"But Da-aad, do we reeaallyyy have to go so soooon?" Alfred whined.
"It's not his choice. I'm kicking the both of you out of my house." Matthew suppressed a grin. Alfred didn't know that he and Arthur had already discussed when the two of them would leave.
"Matt! Whatever happened to brotherly love?" Alfred cajoled.
"We never had any." Matthew responded flatly.
"But, but!" Alfred summoned tears. Matthew started laughing first, Arthur following soon after.
"Al, do you really think I'm that heartless? I'm not making you leave at two in the morning, although I might change my mind if you don't stop barging into my room every half hour." Matthew crossed his arms over his chest, obscuring the faded logo on his too-large t-shirt.
"But the last time I came in Gilbert was molesting you!" Alfred protested.
"Molesting me? He wasn't even touching me!" Matthew snapped back.
"I could see the intent in his eyes!" Alfred insisted. Arthur sighed.
"How about this? Alfred, you go to bed and leave your brother alone. Matthew, you go to bed and leave your brother alone. And I will go to bed and leave both of you alone." Arthur's prodigious brows lowered.
"That sounds like a very good idea. Al, Dad, good night." With a tired wave, Matthew trudged back to his room with the hope that he could return to sleep.
Gilbert had other ideas.
,,
"Operation: Save Matt From The German Ghost. Commencing, now!" Alfred whispered into his imaginary walkie-talkie. He slipped as silently as he could manage from his room, opening his door as little as possible, worried that the antique hinges might squeak. "Mission objective: Make Gilbert go away. Mission status: incomplete."
The hallway seemed dauntingly long, but Alfred persevered. He released a sigh when he successfully snuck past his father's door. He heard voices inside Matthew's room when he reached it. Pressing his ear to the wood, he bit his lip anxiously.
"Gilbert! Quit it! I am trying to sleep!" Alfred heard the distinctive tone that Matthew's voice obtained when he was scolding someone.
"But Mattie! I'm bored!" Gilbert whined back.
"Then find something to do that does not involve harassing me. I have to get up tomorrow, you know."
"Why? Won't Artie and Alfie leave on their own?"
"No, actually. But tomorrow is also Monday, a day on which I have class. I did move here to be closer to Atlas University, after all."
"Aw, so it wasn't a subconscious desire to be closer to my awesome self?"
"Gilbert, I am going to say it one more time before I decide to get mad: either get out of my room, or be quiet."
"Fine, fine, no need to get so bitchy."
There was the muffled fump of someone being smacked with a pillow, a bit of shuffling, and then silence.
Alfred nodded determinedly. Operation: SMFTGG must be completed!
,,
Arthur sighed when he heard Alfred 'sneak' past his room. I could swear I raised that boy better than that. And I know I taught him to spy better.
Shaking his head, Arthur pulled his phone off the top of Matthew's guest bedroom's table. He checked the time with a frown. If it's seven hours ahead in Ireland, then it's…about nine-ish there. Ceilí should be up by now… Arthur scrolled through his contacts list until it reached his oldest sibling's name.
"Ceilí? Good morning." Arthur said pleasantly.
"Artur. Isn't it the middle of the night over there?" Arthur winced at the suspicious tone in his sister's voice.
"Well, I suppose you could call it that…" Arthur laughed quietly.
"What do you want, Artie?" Arthur winced again, both at the nickname and Ceilí's ability to guess his intentions, even over the phone.
"Well, there's this spell I've been thinking of casting, but it requires a pentagram. I'm fairly certain I can get my boys to help, but I'd still need two more people. I was hoping that you and Bhaltair could assist."
"Hmm. That would depend. What kind of spell is it?" Arthur could detect the interest in her voice, and mentally cheered, but silenced when he heard the question.
"Well, it's not really one that I'd like to discuss over the phone. It is, however, very important to one of your precious nephews and one of my precious sons. Isn't that really all you need to know?"
"Not something you want to talk about over the phone…? I guess I could swing by. The company jet's free all week. Where will you be?" Ceilí smiled as she pictured Artur's relieved expression when she didn't pry.
"The house in Massachusetts. And I'll have Bhaltair call you, if he can come. Could you pick him up?" Arthur was already running through ways to convince his brother to help him.
"Sure. When do you want us?"
"How about Wednesday? But you'll probably need to stay for a few days."
"Not a problem. I'll just tell Boss that a family issue's come up. He knows that you married a Bonefoy, so he won't ask too many questions."
"Thanks, Ceilí. You don't know what this means to me. See you soon. Bye." Arthur hung up before she had a chance to respond.
And now to call Bhaltair…
,,
There were some times when Gilbert hated the fact that he was no longer capable of sleep. Other times, not so much. Watching the gentle rise and fall of Matthew's chest, he decided that it was definitely the latter.
Matthew mumbled something in his sleep, slurred to the point that Gilbert couldn't recognize the language, let alone the words.
I wonder what you're dreaming about. Gilbert mused. He gently brushed Matthew's bangs back, pleased when he didn't stir. I wonder what I would dream about, if I could. I bet it would be about you. With a soft, self-deprecating smile, Gilbert kissed Matthew on the cheek, and wondered if he would ever have the chance to do the same to his lips.
,,
"Bye Matt! Don't get in any trouble! But if you do, don't hesitate to give the Hero a call!" Matthew rolled his eyes at his brother, but returned his hug.
"Yeah, yeah. Just leave Ivan alone, okay? I don't care how good a fighter you are, if you mess with him, the whole hockey team'll gang up on you." Matthew warned Alfred, remembering the large Russian that he always seemed to have a problem with.
"But he started it last time! And the time before that! Every time!" Alfred protested.
"I don't care. The only reason you didn't end up in the hospital last time was because I was there. Well, I won't be next time." Matthew pointed out.
"I would have been fine on my own." Alfred pouted, but left it at that.
"See you, Dad. Drive safe." Matthew hugged Arthur, who blushed, but returned it.
"Yes, well. You too. B-be safe, I mean." Arthur stammered, still unused to displays of affection.
After another round of awkward good-byes, Alfred and Arthur finally left.
"Whew. I can't believe I finally got rid of them." Matthew flumped onto his couch as he spoke.
"Yeah. Seemed like they were here for two months instead of two days." Gilbert agreed, emerging from the kitchen, where he had escaped to avoid the possibly emotional departure.
,,
Mathias stretched boredly. The mailbox, labeled 'Perez' was hot pink, but the house was otherwise normal.
As he ambled unhurriedly into the living, Mathias scouted for valuables. Let's see, that's a pretty cheap looking TV, but those're some niiice cigars… Mathias ran his fingers over the items in question, examining their high quality. Probably couldn't sell 'em, though. Despite that, he tucked them neatly into his pocket.
Unwilling to repeat the last time he had broken into a house that had someone in it, Mathias listened carefully, relieved when he heard no one.
That's an awful expensive stereo system. Mathias noted with a smirk. Maybe I should…relieve him of it. Mathias wandered to the kitchen. Nice looking knife set. His gaze flicked back to the hall. And that painting looks like it's worth something.
Relinquishing the picture from the wall, Mathias didn't notice the sound of the door opening.
..
Wow, this chapter's really long…
Okay, so Alejandro Perez=Cuba. The reason his mailbox is pink is because it was Felix's house first. Yeah. I love writing familial interactions. My own family situation is weird enough that it's pretty easy to write a skewed family dynamic. Actually, normal families are what I have trouble with.
Okay, quick question: which two characters would you like to have cameos? I need one for a serious role, and one to be a mysterious character. Any suggestions?
Equilibrium out!