A/N: Wow... you guys are really amazing... more than 70 reviews already... and those ones that reviewed every single chapter... I think all of you have really won the Internet. No, really, reviews are a writer's fuel. And you make me want to keep uploading and posting, even all those ideas I was too shy to post in the past... I have no words for you.

Finally, this is the end of the list. Will Gilbert finally get out of denial and realize he has been in love the whole time? Because I am getting pretty desperate myself...

There's Only One Way Down This Road (III)

"It's been almost six months already…" Matthew said, out of the blue, while they were both peacefully sitting on the sofa, watching some random TV show none of them paid attention to.

"Yeah, time does fly…"

"No, I mean… It's been six months and he hasn't even bothered to get his things back…"

It was true. Winter had long since faded, spring had come, and the boxes still were in the corner, by the door. But they had learned to just walk by, acknowledge their presence but never make any comments of them.

They both stayed silent for a while, but then Gilbert added:

"Hey, I could always ask Francis and Arthur to keep them in their apartment, you know… That way, you wouldn't have to deal with him if he comes to get them back…"

"Don't worry, It's been a long time. I think I can handle it." He was still not entirely sure... but he wasn't about to tell Gilbert that.

"Better yet, if he calls in advance we could invite Arthur, and Francis, and Lovino and Antonio, and pretty much every boy we know… I could even ask my brother to come!"

Gilbert seemed pretty excited about all that, and, as much as Matthew knew it was better not to ask, curiosity took the best out of him.

"Why?"

"Oh, come on. Think of how cool you'd look if he opened the door, expecting you to be all down and depressed, and instead finds out your house is full of hot, semi-naked men. It would look like you got a harem!"

I don't know why I didn't see that one coming.

"Sometimes I wonder where you get your ideas from…" he sighed, although he knew he wouldn't be able to hide his smile.

"Think about it! It would be so awesome! I'm all in! Just think of the look on his face when he realizes he has lost…"

Matthew had to stop his rambling at that.

"This is a breakup, not a match. No one wins." He stated.

"You found me, of course you won."

And you don't even begin to understand how much.

Still… it would be pretty weird if he appeared in this exact moment, now that we had just talked about him…

But they still had to wait two weeks for that. In the exact 6 month anniversary, isn't that beautiful, there was a ringing in the door.

It was Gilbert who answered first. He looked through the peephole, stopped for a few seconds, and then began stripping.

Matthew, who was now by the door too, was torn between asking… or taking a better look. All the questions flew out of the window, however, when he heard Gilbert, now just in his boxers, ask:

"Mess my hair. Make it look like I just had sex"

That really took him by surprise.

"What?"

"Y'know, make it messy. I want it to look like I just had several rounds of rough, mind-blowing sex"

And Matthew really did not want to picture his crush after sex, or before sex, or, well, during sex, especially if I'm taking part in it too…

"You're taking too long, I'll do it myself"

And, after ruffling his hair, he finally opened the door.

"Sorry, we do not want any encyclopedias, or candy from your scouts group, or pretty much anything you want to sell us. And if you excuse us, we were just in the middle of…" He answered lazily, not even looking at the stranger.

Wait, when did he change his voice tone? Why? What's happening?

"No no… I think you are being mistaken. I am not selling anything. I am Carlos… is Matthew here?"

Ah. So that was it.

Then Gilbert decided to drop his façade.

"Listen bro… I think you are the one being mistaken. You appear here, 6 months later, and you still expect to-"

"Don't worry Gil. I think I can handle it."

And he replaced Gilbert by the door, looking at his ex-fiancé for the first time in months.

"What do you want?" he asked dryly.

"Just… to talk."

"Okay. I'm here. Talk"

"Listen, I know what I did was not right. But… I have been thinking about you since, and I really want us to get back together."

Did he honestly expect a response to that? Gilbert thought.

Matthew, on the other hand, was staring in awe. Something inside him was telling, no, yelling him that what he did was unforgivable, and should by no means give him another opportunity. But still, there was that little voice in his head, asking if he would ever find someone who loved him.

Gilbert? He was up there, in the sky… He just had hope about their love story. But Carlos was there, was real, and what if I never find someone else? What if this is as good as it gets? What if this is my last opportunity?

"Sooo… what do you think?"

He had no time to answer, however, because instantly a strong arm was holding him tightly around his waist, pulling him closer to its owner's body.

"HEY, LISTEN HERE, DOUCHE. You had your opportunity, you fucked up, and hey, guess what? HE HAS MOVED ON! Honestly, you disappeared for six fucking months and still expect him to be pinning after you? He should have had a entire harem for him!"

He hasn't still forgotten the idea… Matthew managed to think. Which was quite hard, actually, feeling Gilbert's naked torso against his back, feel his now quick breathing, how tense his muscles now were, his scent filling his nostrils…

But, most of all, it was the feeling of those strong arms, surrounding him, claiming him…

He is protecting me… Oh God, am I so much of a damsel in distress? Does he really feel the need to protect me from all evil, like I was some sort of precious creature? Do I mean so much to him?

Hell, why am I complaining?

"And who are you to say that?" there was a sudden change in his ex's voice. Where he had been all sweet and apologetic, now there was a harsh tone.

"I am what you were, but then ruined. HIS BOYFRIEND."

Okay, so maybe he had made that up a bit… but he needed to get his point clear.

"G-gil…" Matthew tried to speak, but cut himself short when he heard his roommate coming closer to his ear.

To anyone else, it would have looked if Gilbert was nipping his ear, just showing how much the other belonged to him. But to Matthew, it was more than that. It was a hidden whisper, barely audible.

Trust me, he had said, and Matthew did. No matter what I say, or how I act, you are the one deciding. But I can't let him blind you.

Both males stared at each other for a long while, and Matthew found himself trapped between their death glares. He could practically smell the testosterone filling the room. They both had that primal, aggresive pose, ready to attack...

They look like two tigers claiming over a prize...

"I'm just saying this once, and I want to make myself clear:"

He pulled Matthew's body even closer, if possible, and looked at Carlos in the eye.

"He. Is. Mine" he said with a possessive growl.

And then the door was slammed shut in Carlos's face.

Matthew, who was by now panting slightly, needed a whole two minutes to recover before he dared to look at Gilbert again.

"What… what was that?"

Okay, I know what it was. The hottest, sexiest thing that has happened to me so far. I'm even wondering if this is a dream, because if it is, please do not wake me up. And now that I think about it, if this isn't a dream, then it will be one. Soon.

"Kesesese… sorry if I scared you, Birdie, but I had to put on the show. You know me, I'm usually not like that... but he gets on my nerves so much... I don't want that asshole showing up at random times, thinking he has a chance, or something. Asshole has left a piece of paper with this phone number here... but not like we're gonna need it or something, right?"

Because he doesn't have a chance, rght?

I saw it in you eyes. You were honestly thinking about getting back with him. Even if you know he will hurt you. Even if you know you deserve more.

But I can't stand seeing you hurt, Mattie… and I will do everything I can to avoid it, to make you happy.

"But… why?"

"Simple: because… you are mine" He smirked, then disappeared through the hallway.

And, as much as his friend thought otherwise, he did not left the room for the dramatic effect, no, he just needed to go to his room to check one thing.

Getting overprotective over him… Getting overprotective over him… No, it's not on the list… But it has to count, right?

And I also have to call Alfred and give him the number. God, if he yells when having normal conversations, he's gonna leave him deaf.

6. Cold showers.

One could know when someone had a crush on someone in their college apartment by the amount of cold showers that were taken that month.

When Antonio first met Lovino, midnight showers became usual, after waking up from some… not so innocent dream, and as a way to solve the little problem that came along with them. Francis, on the other hand, was more fond of the after-date cold showers, so the rest of them could guess how the date went without even having to ask.

Gilbert liked his showers boiling hot. And, as long as they stayed like that, he would be fine…

"Gil, what the hell have you done to the shower? It's freezing!"

Gilbert had just stepped out of the shower. He was drying his hair, still in his towel, when Matthew had appeared and claimed said shower.

So, Gilbert, being the gentleman he was (absolutely not to avoid seeing his friend with little clothing) he had immediately gotten out of the room, and was in his way to his bedroom when he heard the other's voice, slightly fainted by the walls, and the sound of the water falling.

"Sorry, I turned the hot water off, and forgot to turn it on again"

But hey, it was not his fault, he had too many things on his mind at the same time, the most difficult of them trying hard not to think of Matthew naked in his bed, or Matthew with just an apron on, or Matthew in the shower, with those little drops of water running through his naked body, travelling across that pale chest, that waist I have never had the opportunity to properly admire, all the way to his…

Focus!

"Seriously, I don't know how you can stand this…"

I can't. But there's no other option.

If you knew…

"Well, they say it's good for your skin, and I have to take care of this marvelous body of mine"

Talking about marvelous bodies… I have always wondered how yours would be…I want to kiss you senseless, and see if those lips taste like I suspect they do… Will the rest of your body taste like that? I would nib and suck, all over your neck and shoulders, until you are so tuned on you can't stand it anymore, and you would practically force me to discover if you really taste as delicious as you look…

Brain… you know you are not helping, do you?

"Someday I guess I will have to ask you to join me here, and see how a real shower feels like…"

Birdie… you are not helping either.

Not that I would mind joining you, of course. I would be a nice boy… at first, gently offering to help you. I would pour some soap on my hand, and start rubbing all over your back… then I would expand all over your body… being more thorough with some areas than with others, to be honest…

In the end, I would have you all needy and messy, just asking me to please, please do something, and do it quick…

And hell yeah I would do something.

I would have you pinned against the wall in less than seconds, the water still running through our bodies and steam enveloping us...

"Mattie…" he knocked softly on the door.

"Yeah?"

"Have you finished yet?"

"Ehh… give me a second…" he heard the sound of the water turning off "Yup, I am ready…why?"

Gilbert looked at his pants.

"I think I need to use the shower"

"Again?"

Please, tell me this will end soon…

He sighed.

"…Again"

7. No one ditches Soccer Night.

Ever since they first met. They used to watch all the matches in their shared dorm in college, cheer for their own teams… and the ones they knew the other hated. It was one of the main things that made them bond so much, and become such great friends. Then, they moved to NY, and found a nice bar who broadcasted all European soccer matches. And they didn't miss any single one of them.

But life went along, and it was harder and harder to find a time in which they all had the time. So, another rule was established. Once a year, the tradition would be renewed.

And absence was absolutely not permitted.

Nevermind if it was a final, or just a regular match. It didn't even matter the teams that they were supposed to cheer, or who they played against. All of them must be treated like the final of the World Cup, like their whole life was at stake. It was Soccer Night, and it was sacred.

The rule was always obeyed religiously. Except, once, the night Lovino had gotten two tickets for the stadium, and thought that maybe… maybe Antonio was interested. Not like he had bought them thinking about him, or… God forbid, thought about this as their first date, or anything of the sort.

Then, the second time the rule was broken, Francis didn't appear, and for no apparent reason. Which earned him a scowl, and bad looks when he entered his apartment. But then he smirked, and showed the Union Jack themed boxers in his pocket. And that seemed enough of a permit for them, so they let it go.

But Gilbert? That was a whole other deal. Soccer Night was big words. If he ever dared to even think about ditching a soccer match, nevermind the reason… no, he couldn't even think of it. It was inconceivable. The mere thought made him laugh. There was no way in Hell…

"Gil! We're late!" They were two hours early, but still, Matthew was panicking. They had managed to get tickets for a hockey game, and he would finally be able to show Gilbert how great it was. But his friend refused to get dressed, and there was no way they could make it in time. Again, 'in time' being two hours early, but he had every right to be panicking, mind you.

He looks really cute like that...

Matthew entered Gilber's room, just to find him looking at the phone and smiling.

So he just stood there, waiting for an explanation as to why they weren't on their way already.

Gilbert just smiled at him and showed him the message.

"It's Tonio. He says there's a match on between Spain and France, and wants me to take party … Spain has won the Eurocup and the World Cup… but lost the Confederations Cup… hmmm… I reeeeally want to piss off Tonio, but I don't think I would bet for the French team…" he smiled.

"But didn't Lovino have the night shift tonight? Will he be able to make it?"

"That's the point, Birdie. It's the tradition. No boyfriends, no brothers… just the three of us. Like the good old times."

Matthew sighed. He could tell, by the way his roommate's eyes had lit, that it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a night like that. And he hadn't forgotten the way they met, and why Gilbert had been feeling so miserable at that time.

He hasn't had much days like this, with his friends being in committed relationships and all that… I bet he has been really looking forward to this…

But we already had plans for tonight…

He sighed.

"Oh… Well, I know soccer is really important for you, so…"

"Important? It is a religion. But then again, so is hockey for you, isn't it?"

Matthew tried to shrug it off.

"Yeah, but this match is no big deal, really. No one's winning the Olympic medal because of this… And I could watch it alone, too..."

Not like watching it with you was the whole point of all this, or anything...

"We have already bought the tickets, and I know you have been pretty excited about it the whole week…" Or, well, the whole month…

"T-that's not true…"

Gilbert just raised an eyebrow at him

" You made me wake up today at 6AM because you thought we were late. And the match is at night." He smiled at the other's blush.

"I'm feeling bad now… I know it's a tradition between you guys.."

"In fact, I was looking forward to the hockey match, really. You seem really infatuated with it… And soccer isn't going anywhere. There's at least one match every week."

And, before Matthew could argue with him more, he typed out the response

"Sorry… but I already have plans with Matt. I guess I will have to ditch Soccer Night this time.."

It still took a whole two minutes for it to sink in.

I guess I will have to ditch Soccer Night…

Soccer isn't going anywhere. There's a match once a week...

Ditch Soccer Night…

Soccer isn't going anywhere...

Soccer Night…

He looked at the phone. Then at Matthew. Then back at the phone. Then back at Matthew.

Had he really done what he thought he had done?

HE HAD DITCHED SOCCER NIGHT! He had… just… said no to one of the few opportunities he had to be with his friends. And a soccer match, no less! Six months ago, he would have killed for something like this. And now… now he was going to a hockey (Hockey!) match instead…

… And he had no regrets about it.

What the hell have you done to me, Birdie?

Still, not until he heard the buzzing sound of his cellphone did he find the energy to react.

He checked out the new message. It was from Antonio again. And it confirmed what he already suspected.

"You truly are in love… aren't you?"

And he snapped.

"Matt… I have to go now… I think I have to… to…"

To hell. I am in no mood to find any coherent excuse.

And he left the house, running away for the second time in his life, and with that familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach that just screamed déjà vu.

A/N: Do I have to remind you it's Gilbert we're talking about? He likes to see us fans suffer...

Anyway, I think that if we all shout at the same time, and loud enough, he might even get a clue!

But come on! No one does that to soccer night! At least, I wouldn't.

Reviews make our adorable fool be more adorable, and less of a fool!