Always With You

Chapter Three

Three days later, as they were just finishing up their afternoon walk and enjoying some more coffee, Alfred paused and pointed to a pair of women.

"What are those two women doing?"

Gilbert turned to see two women heading into an establishment with quite a reputation. "Going into a lesbian bar. No men allowed."

Alfred barely let Gilbert finish his next sip of coffee before asking his next question. "Are there any which allow men?"

Gilbert paused, wondering if he should tell the truth, and then he sighed. "Yeah, including that one, but there's a hefty price to pay for entering those."

"Money? I have plenty of that."

"No, not money. Almost all of those bars that allow men are bars were men who enter are whipped or beaten onstage. As a matter of fact, I don't know of any bars that don't require that. That's your price for entering one."

The American hummed in interest at that, and Gilbert took another sip of his coffee. Autumn was quickly settling in around them now. He was glad for his new coat and the repairs he'd been able to make to his old one for Ludwig.

"I want you to take me to one of these bars."

Gilbert looked up in confusion. "Huh?"

"I want to go to one of those bars."

Gilbert stared at him for a long moment in shock. "What?!" He hissed across the table.

"You heard me. I want to go to one of those bars."

Gilbert felt his emotions bubble to the surface, and this time he let them speak for him.

"You're a spoiled rich brat! Have you ever even been beaten with your father's belt, or did that risk causing too much damage to his precious little son?! Being whipped makes those beatings seem gentle in comparison! You've seen the scars on my back!"

Alfred seemed a little shocked at his outburst, but then his gaze hardened. "I'm aware of how you got those scars, Kraut. I want to go to one of those bars."

The nickname almost stopped Gilbert dead in his tracks. Alfred had never used that term before, and it hurt, but it also pissed him off. "Go on your own. I won't."

He finished his coffee and turned to walk away, but Alfred grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"

"I won't go to one of those bars."

Alfred groaned, and then fished out his wallet. "How much?"

Gilbert turned with a growl. "I said no."

"Five dollars could buy a lot of fuel for your stove. Or maybe some good beeswax candles to illuminate the desk your brother does his school work on. I'll even pay you upfront."

Gilbert wanted to keep refusing, but Alfred knew he held Gilbert and Ludwig's lives in his hand. Gilbert knew how powerless he was in this relationship. He took a deep breath, and decided it would be best to give in before he really pissed off his patron.

"Five dollars upfront, and you let me go home and have dinner with my little brother tonight. I'll meet you at the hotel at nine." He finally said feeling defeated as he said it.

The American chuckled and handed over the five dollars. "Go home then. I'll see you tonight."

Gilbert almost ran from the place, wishing he could wash off the sudden feeling of grime covering his skin.

***

Ludwig was confused when he saw his brother's coat thrown over the chair when he got home that night. Gilbert hadn't said anything about being home tonight.