title: almost too tender
genre: family
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Pandora Hearts © Jun Mochizuki
It was the beginning of spring, and the sky beamed brightly.
Gilbert was collecting the newly-ripe berry, putting them into a wooden basket on his arm; his black hair that was a bit unkempt swayed by the wind. In the distance, Oswald, who was sitting under a willow tree, watched the little boy from a far.
Gilbert stole a quick glance on the man a few times, before turning away his gaze sheepishly—even though Oswald couldn't see his eyes from the distance. The basket on his arm almost loaded fully, and he picked the last berry afterwards, before approached the black-haired man with a subtle eagerness.
Oswald was a bit taken aback when realizing that Gilbert was already stood in front of him—handing the fruit basket down to his lap.
"For you, Master."
The black-haired man was silent for a moment, before a vague; content smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you, Gilbert."
The little boy beamed shyly, his pale cheek flushed with soft pink. His usual solemn, melancholic golden eyes—were shining brightly when he saw that Oswald liked his present.
The black-haired man beckoned Gilbert to take a seat beside him, and the boy obeyed. Gilbert sat down awkwardly, his cheek reddened when he realized that Oswald was holding his arm gently, drawing him closer to him.
Their shoulder brushed with each other; Gilbert could felt Oswald strong, warm one touched his own.
Oswald took a berry from the basket, cleaned it briefly, before put it onto his mouth—and ate it slowly. He turned his head to Gilbert, who was watching him in silence.
"It's sweet," said him while smiling. Gilbert looked slightly surprised—before a shy, soft smile appeared on his face.
The black-haired man took a berry once more, but he didn't eat it this time—instead, he handed over the fruit to Gilbert's mouth.
"Open your mouth," he told him quietly. Gilbert's golden eyes was getting wider for a while, looking surprised. However, the boy obeyed him though, and opened his mouth in a timid manner.
Gilbert could felt the berry entered his mouth slowly, then Oswald lifted down his hand afterward—watching the boy ate his berry contently, his eyes sparkled with joy.
"Thank you… Master," Gilbert murmured while lifted up his face, looking at Oswald with his doe-like gaze, his cheek tinted with pale pink. Oswald smiled, and ruffled the boy's soft, unkempt hair with an affectionate glint on his eyes.
They enjoyed the sweet berry quietly after that. The fresh morning breeze blew their hair slowly, and Oswald could saw a happy, blissful smile forming itself on Gilbert's thin lips. He ruffled the boy's hair gently, and raised his eyebrow a bit when he realized that Gilbert was reaching his arm hesitantly—then gazed at him with a soft, childish chuckle.
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He could almost heard something like 'thank you, Father' being whispered by the child's thin lips—but he didn't say nothing afterwards, only pulled him closer while patted his head tenderly.
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FIN
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notes: thanks for reading. wish you enjoy the story. :)
I really like the relationship between the two. Oswald was almost like a father-figure to Gilbert, don't you think so? :D
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(jakarta, 03/08/2014)
well, can you tell me what's your thought about this? ^^