Saix - Two days later

I blinked the sleep out of my eyes and sighed. Another day in the shop. And a busy one at that. I had Lady Kairi coming into the shop today to refit some of her clothes. As this was her first pregnancy, she did not have any suitable maternity clothes for her and I would be redoing most of her wardrobe. I got up and cleaned myself, got dressed and ate some quick breakfast. I would need the energy today, as most pregnant woman were a tad emotional. As I got dressed, I picked out my black trousers with a matching black vest and coat. Proper ladies required my best attire and black would make me stand out more.

That train of thought inevitably led me back to a certain stranger with vivid red hair that certainly stood out in black. It didn't help that I was thinking of this as I walked down my stairs and into my shop, slowly going over the things to be picked up today and making sure that I had no current mending projects to be completed by Mrs. Lark so she would not be in today. I set about opening and getting things ready for my lady. I wondered if perhaps Reno really was Lady Kairi's brother. Another illegitimate son, maybe? From a strange foreign country or the insane asylum. It was a quarter past ten when Lady Kairi walked into my shop, a chambermaid in tow.

Smiling and standing up to bow to her, I said, "Good morning, my lady. Please make yourself comfortable and we can start whenever you are ready."

"Mister Saix! I am so happy you have not moved. I heard rumors you were thinking of moving!" The lady exclaimed, seating herself, hand on her rounding belly. "Dear, I'm getting so big." She giggled. "The doctor said I had to be careful, so I can't walk long distances, hence why I worried if you had moved or not."

"No, my lady. I was hoping someday to extend my shop so that I might have more room to work, but it is a far off dream at best." I smiled at her. She was by far one of the nicer ladies to talk to, hardly making it feel as if I was below her station. Licking my lips hesitantly, I cleared my throat. "I was pleased to run into a relative of yours the other day. A Reno? He was most curious and I wished to see if he was feeling better."

Pursing her lips, she looked thoughtful, but before she could answer, her chamber maid interrupted. She seemed young, very young, probably still very new to the job. Kairi smiled. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetheart, I nearly forgot. Thank you for reminding me. You may go, don't forget to buy me those chocolates with that money I gave you. I've been craving them." She giggled, giving her maid a pat on the hand. "Just come back in an hour or so." The maid gave her a grateful smile and then quickly skipped out of my store, off to... apparently the Lady Kairi had given her time off while we would work on the fitting.

And she called her sweetheart. Now, I was convinced that Reno must be a relative. It was not a term that one heard when one talked to servants or someone they were not familiar with. But the fact that Lady Kairi had called her chambermaid sweetheart and that Reno had called me sweetheart, told me they were in some way connected.

"A Reno, you say?" Lady Kairi's voice prodded through my thoughts. "I am sorry, Mister Saix, but I am afraid I don't know of a relative with that name. How about you describe him for me?" She giggled. "I haven't yet memorized most of Vaan's family. I know, it's horrid of me, but in my defense, he has seven brothers and sisters, most of them already having children of their own."

I wasn't sure, but I continued. "Well, he was tall, with vivid red hair pulled back in a ponytail. He, um, spoke rather odd. I was certain he was related to your family as his red hair was so in matching of your, um, families." I cringed. Way to point out the fact that her father was an adulterer. Hoping that she would just brush this off, I vowed to shut my mouth.

She looked surprised. "When you started out that description I assumed you were talking of my..." She smiled slowly, "It's no longer a secret that Axel Griffits is my half brother, bastard son to Ashdown. But he doesn't speak strangely and his name is not Reno." She sighed. "I'm afraid whoever this Reno says he is, he isn't. There is only my father, myself, Axel and now..." She smiled, rubbing her tummy. "This little boy or girl." She pursed her lips. "Reno is a very nice name... I may keep it in mind if we were to have a son." Getting up, she gave me a bright smile. "Was there more? Maybe we can continue to speak while you do the fitting?" She laughed. "Not that I do not like chatting, my dresses are just becoming very tight."

"Yes of course." I recognized the ending of a conversation and I had her stand in front of my mirrors while I adjusted some things on her gown. Taking a few measurements and writing them down, I focused on what ways to easily expand her gowns, while still flattering her rather diminutive but expanding figure. After I'd taken down all the measurements, I had her sit down again so I could show her my ideas for the adjustments. She picked out some that she liked and then I decided to once again, go out on a limb.

"Um, perhaps my lady would also like to see some designs for infant and children wear? I do not know if you have already purchased a wardrobe for you new child, and I was hoping to offer my assistance."

"Aww!" She took my hand and squeezed it, "Do you have some? I would love to see! Vaan really wishes to come with me to pick out the wardrobe, but he's been away a lot to-" She cleared her throat, "Rectify our mistakes and show we are worthy of our title." She smiled then, "But maybe you would allow me to bring some of your designs so I could show them to him when he comes home in the evening?"

"Of course!" I happily ran to grab some of my sketches that I'd intended to show her had she agreed. It wasn't something that my shop normally handled, but I'd been fascinated by the idea that smaller and more elegant but durable things should be available for the children of the higher society. Children were rough on their clothes and I'd found that certain clothes were more durable.

Handing her the sketches, I told her that she should send her chambermaid around with a few dresses every few days and I could easily have a new wardrobe for her by the end of two weeks. And the good thing was that she could always use these clothes the next time she had children.

"These are lovely, Saix..." She murmured, looking at the sketches with great intent. "I will bring these for Vaan to see so he can decide with me on which we would like you to make. As we do not know whether it is a boy or a girl, I hope you don't mind if I ask you to make a set for each." She smiled. "We intend to have plenty of children, so they will always be useful." And then she giggled, "And if we happen to have only boys or only girls..." She shrugged her shoulders delicately, "I can always give the set to one of my in laws. Many children on Vaan's side of the family. Which reminds me, with your permission, I will send my sisters in law to you so they can get their childrens attires from here."

"Th-thank you, my lady." Not believing my luck, I bowed to her and gave her a genuine smile, not forced at all as I saw her out. She was truly an amazing lady and I wasn't sure now that someone as crude and abrasive as Reno could be related to her. He must be pretending to share blood with them or something.

Closing my door and switching the sign to closed, I decided that I wanted to know more about how and why that strange man, Reno, was going around claiming to be connected to the Ashdown family. It was early to close, but the commission I would be gaining from Lady Kairi and her family would be more than enough to make up for an afternoon. Locking the door behind me, I passed by the shoe store next to mine, and wondered if perhaps I could extend my shop sideways so that I would not have to relocate. Some other time perhaps. Tucking my hair back behind my ears, I decided to walk to the tavern I'd pointed Reno towards and see if he was still hanging around. I wanted to clear things up once and for all.

I rounded the corner and spotted the tavern. I hoped that he would still be there and not committed yet because he was crazy. Maybe he'd been able to hide it better after I gave him that advice. Snorting, I quickly crossed the street. I had a feeling he was not following it though. His arrogance had been apparent from the start, not to mention the way that he intentionally spoke to me in a manner much too familiar.

Stepping inside, I quickly glanced around, seeing if I could find the owner and ask if he'd seen the tall redhead. Spotting him behind the bar, I quickly made my war over. "Have you seen a man with red hair? I was hoping I could find him."

He rubbed off a glass, placing it on a shelf behind him while he laughed with a low voice. "Hard to be missing a lad like that. Upstairs second door to your left, boy." He puffed out the smoke from between his lips, sucking onto the pipe stuck between them before turning his attention to a customer beside me. Well, at least he was still here. And now I'd have to go and find him. Nodding my thanks, I pushed past a few people and made my way upstairs. Counting the doors, I stopped in front of the second one and licked my lips before gently knocking on the door.

I heard some noise from the inside and to my surprise a set of two mumbling voices before the door opened, revealing Reno. He wasn't dressed in much at all, his hair looking like someone had run their hands through it all night. I blinked as someone appeared beside Reno, a man not much taller than myself, his hair... It didn't matter what he looked like, honestly, the point was that he was pulling his shirt over his head, giving Reno a satisfied looking smile before leaning in, not caring of my presence whatsoever as he placed a kiss on Reno's cheek.

Once that was done, the stranger offered me a smile before walking away. Looking after the retreating figure, I slowly detached my eyes, looking back at Reno, standing shirtless with his pants undone before me.

Leaning against the door frame, he gave me a curious frown. "I thought we'd agreed that last time was farewell, yo?" He said.

I felt the heat rush to my face at his once again brazen lack of any manners when speaking to me. And his behavior just a moment before..."Excuse me. I was unaware that you were entertaining. I'm sorry to interrupt. I'll just be going." My heart was beating fast and I'm sure that I was embarrassing myself beyond anything I'd ever done. He was right. We'd agreed that we wouldn't speak again.

"Hey, hey!" He said, surprisingly gently, his fingers touching my shoulder, but not grasping it. "It's okay. Had I known you'd come by I would have made sure to be more... presentable." He gave me a quick smile. "Wanna come in? I promise to behave. I'm curious to know what made you come here."

I didn't want to stay. Really. Something was off about what I was doing here and I wasn't sure if I even believed in the reason I'd originally thought of. But I'd come here for that reason, however paltry and if I left now, then I wouldn't be able to relax until I got it taken care of. So, in the interest of never seeing him again, I was here to ask him my question.

"Fine. I only came here for a question, anyhow, not to see who or how you spend your time." I glared down my nose at him. "Perhaps you would like to get dressed first?"

He winced, "Right, yeah. Just, stay here then." He said, shutting the door in my face. When I was about to leave, it opened again and this time he was properly dressed, not pristine as his buttons were done unevenly, but at least he was covered. "What's your question?"

Staring into his eyes and trying to see if he was lying, I said, "Why did you even mention Lady Kairi's name? She has told me that she has no relation to a Reno. She is a very good client and I do not wish to see her name used by someone who does not know her." My voice wasn't stern, just curious.

Looking down the hallway, he then gestured for me to come inside. When I didn't move, he rolled his eyes. "I won't eat ya, sweetheart, just-" He grimaced, "Scratch the endearment, sorry, I don't do it on purpose. Anyways, this isn't exactly gonna make a whole lot of sense at first and even though I doubt you'll believe me and you'll probably call 911 the moment I'm done talking, I'd rather only give you the option of declaring me mentally insane."

"I don't have to declare it. It is obvious." Stepping in and off to the side, he closed the door behind me. "And why do you talk so strangely? Even for a foreigner."

He nodded his head, "Give me a minute and I'll explain all of that to you, my weirdn- strangeness in both behavior and speech. Sit." When I didn't he simply pushed me towards the bed, making me sit down on the edge of it while he brought the chair before me, sitting down on it the wrong way, leaning his forearms onto the back of it. "Okay, listen carefully, Saix, I'm going to tell you some things that are going to sound completely mad, but Imma ask you to take a moment to absorb it before running off. I have proof for back up after I'm done talking, but you're going to have to let me, kay?"

"Fine." This guy was starting to make no sense whatsoever. Not that he ever made sense. And I really did not want to sit on the bed that I was fully aware he'd just had sexual relations on with that...other man.

Looking at me, he shook his head. "We did stuff on the floor." He slapped a hand over his mouth then. "I'm sorry! I don't know why I'm like this." Wincing, he smacked the heel of his hand against his forehead. "I just wanted to assure you that you aren't sitting on any, yo, yeah?" Breathing in deeply, he shook his head. "Okay, we're gonna forget that and go on with what I wanted to say. Here goes nothing..." Sighing deeply, he waited for me to give him permission.

It was ridiculous how much I really didn't want to be in this room right now. This was his private space, where he did private things. And I should not be here. But I had no choice. Hiding my discomfort, I nodded. "Go ahead. I'm listening."

He breathed in deeply. "Remember, hear me out till the end and don't run until even my proof doesn't convince you I'm saying the truth." Giving me a nod he then started. "I am related to Kairi. Just not in the close sense that would be most obvious. Kay, here's the deal that will most likely make you believe I'm crazy."

Giving him a pointed look, he grinned. "Even more so than you already believe me to be. Anyways... When I said I'm from far away, I didn't so much mean country, I meant... years." What? "I'm from the year 2011..." He eyed me warily, gauging my reaction which was most likely the deepest frown I'd ever carried on my forehead. 2011...?

"I know it sounds insane, but. Kay, so I'm not exactly the best person on this planet. I'm selfish, greedy and well, not awesomely behaved. Some witch decided that enough was enough and she led me to this painting. It's a painting that is in Kairi's house featuring her and then who I assume to be her dad and her brother, that Axel dude. When I touched it, I got pulled inside and ended up here, in 1910. That's why I was dressed so strangely when you first met me and why I talk like nobody else does."

He sighed deeply, looking at me warily. "Kairi is my great, great, great grandmother. I'm not sure how many great's, but, I descend from her blood line. So I am related, just... not the way you'd expect me to be."

I stared at him dully. "And you expect me to believe this? Even if, and I say if, that were true. Why exactly are you here in the past? And what exactly is your proof?" This was slightly ridiculous. But then, I couldn't help but remember those odd things that were among his belongings. Maybe they had something to do with this?

He groaned. "The witch sent me to this time as a... curse. She said I was taking my situation for granted and I guess she believed flinging me back into a time where things were simpler would help straighten me out." He shrugged. "If I wanna go back to 2011, I have to learn to become less selfish and greedy, only then will the painting bring me back. So that's the why, yo, as for proof..." Getting up from the chair he moved over to the side table by the bed, taking the bag I'd given him to put his belongings in.

Giving me a hesitant look, he then sat down beside me, turning so he could turn the bag upside down, letting it's contents fall onto the bed. "This," He took the red square, "It's called an ipod. You carry music inside of it and can listen to songs through these," He showed me the two small wires. "But it runs on batteries, so it will most likely run outta juice sometime soon."

"That is actually believable as I heard something beautiful coming through those wires when they were in my home. But I believe it might be broken because it created some sort of banging noise." I said, still trying to process what he was saying. This was all so incredible...

"Banging?" He frowned and then chuckled, "That must have been Korn. It's music too, but you might not be ready for that kind yet." Giving me a smile he then picked up something else I hadn't seen before. It was of rectangular shape, slightly transparent with a liquid inside. On one end there was a metal hole with a button. Reno held it in his hand between us, letting the pad of his thumb slide over the wheel shaped button and then... Fire. "It's called a lighter."

"Incredible..." I whispered as my eyes were mesmerized by the flame in front of me.

"Really?" He asked curiously, letting his thumb slide off the button, turning the fire off. "Huh, I guess I took that for granted too, yo." Shrugging he reached up, taking the strange glasses off his head. "Put them on and then press that round button on the side. It's not gonna hurt ya, kay? It might be a bit weird though, just, don't freak out."

I didn't want anything on my head and once again he ignored me and put them over my head and over my eyes. Sighing and admitting defeat, I pushed the button that he'd told me to. I yelped as the suddenly my vision changed from normal to reds and purples and yellows. I quickly tore them off of my head, blinking and sighing in relief as everything went back to normal.

Glaring at Reno, I narrowed my eyes. "What the bloody hell was that?"

He chuckled, "It's called 'infra-red'. It allows you to see when someone is inside a house when you're standing outside, or-" He frowned. "Laser. That's another thing from the future, I don't have a laser on me though, so I can't show ya that. This," He picked up another square device, similar to the red music box. "is a cellphone. It's a phone you can carry on you. I'm pretty sure you guys got phones in this time period. Anyways, this isn't a regular one though since a normal one would get any reception."

He pointed at the ceiling, "In the future we launched satellites into space so we can connect phones to one another that way. Since that didn't happen yet, a regular cellphone wouldn't work, but the witch gave me this one, so I'm guessing it's working through magic." He shrugged, letting it drop back onto the bed. "I can't call anyone though, she can call me. She called me once, dunno if she'll call again."

I stood up, not understanding anything that he was saying now. "Magic, cell phones, and eye pot, this is almost impossible to believe." Moving over to the window, I ran a hand over my face. If I thought about this logically, then what he said was ringing true, if I accepted that he did in fact get sucked into the painting. But just swallowing that small fact was incredible. But how else did you explain all of these things that he had?

He snorted, letting himself fall back onto the bed, groaning. "I'm right there with ya. I didn't want to believe it so bad, I ran into the wall where the painting was hanging three times, hurting my face, ass and shoulder in the process just to make sure it wouldn't just suck me back in, or wake me from a... dream."

Turning his head to look at me instead of the ceiling, he sighed. "I know I'm...asking you to believe something that is impossible, and since we don't know each other at all and I'm sure you think my behavior rude, which, by the way, yes, I'm a little out there, but in my time I'm not as rude as ya may think... Point being. I get it if you don't want to believe it, I just figured I'd share it with someone and so far you're the only one I've had a conversation with that lasted longer than...a minute."

I snorted. But I didn't say that I doubted his lover would appreciate that sort of talking. Sighing, I turned back towards him and nodded. "Fine. I suppose that I believe you. But how exactly are you going to get back to the future?"

"No idea, dude... I tried pretending to be all kinds of honorable and charitable, figuring that might get the painting to work again, but it didn't. I tried again last night, wouldn't let me, I got angry, went back to the tavern, got drunk, picked up a twink..." He sighed heavily. "Whatever. Right now? I'm thinking Imma be stuck here for a while till I become what the witch wants me to be."

I didn't know what a twink was, but I somehow felt dirtier for hearing it. "Did you even listen to what I said before? Or are you being intentionally stupid? Listen, if this witch can handle throwing you back in time, you really think you can fool her when it comes to being the way you are? Because you can't. Witches are known for curses. And this one is probably doing this as revenge as well."

"I know!" He shouted, sitting up and glaring at me as his hands shot up to his hair, tugging. "But see, here's the problem, Saix. I don't know what I did to her that would make her wanna get revenge on me. Do I believe I didn't wrong her? No. I'm sure I must have in some way, but here's the deal, I hurt a lot of people in my way of living. I just don't remember her." He laughed humorlessly. "That just makes me even worse! I'm such a horrible guy, I can't even remember who I hurt ever since I decided I was worth more than some white trash trailer park and figured my best way to get to the top? Was to not care about anyone. Since in my world? Nobody ever cared about me. Why the fuck would I care if they don't care?"

I was shocked by his outburst but I was really surprised by his reasons. Standing my ground, I folded my arms in front of my chest. "So your justification for your behavior is that no one has cared about you before, so you shouldn't care about them? That is counter intuitive. We only get along in society by having mutual beneficial relationships with others. Are you happy with what you are doing? Or are you constantly searching for something more? I assure you, if it is the latter, then perhaps you should reevaluate what exactly it is you are looking for. Because you are surely not going to find it by doing whatever it is you are doing."

"I'm a thief. A professional one. Where you have skills in sewing, I have skill in breaking in." He raised an eyebrow. "There, at least I'm honest with ya, which I'm not very often at all with anyone. I'm surprised I paid you for the clothes when in this time period there is no such thing as security..." He chuckled. "Yeah, I'm always looking for something more, and I'm well aware my lifestyle isn't satisfying me, but you know, I'm not the worst guy in the world of 2011, okay? I'm sure I'm not even the most evil guy in this time period either. Do I need an attitude adjustment? Yeah, sure, why the hell not, I can see the witch's point there, but did she need to kick me back into time for it?" He sighed. "Granted, it's pretty damn effective, yo... And then my next question would be, why me when there's worse out there? But yeah, you're probably right. I probably hurt her personally."

I shook my head. "Reno, you are missing the point. Yes, there might be worse people out there. But the fact that she didn't just kill you, tells me that she sees something better in you. How many other people are offered a chance to reform like this. No, don't think of it as a punishment. It's a second chance because she sees something in you worth saving." Surely he could see that!

He grabbed a pillow, pressing it over his head, but I could hear his mumble. "She might, I don't."

"Well, maybe that's what you are here to learn then. That you aren't predestined to follow the same path that you've been following. You have a choice and it is only you that can choose."

"Were you in 2011, you'd make a pretty cool therapist." He paused and then explained. "They are people who sit down with other people, listen to their problems and then carefully seek out how they feel about it and what they could possibly do." Sitting up, he reached for the side table, taking a glass that seemed to be filled with water and took a sip. He then offered it to me, "I don't have another glass, so... If you're thirsty, this is all I got." He pursed his lips. "But if you got a problem with that, then I can go down in the bar and get you something else." He grimaced. "That was hard." He confessed about having to play host.

I shook my head. This was still rather uncomfortable being in this room where I knew certain things had happened. But I guess I really shouldn't feel like that. If I was just here to ask a question, then his sexual decisions shouldn't have any bearing on our talking. Sighing to myself, I knew that it bothered me that he had expressed flattery at my appearance and then obviously done the same to someone else. The fact that I had hoped to be somewhat special in this man's eyes was what was making me uncomfortable.

"Thank you, but I am fine."

"Alright, well... Should I walk you out?" He asked. "Should I worry about ya calling the mental facility?"

I gave him a small smile. "No. You do not need to walk me out. A word of advice. You see out ladies and others who are of higher station than you. As you have no real station, I would put you on a level field with shopkeepers and middle class. And I will not be calling a mental facility. I said I believed you." Nodding to him, I walked to the door and opened it. "Have a pleasant evening, Reno."

"Loosen up!" He shouted after me the moment I closed the door.

Reno - a week or so later

The moment Saix had left my bedroom, I'd taken a nap to be able to absorb all he'd told me and all I'd told him. I never shared with anyone like that... I wasn't the sharing type, yet I felt the need to explain myself to Saix, maybe and hopefully, help him understand that, sure, I am an ass, but I wasn't always and it doesn't mean I always would be. It's not something I should have allowed myself to do though. Saix was a good man and he didn't need this kind of trouble. So when I'd woken up, I'd instantly felt guilty and bad because... I'd been selfish once again. Taking time from someone when they probably had better things to worry about.

I'd heard what he'd told me for advice. That I needed to be humble and selfless. I'd tried taking it into account the moment he'd told me that when I'd asked for it, but it had been hard... How do you go back to being someone you used to be? Someone you tried to smother with so much force, you're sure that past had taken it's last breath and would never come back to haunt you.

Now, aside from being thrown back in time, introduce to magic being real, witches and other many crazy things... The most unsettling thing was when I looked into Saix's face, I felt this warmth in my chest, which I knew was my heart beating faster, but I'd been so sure it had been cold and dead, I was sorta scared to find out if I let myself truly feel it. Specially because it was clear Saix did not see me in that sense.

Imagining him liking me was easy, pretending there was something between us wasn't hard. Fantasizing was something I was good at, had done it all my life. Needing something that I actually didn't need? That I'd felt a million times. I couldn't tell if Saix fell into that category, if his reluctance to let his guard down around me with that hint of curiosity anyway was something I wanted to have because I clearly couldn't, or if I honest to god needed it because... Not that it mattered, I was a thieving asshole that definitely wasn't allowed to put his hands on something so gentle and good as Saix. I'd ruin him.

So a lot of thinking had happened over the last couple of days, things I needed to figure out, mostly dead ends though. I needed to cut the crap and clean up my act and to my great reluctance, the most obvious thing I had to give up was... stealing. I'd decided to give it a try a day after Saix left, but another day later I'd slipped and 'accidentally' gotten my hands on a guitar.

I'd felt very good about it while playing for about... five songs, but then guilt had started to eat at me and that was strange, cause I was rather certain I'd killed off that emotion at some point in my life as well. Guess it was back. I didn't want to give up the guitar though... But I had made up for it somewhat.

I'd gone back to the gentleman's club and returned all the wallets, without them seeing me of course because I was willing to try and be good, but jail was taking it one step too far. Nosiree, I would avoid prison like the plague.

As for the guitar... I decided to get a, gulp, job. A real one. Or like, an honest one anyway. And I would slowly pay the guitar off with every pay check I'd get. The owner of the store also would be unaware it was me and I'd using my stealthy thieving skills only to drop off the money every month until the guitar was payed for. I'd also manned up and stopped whining about the terrible quality of the mattress. I'd actually found a solution all by myself. The person residing in the room beside mine was a heavy smoker, and so I'd told him he could get my lighter if he gave me his pillows. It was a trade and the man had consented, so I figured that was okay and not selfish.

He had a very heavy accent and after having him repeat himself seven times, I'd been able to find out he was from Ireland. Apparently he was here because... Well, I didn't know because his manner of speaking was so heavily laced with that Irish accent, I couldn't possibly figure it out.

I'd taken the habit of going down to the bar and eat there every night. The man who owned the tavern was called Lone Bellars. He was very loud and he smelled like beer and that pipe he was always smoking; my nostrils hadn't been too pleased at first, but I'd gotten used to it and now I kinda enjoyed it; it was Lone's smell. The pipe and the beer. He'd informed me after my complaining about my neighbors accent that mine was twice as strange and odd and hard to understand then his was. I hadn't quite realized how different it must be for them... Lone had a great time asking me about the meaning of some words I used though; ain't, ya and yo being three of the long list.

The strangest thing had happened, one evening I told him that I was looking for a job and he'd laughed, telling me that I wasn't expected to chat him up for evenings on end just to get on his good side so he would give me a job behind his bar. I'd been surprised, honestly telling him that that hadn't been the reason why I'd come down to talk to him and then the shock had doubled when I realized I hadn't been lying. I actually liked talking to Lone and I'd talked to him without personal motives... Anyways, the case now being that I was a bartender in a local tavern located in 1910 London.

He'd given me a uniform to wear, simple pants with a button up shirt and a vest. He's previous employee was shorter then me though, so of course Lone had sent me to get it fitted. And local tailor in this part of London was... Saix Taylor. Sighing, I propped my hands up onto my hips and stared down at the non-fitted uniform spread out over my now pillow covered bed. It's not that I didn't want to see him, I really did want too, but wanting things was selfish, right?

I nearly jumped out of my skin as the death march rang through the room and I quickly dove onto the bed to reach the night stand and grab the cellphone, not able to help but grin at the stupid 'Your Fairy Godmother' displayed on the screen. At some point I'd been worried it would run out of battery, but I guess that had been pretty dumb.

"Larxene?" I asked.

"Who else, moron?" She said in her pleasant voice.

I rolled my eyes, "How are you?"

There was a beat of silence. "Are you serious, or are you that good at acting?"

"Huh?"

"Dear god, this might actually work."

"What?"

"So, you are a moron. I'm fine, thanks." I frowned as she laughed, not in a I'm-laughing-at-you kind of way, but more in a it's-nice-to-catch-up-with-you sorta way.

"What's up?" I asked, rolling over onto my back and sitting up, trying to not pressure her into telling me what she wanted to tell me.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing, if you hadn't killed yourself somewhere down the line..." Such faith.

"I'm hanging in there." I muttered out.

"Not everything you'll want will effectively make you selfish for wanting it in the first place." She murmured.

I frowned. "Are you spying on me?" I darted my eyes across the room, checking the cellphone, wondering if it was bugged. "Did you bug my thoughts?"

She chuckled. "I'm good, but not that good."

"You sent me back in the year 1910, Larxene!" I reminded her.

She sighed happily, "Yes, that was quite an accomplishment."

"I'm kindly telling you that I'm not sure I meant that as a compliment." Sighing, I rubbed my face. "There's this thing that was pointed out to me the other day..." I edged.

"Yes..."

"Ah, well, err..." I undid a button of my shirt, feeling it tighten somehow. "Have I... wronged you in anyway? I mean, I probably did and I hope you won't add on another curse when I tell you that I honestly just don't remember, yo..."

"It's going to be fun to make you sweat." Click.

Blinking at the phone, I dropped it onto the mattress. "Whore."

"I heard that!" Shrieking, I flung myself off the bed and onto the floor, peeking my head out from the side and eying the cellphone warily. After staying frozen on spot for longer than three minutes, I finally managed to unlock my muscles and stand back up, carefully pushing the cellphone away from me with a pillow before reaching out for the clothes, wrapping them up carefully and deciding to just... get this over with.

Pursing my lips at the sign that read 'open' hanging from Saix's tailor shop, I almost wished it to be closed. Not that I didn't want to see him, but... God, he'd literally seen the worse of me. What the hell must he be thinking when I opened the door and let the twink walk out right in front of him? This wasn't 2011, not that it was something you did then either, but it was definitely a lot more possible there, then here in 1910. He must have been so uncomfortable and I hadn't cared all that much at all. Definitely not as much as I should have.

What had me frowning mostly was that I cared more about what Saix thought of the situation than the twink. I'd just brought him right up, nearly pounded him into oblivion, and then just sent him walking without so much as a... thank you or whatever the hell it is you say or give a person after spending the night with them. Not that we'd actually done anything. There were several reasons for this.

One being that I somehow couldn't do it... Not to myself, nor the twink. It just felt wrong and so I'd kept it to foreplay only and even that had been limited. Second being that... I didn't have any condoms on me and although I knew I was clean and knew I would most likely not find any rubbers in this time period, I didn't want to... Well, If I was gonna have sex with someone without protection, it was gonna happen with someone I actually cared about. Clearly the twink hadn't been it. Third. What the hell was I gonna use for lube? Having sex seemed awfully complicated in this time period. I suppose I could use butter... That idea just made me cringe though.

Shaking my head out of my thoughts, I concentrated on the matter at hand, not letting myself get distracted anymore as I pushed the door to Saix's shop open, hearing that familiar bell tingle as I stepped inside.

"Welcome, oh. Hello, Reno." Saix was standing over by the rack of used clothing that he'd pointed out to me on my first day in this shop. Pushing his glasses up again on his nose, he gave me a small smile and waved me inside. "What is it I can do for you today?"

I'd never thought I'd think this way, but those glasses were sorta sexy. "Yo." I gave him a quick smile, moving his way. "I have a uniform that needs to be fitted to my size." And I wanted to see you.

"Oh? Well, then please go ahead and put the uniform on and we'll see what I can do." Pointing me towards the curtains that I'd gone behind last time, he quickly went to the counter and pulled out his tape measure and pin cushion. "I'll be right here when you are done dressing."

Making my way behind the curtain, I got out of my clothes quickly so I could start putting on the somewhat on the short side, bar uniform. "So, how you been doing?" I asked while putting on the shirt after having closed the pants, wondering if that was an okay thing to do.

"Um, I've been doing well. I, um, I have some new clients. Lady Kairi's future children. I guess I thought you'd like to know that I'll be dressing your ancestors." His voice was muffled by the curtain, but I thought I could hear pride in there as well.

I chuckled softly. "That is the strangest thing I have ever heard, ya know? Like... I'm living in the same place my ancestors do. And my frien-" I swallowed the word quickly, finishing to button of the vest. "And you're dressing them." I finished before stepping out from behind the curtain, feeling a bit like a monkey as the sleeves were coming high up my forearms and the pants were hanging above the ankles, which wasn't a good thing since it wasn't summer shorts. Looking at Saix sheepishly, I turned in a circle. "Not so hot, now, huh?"

He chuckled and tried to bite it back. "I'm sorry. But no, not hot right now. You look a little ridiculous in that. Come stand over here and I'll see what I can do." Pointing to a spot in front of the mirror, he adjusted his glasses and the measuring tape. "I might have to see if I have a quick replacement for you."

"Thanks." I murmured, standing where he wanted me to stand. "I promise not to wiggle this time."

"I'm sure I'll be able to handle you." Quickly moving behind me, he put his hands on my shoulder and smoothed the material while he measured the width of them. Moving down to measure my arms, he bent over so he could read the numbers, his breath gently blowing across my arm. Now moving around in front of me, his face was close as he circled the measuring tape around to measure my neckline.

I tried not to gulp, but I did. I mean, he was right there in my face and it was sorta hard not to react in some way. When he looked up at me, I mumbled out a quick 'sorry' as the gulp had probably moved his measuring tape some. I suppose I was sorry, but, you know, I can't help my bodily reactions, can I? I could try and be the best guy possible, but I doubt I'd ever be a saint. His eyes were so big and the old fashioned glasses, old fashioned to me, made them look even bigger. It was dorky in a very 2011 style, but I guess I quite liked that.

Pausing to grab the small notebook in his pocket, he wrote down what I'm assuming my measurements were before sticking the pencil between his teeth and moving to wrap the measuring tape around my chest. His hands were lightly touching my sides as he adjusted the placement of the tape and his eyes were checking the numbers as he moved the tape slowly lower and lower.

Stopping at my waist, his face suddenly flushed and he dropped the measuring tape. "Oh, sorry." He reached down to grab it before scribbling in his notebook again.

I blinked in surprise, "Why?" I asked curiously, trying to get him to look at me, but he was avoiding it, intently staring down at his notebook. After a moment of waiting, I smiled and sighed, deciding I wouldn't pressure him to answer me.

"Okay, I don't know how tailors do things in your day, some type of 'laser' thing no doubt. But I am going to measure you legs, so I need you to hold still." His voice was low and he still would not meet my eyes as he positioned his tape in his hands.

I pursed my lips, "Just a measuring tape like you. I don't know much about tailoring, otherwise I'd tell you about the stuff they have for it in 2011." Now I kinda wished I'd known more about it, maybe peak his interest... But I guess it was for the best anyways, since I'd decided not to go down that road, would be selfish. Holding still, I waited for him to start.

Suddenly dropping to his knees, he was at my side and holding the tape starting at my hips and ending at the floor. His fingers were pressing against the outside of my thighs, tracing the tape to my ankles, constantly holding the measuring tape against my leg.

On my knees before me? I smothered a moan. "So, ehm, do you like what you do?"

"It is the only thing that I have ever known. And yes, I do enjoy it." Suddenly his hands shifted from the outside of my thigh to the inside. His hand was actually between my legs holding the tape measure against one, right next to my dick, while his other hand was trailing the tape measure down to my ankle.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I pressed my lips tightly together, making sure I didn't say anything. What I really wanted to say was 'Move just a bit to the right and wrap your fingers around that cock and I'll be the happiest customer you'll have ever had.' I was aware this would be considered rude though, so I'd almost opted for, 'You may wanna warn me before you make any such sudden close movements around my nether regions, you know, to avoid any awkwardness?' But I figured that would only make it more awkward, so yeah, shutting up seemed like my best option here.

Finally pulling back and moving his hands away, he quickly wrote down the measurements and stood back up. "Well, the good news is that you are in perfect proportions for someone of your height. The bad news is that no matter what I do, I will not be able to lengthen those garments enough for you." He sighed and stepped closer and grabbed the hem of my sleeve, peering closely at it. "I might have something that will be able to work for now." Glancing up and looking me in the eye, he asked, "Would you like to try that?"

I licked my lips, "Yeah, I suppose, though Lone said this was the uniform he wanted me to wear. Ehm, are you gonna have to remake it for me from scratch while I use the other one you got in mind for me?" I winced at the idea, I wasn't a rich son of a bastard anymore.

"Ah, so this is for Lone, is it? I did not realize that you had found a job there." Smiling up at me, he stepped back and nodded. "If you tell him what I told you, he should have no problem with understanding. Why don't you step behind the curtain again and I'll bring you what will work and you can try that on and I'll fit it to you? Yes?"

"Sure." Giving him a quick smile, and glad I could move again as standing still wasn't one of my talents. I walked back over the to the curtain, stepping behind it and undoing the shirt and pants, tugging them off as quickly as I could since they were really tight and annoying to wear. Not hot at all.

"Okay, here is what I found. Same color for the pants, but for the shirt it's a little..." His voice trailed off and he stepped through the curtain, with his hands full of the clothes he'd grabbed for me. His face was surprised and his eyes were wide behind his glasses. Uh oh.

Dropping the clothes as his eyes raked across my body, he licked his lips and flushed a deep red. "Reno...you're quite beautiful." Whispering and still with large round eyes, he stepped forward, almost in a daze and reached out his hand to touch my chest.

Woah... Okay, his actions, staring and words combined had my stomach implode with bursting butterflies, which- Shit, and my heart was beating fast and I'm pretty sure I couldn't write it off as anything else but- he was going to touch me, wasn't he? If he did then... Okay, I had too, but, shit, oh fuck. If he did then I wouldn't be able to stop myself. I couldn't be selfish. But he...

Those eyes looked at me in a way that told me he was liking what he was seeing and I hadn't seen that look in him before. While that made me quite happy indeed, I still couldn't... I was a greedy and selfish thief, I wasn't worthy of him. Not wanting to embarrass him, I gently took a hold of his wrist, lifting it up to my mouth so I could place a kiss on the back of his hand before returning his hand to him.

"I don't deserve you, Saix." I whispered, not really liking to be good at all at this point.

His eyebrows shot up into his hairline, and he gave me a puzzled tilt of his head. "I do not know what you mean by that. What does deserving have to do with two people? We are on the same level, Reno. Can you be more specific?" Removing his hand from my grasp, he bit his lips and stepped a little closer, this time putting his hand out to touch my bicep.

Okay, see, I'd been right to call him grabby. Gulping, I took a small step back, trying to be as subtle and gentle as possible, not wanting to hurt his feelings. "I was a thief, Saix. A witch cursed me because I'm selfish and greedy...You." Well dammit. "You're a, don't snap at me cause I actually mean and like it," I instructed, "a sweetheart."

Dropping his hand and nodding, he took a step back with a pained smile on his face. "I think I understand. You somehow think that you are beneath me, is that it?"

"No, no, don't be hurt, I was trying to be gentle and nice." It was really weird having this conversation half naked... "I'm not very good at it yet. It's not that I don't want you to touch me," God did I want him too... I licked my lips, shaking my head out of my daze. "But, yeah, ehm, I'm beneath you."

Letting out a laugh, he stepped forward to stand less than a foot in front of me. "Beneath you? You, my dear crimson haired friend, are descended from the lords and ladies of this time. Pray tell me, how you are beneath me? I am quite curious."

I smiled at him, feeling pained. "I'm not talking of titles and stations, Saix, I'm telling you that the way I am, the person I am? I'm not worthy of the good and wonderful person you are." Reaching out, I gently pushed his glasses back up onto his nose, smiling. "You deserve to be with someone that deserves your kindness and is worthy of your touch." Trying not to look too exposed, I tried to distract my thoughts some, settling on the idea that apparently I used less slang when I was saying something emotional or whatever... Something...honest.

Not moving forward, but not moving away, Saix shook his head and sighed. "Reno, I think that I can help you clear something up. Maybe that is why you were sent back to this time. Self worth. Every person has it, but you cannot rely on only yourself to find it. Your self worth is gained by your acts. But it is also governed by your heart. It is ever changing. I would say that in this past week you have learned some things about yourself. And your acts reflect that. So, surely you see that you are not beneath me. Your past does not rule you. Don't let it decide how you see yourself."

I nodded at him slowly, still very aware I was half naked, but managing to push that aside for now. "That makes sense..." I told him carefully, not able to really settle on a thought now.

Suddenly, he paused and frowned. "It has just occurred to me that once you have learned what you were sent to learn, that you will return to your time." Letting his words run through my head, I remembered Larxene's words 'You can try and go back through the painting...' Try had been the keyword. It wasn't a sure thing I would go back even if I learned my lesson. What if it took me years to learn the lesson and I'd gotten so used to being in this time, I wouldn't want to go back? Would I get the option?

Detaching my eyes from the wall over Saix's head, I looked down into his face, his big brown, caramel colored eyes looking at me in a way I don't think I'd seen before. Or maybe I'd never taken the time to notice with previous conquests and partners. Probably not... Stepping closer to him, I gently reached up, letting my fingers touch his cheek, brushing over his skin softly as I looked into his pretty eyes. His hair was so soft and his lips looked so... Letting my thumb slip down his cheek, I let the pad of it touch his bottom lip, not quite sure if he'd let me kiss him.

Breathing in a shaky breath, his eyes were half hooded and I saw the eye twitch thing again. I could almost hear his heart racing and when he decided to lean forward just a little bit, I got the message that he would like me to continue.

"You're beautiful too, you know?" I whispered, remembering that I'd wanted to tell him that when he'd told me. Letting my hands slip to the back of his neck, I guided his face to tilt up while inching down, taking a quick intake of breath before softly placing my lips onto his, my heart jumping through the roof the moment they touched.

He didn't move against my lips, just pressed his back against mine and his hands rested on my bare hips. I heard and felt a small hum from him and his eyes fluttered closed. His actions had been very bold earlier, but clearly not calculated and now he seemed so hesitant, yet curious. Cupping his cheek, I pecked his lips softly a couple of times before inching back.

"Have you ever been kissed before, Saix?" I asked softly, keeping my eyes hooded and letting my lips rest lightly on top of his while waiting for his answer.

"Now I have. It is not something I have ever wanted to try before. It was q-quite lovely." His stutter gave away his nervousness but he didn't pull away. I couldn't help feeling thrilled at the fact that he'd been willing to give me his first kiss. But now I also felt even more nervous... I really didn't want to hurt him and I'd hurt so many in the past. Stroking his cheeks, I decided to continue a little while longer, gently pressing my mouth back on top of his.

I wouldn't push it and considering the very fragile state of everything that was our situation, I would make sure the kiss would stay perfectly simple and sweet. Breathing deeply through my nose, I was still very determined to go with that plan, but couldn't help pecking his lips a couple of times, loving the softness of his mouth and how sweet and warm he felt before inching back.

"That was lovely, yeah."

"Lovely indeed." He sighed against my lips. "And I hate to bring this up, but I should probably fit you for your uniform now. " Leaning back just a little, he gave me nervous smile. "But maybe you would like to have dinner with me one night. Yes?"

I couldn't help but grin, "Are you asking me out on a date?" I hadn't had one of those in a loooong ass freaking time. I'd gotten used to skipping the dating and just going straight for the booty call.

"A date? That is a fruit and I was hoping that we eat something more than that." His face was puzzled and once again tilted to the side.

I chuckled softly, not able to help myself as I placed another quick soft kiss on his lips. "Sorry, no, ehm, it's a term in my time period. A date is where a person asks another person to go out to dinner with them. It's a romantic get together, yo, where the two get to know one another." I explained. "And yeah, dinner sounds good. More than fruit. But where and how? Cause this time period is a buncha closet case sneaking scenarios." I frowned first at how he wanted to do this and then remembered. "Ah..." Closet case thing. "Maybe on that dinner date I can explain what all those terms mean."

"Yes. I would like to hear about your future. And I know that men cannot meet for anything intimate where people can see. But I live upstairs and would invite you there. Perhaps tomorrow?" He looked so hopeful. Feeling a warmth creep into me, I gave him a soft smile, running my fingers through his hair as I nodded.

"Okay, tomorrow is good. I'll come by before my job starts. Around seven, that cool?" He'd have time to close his store and I'd be obliged to leave his place at a decent hour, my job forcing me to leave it and not attempt to try and convince myself sleeping with him on the first date couldn't do that much harm. Cause it would. "Cool as in, not cold, but like, good." I added quickly.

Laughing and nodding, he smirked, "I will learn this language that you speak someday." Moving out of my arms completely, he turned and grabbed the clothes he'd dropped upon entering. "Here, I'm leaving while you change. Can't leave my shop unattended for long."

Taking the clothes, I smiled at him. "Kay." This was okay. This wasn't bad. I was doing good, I was behaving and I wasn't being selfish. I'd told him every nasty bit about myself and he'd still wanted a kiss and now a date too. So long as I didn't lie or purposely hurt him, it couldn't be selfish, right?

To be continued