Author's note: Hello and Happy Holidays everyone~! This story is a Christmas present for Animelover779. Thanks so much for always reviewing my stories. I hope you like it! I got the idea from this meme: www. zerochan 575588 (Remove spaces) This was going to be an actual oneshot, but my brain decided to stop working after constant tests and only a few days before Christmas. Sorry about that. Hope you still like it! As usual, I own nothing. Pandora Hearts belongs to Jun Mochizuki and the song Leo sings (Your Call) belongs to Secondhand Serenade.
Different forms of love
"On the forehead means kiss of friendship..."
Gilbert's POV
"Oz, are you still angry about what I did?" I wondered worriedly as I knelt beside my melancholic master who was sitting alone on the snowy balcony.
"I just can't accept the fact that you gave up you gave up your arm for a rabbit doll in Jack's body. You're an idiot. You are the biggest idiot I have ever met. You should've just killed me," he mumbled softly as he tried to hold back tears while hugging his knees tightly.
Even now, he doesn't cry. No matter how much pain he's in...he refuses to let go of his defenses.
What could I do to make him smile? Even if I could protect him, it's not enough unless he has the will to live. I looked up, searching for an answer in the stars, only to find a single mistletoe hanging above our heads. Will a change in atmosphere help? It's worth a shot.
"Oz..." I murmured gently as I stood up, moved in front of him, tilted his chin towards me, and knelt down again to kiss his forehead. "I will always try to protect my best friend."
Surprised, Oz's face flushed bright red as he averted my gaze and covered his forehead. Fortunately though, he seemed to have relaxed as he kissed me back in the same spot. As if it were planned, colorful Christmas lights started to twinkle in the darkness as Oz gave me a small smile.
"Thanks Gil..."
"Merry Christmas Oz."
"On the hand means a kiss of respect..."
Leo's POV
How many times has it been now? There are only a few mere hours until the party and yet he still hasn't successfully mastered dancing!
Irritably, I stopped the record to give us enough time to take a break.
"Dammit. I'll get this right this time," Elliot insisted stubbornly as he re-composed himself accordingly.
"A noble who can't dance, huh?"
"Shut up, Leo."
Deciding to push the break until after one more time, I started the record again and urged my master to dance once the music began to play. As awkwardly as ever, Elliot tried to matched the pace of the music without stepping on my feet, but ended up doing just that anyway. At this point, I could no longer feel my toes, so I took the opportunity to stop the lesson with a heavy sigh.
Such a frustratingly, tenacious person. How did I get roped into this situation anyway?
"I'm sorry, Leo..." Elliot muttered to himself as he walked towards a counter to pick up a glass of water he left there.
"It's fine, Elliot. There is nothing I need to chide you for if you are aware of your mistakes."
Of course, despite my words, Elliot remained unconvinced. Maybe he assumed that he was losing my respect by appearing incompetent. That probably is the case seeing how predictable he is. I guess I should take things into my own hands. Adjusting my glasses, I walked towards my beige-haired companion and kissed his now free hand in preparation for a proper demonstration of the waltz.
"No matter how much of a hot-headed, stubborn, and clumsy person you are I will not stop respecting you," I commented as I looked up from below.
Before he could pull away, I kept him in my firm grasp as I danced around the room to imaginary music with Elliot in tow. Superiority and status were never things I admired most out of him. His strength is what keeps me close at hand. However, his light is what keeps me forever loyal.
"On the cheek means a kiss of kindness..."
Leo's POV
Ever since I brought him back to life, his mind has been plagued with these unbearable nightmares that seem to follow him every time he drifts into slumber. I've already lost count of how many times I've woken up to the sound of Elliot's uneasy tossing and turning, shallow breathing, and worried muttering. Unfortunately, nothing I could say would rid him from his bloody dreams. Dreams I knew were brought about by me.
"No... No...!" Elliot mumbled a little too loudly.
Concerned, I attempted to rouse him from his sleep, but was rendered unable to since he woke himself up instead. His teeth were clenched tightly as he tried to reinforce his shield. I didn't say a word as I simply listened to what he had to say. The fire...the blood...and the connection to that reality. If only for a little while, I could give him one peaceful dream.
The things you make me do, Elliot.
"Elliot, I need for you to close your eyes."
His eyes flashed a sign of hesitance, but he nodded and fulfilled my request. Since I didn't have a piano in front of me or, surprisingly, a suitable book, I settled for something I've never really tried my hand at since I don't have a large enough song repertoire. However, I do believe that I know one song that should work for this situation.
"Waiting for your call, I'm sick, call I'm angry, call I'm desperate for your voice listening to the song we used to sing. In the car, do you remember? Butterfly, Early Summer... It's playing on repeat just like when we would meet...like when we would meet..." I sang quietly.
Almost instantaneously, Elliot's breathing slowed to a normal rate, so I knew that it was safe to keep singing until the end. And that, I did.
"Cause I was born, to tell you I love you. And I am torn, to do what I have to. To make you mine, stay with me tonight..." I finished as I came to the end of the song.
Like a child, he managed to drift off to sleep peacefully at the end of my makeshift lullaby. I could hold this against him later, but for now, I'll let him sleep. Since he wasn't awake to see it, I kissed him on the cheek despite how unbelievably cheesy that is.
"Only because I care about you..."
After saying those words, I succumbed to my exhaustion and fell asleep by Elliot's side.
Well, that's it for this chapter. Panels: 4 and 8 will be actual one shots. I'll upload the next part as soon as I can, but chapter 8 will definitely be posted on New Years. Also, I had intended to make this related to mistletoe, but I forgot about it after the first story. Oh well.