There was only a small cinema in their town, but it was smart and new, and a favourite hang out spot for many teenagers from school. Matthew didn't know how Gilbert had found out about it, since it hadn't existed when he'd last been here. They walked side by side down the pavement together, wearing only jackets this evening, as the consistently cold and wet weather had broken its pattern, and instead had decided to grace them with a burst of sunlight. It was only a 15-minute hike, but Gilbert had exhausted almost half a bottle of sun cream covering himself up. It made Matthew chuckle, watching him squirm at the greasiness; this was something he hadn't known about his friend, since they'd never lived together back then.

"Vhat are you laughing at?" Said Gilbert, as they passed by the shopping centre. Matthew smiled, and reached his hand up to Gilbert's face. He gently rubbed off a smear of white.

"You had sun cream on your nose." He said. Gilbert was quiet for once, turning that adorable shade of pink, and shuffling to walk just that little bit closer to Matthew.

They reached the cinema, and Gilbert made Matthew wait in the foyer, as he didn't want to ruin the 'Awesome Surprise'. Matthew humoured him, yet it was pretty obvious by the posters adorning the walls what they would be watching. His hands were resting in his pockets, to prevent the bulging bag of homemade popcorn from being spotted by any of the assistants. His mother was a firm believer in the tyranny of overpriced branded cinema popcorn. He glanced up with a nostalgic smile as Gilbert came back over to him, clutching a brightly coloured bag of sherbet sweets anyway.

"Vouldn't want to look suspicious now, vould ve Birdie?" He grinned. Matthew beamed a conspiratorial grin back. Now this was just like old times.

They made their way into the screening room just as the lights dimmed and people were quieting down, only the rustle of plastic wrappers and the odd whisper to be heard. There were a few people from school that Matthew recognised, and it were moments like these that made him so very glad that no-one knew who he was. The two of them slipped into the back-row seats (which were surprisingly still empty) and made themselves comfortable.

"Have you guessed what film ve're seeing?" Said Gilbert in hushed tones.

"Shhh!" Replied Matthew, finger to his lips. "Maybe…" He smiled.

When the music blasted out of the speakers and the audience applauded, Matthew glanced back round to look at Gilbert again, who seemed to be trying not to look too pleased with himself.

"I've been so looking forward to seeing this," He hummed, "Star Wars has always been one of my favourite movies."

"I remember," Said Matthew. "You used to have one of those plastic lightsabers, and you'd bring it to school and whack people with it."

"Shhh!" Hushed Gilbert, repeating what Matthew had said just minutes before. "You'll miss ze awesome film!"

It was a great film, full of action and suspense. Although Matthew would be reluctant to admit it, he was actually quite chuffed that Gilbert had picked this one; it was something he had been planning to watch eventually as well. He had no idea how he was going to explain it to Alfred though, they had been going to see it together.

All was going swimmingly until about half six, when the movie had almost finished. There were some girls, maybe their year, maybe the year below, sitting in the row in front of them. Throughout the duration of the film, they'd acted generally disinterested: sneaking out their phones to send messages or chewing on gum and chucking popcorn. Matthew had been able to cast a blind eye before, way too engrossed in the action on screen. Now though, they'd turned around, and for the first time, noticed the two boys behind them.

At this point, Matthew felt he should be more specific with himself: they'd noticed Gilbert. The brown-haired girl with the pointy nose giggled, catching his eye, then turning back to speak rapidly into her blonde friend's ear. She then spun back again, batting her eyelashes and looking for all the world like some shuddering, broken video clip. Matthew strained to ignore them again, but it was difficult, especially when his friend beside him seemed to be basking in the attention. When both of them turned round the third time, Gilbert flashed them a smirk, and they both dissolved into fits of giggles.

Matthew scowled, and shifted his arms, so they were crossed against his chest. He had missed the last few minutes of dialogue and had no clue what was going on anymore. He couldn't concentre if he tried. The last 10 minutes of the film were a blur of lightsaber battles, tittering girls and Gilbert's obnoxious white hair.

The second the credits began to roll, Matthew stood up abruptly.

"Let's go." He said. Gilbert followed without question, and they left the cinema.

"Did you see those chicks, Birdie?" Said Gilbert with a smile, once they were back out on the streets. "They were so unsubtle- totally into the awesome me!"

"They were kind of hard to miss." Replied Matthew with a frown.

"No kidding! They were sort of sveet through, don't you think?"

Matthew realised why he was suddenly so frustrated: he was jealous. Jealous of the way Gilbert could just waltz into a room and capture everyone's attention with one glance from those captivating eyes. It was just like with his own brother. When they'd found each other after all those years, Matthew had been ecstatic! Finally! He's thought. Finally, someone who will be my friend, spend time with me, love me unconditionally. He adored his brother, but that original, hopeful, childish mindset was long gone. He would always be in Alfred's shadow, and now it was the same with his only friend. Just like before, all he felt at first was exhilarating joy, that someone had noticed him. But Gilbert wasn't like him. He had better goals in life, and eventually, better people to be around. There was Francis now, and maybe Antonio one day as well. Maybe he would end up dating or even marrying one of the girls from the cinema. And Matthew… would be left in the dust.

In a spit of sudden rage, Matthew threw out a question. Then immediately regretted it.

"I suppose they were. I think they go to our school, would you date one?"

He felt his face flush with colour, but stubbornly didn't look at Gilberts face, dreading what he'd see there. He walked a couple more steps before realising that no one was beside him. Stopping himself, he turned back, eyes wide.

Gilbert stood still a few feet back, as if he'd hit an invisible set of traffic lights. The expression he was pulling looked a little constipated, a little bewildered. Was it something Matthew had said? Did he offend him somehow? God, this was why he had no friends!

"Y-you okay?" He stammered.

"Ya… ya." Gilbert said, hesitating. "Just…uh Matthew," Matthew nodded. "Don't know how to break this to you, but…'

'Sort of not into girls. Ya."

Gilbert fiddled with his scarf, and a breeze blew in, flicking strands of blond hair across Matthews face. Generally speaking, he was not one to experience moments of brain-dead like this, but he was stuck in a state of bizarre confusion. Where was his voice when he needed it?

"Wh… what?" Ah. There it was. He was always proud of his extensive vocabulary.

"Sheisse, I knew I shouldn't have said anything. Bitte nicht- please. Don't say anything. Vhat I meant was- I mean. Ya. Sheisse. Verdammt!" The vulnerability he had briefly displayed quickly morphed into anger, and he looked about ready to storm off. Matthews thoughts raced. The teasing about Arthur and Alfred had all been in good fun, but surely Gilbert realised that it also held a semblance of truth. Matthew wasn' just mocking his brother, or Gilbert. He wasn't like that.

"Wait! Stop, Gilbert." He spluttered. Gilbert silenced himself, looking wary. "T-that's fine." He continued, "I'm glad you told me. I won't- I won't… say anything, if you don't want me to. That's fine."

"Danke." Said Gilbert quietly. Nothing more was said as they walked back together.

...

Back home, his mother had cooked dinner for them all: Roast chicken with potatoes and green beans. Gilbert picked at the food, although Matthew wasn't entirely sure whether that was due to their abrupt conversation earlier or Gilberts particular fondness for baby chickens. Nevertheless, Matthew felt terrible. He should have replied with something more supportive than what he did- he was just surprised and confused, and maybe slightly relieved, not to mention betrayed. No, he shouldn't be feeling betrayed! That was wrong… it was just, it wasn't something he automatically associated with his memory of Gilbert, and seeing it changed slightly, suddenly knowing of something that was such an important part of Gilbert's life, shuck him a lot. It made him realise just how little he knew about his so called best and only friend. Hell, they'd only known each other for a total of 6 months and just over a week. That was nothing. They were practically strangers.

Alfred chattered on, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, clattering his knife and fork against the plate. Football. Arthur. Lessons. PE. Arthur…His mom nodded along but kept sneaking glances at Gilbert's not really emptying dishes.

"Is everything alright Gilbert?" She inquired, ever concerned. "Did you boys enjoy the film?"

"It vas great, danke, Ms Villiams."

"Yeah," Agreed Matthew. "We watched Star Wars, the new one."

"What!?" Exploded Alfred, jumping up from his seat, "You're kidding! I can't believe you watched that without me!"

"Sit down Alfred," Scolded Ms Williams. "You can go with me next week if you're that concerned about missing out." Alfred scowled and sat down again, surely delighted at the prospect of going to the cinema with his mom.

"That's fine. No bother." He huffed.

"Sorry." Said Matthew. "I wasn't sure what film we were going to watch until we got there. Anyway, I thought you were going to go with Arthur." He looked across the table and caught Gilbert's eye. Gilbert stared down at his vegetables.

"I was," Said Alfred, "But I don't really feel like asking him anymore. Not sure he'd want to go with me."

Matthew noticed that slight emphasis on the 'me' and realised what had probably happened.

"Well," He began, still searching for Gilbert's attention, "I think you should ask anyway. I completly support your relationship."

A bewildered expression appeared on his brother's face, and he muttered a confused 'thanks'. That wasn't what he was aiming for though. From beneath his pale eyelashes, Gilbert's eyes flicked up, and connected with Matthews.

He felt himself let out a sigh of relief. 'Thank you', they seemed to say. Good. Gilbert understood.

Please excuse my awful, awful chapter title pun.