BOO! Haha, I'm so mean. I've been making you guys wait even though I had this ready. I just didn't want to go through the process of updating because I'm lazy. But now I'm procrastinating on homework, so enjoy! Thanks for all the R&R's! I love reviews most, so keep them coming!
He ran into the room, coming to a quick and sudden stop once he reached the edge of the bed. Tears burned at the back of his eyes. There he was… Just sitting there on the bed as if it was a normal day and everything was the same as it usually was. Matthew's throat burned and after a second of staring he attempted to speak.
"Hi," he blurted out lamely, and he knew his voice was pitched much higher than it should have been.
There was silence for a minute or so. Red eyes stared at violet ones as if trying to remember something long lost. It didn't even occur to Matthew that Gilbert was in fact trying to remember him.
"Hey," the albino replied, his accent thick and his voice still sounding odd as his vocal chords attempted to adjust to being used.
Matthew wasn't surprised to find that some tears ran down his face. "I…" he choked back a small sob. He was so happy he was sure that his heart was going to explode. "How are you doing?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Gilbert smiled, coughing a bit after he spoke.
Matthew beamed even more. "Do you remember who I am?"
"Huh?" Gilbert stared for a moment, before shaking his head. "Oh, damn, sorry. No. I just meant that… Well, you're crying and all…"
"Oh." Matthew's smile, as radiant as it had been, came to a sudden end. "Do you remember anything at all?"
"No, sorry…" Gilbert ran a hand through his white hair, frowning. "This might sound stupid, but should I remember you?"
"Well, you lost your memory so I guess not…" Matthew sat down in the chair beside Gilbert's bed, sighing heavily. "My name's Matthew… I'm your-" he stopped, and he almost broke into tears once again.
He couldn't tell Gilbert. He just couldn't. It wouldn't be right.
"I'm your best friend," he lied, putting on his bravest smile. "We're roommates too. We lived together for a year before you went into a coma."
Gilbert grinned. "Oh. Okay. That is awesome! Sorry I don't remember you… Hopefully i will soon." He sat up, and Matthew instinctively moved to help him, placing a hand on Gilberts back and his shoulder.
"Careful," the Canadian smiled, "You don't wanna get hurt again… Getting dizzy or hurting your head might make you pass out for another six years…" He chuckled bitterly.
"S-Six years?!" Gilbert gasped, "Nobody told me I was out for six years! Mein gott!" His eyes were wide, and he was fully sitting up now.
Matthew let out a small squeal of surprise due to the sudden outburst. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! I just thought-"
"It's okay Birdie," Gilbert smiled, laughing a bit. "I was only kidding!"
"Gilbert Beilschmidt!" Matthew scolded, "How many times do I have to tell you not to-" he cut himself off, then frowned and looked down at his feet. "Actually, never mind. I guess you must have forgot that I hate jump scares like that…" He trailed off a bit, then looked back up. "Did you just call me birdie?"
Gil rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. "Well, that sound you made when I scared you… It reminded me of a bird. One of those loud and annoying ones. Hence, you are now Birdie. Awesome, right?"
"You think I'm loud and annoying?" Matthew asked, his head tilted. Gilbert had never said something like that to him before. While he knew this wasn't exactly the same Gilbert as he had fallen in love with, it still hurt to hear something like that.
"Not really. But Birdie is a good nickname for you, so forget about that un-awesome part. Kay?" Gilbert grinned, messing up Matthew's hair purposely.
While Matthew fixed up his hair he smiled just a bit. "Okay." Gilbert was saying the word awesome just as much as he ever had. He at least still had a Gilbert personality, what with all the awesomeness and jump scarring and stuff…
"Mr. Beilschmidt needs to get some sleep," a nurse notified as she walked into the room. "I'm sorry, but all visitors have got to leave."
Matthew nodded, then turned to Gilbert with a fake but realistic smile. "I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow, I promise. I lo-" he coughed in order to cut himself off. He almost told Gilbert he loved him!
"Alright! I'll see you tomorrow Birdie! Don't be late!" Gilbert grinned happily, laying back down in his white hospital room. "Make sure you've got my room ready for me! I don't plan to be here long!"
"Of course Gil," Matthew smiled brightly, but it was a very fake smile. How could he truly be happy when he was lying so mercilessly to Gilbert? Of course, telling the truth would be just as cruel, if not worse. And so, though it hurt, he decided to stick to his plan and force Gilbert into 'friend-zoning' him without even knowing it. Gilbert obviously deserved someone better anyways. Someone more faithful.
"Bye Gil," Matthew smiled as he walked out of the room. As he shut the door, he could hear Gilbert yell him a farewell.
Matthew's smiled fell as he walked to his car. It didn't return at all during his drive home. He didn't bother cooking dinner when he got home, for he simply wasn't hungry. However, he did have a cup of tea. Earl Grey; not exactly his favorite, but delicious nevertheless. He then went to bed, laying silently on the white sheets with the grey comforter surrounding his body.
He remembered how the exact bed he laid in had once smelled of Gilbert, and how it used to be warm with the mans natural heat. Matthew remembered how he used to never feel lonely when lying in this bed, for Gilbert's arms surrounded him as he slept. he couldn't help but notice how, over the years of Gilbert's absence, he'd taken residence in the albinos side of the bed.
Matthew was overcome with memories.
Matthew Williams, the country of Canada, the second largest country in the world, cried himself to sleep that night.
He hated himself for not having cried to sleep over Gilbert in over a year.