"Oz, the carriage is here!" Gil called, waiting anxiously by the front door. He felt like he would go into convulsions from being so nervous, and Oz's lagging wasn't helping.

"Coming! Just - gotta get this - ugh! - suitcase!" Oz came into Gil's view, and he was quite a sight as he dragged a suitcase half as big as he was down the hallway. Gil rushed over to help him, and against Oz's will insisted on carrying his bag the rest of the way to the carriage. Eventually, they got seated and situated in the carriage, beginning their week-long rendezvous.

Gil's nerves refused to quit, but he was trying to refrain from smoking in front of Oz. He needed something to calm him down, though. Now.

"Hey, Gil, is something wrong?" Oz was seated across from Gil, watching his servant fidget incessantly.

"Eh? No, I'm fine; just anxious to get there." He blushed and pretended to look out the window.

Oz sighed and decided not to pester Gil for once, since he had been rather tense all day. He tried to strike up some conversation instead. "Poor Alice, stuck with Sharon for a whole week… maybe she'll manage to learn something this time."

Instead of responding with his usual animosity toward Alice, Gil just shrugged. He was trying to get his mind off Oz and this whole situation before he started fantasizing about things he shouldn't, but he was having trouble distracting himself.

Oz noticed that something was very off with Gilbert. Not once had he ever missed an opportunity to reiterate his hatred of "that stupid rabbit." He had been acting weird all day, and Oz could only guess it had to do with this trip. But why would Gil be so nervous? Oz decided to ponder on that question for the rest of the trip, but nothing he thought of made sense. He could be embarrassed that his house is a mess, he thought, but Gil's never cared too much about that, especially if it's just me coming over. Maybe he doesn't have any food… but he could go out and buy some tonight; there's still time… what is it? Unless - no, he couldn't - maybe Gil has a girlfriend? He never talks about dating, but he's shy about the strangest things. He's probably nervous about seeing her again. Yes, that has to be it!

"Gil, do you have a girlfriend?" Oz smirked, waiting for his theory to be proved correct.

"WHA?!?!!" Gil inhaled what seemed like a gallon of air, causing him to cough. "No! Of course I don't! Why would you ask something like that?!?" he said, his voice fluctuating.

Oz was shocked. Well if it's not that, then what is it? "Just wondering," he shrugged. "Have you ever had a girlfriend, then?"

"No, and I don't want one," Gil grumbled.

"…You're 24 and you've never had a girlfriend? I knew you were useless, but really, Gil, that's just sad!" he laughed.

Gil looked down, blushing. "I just don't want a girlfriend, okay?"

Oz stopped and turned his attention back to Gil. Not only did Gil not have a girlfriend (and he must have girls falling at his feet; he's very handsome!), but he never had one, and never wanted one... he never did seem to notice girls at all, now that Oz thought about it. Did Gil…not like girls?

"What about a boyfriend?"

This time, Gil nearly lost it. "NO! I - I don't have a boyfriend, either!"

His blush led Oz to believe otherwise, however. "You do! Or you like someone! Tell me!"

Gil wondered if he jumped out of the carriage right now if it would be better than this conversation. "I don't!"

"I think you do! Gil likes someone, and I know it! Is it a boy?"

Jumping out was looking better by the second. Hopefully they were almost there, and Gil wouldn't have to put up with this torture any longer. "I'm not telling you!"

"So you admit you do like someone!" Oz folded his arms and leaned back in the seat, a devious grin plastered across his face.

"N-no!" Gilbert cursed his blush for growing deeper. Oz rolled his eyes, not believing Gil's denial.

"Oh, we're here!" Oz's attention went to the window as the carriage rolled to a stop. Gil sighed; greatly relieved the conversation was over, at least for now. He got up and opened the door, carrying their suitcases inside with Oz bouncing along behind him.

"Now I see why you come back so often; it gets dusty in here pretty fast!" Oz commented as he walked in. Gil had to admit was a mess, and it would take a while to clean everything. He set down the suitcases and went to get the cleaning supplies.

"Oz, you can go read or something - "

"Nah, I want to help Gil!" he chimed, grabbing a rag from Gil's hand. He hopped over to the windowsill and began cleaning.

Gil stopped for a moment. The sun coming in from the window lit up Oz's figure, making him appear to glow as he worked happily. So beautiful, Gil thought, his mind consumed with Oz.

"Gil?" Oz said, catching Gil in the moment. Gilbert promptly snapped out of his daze, blushing. He quickly got to work, trying to shake off his embarrassment from Oz catching him staring. Oz went back to cleaning, still trying to figure out why Gil was so antsy today. He seemed to be worse off ever since Oz had pestered him about his love life.

It took them nearly 2 hours to clean Gil's house, but finally they were done, much to Oz's relief. Not only was he tired, he was starving. He plopped down on the couch while Gil put the cleaning supplies away.

"You look exhausted," Gil commented.

Oz grumbled in response. "Can we eat now?"

Gil glanced toward the kitchen, realizing he really didn't have anything to feed Oz. "I'll have to go buy something; you can stay here if you want -" He was cut off by an eager Oz clutching to his arm.

"I'm coming with you; it's so boring here, and I'm starving!"

Gil sighed in agreement, and the two started off to the market. Oz hadn't been a while and was enamored by the plethora of stands and merchants. Some sold produce, others sold bread, and some even sold games and toys.

"Look at all the games, Gil! Let's get checkers, or bagatelle, or marbles, or something! Please, pleeeaaaseee Gil?" Oz put on his puppy eyes, which never ceased to make Gil give in to his whims, and proved to win the man over once again.

"Okay, you can buy one game, but it better not be too expensive… I have to buy groceries, too." He was nearly dragged by Oz over to the game table, where Oz preceded to look carefully over each game before making his decision.

"Checkers," he stated, handing the box proudly to Gil, "just like old times!"

Gil blushed and paid for the game, which he gave back to a pleased Oz. "Now we have to find you something to eat. Anything in particular you want?" He turned to see Oz, but he wasn't there. "Oz? Oz, what are you doing?!" His master had stopped at another table along the way, examining the merchandise.

"Hey, Gil, what's this for?" Oz questioned, holding up a strange looking collar with a leash attached to it.

Gil instantly felt a deep blush creeping up his neck. "T-that's… uh-h, um, let's go get dinner, okay?" He yanked the collar out of Oz's hands an put it back on the table, attempting to pull Oz with him as he walked away.

Oz pulled out of Gil's grasp, clutching the collar. "No, I like it! What do you put it on? A dog?" He inspected it carefully.

"Oz, put it down," Gil said through gritted teeth, trying to keep his cool and ignoring the stares from passersby.

"It's too big for a dog... ah, maybe I can use it on Gil!"

At that, Gil turned so red he was almost purple, stuttering and trying as hard as he could to get out of there as fast as possible. He grabbed Oz by the top of his arm and dragged him away to from the stand, much to the boy's dismay. "Gil is such a joy kill; I was only joking," he pouted. "And you still didn't tell me what it was!"

"It's something someone your age shouldn't be looking at! Can we please just get the groceries now?" Gil was still red as a tomato, swatting away any fantasies his mind began to conjure up.

"Fine," Oz said in defeat, still curious about the seemingly harmless collar. "At least get some pancake mix; I love pancakes!"

"I was thinking more toward dinner food, but I guess pancakes work too," Gil said, trying to laugh off his blush.

After some arguing over what to get, the pair went back to Gil's house with their groceries in tote. Oz's stomach had begun to protest from neglect, so Gil wasted no time beginning to fix stew for their dinner.

"Giiiil, are you done yet?" Oz whined, seated and waiting at the kitchen table.

"Yeah," he said, tasting the stew once more (and determining that it was salty enough; he couldn't be serving Oz bland stew, now could he?) before dishing it up and serving it to his ravenous companion.

Oz attacked the stew, splattering it everywhere as he shoveled the meal into his mouth. "Mmm, it's so good, Gil! You're a great cook!" Oz remarked after finishing his bowl.

Gil blushed, denying his cooking abilities, but Oz had already made up his mind.

"You've got half of it all over your face," Gil chuckled. "Here, let me get it," he said, wiping Oz's face with his clean napkin. He lost himself in the moment, becoming entranced in Oz, his movements getting slower. Oz noticed his servant's actions - and was growing a bit uncomfortable. Gil had always taken care of him, but something about the way Gil was stroking his face… the way he was looking at him… it was different.

Oz was frozen, a pink blush dusting his cheeks.

Just… lean in… a little closer, and…

Gil snapped out of his trance and realized what he was doing. He shot away, frantically gathering up the dishes and beginning to wash them in the sink. He was blushing furiously, his heart pounding so loudly he swore Oz could hear it.

What the hell was I thinking?!! Gil thought angrily. What must Oz be thinking?!

Oz was still frozen in his seat, trying to figure out what had just happened. Well, Gil was having an off-day. He supposed he could cut him some slack. "Thanks, Gil," he finally said.

Gil turned his head toward Oz, not daring to let Oz see his obvious blush, heartbeat still pounding in his ears. "U-uh, no problem, Oz," he replied weakly, voice shaking. He swallowed and pulled himself together as much as he could before continuing. "You should get to bed now; it's getting late and you're really tired."

"I'm not tired," Oz claimed, but his yawn said otherwise.

"Yes, you are," Gil said, finishing up the dishes. "You can sleep in my bed, since that stupid rabbit isn't here this time."

"Ah, yeah…" Oz sighed, remembering all to well the incident in which Alice destroyed Gil's room. Good times, good times.

Oz sauntered off to Gil's room, which proved to be disappointing in terms of décor (he really should've helped Gil pick out the new furniture), but it was functional nonetheless. Which Gil said was all that mattered, but Oz still complained about the boring bedspread. Oz opened his luggage, searching for his pajamas.

"Gil, do you have anything I could use for pajamas?" he said sheepishly.

"You packed all that stuff and you don't have anything to wear to bed?" Oz shrugged, and Gil chuckled. "I don't think I have anything that'll fit you," he stated, running his eyes over Oz's short frame. Gil walked into his room, bending down to look through his dresser for anything the boy could wear. He held up an old shirt that wasn't too worn. "Is this okay? I'm sorry it's old -"

"It's perfect!" Oz interrupted. He was more sleepy than pleased with the garment, but he honestly didn't care what it looked like as long as he slept in something. He started undressing, starting with his vest and shirt.

"O-Oz! I'll, um, leave so you change," Gil spurted, going red for the umpteenth time that day.

"You don't have to leave; we're both boys, anyway…" Oz paused, remembering his confrontation with Gil about his love life and preferences.

"That's okay, I'll go," Gil said, and went to rest on the couch outside. He wasn't planning on sleeping with Oz in the first place, and after the day's events, he certainly was going to sleep on the couch. One last cigarette before bed, he thought as he took a box off the table and lit one. Now to just get my mind off things…

"Hey, Gil, aren't you coming to bed?" Oz was standing in doorway, rubbing his drowsy eyes. Gil blushed at seeing Oz - the shirt came about mid-thigh on him, barely covering his boxers - and was doing nothing good for Gil's sanity.

"I-I was going to sleep on the couch," he stated.

Oz shook his head, yawning. "There's no sense sleeping out here when your bed's big enough for us both."

Gil began to argue with him, but Oz was so tired; he really needed to get to sleep. And Gil wouldn't win anyway, so he figured he might as well give in.

He put out his cigarette and followed Oz to bed. His heart was pounding like a jackhammer as he crawled into bed beside Oz - beside his love - and turned off the light on the nightstand.

As soon as Gil settled in, Oz nuzzled beside him, loosely wrapping his arms around him. Gil sighed, smiling. "Goodnight, Oz," he said softly, running his hand through Oz's hair.

"'Night, Gil," Oz said groggily, falling asleep almost immediately.

Gil stroked his hair for a minute more. After he was sure the teen was asleep, he pulled back his blonde hair and lightly kissed his forehead.

"I love you," he whispered before falling asleep himself.


//AU: Finally, the first chapter is complete! I'd love to know your thoughts so far and any ideas you have. I have most of it written in my head, but they'll be there a week, and there are a lot of spaces in the plot that have yet to be filled with fluff. The rating will change at the end - yes, there will be a lemon ;D - but for now it's pretty safe. Please excuse any typos; I've gone over it a few times but as I finished it up at 1 am it may not be too coherent. Also, not all chapters may be this long (5 freaking pages on Word, lol) especially since this will be a pretty long story. I'll try to update as soon as I can! //Willa