For once, he decided to play the violin.

Not to say he didn’t appreciate the instrument for what it was, no, he loved the smooth feel of wood beneath his fingers as they danced over the strings. But it was different from a piano, who felt just as smooth, if not smoother…but their sounds, their shapes….the way they felt was extremely different and because of that Roderich couldn’t help but favor his piano over the violin

Still, he enjoyed taking a break from his beloved. And in those breaks, he had affairs with a variety of other instruments, none less stunning then his piano but never as elegant in their sounds.  

He wasn’t sure how long he had been playing, only that the sun seemed to be setting in the horizon. He hummed softly as he brought the instrument down from its playing position, briefly looking over his shoulder before walking to where the case laid.

It wasn’t until Roderich began to ease the violin back into its case that he broke the easy silence.  

“What brings you here, Gilbert?”

His back was to the man and he couldn’t be sure when the other had entered the room, just that he was here now and watching him with those eyes.

He could feel them endlessly scoring his back, as though searching for some unseen answer to an unspoken question.

“You are awfully quiet.” Roderich needlessly commented, knowing the man enjoyed letting his presence, as awesome as it was, be known. It vaguely reminded him of Alfred though Gilbert announced his arrival in a rather different manner, more aggressive than obnoxious.

“Finished playing that pansy-ass instrument or do you plan on playing another?”

A faint smile crossed Roderich’s lips as he stood up, case in one hand before he turned around and began to head for the door.

“I’m quite done for today…If you’d like, you could join me for dinner. I do believe I have some beer that may be to your liking, if you are so inclined to stay.”

There was a huff and he wasn’t sure if it was because Gilbert was now being forced to stay for the so-called beer or if he was just huffing for the sake of doing so, to pretend that he really didn’t want to stay.

He knew better…even if he didn’t understand it himself.

“I’ll stay, if only because you asked so nicely, you up tight bastard. You could have just said you wanted me to stay longer, I would have since I know how difficult it is to stay away from someone as awesome as I.” Gilbert commented smugly, practically preening at Roderich as the man froze where he was.

“Ah? I was under the impression that you wanted to stay longer. I could be wrong though, it’s just as likely Ludwig got tired of you and kicked you out.”

And instead of looking at a beautiful mahogany, like he once was, he was now staring into red eyes, vivid in their color.

Just as suddenly, a mouth pressed against his.

It was intense, demanding, wanting, longing….it was everything and teeth bit his bottom lip before pulling away, leaving Roderich breathless, cold, and….something else all together.

A gloved finger traced the outline of his lower lip, caressing the skin before jerking away. He hadn’t realized Gilbert was holding his face until now and he wasn’t sure he understood…wasn’t sure it mattered.

“Well? Where the fuck is that beer? “

With a sigh, Roderich pulled away, a hand reaching back and groping for the handle of the door, finding it, and twisting it open.

“This way…oh, and if you don’t mind, try not to make such a mess. The napkins are there for a purpose. You are getting as bad as Alfred when he stops by.”

Gilbert just snorted, dismissing the reminder with a wave of his hand.

Roderich just smiled.