Chapter Two

Kiss Me Where My Thoughts Form

When Gilbert's phone buzzed later that evening, it didn't surprise him. He was used to getting texts from various friends, not to mention he was expecting a call from his brother tonight. But when he went to answer, the number was not one saved to his contacts.

He frowned. Surely, Matthew couldn't have texted back so fast. He hit opened and scanned the message.

From: 555-078-9898

Hey, this is Matthew. I'm sorry if I'm

texting too soon, but I didn't want you

to worry.

Oh God, it was actually him. Gilbert quickly sent a reply.

To: 555-078-9898

Nah man, you're great! I'm glad you

decided not to toss my number.

He quickly saved the number under in his contacts and at last minute went with the nickname he had ended up giving the boy, rather than just using Matthew. Moments later his phone buzzed again.

From: Birdie

No! I could never do that! You seem

like a really nice person and I don't

think I ever thanked you for letting

me crash on your bed last night.

Gilbert couldn't believe his luck. Usually he was the one to take numbers and work up the conversation towards a date of some sort. He had really taken a chance with this one and it was paying off. Not to mention he used proper grammar and spelling when he texted, how mature. Normally Gilbert resorted to chat speak when he texted, much to his brother's annoyance, but this was all about impressing Matthew and he wasn't going to scare him off with the use of numbers and abbreviated words.

To: Birdie

Hey! It wasn't a problem man!

You're welcome any time! I mean

it. Besides, who wouldn't want to

sleep in my awesome bed.

He grinned as he hit send and anxiously waited a reply. It took several minutes longer than the last couple, but finally it came.

From: Birdie

Lol. It was indeed a very nice bed.

Still, I want to make it up to you,

would you mind going out for

ice cream? I would pay of course.

Also, I can't believe you saved your

name in my phone as 'The Awesome

Gilbert'.

So that's what took so long. While the text was made to sound confident, Gilbert had a feeling that the man behind them was completely flustered and nervously waiting for a reply. Well, this was an interesting turn of events, usually Gilbert was the one asking them out, not the other way around. Not to say it was unwelcomed, he actually rather enjoyed it. Perhaps Matthew wasn't as meek as he thought.

To: Birdie

I only put the truth. ;)

Ice cream sounds great! When

do you want to meet?

Gilbert had barely sent the message when his phone buzzed again. This time it was from his brother. He already forgot that they had arranged to talk tonight.

From: Lud

I can skype tonight. I will

be on in about 10 minutes.

Gilbert grinned and pushed off his bed to start up his laptop and send his brother a quick reply. Phone calls were rare, video calls were even more so, so it was always great news to hear he was going to be able to see his brother's face again for a bit.

As he logged into the computer and watched as it brought up the background picture of him and his brother just before Ludwig was shipped off, he received another text from Matthew.

From: Birdie

I don't know when you're

free, but I have this Tuesday

off, so about how about then?

To: Birdie

Sounds great! This will be awesome

How does 2pm work?

From: Birdie

That's perfect. I'll meet you at the

place on the corner of Carter and

5th.

To: Birdie

Awesome! I'll totally see you then.

I gotta go for now though, skyping

with the bro.

From: Birdie

That's fine! I'll see you Tuesday!

Enjoy talking to your brother!

Gilbert left it at that as the skype ringtone began to play. With a grin, he clicked answer. Boy did he have exciting news tonight.

As Gilbert walked into a quaint little ice cream shop on the corner of Carter and 5th called 'Chill Me Sweetly', he half expected Matthew now to be there, but sure enough, a man in a hoodie with glasses and slightly shaggy blond hair sat by the window, clearly not noticing Gilbert come in.

"Hey," Gilbert said with a grin once he reached Matthew's table.

Matthew looked over and smiled lightly. "Hey," he replied. "I'm glad you came."

Gilbert scoffed slightly. "Did you think I wouldn't? That would totally not be awesome."

"No, no, that's not what I meant at all, just… oh never mind. Should we order?" he asked.

Gilbert smirked, a flustered Matthew was a cute thing to see and he had a feeling that it wouldn't be getting old any time soon. He just hoped that he had more opportunities to see it.

Matthew ordered first, a simple sundae. Meanwhile, being polite, Gilbert ordered a root beer float.

Once Matthew had paid, they took their respective ice creams and returned to the table.

"So, you mentioned having the day off, do you work then?" Gilbert asked, licking ice cream and foam from an elongated spoon.

Matthew nodded. "I help my papa out at his hair dressing shop," he said with a smile.

"So you're dad's a hair dresser?" Gilbert asked.

Again the blonde nodded. "Has been since Arthur left."

"Who's Arthur?"

"Papa's ex-husband. Now it's my turn to ask some questions."

Gilbert grinned and leaned back in his chair with his float. "Shoot," he said.

Matthew took another bite of ice cream as he thought for a moment. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-three, my turn," he said, leaning forward again.

"Nuh-uh!" Matthew cried with a sharp shake of his head. "You got three questions, so I get two more."

Gilbert smirked. "So there's feistiness in you yet," he said.

Matthew blushed and changed the subject. "Are you working?"

Gilbert nodded. "I'm a totally awesome aide at a daycare not far from my apartment."

"You work at a day care?" Matthew asked, clearly shocked.

"You bet, I take care of kids anywhere from two years old to about eight. They're totally awesome and you can bet that they love me," he said. "It's only part time though. I also study pre-med at the local college."

"Pre-med, eh? What do—" Gilbert raised a hand, cutting him off.

"Now way man, it's my turn now. How old are you?"

"Twenty-two," Matthew answered, taking another bite of his slowly melting ice cream. "So, I'll try my question again. What do you want to be?"

"A Pediatrician," Gilbert answered confidently.

"Guess that makes sense, seeing as you just told me you work at a day care. Your turn."

"Your brother, older or younger? I couldn't tell when we were acting the other night."

"Same age actually, but we're not twins. We were adopted when Papa and Arthur were still married and we were just babies. When they divorced, Papa got me and Arthur got Alfred. We kept in contact but I was too young to really remember the divorce. Arthur moved to New York shortly after that but we still kept in touch somehow. And you, what about your brother? Older or younger?"

"Younger by about two years, he joined the army and now he's fighting in the war over seas," he said.

"Oh, I see, I'm sorry about that," Matthew said. "I hope he comes home soon."

"Yeah me too, but he calls and skypes whenever he can, so it's not all bad, he's been keeping out of the main fight at least."

"I see, that's not too bad then," he said.

Gilbert nodded. "So, what about you? Are you going to school?" he asked, quickly changing the subject in an attempt to rid them of the dark mood that had fallen on the conversation.

"Sort of," Matthew answered. "I'm taking a couple classes online, but I just don't know what I want to go to school for yet. I was going to be a teacher, but decided I didn't like it so now I'm trying to decide again and finish up my generals."

"Cool. There's no need to jump into anything after all. It's pretty awesome that you realized teaching wasn't your thing. Too many people go into the wrong careers nowadays, I think."

"You think so?" he asked, finishing up the last couple bites of ice cream.

Gilbert nodded and drank down the last of his root beer.

Matthew glanced at the time and frowned. "I'm terribly sorry, I know I said I was free today, but Papa really needs me at work today," he said, standing from his chair and grabbing his garbage from the table.

"Not a problem Birdie. Do you mind if we meet again?" Gilbert asked, standing as well.

"Yeah, sure, I would like that, can I text you later?"

Gilbert grinned. "That would be awesome." They threw their garbage into the trash and headed out the door together.

"Well I go this way," Matthew said, a little hesitant.

"Yeah, cool," Gilbert said, realizing he didn't want to go either.

Matthew turned to leave but Gilbert caught him by the wrist and the man turned around with a puzzled look. "What is it Gilbert?" he asked.

"Nothing, just… I…" I want to kiss you. With those words in mind, he leaned forward but changed his mind at the last second and pressed his lips briefly to Matthew's forehead.

Matthew stood there frozen for a minute as his whole face turned a bright shade of red.

"I just… you're very cute and awesome and… I'll text you, bye," he dropped Matthew's wrist and turned around to walk back home. That was such a stupid move, he had ruined it for sure! He kicked a crushed can on the sidewalk in frustration and never turned around to see Matthew smile.