Birdie and the Beast Chapter 6

By the time, Matthew and Kumajiro rode past the castle gates a blizzard was beginning to form. Matthew's eyes and lips stung from the icy wind and snow blowing toward them. He urged Kumajiro on, hoping that they could at least get out of the forest before finding shelter.

Even if the servants had been nice, there was nothing that would make Matthew go back. It didn't matter, Matthew told himself. No one had bothered to try and remember his existence before, why should the people he left behind be any different? The Beast had probably already forgotten they had ever met.

Kumajiro's frantic pulling on the reigns tore Matthew out his thoughts. The two of them were surrounded by a pack of wolves that were slowly closing in on them.

Matthew leapt off of Kumajiro's back and spotted a dead tree nearby. He wrapped his arms around it and pulled it out the ground, hoping to threaten the wolves enough to make them go away. He hated to have to kill any of them, especially since he knew that wolves rarely attacked humans unless they were desperate for food.

The wolves backed away, but started to move toward Kumajiro. Matthew ran in front of him and swung the tree toward the wolves, hitting some of them. But instead of going away, the wolves kept coming. Matthew was forced to keep fending them off.

One of the wolves sprang toward Matthew and his quick move to defend himself made his glasses fly off. Matthew was nearly blind without glasses, which left him vulnerable to attack. He could only make out grayish blobs advancing from a background of white.

Matthew began feeling around desperately for his glasses, and his fingers finally grasped them just as a loud roar pierced the air. He hurriedly put his glasses on and a fuzzy white figure detached itself from its surrounds and was revealed to be the Beast.

Gilbert had been relieved to find Matthew but was surprised to see that he had been holding up well on his own before he lost his glasses. Damn, that kid was strong!

Seeing a wolf sneaking up on Matthew from behind, Gilbert roared again before charging at the wolves, pushing his way through them and throwing the wolf away form Matthew. He then crouched next to Matthew, who was stunned but both turned their attention back to the problem at hand.

This was no time for talking. They exchanged a brief look before Matthew grabbed the tree and swung it toward the wolves again as the Beast began fighting the wolves head on, dealing them harsh blows and deep scratches. At this, the wolves focused their attention on Gilbert and began ganging up on him. One wolf scratched his arm deeply, staining the white fur red with blood, before Gilbert threw the wolf into a tree, finally scaring the wolves away as they realized this was not easy prey.

Gilbert was exhausted and light headed from blood loss. He swayed at little as he looked at Matthew and tried to speak, to say anything to earn forgiveness.

"Mattie..." was all he could say before he collapsed and white faded to black.

Matthew had been taken aback by the regret in the Beast's eyes and when he collapsed, Matthew immediately ran over to him, all his anger at him a thing of the past.

He picked up the Beast and placed him on Kumajiro's back, making sure the horse could handle it before they began walking back to the castle.

***
When Gilbert woke up, he found himself in his favorite armchair next to the fireplace. Next to him, Matthew was soaking a rag in hot water and wringing it out. Looking at his arm, Gilbert remembered the fight with the wolves and being scratched.

"I see you're awake," was all Matthew said, not meeting Gilbert's eyes. He moved the rag and pressed it gently again the wound.

"ARGHHH! Zhat vas unawesome!" Gilbert yelled. His wound stung. The servants, who had been watching from nearby, cowered a little.

"I would have thought that someone so 'awesome' would be able to handle a little pain." Matthew said coolly. Gilbert was about to respond, but realized that he couldn't put all of the blame on Matthew for what had happened and anything he said would come out sounding childish.

He sullenly let Matthew continued to clean and dress his wound in silence, gritting his teeth so he wouldn't make a single sound. When Matthew finished, he broke the silence.

"By the way, thank you for coming to help me out. You probably saved my life."

Gilbert glanced at Matthew, and was caught in his intense violet gaze as he registered the fact that he had been thanked for something for the first time since he could remember.

"You're velcome." He muttered in return, but something was still bugging him. "Vhy did you take me back? You could have run avay but you didn't.  I didn't go to take you back, I vas going to defend you from zhe volves und let you go. You vere free to leave me to die."

Matthew blinked. "I couldn't leave you to die. I would never do that to anyone. No one deserves to die because someone else lacked compassion. Also, I was amazed that you had come at all. No one except for maybe a handful I people I know remember I even exist.

"Vell, I remember you. I came to help you didn't I?"

"And you remembered my name after only hearing it once." Matthew smiled uncertainly at Gilbert. "Look, we kind of got off to a bad start. Why don't we start over? Hello. My name is Matthew Williams." He held out his hand.

Gilbert took it, being careful not to touch Matthew with his claws. He tried to lighten the mood. "Hallo Matthew. My name is Gilbert und I am awesome! Can I ask you somezhing?"

"Yes?"

"Can I call you Birdie?"

"Why?" Matthew looked confused.

"It's an awesome nickname und you just kind of make me zhink of a bird." It was true. Matthew's downy blond hair, the way he leaned on the edge on his seat like a perch, and his overall cuteness made him think of a little bird.

"O-okay. You know, I think I can stay here a little longer." As long as Gilbert remembered him, Matthew didn't care what Gilbert called him.

***
Meanwhile, in the village, Matthias and Peter were meeting with someone essential to Matthias' plan to marry Matthew.

"Ivan Braginski, thank you for the taking the time to stop and chat with us."

The tall man with light hair and pale purple eyes and a scarf wrapped around his neck smiled. Although it was meant to be friendly, it still sent chills down Matthias and Peter's spines.

"It is nice to see you too. It can get rather lonely over at the asylum. You understand of course, da?"

"Er, da. Anyway, I have a proposition for you. You know Matthew Williams?" Matthias missed Ivan's blank look. "Well I want to marry him, but he has been, shall we say…uncooperative."

"Practically slammed the door in his face." Peter laughed before Matthias pushed him off of his chair.

"That is nice, but I do not see what this has to do with me."

"Just keep listening. Everyone knows that Alfred Jones, Matthew's brother is crazy. He believes in aliens for crying out loud. And just last night, he barged in the tavern babbling about Matthew being captured by a yeti and furniture possessed by ghosts."

Ivan shrugged. "Jones poses no danger to anyone."

"Whatever. Here's the plan. You will lock up Alfred in your insane asylum unless Matthew agrees to marry me. He would do anything to keep his brother from being put in there."

"And I assume I get something in exchange, da?"

Matthias took out a bag of gold and placed it on the table. "Enough money to buy a home in a warmer place, maybe near a sunflower garden." Anyone who knew Ivan, knew that he would do anything to leave the cold climate to go somewhere warmer.

"Deal. Let's go to see Alfred, da-"

"Wait!" Peter cried. "Matthew really isn't home like Alfred said. I checked out the house and Alfred is sick without anyone taking care of him. If we're going to do this, we'll have to wait until Matthew gets back."

Ivan seemed disappointed, but he brightened up. "Well then, we can wait."

"Yes" Matthias agreed. "And when Matthew comes back, we'll ready for him."

***
From a balcony, Gilbert watched with Arthur, Francis, and Antonio as Matthew played with the dog-like footstool who ran around him and Kumajiro, barking and rolling in the snow. Matthew cracked up as the footstool bounded toward him, its tassels wagging.

Gilbert glanced down at the bandage on his arm and touched it gently as he looked back at Matthew. He felt a pleasant warmth in his chest when he saw Matthew smile and wave to him from below.

"Vhat is he doing to me? I've never felt like zhis before about anyone. It's not zhat I don't feel awesome, I always feel awesome, but vhen I'm around him, I…feel different…I feel…happy." Gilbert was thankful that no one could see his blush under his fur. "I vant to do somezhing for him. But vhat?"

Arthur had been listening patiently and gave his own opinion. "Well there's the usual things: flowers, chocolates…promises you don't intend to keep…"

Francis shook his head at Arthur. "You don't know very much about amour do you? Non, it 'as to be somezing special, somezing zat both of you can enjoy."

"He likes maple syrup. Maybe you can take him to the kitchens and make something together." Antonio suggested.

Gilbert thought about it and nodded. "Ja. I like zhat."

***
"Gilbert, why did you take me here to the kitchen?"

"Be patient, Birdie. I have an awesome surprise for you. Close your eyes." Matthew apprehensively closed his eyes, wondering what Gilbert was so excited about. He heard Gilbert leave and a cabinet open and close before he heard Gilbert come back and place something smooth in his hands.

"You can open your eyes now." Matthew could hear the smile in Gilbert's voice. He opened his eyes and saw that Gilbert had given a bottle of maple syrup. A broad grin spread across his face as he threw his arms around Gilbert in a bear hug.

"Wow! Real maple syrup! Thank you so much!" Gilbert grinned and hugged Matthew back, observing that Matthew was slightly taller than him. Matthew broke away and began bouncing up and down excitedly.

"Now we can make pancakes with maple syrup! You'll love them, they taste like happiness!"

Although he had never had pancakes or maple syrup, Gilbert had no idea how Matthew could possibly be so obsessed with it until Matthew made a batch and Gilbert tried some (albeit sloppily). When Matthew started snickering at the sticky maple syrup dripping from his mouth, Gilbert glared playfully at Matthew

"I'm not sloppy, I'm just too awesome to eat normally. Anyvay, zhis stuff is awesome! No vonder you like it so much! Can you teach me how to make zhese?" Matthew's smile grew even bigger.

"Sure." He replied.

The servants watch from a distance as Matthew began telling him what to put in the mixing bowl. Gilbert spilled flour over himself and shook off the flour onto Matthew, who was laughing at him. When he finally got all the ingredients into the bowl. Matthew placed his hands over Gilberts as he guided them in the stirring motion.

"Are you watching zis?" Francis whispered to Arthur, Antonio and Lovino. "zey are growing closer togezer. It's working!"

"What do you mean?" Lovino asked from behind Antonio (he was hiding behind the coffeepot because he was afraid of the French candelabra).

"Things are certainly looking up." Arthur beamed as he left to attend to his duties.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Michelle giggled as she left with Francis to do God knows what.

"WHY THE CRAPOLA DOES NOBODY EVER TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Lovino hollered as Antonio escorted him away.

***
Over the next few weeks, much to the delight of the castle's inhabitants, Gilbert and Matthew grew closer together. Although Matthew was still secretly trying to figure out how to break the spell on the castle, he couldn't help but enjoy Gilbert's company. As different as they initially seemed to be, both understood how it felt to be different and alone.

One day, Matthew took Gilbert outside to teach him how to feed birds. He gave Gilbert some seeds and slowly knelt down near a group of birds who hopped into his hands and began eating the seeds.

Impressed by Matthew's success, Gilbert tried to copy Matthew but moved too quickly and scared the birds away.  

Matthew shook his head in amusement at the sight of Gilbert unsuccessful efforts at trying to make friends with the birds. It was funny and kind of sweet at the same time, considering how annoying he had found Gilbert to be when they first met. The thing was, Matthew was uncertain about his new found feelings for Gilbert or even what they were exactly.

He crouched down next to Gilbert, took some of the seed out of his cupped hands and spread it onto the snow in front of him. Most of the birds flew away, but one bird remained, a small yellow chick, which flew into Gilbert's hands and ate some seeds before flying onto Gilbert's head and staying there.

Gilbert was pleased with his success and he turned to look at Matthew to show him, only to see him slipping behind a tree after giving him a look. Not a bad look, but more contemplative with a hint of something else. Could it be…?

No it couldn't, he decided just before he was hit in the face with a snowball. The bird on his head fluttered its wings in surprise but didn't budge.

"Oh you're gonna get it, Birdie." Gilbert smirked as he began building the mother of all snowballs. He picked it up, only to be hit with another snowball and have it drop on his head.

"Hey, you destroyed an awesome snowball just now!" Matthew just laughed and climbed the tree as Gilbert ran toward him, arms raising as if to attack him, only to be hit by another snowball.

When the two finally came inside, they were soaked from the snowball fight and smiling widely. The bird that Gilbert had fed stayed on his head even when they went inside.

"We should name the little guy." Matthew told Gilbert.

"Alright zhen." Gilbert held his hand out and the bird perched on it. "I dub you, Gilbird!"

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Gilbird?"

"Vhat? It's an awesome name for an awesome bird!" Gilbert responded indignantly.

Gilbird chirped as if in agreement. Gilbert and Matthew looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

Neither of them could clearly define their feelings for the other but one thing was certain. There was something there between them that wasn't there before.