Window Games

Chapter 10

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! If you're like my and live vicariously through your ships, this is for you. And even if you don't.

***

Gilbert sat at the kitchen table, idle for once. He stared at the mug in his hands as he tried to figure out how he felt. Lovino had become friendlier since the night they had staying in together to drink. He was glad about that, it meant that no awkwardness had interfered with the progress they had made, so for that he was grateful.

In the last week, however, Gilbert hadn't heard from him at all. He had seen him in his apartment, but the one time Gilbert had tried to wave, Lovino just ducked his head and scurried away. With a sigh, he lifted the mug to his lips and took a gulp of the coffee inside, ignoring the way it burned his tongue. If he said he was confused, that would be putting things mildly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door. Gilbert looked up at it, uncertain-he wasn't expecting company. He got up after a moment and headed to answer it. After all, he wasn't the type of person to just leave someone hanging when they had come specifically to see him.

Gilbert opened the door, but there was no one there. Confused, he peeked out and caught sight of a small brunet hurrying towards the end of the hall.

"Hey-Lovino?" Gilbert called after him in surprise. He took a step out into the hallway, holding the door open behind him. Lovino's shoulders hunched, and Gilbert wondered if that was his reaction to being caught. Slowly, the Italian turned around and looked up at Gilbert through his lashes.

"Hi..." Lovino managed, the word coming out a bit strained, "I wanted to...Can we talk?" He looked nervous, as though he expected Gilbert to turn him away.

Instead, the blond's expression softened and he gestured for Lovino to step into the apartment. "Yeah, of course. It's Saturday and I don't have plans, so...What the hell, you can have my whole day."

He grinned, but Lovino's cheeks flushed bright red at his answer. Gilbert could tell that something was bothering him, but he wouldn't pretend to know what it was or make any assumptions. As the other passed him and headed for the living room, he caught a whiff of something sharp and earthy.

Gilbert followed him, watching the way he fidgeted. If he wasn't so nervous about what the other man was here to say, he might have found it adorable. As it was, he expected the worst-maybe for Lovino to tell him he wanted him to stay out of his life, that he didn't want to see him unless it was for Feliciano and Ludwig. As soon as Lovino looked up at him, he realized that wasn't going to happen. Lovino wouldn't look terrified if he wanted to push him away.

"What is it?" Gilbert asked as gently as he could, sitting on the table in front of him. His entire body angled toward the other, trying to reassure him with his mere presence. He wasn't sure it was working. Lovino clenched his hands into fists and looked up at him as steadily as he could.

"I...I lied to you. A lot," Lovino admitted finally, his voice shaking with nervousness, "We, you know, worked up to things through the window, but when I found out you were German...I'm sorry, really. I...overreacted. I..."

He trailed off as Gilbert held up a hand, cutting off his babbling. He wanted to hear those words, of course, but he didn't want Lovino to hurt himself trying to get them out.

"Do you want a glass of water or something? It sounds like we're going to be here a while, so...better to be comfortable, you know?" he pointed out.

Lovino nodded shakily, and his cheeks flushed a bit when Gilbert smiled at him. Gilbert got up and left the room for the moment, returning with two glasses of water. This time, after he put them both on the table, he sat on the couch facing the smaller Italian.