{Hetero PruCan} What's in her Shoes?

Part 3

// Quick note!: This chapter may suck haha, but seriously- I've been battling school and... Other problems, so at times it's cheesy, stupid, misleading or it just sucks in general. Please forgive me and please leave nice comments!! ;-;
~Eaglet //

Matthew took a deep breath in order to calm himself and pulled himself from the floor, trying his best to ignore Gillian as her cries rung out through the hall. He stood and leaned heavily on to the bench beside him, supporting his weight as his legs shook and his hands remained unsteady. He remained in this state for some time, moving only when the German had muffled her cries and Matthew had regained what courage he had. He shuffled over to the far side of the kitchen and rubbed the tears from his cheeks as his other hand reached to the top cupboard and rummaged about it, looking for something in particular. He muttered under his breath as the tears that pooled within his eyes refused him of vision. He jumped slightly when he touched an item that he was looking for, grasping it tightly and pulling it from the shelf - cotton buds, a cloth and a bottle of something which's label was faded and unreadable. Matthew cleared his throat and bundled the materials in his arms, also grabbing two cups of water and hefting the other items under his arms as he made his way down the deathly quiet hall. He swallowed hard as he made it a few feet before the door, the silence giving an almost ominous feel. He bent down and set down the items before he rose his knuckles inches away from the wooden door and knocked softly. "Gillian?" He squeaked, his voice still broken and unsure. When no answer came, he knocked again. "I'm... Coming in, okay?" He said a bit louder before unlocking the door and pushing it open. As it swung open, he caught sight of a bundle on the floor - disheveled white hair mixed with red as it strung over her face, her knees drawn close to her cheeks and her arms wrapped around them. Matthew sighed deeply and collected the items by the door an entered the room, Gillian not once lifting her gaze from between her knees. "I bought you a drink if you'd like it..." He smiled thinly, accompanied by a soft sigh. He moved slowly toward Gillian and knelt beside her, placing the mug of water in front of her. "It's just water but.... Yeah..." He perked up suddenly and fumbled to grab the soft cloth. "Oh, I also h-have some stuff to erm... Treat that gash on your cheek..." He mumbled in a failed attempt to get her to lift her head.
"Don't worry about it. It's an old scar..." She muttered. He shook his head and fiddled around with the cotton balls before he decided to try again. "I won't be able to help you if I can't see your pretty face..."

Gillian to jumped ever so slightly and slowly lifted her head. Matthew swallowed hard as he watched her unfurl herself and amble her gaze toward the Canadian, her vermilion eyes were glazed over with tears and the right side of her face was covered in blood - including her hair. Matthew offered her a soft smile as he motioned to the cup before her. "There we go..." He whispered, trying to hide his blush in the dark room. "Take a drink. It'll make you feel better." Gillian swallowed hard and shied her gaze from him, receiving a sigh from Matthew as he picked up the other cup and dabbed the cloth into the liquid. He shuffled to her right side and tried to brush back the German's thick locks before she jolted back like a startled horse. "Gillian... P-Please-" He pleaded, holding back the frightened noises that swelled within him. Gillian coughed and vigorously rubbed her eyes, as if Matthew's voice had triggered her tears. He cringed lightly and tried again, receiving more success than the previous attempt, although he knew Gillian was holding everything back. He smiled slightly and hummed a little tune - nothing of any importance, but just something to keep everyone calm. Matthew lightly wiped away the blood that stained the lower part of her cheek, the pigments in her cheeks returning to the pale white they once were. He continued, slowly inching his way closer to her split scar. As he dipped the cloth back into the other mug and the blood stained it a light red, Matthew halted his tune in order to talk to her. "Do you and Gilbert... Erm- fight like this all the time?" He sighed, regretting even opening his mouth. The German girl said nothing, but Matthew caught sight of a stray tear rolling down her cheek. He panicked, being quick to act by wiping the tear away before it reached her wound and caused her further pain. "Sorry... Forget I asked..." He sighed, his tone still polite and positive.

"There..." Matthew hummed as he moved back, studying Gillian's now clean cheek, she refraining from making eye contact as her eyes were fixated on the floor. "All cleaned... I-I'm going to clean your... Wound further by adding some of this disinfectant stuff... It's going to sting a little." He mumbled, reaching for the cotton buds and the bottle. He unscrewed the lid and placed the cotton bud on the mouth of the bottle, tipping it up a little so that the bud was able to absorb the liquid. He set it aside and continued to move the bud closer to Gillian's wound. Delicately, Matthew made contact with Gillian's skin - her entire body tensing up as he did so. The Canadian clenched his teeth, "I'm so sorry!" He squeaked, swiftly pulling his stained hands away from her. He stared worriedly at the Prussian for a moment before inching closer to her wound a second time. As the bud made contact with the tender wound, he heard Gillian draw in a sharp breath, thus, he immediately apologised for the horrid stinging sensation. "I'm really sorry..." He cried, swallowing the lump in his throat. Am I really though? I keep causing her so much pain... As far as I can tell, she doesn't deserve this -- but I do.

Matthew had finished and set aside the used cotton balls as Gillian fought back the tears that threatened her eyes like needles. "Oh, maple...! I forgot something-" Matthew gasped, swiftly getting up and exiting the room. Gillian lifted her head for a moment, examining her surroundings and listening to the quiet noises Matthew was making in the kitchen. She sighed before looking down at the jumper she still wore, but there was a rip at the collar of the hoodie from where her brother had grabbed her. Her mind raced back to the event that occured mere moments ago and took in a deep, shaky breath, reaching down her top in order to retrieve an oval pendant. She popped it open and, with bloody, shaky hands, wound it up with a small key. As she delicately pulled the intricate key out, the pendant clicked a few times before it began playing music. She let out a breath and closed the pendant, holding it close to her chest as it continued to play the soft music, her head hung low.

Matthew was bustling about in the kitchen, reaching to the lower cupboards and pulling out a large bowl, swiftly filling it with water. He then, carefully, walked back with the water splashing about within the bowl. Striding into the room, Matthew broke his concentration from the bowl and gazed at Gillian - who still listened intently to her music as she desperately pressed the pendant against her chest. "Gillian, here." He offered, kneeling slowly beside her. He inched his hand closer to where her hands protectively clasped over the pendant. "Your hands are covered in blood. If you will...?" He prompted. Gillian nodded softly and presented him her left hand, her right still firmly holding the pendant, her head only slightly raised. Matthew let a smile creep onto his face as he gently dipped Gillian's hands in the warm water, tracing intricate patterns on her hands with his thumbs in order to wipe off the blood. Matthew hummed in content as the tune from the pendant filled the room - that and the ambient sound of the water as he continued to wash her hand. "That's such a nice tune." He smiled, looking up briefly and stealing a glance at Gillian. For a split second, their eyes met.
"Yeah..." She mumbled, her soft voice barely audible. Matthew nodded, appreciating the fact that Gillian was talking - even if it were only short, muttered replies. He returned her hand to her and motioned for her to bring forth the other, she obliging and swapping which hand held her pendant, Matthew smiling and softly washing to her hand like he did the other.
Some time passed, the pendant's song long since finished, and Matthew had vanished to the kitchen to empty the mugs and bowl and to replace the other items he had brought with him. Gillian sat at the kitchen table, silently watching him as he darted across the kitchen, continuously offering her something to eat which she constantly denied out of good will. It had been at least an hour and a half since the two were last seen on the bedroom floor, Matthew had been worried that Ludwig might've knocked on his door at any moment to drag her away, but he knew that the German was more sensible and level-headed. He was sure he'd understand.

After replacing all the miscellaneous items, Matthew offered Gillian a few more snacks, finally getting her to eat something after placing a box of chocolate-covered biscuits and reassuring her that "Chocolate releases endorphins in your brain. It'll make you feel happier. Trust me." So she hesitantly slid them across the table and popped open the box, muttering a small, 'Thank you' as Matthew grabbed the phone and re-dialled Francis' number, reassuring him that everything was in order. Francis reminded him that Ludwig was due to arrive any time soon, this made Matthew feel on edge.

//DUN DUN DUN! Yeah okay, I didn't really want to end it there, but I wanted to throw you guys a bone here. I haven't updated in almost a year now. I didn't want you lot thinking I was dead. So, here it is! Enjoy it how you like, interpret how you will and please, leave a nice comment or vote! :) //