Elizaveta just took a drink from her own bottle and didn't say anything. She found it strange that four of their friends from the coast had come so far inland just to say hello to Gilbert. Something was definitely going on, but she knew that Gilbert wouldn't tell her anything, even if she asked him to, so she just let the topic drop and tried to start a new conversation.
"How's the beer?" she asked. Gilbert nodded in her direction since his mouth was full. "Okaay. Do you want some cake, then?" she set down her cold beer and picked up the cake from the basket. It was squished a bit from being under the sandwiches and napkins, but it would still taste the same. Gilbert nodded, so Elizaveta set the plate down and grabbed two more napkins and a small cake knife. She carefully pulled off the plastic and grabbed a napkin. "Hold out your hand." She told Gilbert. He did as she asked and Elizaveta put the napkin in his open palm.
"Why am I holding my hand out exactly?" he asked, confused. Elizaveta didn't say anything, she just cut a piece from the cake and plopped it onto the napkin in Gilbert's hand.
"That's what it's for." She said and picked up her own napkin and placing her own slice of cake on it. "We forgot plates, so napkins will have to do." Gilbert watched her wrap the cake in her napkin and take a bite from it like a candy bar or something in a wrapper. Gilbert shrugged and did the same thing. When he looked back up at Elizaveta, she just laughed at him.
"What?" he asked accusingly.
"You have chocolate icing all over your face!"
"I do?" He reached up to wipe it on his sleeve again, but Elizaveta stopped him.
"I'll get it." She said and grabbed a clean napkin to wipe Gilbert's face off with. She licked it and scrubbed at his cheeks.
"L-lizzie, I can get it!" Gilbert yelled and tried to push her hand away. Elizaveta just pushed against his face harder.
"Gilbert, just let me get it!" she yelled back. He tried to push her off again, so she pushed back against him even harder.
"Lizzie!" he yelled as she pushed him onto his back. Elizaveta was now on top of Gilbert.
"Ha! Now hold still!" she told him. He gave in and let her wipe everything off of his face. When she seemed satisfied with herself, she got off of Gilbert and sat across from him with a smug look on her face.
"You know, Lizzie," Gilbert began. "You may have gotten all of the icing off of my face, but you've got a bit on your own, right in the corner of your mouth."
"I do?" Elizaveta went to reach up to her own mouth, but Gilbert leaned in and stopped her.
"I got it." He said and leaned in even closer. Before Elizaveta could say anything else about the matter, Gilbert kissed her. His lips were rough against her soft, pink ones. Elizaveta's eyes opened wide in surprise, but after a moment, she returned the kiss, placing one hand on the back of his neck. Gilbert pulled away and looked her straight in the eyes. "Ich liebe dich, Elizaveta." He whispered.
"Én is szeretlek, Gilbert." She whispered back and kissed him once more. Elizaveta felt her cheeks turn red at admitting her feelings for Gilbert, but she didn't care. Not one bit. This time, it was her that pulled back, smiling. "I would be happy to spend the rest of my days with you, Gilbert." She told him.
"Your wish is my command." Gilbert said and winked at her. "It's getting late though."
"Walk me home?" Elizaveta held out her hand to Gilbert and he pulled her to her feet.
"Of course." He said. The two put the cake and beer bottles back into the picnic basket and began the trek back down the hill. When they reached the gate, Gilbert leaned down and plucked a big, pink flower from the garden. "For you." He said, holding it out to Elizaveta. She smiled and placed it behind her ear.
"Thank you, Gilbert." She whispered. He took her hand in his again and led her down the street. "You remember where I live, right?" Elizaveta asked.
"Of course I do," Gilbert began "I would never forget."
They walked for a while longer, all the way back to Elizaveta's house in Hungary, and Gilbert led her up the front steps onto the porch. He sat down and pointed out across the yard and into the sky.
"Look." Elizaveta turned to where he was pointing to see the sun setting in a mess of pinks and yellows, oranges and purples. Gilbert pulled her into his lap.
"It's the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen, Gilbert." She sighed. Gilbert chuckled.
"Yeah?" he asked. "Well, I don't need a sunset when I have the most beautiful thing in my arms right now." Elizaveta's cheeks were filled with color and she smiled at him, his crimson eyes sparkling in the last hint of light. As the last light of the day disappeared behind the horizon, Elizaveta and Gilbert stood, facing each other.
"Goodnight." She whispered.
"Goodnight." He replied. The two leaned in and kissed one more time before Gilbert let her go inside. He started down the steps and began the long hike back to his own home.