Matthew had attempted to fix Kumajiro. But his hands were shaking so badly he just gave up and threw everything on the floor. After a few minutes of him just sitting there Alfred burst into the room.
"Hey Mattie! I heard you screaming up here and decided that you needed a hero!"
Matthew frowned, "I don't need a hero Alfred."
Alfred looked down at the decapitated stuffed animal on the floor, "What happened to Kuma?"
"I kinda freaked out and ripped his head off."
"Oh. Well why did you freak out?"
"No reason."
"Okay then. I'll see you later I guess," Alfred walked out of the room, leaving the door wide open.
Matthew sighed and walked across the room to shut the door. When he locked it so Alfred couldn't burst in he turned around and saw a monster outside his window. Matthew screamed but then he noticed it wasn't a monster. It was just Gilbert trying to get into his room so he didn't have to go through Alfred.
Matthew opened the window and Gil climbed in.
"I thought you would never open the window!"
"How long have you been there?"
"Just to see Alfred burst into your room like the asshole he is. He should give you some privacy!"
"Uh... Yeah. Wait, how did he not see you there?"
"If you stay really still he can't see you."
"You make him sound like he's a T-Rex or something."
"He's got the brain the size of one."
Matthew nodded, "I guess you're right. So why are you here?"
"I came to apologize."
Matthew leaned against the wall and crossed him arms, "Apologize about what?"
Gilbert sighed, "You know... freaking out about Ivan and all. I've never really liked him and he gets really violent and I just don't want him to hurt you in any way. I'm sorry I freaked out but please, stay away from him."
Mattie sighed and looked out the window. Gilbert must really love him because he apologized. But there was something about Ivan that Matthew liked. He couldn't exactly put his finger on it. Actually, he could. Ivan noticed him and wanted to be friends with him.
Gilbert stared at his boyfriend, waiting for an answer. He preferred an acceptance of his apology, he doesn't just hand them out to anyone.
"I love you Gilbert. But, I think Ivan is really nice. I want to get to know him myself before accepting the judgments of other people."
Gil ran a hand through his hair, "You have no idea what he's done, Matthew. He's killed people."
"How do you know that?" he didn't let Gilbert answer because he already knew the response, "Let me guess... rumors?"
"Just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it isn't true."
"Just because you've heard it doesn't mean it's true either."
"I'm gonna go home, I should pick up dinner for me and West. I love you," he climbed out the window and hopped down to the ground.
Matthew immediately felt guilty. Hell, he felt even worse after Gilbert told him that he loved him. He was furious at himself. He felt his body turn hot and he picked Kumajiro's head up from the floor.
"What's wrong with me Kuma?" he asked.
There was no response from the usually rude bear.
Meanwhile, with Gilbert
Gilbert picked up some weird Italian take-out that Antonio had recommended to him. When he got home he saw his brother, Ludwig, lying on the couch watching T.V.
"Hey, West! I got one of your favorites! PASTA!"
Ludwig got off the couch and opened his container, "Where'd you get it?"
"Just some place Antonio told me to go to. He must've taken Lovino there or something."
Ludwig ate a forkful of the noodles and sighed.
"What's wrong, Luddy?"
"Nothing, why?"
Gilbert shrugged, "You don't seem to be enjoying your food. Or does it have to be made by Feli for you to enjoy it."
"No, it's good. There isn't anything wrong with me. Is there anything wrong with you?"
"Well, I'm afraid Birdie is going to get murdered by Ivan."
Ludwig's eyes widened, "Ivan's doing what to him?"
"I hope Ivan isn't. But I'm just afraid."
West nodded, "I can see why. Ivan isn't really someone anyone would want to be around."
Meanwhile, with Ivan
Ivan woke up and rubbed the back of his head. Complaining about how restrained Matthew seemed to be really wore him out. He leaned the back of his head against his nightstand, "Mr. Nightstand... ugh, I can't fool myself. Calling you Mr. Nightstand doesn't make me forget who you really are." He rolled over onto his knees and pressed his forehead against the top drawer, "But someday, when I'm ready to accept the fact you are who I know you are I'll stop calling you this stupid name."
He stood and looked at the shattered glass on the floor from the vodka bottle. He grabbed a broom from the kitchen and swept it up. When he finished cleaning he ran into his room, his face red.
"Why?" he fell to his knees and hugged his nightstand. Tears fell out of his eyes like they were faucets. When his body ran out of tears he straightened his back and wiped his eyes, "I think I'm finally ready to look at you again.
He slowly opened the drawer and pulled the terrible memory out of his drawer. He pulled out a decapitated head. The pale skin was clinging to the skull, the eyes were closed. The hair was still long and pulled back in a ponytail.
"Yao, I'm sorry."
