My first Pandora Hearts fanfic! I love this anime/manga. The idea of a Raven-fied Gilbert inspired this story. And FYI I adore Yaoi but to me, Gil and Oz are just too wonderfully brotherly to be tainted by romance…buuuuutttt….we'll see. I'm thinking it's Oz/Alice if anything, but I'm open to suggestions. XD

I'm having this start after the current-most arc in the story but I won't give too many spoilers or anything. I just have this OCD for not lagging in the story-verse XD I recommend though if you're interested in catching up : D P.S. I prefer Vessalius to Bezarius so that's what I'm gonna use XD

Short first chappie, next one they'll already be in town..and from there…my evil plot begins, muwahaha! Or something. So yesh. It'd be kinda cute to do something all sweet for Liam's bday but I'm too impatient to write all that out before getting to the good stuff…so maybe it'll still happen…Gil's just gonna be Raven-ey or they'll celebrate later. XDDD

Hope you enjoy! 3~

"I will never betray you…and I will never let anyone hurt you…because you are my master."

"I'll always protect you! Cuz' that's the Lord's duty!"

"Are you afraid, that Oz is changing…and leaving you behind?"

Golden eyes shot open to stare at the blank white ceiling above, heart pounding in his chest before slipping closed again. Words, memories, the past had echoed in his dreams and it was the words of Xerxes Break that most resounded in Gilbert Nightray's mind.

Was he afraid? Of course he was. Oz was in danger of sinking into the deepest level of the Abyss, somewhere that even his Chain Raven might not reach. But beyond that, beyond the darkness that awaited him…Oz was illuminated by the light of his newfound sun, by Alice, while Gilbert was left to the darkness that he had always believed bonded the pair of them together.

"We are bonded by our shadows, not by our light."

So Gilbert had said and believed, and wanted to believe…but more and more it seemed that Oz was slipping away from him, out of his reach…leaving him behind in the darkness…

"Gil..? Gil….Gilbert!" a slap on Gilbert's head startled him.

Gilbert's eyes shot open for the second time that morning, and this time were met with the brilliant emerald orbs of his young master.

Oz Vessalius was accustomed to Gilbert sleeping very little, generally his servant was awake by the time he headed out for breakfast with Alice. But it was nearly noon now and Gilbert was still nowhere to be found. So, concerned, he'd left Alice with Break and Sharon and headed to Gilbert's room. Knocking had afforded him no answer and when he'd entered, he'd found Gilbert with his fists clenched in handfuls of blanket, and attempts to speak to him hadn't moved Gilbert at all.

Oz had therefore climbed into bed beside Gilbert, smacking his head and staring down at him in concern. "Hey…Gil? Are you okay?"

Gilbert gazed up at his master for a split second as his mind caught up with the situation before he ran a hand through his hair before he offered a small smile and spoke a bit tiredly. "I'm fine, Oz. Just thinking. What time is it?" he asked as an afterthought, frowning as he realized how bright his room was…so much sun…just how late had he slept?

Oz stared at his servant before crossing his arms and giving him a scowl, not in earnest of course. "It's almost noon. Servants aren't supposed to sleep later than their masters, you know. Honestly, Gil, you're hopeless." he drawled, sighing dramatically. Seeing an odd look flicker across Gilbert's face a moment, he 'softened' a bit and spoke with the drawl of a commanding child. "Anyway, now that you're awake, get ready. We're going into town today, remember? To find a present for Liam's birthday."

It was two days away, as they'd found out from Break who apparently had a yearly tradition of making a fuss about Liam's birthday…usually in the form of embarrassing him and harassing him in traditional Break fashion. They could use some cheering up and all in all, Oz genuinely liked the man anyway. He was a bit stiff, but he was a good man nonetheless and Oz knew he meant a good deal to Break. More than the nut would admit, of course.

Gilbert blinked and then nodded. "I'll be right down…sorry." He blinked in surprised and then sneezed as Oz flicked his nose, frowning slightly at his young master.

"Don't apologize, Gil. Just get moving, alriiiight?" Oz smiled brightly at him, patting his servant's head before bounding out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Gilbert stared at the closed door a moment as he thought over what had just happened. Oz was right in front of him. Right before him. He smiled, he laughed, he expressed concern but somehow…it seemed as if something had changed. Oz was including Gilbert and yet…it wasn't Oz and Gilbert anymore…it was Oz and the others, and Gilbert tagging along. Was it only in his imagination, was he just being selfish?

Or was Oz really just moving on without him?