Chapter 8

The next evening, Gil was very excited. He was going to see Arthur, talk to him, and listen to him sing.

He had failed to do laundry and had run out of clothing. He groaned and grabbed the only clean things he had left, being black jeans and a white short-sleeve button up shirt.

Not really fitting his rock look. He tied his black bandana in a belt loop to break the formality.

Thinking about his song for the night he tuned his guitar. Not sad, but rather excited. He was in a Breaking Benjamin mood at the moment too.

Still unsure he finished with his guitar and started out the door to the bar, a little early but eager to listen to Arthur sing.

At the bar, Arthur was on stage, and had apparently cut his routine a little short, because as soon as Gil walked in he said

"This will be my last song of the night."

Gil dropped his guitar off and took a seat at the table, and listened to Arthur sing 'All In' by Lifehouse.

"All night staring at the ceiling

counting for minutes I've been feeling this way

So far away and so alone

But you know it's alright

I came to my senses

Letting go of my defenses

There's no way I'm giving up this time

Yeah, you know I'm right here

I'm not losing you this time

And I'm all in, nothing left to hide

I've fallen harder than a landslide

I spent a week away from you last night

And now I'm calling, calling out your name

Even if I lose the game, I'm all in

I'm all in tonight, yeah I'm all in, I'm all in for life

There's no taking back

what we've got's too strong,

we've had each other's back for too long

There's no breaking up this time

And you know it's okay, I came to my senses

Letting go of my defenses

There's no way I'm giving up this time "

Gil watched and listened. It seemed Arthur was looking at him a lot, but that couldn't be right...they were just in the middle of the room.

Arthur really nailed that song, it sounded great. He wasn't being biased either...Arthur just really had a good voice and was really talented with his guitar.

When the Brit came over to join him, he smiled warmly. "Hello."

Arthur eyed him "Why are you a black jacket short of being a penguin?"

He laughed slightly "I forgot to wash the rest of my clothes."

Arthur rolled his eyes and sat down, leaning back in his chair. "You forgot to fix your hair to?"

Gil frowned and ran a hand over his hair "No?"

The blonde sighed and waved him over, and when Gil walked over, Arthur ran a hand through his hair, fixing whatever bothered him.

Gil hid a smile and a blush. He was really close to Arthur right now and could smell the rum off him. It was not overpowering, it was sweet, mixing with his cologne.

It smelled a hell lot better than it tasted.

He looked up "Thanks..."

Arthur looked away, blushing very softly "Whatever, go play git."

Gil laughed and grabbed his guitar, jumping on the stage and starting to play.

He played 'Rain' by Breaking Benjamin, then for the hell of it played 'Blown Away' by them too. He was smiling widely, and rocking out, and he fed good energy into the room. He was the happiest he had been in a long time actually.

For his last song he decided upon 'What Faith Can Do' by Kutless.

"Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes

And make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it's more than you can take

But you're stronger

Stronger than you know

Don't you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn't ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I've seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard

Impossible is not a word

It's just a reason

For someone not to try

Everybody's scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It'll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing"

It was directed at Arthur of course. He couldn't say outright he loved him, that was just weird. But...he could get the message across this way maybe.

Plus it was a good song.

It relayed all he would never say to Arthur. He smiled brightly as he sung, and finished with a bow, before joining his friend.

"Weird song choice." He remarked

"Variety never killed anyone!" Gil said grinning

Arthur shook his head but smiled very faintly. He was in a much better mood than the night before.

The bar manage came over and looked at them both "There is a duet challenge in a few weeks, you might both want to consider finding partners." And with that he walked away.

They both were silent and not looking at each other. Gil would love to sing with him...it would sound really good, he knew it.

By the look in Arthur's eye he knew it too.

Yet neither one said a thing. Duets sounded good with male and female vocals. Two males could do it if one played back up, and there was a full band.

They had no band, and neither one of them would be playing back-up to the other.

In a while Arthur said "I need to leave now, I'll see you."

A little sad, Gil nodded "Alright." And he sipped his beer and watched Arthur leave.

In only five minutes, he was back. "My car won't start." He grumbled

Gilbert laughed at him, grabbed his case and left, putting the guitar in his car before walking to help him.

"Well what did you do to it?"

"I didn't do anything dammit!" Arthur growled, in a bad mood

Gil popped the hood and looked at the engine, sighing when smoke came out. "Have any tools in your trunk?"

Arthur shook his head no and leaned on the car.

Gil sighed again and started playing around with the engine a little. Finding the issue in the back, he sat back and took his shirt off, so he wouldn't ruin the white shirt.

He lay on the car a little to reach down, and started trying to fix the problem with his hands alone. In a few minutes he gave up, leaning back.

"I need tools. So, you should call a tow truck." He said, trying to wipe the grease off his pale chest.

Arthur was looking at the ground, blushing lightly, seeing the other male shirtless.

Gil didn't put his shirt back on; it would ruin it still, so he sat on the hood, looking at Arthur. He looked odd, being bathed in moonlight and neon signs. He was leanly muscled and had a tattoo over his heart, matching the eagle on his guitar.

"Well you want a ride home?" Gil asked, blushing lightly, seeing Arthur stare at him. He didn't think much of it, he got stared at a lot, being albino.

"Sure..." Arthur mumbled, turning his back and calling a truck.

Gil went to his car and sat in the driver's seat, and waited for him. In about five minutes the passenger side door opened and Arthur sat in.

"I'm not that far, just down this road." He said, looking out the window.

Gil nodded and drove, following his directions until he reached a small and rather lonely looking house.

"Good night...and hey thanks." Arthur said, cracking the door open.

"That's what friends do right?" Gil answered, smiling back.

"Right...friends." Arthur mumbled, getting out and shutting the door.

Once he was inside, Gil pulled away and drove home, smiling softly the whole way. Not to be creepy, but he was pretty excited he knew where Arthur lived. And even more excited the man trusted him enough to get in a car with him.

Now if only the blonde liked him back.

Thoughts on chapter 8?

9 will be up next week!