Matthew hasn't seen his father in eleven years.
But now Arthur wants him to babysit his younger brother while he goes off to London with his new husband.
He doesn't know who this kid is and has never babysat before.
But one thing is clear about t...
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Europe was a thrill to visit. But every day went by so quick. It seemed like one minute he was signing books in London and another he was going to sleep in a hotel in Florence. But the speed was worth it if it meant he could see Gilbert again. That one book signing seemed to take forever, but eventually he finished up and Lars drove him to the correct address. He hesitated before knocking on the door. What if Gilbert wasn't home? Too bad Lars wasn't with him. He had taken the taxi back to the hotel. Eventually the Canadian sucked it up and hit his fist against the front door. It opened right away, revealing a tall blond man. Matthew worried that he had the wrong house. "Uhm...does Gilbert Beilshmidt live here?" He asked nervously. "Ja." The man replied without emotion. "Is he home?" "Ja. Vant me to get him?" "That would be really great..." "One second." The blond German disappeared and then, a few moments later, he was replaced with Gilbert. "Mattie? Vhat are jou doing here?" "You said to visit if I was ever in the area..." "I didn't expect jou to show up so soon. But definitely come in!" Gilbert opened the door, letting Matthew slip by. "Nice place." The blond whistled softly. "Danke. Do jou vant coffee?" "Only if you already brewed some." "Be right back." Gilbert left Matthew waiting on the couch. The German's living room was really traditional. There was a fireplace in the corner covered in little trinkets and framed photographs of dogs which Matthew could hear trotting around in the back yard. "Jou like two sugars und two milks right?" Gilbert came back in, two mugs in his hands. "That's right." Matthew nodded. "So...I'm really sorry I had to leave so suddenly." Gil took a sip of his coffee and looked at the fireplace. "It's alright...really..." Matthew assured him. "Gött. Zhis is awkward. I didn't expect guests today." "I'm really sorry. I should have called first..." "It doesn't matter. Vhat did jou come here for?" "You told me to stop by if-" "Ja, but zhere's somezhing jou vant to say. Just go for it. I von't yell at jou or anyzhing." "Oh...okay..." Matthew took a large sip of his coffee, preparing himself. "I...love you..." Gilbert swallowed hard and set his drink down. He pulled Matthew into a tight hug. "I'm sorry." "For what? Why are you sorry?" "I'm sorry it had to be me." "Gil...you're not making any sense." Matthew pushed him away slightly. "I'm just saying...jou deserve so much better zhan zhis. Trust me." "But-" "I'm never home. I travel so much. Und I'd just be leaving jou behind. Jou vould be lonelier vizh me zhan vizhout." "You tell me this now? After I've come all this way?" "I didn't zhink I'd have to see jou again!" Gilbert insisted. Matthew whimpered softly. "But what if-" "Matthew...jou need somezhing more stable zhan me. I can't support jou financially und I can't be zhere for jou all zhe time. If I could, I'd definitely be vizh jou, no questions asked. But I don't vant to risk pulling jou down." Matthew looked down at his coffee and then back at the Prussian sitting next to him. He dumped the liquid into Gil's lap and threw the mug on the ground. "You're a...a...A FUCKING JERK." "I know." Gilbert didn't even try to fight back as Matthew kicked him in the shin and stormed out of the house. He ran through the streets, not sure where he was going, but knowing that he just wanted to be alone. He found a tight alleyway and slipped into it as deeply as he could. Maybe he could just die here. Nobody would find him here. But he was Lars's most profitable author. If he stopped producing books, then Lars wouldn't be making much money anymore. His phone started buzzing in his pocket and he pulled it out slowly. "Matthew! Where are you?!" Lars asked on the other end. "I...don't know." Matthew admitted softly. "Put your GPS on. I'll come find you." Lars commanded. Matthew didn't argue. He followed the directions quietly. "I'll be there soon." Lars assured. "Don't worry." Matthew nodded and hung up. At least there would always be one person who cared.
