Title: Absence
Fandom: Pandora Hearts
Characters: Gilbert, one-sided GilOz, a small bit of Break
Rating: K
Word Count: 555
Summary: "Are you lonely?"
Each day seemed to begin to mimic the one before it, with small, almost unnoticeable changes occurring throughout every one. Gilbert noticed himself slowing repairing damages done between him and others, subconsciously pulling the strings to fix each one. He confronted his brother; opening up to him about such trivial worries that he needn't have bothered with. Yet it was worth something. Alice grew attached to him, pondering and bothering the man when Oz wasn't about. She seemed to forget events very easily, the visit to Sablier seemingly wiped from her mind. Although, she never had any idea of Gilbert's intentions, no idea of the monstrous intent he first had to kill her, to completely destroy her connections with his Master before Oz was hurt. She didn't know. She wasn't going to know.
Maybe the days seemed so similar because of Oz, because of how nothing between Gilbert and his precious Master ever changed. They'd long before repaired the conflict caused by the 10 years apart, and were back to the relationship of master and servant, back to being friends. Surely that should be enough. Gilbert knew he was surrounded by many people who cared about him, many people who he was lucky to call his friends. But…
"Are you lonely?"
Blinking, he was pulled out of his dreamlike state, left seemingly lost amongst the excitement. Oscar's self-proclaimed 'Unbirthday' tea party caught the attention of Oz, who began to round up each acquaintance he had shown an interest in. Elliot, of course, was reluctant, but most of the other usual culprits were more than happy to join in the celebration. Gilbert supposed it was something to lift their spirits.
So he looked up at the single eye staring down at him, promptly ignoring Break soon after. Lonely? What was he on about?
"I don't appreciate being ignored, Gilbert." A cane met the ground dangerously close to his hand, and Break pulled himself down onto the grass next to him. Gilbert glanced away from him.
"…What do you mean?"
"I'm asking you a simple question; you could at least answer it without all the hassle. So, are you lonely?" Break made himself louder, raising an eyebrow in Gilbert's direction.
Surely, with all these friends he'd gained over the past months, loneliness was the last occurrence he thought would happen in his mind. Loneliness happened in people who had no one, loneliness was for those without someone to trust. It was—"Yes."
Of course he was lonely. Of course he was, but it was selfish to say such a thing. He had so many people that cared about him, more than he ever had. Oz was there for him. Oz was his friend.
Oz was only his friend.
Gilbert didn't want to consider him as nothing more than that, he didn't want Oz to think that either. He wanted to be special to Oz; to be the one he wakes to in the morning, the one he can fall asleep with at night. He wanted to softly stroke his hair, brush a hand against his face. He wanted to be that one person Oz loved more than anyone else.
But that wouldn't happen. Oz had others he could depend on; he didn't need Gilbert like that. And suddenly the absence of friends seemed so much more appealing.
A/N: First fanfic in god knows how long. I hope some of you still hang around for my writing! I'm not dead at least xD
Enjoy~