Syrup & Beer

Chapter 5 - The Picture

Gilbert's POV

I admittably slept until 6pm, but I was sick so I guess it's okay.
Normally I would have slept through the day and night, but I was woken up by Ella my little Angel, since she hadn't been in the parliament for a bit, but still seemed to have been very boring for her.

She ran into my room and yelled
"Papaaaaa! Cuddlliiing!"
Before she jumped onto my bed not knowing I had been sick.
I hugged her and began to tickle her
"Papa" she laughed "quit it"
After a while I stopped and she decided to go to her room.

I noticed I still had the two hoodies on and it was way too hot. I pulled Mattie's red one over my head, as well as the one he returned to me, but I decided to put Matthew's back on.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath while pressing the red fabric into my face.
It smelled so good.
Maple syrup... I love maple syrup

Ok, now I was again being creepy.

I looked around the room and noticed a picture frame on my bedside table.
It was one of the pictures I had sent him the other day. It was quite a neutral one, we looked like casual friends there.

Casual friends...
He isn't into men after all is he?

I decided to stand up to put the picture somewhere else, maybe on the table in my study? Yes, it'll look great there.
I got up and put some pants on, I only had my German flag boxers on and I didn't want to shock my family by this sight of me.

I got out of my room and stumbled into Luka, or the state of Saarland, our light-brown haired, tall and extremely slim (adopted) sibling.
I mostly meet them when they're with Francis and they're barely home at all which was fine, we didn't mind.

The frame I was holding seemed to be loose, because the picture slipped out of it and I blushed a bit, but Luka was already bending down to get it.

"Oh pardon Gilbert" they said while getting up again, handing the photo to me.

"Uh no problem" I answered and noticed they gave me the photo with the back up. There was a small neat written note on it.

"Wait- Luka wait a second. My French isn't too good, could you please translate this for me?"

They turned around "Hmm? Ja sicher, show me"
They looked at the note and immediately smirked.

"What is it? Birdie wrote it there, don't laugh!" I said and blushed. They had the same smirk as I had, even though we weren't related.
Luka leaned to me and whispered in my ear, my blush got even deeper and my heart was racing.

"Quite romantic, isn't he? Thats mon petit frère, I'm so very proud. Have fun you two~" they added and somehow sashayed away.

(A/N and the category iiiis...)

I opened the door to my small study, still blushing and noticed a certain polar bear and Gilbird on my chair.
They were eating my cookies.

May I repeat this?

They were eating.
My.
Cookies.

I glared at them, quite angrily and said in my most intimidating voice "What. Are you two doing."
It wasn't a question but rather a threat.
Kuma stopped immediately and dropped the cookie he was eating. He looked at me confused but just shyly left the room, Gilbird with him, Kumajirou closed the door behind them.

I sighed and put the rest of my cookies back into its cute red tin can and put it in one of the drawers.
I placed the framed picture on the desk and traced my finger over the cute carving.

So he does like me back.
Should I ask him out? Or would that be awkward?

I blushed again only at the thought. I mean his message had been pretty clear, hadn't it?