Gilbert was still pissed at Arthur, but not as much. After all, how could he complain when the man was buying him the bar?
Yes, Gilbert thought, grinning as he watched the burly bartender mix peppermint into his absinthe. Maybe I could forgive him.
Okay, maybe not Arthur specifically. It was more like Francis stealing Arthur's card, and using it to pay for all the alcohol he, Gilbert, and Antonio were practically inhaling.
But revenge in the form of booze was never bad.
They were at a small but still fairly loud bar that was a recent favourite of both Francis and Antonio. They held a small affection for it, because even though they had been kicked out multiple times, they had not been banned like they had from the other places. This definitely led them to hold the place in high esteem, to the point where they had actually started to pay for their drinks.
It had been a long time, almost too long since the three had gone out together. Amongst other things, business with France, Spain, and Germany (because Gilbert had finally been deemed 'responsible' enough by his brother to do some actual work) had prevented them from meeting up.
But now they sat at the wooden counter of the dimly lit building, laughing, drinking, and making a general nuisance of themselves.
How many drinks had it been now? Who gave a fuck, because it wasn't their money, and they were still far from being trashed. Though, no one could tell, with the amount of glasses beside the trio and the volume at which they were speaking and laughing.
Francis, of course, had an ulterior motive. When did he not? He didn't mind listening to Antonio's latest mishaps with Lovino, nor did he mind Gilbert going off about his awesomeness, even if it was a bit redundant at times. He definitely was amused when the two got thoroughly wasted, usually resulting in an extremely entertaining night, starting with one of them trying to do a strip tease for the entire bar on one of the tables, and ending in the three of them trying to get someone to bail them out of jail.
But no, that was not the plan. Not for now, at least. The plan was to get a rather dense albino friend to confess his feelings. Because Matthew was too shy, and Gilbert too stubborn, the two would never be able to admit to anything to each other. However, if Gilbert told Francis, he could put a plan to work. He could use his famous French charm to bring them together, and all would be well.
All he had to do was get Gilbert a little drunk, enough for the man to be looser with his words, but not so much that he'd fall into his aggressive-drunk mode, where he'd surely beat up Francis for being too annoying. Sure, he'd get a bit (ok, a lot) of trouble from Arthur later, but hopefully it would be worth the confession.
And the plan was going well. Gilbert was relishing the free alcohol, as was Antonio.
The bartender set down the glass for Gilbert, no doubt impressed at the trio's intake ability. If Francis' count was correct, Gilbert should be just about good enough right now.
"Yesss," Gilbert hissed, and took a long gulp. "I can't see how a place with such good booze is so easily overlooked."
Time to move in for the kill.
"Speaking of easily overlooked things," Francis said casually, swishing around the red wine in his glass. "I must know, how are your plans in seducing sweet Mathieu going along?"
Gilbert sputtered, spraying his drink all over his front shirt. Francis gave him a look of disdain, while Antonio found this much too amusing, clapping his hands together as he laughed.
"What do you mean by seducing? I ain't doing shit!"
"Sure." Francis said, propping his elbow up on the counter, placing his chin in his hand. "I'm sure that's not what's going on."
"Really, Francis?" Antonio piped up. "Because the other day you kept on telling me about the unresolved sexual tension between Gilbert and-" Antonio scrunched up his face, trying to remember the name. "Gilbert and his friend."
Gilbert opened his mouth to say something, then it struck him.
"Wait, what the hell? Is this what Arthur got all pissy about the other day?"
Francis rolled his eyes, wondering how the other two men managed to make it out of bed without tripping over their own stupidity.
"Hey! Don't give me that look! There is no...there is no unresolved anything between me and Mattie!"
"Oh, so you've already solved it?" Antonio said, giving a wide smile as he took another swig of his drink.
"What? No! Why are you listening to Francis anyways? He thinks everyone's always in love!"
"He tends to be smart about such matters."
"Ah, Antoine, who knew you were capable of such intelligent speech."
Gilbert glared at Francis.
"I am definitely not seducing Mattie! What put that stupid idea in your head anyways?"
Francis grinned lazily.
"What makes the idea so stupid? I'm sure you two like each other enough."
Gilbert narrowed his eyes, and was about to say something, when Francis cut in.
"Atleast, I'm sure Mathieu likes you enough."
What? Gilbert's brain tried to process this, but alcohol had slowed down his functions.
"Well no shit, everyone loves the awesome me."
Francis gave an exasperated sigh.
"Gilbert, you know what I mean."
"No, I don't, actually."
Francis put down his glass down and leaned towards Gilbert, who in turn, leaned back.
"You," He said slowly, poking Gilbert's forehead. "And Mathieu, undoubtedly love each other. Don't deny it, Gilbert."
"F-fuck you!" Gilbert stuttered, a faint blush crawling across his face. "I'm denying it! Denying it right now!"
Francis gave a low chuckle and leaned in closer.
"Are you? You seem rather fond of the boy."
"He..he's just a good friend of mine!"
"Really." Francis raised a trimmed eyebrow. "I'm sure Antonio and I are your good friends, but I never see you acting like the way you do around Mathieu."
"Yeah." Antonio supplied, tilting his head, and matching Francis' grin. "I don't remember getting rib-crushing hugs, or being cooked wurst, or having my drinks paid for. Atleast not for a long time."
"Well that's 'cause you're not my fucking boyfriend."
"Ah? And Mathieu is?"
Gilbert had sorta fallen right into that one, and he mentally slapped himself. He chose not to answer, instead taking a dignified sip from his drink.
"Anyways," Francis pressed on, sitting up straight. "I think that you should make a move on Mathieu, since the boy is too shy to do it himself."
He frowned.
"Actually, no, I think that you doing it alone would be bad. You are a bit, how do we say it...téméraire. I think you'll only end up making things worse. And," Francis dropped his voice low enough for only Gilbert to hear. "We wouldn't want you hurting little Mathieu, would we?"
Gilbert picked up on the slightly intimidating tone behind Francis' voice and gulped.
" I d-don't need any help in hooking up with anyone." He said, keeping his voice steady. "I'm not hooking up with Matthew."
He looked down at his beer, determined not to meet Francis' gaze, took a deep breath and continued.
"Alright, maybe he's cute and all, but no. I'm not going to try getting with him because he's a close friend. I'm not going to try anything, because if for some stupid, unawesome reason, it fucks up, I don't want to lose a friend."
Gilbert hoped this got the Frenchman off his back.
Francis sighed, but smiled a little. It wasn't the confession of love he was hoping for, but it was just as good coming from Gilbert. Now all he had to do was think up of a way to bring the two together.
And, he thought idly as he turned his attention back to his wine. When I get them together, they can give me a special thank you.
Yes, that sounded good. A very special thank you, from both of them. Together. At the same time?
Francis was looking forward it to it, because when it came to these situations, he never failed.
Fuck.
Gilbert hated Francis, he really did. Because it was always Francis that started these kinds of thoughts in his head.
Stupid wine sipping lovey-dovey bastard.
He stood in the dingy washroom of the bar, washing his hands with the cold water, thinking about what Francis had said. Him and Matthew?
Not a bad idea.
Yes a bad idea. Yes a very, very bad idea. He and Matthew couldn't possibly have that kind of relationship.
But you like him. Love him?
No he didn't, because he was too awesome to stoop to such a... such a disposable feeling. One that he was sure wouldn't be returned.
Or maybe it already is?
He bit the inside of his cheek, still running his hands under the cold water. What if what Francis had said was true? That Canada, Mattie, liked him back?
Matthew was his good friend, maybe even his best friend. He could actually let his guard down around the younger nation when they were alone, and he was the only one who could tolerate Gilbert for more than a week at a stretch. Ludwig didn't count, because he never really had a choice since they were brothers. But even then, Matthew was more welcoming. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Matthew was lonely, with everyone forgetting him so often. Maybe he kept up with Gilbert, because that meant there was one more person that remembered him.
But they always had a genuinely good time with each other. The kid made him laugh a lot, which was surprising to him at first, since he was always so quiet and reserved at the World Meetings. Prussia and Canada weren't really connected, but Gilbert and Matthew were. So what did that mean? After all, how many other nations were his friends purely for the sake of being friends? Yeah, Toni and Francis were there, but that wasn't an entirely social friendship either. Matthew endured all of his awesomeness, and never really truly complained.
And he listened.
Matthew listened. He paid attention, even when Gilbert was spouting off useless crap. That counted for something.
Gilbert shook his head, splashing his face with the icy cold water.
If he tried anything, and Francis was wrong, he didn't want their friendship to go to shit. He didn't want things to be awkward between him and the other. And he didn't want Arthur (and by the previous tone of his voice, Francis) playing the overprotective parent and trying to murder him either. He knew he was awesome enough to take the both of them on, but he didn't want to.
Screw it.
He'd rather not dwell on this. He'd rather go and get completely sloshed, like he was in the process of doing before Francis rudely interrupted.
After all, he wasn't paying. So there was no reason he should be in the filthy washroom, over-thinking things, when there was a totally awesome night up ahead.
Yeah. He turned on his heel, leaving behind the washroom and probably his sobriety.
"The hell, Toni?" Gilbert grunted as he hurled himself into the backseat of Antonio's car. "We're not 13 year old girls."
Antonio just threw his head back and laughed as he increased the volume of the song, as the voice started.
"You know you love me!" Antonio sang happily, his words slowly slurring together. "I know you care~"
Francis gently smacked the side of his head.
"Antoine, you are not as charming a singer when drunk."
"Aw, that's the same thing Lovi said when I tried to sing it to him and then he hit me~"
"For a good reason. I'd beat your head in too." Gilbert supplied.
"Aww c'mon Gilbert, I know you had it as your ringtone a couple of months ago!"
Gilbert blew a raspberry at Antonio.
"It was a dare!"
"That is why you kept it for a whole 2 weeks until I changed it? I heard you sing the rapping part to your brother the other day at the meeting too~"
"You're a fucking..." Gilbert slurred, a headache beginning to form instead of an insult
It took a moment (or ten?) of thinking and then-
"You're a fucking flower!" Yeah, that worked pretty well. "You're a fucking pansy flower!"
"Aww, eso es lindo~ Am I a pretty flower?"
"Fucking gorgeous, Toni. You're Francis' crotch rose."
"Cher, do not boost his ego."
"And I was like baby, baby, baby ooooooh~" Antonio was practically yelling the words out now, while attempting to put the car into reverse.
"Antonio, shut the fuck up and drive before I fucking kill you."
Who loves lame insults that totally make sense?
téméraire= rash/reckless. sorry if theres OOCness idk I've been a bit more mellow and i think it might show through my writing OTL