He's the One - EngGer Ch. 4

Author's note: Here's another chapter~ This time I introduce Gilbert, since he plays a pretty big role in both Ludwig's life and Arthur's.

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Chapter 4

On Arthur's birthday, Ludwig's brother Gilbert took Arthur out for drinks (since they had been best friends since high school). That left Ludwig approximately four hours to get everything ready. He didn't like to admit he was a romantic, but he wanted everything to be perfect for when his boyfriend came home. He decided to make Arthur's favorite food and slip in one of his favorite movies into the DVD player.

Ludwig tended to change what he did for Arthur's birthday every year since they'd been friends (and lovers). Some years they'd just go see a movie together. For others, they'd go out to dinner. Tonight Ludwig felt it was time they actually did both on the same night.

Just as he was finishing up and letting the food cool down, he heard the front door burst open and Gilbert shout out, "HEY! LUD! I BROUGHT YOUR BOYFRIEND BACK!"

Ludwig glared at him as he walked into the living room. "I can see that, Gilbert." That's when he noticed Arthur slumped against his brother. His eyes widened and he rushed forward. "What did you do to him?!"

"Whoa, hey, I didn't do anything!" Gilbert cried. "S'not my fault Artie can't hold his liquor."

"…Can too," the Brit mumbled, falling into Ludwig's arms. "Oh…hey, Lud."

"Arthur, are you all right?" Arthur gave a lazy smile and made the thumbs up signal with his right hand. Ludwig was not impressed. "Okay, I'm taking you to bed."

"Ew, Luddy. Please, not in front of me," Gilbert pretended to gag.

"I didn't mean it like that!" he growled, cheeks flushed.

"Whatever. I'm gonna chill on your couch, okay?"

"What? Don't you have an apartment with those friends of yours?"

"Yeah, but Francis is like…having an orgy in his bedroom tonight and Toni has his little boytoy hanging around and I just don't wanna deal with that shit, ya know?" Gilbert plopped himself down on the couch, putting his feet up on the coffee table. "Got any food?"

Ludwig wanted to throw him out but decided he better deal with Arthur first. His boyfriend could barely stand on his own. Ludwig felt the night's plans going down the drain and felt like it had all been for nothing as he carefully lifted Arthur into his arms and carried him to their bedroom. Once there, he sat Arthur down on the bed and filled a cup with water in the adjoining bathroom before coming back in and handing the cup to Arthur.

Arthur blinked his eyes at it curiously. "It'll help prevent a severe hangover tomorrow," Ludwig explained with a sigh. The Brit grumbled something before downing it all. Ludwig sat beside him and rubbed his back as Arthur rested his head on his shoulder.

"M'sorry," Arthur mumbled.

"For what?"

"For ruinin' everything…"

Ludwig shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

"But you worked so hard, Lud…"

He shrugged. "It's fine, Arthur. I'm just glad you're home safe."

Arthur's cheeks were red (either from the alcohol or from embarrassment, Ludwig couldn't tell). He snuggled against the German more. "We can still celebrate tomorrow," he offered.

"We can," Ludwig agreed, rubbing Arthur's arm gently. "You should get some rest."

"Do I have to?"

Ludwig smiled at how childish Arthur was when he was drunk. "Yes. I'll be back in shortly. I need to go decide what to do with Gilbert."

"Mm…okay…." Arthur leaned up and kissed his cheek before crawling towards his side of the bed and flopping down on his stomach. Ludwig looked back at him before getting up off the bed and walking back towards the living room. Gilbert had found the food he had cooked for Arthur all night and he really didn't have the energy to yell at his brother now.

"Artie asleep?" Gilbert asked.

"I think so," Ludwig sighed, sitting beside him.

"What movie's in the DVD player?"

"…Pirates of the Caribbean."

"Black Pearl?"

"It's Arthur's favorite."

"Oh. Cool." There was an awkward silence. "So uh…sorry. For, you know, getting your boyfriend drunk and unable to enjoy the food and movie you had ready." Ludwig glared at him. "But hey, the good news is that this food isn't the greatest so Artie's really not missing out on much." The blonde's left eye started to twitch. "Not that you're a bad cook or anything. Unlike Artie. Fuck, man does he suck. But—"

"Gilbert."

"…Yeah?"

Ludwig smacked him upside the head. "Shut up."