The New Guy

Bruises

Gil's POV

"Why did you skip school?" Luddy asked as he stepped into the dining room. Which honestly wasn't much of a dining room, just a table in a room attached to the kitchen. Toni's humming when quiet as he finished up cooking dinner.

"I had to deal with something." I responded, leaning back into my chair.

"Gilbert, your academics come first."

"I'm aware."

"That doesn't mean you can just randomly skip when you want." Luddy's permanent frown grew bigger. "This isn't Germany."

"It was one time."

"You always say it's only going to be one time and then you end up being expelled."

"I was never expelled for skipping school, Luddy." I rolled my eyes. My attention going to my phone as it buzzed to life from a game. "I was expelled for starting a fight the one time and the other doesn't matter." 

"I do recall you starting a verbal fight with Alfred." 

"What's your point?" I went ahead and started playing Helix Jump. Immediately dying out of my own stupidity. Though the level was hard so I guess it made sense. 

"My point is that I don't you going down the wrong path."

"Well, aren't you a saint." I died again. "What could you possibly know about my life, hm? It's not like you're ever around or willing to ask." 

"Gilbert, I'm just telling you to focus on your academics, goddamnit."

"I always put them before anything, after all, who do you think put that idea into your head? Surely, wasn't mom." I looked up in time to see him bang on the wall. A hole appearing as he moved his fist. Toni rushed into the room with wide eyes while I stayed in place un-phased. "Quit throwing a tantrum." Luddy didn't say a thing, he just stomped closer. This could go one of two ways. Physical or verbal. 

He stopped in front of me and lifted his arm. Physical, it is. In seconds, his fist hit me hard in the jaw. It was hard enough to push me off my chair and to the ground. I could already feel the bruise forming. A bit of a metallic taste formed in my mouth. I didn't mean to laugh but I did. 

"You're an idiot!" He yelled. 

"I didn't hit you, did I?" 

"No." He grumbled in response."

"Then who's the idiot here?" I got up, grabbing my phone while I was at it. "It's for one day dumbass, I did for Matt, alright. I know very well you would do the same for Feli." Blood was really starting to build up in my mouth. Some oozed out to my chin. I didn't feel much pain though. Then again, it's been worse before. "You hit hard by the way, I'm glad you got so strong."

"You two are such a pain sometimes." Toni sighed and went back to the kitchen.

"A pain?" I giggled. "I got one hell of a pain right now." I saw Luddy's frown twitch up in amusement.

"You deserve it." His frown seemingly disappeared and he went over to the kitchen. He came back not long later with the first aid kit.

~

I poked at my bruise over and over just to feel the little pain that came with it. I thought it was strange how ordinary yet unusual it felt. It came from my dear brother after all. Something I never could have predicted. But I'm so used to having bruises that it almost comforts me in some fucked up kind of way. Like, I miss the feeling. It's why I'm poking it obsessively. Looking for more painful angles even. 

I felt worn out at this point, really. Numb, even. It bothered the shit out of me. Didn't help that I had to stand in the cereal isle so Toni can get groceries done. I never thought standing could be so draining and boring.

Luckily, I thought to text Matt to fill time.

Me: Hey, sorry for not being able to say bye when you left

I couldn't help the smile at just the thought of Matt. His whole existence just cheers me up for some reason. I was happy to know that he responded fast.

Canadia: it's alright. I didn't want to wake you anyway, you looked like you needed the rest.

Me: aw thanks

I don't know why but something felt off as the minutes awaiting his response ticked by. I'm not entirely sure what it is. Maybe I was just delusional.

Canadia: tbh it was also because you looked adorable

Me: have you seen yourself?

Canadia: well,,no

Me: you should

Canadia: I'll consider it

Canadia: listen

Canadia: I won't be at school for a couple days, mind collecting some homework for me?

Me: yeah I will

Me: why won't you be at school?

Some time ticked by and no answer. Toni started hurrying me along so I put my phone away and listened to him. He was chatting up a storm while I stayed silent, trying to listen for the little buzz of my phone. He asked me some kind of question. I didn't answer.

"What's up with you, huh?" He stopped the cart his foot. His hands holding it in place.

"Nothing." I answered, backing up a bit so the cart didn't hit me. "I'm just bored."

"Yeah, right, you've been acting weird lately."

"What do you mean?"

"It's like your mind is somewhere else."

"You want me to live in the moment or something?"

"Well, yes."

"Well, I'm not going back to the old me, Toni."

"I'm not saying that." Toni let go of the cart. "And don't say it like that, you've rarely changed."

"Shit, I had my hopes up thinking that I made a life here." I rolled my eyes at him. "You know nothing about me, alright. You're not my mother."

"You sure do act like child sometimes." He frowned. 

"Better than being a pretentious ass."

He groaned in frustration, "Sorry for caring."

"Sorry for thinking about literally anything else that isn't boring."

"You didn't think it was boring before."

"Because we would buy stupid shit to have fun."

"Alright, that's fair."

"Toni, I don't like you acting like an adult, act like yourself." I felt my phone buzz. I slipped it out. It was simply a text from Luddy. Still no response from Matt.

"I should say the same to you." Ol

"Whatever, let's get out of here." I tried to move but he stopped me again.

"I know it may seem like I worry too much but I'm just trying to look out for the both of us. "

"That's great, Toni, but tone it down. It's ridiculous at this point."