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“Nobody cares for you.” whispered a cold voice. Matthew looked around but saw no-one in the room other than his polar bear.
“You will die alone” breathed another bodyless voice only inches away from his ear.
“Shut up!” Matthew trembled, tears welling in his eyes.
“Everyone forgets you” continued yet another voice.
“They don’t even know you exist.” argued a fourth voice.
“Shut up, go away!” the Canadian cried out, the tears escaping his eyes and streaming down his face. In response the four bodyless voices just laughed. It sounded like as cold as chains clinking.
“Please. Just leave me alone.” Matthew sobbed and to his surprise the cruel voices quietened and the eery atmosphere in the room also eased. He hugged Kumajirou close to his chest, burying his tearstained face into the soft fur on the bear’s head.
“Are they right? Am I really that forgettable, Kumakichi?” he mumbled, his voice muffled by Kumajirou’s head.
“Who are you?” asked the bear in his usual emotionless tone.
“I’m Canada.” Matthew sobbed, a new wave of tears soaking the white fur.
Some time passed and Matthew’s sobs quietened when he heard some rustling coming from downstairs. He thought those cruel demons came back to insult him more but then he heard the most beautiful voice he could ever imagine:
“Where are you, Birdie?” came the slightly raspy, German accented voice of his boyfriend.
Matthew tried to whip away the tears from his face and walked down the stairs to the living room where Gilbert was looking for him. Hearing his quiet steps, Gilbert turned towards the Canadian with his signature smile but when he saw the other’s tearstained face and puffy red eyes his expression turned into one worried one.
“What happened, mein Liebe?” Gilbert rushed to his boyfriend and embraced him into a warm, comforting hug. Matthew couldn’t voice his worries and just buried his face into his boyfriend’s shoulder. His warmth and scent calmed his stormy mind.
Gilbert lifted Matthew and carried him to the big, comfortable sofa sitting in the middle of the living room, in front of the fireplace. He then took place with Matthew now sitting in his lap.
They just sat there like that, Matthew hugging Gilbert like his life depends on it and Gilbert whispering sweet nothings in his ear and rubbing shooting circles on his back.
When Matthew finally calmed down and he was not shaking, Gilbert pulled away just enough to look him into the eyes.
“What happened, Liebe, please tell me.” the German asked, tone not louder than a whisper.
“Will you forget me as well as everyone else?” Matthew asked. Not looking at his boyfriend.
“How could you even think of something like that?” Gilbert almost shrieked. “I could never forget you, Matthew. You are the love of my life.” he said and peppered his cheeks with kisses.
“Thank you, Gilbert, I love you too.” Matthew said with a hint of a smile on his lips.
“But Birdie, why did you think of it, anyways?” The albino asked, curiously.
“Well... you know...” Matthew didn’t know how to say it without sounding weird at best, insane at worst.
“You know, you can tell me anything.” Gilbert encouraged his love.
“Ghosts” was all he could say before trailing off. He waited Gilbert to laugh at him but it never came, instead the German motioned to go on. “They come. They insult me, say bad things until I start to believe them.” He said and started shaking again.
“Don’t listen to them, whatever they say, it’s not true.” Gilbert whispered to Matthew while hugging him close once again, rocking them both in a calming way. “You are loved, you are cared for, and you won’t be forgotten.” he continued, putting an emphasis on the last part since he knew, that’s his boyfriend’s biggest fear. “I will always be by your side.” He whispered sweetly into his golden locks.
“Thank you, Gilbert.” Matthew mumbled into his shoulder, then turned his head to kiss his cheek before burying his face back.
Gilbert blushed heavily and kissed his lover’s hair. They stayed on the sofa, cuddling together the whole evening. At some point they fell asleep in each other’s arms and Matthew finally had a good night.
***
“If you dare to even go near Matthew Williams one more time, I swear to Satan, I will fucking kill you!” Gilbert shouted at the four mischievous spirits in front of him.
The young spirits floated, keeping their gazes to the ground, not daring to look at the raging demon. His red eyes were burning with rage and he bared his long fangs at them.
“We are sorry.” the spirits stuttered in unison, their voice full of shame and a pinch of fear.
“You better be!” Gilbert barked at them. His big membranous wings twitched in annoyance before he turned around and left them.