Chapter 12

            He drove home, not paying full attention to much anything. He was surprised he didn’t run into anything.  Pulling into his drive way he got out of his car and locked it, heading for the front door. He looked for the keys, not finding them in his pocket.

            “Looking for this?” a voice asked

            Gilbert screamed “FUCK”

            He spun around looking around wildly.

            “Calm it will you, half your neighborhood probably thinks I’m going to rape you now, bloody git.” Arthur said walking up, a black car in the street.

            Gilbert stared at him, his eye twitching.

            “Don’t worry I’m not going to try to give you my shirt again.” Arthur said walking closer

            He… followed me…home Gilbert’s overworked mind slowly comprehended

            “Why are you here?” Gil asked in an exasperated voice

            “Your house keys fell from your pocket when I shoved you against the wall” He explained

            Gilbert looked him over. He had on rather tight pants that Gilbert had to force himself to look away from. And then a close fitting navy blue shirt with a British flag. The light from the street lamps set a slight glow about him. His blonde hair fluttered in the light breeze. And his green eyes stared at Gilbert.

            Gilbert closed his eyes to re-focus himself.

            He held out his hand “Danke for my keys” he said

            Arthur walked even closer, and placed the keys in the albino’s pale hand, his fingers grazing Gil’s palm.

            A shiver ran though Gil as Arthur walked back. “Well… see you.” he said before walking and getting into his car and driving off

            Gilbert just stood there, his hand still outstretched and his body still tingling.

            “Fuck.” he said again, just above a whisper, shaking his head

            He sat on his porch, blinking a few times.

            There is no way I am in love with that man… no way… impossible… He thought, maybe trying to convince himself

            He sighed deeply. His hand still tingled from the man’s touch and he had a… giddy feeling.

            The same feeling he had about Eliza when they had just started out.

            “It’s official. Love is very un-awesome…And I am un-awesomely in love…” he grumbled standing up and unlocking his door.

            Un-awesomely in love with a male I barely know… he mentally added

            Walking inside he kicked off his shoes and sat down in the kitchen.

            Gilbert looked around, finding a calendar on the wall that had Eliza’s hand writing on it. He saw it had the days he worked and the hours.

            Hm I really don’t need to be working at the bar anymore… He thought

            With just him and Ludwig the strip club’s pay would be just fine.

            He picked up his phone, finding a message from Mathias

            You… you… I will… IT WAS ROMANTIC ENOUGH

            Gilbert laughed; he so had to harass the Dane about this later.

            He flipped through contacts and found the bar owner, he called him and said he quit, leaving a message since he didn’t pick up.

            “Probably drunk off his ass” Gilbert muttered

            He turned the lights off on the lower level and walked up the stairs into his room, and fell on the bed not bothering to change. He eyed the clock that read 2:04am

            He groaned and flipped over on his side, soon enough he dozed off then fell into a deeper sleep.

            The rest of the week moved by rather fast like it always did. He practiced, getting his moves perfected for the Friday and Saturday night shows. He fixed the window in his basement, and installed better locks on the windows and doors.  He hid the gun so he wouldn’t have to listen to Antonio worry about Romano being shot.

            He didn’t get any surprise visits from Arthur, which he found rather… sad. There was nothing like coming home and fining a guy on your couch trying to give you his shirt.

            Or like being followed home and given the keys to your house.

            Gilbert actually found himself hoping to find the male in his house when he came home-and then found himself being disappointed when he didn’t

            Friday rolled around, and at around seven pm Gilbert woke up, excited and happy. He knew Arthur would be in the club, and he just had to see him and talk to him again.

            He untangled himself from the sheets and showered dressing and then whipping his head around, effectively getting the water from his hair and making it into its usual disarray.

            He walked down the stairs; Ludwig sat on the couch watching the news

            “Shouldn’t you be watching more fun things?” he asked

            “But bruder the news has current events” Ludwig said

            Gilbert laughed and went to make dinner. A half hour later sauerkraut and snitzel sat on the table.

            Ludwig turned off the TV and joined his brother in the kitchen, where they both ate in silence.

            Gilbert finished and cleared off the table as the doorbell rang.

            “It’s open!” he yelled

            Romano knocked the door open “I’m here to watch the little potato bastard.” he growled

            “Danke Romano!” Gilbert said

            The Italian glared

            “I only do it because Antonio is making me” he grumbled

            Gilbert thought to ask since when Romano actually listened to Antonio but he really didn’t feel like losing his brothers babysitter.

            “Be good Luddy! Bye.” he said walking out the door, getting into his car. Romano’s Ferrari sat in the driveway, parked at a rather odd angle, skid marks on his driveway.

            He sighed and started his car’s engine, pulling out of his driveway and winding down the streets.

            His excitement grew and a wide grin broke across his face.

            He pulled into the parking spot behind the club and got out. Francis, Feliks, and Mathias were already present.

            He walked though the back door, and found Mathias texting on his phone.

            “Your little boy toy?” Gilbert asked

            Mathias glared at him “He isn’t a boy toy!” he growled

            Gilbert looked at his friend, finding bruises on his neck

            “Like it rough there?” he taunted

            The Dane flushed “No! He choked me when I ticked him off.” he replied

            Gilbert laughed “That little guy has the Great Dane under his thumb?”

            Mathias just glared at him. Feliks bounced over “Like you not going to say hi Gil?” he asked

            “How could I not say hi to you? I was working on it!” Gilbert said smiling

            Antonio walked into the back “Hola!” he called

            Gilbert waved, Alfred popped into the room behind Antonio.

            Francis walked into the back. “We have a crowd out there! Shows about to start get dressed” he said before leaving again

            As the five dressed in the prisoner outfits Eduard got more lively music playing and Francis took the stage. As he spoke they moved onto the stage, the curtain down.

            Gilbert again stood in the middle. Alfred on his right with Feliks on his left. Mathias was the far right and Antonio the far left. Gilbert re-adjusted the black and white striped shirt. The prisoner costume had a shirt, pants and then suspenders that were under the shirt. Not much to it.

            “Ladies, you are about to meet the prisoners of jail block 6, I give you the Poor Boys!”

            Eduard turned the music on, playing ‘Bad Boy’

            The curtain raised and the five spun around. Gilbert stalked up the stage, the four following him.

            He walked with a swaggering movement; he ran his hands up his body, rolling his torso as he did.

            Dropping onto his knees he moved by throwing his upper body forward. Sliding about the stage he threw himself back, popping out his hips and getting back into a standing position.

            He drifted to the back, taking the spot where Feliks was as Alfred moved to take his place.

            Dancing in the back all Gilbert had to do was run his hands over his chest and follow the foot movements.

            Alfred advanced father up, and the others followed, taking a fistful of the shirt he wrenched his hand forward tearing off the shirt, as the others did.

            Gilbert looked out into the crowd as he danced looking for those green eyes.

            Disappointment hit him like a rock when he found the room devoid of the piercing and beautiful green eyes.

            He followed the dance movements but his heart wasn’t in it. Sliding his hand on his right shoulder he brushed off the suspender strap.

            Then spinning, he knocked off the other one and took the spot where Mathias stood and Antonio took the front and Mathias took his spot.

            He was now in the far back corner, in the ‘dead spot’ where basically no one saw you. The stage entrance from the back room was behind him, Francis and Eduard were in front and to the side, their shadows on the stage.

            Suddenly he was yanked back, a hand pressed over his mouth.