Matthew and Alfred had a lot of rituals that they set in place throughout their childhood. And they never once broke any of them. Unless you count putting out the fireplace by peeing in it at 11:11 every November 11th because Matthew broke that one every year and is to this day astounded that Alfred managed it for six consecutive years.

None of this changed when they joined the Hetalia High student body.

The thirteenth of every month, the two would find somewhere to sit and watch the moon. The rules were simple: Never in the same spot twice and never without the Giraffe blanket.

In the third grade, their Uncle Scott had sewn them a blanket with a giraffe on it. Both of them adored that Giraffe blanket. There being two of them, conflict expectably arose. Long story short, Matthew ended up with the left half, the half with the nose, and Alfred got the half with the tail. It was a satisfying compromise.

That blanket had a place in majority of their rituals. Including moon watching on the thirteenth.

But, that month, Alfred was off playing though nations along with the rest of the baseball team. The only sport Alfred played that Matthew didn't.

That wasn't about to break their unbroken eleven year streak. They would moon watch in a place they never have before wrapped in a torn up giraffe blanket as they always did, only without the other by their side.

Gilbert didn't know any of this. He knew of the brother's rituals but not this one. Which is why he found it odd when he found Matthew padding his way up the fire escape with a hideous blanket draped around his shoulders like a cape.

"Oi, birdie? What are you doing up so late?" he called up to him before following. Matthew was so startled he lost his grip and almost fell off. After a moment of genuine concern Gilbert bursts into laughter that echoed around the idle campus.

"Gilbert," Mathew hissed in embarrassment. He dragged himself up the fire escape faster. Making soft clanging sound with his bare feet against the metal.

They reached the top of the dorm building.

"Cute jammies," Gil teased in a quiet voice with a smirk.

The snaky reply got caught in Matthew's throat as his face turned bright red in embarrassment. He just huffed in response.

He slung his legs over the ledge, waiting patiently for the clouds to part. He patted the spot next to him, inviting Gilbert to sit.

He took up that invitation and wrapped an arm around Matthew. The blanket was soft, even between the layers of his jacket.

"Seriously though, why're you up so late?" Gilbert asked again, his voice a whisper. There was something about the night that changed things. It felt like breaking a rule to break the silence. It would normally bother him to have to stay quiet but it felt right.

"I'm watching the moon," he whispered. Mathew's eyes were distant but clear, as if reliving a memory. Gilbert had a strong suspicion he actually was.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nostalgic things," Gilbert replied, cryptic.

"Oh, are days with me that bad?" Matthew breathes, mocking offense.

"Absolutely," Gil plated along. "Actually, things are better then they ever were before. I actually have friends here. There's nothing tangible that I really miss,"

"Tangible?"

"Yeah. There's nothing I could wish for that was real. I have a car. A phone. Every thing I really need. But, I miss the way I used to feel about things, you know?" Matthew nodded, wanting him to go on.

"I miss the way Christmas used to be so exciting and naps weren't as appealing because consciousness seemed like a better option. It's different now. Maybe for the better. I don't know," Gilbert sighed, still deep in thought.

Matt buried his face his Gil's arm. It was endearing how different Gil was at night. Not when they stayed awake to party or cram for a test but time like when Matt wanted to watch the moon, so Prussia tagged along. He spoke differently, quiet and thoughtful. His guard was down and he didn't even realize. The same mirth was in his eyes but it was softer, more playful. Matthew was yet to get over those eyes.

The clouds parted and he tore his gaze away from ruby red to the glow of the moon. They sat there for a while enjoying each others warmth against the cold air. The only sound was the soft howling of the wind.

"We should start one. Just for the two of us," Gilbert broke the almost silence.

"Start what?"

"One of those rituals. Every fourteenth of the month when we have school we met up here. We don't have to watch the moon. We'll just talk. You can tell me what you miss most or your biggest secrets and I'll tell you mine. We can trade stories-," he looked so excited as he went on about what they would talk about in their new ritual.

Matthew gave small smile. He didn't want to say anything, he just wanted to keep listening to him talk.

He would get a chance to listen. Because every fourteenth of school months they sat on that dorm roof and just talked for hours. About the things that couldn't be said in daylight.

Matthew learned that Gilbert still had trouble reading in English and refused to ask for help. His younger brother could read just fine without any help and it's embarrassing that someone younger could be so much better. Gilbert learned that Matthew despised half the sports he played. He only played some of them because his brother wanted him to and because he was good.

A lot they said was pointless. Gilbert would point to random clusters of stars and make up constellations on the sport.

"That one's called dick boy. Viking used the second star to find north in their travels," he said once. Matthew smacked him upside the head.

Even in the rain they would sit out there soaking to the bone and shivering.

Despite all the commitment and honesty they always tiptoes around one topic: each other. They were both falling fast and hard.

Matthew was scared of loosing the closest friend he's had that wasn't his brother. Gilbert hated broken hearts, whether it be his or Matthew's, he didn't want to see it.