Chicken Noodle Soup

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The next day, Gilbert pretended he was sick so that he wouldn't have to go to school. Yesterday's disastrous confrontation with Alfred made him want to move back to Germany. Although he hadn't missed a day of school during football season in his entire time being in high school, Gilbert desperately needed to stay home.

When he had first woken up, he made sure to make breakfast while moping around and occasionally gripping his stomach as if he were in pain. The few times when Ludwig asked him if he was okay, Gilbert would respond with a grunt or a groan. Eventually their mother suggested that Gilbert stay home, and he immediately fled to his room, ready to hide under his bed sheets for the rest of eternity.

As soon as he got into his room he shut the door and slid into bed, where he shoved his face into a pillow and screamed into it, producing barely enough noise for anyone to hear. He felt the worst he had ever felt in his entire life. His mind just kept repeating the fight he and Alfred had gotten into the day before, and he couldn't get the look of anger on Alfred's face out of his head. He didn't know what to do. Alfred would eventually figure out something was wrong when he didn't show up to practice.

In an attempt to escape the millions of thoughts running through his head, Gilbert picked his head up off the pillow and grabbed his phone. Unlocking it, Gilbert noticed he had 8 unread text messages and cringed. He opened the app to find that every single one of them was from Alfred.

A: Hey I'm sorry I yelled at you

A: I didn't mean to be so aggressive

A: ...

A: Are you okay?

A: Gil..

A: If you're mad at me I understand... I'm so sorry

A: ...

A: See you tomorrow.

Gilbert read the texts and immediately flung his phone across his room onto a beanbag. Alfred sounded so disappointed. Gilbert replayed their fight in his head once again and then pondered the texts. Maybe it would be better to just pretend none of it had ever happened.

Rolling out of bed, Gilbert stood up and walked over to the beanbag, grabbing his phone before sitting down and deciding what to say to make it seem as though yesterday was just some weird mood swing he had gone through. He began typing:

G: Haha yeah I'm fine I just ate some gnarly tacos last night and i think i got a stomach bug... i'll be back tomorrow... also sorry about yesterday I think I drank too much coffee... the anxiety really kicked in for some reason and I was jittery all day... sorry i made you worry

Gilbert took a deep breath before sending the text. He knew Alfred would be in homeroom by now, but he hoped he would see it before his first class. Gilbert was surprised when he could see Alfred typing a minute or so later. Gilbert waited, watching the ellipses of the typing icon as his heart pounded. He hoped his plan worked. He hoped he didn't screw up his friendship with the one person in the world he could count on the most. He hoped whatever chemistry he and Alfred had left could be salvaged. They had never gotten into a fight before; it was new territory and Gilbert was not ready to explore it.

The typing eventually stopped and Gilbert took a deep breath as he saw Alfred's text deliver to his phone.

A: Oh... hahaha dude you had me worried! Don't ever drink that much coffee again... And stay away from the cafeteria tacos! that's rule numero uno. Anyway.. hope you feel better... i'll bring you over my famous chicken noodle soup after practice

Gilbert sighed in relief.

G: Haha I'll try to avoid tacos and coffee as much as possible... thank you for the concern.. see you later

A: Cya!!

Gilbert smiled and clutched his phone to his chest as he praised Alfred for not reading deeper into their confrontation. Alfred was notoriously gullible, and Gilbert was glad the American couldn't see through his façade. As long as Gilbert concealed his feelings as much as possible, Alfred would ever find out about whatever was going on inside his head. Gilbert just needed to sort out this whole sexuality thing. He was sure he wasn't really bisexual, and he was keen on convincing himself that the last week had just been some weird hormonal imbalance that all teenagers experience at some point.

In an attempt to regain the sleep he had lost when he was tossing and turning all night, Gilbert walked back over to his bed and tucked himself in before shutting his eyes and letting himself relax for the first time in days. 

When Gilbert woke up it was three in the afternoon, and he was amazed at the amount of sleep he had gotten. He was also amazed at how ridiculously badly he had just messed up his sleep schedule. After temporarily freaking out about sleeping through the whole day, Gilbert went downstairs and made himself some cereal.

After scarfing down an 2 entire bowls of fruit loops, Gilbert cleaned up and headed back towards the staircase before he heard a knock at the door. Looking down at his phone, he knew it was far too early for his parents or Ludwig to be home. Slightly puzzled, Gilbert made his way to the front door before looking out the peephole and seeing Alfred standing at the door with a red Campbell's thermos in his hands.

Gilbert's heart began pounding and he took a few seconds to compose himself before opening the door.

"Oh- hey!" Gilbert said, pretending as though he hadn't seen Alfred through the peephole.

"Hey! How are you feeling? I brought you some soup" Alfred asked, holding the thermos out for Gilbert to take as he stepped inside.

"I'm feeling better. Quick question... Why are you here? Didn't practice start like 20 minutes ago?" Gilbert questioned, taking the thermos in his hand as he walked Alfred to the kitchen.

"We'll practice isn't the same without you, so I lied and told them I had a doctors appointment. I also skipped my last class so I could make you the soup" Alfred explained, beaming as he looked at the unopened thermos with pride. Gilbert's face turned slightly pink. Not once had anyone every done something so nice for him. Alfred had never missed a single practice in his entire football career, and he wasn't known as a kid who skipped classes often. 

"Thank you. You really didn't have to do that" Gilbert uttered, looking over at the smiling American with gratitude.

"Anything for my best friend!" Alfred stated, still grinning as he playfully placed a hand on Gilbert's shoulder. Gilbert immediately flinched and brushed his hand away, much to the surprise of Alfred. The two went silent as Gilbert's face flushed and turned a deep shade of red. Gilbert panicked. In an attempt to escape the awkwardness, Gilbert decided on milking his fake illness.

"I-I'm still not feeling so well.. I think I'm gonna hurl... Thank you for the soup but you can go home.. I wouldn't want you to see me in this state.. it's really gross" Gilbert stammered, getting up from his chair as he wrapped an arm around his stomach.

"I think it'd be better if I stayed here and took care of you" Alfred said, suddenly becoming concerned as Gilbert hobbled off towards the bathroom.

"No seriously Al. Go home. I need to be alone right now" Gilbert replied, making his voice sound slightly strained in an attempt to sound more convincing.

"Of course! If you need anything please text me. Feel better!" Alfred called out from the hallway as Gilbert kneeled over the toilet. Gilbert let out a fake groan and waited until he heard Alfred leave the house before getting up and walking back into the kitchen.

If faking it was what it took to escape what quite possibly could've been the most embarrassing moment he had ever shared with Alfred, he was going to do it.

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