Love's Last Embrace

Chapter 9

Gilbert was pissed off. There was no other way to put it. He hadn't had a wink of sleep, what with the 'activities' happening next door and the nightmares that followed when everything eventually went quiet.

He slouched into the kitchen, sending "evil-death-rays-of-doom™" at his brother and at Feli (who he noticed was sitting rather awkwardly on his chair).

"Morning." He grumbled sullenly, helping himself to coffee.

"Morning bruder!" Ludwig replied with far too much of an innocent tone to his voice.

"Have fun last night?" Inquired Gilbert, snickering inwardly as Ludwig squirmed under his gaze.

"Thought so."

"Luddy, what's Gil talking about~?" asked Feliciano innocently.

"Nothing you need to worry abo..."

"You had fun last night before you went to sleep did you not Feli?"

"Oh~! Si!"

"I thought as much. I could hear you through the wall."

"Sorry bruder; I thought you were asleep!" butted in Ludwig apologetically.

"I wouldn't have stayed asleep for long if I had been asleep, with the noise you were all making!"

"But it was fun wasn't it Luddy~!"

“Gilbert, if you can’t control what you say, out.”

“But West! You know I have nowhere else to go!”

“Can we do it again tonight Luddy~?”

“Gil, I was joking. Feli, now is not the time to discuss such matters.”

Ludwig stood up from the table abruptly. “I’m going to work. Gil, behave. No taking Feli shopping again.”

“But you liked that maid outfit didn’t you Luddy~”

“Ja… But that’s beside the point!” Ludwig snapped irritably, grabbing his jacket, briefcase and car keys before striding down the hallway and out of the door.

Feliciano’s face suddenly fell. “He didn’t kiss me goodbye!” he cried, his previous bouncy mood vanishing instantly. His voice became increasingly shrill and panicked as his alarm began to set in.

Gilbert recognised the signs immediately, and raced for the phone hitting speed dial.

“West?” he barked as soon as his brother picked up.

“Ja, what now Gilbert, I left less than two minutes ago.”

“Come back quickly! It’s an emergency!”

“If Gilbird’s missing again, try looking in your hair.” He sighed irritably.

“This is a proper emergency this time – it’s Feli. He’s having one of his panic attacks.”

There was a short pause, during which Gilbert could hear the squeal of car breaks and the honk of car horns as Ludwig screeched to a halt and began driving home.