Chapter eight – Stupid things

Owain's 'stupid' thing, Alastair realised, really was very stupid. It was frustratingly stupid, and Owain was usually clever, which made it all the more worthy to rip your hair out about it.

When Owain had gone off to swear at Alfred and curse the American to hell, he'd had an unwanted encounter.

Owain had been walking down the corridors, planning out exactly what he was going to say to Alfred. No matter what Alfred said in reply would affect how Owain reacted! Quite pleased with his aggressive line up of words, the little Welsh boy knocked harshly on the door, letting himself in through the unlocked door.

"Wha'ddya want?" Alfred didn't even look up from the TV, a spoon still in his mouth. He'd started on the ice cream already. Even if he and Arthur did make up, there might be weight issues in their new relationship.

"I've come to get a few things for Arthur. He'll be staying with me tonight, okay?" Owain clenched his jaw.

Alfred shrugged, "Whatever," he commented nonchalantly, still not looking up from the TV.

"While I'm here though…" Owain quickly located the items he needed, so if Alfred got too violent he could run away quickly, "I want to hear your side."

"Why d'ya wanna hear that? It'll just give you another reason to stay pissed at me." Alfred said. Annoyingly, Owain knew he was right.

"I don't think it's fair to judge a situation before knowing both sides of the argument…" Owain said swiftly, quite impressed with how quickly the excuse had been thought up.

Shrugging again, (that was really ticking Owain off) Alfred sighed like he'd been burdened with a great hardship. He swung his body around, finally facing Owain. His eyes were red and puffy, and Owain was pretty sure there were bags under his eyes, "I told Arthur the truth. He couldn't take it, and got pissed at me. He started laughing like a madman, too. Pretty neat."

"What exactly did you say to him?"

"That he needs to man up and get some confidence. But I phrased it better than that," Alfred shrugged, turning towards the TV again, "It was an overreaction, in my opinion."

"Well, I hope for your sake it was, because Arthur definitely isn't acting like himself right now. I have yet to hear what happened from him, but if it is accurate to what you said, then you can assume that you'll have four, maybe even five if Peter's up for it, angry Kirklands charging at you in the morning. I used to do karate, you know? I don't really look dangerous, but I can punch people. I also listen in biology and PE, so I know where it'll hurt to hit people. As for Alastair and the twins, well, they're just a bunch of insane animals."

Alfred didn't say anything, climbing to his feet and heading through to the kitchen. He returned a second later with a fresh tub of ice cream, and he plopped himself back on his seat, acting like Owain hadn't said anything.

It was more than a little awkward on Owain's part.

"How can you just sit there and act like nothing's happened? Wake up call, Alfred – the guy you were dating has pretty much broken up with you, and you act like nothing important has changed! What're you doing? Did Arthur really mean that little to you?" Owain spat, all his anger finally spilling out.

Alfred raised an eyebrow, "Cool it."

"Do not tell me to 'cool it'!" Owain said, gritting his teeth, "How about you learn to care for once in your oblivious, narcissistic, dense life!?"

Alfred narrowed his eyes, "You think I don't care?"

"You're certainly acting like it!"

The hollow laugh that followed from the pit of Alfred's stomach wasn't unlike Arthur's insane little cackles that morning, "Trust me, Owain. I care. I care an awful lot."

"Well you should start acting like it. Grow up and accept that this one's your fault, because we're certainly not letting Arthur blame himself! If you're as big as you say you are, Alfred Jones, then perhaps you should accept your failures and come and fix them!"

Alfred scowled childishly, "I really don't feel like it."

With that, gritting his teeth so hard it felt like they might crack, Owain took a deep breath and stormed up to the frowning American and slapped him clean across the cheek, spitting swear words at him in every language he could think of. Owain wasn't done there, though, oh no. With one look at Alfred's face again, Owain muttered murderous words in Welsh to the American and punched him square on the nose.

Regretting nothing, Owain swept away and collected Arthur's requested items. Slamming the door behind him with an ominous 'bang', Owain curled up in the corridor, trying to control his burning anger so that he didn't hit a wall and break his hand.

Maybe it's been a bit of an overreaction…

Then Owain reminded himself of the promise he and his brother's had made about ten years earlier. It'd been a particularly nasty day, where Daniel had decided to throw something particularly heavy at a six-year-old Owain. The day had ended in shouting and tears – their mother had a very loud, very long argument with Daniel. Alastair and the twins, who were visiting Arthur's house along with Owain, had all found Owain crying in his room, with Arthur and Peter attempting to comfort him. At that point in a rare moment of maturity, the six brothers had all sworn to each other that if anyone was ever mean to any one of them, that one person would have all of the brothers to answer to. They'd even pinky-promised to the deal, and everyone knew you couldn't break a pinky promise.

Smiling to himself, now calmer, Owain rose to his feet. Nope, he most definitely hadn't overreacted. If anything, it was an under-reaction.

That however, was not the 'stupid thing' that he'd done. Oh no. Things got a lot worse from hitting Alfred Jones.

Coming down the corridor at around that moment was Matthew. Alfred had asked Matthew to come round – Alfred needed comforting too, because, little did he let on to Owain, he'd really been regretting his actions, and needed someone to bawl to. Cue the best friend. Well, Alfred wasn't too sure if Matthew was his best friend or not, but he was definitely the friend that was best at listening.

So, that is exactly why Matthew was heading straight for a person he wasn't on best terms with.

Owain looked up from the spot in the corridor he was standing, his gaze hardening as soon as he laid eyes on the Canadian.

"Owain," Matthew nodded in greeting.

"Matthew," Owain said in civil reply.

And then they could've just got on with their lives – but no. Owain had to be stupid.

"I know you're trying to talk Francis into a twisted relationship. Perhaps should I go and tell Gilbert?" Owain spat.

"I really don't know what you're talking about, Owain," Matthew turned, batting his eyelashes innocently.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, you slut! We've had this conversation before. It ended up in me slapping you to the ground like the pathetic whore you are!"

"You know, I remember it a little differently – I remember you leaping on to me like a madman, yes, but I seem to remember me beating you to the ground," Matthew replied smoothly, his tone staying level.

"Your memory must be as fucked up as the rest of you, then!" Owain spat, taking a step or two closer to Matthew, clenching his fist, ready to hit him.

"You just can't accept the fact that it's not me wooing him. It's him replying to my flirting." Matthew smirked.

Owain sneered, though he did feel a slight know of worry twist in his stomach. He'd had his suspicions of Francis and Matthew for a while now, but he hadn't for a minute suspected that Francis had given in to Matthew's obvious flirting. Ever since his bitch-fight with Matthew, though, the idea of Francis kissing Matthew didn't seem as impossible as it had before, though.

"Try kissing your own boyfriend," Owain snarled, "Keep your hands off mine."

Matthew didn't answer and just glared at Owain, an eyebrow arched perfectly, "Perhaps you're really as insecure as your brother… Maybe Francs will grow tired of you… Maybe he just prefers me?"

When Owain had told Alastair this part of his stupid story, Alastair instantly felt an urge to go and find the Canadian and hit him.

"What happened then?" Alastair had prompted Owain, holding his brother's shoulder for support.

Owain then broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Alastair took a few steps, worried he'd caused the tears, but it soon came apparent that Owain was crying at the memory of what'd happened.

"H-he… He kissed me…"

"What!?" Alastair's eyebrows nearly disappeared through his hairline, "What!?"

Owain shook his head, "I-I don't know… I don't even know if it was him who kissed me – I might've kissed him… All I know is it happened..."

"But… But…" Alastair just couldn't make sense of it, "What!?" he repeated again, still as confused as he was the first time he'd asked.

"I-I don't even know myself… Maybe it was Matthew just trying to make me feel guilty? Maybe he wanted to screw with me…? Maybe he really is just a slut… I really don't know… But all I know is it happened."

"So… I can assume it wasn't a sweet peck on the cheek?" Alastair furrowed his brows, scratching the back of his neck.

"No… No. It most definitely wasn't that," Owain sighed, "It was more… biting. Well… I don't really know. It was long – neither of us would stop – we didn't want to seem like the chicken to back down. It was more of a… competition than anything, if that makes sense? He bit my tongue and my bottom lip a few times, I did it right back at him. He finally stopped when I started digging my nails into the back of his neck. I'm glad I decided to grown them, now…"

Alastair nearly chuckled at his brother's almost optimistic finish, but controlled himself, "And what happened after that, then?"

Owain shrugged, "I don't know really, it all went in a bit of a daze, y'know? I definitely remember slapping him. That was fun. Though he did slap me right back. But it didn't hurt," that was a lie if he'd ever told one, "He's really weak! It's hilarious. But he just went on his way into Alfred's room, and nothing else happened."

Alastair nodded, "I see, I see… Well Owain, that really was quite stupid…"

Owain smiled through his now fading tears, "I know… What am I going to do?"

"Don't do anything?"

"No! I can't do that! I feel terrible! I need to go and tell Francis or something… And Gilbert has the right to know – I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I kept it all inside and started lying to people…" Owain hung his head.

Hugging his brother, Alastair smiled, "Owain, you need to think about this, right? I'm not saying you should lie to people – y'know, if they ask you 'did you kiss Matthew' then tell the truth, but why say anything if no one asks? You never know, your relationship with Francis might take a nose-dive if you tell him. And you can leave Gilbert up to me, yeah? I know your intentions are good, but I think in this situation it might make things worse…"

Owain sighed a little, "I suppose you're right… I still feel uncomfortable…"

"Owain, you said it yourself – that kiss wasn't romantic in the slightest – it was like a competition for power! To distinguish the mouse from the man. You'll be fine, really." Alastair reassured, "Now I think we should get back to comforting our younger brother, don't you?"

"Yeah… Thanks, Alastair. I can always rely on you in situations like these…"

"What're big brothers for?" Alastair smiled weakly, shuffling Owain inside the door.

Alastair sighed mentally – another person had just earned themselves a broken nose. He hoped people would stop being harsh to his brothers – if he had to hit any more people then he might risk suspension.

Meanwhile, Alfred was bawling his eyes out to Matthew.

"I don't even know what I'm doing! It's like I know what I want to say, but I say the complete opposite! I knew Owain would come and have a word with me at some point; I had a plan and everything! I was going to tell him how stupid I was and how much I regretted everything, but I just acted like a complete idiot!" Alfred paused dramatically, blowing his nose, not caring about how his dignity was slowly draining away, "I want to make up with Arthur, I really do! But even if he forgives me, which isn't going to happen, there's no way his brothers are ever going to let me! They'll hate me forever! Oh god, even Ivy's gunna hate me…" he buried his face in his hands, "I fucked up."

Matthew sighed, patting Alfred on the back. He really regretted agreeing to help Alfred. Sure, he wanted to help a friend in need, but even though Matthew did look like a good listener, usually he just wanted to shout at the person and tell them to man up and grow a back bone.

Plastering on his usual smile, Matthew attempted to comfort the American, "Look, Alfie, I'm sure you can prove yourself to Arthur. Arthur will understand, right? And you aren't completely to blame. Yeah, you said some really stupid things, and yeah, you probably shouldn't have shouted at Owain, but I think it's partly Arthur's fault too…"

"How so?"

"Well first of all, he does need to stop being so unstable," Matthew shrugged, "I don't want to sound harsh, but you can't be unconfident in a relationship – it just won't work," he knew that all too well. "And I guess he might've overreacted a bit…"

"Really?"

"Well it's not really my place to say, but I think he could've been a little more mature about the situation. I'm just saying what I think, though, I'm not saying you have to agree with me…"

Alfred didn't reply for a while, just thinking. He then came up with exactly what he needed to do, "I know what I'm going to do. I'll give Artie some time to calm down and stuff. But while he's sort of repairing himself, I'll do something big. Like real big to make him love me again."

"And what's that going to be?"

"… I don't know yet." Alfred carried on quickly, "But when I figure it out, before I even talk to Arthur, I'll explain everything to his brothers – I'll beg for their forgiveness – I'll let them attack me if they want to, which I'm sure Alastair will! And then… maybe it'll make everything okay again?"

Matthew smiled, "It's a good idea," he nodded, "Yeah. Go for it!"

"Thanks, Mattie! I really don't know what I'd do without you!" Alfred threw his arms around the Canadian, who struggled to get free.

"Oh come on, get off me you big idiot," Matthew grinned weakly, trying to shove Alfred's strong arms off him.

"Never! You will forever be mine!" Alfred laughed obnoxiously, and then stopped, looking straight at Matthew, "I only just noticed that you're really pretty. You're almost like a girl."

"Oh thanks, I love you too." Matthew narrowed his eyes, but had stopped struggling.

"You know what I mean! Like the way Owain looks like a girl."

"Please don't compare me to him." Matthew replied flatly.

"But you're both super-pretty. Like really pretty." Alfred grinned roughly.

There was a silence between the two of them. Neither moved, so they were stuck in their half-hug, half wrestling-match position, just looking at one another.

And, for the second time that day, Matthew did something stupid.

He'd sworn to stop kissing people that he wasn't dating. He really had! But he'd broken that rule an awful lot. He'd kissed Francis, he'd kissed Owain…

… And now he was kissing Alfred.

The two pulled away from the chaste kiss, neither saying a word. Alfred watched Matthew intently for a reaction, neither of them letting the other see past their intimidating poker face. When neither gave any reaction, Alfred leaned down for another kiss, and Matthew went along with it, gluing their lips together again.

Matthew didn't know what he was doing. He didn't know why he was doing it. He just knew he was being really stupid, but that didn't stop him. In fact, the past week, it felt like the only person he hadn't been kissing was the very person he was meant to be kissing. Gilbert. After every kind, romantic thing the German did for him, it still wasn't enough. Matthew still did this.

Owain was right. He really was a slut.

Gilbert was sitting in his dorm, staring out the window lost in thought. It almost looked like he was trying to impersonate a love-struck protagonist, who relived their stress by looking out of the stars and dreaming of a new home. It was nothing as impressive or cliché like that, though. Gilbert just happened to be staring out of the window, and was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to notice Alastair coming through the door, flanked by Antonio.

"Gil? Gil, wake up, idiot. You've got guests," Alastair called, walking into the kitchen and helping himself to a coke. When Gilbert didn't respond, Alastair sighed, and grabbed an apple from his untouched fruit bowl, lobbing it at the German's head.

"What the fuck was that for!?" Gilbert spun round, rubbing the back of his neck where the apple had hit him perfectly, "Hey Toni. Thanks for not throwing fruit at me like that idiot. And ask for food before you go taking it!" Gilbert complained as Alastair helped himself to an open packet of Doritos.

"Stop complaining," Alastair answered flatly, sinking down on to a chair opposite Gilbert's bed, issuing for Antonio to sit next to him. It'd been an accident that Antonio happened to be with them – Alastair just decided as part of Gilbert's trio, Antonio had a right to know about Gilbert's problems too. And they obviously couldn't tell Francis – that'd just cause problems for Owain.

"How's Matthew recently, Gil?" Alastair asked nonchalantly, crossing his legs.

"Great I guess, why?" Gilbert furrowed his brows.

Alastair pointed his finger accusingly at his albino friend, "That's a lie."

"What? What're you talking about?" Gilbert said, "Alastair, hurry up and tell me why you're here. I do have a life of my own."

"Yeah, and you spend it staring out of windows. I know there's something up with you and Matthew. Why else would he be going around kissing other guys?" Alastair leaned back.

Both Gilbert and Antonio blinked, "What!?"

"You didn't know either?" Gilbert looked at Antonio, raising an eyebrow.

"No! I just tagged along because it looked fun!" Antonio held up his hand in a surrendering position, "I didn't know this was gunna come about! What's going on?"

Gilbert sighed, "Well, we haven't been talking a lot recently, I'll give you that. Or seeing each other much… It's been a while since I've kissed him either…" he looked up, not amused, "Oh. I get it. He's bored of me."

"Now, did I say that?" Alastair sighed, "The deal is, he's been flirting with Francis – I don't know how far they've gone… Owain's pretty sure they've only been flirting, but you know the Frog… But earlier on… He kissed Owain too. But that wasn't romantic in any way. I told Owain this before – it was completely competitive. Like proving to each other that they were better."

Gilbert didn't say anything.

"You're not surprised?" Antonio asked, lightly resting a hand on Gilbert's shoulders.

Gilbert shook his head, "No. If I'm honest, I've been suspecting it for a while. Me and Matt don't even go on dates any more, y'know? Relationship's completely dead." Sighing deeply, he looked up to smile wryly at his friends, "I guess you can have too much of a good thing, right?"

"No. No. No. You are not going all smiley-smiley 'it's my entire fault on me' hero-protagonist-y on me now, Gil!" Alastair stood up, furrowing his eyebrows, "You have a right to get angry at him, and you need to go and break up with him right now!" he pointed at the door for good measure, "You're not letting him use you like that! You're Gilbert! The old you wouldn't have let this happen! You'd screw with anyone who screwed with you first!"

"But…" Antonio frowned, "Maybe Gilbert's right not to get annoyed…"

"How can you say that, Toni!?" Alastair turned on the Spaniard.

"No, hear me out! If Gilbert confronted Matthew right now, then he'd know that Gilbert has been fed information behind the scenes, right? And that'd make him look like he's been spying on Matthew's every move! That'd be really uncool. I think Gil should just wait and see if Matthew admits it himself…"

"But what if he doesn't?" Alastair demanded.

"Well, then he can break up with him! But I think to act now would be rash." Antonio said finally.

"I rest my case," Gilbert nodded, winking at Antonio in thanks, even though his reason for not wanting to get pissed at Matthew wasn't what Antonio had suggested.

Alastair frowned, "I don't like it. I think you should show him whose boss! This isn't just about your relationship – I think he's out to get every happy couple out there! He's going to break everyone up!" he turned to Antonio in a rush of insanity, "Keep your lips to yourself, Toni. Don't kiss anyone. Apart from Lovino."

Gilbert smiled slightly, "You overreact too much, Al. Mattie's just made a few mistakes, I wouldn't blame him!"

"Well who do we blame then!?" the Scottish boy threw his arms up in frustration.

"Do you have proof that Mattie was the one to kiss Owain and it wasn't the other way around?"

"No, but…"

"Exactly. I'm not going to act until I know for sure." Gilbert furrowed his brows, "I just want to hold on to this 'relationship' as long as I can. I know it's pathetic, but I just want to keep Matthew for as long as I can. Can you let me manage my own life, please?"

Alastair frowned, "I was only trying to help…"

"I know you were, Al," Gilbert smiled, standing up, issuing for the two to follow him to the door, "I do appreciate it, I really do, but I think I need to figure this out for myself, yeah? And besides, Arthur needs more help than me right now – and Toni, Lovino's probably waiting for you in a sexual position on your bed or whatever you two get up to. Off you go."

"But Gil! We're not done talking to you!" Antonio complained, Alastair trying to wrestle his way back through the door that Gilbert was trying to shove him through.

"I'm done talking to you, though," Gilbert sighed, "Look, you two, I'm glad you're trying to help me, but please can you come back tomorrow or something? I need some thinking time!"

Pushing two pairs of arms through the final crack of the door and ignoring their cries of complaint from Antonio and Alastair, Gilbert finally shut the door on his two best friends. Sinking down to the floor, Gilbert rested his head in his hands, pulling his knees up to his chest. It was sweet that his friends worried about him – the only reason he'd wrestled them out so hastily was that he could feel a rush of tears trying to escape, and he didn't want to cry in front of Alastair, who froze at the sight of watery eyes, or Antonio, who'd probably start crying too.

Ahh… Gilbert thought to himself. There came the tears.

A/N

Hey people :D
Oh god D: first day back to school toady X'D turns out on a Wednesday I have three lessons of science. Three. God save me. XD
So, with school, sadly this means less updates (probably D:) I'm sorry guys!
Thank you very much for reviews, and I hope you review if you liked this chapter! :D
Also, this story will have a happy USUK ending :D I can't be too sure about the other pairings though, but everyone will be happy :'D
Thanks, guys!