:HBD: Fun Like Fireworks

Matthew's hand felt soft in his own.

Gilbert smiled lightly as he walked down the populated entryways of the amusement park, chatter and merriment swirling around them. The weather was hot, but not overly so, and it wouldn't have mattered to Gilbert anyway. It could've been one hundred degrees or forty degrees, and he would've held his boyfriend's hand anyway.

Matthew didn't seem to mind either.

They walked through the park, Matthew's violet eyes examining the surroundings with interest. There was a small smile on his lips, taking in all the sights and sounds, the festivities and music, and the laughter and the screaming. It was really interesting to see Matthew's eyes lit up so brightly, and Gilbert was glad he'd brought him here.

"Wanna go there?" Gilbert said, stopping him and pointing to a tall rollercoaster, a moderately long line, but looked quite the fun. Matthew tilted his head a bit, and then nodded.

"Alright, you're on!"

The Canadian practically dragged the albino after him.

~~~

The ride had been extraordinary, twists and flips all about, causing butterflies to form within everyone's stomach. There had been a lady screaming in the back, but Matthew and Gilbert had been having too much fun to even care.

Stumbling out of the rollercoaster car, Matthew was laughing, though airless, as he was winded, while Gilbert was giggling like a drunkard. Matthew ran his fingers through his already tasseled blond hair, and Gilbert did the same to his hair, for good measure of course.

"Well that was…invigorating…" the Canadian said, walking back out into the beating sun. "Don't you agree?"

"Nah, I'd say it was more like awesome," the Prussian corrected, grinning as if that were common knowledge.

Instead of arguing back, Matthew laughed again, nodding his head. "Indeed, quite awesome. Almost as awesome as you. Or maybe awesomer."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves now," Gilbert retaliated defensively, as they began to walk again. "Nothing is more awesome than me. Not even you. You're like…right here with me."

"Good to know."

The couple proceeded to walk on, the loud, joyous melodies still encircling the place as they did. They walked through the different "countries" of the park, the music changing with each place.

When passing by a cotton candy machine, Gilbert insisted they stop to get some. Matthew didn't even have room to argue as he was yanked over, their fingers still intertwined. Gilbert purchased a big cone of cotton candy, and walked away happily with it, Matthew still following.

"Want some?" Gilbert said, pulling his hand away from Matthew's so he could eat. "It's really good and sugary."

"And not to mention a heart attack on a cone," the blond chided lightly, but took some anyway. The fluffy candy melted in his mouth, and he had to admit, it was quite addicting.

Shrugging, the albino walked on, still eating the cotton candy when he stopped in front of a rather dark looking attraction. His grin contorted into a smirk, as he pointed.

"Let's go on that one!" Gilbert said, turning back to his lover.

At first, Matthew didn't say anything at all, just stared at the ride as a scream was heard from the inside. He winced, and then met the Prussian's gaze. "Are…you sure?"

Feeling his uncertainty, Gilbert nodded his head. "Ja. Let's go. It'll be fun, you'll see."

"L-let's…finish the cotton candy first, okay? They won't let us take it on the ride…" Matthew said quietly, unwilling to argue about getting on the ride, but refusing to get on any quicker than they had to.

They waited at the gate of the attraction, finishing off the candy and then, locating the nearest trash can, threw the paper cone away, in which with sticky fingers, Gilbert retook Matthew's hand.

"Don't worry. If it gets too scary, the awesome me will fight away all the demons," he assured him, though it did little for Matthew's pounding heart.

The couple walked carefully inside the dark castle where the line started, and as they drew deeper and deeper into the castle, Matthew clenched Gilbert's hand tighter.

Gilbert felt the stress building up in Matthew, and began to wonder if it was really a good idea to have taken him inside.

Still, there was no going back now.

Soon, they were loaded into the ride car, the lap bars locking securely over top of their laps.

Gilbert took one glance back at Matthew, and noticed that, even though he was staring straight ahead, ready, his hand did not leave the safety of his own.

~~~

Matthew kept his mouth shut for most of the ride, though his shaking hands explained perfectly how he was feeling. He was terrified, and Gilbert could feel that fear channeling through him. He honestly regretted taking him on.

The albino first heard him scream when they were drawn into the fireplace.

It was reasonable, that fireplace did look highly frightening, especially how it lit up the minute they were dragged in. Matthew screamed a high-pitched scream, causing Gilbert to wince.

When finally the ride was over, the Canadian was rather shaky, and a bit wobbly. They sat down at a nearby fountain, Matthew's hand over his heart, trying to catch his breath. He gave him a sheepish, apologetic smile.

"I-I'm sorry…that was just…ah…" he sighed a bit.

"Birdie…you should've told me if you didn't want to go on that bad…" Gilbert chided lightly, pulling him into a hug. "Don't apologize, I'm the one that should apologize, okay? That was really unawesome of me to make you do that."

He smiled a bit. "But…" he tapped Matthew on the nose. "It was really awesome of you to go in so bravely like that, even if you did scream."

The blond's lips curled upwards into a smile.

"Thanks."

~~~

The day was heading into night, and the couple sat in at one of the bakeries, eating a funnel cake. Powder flew everywhere, and Matthew laughed as Gilbert had it all over his lips.

"You've got a little…" Matthew pointed to his lips, suppressing a smile.

The albino just tilted his head.

Matthew laughed, taking a napkin and wiping it from his face. Gilbert then pieced together what he meant, and laughed.

"It would've been cooler if you'd just licked it off."

"Oh, shut up."

~~~

As they walked, they came upon a Ferris wheel.

"Wanna go for that? It seems tame enough for you," the Prussian asked, pointing yet again.

The Canadian turned to him. "Are you claiming I can't be wild?"

"No, just saying we should go on something tame. Birdie, I know you can be wild," he smirked, winking at him.

A hot blush crossed his cheeks as he dragged him towards the Ferris wheel. "Let's go…"

The two waited in line for a bit, and then finally when it was their turn, they boarded, and watched as it went up. Matthew looked out the window and saw the sunset, and smiled brightly at the beauty.

"Wow…it's so…amazing up here…" he said quietly, gazing out over the entire park. "We're so high up…"

"Ja…it's pretty…" Gilbert commented, more paying attention to Matthew than to the sky outside.

The blond glanced at him curiously. "What are you staring at?"

Gilbert grinned, standing up next to him, putting a hand on Matthew's waist and pulling him closer, then turning his attention outside. "Nothing really. Just the two most beautiful things in the world."

Another blush, and Matthew leaned his head on him, surprised by his compliment, but also flattered. "I love you."

"I love you too."

~~~

The sky was dark now, the stars barely visible from the streaming lights around the park. Gilbert held the flier in his hand, and glanced up at the sky.

"Hey, Mattie? There's supposed to be a firework display in like, ten minutes. Want to find a spot so we can watch?"

Turning to him, Matthew nodded. "Sure, that sounds lovely, actually."

A small, genuine smile appeared on Gilbert's lips as he took him by the hand, and walked off to another direction in the park. He knew everyone would be crowding to where the fireworks were lit off, so he wanted to be a good distance away, where it was quiet, yet they could still see the display. Matthew followed without question, knowing that Gilbert probably knew a good spot.

It was a more empty part of the park, but it had a good, clear view of the sky, and there was a bench right in view. He brought himself and the Canadian over to where they sat, and Matthew, as if on habit, leaned his head on Gilbert's shoulder, looking up to the sky.

Gilbert watched too, but slipped his hand into his pocket for a moment, and then retracted it, nodding ever so slightly.

In a few minutes' time, the fireworks began to shoot off, loud and bright, beautiful all the same. A perfect way to end a perfect day, they both thought, the colors shooting across the sky in a stunning array of lights. Content, they both watched for a while.

Halfway through the show, Gilbert shifted a bit, as if letting Matthew know he wanted to move. The blond pulled his head up, and looked at him curiously. The albino only smiled.

"Hey, Birdie? Hang on…"

Gilbert got up, and got down on his knees in front of him, instead. "Today has been, well, totally awesome. I mean…I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun…and being here with you, well, it's been just…great. And…it made me realize something. That…that I don't ever want to be without you…so…"

He quickly fiddled around in his pocket again, and withdrew a ring, holding it out to him, a more, pleasant, yet nervous grin on his lips.

"Mattie, will you let me spend the rest of my life with you?"

Matthew couldn't even explain the overwhelming feeling that he felt at that moment. The way the lights went off, the rides, this entire day had just been so amazingly fantastic, and now he was being proposed to by the only person he could even think of spending the rest of his life with. Tears welled up in his eyes, as he placed his hand over his mouth, and nodded vigorously.

"Yes…! Yes, oh, god yes!" he sputtered, throwing his arms around him.

Gilbert laughed, hugging him back, feeling his heart beat faster and faster. He felt happy, so truly happy that he almost didn't understand it. They pulled back after a long moment, and then Gilbert extended the ring and put it onto Matthew's finger.

With that action, their fates together were sealed. And with the fireworks still shooting off in the distance, Matthew leaned forward, and pressed his lips to Gilbert's in a long, welcoming, kiss.