Chapter 8

Lots of red and complications

"My computer thinks I'm gay"

-Too many friends, Placebo


You can imagine, perhaps, that the next day I was actually dead. Well not proper dead, but I am not too far from it.

It's 2:23 pm and I am currently lying, face down, on my soft clean mattress. "At last!" I breathe relieved and beyond tired.

Long story short last night was mess. Well, you've probably figured that by now, but I have to make sure. The only good part in this whole deal: my mum is not asking questions.

"Thank God is Saturday!"

So, let's see what the current situation is:

1. The room is spinning with me? Check.

2. I can feel parts of my body that I never thought existed? Check.

3. I can't feel the rest? Check.

4. I am so tired I can't fall asleep? Check.

5. If my mum knew of my latest adventures, she'd kill me? Check.

Yeah. That's it, mostly. I took a lengthy shower before crashing into bed and now I am trying to fall asleep, but it doesn't seem to happen too soon.

"Get your lazy out of the bed, idiot!" someone shouts, but I am not so sure about it. "Now! Up, up!"

I jolt up awake and look around the room, but there's no one around. Huh. Strange.

"Uuughh. What's the time anyway?" I ask the air.

I am not sure whether it's morning or night- it's just dark. After searching for my phone for about ten blurry and dizzy minutes, I find it tossed at the bottom of my closet. Hell if I know how it ended up there!

9:29 pm.

I sigh running a hand through my hair. I should head downstairs and eat something or my stomach might start believing my head's been cut off my shoulders.

Groaning and moaning, I finally manage to reach the kitchen where I find my mum cheerfully cooking. I swear that's all she does lately; must be a mum thing.

"Hungry, sweetie?" she asks while chopping carrots. I nod. "Ok, I'll make you something in a moment. Go wash your hands."

Usually, I'd roll my eyes and snark my way to the bathroom and back, but right now I don't feel like it. My throat is sore, but I guess that's what a night of screaming and running does to one.

As soon as I am back, a plate full of mashed potatoes and chicken breast rests calmly and inviting on the table and I don't hesitate to sit down.

My mum has one of her own and she's been eating peacefully for a couple of minutes already when her gaze falls on me.

"Are you alright?" Her voice is soft and casual with a hint of worry. I smile at her.

"Yeah. Just tired. Last night was fun." I try to sound just as relaxed, not wanting to sound too excited or dreamy.

I may not be the most social guy around, but I've read stuff and drawing attention to yourself in situations like these is anything but wise. My mum needs to be as oblivious as possible about everything for both the sake of my freedom and her peace. I know at least that.

"How was it? Aren't you going to tell me more?"

Oh tricky question, but I expected that. I assumed that she might ask this so I prepared a couple of funny stories, most of them true about last night. Be too secretive and she'd never stop doubting you.

"Oh yeah. I made pancakes with this guy. He's super tall and very energetic, but he's actually really nice. And then Gilbert put his feet on the table so I scolded him and made him clean it up, but he wouldn't shut up so his brother hit him and scolded him some more. At some point we danced- Antonio is a really good dj!" I tell her and by the end of it, I actually get caught in the memories and I can feel the corners of my mouth turning up in a smile.

My mother seems intrigued by my words. That's a good sign, in a way.

"And?"

"We played hide-'n'-seek," I supply. We didn't, but she doesn't need to know that. And well in a way we did... only that the cops were the ones seeking. Oh boy.

She arches an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yep. They're a crazy childish bunch."

"Huh. I'm glad you had fun. To be honest, I was a bit worried. But now I know your friends are nice. I'd like to meet them someday."

I pause. I wasn't expecting that. "Sure."

It's not like I could decline. Plus, I'm sure I could get some to behave. She'd love Feli and Matthew, of that I am sure. She'd probably be amused by Matthias and Alfred seeing how those two are a bit similar. Arthur would probably be her favourite though. Student council president and all. Not to mention his polite voice and gracious manners. She doesn't need to know about his job or piercings or his drunk escapades. I wouldn't have believed them if I hadn't seen them myself.

"How was your evening?" Yes, the subject needs to be changed and she doesn't seem to suspect anything.

"Oh, I had dinner at the Balakov's. Maia is such a nice lady. Aleksander surely looked lonely." I mentally cringe at the mention of his name. "Which reminds me..." oh God, this doesn't sound good. "You should really come next time. We're planning to watch a movie. At the cinema." She smiles her gaze becoming dreamy. I clench my jaw.

"When's that?" I am trying very hard not to sound irritated. Very hard.

She pauses for a moment to think. "We were thinking about tomorrow. It's Sunday and then we'd have to wait for five days. Plus, The Hobbit is on until just Tuesday. We can't go on workdays so tomorrow will have to do. I know you like those movies. You have all the books and I thought you'd be delighted."

Oh, fuck me! How could I ever turn that offer down?! She's making the puppy eyes and she clearly has been thinking about me the whole time. Plus, Martin Freeman! And Smaug and Benedict Cumberbatch! Hobbits and elves and dragons! I've read the books for a thousand times. Balakov be damned, I'm so going to watch that film!

"That would be amazing!" I probably sound really excited because my mum's face lights up like a Christmas tree.

"Great! So tomorrow it is!" She must be as excited as me. She stops at the doorway and looks at me, "I'm going to book our seats. Front, middle or back?"

I smirk. "Middle, me lady!" And she leaves.

Damn. Tomorrow's going to suck and be awesome at the same time.

Guten Morgen, mein awesome birdie! Was machst du? :)

9:23 am, Sunday 14.09.2014

I'm eating my cereal when I finally read my text. I woke up at 9:59, or more exactly ten minutes ago. I took a five minutes shower and now I am finally eating.

Eating. You?

I type quickly and send the message between munches and light laughter; Gil and his antics.

Im good thanks. Yesterday sucked tho. How were you? Did your mutti give you the third degree? ;-;

I nearly choke. Leave it to Gilbert if you want pure drama.

Nah. She asked questions, but she bought it all. It wasn't like I was lying anyway. I just happened to omit a few things.

Finishing my meal, I stand up and head for the sink to wash the bowl. After I'm done, my phone buzzes again.

You naughty naughty boy ;)

My lips curl in a smirk at his comment.

You know it. :D

I move to the living room and throw myself on the couch with a low grunt.

Oh do I know it. ;) so, have any plans for today?

And that's how, dear reader, my mood dampers in just a matter of seconds. Tonight's movie with Balakov, of all people. Fantastic!

Actually I do. :( going out with my mum and the neighbours. He's a total douche. D:

I sigh and press send.

Aww man that sucks. Where u goin

I bite my lower lip out of boredom. Damn, they're chapped!

To see The Hobbit. :) That's the good part about the whole deal.

Really, if it wasn't for my mum's puppy eyes and Martin playing Bilbo I would've so stayed home.

You like the hobbit?! Man I like you even more now. Can I come? I swear I'll behave. I'll even wear a tie! *puppy eyes*

I laugh. Gilbert in a tie? I can't imagine it.

I'll ask my mum. Btw, puppy eyes don't work on me, idiot

I genuinely don't want to smile, but it seems that my lips have a smile of their own.

"What's got you smiling like that, sweetie?" My mum enquires. Of course she does. Damn.

"Just talking to a friend," I answer. "Oh, by the way, can I bring someone? They really wanna watch this movie."

My mum raises one delicate eyebrow from her armchair.

"Yeah. Sure. Who is it?" For some reason, I don't like her tone. She seems way too curious about the whole deal.

"A friend."

She said you could.

I send the message and put down my phone. My mum is reading on the other side of the room one of those gross romantic novels. I'll never understand how anyone can read those nightmares!

"Does he need a lift?" She asks, gaze cast on her book still.

"He?"

"She?"

Yaaaay. :D

"Nah. I don't think so. Let me ask him."

Do you need a lift?

Silence falls as we both wait for Gilbert to answer.

Nah, im good. Hour? Place?

"When are we going?"

"Maia said she had some business to attend to today, so we're going at 7."

7. Minions Close. Do wear something nice, but not too nice. She might get suspicious. Also, beware of my neighbour. He bites. :/

Bing!

Oh c'mon he can't be /that/ bad! Anyway see ya there. West is being annoying again so gtg

I chuckle. West is Gilbert's nickname for his brother. The guy thinks he's Prussian, whereas his brother states he's German, so Gilbert calls him 'West' to taunt him.

You used his toothbrush again, didn't you? XD

Bing!

Hey! That happend just once. And no. He just loves complaining about my methods

Somehow this sounds dubious.

Uhuh. Do I even wanna know?

Bing!

Probably not. Anyway, see ya later :*

Damn this idiot.

See ya, idiot ;) :*

I put my phone down and purposely avoid looking at my mum. As far as I can tell, she hasn't looked up from her book, but one can never be too sure.

"Going upstairs to do my homework."

She hums in agreement and I leave without any further hesitation.

Thing is, Gilbert and I are sort of dating. I guess. Yesterday we kissed, but we were quite inebriated, so one might say it meant nothing. If it weren't for yesterday morning, I'd probably stick to the first deduction.

Saturday, 13th September, 8:09 am

Beilschmidt residence

The sun is a dangerous sadistic thing. The sheets, however, are a blessing from everything fluffy and magical, golden and majestic. I rolled on the other side when a sweet scent of pastry hit me and jerked me awake.

Blinking repeatedly, I tried to focus the image and soon I was met with a smiling Gilbert that soon became a grinning Gilbert. He was clad in bluemarine shorts and a loose worn and torn here and there T-shirt.

"Rise 'n' shine, party boy!" he beamed, taking the sheets away from me. Grunting, I rose up and sat on a pillow. "Here. Your food and some medicine to help with that gargantuan headache you must be sporting."

With that being said, he placed a plate full of Greek style cheese and tomatoes, cucumbers and sandwiches with salami and pepperoni and cheddar.

"Thanks."

"Nah. It's fine. It's a surprise you didn't puke your guts out last night. You're a surprisingly heavy drinker, aren't you?" I shrugged.

"You could say. How come you're all sunshine and rainbows anyway? I remember you drinking more than I did." I frowned.

"That's a secret." Winking he sits next to me and takes one of my tomatoes.

And then, there was silence, except from our munching and steady breathing and the occasional bed creaks.

Obviously, I wanted to talk about last night, but frankly, I was terrified. The night before, I kissed a guy. The moments before our first kiss were thrilling, adrenaline pumping through my veins and all the jazz. The actual kiss was something out of this world- it was intense and hungry and mind-blowing. The second one and the one after that and so on, those were just as bad, just as marvelous.

We danced, we kissed and shared drinks. We flirted with each other like there was no tomorrow and we went to his place hand in hand laughing loudly and talking nonsense.

It felt good. It was confusing, yes. But I couldn't deny the truth. I liked it. Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but the next day when I remembered, I didn't regret it. I didn't hate it.

I just found it weird. Like my mind wasn't really fully there and something seemed wrong. No, not wrong. Just different. I didn't regret it. I just couldn't wrap my head around me.

So was I gay? Not necessarily. Was I bisexual? Possibly. Did I even like girls or I thought I did? Did I like guys or was it just Gilbert? Or maybe I didn't like guys at all. Maybe it was the alcohol talking.

Naturally, I couldn't ask.

"Any plans for today?" He broke the silence in the end. I stopped to think for a while.

"Not really. But I have to go home soon. I don't want my mum calling me like desperate."

"I see. Well then, I'll take you home," he proposed and I actually I pondered it before I declined his generous offer. "You sure? I don't mind really."

I shook my head in disapproval. "Nah. I'm fine."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

More silence. I wondered if Gilbert remembered. If he did, he surely knew how to act like nothing happened. And maybe that's what it was. Maybe that's how he wanted it to be. A one nightstand with just kissing and flirting, dancing and stolen glances.

Or maybe, just maybe he was afraid to ask.

"I didn't know you could cook," I randomly said at some point, after we left what I found out later was his bedroom and went to the kitchen.

He smiled politely and started piling up dirty plates. "I have a brother, yanno. Some days I had to look after the kid and kids are always needy and noisy." By then his voice had a tint of nostalgia in it. "But I love cooking. It's relaxing sometimes." He turned to look at me and I smiled at him. His eyes were soft and he had a weak smile playing on his lips.

At that exact moment, he appeared tremendously fragile, as if made of porcelain. The sudden urge to stand up and hug him was overwhelming, but somehow I resisted it.

"Cooking is nice." Was all I managed to say and I mentally punched myself for such a stupid line. He didn't seem to mind though.

"You're pretty good at it yourself. "

I chuckled. "I suppose. I can't depend on my mama all the time. I am not some wimp." He laughed.

"True words."

At some point I offered to wash the dishes, but he so vehemently protested, that I had to give up and simply sit down as he did it. He told me silly stories from his past and I shared a part of my crazy adventures with him too. The morning, despite my imminent headache and general nausea, had a pleasant ring to it.

And then I had to leave. Of course he insisted for a dozen of times to give me a lift and I declined just as much and more. In the end, we compromised. I was to take a cab and he'd pay it. Of course that meant more arguing, but he won in the end.

After finally getting out of his apartment, I turned to say goodbye to him, who was leaning against his doorstep.

"So yeah. Thanks...for, uh, everything!" Wow, Vlad, such articulate. Much clever.

"No problem, dude. It was fun."

Enter awkward silence. We simply stared at each other for minutes, none of us daring to move or say something. In the end, his eyes darted to my lips, then up again all questioning and unsure.

And then I knew. Or he did. Or whatever. We kissed. Softer than last night, but still intense. When we broke apart, his fingers were gently grabbing my face, while my left hand was resting on his shoulder.

He smirked mischievously. "I'll call you later, birdie. Take care!"

"You too, idiot!"

We didn't talk yesterday. He was probably trying to get his apartment look like a habitable place and then fell dead. I still don't know whatever the hell is going on.

Ok, so maths it is. Oh boy. I fucking hate geometry!

"Are you ready, honey?" My mum shouts from downstairs.

"In a mo'," I yell back while changing the umpteenth T-shirt already.

There's a knock at the door, before the blasted thing opens revealing my not so pleased mother.

"Red or black?" I ask showing her two t-shirts- one crimson red with a skull on it and one black with "Keep calm and Rock".

Needless to say, she is not amused. "Really, Vlad? What's the big deal. Just pick one and let's go. They're going to be here any minute and you're shirtless!"

"Well I don't want to look ridiculous!"

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have the first date fright. I don't even want to know how you'd act then." She rolls her eyes and I refrain from swallowing. Hard. "The red one, now move." I grin and she leaves.

Soon, there's a knock at the door and then muffled greetings. I am descending the stairs actually, shoes already on and jacket on my shoulders, when his cold green eyes meet mine.

"Hello, Mrs. Balakov, Aleksander!" I nod curtly in his direction before looking elsewhere. Anywhere. His mother is smiling kindly at me, unlike her son who is giving me an uninterested check up, probably criticizing me in his head.

"Oh, hello there, Vlad! Are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you! And you?" She hums in agreement and with the formalities done, we all look at the door expectingly.

"Well, let's go!" My mother cheers and soon we're all in my mum's car- Balakov The Pest and I in the back, my mum and Mrs. Sweetness in the front. This is going to be the weirdest night of my life, I can sense it already.

Half an hour later, we're queuing for popcorn and there's no sign of Gilbert. I've sent him three messages and still no reply. If I don't get a sign in two minutes, I'll call him.

"Where's your friend?" My mum asks worried.

"I don't know. He's not replying to my messages," I swear I almost sound disappointed. She sighs.

"Maybe you should call him."

I nod and look around, only to lock gazes with Balakov again. For some reason or another, his dark eyebrows are united in quite a frown.

"Who?" He asks all of sudden and instantly, all the eyes are on me.

"Uh..." I begin. What's with all the tention in here? "Gilbert?" And just in a matter of seconds his face turns in an even colder one, my mum's lightens up and Mrs. Balakov keeps smiling, unsure as to why everyone seems to know something she doesn't.

"Yes?" A fifth voice calls, slightly unsure, low and ragged from behind me.

"Gilbert," I say breathlessly as I turn to look at him.

He gives me a small smile, trying so hard not to smirk smugly at me, I realize. It almost makes me chuckle.

"Sorry I am late, the traffic was terrific." He bows slightly in the direction of Mrs. B and my mum.

Oh God! Look at him, acting all proper and using nig words. I would probably be in tears by now if it weren't for the presence of certain people.

Relieving enough, my mothers suspects nothing. "Oh, it's alright, honey! I take it that you're my son's friend, Gilbert, right?" He nods.

Try friend that kisses and flirts with your son.

"Yes, ma'am."

Someone, please, kill me! I haven't practised my poker face in a long while, hopefully I am still ace at it.

"Please, just Iasmina." He nods. "Good. Now this is Mrs. Balakov and her son, Aleksander. I believe you two have met before."

Gilbert looks at the guy as if he haven't even noticed him until then. And he frowns a little, before smiling. "Hey there!"

"Hi!" Balakov so monotonous replies. And that's it. They go on full ignoring each other.

"Alright, boys. It seems that it's finally our turn. So what do you want?

Middle of the room in the middle of the row, Balakov, Gilbert and me, with me in the middle (the irony). Mrs. B and mum are somewhere in the back.

The tention is so thick no sword could ever cut it.

So, let's recap:

1. Frosty McScrooge hates my Not-Boyfriend for whatever unknown reason; really it could be just an Aleksander thing or maybe Gilbert did something to him in the past. I'll never know.

2. Gilbert seems strange around him, but then again, Gilbert is a bit strange.

3. Fuck me! Why do I always have to be caught in weird situations anyway?!

Ten minutes into the film and no quarrel. This doesn't sound too bad. But it's a bit later when the hell breaks loose.

"Martin Freeman sucks!" Balakov suddenly says and both Gilbert and me turn to glare at him. "What? You don't seriously think he's a good actor!" I gasp shocked.

"You so did not!" I begin. "He is a good actor, you uncultured swine!" I rage.

"Seriously? You're dumber than I thought!"

"What did you just say?!" This time it is Gilbert who seems to be out of it.

"That Martin Freeman s-..." but he doesn't get to finish it.

"Shh!" Gilbert cuts in abruptly. "Say that again. Say that again and I will ssssskin you!" I chuckle at the Moriarty reference, whereas Balakov over there doesn't seem to get it or at least care.

"What? That he's dumber than I thought?" He provokes.

"That's it, bitch. You're so gonna regret this!" He is half way up when I grab his arm and look at him pleading. He sighs and sits down in the end.

"That's right, calm your dog, Lupei."

I turn to look at him. Or more like give him the glare of the century. "Shut up, Balakov! No one cares about your opinions. You probably hate everyone and everything, so just shut up." I snarl at him, but he grimaces at my words.

"Oh, leave it to the fools to defend each other. For your information, I don't hate everything, just stupid fucks like you and your dog." I'd slap him so hard right now, but I purse my lips instead.

"Fine. We'll see about that, asshole!" And with that I turn to look at the screen ignoring him completely.

Two or three minutes later, fingers snake around mine gently and unsure and I look at Gilbert with the corner of my eye to find him already staring at me, smiling softly, but also looking sort of mortified. I nearly chuckle at the sight and hold his hand firmly. I can almost hear him sigh in relief and hell if that's not cute.

"How did you like the movie, boys?" Mrs. B asks as soon as we are reunited outside, in the mall.

"Oh, I loved it!" I beam excitedly. "It was even better than what I expected. The next one is going to rock!"

"Oh, yes! Smaug was so awesome!" Gilbert joins in. "I am fire," he imitates the dragon in a low threatening voice.

"I am death!" We say at the same time, our hands trying to resemble claws while facing each other.

"How about you, sweetie?" His mother asks him and then there's a sudden drop of mood.

"It was fine." A pause. "I hated Freeman."

Can I kill him? Surely I'd find a legal way to do it.

His mother chuckles and pats his shoulder.

"He seemed fine. Quite adorable with that long hair and those funny legs!"

"I know right?" My mum sayds and Mrs. B nods. "I hated the dwarves though."

"Tell me about it. Stingy idiots. Using Bilbo and trying to seem heroic!" I add. Both mums nod.

"And trying to slay Smaug too! I'm so tired of this cliche thing. Villains and heroes my ass!" Gilbert bursts only to look like a deer caught in the headlights. "I mean...I, uh, am sorry. Hehe

..he." He laughs nervously. And the women start laughing.

"Oh, hon, it's ok. And you're right."

"Even I can't disagree," I hear Balakov grumpily mumble so I throw an arm around his shoulders and smirk at him.

"See, I knew you'd come around."

He rolls his eyes, but doesn't shake me off. Huh. The power of his mother's presence...!

"Vlad?" Gilbert calls after a while.

"Huh?" I say letting go of him and turning to look at Gilbert.

"Come over here?" He is giving me the puppy eyes. What the hell is with people and puppy eyes lately? I comply anyway. "I had fun tonight," he confesses after a while. We're already outside and it's a bit chilly. Somehow, I just want to creep closer to him and hold his hand, but refrain from doing so- my mum would probably have a heart attack if I did.

"Me too. And sorry about... you know."

He waves his hand dismissively. "Nah. It's fine."

"You sure?"

"Positive," he smirks. "I'll see you at school then or do you want me to pick you up?" He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and I punch his arm lightly.

"I'm not some princess, you know. I can take care of myself."

"Oh, I do know that, birdie. Can't a man just be nice?"

"How nice?" I raise an eyebrow.

Biting his lower lip, he get a bit closer to me and whispers: "I would show you right here, right now, but I doubt you want your Mutter see you suck faces with another guy."

I roll my eyes for the hundreth time tonight. "How eloquent of you, Mr. Beilschmidt!"

"I know."

"Why do I even talk to you?"

"'Cuz I'm awesome?" I give him a disbelieving look and he fakes a pout. "Fine. Deny it all. I know the truth though." He winks at me and I give him a meaningful look. "Right. Gotta go, birdie. See ya!" With a short-lived hug and a brief but friendly wave at anyone, he leaves for his car.

"Ok, everyone, let's go home!"

To be continued...

A.N. Yes, I know. More Gilbert and Vlad love. You lot probably hate me for it, but just bear with it for a little longer. This is a RoBul fic. Vlad is just...well, Vlad. He's a bit confused at the moment.

And Aleksander has an actual reason for acting all bitter and whatnot. Their relationship will improve eventually. They just need time.

Hope you enjoyed it

Eris