Window Games

Chapter 5

A/N: Here we are at the halfway point! This one's been done for a while, but I didn't want to post it until I got the next chapter written. Which means, of course, that once my betas are done with it, there will be more! I haven't decided yet whether I'll write out my idea for an epilogue...

Thanks again to meddlingmediator, damtoti, and monsterinthelookingglass for editing~

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Gilbert didn't see Lovino again for the next few weeks. He tried to focus on work, but thoughts of the other man kept flooding his mind and getting in the way. It soured his mood, and even his closest friends began to steer clear of him after the first few encounters.

He still couldn't believe Lovino had kicked him out. He thought they were finally getting somewhere and he even seemed to have developed feeling for the playful Italian. He wondered if Lovino missed him too...But as far as he could tell, the brunet hadn't so much as peeked through the curtains since their first real meeting.

He played it back in his mind as he lay in bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling. He still wasn't entirely sure that Lovino had been sincere when he'd told him he didn't want to see him again. Either way, he couldn't stop himself from picturing the other man's flushed face and dark eyes, a slight pout on his lips as he looked up at him. His heart ached as his mind helpfully substituted the image of Lovino turning away from him.

He sighed heavily and pushed himself up into a sitting position, pinching the bridge of his nose as if it could make all his pain go away. Unfortunately, it did little, even for his headache. Damn, it was embarrassing for him to be in this state...maybe Ludwig would have something for him to do. He fumbled for his phone and hit the call button next to his brother's name before he could think about it too much.

Ludwig picked up on the second ring, prompt as usual. Gilbert couldn't resist a sigh of relief, though he hoped his little brother hadn't heard it. How uncool would that be?

"Hey," he greeted cheerfully, "I have a day off, so I thought I'd be awesome and see if you needed anything." He was glad his voice was steady too. If he was going to tell Ludwig anything, it wasn't going to be over the phone.

Still, his brother's voice sounded a little dubious as he answered. "You really don't have any other plans?" asked the blond, "Bruder, you really might need to get out more. Playing video games online doesn't really count as human interaction."

Gilbert scoffed and grumbled a little; he didn't need his little brother to scold him. He was about to suggest that Ludwig let loose and actually enjoy himself once in a while when the other spoke up again.

"As it is...I guess we could use a little help. Feliciano is moving in today," he admitted. Gilbert could practically hear his blush in his voice, and it only made him smile wider.

"Sure!" he chirped, "D'you want me to meet you at your place, or are you going to give me his address?"

Ludwig sighed and agreed to text him the address, and they exchanged a few more pleasantries before they hung up. When the call ended, Gilbert realized he was grinning. Yeah, he just needed something to do to get his mind off Lovino! Or...not. At just the thought of the beautiful Italian's name, his heart gave a painful throb.

He tried to shake it off and was gathering up his things when his phone buzzed with Ludwig's text. He read over it once, then hurried out to catch a cab. The driver could worry about finding this place, not him. He'd rather use his phone for more important things, like...Well, he didn't actually have that much to do with it. Most of his friends were either spending their days off with their partners or playing video games. He would be doing the latter, but his thoughts wouldn't leave him alone long enough for him to focus. Maybe Ludwig's constant suggestions about getting out more weren't totally unfounded.