AN: Ok, so I know this is late, but FF was being stupid when I went to post on the 31st. Anyway not happy with this chapter. It just got away from me and I had to cut it off in a really awkward place. Please enjoy and as always I just own the story!

'Absinthe? When the Hell did I order absinthe?' Matthew pondered as he extracted a tall, green bottle from the wooden crate that had been delivered earlier that day. He examined it for a moment before shrugging and placing it on the shelf next to the other liquor bottles he had unpacked as he was stocking. As he reached down into the box for another bottle the creak of the stockroom door opening drew his attention. He turned to face the entrance and a warm smile crossed his face as his cousin, Francis, came through the doorway.

"Bonsoir, Francis," he greeted happily as he walked up to the other man and embraced him. Francis returned the hug with an extra firm squeeze and a kiss to Matthew's cheek.

"Bonsoir, cher. How are you this evening?" Francis asked as they parted and he returned the grin with one of his own.

"I'm good," he replied simply before turning and walking back over to the crate. "So what brings you in tonight?"

"Oh, I am just having a few drinks with Antonio and an old friend of ours," Francis said casually as he sauntered up next to Matthew and looked over the selection of liquor bottles lined up on the shelf.

Matthew paused in placing another bottle on the unit and shot a sidelong look at his cousin.

"Anyone I know by chance?" he asked suspiciously as he settled the glass container on the rack and reached for another.

"Oui, cher. Do you happen to remember Gilbert Beilschmidt?"

The glass he had been lifting from the crate slipped from his grasp and clattered against the others as it settled back into the box. He whirled around at breakneck speed and focused a dark, icy glare upon the other blonde.

"You brought him to my bar?" he ground out disbelievingly through clenched teeth as his hands curled into fists at his side. His chest constricted painfully as he tried to keep his feelings of hurt and betrayal in check.

"Cher," Francis said reaching out to place a comforting hand on Matthew's shoulder only to have it angrily batted away.

"Don't you 'cher' me. You know what he did to me. How he hurt me," he spat out venomously.

"Oui, I do," Francis responded in a slightly apologetic tone.

"So, why would you bring him here?" Matthew questioned accusingly as he felt tears burning the corners of his eyes, but he refused to let them flow.

"Because he wants to speak with you about what happened nine years ago," Francis stated simply.

"What?" he said dumbly having been taken completely off guard by Francis' words. His fists unclenched and his posture became minutely more relaxed.

"There were things left unsaid from back then that he wishes to tell you now," Francis continued bolstered by the less defensive stance of his cousin.

"I'm pretty sure he said all he needed to back then," he said with his words taking on more of a sad tone rather than the angry one from before.

"No, cher, I don't think he did," Francis said as he hesitantly reached out and placed a hand on Matthew's shoulder. "Please just hear him out,"

Matthew stared dubiously at Francis as he mulled over his request. His immediate response would be to bodily throw not only Gilbert but his traitorous cousin as well from his establishment with several very choice words along the way. He didn't owe Gilbert anything after the things he had said all those years ago. Seriously, why should he invite all the hurt and anger he had long ago put behind him back into his life? Yet, there was a part of him, one irritatingly curious part, that wanted to know what Gilbert had to say. He worried his lower lip as he debated with himself before coming to a decision.

With a heavy sigh he let his body sag in defeat having given in to his curiosity.

"All right, Francis. I'll talk to him,"

"Merci, cher," Francis said with a thankful and relieved grin as he pulled Matthew into a quick hug. "You won't regret this,"

"That is left to be seen," Matthew said uncertainly as he felt a knot of dread start to form in the pit of his stomach and he began to second guess his decision as he pulled out of the hug.

"Don't be so pessimistic, Matthieu," Francis chided teasingly. "Now, shall I go and fetch Gilbert so that you two can have your tete a tete?"

"No, I-I'll talk to him after the bar closes," he stammered with a hint of panic in his voice.

Francis gazed at him in concern for a moment before shrugging his shoulder.

"As you wish. Until then, cher," he said giving Matthew's cheek a quick kiss before turning and leaving the store room.

As soon as Francis was gone Matthew slumped back against the liquor shelf and his head fell forward with a weary sigh. He was not prepared for this at all. He had known that he would run into Gilbert eventually, but he just hadn't expected it to be this soon. His emotions had been in a constant conflict since he had learned Gilbert was back. One minute he was fine and totally convinced that he was indeed completely over the other man. In other moments though he was in total agony and he yearned for what they had had before that awful night nine years ago. Images of the hated evening floated to the forefront of his mind and he gave his head a firm shake to chase them away.

He needed to do something to distract himself from his impending encounter and keep his mind occupied. Otherwise he would drive himself utterly mad with anxiety.

He straightened his posture and took in a deep calming breath before heading out to the bar. He would finish putting away the new inventory tomorrow.

With rapid steps he left the stock room and moved down the short hall to the swinging door. He pushed through the doorway and into the main room taking care to keep his eyes cast downward as he walked to the other end of the counter. He feared that if he even caught a glimpse of Gilbert he would lose his nerve and turn tail making for the hills.

He reached the bar entrance and flipped it up before slipping behind the counter.

"How's it going, Lov?" he asked as he stepped up next to Lovino and stooped down to look under the counter to make sure they had what they needed that evening.

"Nights still young," Lovino said casually shooting a curious look at his friend as he wiped the counter top. "What's going on, Matt?"

"What do you mean?" he replied as he continued to rummage under the bar.

"Don't fuck with me, pancake bastard. What did the wine bastard want?" Lovino snapped glaring down at him in anger and irritation that he would dare to try and dodge his question.

"It's nothing, Lovino," he said with a sigh as he stood up and turned toward his friend.

Lovino turned to face him as well with his arms crossed over his chest. The rag he had been using still held in his hand. His glower growing even darker showing he wasn't putting up with bullshit.

"The Hell it's nothing. You were fine until he talked to you. Now you won't lift your eyes from the floor," Lovino shot a quick glance across the room before leaning in closer to Matthew. "Does it have something to do with that albino potato bastard?"

Matthew let his head fall back and closed his eyes in irritation.

"You're not going to let this go are you?"

"Fuck no," Lovino said simply.

With a tired sigh he dropped his head and opened his eyes to meet Lovino's expectant yet concerned gaze.

"Gilbert wants to talk to me about what happened between us,"

Lovino's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing into a quizzical look.

"What could there possibly be for that asshole to say after all this time?" he asked rolling his eyes and giving the cleaning rag an exasperated flick.

"I' don't know, Lov. That's why I've agreed to talk to him when we close tonight,"

"Um, excuse me,"

Both men jumped slightly in surprise and turned their heads toward the counter. A rather peevish looking young woman stood before them with a hand placed on her cocked out hip.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but could I get three rum and cherry cokes?"

Lovino glowered at her as he opened his mouth to reply with a sarcastic retort, but Matthew cut him off.

"Yes ma'am. I apologize and will have those for you right away," he said with a grin before turning to get what he needed for her order. When his eyes met Lovino's he mouthed the word 'later' and went about mixing the drinks.

After that business picked up dramatically and Matthew had never been more thankful for the Saturday rush. He loved having Lovino for a bestfriend but sometimes the Italian man was just too much for him to deal with.

As the night wore on he found that he had no time to even think about his upcoming meeting. Which was a blessing because before he knew it the bar had closed and he was left alone with Gilbert. He vaguely recalled Lovino protesting their being left with each other, but Antonio had managed to coerce him to leave.

Now he stood staring across the room at a man he had not seen in nine years and he was pretty sure he was going to pass out from how anxious he was. His heart raced and his breathing came in quick bursts as they stood awkwardly observing each other. Both of them obviously not wanting to be the one to speak first.

He didn't believe it was possible, but somehow Gilbert had managed to become even more attractive. The last vestiges of adolescence that he had had when they had last seen each other were gone. Now he was broader and more defined in his fully matured body. He found himself wondering what other changes lie hidden beneath that well put together outfit and was instantly angry with himself for doing so. He was not here to ogle and come up with jerk off scenarios. No, he was here to appease his curiosity and hear what Gilbert had to say.

Closing his eyes he took several deep soothing breaths as he bolstered his courage. He opened his eyes as he straightened to his full height and locked eyes with the man across from him.

"Francis said you wanted to talk to me," he said with more strength and conviction than he actually felt.

"Yeah. Um…" Gilbert trailed off as he nervously scratched at the back of his neck. He watched as Gilbert opened and closed his mouth several times as if he was uncertain of what he wanted to say. After a minute or so of floundering his face morphed into a mask of frustration and he heaved a heavy sigh.

Matthew watched as the other man closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths just as he had done earlier. When those crimson orbs once more opened and connected with his own eyes they were filled to bursting with conviction.

Without warning Gilbert strode across the small pace until he stood directly in front of him. Taken by surprise he was unable to react as Gilbert took his hands into his own.

"I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry, Mattie," Gil said with regret and apology coating every word like chocolate ganache.

Still immobilized by Gilbert's sudden actions he was unable to react immediately, but as those words sank in he could feel an inferno of rage and hurt build up inside him.

"You're sorry," he spat out as he snatched his hands away and focused all his emotion into a heated glare that could melt glaciers. "What exactly are you sorry for?"

Gilbert had the good sense to look ashamed as he coward slightly under Matthew's angry gaze.

"Birdie, I…"

"NO! You do not get to call me 'Birdie'," he snapped his rage intensifying upon hearing the old pet name Gilbert had called him. "In fact, you don't get to call me anything ever again,"

Turning away from Gilbert he started to walk away so that he could cool his rage. He had known that he was not ready to have this discussion with the other man. He was to emotionally volatile and not thinking clearly. Maybe they could try again some other time.

He had barely taken three steps when he felt strong arms wrap around him from behind pinning his arms to his sides and he was pressed back into a broad chest.

"Let me go, Gilbert!" he cried out indignantly as he struggled to free himself from the other man's hold.

"Not until you agree to listen to what I have to say," Gilbert replied as he pulled his head back to dodge Matthew's reverse headbutt.

"No! The last time I listened to anything you had to say you broke my heart and left me!" he shouted as he lifted his foot and brought his heel down hard on the toe of the other man's boot. Gilbert gave a pained grunt, but his hold did not loosen. Instead Matthew abruptly found himself lifted into the air and he yelped in surprise.

"You know I had no choice in leaving," Gil countered as he fought to keep hold of Matthew as he held him in the air.

"Which was one of the very few reasons I even agreed to talk to you instead of kicking your sorry ass out of my bar," he snapped as he brought both his legs up before jerking them back down hard causing his heels to collide with Gilbert's shins.

"Son of a…" Gilbert barked in pain instantly releasing Matthew in response to his injury.

Matthew's feet hit the floor and he stumbled forward as he was freed. Once he had gained his footing he turned to face Gilbert his visage a tableau of unmitigated fury.

"What, you thought we would have some long distance romance? Sorry kiddo. I don't know what fairy tale you think you live in, but that isn't happening. You are a pretty good lay and it's been fun but we're through. Do you remember that?" he bite out venomously.

Gilbert, having recovered from the assault on his shins, looked at him with his eyes full of shame.

"I know what I said to you back then was hurtful,"

"That's an understatement," he interjected sarcastically.

"But if you'd just let me explain," Gilbert said his tone pleading.

"What is there to explain? You were pretty clear with your message back then," he countered with a sneer.

"No, Matt. Everything I said that night was a lie,"

AN: Ok, so we get more explanation next chapter.