It was a cold enough day that playing an instrument outside was probably not a great idea. And yet, the falling snowflakes swirled like dancers to the bright sound of a violin belting out covers of whatever songs the small crowd of people happened to request. They were all variously bundled up, some in big puffy brand-name coats, others in nothing but sweaters and jeans, and there was even one man in shorts. Those in more expensive attire enjoyed the music well enough, but it was those in sweaters and jeans that gave the most. The musician, still playing his heart out, thanked everyone who threw a few coins or bills into his open violin case.

The case had certainly seen better days. The black wooden exterior was scratched and worn, the worst of the wear showing around the edges and the seams. The interior, while once a vibrant blue velvet, was faded and all but worn bare in some places. The musician looked similarly worn out.

He wore black, ripped skate shoes, though he would have vastly preferred winter boots. His blue jeans, stained and ripped from God knows what, didn't do a whole lot to protect his legs from the biting chill of the wind. His worryingly thin torso was covered by a threadbare red sweater, with a blue jacket open on top. Upon further inspection, one would notice that this blue jacket had no zipper, and was falling apart at the seams.

Long, pale hands were covered by gloves without fingers. Easier to play that way. The musician was lucky enough to still have his glasses to protect his violet eyes from the snow that was just starting to pick up. Streetlights stuttered on, signaling for most of the onlookers that it was probably time to head home. In twos and threes, the man's small crowd bid him a good night, and threw whatever change they had left into the case.

The sound of the violin ceased with a merry note and a cheerful 'Thank you!'. The man stood under the pale yellow glow of the streetlight, catching his breath and warming his fingers in his armpits. Not many people were out and about anymore. The only sounds were that of distant cars and the soft patter of large snowflakes completing their descent.

Deciding that his fingers were warm enough now, the man brushed his matted blond hair out of his eyes and crouched down. He counted the money that had been thrown to him, nodded to himself, and stuffed it all in a small compartment built into the case. He gingerly set his precious instrument and bow in their container and closed it up.

"Fifty bucks. More than I expected." He murmured to himself as he slung his belongings over his shoulder. Now came the fun part of his day: figuring out where to spend the night. He started his lonely trudge through the snow and the wind, past various shops in the downtown core that were closing up for the night. He paid no mind to the sound of a door opening behind him, at first.

"Matthew?"

The blond heard the name and stopped in his frigid tracks. No one in this town should know his name, let alone know what he looked like well enough to remember it. He quickly turned and was met with pale white hair and concerned red eyes. Instantly the memories flooded back, and the thick German accent made sense.

"G-Gilbert?"

Before he knew it, Matthew found himself in a hearty embrace. He barely had time to react before the other man pulled away. In another lifetime, the musician was certain Gilbert would be talking his ear off. But instead, silence filled the space between the two. A look of quiet horror crossed Gilbert's face as he gazed upon his highschool friend. The five years between their last meeting and now had not been kind to the taller man standing before him, it seemed.

"...Do you have a place to stay?" The snowy haired one asked, fully expecting the head shake to indicate 'no' and the awkward foot shuffle that followed. Another blanket of silence settled on the two, save for the sound of Gilbert's heart breaking as he drank the sight before him in. How long had it been since he'd had a place to stay…? "Here, let's get you out of the cold. Do you have all your stuff with you? Do you have anyone you're going back to?"

Yes to the first, no to the second came the head movements. The musician couldn't find the words to answer any other way. Never in a million years had he expected to run into a friend from another life, about three towns over from where they went to school. He was used to looks of pity by now. But not the look of quiet devastation making itself known.

"Well… It's a good thing I saw you then! Follow me!" Without so much as a second to protest, the shorter man had already turned and started walking, presumably back to his car. The blond stood quiet for a moment, weighing his options. He was cold. Very much so. The shelters would almost definitely be full by now, especially with talk of a wicked snowstorm coming in the later hours of the night. Maybe… maybe it would be nice to be somewhere other than outside. For an evening. Wordlessly he followed the other man to his black Volkswagen, parked just at the end of the street.

The car unlocked with a ker-chunk! And a quick flash of the headlights. A shift in the vehicle indicated to Matthew that his companion had gotten in, and a pale arm opening the passenger door from the inside indicated that he should do the same. Lowering his frame into the car, the blond sunk into what felt like the most comfortable seat he'd ever sat in. He set his violin on the floor between his legs, shut the door and did up his seatbelt. A worn smile worked it's way to his cracked lips. As the car purred to life and started moving, he felt the heat come on full blast. Violet eyes closed, soaking in the warmth like a flower soaking up sunlight.

"So… You remember Ludwig, my brother?" Again, a small nod to answer the question. "He and I share a house with his husband. I have the basement apartment, which is pretty awesome, if you ask me! We live about an hour away. If you want to take a nap, feel free. You… erm, you look like you could use a nap."

"...Gil?"

"Mm?"

"Y-you… you don't… need to do this. I-I don't want to be a burden."

A frown crossed the thin lips of the driver. Glancing over his shoulder, he changed lanes and accelerated onto the highway, leaving the town he'd found the musician in far behind. "And leave you outside in the cold? No way. No way in hell, Matthew. I don't know what happened to you between highschool and now, but I do know that if I have something to say about it, you'll never sleep outside again."

The gentle, yet firm tone of voice killed any more mumblings the taller one might have had. He nodded, more to himself than to his re-found friend, and looked out the window. Violet eyes watched the dark, bitter world outside go by at a pace he hadn't experienced in quite some time. Idle calculations for how long it would take him to cover the same distance on foot, coupled with the comforting purr of the car, were enough to lay Matthew gently to sleep, resting his head on his arm.

Gilbert let out a sigh of relief as soon as he heard the gentle snores of the other man. He had so many questions, so many memories of yesteryear that were clashing with the present form sitting beside him. Between looking at the road and turning the radio on low, he got a decent look. Matthew's hair was matted and wet from the snow. His face was thinner than it had been five years ago. His whole body was thinner than it had been five years ago.

"Gott, Mattie…" The albino said under his breath. "What did life do to you…?"

His question was met with peaceful snoring. Frankly, he wouldn't have it any other way right now. He was loath to interrupt it, but his brother needed to know about this, especially as he'd already made up his mind that the poor man in the other seat would be staying with them permanently. A few presses to the touchscreen console and a quick lowering of the volume later, he was on the phone.

"Hallo, Gil. On your way home yet?"

"Ja, but I'm bringing someone with me. You're never going to guess who I ran into."

[[AN: Hello everyone! It's been about a decade since I released the original Silent Music fic, which was more popular than I would have ever imagined, so thank you to everyone who reviewed it and favourited it! I was rereading it, and thought it more than deserved to have at least the first chapter re-written as I would have written it today. Let me know what you think!]]