Sup, guys! I hope you all enjoy chapter 8!
White eyelashes parted as Gilbert's eyelids fluttered open slowly. He was blinded by bright white light, and it didn't take him long to figure out where he was. Hospital, I'm in hospital. He realised that he was wearing a hospital gown, and the cuts on his legs had been treated and bandaged.
Crap, the doctors saw. Hope they didn't tell Ludwig. His arms too, up to the elbow, were wrapped in white cloth.
Panic flooded through him; he sat up straight, looking around for - Mattie. He was fast asleep in the hospital bed next to his, the curtain partially drawn. Seated next to Mattie's bed, clutching one of his hands, was Arthur. His bright green eyes flicked over to the albino. "Oh, thank heavens," He breathed, standing. "You're awake. H-hang on, I'll get Ludwig."
Once he left, Gilbert tried to sit up, but there was a throbbing headache and a wave of dizziness, so he lay down again, watching Matthew's sleeping form as if he were a guard dog.
Thundering footsteps could be heard coming down the hall, and Ludwig stepped quickly into Gilbert's ward. "Bruder! Are you ok?" His deep voice sounded so concerned, Gilbert hoped he hadn't put him through too much stress. "Ludwig, I'm alright."
Ludwig bowed his head as he sat next to the bed, putting a hand onto Gilbert's arm -which, he noticed, had been redressed because of the wounds- and let out a sigh.
Then, the inevitable questions came. "What happened to you?"
"We...we were beaten up, by a group of homophobes." As blue eyes widened, Francis and Arthur had entered the room also.
Homophobics? Thought Ludwig, But Gilbert's n….oh, right. Matthew. "Where did they get you?"
Wheezing, the albino replied, "O-outside the cinema, in the car park. B-but, I...I started the fight. I got Mattie dragged into this, I'm sorry," earnest red eyes looked at the couple before his bed.
"What do you mean?" Asked Arthur, brow furrowed.
"Well, the guys were mouthing off and stuff, but I was the one who...who hit first." A look of understanding passed between the three adults.
"What set you off." Ludwig's hand tightened. Gilbert sagged. "They thought Mattie was a girl, and went after him. Found out he was a guy and called us faggots," Both Francis and Arthur flinched at the last word, "then the ringleader, he-" Gilbert looked at Ludwig, "-saw my eyes."
Ludwig nodded slowly. Oh. So that's what happened.
"So, were they attacking Matthew, too?" Another question from the Brit. Gilbert shook his head. "Nein, only after he tried to help me." Francis folded his arms. "Then you didn't drag him into this, exactly: he knew what he was going to do and he did it."
"We should call the police," Stated the muscular German.
"Why? They won't be able to do anything." Gilbert's tone was dismissive, but Ludwig kept on. "That may be so but they'll need to know what happened. Those guys...it wasn't just a playfight."
Damn fucking right. If I could take them all on again I would, and I'd be sure to kill them before...before Mattie got hurt… Gilbert forced himself to sit up properly, crying out at the burst of pain from his chest. "Bruder, don't-" Began his younger brother.
Strained against the railing, Gilbert continued. "H-has Mattie woken up yet? What did they do to him?"
Francis looked mournful. "Non, he hasn't awoken yet. We don't know about his injuries either-" Just then, a short nurse trotted in, clutching her clipboard tightly to her chest. She said in a whisper, "Mister Gilbert Beilschmidt, is it?" Gilbert nodded.
"We have your report. It appears you have a couple of cracked ribs, but no other serious injuries." Gilbert let out a breath. That explains why breathing hurts. The nurse added, "It is advised that for the next three months you do not participate in too much exercise or operating heavy machinery, and you will need to rest and relax until your ribs are completely healed. Feel free to take any painkillers needed with caution and seek more medical advice if the pain gets worse or other symptoms arise. Now," She faced Francis and Arthur. "You are the parents of Mister Matthew Williams, yes?"
Nods. "We've checked him for serious injuries and we haven't found anything other than a few bruises and pulled muscles. I would recommend the same advice for him, nothing too stressful mentally or physically. We gave him a sedative just in case he's shaken up, alright?"
"Did you do that to me, too?" Gilbert asked, and received a firm her excuses, the nurse left abruptly. Well, at least I know he's not badly hurt, Gilbert thought as his gaze once again settled on the sleeping Canadian.
Matthew woke up an hour later, to be surrounded by his fretting parents and worried friend. The police arrived soon after, the officers taking down the men's details, what exactly happened and where, and recording what the gang members looked like.
After the officers left Gilbert commented, "They could still be unconscious in the car park."
"Nein," Said Ludwig, "I drove there before I got a call from Francis; the car park was empty." Mattie hadn't said anything since the police had gone. He sat huddled in the sheets of his hospital bed, his hands linking his arms around his knees.
Ludwig, Arthur and Francis left them to get some more rest.
"Mattie? You awake?" Said Canadian rolled over to face him, and Gilbert was still shocked at how swollen his face was after being hit. "O-oui." His voice was so quiet, so shaky...Matthew's eyes began to water.
No, no don't cry, Mattie, bitte… Grunting with the effort, Gilbert pushed himself out of bed, gripping the curtain railing for support.
Mattie mumbled, "Gilbert y-you should stay in b-bed, your ribs…"
"Move over." Reluctantly, he did, and Gilbert lowered himself down next to him on his bed, the pain coursing up his body. "A-ah, I think they should've given me more morphine," He joked. Mattie used a bare forearm to wipe his nose. "S-sorry, I'm all snotty," He tried to manage a smile but it didn't hold.
"I don't mind, everyone has snotty moments." He looked down at the smaller man, who was growing so shaky. "Matt, come here."
"No, you're badly hurt, and-" Before he could say anything more Gilbert put an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. Sighing, secretly grateful, Matthew rested his head on Gilbert's shoulder, his messy blonde hair falling around his face.
They rested quietly for a while.
"Gilbert, why don't you seem...shaken up?" The German thought about it. "...Because I'm used to being beaten up." He said finally.
"T-that's horrible," Mattie whispered, balling his fist and putting it over his mouth. "Especially for….someone like you."
Gilbert frowned. "What do you mean?"
"W-well, you're a really nice person, and….I can't see why anyone would feel the need to hit you." That made the albino smile. Despite the pain, despite the exhaustion, he still felt happy to have Matthew at his side. The blonde man began to sniffle again, and Gilbert said softly, "It's alright. They won't ever touch you again." Small smiles were exchanged.
"G-Gilbert, can I….ask you something?"
"Sicher, shoot." Mattie looked away, twiddling his thumbs. "Um…would you...maybe….stay w-with me, for a bit? You could come b-back to mine."
White eyebrows rose. "Like, to stay over? It's your parents' apartment….would they mind?" He's so nervous, it's almost like he's in shock. Then again, he's never been hit before.
"W-well, it was actually their suggestion, when they saw how….You don't have to, I'll understand if you feel like you want to go home."
Gilbert looked at him, blinked once. Mattie's confidence crumbled. "N-nevermind, just forget I said anything-"
"I'd like to." A head of golden hair turned back to face him. "R-really?"
Anything to make you feel better. "Ja."
"A sleepover?" Ludwig echoed as he handed Gilbert his day clothes and pyjamas he'd brought him last night.
"Well, not a sleepover exactly...It was suggested by Francis and Arthur, and Matthew wants me with him…"
"Why?" The blonde's huge frame was situated on a chair next to Gilbert's hospital bed. Aforementioned albino scowled at the question. "Because, he's just had the shit beaten out of him, and he's not even used to being noticed! I can completely understand why he wouldn't want to be alone-"
"Alright, beruhige dich. But he does have his parents with him-"
"Lud, do you remember when we were little?" Blue eyes averted to the floor. "Don't…"
Gilbert continued nonetheless, "When Vater tried to hit you, and I always stopped him? I don't regret doing that, never will. But who did you want to be with after his attacks?"
Sun-kissed hands clenched. "...You."
"Ja, because I went through it with you. So...can you see, now? About Mattie?" Ludwig nodded his head, his styled hair shining. "It's strange when you act the age you are." That got a smirk from his older sibling. "Don't worry, I won't act like this for long."
Just until Mattie's feeling better, I guess.
Bags and boots rested on the floor of Francis's and Arthur's apartment.
"Shall I make you boys some tea?" Arthur was already making his way to the kitchen as Francis left to go and set up an air mattress. "Ja, bitte, Mr Bonnefoy." Gilbert replied, getting Mattie to let out a giggle.
"You are sorely mistaken if you think I took his last name," The Brit stated proudly as they waited for the kettle to boil. "I kept my own. But please just call me Arthur."
Each man holding a steaming mug between their hands; Gilbert and Matthew sat on the sofa. Seeing as he didn't get a good look around the first time he'd come here, Gilbert noticed the finer details of the living room: a small flatscreen TV, cabinets full of ornaments, nice furniture, and a few photos hanging on the walls. One imparticular caught his attention: a school photo taken of Mattie and another boy next to him, who had shorter hair with a cowlick, and looked exactly like the blonde Canadian.
"Is that your brother?" He gestured to the painting. Matthew nodded, sipping his tea. "Yeah, that's Alfred."
"He looks just like you." In response to this comment the petite blonde shook his head. "Non, he's older than me so, technically, I look likehim." Gilbert tried to give a skeptical glance, and stuck his tongue out. Smartass.
And so the silence descended again, neither bothering to continue the conversation. What the hell can I say to make him feel better, Gilbert thought as his brain savagely attempted to think of cheerful things to say.
Cheer up, at least they didn't kill us! ...Nein, too dramatic.
You looked pretty fucking badass out there! ….Too overwhelming.
Tell me what I can do to make you feel better. ...Too flirty! Verdammt, brain, I'm done with you.
"W-wanna watch some TV?" Mattie's tone was soft, still jittery.
Gilbert sat forward a bit, gripping the tea mug. "Ja, ja sure." After scrolling through endless channels, they ended up watching some flog-it business show, neither of them paying attention.
"Mattie, how are you feeling now?" Tell me the code word. Violet eyes, uncertain and chilled, met his. "I-I'm...fine." That's it. That's all I need to know. Internally, the albino sighed. So he's still pretty shaken up.
Francis strolled into the kitchen, shutting the door so the younger men wouldn't hear. "I've set up the mattress," He stated, "but I don't know where to put it." Arthur, leaning against the sink, set his mug down. "Why not just put it in Matthew's room?"
Francis tongued his cheek nervously. Arthur tilted his head, exasperated. "Oh, you don't really think that they're going to do anything, do you?"
"Je ne sais pas," The Frenchman muttered, long arms folded against his lean body. "Matthieu's just been through a traumatic experience, I doubt he wants another so soon."
The blonde Brit fought a chuckle. "That was terrible." His lover flashed a smirk. "Look, love, if you think it's better to have him sleep somewhere else then we can put him in the living room." Arthur amended, putting the empty mug into the sink. Francis's arms wrapped around his waist from behind, and his long silvery hair spilled over Arthur's left shoulder as he pressed back into him.
"J'espère qu'il s'en remettra," Whispered Francis. "I hope Matthieu will recover."
"He will. He's got all of us to help him, and Gilbert knows what they went through, even if he did say he started it."
"I cannot blame him," Francis pulled away to look into those jaded orbs. "I may have done the same thing, if they were saying those horrible things about him et Matthieu."
"Mm," Arthur pouted, "Hang on, I thought Gilbert was straight? If he is why are you worried anything will happen?"
"Because have you seen how cute our son is? He's adorable!"
"Stop saying that, dear, it's creepy."
Eventually it was decided that Gilbert would be allowed to sleep in Matthew's room. Gilbert, having had no participation in this decision, simply accepted it. Much of the day passed quietly and calmly; by the evening everyone was grateful for the darkness, and the reason not to talk much.
It was getting late, and Mattie had gone into the bathroom to change while Gilbert used his room. However, as soon as he was changed he turned and he caught his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Aside from the scrapes he'd suffered, the black eye was the worst thing: the imprints of knuckles circled the socket, and the flesh around his left eye was covered in shades ranging from purple to blue to yellow. He really didn't like the fact that part of his face was the same colour as his irises.
Tears welled and were running down his cheeks before he could comprehend it. It wasn't because he had been beaten up necessarily, it was because he didn't understand why.
Mattie closed his eyes. Upon opening them again, he saw Francis's tall reflection in the mirror, and turned slowly.
"Papa…" He didn't care that he was 20 years old, or that he was a guy, he was hurting and he wanted his daddy. Sobs breaking through the silence, he huddled into his father's opened arms.
Francis wrapped his arms around Mattie's body, covered in his two-piece baby blue pyjamas. "Shhh, it's alright, cher," He cooed, swaying gently like he used to when Mattie was a baby.
"I-I don't get it," Mattie whispered into his chest. "I didn't do anything. I just told them to leave us alone. D-do they hate me because I'm gay?" Wide violet eyes met pale blue, and Francis licked his lips. "...There are some people in this world who are, very stupid. Like homophobic people. They're not going to accept homosexuals, so they attack them."
"B-but 'phobia' means fear. They didn't look scared, they were angry." Images and memories of the scuffle ran through his mind as he spoke.
"Oui, it does, but that's the trick. Anger is a mask of fear, it almost always is. They were scared because they couldn't accept it, so they tried to put you down." Matthew's brow creased. "They called Gilbert names, too, but he didn't fight back until they…"
"Until they what?" Francis tilted his head.
Soft hands clenched. "Until they called him a demon."
No wonder he snapped, thought the Frenchman, remembering how upset Gilbert had been talking about his past and the bullies who'd called him just that. "That's disgusting behaviour," Francis's tone was firm. "I think they deserved what you gave them, Matthieu." Mattie smiled a little, "It was mostly Gilbert, I just tried to help him. I-I know I should've called the police right away, but I was stunned and then they-"
"Shh, I understand. Maybe your ice-hockey self wanted to see some violence, eh?" His father winked and it earned a small chuckle. Francis used a slender digit to wipe away his tears. "Dry your eyes, sweetheart. Go get some sleep." Nodding, Mattie sniffed and began to walk away.
Just to be a tease, Francis called, "When I say sleep I mean sleep, though."
"Papa!"
Gilbert was sat still on the air mattress, dressed in his usual long-sleeved black Tee and jogging bottoms, barefoot, when Mattie came in.
Holy shit, he looks adorable. Are those baby blue PJs? ….Ja, ja, sie sind.
"...bert….Gilbert?" He blinked. "Was?" Mattie lowered himself onto his bed. "You alright? Your eyes were glazed over."
"U-uhm, ja, I'm fine. What about you?"
"F-feeling a little better that you're here." A blush adorned both of their faces. "I-I mean-"
"Nein, that's good." Gilbert offered a soft smile.
Mattie pulled the covers over himself. "Y-you ok if I turn out the light?" A sudden panic went through Gilbert's being, as he thought about his hallucination. Could that happen again? I wouldn't want to put Mattie in danger. Even so, he replied with, "Ja, it's fine."
I'll just have to hope it doesn't happen tonight.
They lay there in his room, breathing softly, when Matthew's quiet Canadian voice rattled into the darkness. "Hey, you awake?"
"Am now." Was something wrong, was he alright?
"Désolé," Came the reply, "I was just wondering." I wonder if I'll get any sleep, Gilbert thought in a moment of sleep-deprived bitterness. However, questions started to flood his mind. "Oi, Mattie?"
"Oui?"
"...The other day, with those guys…" He began softly, "how come you didn't react to the names they called you?" Wish I could be that calm around idiots like that.
A rustling was heard as the smaller man sat up in bed. "Oh...I guess I get used to the names, so I ignore them."
Gilbert, too sat up. "Really. You don't mind people calling you a…." No. He wouldn't repeat it. But Matthew did. "A faggot?"
"...Ja."
The blonde cleared his throat. "Well, I...I'm not used to people noticing me, so I always expected people to not care that I'm gay. B-but, every so often someone sees me, and they find out, and I…" He sighed. "Sometimes I'm just grateful for the attention." That shocked the albino; his eyes widened in the dark. "Mattie, there are better kinds of attention to have than idiots mobbing you," Gilbert stated. "I wouldn't let anyone call me that, if I was gay. You have to start standing up for yourself-"
"But I've never needed to," Interrupted Matthew, "everyone ignores me or forgets me. What's it matter if a few homophobes stop and jeer for a minute? They're not all like those guys at the cinema, it's best just to ignore them."
"You can't let them ridicule you for who you are," Gilbert growled. "I stood up for myself when they...called me a…..But, you also need to be proud of yourself. Take them down a peg." Mattie's voice was also stern now. "There's no point in taking them down a peg, they'll never learn. It's a waste of my time and energy." Footsteps sounded walking past the door.
Voices now turned into whispered shouts. " So it's a waste of energy trying to be strong?"
"It's a waste of energy trying to be strong all the time!" Matthew sighed, calming down. "No one is perfect. Homophobes are just pathetic, scared people who aren't worth my time. That's all I'm saying, Gil."
The albino's arms were unfolded slowly. "...I know. I guess I'm just an aggressive person."
"You're not aggressive, just defensive." Red eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're always expecting someone to criticise you or hurt you, so you try to be hostile."
Ouch. "Do I really do that?" Mattie's reply was hesitant. "...Yes?"
"Are you asking me or telling me." Another pause. "...Telling you?"
Gilbert chuckled, even though the action made his ribs hurt."You're cute. Sorry for arguing, I didn't mean to stress you out."
Silence for a few minutes. Then, "I'm not a complete wimp, you know." Mattie's voice was resigned, calm. "I did used to be on an ice-hockey team. I can still remember getting pretty beaten up on the ice, but it was fun. It was just a game. I only….I only seemed shaken up because t-those guys took me by surprise when they hit back worse."
Gilbert smiled. "Yeah. Glad I managed to cave a few faces in. I can't believe they thought you were a girl."
Mattie bit his lip. "Do I really look that girly?" Well, you do have Francis's hairstyle. "Uh…Nein."
"You hesitated."
"I didn't." More rustling as Mattie moved around. "You did."
"I didn't mean to! It's just...nevermind."
"What? Do I look like a girl?" Queried the blonde, almost as a warning to Gilbert. Treading on thin ice here. "You , uh, well you have long hair, so….stereotypically if you were wearing baggy clothes…."
"So I do look like a girl." He's angry, he's getting pissed at me. Gilbert moved back into the mattress in the dark room. "N-no, but you do have a, sort of….feminine face." There. He'd said it. Now he just prayed his death by hockey stick would be quick and painless.
But nothing hit him around the face; instead, Mattie turned on the little desk lamp again, sitting cross-legged on the bed. His eyes met Gilbert's. "How is my face feminine?"
"I- uhm...Can't see your face very well from here." Mattie hopped off his own bed and onto the air mattress, getting it to bounce as he sat close to the albino. His blue PJs were ruffled and his hair hung loosely around his shoulders. He repeated his question.
Gilbert tried not to meet his gaze. "Maybe it's just the glasses, I mean, you don't look feminine now." Did I save it? Mattie sat back on his heels. "I don't?"
Goddamn it why do you sound disappointed make your mind up!
"W-well, perhaps...your face is sort of round, and...your lips are sort of girly." WHAT ARE YOU SAYING GILBERT, YOU CREEP. He cringed internally.
Matthew pouted, touching his face with his fingertips. "Uhm...ok. I know the black eye must make my eyes look bad now though-"
"No they don't." That made the Canadian stop, and look up to the white-haired German, who smiled at him. "It's a bit weird to see you without glasses, but your eyes look fine." Gilbert's tone had gone into a hush again, and even though he could feel himself drifting towards Mattie's face he didn't stop.
Mattie looked genuinely flattered by the comment, and gave a return smile, his cheeks tinged pink. Gilbert whispered, "I like your eyes, too, Mattie." Their faces drew closer together, Matthew unsure of whether he wanted to close his eyes, neither knowing how long until their lips would meet-
"Ah!" Gilbert pulled away, the sharp stab of pain from his ribs sending shocks along his spine. "A-are you ok?" Matthew's concerned face was still coloured red, as he tucked his hair behind his ears.
"J-ja, just a bit sore," He managed through gritted teeth. He wasn't sure what to say now as the tension rose between them. I...almost kissed him. I almost kissed Mattie!
Both unwilling to make additional conversation, Mattie returned to his bed and lay with his back to his friend, his friend who had just been about to act on the thought of kissing him. Silently cursing his impulsive actions, the white-haired man also turned his back to Matthew and drifted slowly into a light sleep.
The room was unbearably dark and shadows seemed to move in the peripheral field of Gilbert's vision. Sitting up, bracing himself in his palms, the albino's eyes scanned the nothingness before him, wondering if it was going to happen again.
Surely enough, perched in the corner of Mattie's room, next to the wardrobe, sat the black feline. Meow.
He watched with wide eyes as it's headlight-pupils lit up it's surroundings as its pink tongue rasped along its upturned paw, watching him. It was cleaning blood from the claws.
A blood-boiling anger flowed into Gilbert's veins and he snarled, his eyes darting to Mattie's sleeping form. His chest puffed out protectively. "Nein," He whispered harshly. "Not tonight. I have someone to protect tonight."
With a hiss of resentment, the cat stood and slinked back into the shadows of both the room and his mind.
Translations:
Sicher - Sure
Je ne sais pas - I don't know
J'espère qu'il s'en remettra - I hope he will recover
Ja, ja sie sind. - Yes, yes they are.
Désolé - I'm sorry
