Boots

Twenty Seven

Gilbert had tried to enjoy the beer in his hand and the company of his friends and family, but something was missing.
He didn't know how that could be. This year felt like all the other years, but he still felt an emptiness he couldn't explain.
It almost felt like...
The first Christmas after Roderich left.
"Bruder, are you alright?" Ludwig asked as he downed his third beer of that meal.
"I mean...I should be...but I'm not..."
"Why?"
"I dunno..."
"He doesn't have enough pasta in his system." Feliciano guessed.
"I don't think that's it." Ludwig muttered.
"No. That could be the reason. Pasta will fill the hole in my heart. Thank you Feli."
"See. It works for me so it must work for him, Luddy."
"Since when do you have a hole in your heart?"
"It was before I met you, Bello."
"Ugh. This flirting is bad seasoning. Please stop it." Lovino groaned.
"No. Continue. Give this pathetic flirt a good example." Antonio huffed.
"What the fuck are you the wine mom now Jesus Christ Antonio why are you mad at me I thought that was my job." Lovino muttered angrily.
"Did he refuse to suck your dick again Antonio?"
"Puta thinks he can top me ALL the time. Well guess what, asshole-"
"Please. No sex talk at the table." Ludwig sighed.
The doorbell rang, cutting the conversation short.
"We're you expecting anybody else?" Ludwig asked.
"No...it could be a Christmas caroller or something..."
"Go get it." Feli said.
Gilbert nodded, getting up from his chair as the doorbell rang again.
He went to the front of the house and opened the door quickly, blinking in surprise at who he saw.
"Mattie..."
The Canadian didn't greet him with a hello or an explanation or anything. He simply fell into Gilbert's arms and started to sob.
Well, he probably didn't start crying. It looked like he was crying before and had just restarted.
"Mattie, what are you doing here?" Gilbert rubbed his back gently, trying to soothe him.
"I...I...I...."
"Hey, breathe. Take your time."
"Bruder, who is it?" Ludwig came around the corner, stopping when he saw the two embracing.
"Nothing. It's just a friend." Gilbert hoped it wasn't a lie. He hoped they were still friends. "Go back to the dinner while I take care of this."
"Alright." Ludwig shrugged and walked away.
"Mattie, it's almost Christmas. Shouldn't you be with your family?"
At that, Matthew only cried harder. His breaths came in harsh coughs and he clung to Gilbert's shirt with an iron grip.
"Mattie, everything is alright, okay. Everything is fine. It'll be okay." He whispered, rocking back and forth to relax the blond.
"Come lie down in my room for a bit. You're freezing." Gilbert directed Matthew down the hallway and opened the door to his room, sitting him down on the bed.
"You don't even have to tell me what happened, okay. Just cry it out. I'm right here." Gilbert went back to hugging Matthew, rocking him slowly as he cried the most degrading, embarrassing cry he possibly could. Gilbert soothed Matthew for the next little while until the blond fell asleep in his arms. He then tucked him into the heavy sheets so he could sleep. He didn't think he would be returning to the dinner any time soon.