Oz sat on the floor in an abandoned room, his back pressed against dull grey wall. Rare tears made his eyes shine in the darkness. He pressed his face into his knees, gritting his teeth and making small choking noises from deep in his throat.

Oz Vessalius was, in a word, troubled. He had held his feeling in for so long, they were starting to pour out, like a heavy rainfall. There was fear, anger, sadness, and maybe even love for his bossy chain, though he tried to put that one behind him.

But mostly, Oz was feeling grief and self-pity. He hated himself for it, but he just couldn't help it.

His sadness was mainly focused on Ada. Ada, his young, shy, innocent little sister who hid with him on the day of his ill-fated coming of age ceremony. Not the new Ada. The mature, grown-up, Ada who was older than he was. It filled him with discomfort knowing she was taller than him, too. And it got worse, she had a boyfriend. The thought gave him a sick feeling.

Oz let out an angry groan. He hadn't really thought about it much, but Gil had changed. They all did. Except for Break and Sharon ,but, you know. But had his disappearance made people change? And when Ada cried. . .

Oz was glad Ada missed him, but how much grief did he give her? Little Ada, being told her brother was gone, maybe forever. Had she been old enough to understand? She remembered him apparently, so had she been sad?

Oz put his head in his hands and watched as his tears rolled of the bridge of his nose and onto the floor.

A small but strong hand was laid on his shoulder. He knew who it was without even looking. She just gave off a presence.

"Hey, manservant, I was think-" Alice's loud voice stopped and she went quiet when she saw his tear-stained cheeks and puffy eyes.

"Oh! Hey, Alice!" he falsely brightened, giving a wide smile, hoping she wouldn't notice his weakness. Her expression of surprise and very slight concern told her she knew.

Alice pursed her lips together, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. He was her servant, she couldn't let him be mopey. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly.

"What? Oh, nothings wrong." Alice gave him a pointed stare at his answer. Oz gave a small frown, knowing she wouldn't stop till she got the truth.

"Everyone has changed. And Ada's not the little girl I wanted to keep from harm," he huffed. "You're the only person who is at least on the same maturity as me, sorta."

"I think the Clown qualifies too, though," Alice stared at the floor.

"It's not just the people, it's everything."

Alice grabbed Oz's chin and turned it towards her, staring into his eyes, looking slightly miffed. She then did something unexpected but not quite. She slapped him. Hard. Leaving a red mark on his cheek.

"What was that for?" Oz narrowed his eyes.

"Because!" Alice fumed, standing up. "You're not supposed to be like this! You're supposed to be the happy idiot that I lov-" She stopped herself and her cheeks went scarlet.

Oz's eyes widened and he stared at the floor, not sure on what to say. With Alice, anything wrong could set her off.

"Do you really l-love me?" he stuttered, flushing.

"Ugh, whatever." Alice grabbed Oz's collar and pulled him into a quick kiss before letting him go. "Now make me a sandwich, manservant," she demanded. Oz gave a large smile.

Standing in the door frame, hidden by the shadows, Xerxes Break watched the whole thing, chuckling slightly, as Gil grudgingly handed him some coins.

"I told you so."