prompt: #eternity

pairing: Oz-centric
rated: T
genre: drama/tragedy
words: 563

summary: Oz thinks about his promise with Gilbert just before his execution.


«I will never betray you. Because you are my master.»

Gil's words are ringing loudly in Oz's head.

As he's being led to his execution, he can't help but think how naive they've been. No, how naive he's been. He truly believed Gil would stay true to his word but how could he have? He's Glen's servant first and foremost and maybe he even said something similar to him in the past.

It makes Oz feel bitter, even more than he's already is, at the idea of Gil saying that to Glen. Did he use the same words? Was Gil even speaking to him when he told him that? Deep in his heart, he was probably looking at Glen.

Because everything they've shared is a lie, right?

Oz has taken Glen's place only because Gil has forgotten about his own past. Just as he's taken the place of his fath- no, he shakes his head and almost laughs, taken the place of Zai Vessalius' son.

Jack is right. So right. Everything about his life is a lie.

Forever?

They should have let him bleed to death.

Oz doesn't even notice he's come to a halt until he feels someone push him roughly. He stumbles and doesn't manage to stay on his feet - it's kind of hard with his arms tied. The Baskerville grabs him by the scruff of his neck before he falls and lifts him back up.

«Scared, boy?» the pink haired lady grins at him. Lottie, is it? «Don't worry,» she adds, the smirk never leaving her face, «it'll
be quick and painless.»

«I'm not scared,» he retorts. For once in his life, he's truthful. Lottie seems a bit put out by his answer. She spuns around and they start walking again.

Oz feels so heavy he hopes that in whatever place they're going to kill him, it isn't far.

He doesn't want to think about Gil anymore.

He doesn't want to think about Alice anymore.

And uncle Oscar and Ada...

Oz squeezes his hands hard, so hard his nails dig painfully in his palms. He feels blood rushing into his head and his powers throbbing painfully behind the seal the Baskerville placed on him. For a second, a burning feeling of hatred overwhelms him - for everything Jack did, for everything Jack said. Why him, why them? Why is it his life being destroyed? Why did he help Jack, back when he was still a plushie? He should have known! He should have known!

He should have known.

The hatred quickly fades to nothing. He should have known. He feels drained.

If he hadn't trusted him, everything would have been all right. Alice wouldn't have killed herself. Gil wouldn't have been hurt. His uncle - Oscarwould have been happy with his real family. Maybe even Zai would have been happy.

The stairs finally end and they walk into a big hall - Oz recognizes it as the main hall in Pandora Headquarters, the one where the four dukes usually hold their meetings. He spots Leo at the end of it, speaking to one of the Baskervilles.

It's his fault, isn't it.

Forever ends here, he tells himself as they push him to his knees. It was an empty promise to begin with.

...

As Elliot's sword is coming down at him, Oz's heart rouses. I'm sorry Gil, he thinks frantically. I don't -

BANG!