at the customer, who turned a tomato red and started saying what Gilbert could only hear was a different language.
Gilbert nudged Matthew a little so the shifter could start looking at the clothes. If anything struck his fancy, Gilbert was sure Francis could find something to go with it.
"Go on, find anything you like. Francis will help you pick out outfits when he's done. Don't worry about money I got plenty of that for this." Gilbert gave his usual grin as Matthew stared at him with his owlish eyes once again.
"G-Gil I can't possibly just pick something and expect you to buy it," Matthew stared at the clothing. His eyes wandered over the material and Gilbert was unsure if perhaps the shifter thought one touch would ruin the clothes.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm doing this because I want to, besides you need to have clothes. You can't keep borrowing my things because I'm not exactly as tall as you," Gilbert pointed out as he held his hand up high to show Matthew there was a difference in their height.
"Okay," Matthew said as he started to sift through the clothing with dainty touches.
Gilbert watched quietly, leaning on the rack. It took Francis another ten minutes to help the customer before he came over to Gilbert. Nothing was said between the two at first. Gilbert knew Francis was trying to come up with his own conclusions of what was going on between Matthew and Gilbert. If anything, Gilbert was a bit curious to see what Francis was trying to decide upon. The two continued to watch Matthew touch a sleeve of a shirt, or brush his hands on the denim pants he found.
"Where did you find him?" Francis asked quietly so as not to disturb Matthew just yet.
"What do you mean Franny?" Gilbert glanced at Francis from the corner of his eyes. The Frenchman had a concerned look which did not please Gilbert in the least. Did Francis think Gilbert had just picked up a random stranger and thought to help them? He was nice, but not that nice.
"Did you just pick him off the street or something? Don't get me wrong, I don't care in the least, but I feel as if he should be wrapped up and pampered with the way he's touching the clothes." Francis crossed his arms as the two watched Matthew pull out a red hoodie that was at least a size bigger than him.
"He was at the park when I found him. He mistook me for someone he knew and so I let him crash at my place. Not like I don't have the room. Come to find out his only family, a brother, decided that it was time for him to be on his own or some bullshit like that. The dummkopf probably doesn't even know what Matthew got himself into to. Still, you're right about him needing to be wrapped up and coddled." Gilbert sighed.
He had not realised it until now that while it was in theory a good plan to let Matthew stay with him, Matthew was skittish and acted like a cornered frightened animal, which was not entirely off the mark. He would have to take things in strides with the young shifter. But seeing Matthew hold the hoodie in his hands and nod to himself, Gilbert felt the smile spread on his face.
"He needs a lot of coddling."
"Oui, then I shall help him as best as I can. You're paying of course, right?" Francis asked, a glint of mischief in his eyes as Gilbert slowly nodded, albeit a little hesitantly.
"Ja, but don't make me go broke. I still need to help pay for West's school back home." Gilbert leaned against the rack and watched as Francis nodded and went to work.
"Bonjour there. My name is Francis, what might your name be?" Francis asked politely, a friendly smile on his face as Matthew jumped a little at the sudden human interaction.
"Bonjour, je m'appelle Matthew." The shifter looked around Francis to make sure Gilbert was still in the area, to which Gilbert waved and gave him a thumbs up to tell Matthew Francis was harmless. Well, as harmless as any clothing designer could be when they found a subject to test their new clothes on.
"Oh you speak French?" France glanced back at Gilbert, eyes wide. Gilbert shrugged having not known Matthew was bilingual.
"Just a little. I picked it up when I was traveling through some parts of Canada," Matthew explained, thankfully leaving out that he was a bird when he learned how to speak it, or at least that's what Gilbert assumed.
"I see. It seems you have taken a particular interest in this hoodie. I can presume you like it?" Gilbert knew Francis was being as gentle as possible and he was glad he had come here. If it had been any other store, Gilbert was sure the clerk would be too much for the shifter to handle as of yet.
Matthew nodded at Francis. "Yeah, I like how it feels and the colour is pretty."
"I see, why don't I help you find the right size then? And perhaps even a pair of jeans to match it? Oh, I might have just the outfit after this as well. Do you mind?" Francis started sorting through the clothes as he hopped from one foot to the next in an attempt to contain his excitement when Matthew consented in being a dress up doll for the most part.
"Franny don't overdo it. I only have about forty minutes before we need to head out again," Gilbert called as he looked around for the usual chair Francis kept for customers who waited.
"Oui."
The next half hour, Matthew was herded into the changing room and passed clothing left and right to try different combinations until Francis found something he liked. Of course Gilbert made sure to keep Francis's attention on things that Matthew liked as well. For the most part, they kept the clothing style simple with several plaid shirts and jeans along with a few regular shirts and the red hoodie Matthew had liked. Francis attempted to get the shifter to wear a few other items which had looked profoundly adorable on Matthew, but Gilbert could tell the shifter was uncomfortable to say the least. So Francis gave up on trying to get him into a suit or into the tighter skinny jeans, but he made sure to show Matthew different outfits and gave the shifter pointers of what to put together for the future. Matthew seemed happy around the Frenchman, making Gilbert wonder if the two should hang out outside of Francis's work.
"Thanks again Franny," Gilbert said as he handed Matthew one of the three bags filled with clothes.
"It was not a problem, I assure you. Besides, he was adorable to dress up. I only wish I could put him into something more of designer type clothing besides the simple things he picked out," Francis said with a playful sigh as his eyes drifted toward Matthew who was examining the clothes at a nearby window, a bright smile on his face.
"Oi, don't get any ideas Franny. He's just an innocent kid still. Besides, my wallet thanks him for picking out simple things." Gilbert handed Francis his debit card as he took the remaining bags. With their hands already full with clothes perhaps it was best if they returned to the apartment and then headed back out to get the food.
"Non. Non. I would never do something he wouldn't consent to" Francis chuckled giving a wink as Matthew looked over at the two. "Besides, I'm pretty sure he has eyes on someone else at the moment."
"Oh? Who? It was just you and me in the-"
"Oui." Francis laughed before handing back the card. "But who am I to tell you? Best to wait till he says something."
"You obviously don't know anything about love Franny. He just mistook me for someone else is all and he just looks up to me. Li-like a little brother would, that's it. See, just like my West!" Gilbert laughed a little, but the smile he put on was tight and forced, nothing like his usual easy going grin.
"If you say so Gil. Just watch out when he confesses. Au revoir Mathieu."
"Au revoir." Matthew had wandered a bit towards the front of the store, looking out the large glass windows at the people walking past. "Is everyone always in a hurry?"
"Here in New York it sure seems that way, but not always. You've travelled so you should know that better than anyone." Gilbert patted Matthew gently on the head. It was a natural gesture and one Gilbert had meant to do since the moment the two had met. Matthew's hair looked soft and so easily played with.
"I guess. But I'm usually high up so I don't see what they're doing." Matthew leaned into the touch for a moment before stiffening. Gilbert took his hand away slowly in case it was because of his petting when he noticed Matthew had his eyes glued outside.
"What is it?" Gilbert scanned the area Matthew was looking. Nothing stuck out to him, but whatever or whoever was the cause of Matthew's stiffening, had the shifter shaking slightly beside him.
"Gil…"
Gilbert instinctively grabbed Matthew's hand, pulling him a little further back into the store. Francis gave him a questioning look but said nothing, instead he stared out the window to try and find the trouble. Even if Gilbert had not known Matthew in his human form for longer than a day or so, Gilbert knew he would have reacted the same way when that pleading voice broke at the one syllable. Whatever the danger, he would protect Matthew from it.
"What happened?" Francis had put a sign on the door declaring he was gone for lunch and locked the door. "No one can come in the door is locked."
Gilbert was glad Francis was so perceptive at times. He shrugged at the Frenchman who turned his attention to Matthew. The shifter held his hands closely to his chest. The trembling grew worse when there was a tug at the door, but it was well out of sight from the back of the store. Francis frowned refusing to move from his spot. Gilbert just hoped whoever it was would give up and go away.
"Vögelchen, you need to tell us what's going on. We can't help unless we know how." Gilbert placed a hand gently on Matthew's back, but it still startled the shifter terribly into a jump. "Mattie?"
"H-He…" Matthew closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Once he released the shaky breath, he continued. "One of the men outside. He's known to hunt and kill shifters. I've seen him once or twice before but usually from the sky. I-I think he knows Gil."
"Shifter? Gilbert what have you gotten yourself into?" Francis placed his hands on his hips as if demanding an answer, but Gilbert shook his head.
"Later Franny. Right now we need to make sure Matthew feels safe otherwise—"
Matthew knew if he didn't calm down he would shift, but with the threat looming so close, it scared him. Gilbert could feel the thudding of Matthew's heart as he started rubbing soothingly on his back, but it made no difference. Matthew doubled over with a small grunt and started to shift.
"—he'll shift." Gilbert finished the sentence and backed up a bit. He held out his arm in front of Francis to stop him from trying to reach Matthew who was already shifting under the shirt and jeans. Within the minute, a rather puffed up bird sat shivering in the pile of clothes.
"Mon dieu! Gilbert, h-he changed into a bird." Francis stood there blinking at Matthew, unable to move.
"Ja. He's a shifter. Apparently they have those around the world." Gilbert shrugged as Francis bent down to get a closer look at Matthew, but kept his distance for the time being.
"Around the world?" Francis sounded just like a parrot which made Gilbert want to laugh, but more pressing matters needed to be discussed.
"Matthew, do you think he knows what you are?"
A small chirp and a nod of his head confirmed Gilbert's fear.
"But how?"
Matthew stayed silent. Gilbert took it to mean there was no answer to his question. If that was the case, it meant they were at a disadvantage.
"Well, he can't come in here at least. The door is locked and if he breaks it then I'll call the police. Mon Petite, you are so small. May I hold you?" Francis asked as he inched closer. Matthew gave a small nod, having come to trust the man after the shopping ordeal.
While Francis continued to fawn over Matthew, Gilbert made his way to the wall where he could peek and look at the door. Perhaps if he could see who was going to be 'hunting' Matthew then he could better protect the shifter, but alas there was no one at the door.
"He's gone. For now anyway." Gilbert turned to see Francis snuggling a small distressed ball of fluff against his cheek. "Franny!"
"He's so cute and soft. How did you find him?" Francis finally lowered Matthew who ruffled his feathers and chirped at Gilbert. "I suppose he wants you?"
Gilbert made his way over to Matthew and lowered his head a little as he had the day before. Matthew chirped his thanks as he climbed atop Gilbert's head and nestled in his hair. A bemused smile lit Francis's face as heat rose to Gilbert's cheek.
"What?" Gilbert asked as he folded his arms, just waiting for Francis to say anything demeaning.
"Nothing, I just think it's adorable how you two seem to understand each other so well. Now then, back to the matter at hand. You said he's gone?" Francis asked as he checked his watch.
"Ja. There was no one at the door and no one standing around as far as I could see. Maybe he thought he made a mistake or something? Whatever the case, he's gone." Gilbert picked up Matthew's clothes and started folding them. An apologetic chirp came from Gilbert's head. "No need to be sorry."
"Oui. By the way Gilbert, I want a full explanation of how you really found Matthew sometime, for now though I think it is best you take him home with how much he's been through. I can stop by later with dinner if you want." Francis held open one of the bags with Matthew's new clothes to help Gilbert put away the shifters old ones.
"Why are you helping so much?" Gilbert was taken aback by how quickly Francis had taken to Matthew's change. While the Francis and Gilbert held casual conversations in the store while Francis helped him pick out suits, it had by far never escalated beyond client and customer.
"Gilbert, are you seriously asking me this question? How can I allow sweet Matthew, who allowed me to dress him up as I pleased suddenly face this danger and live alone with you? He needs someone who can speak French and become his friend too."
While the offer seemed too sincere, Matthew chirped on top of Gilbert's head. Gilbert, who glanced up, but could not see the shifter, sighed. If Matthew thought it would be fine it meant they had nothing to fear from Francis. Not to mention since the change had occurred ahead of schedule thanks to this hunter, Gilbert had not been able to go shopping for food.
"Alles klar. When do you think you'll be over?" Gilbert asked as he took the three bags of clothes into his hands.
"I'll be there around seven thirty. Oh, will you be eating as well Matthew, as a human?" Francis's face nodded at whatever answer Matthew gave him. Gilbert guessed it would have been a yes since he would be well rested by the time Francis arrived.
"Bis dan." Gilbert realised as he grew more anxious towards Matthew and his well-being, he was slipping more and more into his native tongue. Francis nodded as the small group headed to the front of the store, where Francis unlocked the door and allowed them to leave.