Okay so before I get to the story I have something I have to tell you my wonderful readers. I would just like to say thank you for all of your absolutely amazing and wonderful reviews. They have made me happier then you could ever imagine. I have actually been proposed to twice and have seen how much you all love this story. Your guys feedback is so wonderful and it reminds me every time I read them why I'm writing this story in the first place. Thank you so much all of your from the very bottom of my heart.

And here without further adieu; I know you have all been waiting patiently for it…Chapter 10. ^-^ Enjoy.

Chapter X

Matthew's POV

Gilbert leads me back to the basement after rebandaging my arms. Ever since he burst through the bathroom door, I haven't been able to stop thinking: He knows! He knows! He's going to think I'm a freak and leave me just like everyone else. I don't want to be alone again.

I was really shocked when he hugged me and tried to comfort me, even if I couldn't hear him. My mind blocked out what he was saying due to the shock of being discovered. I let him treat my cuts and lead me back to his basement. I sit back sown on the couch and just stare at my limp hands in my lap. Gil pulls up a chair across from me an sits with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped tightly in front of him. Neither of us say anything for a long time. I don't look at him for fear of seeing disappointment, hate, or, worst of all, disgust in his eyes.

After what seems like hours, I hear Gilbert say in a voice softer than I thought was possible for the loud Prussian teen, "Birdie?"

"Yes?" I reply in a small voice, unwilling to meet his eyes for the shame of knowing that he now knows my darkest secret.

"Birdie…Matthew…please look at me. Please tell me what's wrong. Why did you…hurt yourself…like that?" I hear him say as if he's having difficulty choosing he right words to use.

I'm scared of loosing the first friend I've ever really had by telling him why it is that I have been pushed to do something like this, so I choose to stay silent. Unfortunately, however, this tactic will not work with Gilbert.

"Birdie…please look at me," Gilbert says gently but sternly. My whole body is shaking as I look up slowly at Gilbert, avoiding eye contact.

"Please tell me what's wrong, Birdie. Why did you do something this unawesome to yourself? Please tell me."

I stay silent as I try to think of a way to respond. I want to tell Gilbert everything. I feel that I can trust him, but my fear keeps me quiet.

As if he can read my mind, Gilbert reaches out and takes my hands in his. He rubs his thumbs across my knuckles in a comforting way. One of his hands comes up to cup my cheek, making me look into his eyes. They're full of sadness, worry, and something else that I can't place.

"Birdie, please trust me. I want to help you. I know we only met today, but I have this feeling for you. It's strange. I've never felt like this towards anyone else in my entire life but I know that I don't want it to go away. I'm not even sure if you swing like this, but Birdie….I-I like you, Birdie…like…a LOT. I think that I might love you even. No, I'm sure that I do. Ich liebe dich, Birdie," Gilbert says softly. A light dusting of pink spreads itself across his perfect, pale features.

Am I dreaming? Did Gilbert, the first person to remember me and be my friend and actually show me kindness since my father's death, just say that he loves me? I stare at him in shock, my eyes wide in disbelief. He can't really mean it, can he? How can someone as handsome and wonderful and, dare I say it, awesome as Gilbert love me? I'm so plain and boring. There's nothing special about me. How can anyone love me? Is he telling me the truth? If he is, could this possibly be my chance to finally find happiness? Can I finally be free of the demons of my past?

After a few minutes of me staring at Gilbert in shock without replying, Gil starts to fidget. He looks sad and almost heartbroken.

"I'm sorry Birdie. I didn't mean to shock you so badly. It was stupid of me to think you would return my feelings after such a short time, or at all even. If you don't feel the same way, then I understand. I don't even know if you're gay or not. I'm so sor-"

I cut Gilbert off by leaning forward into him and pressing my lips against his to silence him. I feel Gil's body stiffen in surprise and I fear that I may have done something wrong.

I start to pull back, but strong arms wrap around me and pull me against Gilbert's body as he begins to kiss me back. I freeze in surprise like he did a moment before, but after a second, I melt into his embrace, returning the kiss wholeheartedly. It feels so wonderful, so right, to be in Gil's arms as he kisses me passionately and lovingly. I feel like I'm flying as Gilbert's hand cups the back of my head and the other rests on the small of my back. I feel like I'm in heaven in his arms, and I never want it to end.

We must pull away eventually, however, so that we can breath. I look into Gilbert's eyes and see they're full of caring, want, and love. The look in his crimson eyes as he stares back into my own violet orbs banishes any fear I may still have. I swallow and say, "Gilbert, don't apologize. I love you, too."

Gilbert's eyes light up in joy as I tell him that his feelings for me are reciprocated, and he holds me close. He connects our lips even more, and I feel his tongue brush along my lower lip, asking for entrance. I oblige, opening my lips to allow his tongue entrance. His tongue maps out my mouth, brushing against my own and rubbing against it. Our tongues dance before I am forced to submit to his. He gently sucks on my bottom lips and I sigh contently.

I reach up to tangle my fingers in his soft, silver hair as his own pale fingers stroke my own soft locks. We continue to explore each others mouths until once more we must break away for air. I see love in his eyes, and I know that I can trust him. I want to give my heart and soul to this boy, but I know that before I can do that I must give him the answers that I know he wants. I need to tell him the truth behind my cuts.

I scoot back, away from Gilbert enough so I can sit back down. He gives me a worried look as I do and slides his arms away until he's holding my hands again. He gives me a questioning look.

I take a deep breath and say, "Gilbert…um…I-"

I'm stopped by a finger on my lips.

"Birdie, I know that whatever it is that has pushed you to this is really painful for you to talk about. You don't have to tell me yet if it's too painful for you still," Gilbert tells me softly with an understanding smile. I shake my head vigorously.

"No! I want to tell you…it's just…it's really hard for me to think about," I say, my voice growing very quiet as I say the last part. Gilbert sits next to me and hugs me.

"Why don't we go get changed into pajamas? It'll give you time to collect your thoughts. Sound good?"

I nod my head and we go up to his bedroom. I sit on the bed and watch Gilbert rummage through his dresser. He tosses me a pair of red and black plaid pajama pants and pulls out a light blue pair with yellow chicks all over it for himself. I giggle upon seeing them; a light blush spreads over Gil's pale cheeks when I say, "Cute."

He sticks his tongue out at me, but laughs and strips himself of his shirt.

I blush at getting a view of his strong chest and abs. He has several small scars on his torso. He turns around and I gasp. Multiple scars cover his back. The most prominent one runs from the left side of the back of his neck to his right hip.

He turns back to me with a curious expression as if wanting to ask why I gasped, however, once he sees my expression and he seems to understand.

"It's from the accident. I got banged up pretty bad. I protected West with my body and took most of the damage," he tells me and I nod in understanding. He grins then takes off his pants, revealing Prussian flag printed briefs. I blush and look away. I grab the pajama pants that Gil gave to me and mumble that I'm gonna change in the bathroom. He grabs my elbow to stop me.

I turn back to face him and he says, "I'll turn around and won't look. I promise, okay? I just don't want you to be alone right now."

I nod and he turns and faces the wall as I quickly change into the pajama pants. When I finish, I tap his shoulder and he turns back to face me. His eyes widen when he sees I left off my hoodie and shirt revealing my bandages, scars, and the bruises from getting beat up by Matthias earlier today. I decided that if I'm going to tell him the truth, then I'm not going to hide behind my hoodie while I do it.

Gil takes my hand and brings my fingers to his lips so he can kiss them. I blush at the action, and he kisses my forehead. With a gentle tug, he pulls me to sit with him on his bed.

"Why don't you just start from the beginning?" he suggests.

I nod, take a deep breath, and begin my tale. I don't know how long we sit like that as I tell him everything. I tell him about my parent and my cousin, how my dad died on 9/11 and my mom committing suicide on my sixth birthday. How Arthur and Francis adopted me. I tell him about being constantly overshadowed by Alfred and how no one ever sees me, much less remembers me if they do actually notice me. I explain to him how I'm constantly getting beat up by Ivan and how everyone else beats me up because they all think I'm Alfred. I describe to him how I started cutting and how it helps me relieve my pain.

I tell him everything, except for the fact that my cousin and Carlos, who Gilbert knows as John Doe, are one and the same person, I can't risk Gil getting hurt if Carlos chooses to make true his treat.

Gilbert's POV

As I listen to Birdie's story, I get more and more horrified with each detail. Gott, how can all this happen to someone as sweet and perfect and amazing as him?

When he finally finishes, I don't know what to say. What can you say to someone who has seen the worst of the world at such a young age and believes themselves to be an invisible and useless waste of space?

I just pull Birdie into my lap and hold him gently. It feels like he's made of glass, so fragile that the lightest touch will shatter him. I just I just hold him close. I feel him shaking and can tell he's trying to be strong and not cry in front of me.

I hold him closer and whisper softly, "Its okay, Birdie. Just let it out. I know that you're trying to hold it in, to be strong, but you don't have to. I'm here for you, Birdie. You don't have to hold it all in anymore. You can cry on me, Birdie. Just let it out."

I hear a choked sob and the dam holding Birdie's tears in breaks. He sobs into me, pressing his face into my chest. I just let him release all of the pent up sadness and pain in his heart. I stroke his soft, blonde hair and rub his back. I rock back and forth gently and just allow him to let it all out into my chest as I hold him in my arms.

After a long time, he calms down and his crying comes to a stop. I continue to comfort him and stroke his back gently. I start to sing softly; it's a quiet song that my mother would sing to me when I felt like the whole world was against me. I've never sung it to anyone else, because it was too painful to remember my mother, yet I find myself wanting to sing it to birdie, so I do.

"Ja, Birdie?"

"Merci. You're the first person to ever take the time to listen to my story. I've never told anyone any of that before. You're the first one. I've never been able to trust anyone like how I trust you, Gil. Je taime. I love you. Thank you so much for loving me back and listening to me," he says.

"It's nothing, Birdie. I love you. You're precious to me, and I will do anything I can to protect you and keep anything else bad from happening to you. I vow to help you, Birdie. You're too wonderful and beautiful to be crying, so I'm going to make sure that no one ever makes you cry again," I respond. I gently take hold of Birdie's chin and tilt his head up so that our eyes are gazing into each other. I love this boy so much, and what I want more than anything else is to see him smile. I swear to myself that I will make sure that Birdie smiles every single day from now on, just so I can see that breathtaking smile.

I gently bring our lips together to seal my promise, and he relaxes in my arms. When we break apart, he lets out a loud yawn.

I laugh and suggest that we head to sleep. Birdie nods sleepily in agreement. We both climb under the covers on my bed, and I wrap my arms around Birdie lithe frame and hold him close.

We fall asleep just like that. I can't possibly be happier. I have a beautiful boy who I love more than anything in the world. Said boy is currently in my arms, curled up asleep against my chest. As I drift off into my own slumber, I think of how, at this moment, nothing could possibly make the awesome me happier that holding this precious boy close to me and knowing that he loves me as much as I love him.

A/N: Well there you guys go; Chapter 10. I really hope you guys enjoy it and again, please continue to review it makes me so happy to read your feedback. It makes me happier then you could imagine and I hope to read even more of it in the future. I'm going to be at the beach with my Grandparents next week so I may not be able to update because I swear that if my Grandmother knew that I'm writing a story about a depressed and suicidal teenager then she would have a freak out. Wish me luck in writing more chapters and I hope to read more of your wonderful reviews soon. Thank you so much.

Now a few words from my fantastic Beta Sakura414:

I really haven't the faintest idea what to write here, so... thank you all for continuing to read and support Wolf-chan's work. ^.^ I'm still working on cloning Gil...

As always please review they make me so happy and I'll se you next time with chapter 11.

Wolf-chan out.