A/N: THIS TOOK ME FAR TOO LONG. orz
Smutty/delicious omake coming soon. I promise.
He was trying to drown his troubles. He knew, deep down, that it would do no good, but still. It was worth a try. Alcohol had a certain…healing quality to it. It couldn't make the pain go away, but oh, hell, it could sure numb it.
And he'd settle for that for now. He'd settle for about anything now.
Anything was better than....than this, whatever the hell that was. He didn't even know. He couldn't explain it, not even to himself. It was just an ache, deep down in his chest.
But he couldn't bring himself to put it quite like that. Heartache?
Hah. As if.
Ah. So there he was, sitting at the bar, pressing his face into his hands, a series of emptied glasses surrounding him, praying for a release from this stupid pain. But the pain, it only made it worse, didn't it? He was supposed to be strong, he had to be.
But he wasn't. He was weak. Broken.
With a quiet sigh, he signaled for another beer, wondering when the numbness he so longed for would kick in.
"Hey, West! Long time no see 'round these parts!" Hopefully soon.
He slowly lifted his head from the cradle of his hands, staring into the red eyes that met his. "…Gilbert."
"The one and only!" A grin, a smirk. Gilbert was always so pleased with himself. Oblivious to his brother's pain.
He took a seat on the stool beside him, waving away the two people who had been hovering about behind him, telling them to "buzz off," he was "gonna hang with bruden." Not noting his brother's obvious distaste at the idea.
He slung an arm about Ludwig's shoulders, not minding to get up close and personal. Like Feli, he noted, a bitter tone creeping into even his thoughts.
"So, what horrible thing are you here to rid yourself of today?"
He stared blankly at his brother. How could he possibly know why he was there?
"Don't look so dumb, I know you only come here when you really need to drink. Bar hopping's more my thing than yours. You prefer to have your beer at home, all casual like."
…his brother really knew too much about him. He sighed, taking another swig of his drink. "Nothing I'd like to discuss with you, thanks."
Gilbert feigned offence. "Why, don't trust your own precious bruden?"
"Not particularly."
"Shame. You know you can always trust me." That stupid smirk again.
"Oh? I highly doubt that." Another swig of that amber liquid. His thoughts were still fresh, and now he was stuck taking to Gilbert, who seemed intent on playing therapist. Lovely.
Another fake frown. "I'm sorry to hear that. You know I trust you."
He stared at his brother for a moment, genuine surprise showing on his face. He trusted him…? He couldn't help but wonder if that were true.
The silver haired man smiled at him, tilting his head very slightly to the left. "…you do know that, ja?"
"……ja." He had to admit it, he had no reason to believe his brother didn't. They didn't get along, per say, but there had been times….times when his brother had no one else to turn to, and he had trusted him to help him out. Trusted him to save him.
"Good." He smiled, a real smile, not that stupid smirk he reserved for everyone else. "Now. I trust you, you ought to trust me. Tell me what's wrong."
He turned away from his brother, refusing to meet those red tinted eyes anymore, shaking his head slowly. "C-can you just leave? I'd rather not talk about it."
"Not talking will get you no where. You'll just keep the thoughts inside, and they'll just build up and eventually, bam! You explode and kill yourself 'cause you can't take it anymore."
"…" He blinked, staring at Gilbert, mouth slightly agape. What…what the hell was he talking about? Oh Gott was his brother stupid…he couldn't help it, he had to laugh. "You really are clueless."
"….whatever. It's true. So tell me what's up."
He sighed, leaning back on his bar stool. "Short version, I trusted someone with all of myself, and in the end, they...fucked it up. Fucked me up."
"…maybe you should put your trust in better people." He pulled Ludwig close, pressing him against his chest.
"Y-yeah. Maybe I should." He smiled a bit. Only a bit, but it was there and it was…it was nice.
And I love you to death, I don't think I like you anymore.
