Chapter 10. Swimming.

Gilbert couldn't believe he was actually pulling this off. He barely managed to get past Matthew's questioning in the first place. But now they seemed a lot closer and Gilbert could act a lot more like himself than the damn Princess roll he was forcing himself to play.

They continued on their tour for quite a while, going into random rooms and Matthew talking about something random. The more they continued, the more Gilbert could tell that he was absolutely, without a doubt, head over heels in love with Matthew. They chatted excitedly together about something that had nothing to do with the room they were in. There were even times when they were able to catch Alfred trying to follow them.

Time flew as the two continued on their merry way and soon Gilbert was well acquainted with the castle. Finally, night had fallen, and it was time for Gilbert's awesome plan that he came up with on the roof to come to life.

"Come on, I have one last idea," Gilbert smiled at Matthew, pulling him along the hallway.

"Something tells me you don't need me to guide you anymore," Matthew sighed, but followed without hesitating.

"Not since about two hours ago," Gilbert winked back at him and he suddenly stopped. "Alright, do me a favor and close your eyes."

"Why?" Matthew asked.

"Because it's a surprise," Gilbert laughed.

"Only you would be able to surprise someone in their own home," Matthew shook his head, but did close his eyes.

"It's 'cause I'm awesome," Gilbert smirked and started leading Matthew again, looking back at him various times to ensure his eyes were still closed. Eventually, they made it outside, right in front of the pool.

"Why are we outside, Maria?" Matthew asked. Gilbert nearly sighed…as much as he loved being around Matthew, it was just sad that he had to be a girl.

"It's all a part of my surprise," Gilbert chimed, leading him up to the pool.

"You know, it's not much of a surprise when I can smell chlorine," Matthew stated.

"The pool isn't the surprise," Gilbert smirked, stopping them at the very edge of the pool and leaning close to Matthew, who grew a huge blush on his face with their proximity. But he still kept his eyes shut.

"Then what is?" Matthew asked, smiling like he couldn't help it.

"This," Gilbert smiled and held onto Matthew's shoulders before plunging into the water. Gilbert easily resurfaced, laughing a little as he watched Matthew flounder to the surface. Luckily, they were in shallow enough water so that they could stand, their clothes floating slightly in the water.

"What was that?" Matthew snapped at him, finally opening his eyes.

"I told you, a surprise," Gilbert smirked, leaning towards him slightly before pulling back to swim backwards on his back. "You were the one that said you don't use the pool much."

"And so you got the idea to nearly drown me?" Matthew sighed, but Gilbert could see his smile when he stood back up.

"Exakt," Gilbert laughed. "Awesome plan, right?"

"You are so dead," Matthew laughed and started swimming towards Gilbert.

"Run away from the Canadian!" Gilbert laughed and started swimming away from him. Eventually, though Matthew caught up with him and held onto his wrist, getting him to stop.

"Gotcha," Matthew said breathlessly.

"Did I take a little too much out of you?" Gilbert smirked, but didn't pull back. He rather liked being this close to Matthew. His hair was dripping wet, yet that odd curl stayed hanging over the front of his face. Even his nose was dripping…and his lips.

"Maybe," Matthew muttered and Gilbert could see him leaning forward slightly.

"Gut," Gilbert stated and leaned forward as well. When they were just a few millimeters apart when Gilbert finally closed his eyes and he sincerely hoped nothing would get in the way this time. Thankfully, his lips made contact and actually stayed there for a short while before the two pulled back, staring closely in each other's eyes.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," Matthew laughed.

"Ditto," Gilbert smirked and gave Matthew a quick peck before swimming backwards again. Matthew simply laughed and splashed some water at Gilbert's face. "Did you just splash a Princess?" Gilbert put his hand over his heart to feign shock.

"No," Matthew smirked. "I splashed some kid I met in the city."

"Well, then that makes two of us," Gilbert splashed water at Matthew, too.

"You don't want to start this war," Matthew laughed, splashing at him again.

"I think I do," Gilbert splashed right back. "And I'm positive I'll win."

"Let's test that theory," Matthew stated and started swimming after Gilbert, who easily evaded him throughout the rather massive pool. They laughed and splashed around, and if they hadn't already been soaked, they certainly were now.

Finally, Gilbert gained the upper-hand by trapping Matthew's legs and pressing him against the wall of the pool.

"Ich gewinne," Gilbert smirked and decided to take his trophy…another kiss. This one lasted longer than the first, with both of them holding onto each other for support and Gilbert couldn't even give a shit anymore that he was a girl. All that mattered was this awesome moment, kissing the most awesome guy he had ever met in his life.

"Alright," Matthew finally pulled back first. "I admit defeat."

"Aw, so easily?" Gilbert pouted.

"Well, it seems like you're stronger than me," Matthew pointed out, "and I can't exactly move very well right now, can I?"

"Doesn't mean you can't try," Gilbert smirked pulling in closer just to get a better look at those violet eyes.

"I don't think I want to hurt you," Matthew smiled.

"Oh, come on, I can take a hit," Gilbert laughed.

"It just wouldn't be very gentlemanly of me, now would it?" Matthew asked.

"I guess not," Gilbert sighed and pulled back. Maybe being his actual gender did matter to him. Maybe if he were actually a girl, that line would have made Gilbert happy…

"Well, I think we've been out for a long time," Matthew muttered, a blush very present on his face. "Maybe we should get you back to your room."

"What? Do you have any other date plans?" Gilbert laughed and easily hoisted himself up, onto the ground before turned to try to hold out a helping hand for Matthew. But he just denied it and got out by himself. Maybe if Gilbert were actually a guy, he would have taken it.

"No," Matthew laughed, trying to straighten out his soaking, dripping clothes. "I'm just thinking that I'm a little tired and you probably are, too."

"Ja, I guess," Gilbert smiled softly at him.

"Then, uh, let's get inside," Matthew nodded back to the castle. "It's…a little cold."

"Just a bit," Gilbert laughed. He had to admit, he was shivering slightly, especially as a small breeze whipped through. Matthew put an arm around Gilbert's shoulders to keep him warm, something Gilbert would have been doing had he been a guy.

Eventually, they made their way inside and through the halls the both of them knew very well. They came up to Gilbert's door, the only door in the hallway that actually had someone living behind it.

"Uh, good night, then," Matthew muttered, smiling at him.

"Yeah, guten Nacht," Gilbert nodded and stole a quick kiss before deciding to disappear into his room.

Matthew stood in front of the closed door for a short while, not able to stop a smile from creeping onto his face, his fingers touching where he could still feel Maria's lips.

He swiftly turned around and started towards his own room, hoping to get there before his brother ambushed him and demanded to know how it went.

"Hey," Alfred made his way out of a closed door and Matthew let out a sigh. "So, how did it go?"

"You should know," Matthew glared at him. "You were stalking us the entire time."

"That's only because I care about you," Alfred mocked hurt on his face.

"Even Maria knew when you were around," Matthew sighed, shaking his head.

"Okay, just tell me what you think about her," Alfred pleaded. "Please? You're acting like a teenage girl. That means it must have gone well!"

"Okay, I do like her," Matthew stated. "A-A lot." He felt himself start to blush again, just thinking about the times they kissed.

"Do you wanna know the reason I let her through?" Alfred smirked, obviously very pleased with himself.

"I know you're going to tell me anyway," Matthew chuckled.

"She was the first girl that put you first," Alfred smiled, looking up at the ceiling. "I mean, most of the other girls tried to accent themselves, prove that they were the best out of all the others. That one girl only cared about you."

"And I know why," Matthew smiled, too.

"Why?" Alfred raised an eyebrow.

"What? You didn't catch this part?" Matthew teased.

"Must have been while you were on the roof!" Alfred groaned. "Dammit! I knew I missed something!"

"She was that stranger," Matthew smiled.

"Whoa, seriously?" Alfred let out a laugh. "She dressed as a guy?"

"For the same reason I left, practically," Matthew chuckled. "She just wanted to get away and feel normal for once."

"So your mystery man turned out to be a Princess in disguise," Alfred mused. "Damn. I never would have seen that coming."

"I think that was the point," Matthew laughed. "So it turns out he didn't escape, she just made her way out of it. I guess she wouldn't want people to know about her doing things like that…"

"So, you really like her, huh?" Alfred asked.

"Of course," Matthew nodded. "I-I love her."

"So…do you think you finally found one you want to marry?" Alfred pressed.

"Yes…I think so," Matthew smiled.

"Sweet!" Alfred tackled him into a side hug, just outside Matthew's room. "I thought this would never happen! Especially when I thought you were gay…"

"Okay, yay, everything's happy," Matthew shoved his brother off. "Now will you let me get to sleep?"

"Yeah, of course," Alfred said with a wave of his hand. "But, when you wake up, we're gonna plan out everything, bro! And then we're gonna have to do the rings and shit. And we're gonna have to call the Beilschmidts, too. I don't know why there aren't any around right now. Maybe they just went looking for the Prince."

"Alfred," Matthew stopped his brother. "That's nice, but I am tired. So would you please just leave and let me sleep? Finally?"

"Yeah, sure," Alfred laughed, patting Matthew on the shoulder. "I'm just really happy for you!"

"I am, too," Matthew assured him. "Now good night." With that, Matthew opened his door and slammed it in Alfred's face.

"Okay! Just be ready in the morning!" Alfred chimed and Matthew just shook his head, stooping down to pick up Kumayuron from the ground and sat down on his bed.

"Kuma, I think I really, really like her," Matthew muttered, falling back and staring at his ceiling. "You liked her, too, right?"

The bear simply curled some more into Matthew, seeming about ready to fall asleep.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous," Matthew let out a laugh. "She likes me, too. I mean, she kissed me back, after all… I just really don't want to mess this up…"

Translations:
Exakt- Exactly
Gut-Good
Ich gewinne-I win(Google translated, sorry!)
Guten Nacht-Good night

Alright, so since I'm nice I've decided to try to update every day. I'm slightly scared my computer may die at any second, but I'm gonna be constantly saving my work on a flash drive, so I hope I'll be good!

Anyway! Back to the story, their first date went swimmingly (hehe, puns). And royalty loves to move quickly with relationships, especially when this Prince has been waiting for as long as possible to get married. Bear in mind that this country has gone on for a really long time without a King and just two Princes and an advisor. Who's Francis. Obviously they need to work quickly with marriage. And "Maria" shouldn't have anything against it, should he?

Please review! I will wuv you fowever!