Inspired: Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna

Shut Up and Drive

"Now, press down on the clutch and shift into first… No, wait, reverse. Reverse!"

"Ack!"

"Brake!"

Gilbert scrambled for the handle with one hand and grasped his seatbelt with the other one in case he had to throw himself out of the moving car. Matthew slammed on the brakes before crashing into the garage and both of them were thrust forward in their seats.

"Oh dear…"

And they had not even left the driveway yet.

"Alright, that's fine, let's just try it again; reverse and then shift into first. Slowly!"

"Okay, that's…" There was a horrible screech of gears grinding together before the car stalled out. "Oh. I'll just give it more gas… And try again."

"No, wait, stop! You'll flood the engine!"

The car made another ungodly sound, shuddering. Gilbert wrapped his left hand over Matthew's and slipped the car into 'neutral' before using the parking brake between them. He turned off the ignition with his right hand and cocked an eyebrow.

"Sorry!" Matthew blushed, looking frazzled. Gilbert was not sure what he was apologizing for; the car was unharmed and he was sure the issue was with his teaching methods rather than with Matthew. It was his first time behind the steering wheel and the car was a standard besides; he was bound to make mistakes.

"Are you sure you do not want Ludwig to teach you? He's much better at this than I am."

Matthew turned another shade darker and tightened his grasp on the steering wheel. He lowered his gaze.

"No, I want you to teach me."

"… Why? I'm an awful driver, ask anyone."

"I want you to teach me," he said again, decisive and sure. Gilbert shrugged his shoulders and turned the car back on.

"Whatever you say, Birdie."

Matthew smiled at him.

The two of them had been neighbours since the second grade, when Matthew and his family moved into the quiet suburban neighbourhood. It did not stay quiet for long once Gilbert realized he could drag the slight blonde along on his adventures. It turned out that Matthew rarely said 'no' and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship based on trust and causing trouble.

"So, I press down on the clutch. Okay. And shift into first gear, right? Okay. And turn around." The car began to straighten out. "Now what do I do?"

"Look over your shoulder and turn left."

"Okay…"

"No, left. Left! Your other left!"

"Oh! Right! Sorry!" Matthew corrected his turn with a sheepish look. "My bad."

Gilbert grumbled and tried not to panic. Dangerous situations usually turned him on but it was different when his best friend was driving the car. He did not want to crash, or rather, he did not want Matthew to get hurt and it was making him a touch uptight.

"Slower, slower. Alright, straighten out." Gilbert sighed. "Congratulations, we're out of the driveway."

He had meant to come across as sarcastic but Matthew let out a little cheer that soothed his ragged nerves and made him smile.

"Did you see that? Did you see it?! I did it!"

"Yes, yes you did. You fucking owned it. You are one awesome motherfucker."

Matthew grinned, pleased and pink with the praise. He was polite and would never use those exact words to describe himself but Gilbert was not a gentleman and he never would be. Besides, it was true; Matthew was an 'awesome motherfucker'.

"Now we just need to get down the street!"

Gilbert gulped.

"Uhm, are you sure you don't want Ludwig to take you?"

"No. It has to be you."

"Why?"

"It just has to be, okay? I don't trust anyone else to take me."

"Ludwig is plenty trustful. That's, like, one of his defining characteristics."

Matthew looked at Gilbert.

"But he's not you."

Gilbert blinked. He was surprised by the sincerity and some other indefinable emotion colouring his words. Matthew seemed so sure of himself.

"Uh…"

"It has to be you."

Gilbert was not sure what he was saying, exactly, but it sounded important. Weighty. He just nodded.

"I'm, uh… Yeah, alright, I guess. That's cool."

"Thank you."

Matthew slouched a bit in his seat, relieved, and chuckled under his breath. Gilbert stared at him, still confused, but it was contagious and soon both of them were left giggling. Gilbert could only imagine how it looked from the outside and found himself laughing even harder when another car passed them, honking the horn.

Their laughter died off in bits and pieces until it was silent. As always, Gilbert could not abide by the quiet. He cranked the music and settled his left hand back over Matthew's on the gear shift.

"Alright, let's do this!" Gilbert helped Matthew slide the car into first gear again. Matthew grinned, a little wild, and nudged the car down the road with some gentle footwork.

Gilbert could teach him. He could do it. It was just the two of them off on another adventure.

And that was something they excelled at.

Author's Notes:

Uhm, Gilbert? He likes you. He 'like' likes you. Duh.

Teenagers are ridiculous, just saying. I took my sister for her road test today and when she passed she came out with "Motherfucking cars can suck my motherfucking cock! I passed!". Classy! Anyway, I've been driving around with her for days so that she could practice and this song has been in my head the whole time.

Three updates in three days. Man, I rock.

All of my love.