Chapter 9

            Now it was Gil’s turn to watch the stage and the man on it. Francis huffed displeased with the fact another strip club had a pirate act.

            Mathias looked back towards the bar; Feliks went to get another beer and to get Francis more champagne. Antonio watched the act with un-interested eyes and Alfred watched the act as well.

            The man on stage moved well and Gilbert could tell from the movements he was a more seasoned stripper.

            He danced, captivating the ladies in the room.

            He took the hat off, spun it around on his hand, and leaned over the stage a gleam in his eye and a smirk on his lips. He tossed the hat backwards and leaned back.

            He ran his hands up his chest to the top of the coat, and he slowly undid it, as he ground his hips against the air.

            The coat dropped to the floor, a white ruffled shirt under it.

            The man whipped his head to the side, and stared out into the crowd as he dragged his hand ever so slowly and tantalizing over his body. He moved his hands from his hips to his pecs, and gripped both sides of the shirt, popped his chest forwards and wrenched his arms to the side, tearing open the shirt to let his torso be bathed in the light.

            Whipping around as he shuffled his feet he got the shirt off, and seemed to be in no hurry to get at his pants.

            The man slunk over to the right of the stage, where he danced, his hands now grazing over his bare skin and towards his pants, he humped at the air, then bent over backwards his hands hitting the stage, he kept the movement up down by his hips, the threw his legs up and doing a back flip.

            Which he followed up by snaking his hands down to his trousers, and with his thumbs lifting the waistband off his skin, he ground at the air, while he did a wave with his torso causing his muscles to contract and pop out against his skin, he lolled his head back as he did this casing the crowd to become raucous.

            The he snapped into a straight position and with a fast and easy movement gripped his pants over his unit with his right hand and tore them off, casting them to the side.

            He stood on the stage now nearly naked.

            He danced slowly, his hands being places half the crowd wanted their hands to be.

            He threw himself onto the stage, doing a wave through his body, his chest dipping and hitting the stage then coming up, his hips then doing the same.

            He flipped over onto his back and from the ground he grinded the air, and the front tables shoved money at him and into his pants.

            The song ended and he rolled away and jumped up, bowing and then running off the stage.

            Gilbert stared transfixed at the stage still. Antonio nudged him.

            “Hey Gil, you better go make sure Mathias doesn’t do anything stupid.”

            He looked away and scanned the room for his friend.

            He was leaning over the bar, talking with the kid again. Gilbert sighed and walked over to him.

            He walked too slow apparently because the blonde stripper from earlier walked over to them in pants only.

            Immediately the two males stiffened, both rising to their full heights.

            Mathias and the other male stared down each other, coldness radiating between them.

            The small bartender squeaked in fear. Gilbert halted his forwards movements to watch, figuring Mathias would just back off.

            Well he was wrong.

            The stripper spoke something Gilbert didn’t quite catch, Mathias had apparently heard it and didn’t like it because he scowled and got into the other males face.

            Anger shone clear in Mathias’s face while a blank mask and flashing eyes was on the other man’s face.

            Lukas had taken the stage again to bid the people goodnight, and people began to stream out.

            Francis, Antonio, Feliks, and Alfred sat at their table still, watching the scene.

            Mathias must have muttered something because the other man narrowed his eyes and spat something back.

            The club was now basically empty and the regular lights on. Gilbert would’ve remarked how short the show was, but then Mathias lunged at the man, and the two began to brawl.

            Mathias was onto of the man on the floor, and he was sneering into his face, his knee in the man’s chest.

            The man swung his fist and connected with Mathias’s jaw, and due to this Mathias moved backwards, and the man then kneed him in the stomach. They crashed into a few tables and chairs.

            He then jumped onto Mathias and tried to hit him, but Mathias grabbed him and they became locked in a position fighting for the dominance in the fight. Gilbert and the rest finally reacted.

            Gil and Alfred threw the man off Mathias and held him while Antonio and Feliks held Mathias back.

            The small bartender went and sat by the stripper, holding his hand rather meekly.

            Two men burst from the back and stormed across the floor.

            “Release them both.” the owner and first stripper commanded.

            They all did, and Gilbert and Alfred drifted back over to their friends.

            The green eyes of the man looked at Gilbert. Gilbert felt his eyes but didn’t look at him.

            Siren wailed outside and the owner cursed. “Who called the cops?” he demanded

            Despite being rather small in height he demanded authority.

            “No one, it was your stupid security Lukas.” the green eyed man said to the owner

            Lukas scowled “Arthur you go follow the cops and get Berwald out of jail. I’ve got things to do.”

            And with hat he left.

            The cops stormed in and handcuffed both the males, how were bruised and slightly bloody.

            Francis sighed “I better not be sued.”

            Alfred checked his watch “Dudes I like got to go! Someone tell me if he gets booked, see you tomorrow!”

            “You like totally drove us!” Feliks protested

            “Then lets go!” he said

            Francis pointed to the two men being led from the club “Someone needs to get his ass out of jail!”

            “I’ll go.” Gilbert said “I live the closest anyway.”

            Antonio looked at him “What about your brother?”

            “Well if Luddy hasn’t shot Romano, he’ll be asleep. So you can go get your boy toy.” Gilbert said smirking

            “If you’re not outside you’re not getting in the heroes car!” he yelled

            The men ran out and smashed into his car. Gilbert waved as it pulled away. He began to walk in the direction of the nearby jail.

            A car rumbled up beside him “Do you need a ride?” a voice asked

            Gilbert turned and looked at the car, his eyes meeting green ones.

            “Uh…”

            “Get in the car before I leave already you git” he said rolling his eyes

            Gilbert, probably against better judgment got into the car, he closed the passenger door.

            “Danke… uh Arthur is it?” he asked

            The man drove “Yes, and welcome Mr. Black Eagle.”

            Gilbert smiled “It’s Gilbert.”

            The man nodded and they drove in silence, which was rather uncomfortable on Gilbert’s side.

            “Your club stole that pirate act.” Arthur said his eyes on the road

            Gilbert blinked “What? You were in our club yesterday and now you had a pirate costume! You stole from us!”

            “No, that group act and song, is ours and we do it every Wednesday. That act I did is my signature act, but I do have another rather popular cop routine.”

            “Why were you in our club?” Gilbert asked

            “Bored. Nothing to do.” he explained

            “Uh ditched stripping?” he asked

            “We don’t do Fridays and Saturdays.” he answered

            Gilbert furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

            “You git. Let me explain. You see how small that club is? Three strippers. Not much of a thriller compared to say five men? We work the weekdays and Sunday, open five days vs. two and the club floats along. Your club is open two days out of seven, but due to popularity- and rather expensive drinks may I add- manage to do just fine.” he explained in a close to monotone voice

            Gilbert nodded, that made sense now.

            The man pulled into the police parking lot and turned off his car.

            “Why did your friend attack Berwald?” he asked

            Gilbert scratched his head “I really don’t know… he usually isn’t like that.”

            Arthur sighed and walked through the door and Gilbert followed.

            “Sit there while we deal with this, we can’t release them yet.” a tired looking cop explained

            Gilbert sat in a chair and waited. Arthur swore and called his boss. Gilbert just tried to not fall asleep.

            An hour later Lukas walked into the station. He went with the cops around the corner and towards the holding cells.

            Soon both Berwald and Mathias were led back out un cuffed.

            “No more fighting! And you’re lucky he didn’t press charges.” the cop growled pointing to Lukas

            Mathias smiled at the small man, how just started at him.

            Arthur turned to Gilbert. “I guess I will see you Friday, Black Eagle.” he said with a light smirk before walking away

            Gilbert stared at him, his mouth agape. Mathias walked over with a sheepish look on his face.

            “Heh… fun night huh?”

            “Dummkopf. Let’s go.” Gilbert growled at the Danish man

            Mathias followed but cast a backwards glance at Lukas.

            Gilbert grabbed the black tie around Mathias’s neck and tugged, choking him and causing him to follow as they walked towards their club and cars.

            Gilbert mulled over the nights events, his thoughts mainly dancing around the green eyed man…Arthur.

            Why would a stripper, who worked five days a week, send his only two free nights in another strip club?

            And at that, why would he stay at the club he was at? It was clear by his dancing he was like Gil, a veteran, experienced, and good at it. He could surely find a more popular club around town.

            Gilbert was too lost in his thoughts that he nearly walked past the club. Mathias grabbed the albino’s arm to catch his attention.

            “Unless that damned Swed knocked my memory outta sorts this would be our club.”

            Gilbert nodded, yes it is, well night Mr. Brawler.’ Gilbert said smiling and waving goodbye.

            He walked to where he would usually park his car, but it was gone.

            Right… he rode with Antonio.

            “Gil! Mi amigo! Over here!” a cheery voice yelled

            Gilbert looked around, and found the Spaniard waiting in his Ferrari.

            Gilbert smiled and walked to his friend “You didn’t have to wait!”

            Antonio smiled and turned his car on “Ah its ok Gil!”

            He drove down the streets and Gil re-counted what happened with Mathias.

            “He is lucky that he was charged with anything, Francis has odd ideas when it comes to re-payment for favors.”

            “He would have even odder ideas for Mathias, seeing as if he got sued and still got him out of jail that would be a big favor.” Gilbert said chuckling

            They rounded the corner to Gilbert’s street.

            “Please tell me Romano has a friend with a silver car like that?” Gilbert asked, his heart falling as he recognized the car

            “No… you don’t know whose car?” Antonio asked parking his in the street.

            Gilbert threw open the door and ran, Antonio close on his heel.

            Before reaching the door Romano’s screams were heard.

            “CAN’T YOU SEE I’M WATCHING THE LITTLE POTATO BASTARD? I DON’T WANT THE PIANO FREAK AND POTAO BASTRDS WIFE HERE!”

            Gilbert slammed into his front door, banging it open.

            Antonio was right behind him.

            Gilbert met Eliza’s eyes, his contracting in anger.

            Roderich stood next to her.

            “Are you robbing me now too?” he spat

            “I’m getting my things.” she spat at him

            “Get out.” he said shortly

            “Gladly. I have everything I need anyway.”

            “if something is missing I will call the cops.” he growled

            “You won’t have to.” he retorted

            The stared at each other for a few tense minutes before she turned to leave.

            “Why him? How long?” he blurted out

            She stopped and looked back to him.

            “You were the best friend… but he was the lover. That’s why. And five months…” she answered

            His eyes dropped and he shook his head. She took that as a dismissal and left, with Roderich behind her.

            Romano stared at Antonio.

            “Don’t you dare have me—” he started

            “So Lovi, you have fun right? Well when we practice and work will you watch Ludwig?” Antonio cut him off, wither totally ignoring the Italian or just that oblivious

            Romano looked at Antonio, disbelief all over his face, but an oblivious and happy look on Antonio.

            “Why do I have to watch the little potato bastard!” he yelled

            “Aww please Lovi!” Antonio begged

            Romano blushed and looked away and muttered “Fine, but I won’t enjoy it.”

            Gilbert chuckled “I’ll just make sure Luddy doesn’t shoot you.”

            Antonio waved goodbye to Gil and lead the speechless Italian to the car.

            Gilbert kicked his shoes off and walked upstairs to check on his brother, who was sound asleep.

            “Night Luddy” Gilbert whispered before closing the door and walking to his room

            Despite Eliza having taken everything she owned from the room he felt no different and actually not sad.

            As he fell asleep for once it wasn’t her green eyes that plagued him.