Matthew couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned on that couch but the sweet embrace of sleep just wouldn't come to him. After a while Matthew just sat up and rested his back against the couch as the blanket draped over his legs. He brought one leg up on the couch and rested his chin on the knee as his mind reeled.

Máximo had no problems sleeping, his snoring was telling Matthew that fact. Not much was said between them really. By the time they left the police station it was dark and both of them were physically and mentally exhausted from the rollercoaster that was their day. Yet, even though Matthew was exhausted he just couldn't get to sleep. His mind was racing too much.

Eduard was nice enough to let him look at the picture of his dad. There was something off about his father in the picture, something that struck Matthew the wrong way, but he didn't know what exactly and that was bugging him. He asked Eduard if he could have the photo. Eduard actually laughed at that question.

"Sorry Matthew, evidence can't be handed out willy-nilly."

Matthew sighed and sat back against the couch and rested his eyes. He was so damn tired but his mind wouldn't let him sleep until-

-Until he talked to his father himself. He decided.

But to go back without Alfred and Peter-

'Screw 'em.' Matthew thought briefly. 'This is more important.- but do you think he'll let you back up on the surface if you come back alone?- I need to know! No, you don't, get your brothers and do the right thing! Screw the right thing! Was dad stabbing a man who loved him the right thing?! No, it wasn't!'

Matthew moved his leg down, grabbed the pillow, and pressed it against his face so he could let out a muffled and confused, scream of frustration. Thankfully, Máximo slept like he was dead (much like Alfred.) so, Matthew was glad he didn't wake his friend.

With a huff of frustration, Matthew tossed the pillow back down on the couch before he flopped face-down into the pillow. He hoped he'd suffocate himself into unconsciousness. Unfortunately, his survival instincts kicked in seconds later and he lifted his head up to breathe in some fresh cold air.

"Okay…" Matthew sighed in defeat as his dry throat was telling him that he needed water. So, he rolled off of the couch and silently went into the kitchen. Yes, he was still learning the human ways of living, and he knew what to do because he saw Máximo do this earlier. He grabbed a glass, one with a handle so he wouldn't drop it, and turned the knob on the sink. Water came gushing out of the faucet. Matthew put his cup under and once it was half-way filled he turned the knob again turning it off.

He took a sip of the water and made a face. The water was hot.

'Amazing that they can regulate the temperature of their water!' The only time Matthew had ever been near hot water (minus the shower he had yesterday) was when he accidentally found a geyser on the ocean floor. He would have lost his hand if Liam hadn't had pulled him away before it erupted.

Matthew took another sip, grimacing again at the warm temperature of the water. He was ready to dump it out and try to lay down again when he heard it.

Tap.

Matthew jerked his head towards the window. There was only one window in the kitchen; it was next to the stove. At first Matthew was going to go to it but then shrugged and mentally slapped himself. It probably wasn't anything worth investigating-

Tap.

Matthew looked back at the window with a raised eyebrow. A bird? Maybe. But it's dark out? Maybe he should get Máximo?

Tap.

Matthew went to the window and pulled the blinds back just a bit. They were on the third floor, as Máximo had told him. So he looked down on the ground.

Imagine his surprise when he saw Gilbert down there with a small rock in his hand. Matthew blinked, rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands and looked down again expecting Gilbert to be gone. Nope. Matthew pulled the blinds back a little more fully and the two locked eyes. Gilbert smiled and that made Matthew smile in return.

Gilbert made a motion with his arms. With his palms facing up, Gilbert moved his hands and arms up.

This left Matthew a little puzzled and he tilted his head in question at Gilbert.

Gilbert frowned, pointed at the window, and made the motion again.

'Oh!' it clicked for Matthew and he grabbed the bottom of the window before opening it with ease. The fresh, sticky, summer night air hit Matthew's face full force. It was honestly a little refreshing.

"I don't know much about things, Gil, but I don't think you're supposed to visit people like this in the dead of night." Matthew grinned as he rested his arms on the base of the window. He made sure to whisper as not to wake Máximo. He had a feeling Máximo wouldn't like this surprise visit.

"I… I couldn't sleep." Gilbert didn't whisper, but he didn't speak at full volume either.

"Join the club." Matthew rolled his eyes. "I'm exhausted but I just can't sleep… how'd you find this place?" The thought suddenly occurred to him as he looked down at Gilbert with a raised eyebrow.

"Bah, I've been over at Máxi's before." Gilbert waved the question off.

"I see. How'd you know I'd be up?"

"Didn't. Took a risk." He grinned a devilish grin at Matthew.

Matthew rested his elbow on the edge of the window; he then rested his head on his open palm. He couldn't help but smile. "And if Máximo would have answered?"

"I would have just kept on walking like I didn't do anything. See?" to show his point, Gilbert lifted the hood of his jacket and put it over his head, and turned around. He would have had plenty of time to do this if he saw Máximo answer, then he'd have to book it. As a cop, no doubt would have yelled or even chased him down for doing such a thing.

Gilbert turned back around and lowered his hood. For a moment the two of them looked at each other and Gilbert smiled. "...Do you want to be bad?" He finally asked.

Matthew frowned. "Describe bad." He ordered.

"Well, you look like you have been doing everything daddy dearest has been ordering you to do without question. Probably for years if I'm truly guessing." Gilbert started.

A chortle left Matthew's mouth and he tried to keep it quiet. "You got that right."

Gilbert's grin grew wide. "And you're doing everything Máximo wants you to do, right?"

Matthew nodded.

"Well, Birdie, I say tonight we do what you want to do." Gilbert looked around quickly before focusing back on Matthew.

"What I want to do?" Matthew found himself repeating those words softly, but just loud enough for Gilbert to hear.

"Ja-" Gilbert paused and looked at his phone quickly. "It's midnight now. Let's go out for a few hours and have you home by… three? Four? Let's just relax and get our minds off of… everything."

That did sound nice, but…

Matthew looked back at Máximo's room. He could still hear Máximo snoring away, blissfully unaware of what was going on. "If I get caught-"

"You won't." Gilbert said it was such confidence that Matthew felt compelled to believe him. "Trust me, Birdie. I've done a lot of sneaking around and I have never- okay- almost never have gotten caught."

Matthew sucked his teeth and looked back at Gilbert. There was a pleading in Gilbert's eyes. He wanted to get out and do something just as much as Matthew did. Matthew could see it written on his face. So he tapped his fingers against the windowpane in thought before he made up in his mind.. "... give me a few minutes to get dressed."

Gilbert started to beam with pure happiness. "Awesome!"

He's never been this daring before, never ever, and honestly, a part of Matthew felt guilty for doing this to Máximo- but another part of him was absolutely enthralled about doing this. He felt bad and that gave him such a rush that couldn't be mirrored, not even when he would sneak off to talk to Gilbert without his father's knowledge.

Matthew silently threw on a pair of jeans, a red t-shirt, and his socks and shoes. Simple outfit, nothing special.

Máximo never even stirred or woke as he snored away in his bed. Matthew silently slipped out of the apartment with no effort at all. He made sure to be extra quiet, even as he tip-toed down the steps. He still stepped one step at a time so as not to fall. He made it down safe and sound and met Gilbert at the bottom of the stairs.

"Awesome!" Gilbert wrapped an arm around Matthew's shoulders and pulled Matthew in close.

Matthew smelt something on Gilbert. It wasn't cologne, something that Máximo wore to smell nice. No, this smell wasn't nice. It wasn't rancid, but rather… bitter and unpleasant. "We are going to have the night of our lives!" Gilbert exclaimed in such a way that his voice echoed and Matthew tensed up.

"Sh! You're going to get us caught." Matthew silenced Gilbert quickly and looked around frantically.

Gilbert giggled. "C'mon." He started to walk, pulling Matthew along with him as well. Still, Matthew smiled as his heart raced with excitement as they made their way towards Gilbert's car.

"What'da want to do, Birdie?" Gilbert's words seemed to slur together and Gilbert pulled him in closer with his arm.

Matthew thought about it for a moment as he rested his head on Gilbert's shoulder. The weather was hot and sticky from the nearby ocean and it made Matthew sweat. "Well… can you take me dancing? I've always wanted to dance with somebody."

"Dance? Like clubbing? I didn't peg you as the type!" A hearty laugh left Gilbert's mouth.

'What is clubbing?'

"But if that's what you want to do? Then sure! Let's go! I know a place!" Gilbert exclaimed proudly and Matthew's inner question went unanswered.

Gilbert's car wasn't far. Matthew got into the passenger side while Gilbert got in on the driver's side Matthew buckled himself in as the car roared to life.

It was only minutes after they started driving did Matthew start to realize that something was off with Gilbert. Gilbert swerved ever so slightly when he drove, and as he drove with one hand, his other hand had a drink in it. A dark blue can that Matthew assumed was soda.

For Matthew, he figured the town slept at night. Turns out only part of the town slept, while the other part of the town liked to go out and, well, party! Gilbert sloppily pulled into a parking space and finished off his 'soda' throwing the can out of his window. "This place is awesome!" Gilbert loudly proclaimed as he got out of the car.

Matthew's heart was still thumping harshly in his chest, but now it was with a bit more worry than before. His apprehension isn't quelled when he gets out of the car and sees that Gilbert's car is crooked that his bumper is actually in the space next to them.

Still, Matthew hears music, music that was coming from the building in front of them. It was so loud that it made the floor under them thump in rhythm with the beat of the song.

There's a pop and then a soft sizzling sound. Gilbert is then next to Matthew, another 'soda' in his hand. Gilbert took a generous swig of his drink. "Well, C'mon!" Gilbert suddenly grinned and threw his arm around Matthew's shoulder leading him towards the building.

When they approached Matthew noticed a familiar face standing at the door.

"Antonio!" Gilbert greeted his friend. Antonio grinned and the two of them shared a brief hug.

"Gil! What's happening? Why are you here?" Antonio questioned with a raised eyebrow as he then looked at Matthew and his eyebrow went up to his hairline.

"I'm here to give Matthew the night of his life!" Gilbert gave Matthew a playful, if not slightly rough, little shake of the shoulders.

"Uh…" Antonio's smile turned into a frown just like that. "Gil… is this kid legal? Antonio's voice turned serious just like that.

Gilbert made a 'psh!' noise with his mouth and waved Antonio's question off. "Of course he is! Do you think I'm dumb enough to bring a minor here or even date one?"

'Minor? Legal?' Lots of questions started to swarm around Matthew's mind.

"...Gil? Does he have I.D.? You know the rules."

"He's twenty-one! Ain't that right, Birdie?" Matthew frowned as Gilbert slapped him, rather harshly, on the back. It was the frown that gave him away.

"Gil, I can't let him in."

"Bah! Antonio, look… the kid doesn't want to drink. He just wants to dance."

"Gil, if we get hit by the cops tonight-"

"Please? Just this once, Antonio?" Gilbert practically begged. Antonio looked at Matthew, Matthew looked down quickly. He really liked the pattern on his new shoes.

"...He's not drinking?"

"Of course not."

"... Okay, I'll give you guys an hour, in and out, you hear?"

Gilbert grinned and patted Antonio on the shoulder. "You're awesome!" Gilbert took Matthew by his hand and led him into the building.

Matthew thought the music was loud outside? Holy cow! He couldn't even hear his own thoughts over the pounding of the music that vibrated all around him. Instantly he put his hands over his ears and scrunched his eyes shut. "Gil…" Matthew tried his best to get his attention, but Gilbert didn't seem to care as he started to drag Matthew farther into the building. The place was bright as well so bright that it hurt Matthew's eyes as well as his ears.

This is not what Matthew meant when he said he wanted to dance. He wanted the soft music he'd hear couples play as they were wrapped into each other. He wanted the soft swaying of legs and hips.

Not this.

This place was crowded as well. Matthew was constantly bumping into people. He would have apologized for being rude, but he doubted they would have heard him over the ungodly loud music. This music was messing with his senses.

"Here." Gilbert pushed Matthew into a chair once he found a table. "I'll be back. Just stay here, you look a little high-strung." There was something about that tone that didn't sit well with Matthew. Then again, nothing was sitting well with Matthew right now. The music was grating against Matthew's nerves and he put both hands over his ears again. It helped him. It really did.

Matthew didn't know how long he sat there, but long enough for Gilbert to come back with a couple of drinks. He put a dark brown bubbling drink in front of Matthew. "If anyone asks, it's just soda." Gilbert winked and he raised his own drink- His drink was tiny!

Still, he drank it all in one solid gulp down. Matthew watched Gilbert's whole body shudder almost immediately after.

Matthew looked at his drink. He frowned for a moment, and then cautiously took a sip. At first, it was sweet tasting as the bubbles tickled the roof of his mouth. Then came the bitter burning taste.

"Wh-wha?" Matthew's whole body shuddered at the taste. He felt his eyes start to water as he gagged.

"Shhh… just keep drinking." Gilbert urged as he lifted the drink up for Matthew.

Something was wrong with Gilbert. He really wasn't acting like he usually would. Still, not wanting to upset Gilbert, Matthew continued to drink the drink. At first he took a few cautious sips until he decided 'you know what? Screw it! I'm here to have fun right?' So, he downed it the way Gilbert had with his own drink. Granted it wasn't one big gulp, but several large gulps. The more he drank the more he tasted the gross burning taste.

"Alright, Birdie!" Gilbert all but cheered the moment Matthew slammed his glass down the table. Matthew gagged and bit back the urge to vomit. Gilbert then slapped Matthew on the back again.

'You shouldn't have drunk that.' a little voice inside his mind told him. Matthew frowned and pushed that voice back with a growl. Screw that little voice! Screw his brothers! And screw his father!

"Awesome! I'm going to get you a shot!" Gilbert proclaimed and stood up.

"Awesome! You do that! Also-!" Matthew burped. "-What's a shot?!"

"You'll see!"

"I guess, I will!" Matthew laughed as he felt himself start to loosen up for the first time in a long time.

Gilbert let out a chortle. "Drunk already?" He had asked a question but didn't wait around for an answer. Matthew watched Gilbert disappear into a throng of people. Matthew giggled and his face suddenly started to flush. The longer he sat there the more he started to feel rather blissful. All of his fears questions vanish all at once. He simply didn't care anymore.

'What's 'drunk'?' Matthew wondered as he waited for Gilbert to return.

The beat to the music was vibrating through his whole being and soon Matthew started to wiggle side to side as he sat there now growing antsy and wanting to dance.

"Giiiillll." Matthew whined as minutes continued to tick on by. Gilbert sure was taking his time getting the drinks. Still, Matthew felt blissful if not a little more impatient. Soon, Matthew started to pout. If he could tell time he'd be rather upset right now.

Eventually, Matthew got fed up and stood from the table. He'd find Gilbert himself then. Matthew stumbled just a bit before he was able to straighten himself up and start walking around. He bumped into a couple of people while the music continued to thump so loudly that he couldn't hear himself think. The drink he drank might have helped his senses a little as the music wasn't as grating but it was still loud.

He looked around the best he could but now that he was in the crowd of people, some were dancing while most were talking amongst each other (how?!).

Then it got worse for Matthew when he realized that because of all the people he couldn't see which way he came from or even where the exit was. The air was stifling and hot in the middle of the crowd. Soon Matthew's new goal became to just find a way out of the crowd.

"Oh, there you are."

That voice wasn't Gilbert's. Matthew turned towards it as a man with Inky black hair and emotionless brown eyes came up to him, two drinks in his hands. The man smiled a little, but he looked uncomfortable. The man paused for a moment to look Matthew up and down before he frowned.

"When did you change clothes?" He seemed generally confused as he stepped up to Matthew and went to hand him a drink. This time Matthew frowned but took the drink regardless.

"Change?" Matthew tugged at his red shirt. He never changed his clothes- also who was this man?!

"It doesn't matter. I won't lie, I'm getting a little uncomfortable with all these people-" Oh! this man was confusing Matthew with someone else!

"I don't know you, sir." Matthew truthfully told the man before giving him his drink back. The man looked confused for just a moment before he suddenly looked past Matthew.

"Oh, I see. I apologize." The man gave a half bow before walking away from Matthew. Matthew didn't both watch the man go. He didn't blame the man for mistaking him for someone else, there were so many people that it wasn't shocking at all. Still, that made Matthew frown and he did give a half-glance behind him where the man had gone. There was only one person who looked exactly like Matthew.

there were so many people and faces.

Matthew could see that there was an alarming number of blondes!

"Birdie-" Gilbert's voice made Matthew look forward as Gilbert approached him. The man with the black hair now in the back of his mind. "Decided to dance first? Here, take this." Gilbert pushed a tiny glass in Matthew's hand. "Now to take a shot you just down it in one whole gulp and don't hold it in your mouth."

"Okay…" Matthew shrugged; these drinks were weird to him; he never knew there was a wrong way to drink something. Then again he didn't know there was a wrong way to eat something the other day either. So, Gilbert raised his glass and led by demonstration. Matthew watched him pour the shot in his mouth and swallow it down instantly.

Matthew followed his lead.

The shot was spicy and it burned- holy crap! It burned his whole mouth and it burned the whole way down into his stomach, but once it was down and after Matthew's whole body violently shuddered it left a pleasantly sweet, yet still burning, taste in Matthew's mouth.

"Isn't fireball great!" Gilbert grinned a sloppy grin.

"Fireball… oddly fitting." Matthew started to feel a little dizzy as the people in his peripheral vision started to blur.

"C'mon! Let's dance now that you're all loose."

Gilbert grabbed both of Matthew's hands and pulled him in close- like really close. So close that Matthew could feel their bodies both touching. "I'll keep it easy. Just move side-to-side, don't move your feet." Gilbert told Matthew after a few seconds.

Matthew does. Matthew squeaks as Gilbert grabs his hips and pulls him in closer. The two move in time together both the same way, swinging like a pendulum. Then Gilbert shocks him by picking him up and twirling him in the air for just a second. Matthew is back on his feet only seconds later. He can't stop his grinning and Matthew throws his arms over Gilbert's shoulders against the sides of his neck as Matthew moved with Gilbert.

"You're doing great, Birdie." Gilbert urges Matthew to continue. Matthew started to sweat before too long the heat combined with the rapid movements; It was inevitable.

Matthew squeals with delight when Gilbert picks him up again. "Gil! That tickles!" He giggled and his words started to slur just slightly. Before too long Gilbert started to become a blur to Matthew, the music was slower but still as loud, Matthew's legs then started to stumble and his knees buckled ever so often. He almost fell once, or was three times? Matthew didn't know.

Matthew fell in love with this feeling. He didn't have a single care in the whole world as long as he was here with Gilbert. Gilbert would leave and come back with more and more drinks. Matthew drank with Gilbert every time. The drinks no longer tasted disgusting to Matthew, in fact they started to taste better with each one! This was great for Matthew.

Soon, Matthew's hair started to stick to his forehead as he sweated even more, he found himself becoming oddly hungry. Still, he was on a cloud with only him and Gilbert as they danced their sloppy little dance.

He started to become a little less coordinated the more time went on however. His legs stumbled more often and he wasn't thinking straight. He remembered at one point he might have actually kissed Gilbert-

Did he?

Matthew couldn't remember. In fact every time he blinked something new was happening and he couldn't keep track of anything anymore.

At one point Matthew actually fell, he didn't remember falling, but he remembered seeing glitter litter his arms and part of his clothes.

'I like glitter, it's shiny, like fish.'

That was the last coherent thought Matthew had for the night.