Never Trust Your Siblings

"I hate you so totally much it's not even funny. That's as good as it'll, like, ever get."

He was dressed (used the shower so that he did not smell like garbage) and it was a suit. Not that he was usually a suit kind of guy (at least, not this kind of suit up), it did not make him look too bad, if he said so himself and it was almost like the other one. But...

"It's vhite," Gilbert responded. "I'm not getting married."

"Look, it matches! What do you want?"

Not to look religious, thought Gilbert sulkily. Also there was the issue that white showed everything and that meant he had to keep immaculate until Antonio left or something. At least until the speech was over.

Okay, it was not that bad. Gilbert was simply an albino in a white suit. Yeah.

Quickly enough he left Feliks' house and ran back to the Hall, doing the same thing he had done on the way down. Thinking of his speech.

'I am not going to talk about love, because I do not think that either of you'... um... damn. 'Neither of you need to be told what to expect, what anyone hopes for you or any of that. You both already know this'... fuck, I need those cards. I will never remember all of this.

Why was he stressing out over this now? Gilbert thought he was over worrying about this. He was at some sort of ease with it until this morning. Stopping during his run, panting to regain his breath, he lit up another cigarette. Maybe it was because he did not want Antonio to hate him for messing this up. Though Antonio hating him, after this long with them being friends, seemed unlikely. Not if Gilbert was actually trying.

Though he supposed Lovino could make his life a living hell, or keep him from seeing Antonio if he was dissatisfied. Goddamn Antonio, tying himself to someone like Lovino. Despite these thoughts, Gilbert still felt better about this than he had about Francis getting married. So maybe he should not complain as much?

Taking in a deep drag from his cigarette, Gilbert walked the rest of the way back, trying to calm down. Whatever, he was all ready. He just needed his note cards. Marcus said it would be okay to have them to refer to, so he was all set.

He finished his cigarette before entering the building, walking through the back rooms, glancing around to find his brother. He eventually found him in what had been turned into a makeshift kitchen, washing his hands.

"Hey bruder."

Ludwig looked up at him, back down, then up again. "Dat's not your suit."

"Feliks set me up vith a new one," Gilbert shrugged, leaning against the counter crossing his left arm across his torso, outstretched upward next to Ludwig. Ludwig turned off the sink, drying off his hands. "My cards," Gilbert prompted, shoving his shoulder.

"Cards?" Ludwig asked, seeming to remember what he was asking for right after he said that. Ludwig searched through his pockets. And continued to do so. Gilbert waited. Ludwig continued to look.

"Ludwig..." Gilbert said, shoving at him again. "Not funny. I need dose. Now."

Ludwig searched once more, a bit more frantically. "I... I had dem here. I know I did."

"Vhat do you mean had?" Gilbert asked, voice turning into some sort of squeak against his will. Hell no, it was not a squeak. It was... just a bit higher than usual. Yeah.

"Dey aren't here!" Ludwig admitted, staring at him.

"You're supposet to be de responsible one!" Gilbert shrieked.

"I'm sorry!"

"Yeah right!"

"Don't you start!"

"Start vhat? I'fe been gone how long?"

"I'm sorry!"

"What's going on in here?" he heard from the doorway. Gilbert did not bother to turn to look at Francis, like Ludwig did. Instead he simply lit up another cigarette. "You're not supposed to be smoking inside, Gil."

"Shut de fuck up," Gilbert responded, before he thought about it. He turned to look at Francis. "Hafe you seen some note cards lying about?"

"Note cards?" the Frenchman rose an eyebrow.

"Dey are Gilbert's notes for his speech," Ludwig said. "I misplaced dem vhile he vas replacing his suit after jumping into a trashcan."

"You make dis sound like dis vas my fault!" Gilbert roared at him.

"I was about to say, that was not what you were wearing earlier," Francis said thoughtfully as Ludwig simply glared at him. Gilbert inhaled deeply. The smoke was not helping like it did before. Verdammt!

"Well, now I know why I'm the best man," Francis commented wearily, turning and leaving the room. "I'll keep an eye out."

"Vait, vhy you?" Gilbert shot out, walking after him. Francis stopped and turned around to him quizzically.

"I am between saying it is because I am not about to loose something, like the ring, and that I would never jump into a trash can. It's probably a mixture of both." Gilbert considered killing Francis for real this time. "Have Ludwig retrace his steps, Gilbert. We don't have time for this."

Just like that Gilbert felt deflated. He was just going to do this, he was going to get it over with. If he could not find them, did he even have his previous copies? He had done so much revision! From sarcastic to actually something that would not have Lovino kill him... something Antonio would actually appreciate...

"I hate you," Gilbert said to Ludwig.

"I'm sorry," Ludwig repeated, very quietly.

And just like that, Gilbert felt guilty.


Notes:

A tiny bit of Gilbert's speech there for you all. I hope none of you are looking too forward to reading it, it is not turning out as epic as I had wanted it.