A/N: Bad news, I'm going away for two weeks and won't be able to upload...
Good news, I'm putting out two chapters now and two when I come home! Thanks for reading!
Edit: OH MY GOODNESS I just saw the fan art by Jaesch of this fic and IT'S SO PERFECT! I'm really happy and so grateful. I'm using it for the the cover of this fic now so I hope there's no problems with that... If there is let me know!

Twenty-six

We went to see Janice a lot now. We were in that bar at least three times a week he always looked happy to see us. He and Mika were the only other two that really knew about the relationship between Gilbert and me but no matter how much emphasis Gilbert and I (mostly Gilbert) put on it he would always put on a smile and humour us by saying congratulations and wishing us well. Janice was great guy.

Gilbert had had a few beers next to me and I was fiddling with the label of the bottled water that I had brought in with me. It turned out that this place didn't serve anything that wasn't alcoholic but water was okay. I liked water.

"Oi!" Gilbert exclaimed getting the attention of Janice and I simultaneously as he put down his third beer, "Where is my friend? He should be back here!" Maybe he was drunk.

I tapped his arm, "What are you talking about?" What was 'back here' supposed to mean?

He laughed. He was definitely tipsy, "My little friend! Janice, bring him here!"

Lucky for me, Janice knew what he was talking about, "He is back in home." Janice told him.

Gilbert raised his arms and gave a loud cheer, "Let me see him!" He turned to me, his eyes wide with excitement, "Mattie! You can meet my special friend!" By the way he was talking about it, I wasn't sure if I wanted to.

I tried to look for Janice in the hopes that I could get some support from him but he had gone and I was left sting here beside a tipsy Gilbert who was rambling about something I didn't understand.

I leaned on the counter and looked at him, "Care to explain?" I asked.

He grinned and winked, proving to be a little more sober than first presumed, "You will meet him, Mattie, he is too cool."

I didn't respond instead I felt an unnecessary, unprovoked kind of anger well up at the bottom of my throat. Gilbert never called me cool. I started to tear at the label on my water feeling some spiteful satisfaction when paper ripped. He called me cute but never cool. I tore of a strip of the blue paper and rolled it in my fingers. He was meant to like me the most, jeeze, what was he talking about?

"Do you like him?" My question was probing as to how Gilbert felt about this guy in to comparison to me. It was stupid though... He liked me the most. Me.

"Huh?" Gilbert looked at me like I was asking a dumb question. I probably was. I clenched the paper label in my hand, "Duh!" He looked out for Janice coming back, "I love this little guy!"

Oh.

I glared at the side of his head. I was offended by that answer. Like, a lot.

Was this me getting jealous?

Whatever it was- I didn't care, I was getting mad at him for saying all that. Who was it that he loved so much anyway? Probably some stupid little immature child totally making eyes at Gilbert. They could leave him alone, Gilbert wanted me, not that...

I then realised that I was describing myself?

Ugh.

Why did he even like me?

Still! There was no way that Gilbert would like someone more than me! He said all those things to me, not to some little...

Sigh.

Why bother getting mad? The guy Gilbert apparently loved oh so much was gonna either be the same or better than me if my description of a weedy kid really was as I had been thinking - not Gilbert's type.

I just looked at Gilbert's excited face glumly as we both waited for whoever Janice was taking over.

Janice came hurrying back seconds later and I perked up in mild interest.

My first emotion that I felt when Gilbert cheered the arrival of his small friend was confusion. What Janice had brought out for Gilbert was not another guy but a cage.

What the heck was going on.

Gilbert suddenly put an arm around my shoulders, "Mattie, look! This is my lovely friend!" He got me to lean closer and suddenly I realised what he had been talking about all this time.

He had been talking about a bird.

The 'cool little guy' was a little yellow budgie that looked at us both with little eyes and hopped around in his cage. And I guess he was pretty cool.

Gilbert spoke in a quiet excited whisper, "He is so awesome he is a bird." Gilbert grabbed my hand and squeezed it under the table, "Cheep cheep! Heh heh." He sounded very proud of Janice's budgie.

"What's he called?" I asked in the same whisper for Gilbert's sake.

But he had dropped the tone of urgent secrecy and yelled out loud enough for the whole bar to hear, "He is called Gilbird! Because he is cool, like me. If I was a bird, I would be that bird." He really was sweet.

I looked up at Janice, who was watching us in bewildered amusement, "Seriously?" I asked. Janice let Gilbert name his bird after himself?

Janice shrugged, "I never gave bird a name. Gilbird has stuck." He made a gesture of indifference. I had I feeling that this bird was more important to Gilbert that it was to Janice.

He gave me this sparkly smile and explained his logic, "Gilbird sounds like Gilbert and that shows that he is a bird king. Also did you notice that the bird is yellow!" He clapped his hands as Gilbird stretched it's small wings, "Yellow is a good colour." He patted my head, "It is like your hair."

My hair was really a dirty blonde but I was willing to accept what he said.

Gilbert carefully unlatched the cage and let Gilbird hop out onto his finger, "Wow..." He said quietly as the bird got comfy, "Janice gives him to guys who are moving into a new apartment or whatever and want a companion to warm the house a little. But only if he trusts that they will take care of this dude."

Gilbert really did love the bird; it was clear from the way he leaned down on the bar counter and gazed at it while it looked around the bar. It was so cute.

I felt bad.

Why did I let myself start accusing him of trying to get with someone else? Why did I automatically assume his friend was someone like me that he was interested in? Didn't I trust him, wasn't I meant to trust him?

"Sorry, Gilbert." It just slipped out.

He turned his attention to me, "Huh?" He suddenly looked disturbed, "Do you not like Gilbird?"

"No, I..." I frowned in a moment of self loathing, "I thought you liked another guy."

He looked at me like I had gone insane and I leaned on his shoulder. He looked at my downcast features for a moment before asking me, "Why the heck did you think that?"

"Well," I started, not wanting to finish, "When you were talking a minute ago you didn't really make it totally obvious when you were talking a moment ago that you meant a bird... s-so, I kinda jumped the gun a little because you were talking about Gilbert and saying how cool you though he was and how you loved him and everything... I thought you meant a person, okay?!" I was glad that was over.

Gilbert was silent for a moment and we both watched Gilbird hop along his finger, "Gilbird is cool." He reminded me.

"Gilbert!" I shoved his arm, "Didn't you listen?! I had a moment when I didn't even trust you! You're my boyfriend you should be mad." Didn't he care if I had faith in him?

"Yes," He said quietly, "I listened... Why did you tell me if you though I would be mad?" He petted Gilbird's soft head.

"I don't know," It just felt right, "I didn't want to hide something like that from you, I don't want it to cause anymore problems."

"Mattie... I am happy that you even decided to love me again. I have not even started to think about having your trust again after throwing you out three times." His voice was sombre.

It still felt strange, "That was different." It was as if our deeper relationship had been the divider for a before and after in my life. Things had changed since Gilbert and I started being this way.

He laughed, "I am sad you did think I would like another person but it could have been worse!" He ruffled my hair, "Also! Jealousy is hot~!" He winked.

I blushed a little... I guess I had been reminding him enough that he hurt me a few times- he maybe didn't think I was ready to trust him again yet. Maybe it was time to show him that I was trying. I had to trust him, or this whole thing would be pointless.

"You're not even a little mad?" I asked, if he was mad at me a little then I might have felt justified for acting all distrusting.

He scrunched up his nose, "Nah!" He decided, "But you have to know- there is no one I like as much as you." He did tell me that last part with seriousness.

It brought a smile to my face, "Really?" As much as he said he loved me I wasn't sure that I would ever really be convinced that he liked me the most out of everyone. Me. And he was so cool and older, "Am I really your type?"

He looked thrown off by the question for a moment. Then suddenly he attempted to look almost philosophical, "Is Gilbird my type?" He put the bird on his shoulder.

I looked at Gilbird. He was fluffy and bright yellow, sometimes making cute noises... He wasn't really something I would associate with Gilbert, "He is flashy." I pointed out. The bird stretched out its wings to show me how pretty it was, "And a show off." I added, "Also you did say he was awesome."

Gilbert looked slightly annoyed that I found ways to call Gilbird 'his type', "Yes! But he is also a cute fluffy yellow bird who is sleepy a lot! Does that sound like my type?" He took a long sip of beer to prove that he was a manly man who was not into birdies.

I shook my head (it was obviously the answer he wanted), "Not really if you put it that way."

He started nodding slowly, he was already getting all triumphant over his deep talk with me, "Ja! And I do still love Gilbird, yes?"

I didn't even need to question that, "Yes."

He slammed his hand on the counter, "See?! I do not need to stay in my type! I can like many things! Like you. I love you." He tucked some of my hair behind my ear, "But! I have to admit to you that the big doe eyes and cute ass are kind of my type, you are a twink, Mattie~"

I blinked a few times, "A what?" A twinkie? Twink... What?

He laughed loudly and as if to add to it Gilbert flew around his head a few times, he looked delirious, "It is nothing! Google it when you are with a computer." He smirked

I didn't think I wanted to search whatever he just called me now... But I didn't have time to ponder this for long because I was interrupted by a quiet 'plop'.

I looked around the room, no idea what it was but then I heard a cry from right beside me,

"DU LITTE SCHISSE!" Gilbert was yelling, but it wasn't at me- it was at Gilbird.

I looked at him frantically. What was with the sudden temper!? "What is it!?"

He looked at me and I could see fire in his eyes, "My fucking beer!" He roared, loud enough to get people looking at us, even in such an already noisy place.

I looked at his drink and found myself unable to stop smiling. In his beer was a single bird poop, gracefully sinking into the depths of his pint.

I put my hand over my mouth to stop giggling, "Oh my gosh...!" Gilbird had pooped in his beer!

The bird tweeted indignantly, it had to go so it did. Gilbert was the one having him hover over his beer.

"Er hat eine verdammt Kacke in mein Bier! Was zum Teufel!?" He was so mad it was just stupid.

"Gil'!" I held my head in my hands, unable to keep the laughter at bay, "You're an idiot!" Tears had even started leaking out.

He made a gruff growling sound, "Halt den Mund...!" He wasn't even bothering with English, "Arschloch." He said bitterly.

I put my hands up, he could call me names but he held the live bird over his drink, "Whatever, it's not my drink that's got poop in it."

He was scowling darkly as he shoved Gilbird back in his bird cage, flipping it off, "Holen du sich die Hölle weg." He told it darkly before yelling, "Janice! Ich brauche noch ein bier! Ihre verdammte Vogel nahm eine Scheisse!"

I calmed down a little, "Jeeze... Calm down!" I watched as Janice looked over, first obviously shocked and then amused.

He pouted, still seething, "I liked that beer. Shitty bird." He spat.

I rubbed his shoulder, it was strangely fun to deal with him like this, "You're just gonna get another one. Don't worry about it." Janice pushed a new beer over to us, "See? There."

He was still mad as he reached into his pocket and yanked out his wallet, grumbling quietly. He opened his wallet and his face turned to one of surprise, he looked up at Janice anxiously.

Janice just groaned and put the cloth he was wiping the bar down with over his shoulder, crossing his arms, "If you not able pay do not worry." He said it kindly, but there was still irritation, "I will make you give money next time."

Gilbert had obviously forgotten that he drink had been pooped in, he just blushed lightly and put his wallet away, "It is not that I cannot pay!" He was getting defensive in his embarrassment, "I just... Do not want to!" He took a long swig of his new beer so that he could avoid speaking again.

Janice and I both knew that was false. Gilbert always was a little frivolous with his money; as if he couldn't comprehend that he was a homeless guy with a tiny income. He was trying to impress himself.

But Janice and I did both like Gilbert so we said no more of it. Janice just nodded and headed to another man who wanted served and Gilbert finally put down his mug and grinned at me.

"Try some beer!" He suddenly commanded.

I had never and probably never would want to try that stuff. "No." I gave my firm answer, but I knew that wasn't gonna be enough.

And it wasn't, "Come on!" He urged suddenly hugging me, trying to coax me into it, "It is nice and it will make you happy."

He was nuzzling me and people were staring, I pushed him off, "I'm pretty sure that this is peer pressure and therefore you are bullying me." I sounded indignant but I was pretty sure that Gilbert wasn't bullying anyone... I don't actually think he was capable.

He looked at me like I was crazy. Him? A bully? Never.

"Mattie. I am awesome. You forget that." He gave me a shiny smile. This was ridiculous.

I was getting back to the point, "I'm not touching that beer."

He took my hand and held it in his. I watched as I raised it to his lips and kissed it, giving me a smouldering look.

I gave back a small bashful smile.

But then it changed when he suddenly pulled my hand and forced my knuckles onto the cold glass of his beer mug.

"You touched it!" He yelled and clapped his hands, looking around for an applause, "You lied Mattie! You lied!" He cheered as I looked on in total confusion, "I made you touch it! You said that you would not! Ohhh!" He was really getting his kicks from this.

I rolled my eyes. Thank goodness he made his self righteous conceitedness so adorable.

I slid off the bar stool and started to leave him, "I'm going home." I knew he would follow. I didn't want him getting drunk tonight; he did tell me that he was taking me home later and having a special night with him. I had no idea what that was supposed to mean... But whatever, I liked the sound of it.

His celebrations stopped, "Mattie! Where are you going!" He called after me, "I did not mean to make you sad!" I turned to him, and he raised his beer, draining it in record time. "Wait!" He stumbled of his seat, ran over to me and hugged me tightly.

"I kinda wanna go home." I said into his shirt, "Are you done here?" I didn't exactly want to drag him away.

He nodded and took my hand, giving a squeeze, "You still touched the beer." He reminded me.

"Yes." I gave him a playful shove, "I know."

He leaned over as we got outside and whispered into my ear, "You lied."

I gave him a kiss on the cheek to quieten him.

x++x

We made it most of the way back in the dark, the cold biting us but keeping our hands warm in pockets.

We were almost there and nothing sounded better that curling up in the blankets with Gilbert as my heater but of course, nature called.

I stopped in the street and let him walk a few steps before he noticed and turned.

"I gotta pee." I told him, "I'm just gonna head to the bathroom for a minute, it's close from here."

He nodded, we both wanted to get back but rule number one was not to pee in his house. It was an empty store until that had a gaping hole in the roof but it wasn't a toilet.

"Fine." He said and came back over to me, "I will come."

I shook my head, "It's cool." I could go this one alone, "You can get back and make the place nice for me!" I put my hands on his arms and rubbed them, "It's freezing, go home."

He raised a suspicious brow, "You are sure?"

I nodded.

He took my face in his hands, cupping it and kissing my lips. I kissed back and let it warm me. Nice.

We parted slowly, "I will see you soon." He told me, "I need a cigarette."

I laughed and started to step back, "Then go get one! See ya!"

We were smiling as we parted ways and I headed for the public bathroom. I knew the routine by now. Back to the camera, head down, closest cubicle, and don't let anyone catch you.

So that's what I did and I relived myself. I hated walking so far just to pee and walk so far to get back to Gilbert but it was a sacrifice I made. A closer toilet would be great though.

It was too cold to be out walking at night. Especially since I didn't even have a jacket.

Y'know, maybe if I had stopped thinking about the cold as I got closer to home I would have noticed the two cops that stood at a street corner before it was too late.

I still had my glasses on and my hood was half down.

I looked up just in time for me to see them point at me as one said something to the other. They looked unsure. By then I had realised what was happening. I looked away. Perhaps they would decide it was nothing.

But then I could sense them following me, keeping the same pace. I sped up. They sped up.

They knew who I was.

They had recognised me.

They were following me.

So I started to run, they chased me obviously, but I had to get away. Lose them somehow.

This was bad.

This was really bad.

I was so stupid!

I was nearly at Gilbert's place! Just a little more and I'd lose them! They were getting closer. Go away! Go away!

I skidded through the doorway and stood panting as suddenly I noticed my mistake. I led them right here. The cops ran in behind me and saw as I looked at Gilbert, petrified and he looked at them like everything had just fallen apart.

I could only stand there as the cops came to all the wrong conclusions.