A/N: Oh My God. Just wanted to say 'thank you' to all of you. I wasn't expecting so many people to care about this story. You guys reeeeally make me want to keep writing.

Anyway, it took me a while, with exams and all that, but here you have. An update. I was thinking on splitting it in two chapters, but I made you wait long enough.

Here it is. We're making progress! Hurray!

Always

Last thing Gilbert remembered was getting wasted with his new roommate, making an awful lot of 'that's what she said' jokes, calling out random numbers just to sing Disney songs incredibly out of key... then a huge blackout there…

...and oh God, did he REALLY let him change all his contacts' names? Who the hell was 'Batman' now?

First thing he woke up in the morning was the rough pain of having slept in a couch, a tremendous headache, and the feeling of a wet tongue licking his nose.

He slowly opened his eyes, groaning, only to find the brown eyes of a puppy looking at him expectantly. So he just stood there, frozen, wondering how the hell he had gotten into that situation. Was that dog there yesterday? Wait, was he even there last night?

This isn't even the weirdest awakening I've ever had after a drinking night. Nuh-uh, not even in the top 10.

Wait... is that good or bad?

After a few moments, and sensing no reaction from the man, the dog continued its ministrations.

"What...the...hell?" he mumbled, running his fingers through his hair and putting the dog gently on the floor.

He didn't realize he had said it out loud until he heard a voice coming from the other room, over the sound of a radio.

"Hey, seems that you've woken up. Good morning, sunshine" the cheery voice said.

How… why…when… Hey, isn't he hung over like me?

"You may not be used to this kind of question, but...why is a dog licking my face?"

"That's because you had maple syrup on your face" Duh.

Oh yeah, that explains everything. Except it doesn't.

Guided by the sound of the voice, he managed to find the kitchen. His back was still aching because of the couch, and it felt like someone was hammering his brain, but hell, it was worth it.

Matthew was in a pink apron.

A motherfucking pink apron and loose pajamas. This guy was just asking to be teased.

But not now. There would be pleeeeeeenty of time for that. Mwa ha ha.

"No, seriously, where did he come from?"

"Well... I found him when I was on my way from work. I was just taking care of him for a while, until someone adopted it. Carlos... my ex, was not very fond of dogs. Not that it matters anymore. Now that he's gone, the dog stays. Anyway, I'm making breakfast. Do you want anything?"

No hesitation. Matthew was amazed (and a little alarmed, to be honest) when before finishing the question came the response.

"Pancakes"

"But you ate pancakes yesterday"

"Yeah... and I nearly had an orgasm just by how awesome they tasted. Really, in my ranking of favorite meals, they're escalating quickly" he stated.

And he tried (and failed) to put puppy eyes.

"Pleeeeeeeeease?"

Matthew blushed a little, but laughed nonetheless.

"So pancakes it is. I'm glad you liked them, by the way"

"Meanwhile... can I take a shower? It's been a long night, and it promises to be an even longer day."

"Yeah, sure, let me show you the way. I'll get you some clothes from my wardrobe"

And not even a second after he stepped into the shower, a loud shout echoed through the walls.

"Oh. My. God. YOU USE GIRL SHAMPOO!"

A while later, they were both sitting on the kitchen table, Gilbert's hair still dripping wet, one inhaling all the food on the plate, the other sipping on his coffee and humming with content at the song on the radio.

"You know," Gilbert started "that shampoo was totally pink and all"

"It's a very manly shampoo, mind you" Matthew replied, calmly.

"Sorry bro, but the label said 'long, curly hair'. No man shampoo specifies which kind of hair it is made for. It is made for... all kinds"

"We've been having this argument forever. It's man shampoo, period."

Gilbert kept silent for a little while, but just when Matthew was beginning to relax, a Cheshire grin invaded his face. Later on, the shy Canadian would learn to fear that grin. He would learn to read the signals as soon as they appeared, and run far, far away.

Unluckily, for now he didn't, so the only think he had was a slight suspicion, and a really bad feeling about it.

I don't like where this is going...

"I bet your hair is soft and perfumed..."

And he lifted a hand, in an attempt to touch it, and probably stroke it while laughing at Matthew's "lack of masculinity". Which would have already been embarrassing enough, but Matthew realized with horror what the first target was.

He was planning on beginning with that curl. Yeah, because Murphy's a bitch.

I certainly don't like where this is going...

"Don't!" he shouted, although it sounded more like a yelp.

Gilbert withdrew the hand abruptly and looked at him, alarmed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't like it when people yank my hair" Well, not exactly… but for now, we could say so.

The albino kept staring at him with those red orbs, and Matthew thought he would drown in them. There was a bit of...understanding? Maybe he knew…. But how? When? He didn't get that drunk, did he?

But then, another Cheshire grin.

"You don't want me to touch it because you know I'm right. It's totally girlish" and he pinched the other's cheek, still smiling broadly.

And the Canadian thought he might as well give up, sensing that the other certainly wouldn't, and it was little prize to pay in comparison to... him touching... well, that.

"Yeah, Gilbert. You're right."

"Like I always am"

Matthew sighed.

"Like you always are"

What would be a good way to make him forget this topic? Quick, improvise something!

"More pancakes?"

And he knew he had found the right one when he saw the albino's smile broaden, and the dangerous hand patting his shoulder softly, far, far from his hair.

"God, I've got the feeling we will be greeeeeeeeat roommates" he heard the other say, and sighed in relief. He was safe for now.

Mental note: No matter what the problem is, or what question Gilbert asks, pancakes are always the answer.

They ate in silence for a while, but it was broken again not long after.

"The deal is still on, isn't it? I mean, I could always go to my brother's basement...again" Although the idea didn't sound appealing at all, Gilbert didn't want to look too desperate if the guy shrugged it off as just a drunken promise.

But instead, the blonde just raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Again?"

"I used to live there before I moved here. But theeeeeeen... lil' bro found love"

Oh, yeah, those were the days. It was so fun to see Luddy all red and embarrassed when I suggested he was in love… man, how I miss having someone to tease… Mattie seems promising, though…

"Awwwww. That's cute"

Oh no, he wasn't having any of that.

"No, wait, no 'aww' s here. As far as we are concerned, love sucks. I don't want... feelings... flowing through this house"

Feelings… feelings were so overrated. Feelings sucked. Feelings were what got them into this situation. Feelings were to blame. No more feelings, no more suffering.

"True that. And yeah, you can still live here if you want. We'll have to split the rent, though"

"Sounds fine to me. So, what should we do today?" he wanted to get settled as soon as possible, and he didn't quite want to face his…friends(?) again.

Truth is, I don't know if I'm mad at them anymore. I thought I was, but seeing Mattie here, getting through much worse than me and still managing to be calm, and smiling and all that… maybe I got too focused on the rage of being dumped. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment. I'm still feeling a little hurt, but… leaving was kind of sort of the right thing to do. I'd rather die than admit it, but maybe they were… maybe they were right. Maybe I overreacted…

I'm still not saying sorry, though.

"...move in? What do you think?" A voice got him on Planet Earth again.

"Hmmm? Sorry, I wasn't listening. I was thinking about…stuff" he answered, albeit still a bit absent-mindedly.

"I was saying…what about you get your things, and I start packing up his... and then you help me get rid of them so you can properly move in?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me."

So… should I talk to them or what?

"Hey Mattie…" he began.

"Yeah, what's it?"

"Do you think that I should talk to them? Try to fix it and all that?"

The only answer he got was a reassuring little smile, and that was more than enough.

Not a few seconds after he opened the door from what once was his apartment, he heard a voice calling, and suddenly two pairs of arms were crushing him.

"Gil! We knew you were coming to your senses!" Right through his ear. He appreciated the gesture, really, but if could be just a tiny bit quieter…

"Yeah, Thank God you're okay! We called your brother, but you were not there, and we were worried!"

"Could you please stop shouting? Gott, it's like you're hammering my brain! And where are my shades?"

They raised an eyebrow, so he just shrugged.

"I'm still hung over from yesterday. I went drinking with my new roommate... and hell, the boy's a heavy drinker. Didn't see that coming with that little body of his"

By the way, how did he manage to be so happy and cheery and… not hung over this morning? He was even singing! He can't be human. I refuse to believe there's an even heavier drinker than I am.

"New roommate?"

"Yeah, I told you yesterday, didn't I? I'm just here to get my things, clothes and all that stuff."

Aaand, judging by his blurring memories, he even posted it on Twitter. But he didn't judge them for not reading it, really. Out of every 10 buttons he had pushed, only one of them was the letter he was looking for. Either he was encouraging his followers to learn how to read hieroglyphs, or he was in desperate need of some kind of "drunk-block" on his mobile phone.

Now that he thought about it, he should also check his messages. Better yet, burn the phone and never look back. He didn't want to know what his drunken self thought acceptable to send to his family and friends…

...he really didn't.

"It was for real? Franny told me it was just a petty fight, that you'll come later..."

Oh no. Oh no no no. Here came the drama. And he was not one for drama. Whenever there were tears involved, he was at least 10 feet away. That was the rule.

Hello tears, goodbye Gilbert.

"I'm serious. I'm... I'm not really angry. It's just... you need your space, and I need mine. Not like we will never see each other again, I mean... I'm just next door. I'm even on the same floor!"

Now that I think about it, why haven't I noticed him before?

And just like that, with that simple two last words, all bitterness, all the arguments that could have ever been made, simply flew out of the window.

That could be left for later. There were more pressing matters right now.

"Wait a minute... you mean to tell me you're living with that cutie?" Francis looked about to have a heart attack.

"Now that explains everything..."

No, don't try to pull that trick on me. Don't.

Stop believing you're fucking matchmakers, for God's sake!

"HEY! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! WE'RE JUST ROOMMATES!"

"Yeah... sure..." Now there was absolutely no way to take that thought out of their heads. But hey, he tried.

"You know what I think about love. I will never fall for anybody"

They both rolled their eyes at the same time. Perfect synchronization achieved by years and years of dealing with him.

"Anyway, he has a boyfriend, so you'll have to work hard. But we know you can do it!"

"Get your facts straight, smartass. Not that I care or anything, but the kid has broken up with his fiancée yesterday. Right now he's packing his things."

For a moment, they looked as if they had stopped breathing.

Okay… so I have somehow fucked something up.

Waiting for the 'are you fucking stupid? In 3…

2…

1…

Waiting for it… waiting for it…

But it never came.

When Francis spoke it was with a calm, quiet voice, nearly a whisper.

"Hey, Tonio, you think this deserves a double facepalm, like I facepalm you and you facepalm me? Or should we just bang our head against the wall?" Pretty smooth. Something's wrong here "BETTER YET, WE SLAM YOURS, GIL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU DESERVE, YOU IDIOT"

Theeeeere it came.

"Gilbert, tío, eres imbécil.*"

"Where were you in 'How to Take Care of Broken Hearts 101' ?"

I never was. You were the ones who got your heart broken. I was the only one awesome enough to never fall for anybody.

"First rule: never leave them alone."

Wait... there isn't any concept such as 'privacy' or...

"He's, I mean, I..."

Was it really that hard to pack your ex's stuff? Wasn't it putting everything in a box, and then getting rid of it? Seemed quite easy.

Should I really go help him?

"But…"

"No buts... GO! We'll pack your things, don't worry."

Why do I have to be friends with people with... love lifes?

"…sure?"

There was a unanimous answer for that.

"WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?"

Two hours later, and after spending half an hour looking for empty boxes (really, the guy had a lot of stuff) they had finally managed to pack Gilbert's things and bring them in front of his new apartment's door. They were about to ring the bell, but they noticed the door was slightly ajar, and curiosity was just too overwhelming.

What they found, was a sight they'll never forget.

Tough Gilbert, arrogant Gilbert, 'feelings are overrated' Gilbert was hugging his roommate. Like, letting him put his head on his shoulder and all.

Who's him and what has he done with our friend?

And, to top it off, he was muttering sweet nothings. Gilbert. Our Gilbert. Sweet nothings…

…

…

Oooooookay… so maaaaaaaaybe… it was not exactly like that.

Gilbert miiiiiiiiight be putting his arm around the other's shoulder rather awkwardly, and moved his other hand around without knowing exactly where to place it. He tried for his hair, but then remembered something abruptly and withdrew it. Finally, he set it on the other's arm, caressing slowly. He looked like his brain was about to short-circuit, and his face was just priceless.

Halfway through 'What the fuck am I doing? Why is he crying?' and 'Can I touch him, or will he break?'

If Antonio and Francis weren't utterly shocked, they would be laughing so much right now.

Truth is, Gilbert had always been bad at comforting people. Like, the robot type. So, whenever he saw someone crying, and there was nobody else around he just stood there awkwardly and murmured what he thought could serve as encouragement words (usually just repeating 'there, there' and patting them on the shoulder), until someone else came to the rescue and he was freed.

But hey, this time he was trying nonetheless.

"There, there…Don't worry... it-it's okay now... I can d-do it if it's too much…" Poor Gilbert was trying really hard to find the words, and failing miserably.

Tell him everything will be alright, you idiot.

Luckily, telepathy seemed to work.

"E-everything will be alright… come on… why don't we get some ice-cream and…"

He attempted to move away, but an unintelligible sound came from Matthew, muffled by his own shoulder, and a tugging on his sleeve made him stop.

"No...I will not leave you until you want me to. I will stay here as long as you want. I will stay forever if you want. Just please, please, stop crying."

Antonio and Francis looked at each other for a moment, and slowly nodded. They closed the door as slowly as they could, and came back quietly to their apartment.

After they closed their own door, silence lasted… about two seconds.

"DID YOU HEAR THAT?" Francis all but yelled. He had to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

"HE FUCKING SAID HE'LL STAY THERE FOREVER." There was not a normal volume for this kind of things. They needed to be shouted.

"OUR LITTLE BOY HAS FALLEN IN LOVE... I'M SO PROUD~"

"I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!"

Well, so maybe they were a bit overreacting, but hey, who wouldn't?

"They will soooo end up together."

But then Antonio stopped, and looked at him in the eye.

"Oh come on, have you seen Gil? He's a hopeless fool for this kind of things. And he's so stuck in the 'I will never fall in love' phase that I doubt he will get out of denial"

"You underestimate the power of love, mon ami"

"And you underestimate the power of his stubbornness."

"Wanna bet?"

"Pfff... If you really want to lose money, who am I to deny you that?"

Translations:

"Gilbert, tío, eres imbécil": Gilbert, bro, you're an idiot.Not the literal translation, but that was more or less the meaning. Trust me, Spanish is my first language :)

A/N: I forgot to say it, but all the chapter's names are actually songs. Last chapter's was Mayday Parade's, and this one's from Blink 182. The title is part of the lyrics of the song "For Baltimore" (All Time Low) . They have nothing to do with the chapter's content, and you could survive without listening to them, but they're pretty awesome. Yup.

So, this chapter was lighter than the others, and I'm not sure if I'm that good at humor, or if I am even remotely funny. Let me know if you prefer the angst-y ones ;)

I hope they don't seem too OOC, and that Canada is not too cliché. It would be explained later, don't worry. And as to why France and Spain react like that, well... I just have the headcanon that they, having such strong relationships, feel pity for Prussia being so alone, even if he says he likes it. So, they just want him to find love and be happy. And they want to play matchmakers, too.

Review if you would also overreact like Francis and Antonio did!