Ex's to Lovers

Chapter 44

In Which Gilbert Isn't paying attention, and Kiku Isn't Sure That Alfred ISN'T at His House

One might have assumed that between both Alfred and Gilbert, at least one of them might have figured out the obvious flaw in Alfred's Plan, especially since Gilbert shared a house with his younger brother, who constantly had the loose-lipped Feliciano over. One might have also assumed that Gilbert would at least make an effort to pretend he didn't know where Alfred was, or at least be discreet. One would have assumed wrong, in that case.

Gilbert​​​​ had taken to the idea as though it was an extended sleepover, although that might imply they were actually sleeping, or doing stuff other than eating peanut butter on oreos and gaming non-stop. In fact, Gilbert showed visibly impatience at school to leave and go home, and the only reason he didn't also follow Alfred's Plan to run away and game for several weeks was that would require a place for him to escape too, which currently he didn't have. So obviously, it was no surprise that he didn't notice when Arthur had started interrogating Alfred's friends to see if Alfred was staying at their place. 

Gilbert hadn't even notice Francis's probing questions about where Alfred might be. 

"That idiot only ever spends time with that jerk, Ivan, these days." 

Gilbert had grumbled in return, momentarily jealous as he remembered how he'd practically had his best friend stolen by his enemy. Francis had looked enlightened at that response, and Gilbert had avoided any further questioning by the accidentally chaos caused by Kiku. When Kiku and So Young, both close friends with Alfred had been asked whether Alfred was staying at their house, both had hesitated. 

"I don't think so?" 

Kiku offered tentatively, but with as many siblings as he had it was difficult to know when one of his siblings had someone staying over, especially as he tended to avoid them by staying in his room. Soo Young had caused further confusion by showing up in one of Alfred's sweaters, which had been left at his house once by accident, and had somehow gotten mixed into their clothing and ended up in So Young's dresser. Or, to be more exact, on the floor in front of his dresser. 

S the investigation was directed to tracking down Kiku's siblings to see if Any of them where hiding Alfred, or if Alfred had somehow just decided to crash at their place, and all of them had assumed he was someone else's guest, and Gilbert went home unbothered. It wasn't till later that evening, when Gilbert and Alfred d had taken a short gaming break to order pizza, that finally someone pulled at the loose thread in Alfred's Plan. Gilbert answered the knock at the door without checking, expecting a pizza delivery. 

What he got was Alfred's friend Michelle. 

"Hey Gilbert! Arthur asked me to check to see if Alfred is here?" 

She smiled, only looking somewhat apologetic. Gilbert, who had mostly forgotten that Alfred had run away, had started to answer her that yes, Alfred was there, when he remembered the situation, and froze, making a rather garbled noise and not looking at all innocent. Michelle's smile stiffened. 

"If he's here, he needs to go home. Arthur is worried sick, and we need to know if he's safe or something has happened to him, Gilbert." 

She said these words in a stern voice, clearly not planning on playing around. 

It occurred to Gilbert, with a sudden clarity, that he actually might get in trouble too if Alfred was found hiding at his house, and he suddenly felt sweaty and hot.