"No Gilbert stop it!!" Matthew cried out with tears in his eyes as he pushed Gilbert off of him. "Stop it!" he pulled the covers over his bare body and backed into a corner with fear filled eyes. "...why..." he looked at Gilbert who had soon backed away from him with a guilt stricken look on his face.

Gilbert shook his head, his mind was fuzzy with clouded thoughts. He could still feel Elizabeta's skin against his own it was like an annoying stain that wouldn't go away no matter how hard you scrubbed. He remembered the day he returned, he took a total of three showers and scrubbed himself down till his pale skin was a swollen pink.

But now, he wallowed in self hatred and guilt seeing how Matthew trembled fearfully. "Matthew..I..I'm sorry.." he stumbled back almost tripping over his own feet. When had he done this? He didn't even remember pinning Matthew to the bed and then....

He leaned against the closed door and slid to the ground covering his face with his hands but then pulling on his hair nearly tearing out clumps of his white hair. Matthew took notice of how bewildered Gilbert was and reluctantly crawled over to the edge of the bed to fully look at his boyfriends now crumpled and broken state. "G-Gilbert?.." he stammered out to him.

With shaky steps he went over to Gilbert and slightly patted his shoulder with trembling hands, Gilbert flinched away from his touch. "Matthew, I..I slept with someone." He stuttered out. Matthew felt a pang at his chest. "You what?" he asked. "I'm so sorry! We both got drunk and...oh God Matthew I feel so..so dirty! I'm disgusting!" Gilbert felt tears gush from his eyes and dripped from his chin.

Matthew kneeled to the ground and took Gilbert's face in his small pale hands, he forced him to look up and was met with tear filled eyes "Gilbert...you were drunk?" he asked quietly, Gilbert ferociously nodded still letting his tears fall, pain was written on his flushed face. Matthew sighed somewhat in relief and pressed his forehead against his lover's. "Calm down Gil...take deep breaths." He instructed with his quiet voice.

Gilbert took long and slow shaky breathes. "Come on, in and out...in...out..." Gilbert matched his breathing with Matthew's own and eventually evened out his breathing. "I'm so sorry Matthew." He apologized and muttered his apology over and over under his breath once again losing himself with self hatred. Matthew worriedly gripped onto Gilbert's shoulders. "Stay with me Gilbert, please." He pleaded anxiously, the blanket that was wrapped around him fell off his shoulders.

Gilbert looked at Matthew and reminded himself that Matthew relied on him, he pulled him into a hug and hid his face against Matthew's bare shoulder. Matthew shuddered at how warm Gilbert's face was against his shoulder. "I know it must've been an accident, people tend to do stupid stuff when they're drunk." He explained in a quiet voice.

Gilbert took another shaky breath and rested his hand on Matthew's back, he could feel his spine through the thin blanket thrown over his body. Gilbert pulled away and looked at Matthew with dull eyes. "Let's get you dressed Matthew." He shakily stood bringing Matthew up with him and searched for his clothes, he found them strewn on the ground and handed them to him with shaking hands.

Matthew took ahold of Gilberts hand. "Gilbert I'm okay, really I am." He reassured in a soothing tone and gave him a small smile. "I'm not hurt nor am I scared of you. I'm not upset either." He tried so much to cheer his distressed lover up but his smile faltered when Gilbert avoided his gaze and stated down at the ground. "Please Gilbert...I need you." He whimpered.

Gilbert didn't respond, Matthew reluctantly released his hands and trudged to the bathroom leaving the door open a bit to keep an eye on Gilbert and quickly changed back into his clothes. Once dressed he went back to Gilbert and grasped onto his arm tugging it softly. "Gilbert please." he desperately called out to him. "I-I don't care what happened, I just want you to be okay." His voice broke as tears filled his eyes. "Please, I can't lose you too Gilbert...I don't want to lose you!" He exclaimed.

Gilbert was shaken from his stupor and instantly pulled Matthew into a hug, Matthew bawled into Gilbert's shirt soaking it with his tears. Gilbert rubbed his back and soothed him. "It's okay Matthew, I'm here. I'm here." He reassured. Instant regret filled his chest, he should've known that Matthew would be affected by his actions.

Although he expected Matthew to scold or yell at him, instead he forgave him and cried because he was feeling guilty and hated himself. He held Matthew close and kissed the top of his head. "I'm so sorry, look I'm still here." He took ahold of his chin and lifted it and was met with tear filled eyes, he slightly smiled at him and wiped away the stray tears that trailed down his pale cheeks.

Matthew recollected himself and reached for Gilbert, he rested his hand against his cheek, both stared into each others eyes getting lost within each other. "You're beautiful birdie, crying for me? Thank you for helping me though this." Gilbert leaned down and pressed his lips against Matthew's own soft ones.

Matthew stood on his toes trying to deepen the kiss, Gilbert flinched at his action and quickly pulled away. "Matthew..I'm not going to hurt you." He stroked his cheek and sighed longingly. "I did a stupid thing, I want to wait till you're ready." He explained and winced when the phone in his pocket buzzed. He knew who was texting him.

Elizabeta.

Sure he could've deleted her contact but each time he reached for his phone he couldn't bear to look at the messages, he would be reminded of that day. His heart ached when he remembered returning to his frightened lover. "Gilbert?" Matthew frowned taking notice of the scared look on Gilbert's face. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Gilbert looked at Matthew. "Birdie can you please do me a favor?" he asked shakily. "What is it?" Matthew tilted his head in confusion. "I..it's Elizabeta.." he stammered out. "I was the one who s-slept with her." Matthew swallowed and slowly nodded. "I..I see." He mumbled. "Matthew I'm afraid, I know it must sound silly but she knows a lot of bad people." Gilbert tightly held his hand.

Matthew paled at his words but kept his calm stature. "But with you I am strong. I will protect you." Gilbert squeezed his hand in reassurance and took the phone from his pocket, he looked down at his phone and went to the messages. Most of them were from Elizabeta, she cursed and argued and said many threatening comments.

Then there was one.

[He's coming for you]

His heart dropped and went to the other contact that messaged him.

[Long time no see Beilschmidt.]

He looked at his lover and pulled him toward the bed grabbing his tank and urging him to put it on, Matthew struggled a bit. "Gilbert what's going on?" he asked fearfully. "Matthew we have to leave for a bit. Elizabeta sent someone for me, someone bad." He grabbed a nearby bag and handed it to Matthew. "Pack up." He ordered.

Matthew did as he was told only grabbing what was necessary and turned to Gilbert who paced around anxiously. "This can't be happening." He muttered, there was a sudden knock at the front door. Gilbert jumped and silently cursed under his breath. "Matthew stay here in this room." He said in a demanding tone. Matthew shook his head in protest. "Gilbert I don't want you to get hurt." He exclaimed.

Gilbert quickly pulled Matthew to him and smashed his lips onto his once again before breathlessly pulling away. "Just please stay here, I'll come and get you when it's time to go." He reassured, Matthew slowly nodded and hesitantly pulled away from Gilbert trudging over to the bed. Gilbert took a quick glance at his lover before leaving and hesitantly walked forward the door.

He gripped onto the door knob and unlocked the door, he opened it his heart beat quickening with each second. "Ah what a pleasure to see you again!" Gilbert instantly recognized the thick accent, he looked up and was met with deep dark and dangerous eyes. Gilbert swallowed thickly. "H-hey Ivan." He laughed nervously. "Gilbert, it seems just like yesterday we were messing around at high school." The pale blonde man smiled.

Gilbert wearily smiled back. "Yeah..so long ago." He scratched the back of his head. "So I've got some messages from a good friend of mine." Ivan stated and moved forward, Gilbert took a step back allowing Ivan to enter the house. "Look Ivan I swear it was just a stupid thing I did okay?" Gilbert tried to explain himself. "Oh? So you're calling my friend stupid now?" a dangerous smile was spread on Ivan's face.

Gilbert panicked. "No that's not what I meant!" he restated. "Then what did you mean? Why did you leave her? Do you not love her?" so many questions attacked Gilbert. "I mean you must've loved her if you slept with her." Ivan continued on. "Roderich is in love with her." Gilbert protested. "I heard Roderich left her, so that means you're her new lover right?" Gilbert's heart dropped.

Ivan looked around the house and then back at Gilbert. "You live on your own? If you do then why do you look like I'm asking such a stupid question?" Ivan leaned down tilting his head to the side. "I'm...I just need time!" Gilbert stated. "Time for what?" Gilbert racked his mind for excuses until a small thump was heard from his room.

His blood went cold.

Ivan looked toward the direction of the room. "Do you have company?" he asked. "They're just a friend." Gilbert butted in. "Then why are they in your room?" he pushed past Gilbert, toward their room. "Wait Ivan!" Gilbert tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Ivan entered the room, Matthew was picking up his tank from the ground but flinched when he saw them in the room. "Uhm.." he backed away slightly. "Oh she did talk about him." Ivan muttered. "The sick boy." he stated. Gilbert gritted his teeth and rushed toward Matthew, pulling him behind him. "Please don't do anything to him, he did nothing wrong." Gilbert begged.

Ivan frowned. "Is that boy your lover?" he asked curiously. "Please Ivan..he's all I have." Gilbert answered. "And you're  the only one that Elizabeta has to rely on now." Ivan stated. "It's either you go to her or I'll forcibly take you." He suggested in a dark tone. Matthew whimpered and grasped onto Gilbert's arm. "Please don't go, please don't take him!" he shouted.

Ivan was taken aback at the sudden outburst but then chuckled. "Now here's an idea." He mumbled to himself. "So what is your answer Gilbert?" he asked once again, Gilbert looked at his lover and gave him a pitiful look. "Please don't." Matthew gripped onto his shirt, that was when Gilbert knew he couldn't bear to leave him. He gathered his courage and glared at Ivan. "Sorry Ivan but I already have someone I love. I can't go to Elizabeta." He said courageously.

There was a long moment of silence the atmosphere was thick with tension that was until before Ivan bursted out laughing breaking through the tension and startling the pair. "Well i guess we'll do it the hard way." He went toward Gilbert grabbing onto the collar of his shirt and pulling it upward lifting him from the ground. "No stop! Let him go!" Matthew yelled and pushed Ivan with all his strength which caught him by surprise causing him to let go of Gilbert in the process.

He looked at Matthew and then back at Gilbert. "Oh well." he shrugged lightly, Gilbert quickly caught on. "No wait!" a punch was sent to him, he stumbled back and was then harshly pushed against the wall the back of his head slammed against it harshly. Matthew yelled out his name as he collapsed to the ground the edges of his vision going blurry, he could hear Matthew screaming.

He was quickly losing consciousness. "Matt..." he weakly reached his hand out it dragged against the floor, Matthew's tank thumped to the ground and his bare feet disappeared, there was more fear filled shouting and then the sound of Ivan's heavy footsteps fading. The last thing Gilbert heard was Matthew desperately screaming out his name before unconsciousness succumbed his mind.