After reading the last chapter, I feel it was a bit rushed :/ I tried to slow down, and I hope I have. Sorry for any OOC, I'm still learning and haven't written any of these characters before, except for Leo ^^

Recommended listen: "Hymn For the Missing" by Red. "Perfect" by Hedley.

Thank you to Saya Hina Mae, my first reviewer! Your request is in this chapter a bit, and if things go as planned Oz and Gil will have their own chapter eventually :)

Warning: Shounen ai

Review?

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Chapter Two

Elliot couldn't imagine how many people showed up at Vanessa's funeral. Members of each Duke house were present, and the blonde knew for a fact his sister hated most of them. He quit worrying about who was there for the service and tried to calm his nerves. He slightly, but not noticeably, leaned against Leo, feeling comforted and not so alone.

The funeral service hadn't started yet, and as far as Elliot knew the priest had yet to arrive. It took place under a little, pure white canvas tent with one open side and stone beneath their feet, in a corridor outside the funeral home, where Vanessa would be buried later. A familiar and less happy than usual voice rang out from behind the heir. He closed his eyes, dear God. Leo chuckled at his master's reaction.

"Hello, Elliot, Leo. It's nice to see you again." Oz Vessalius greeted and sat next to Gil, who had taken the place next to Elliot.

The blonde nodded in return. He was thankful when white robed men came up onto the small platform stage. The front half of Vanessa's casket was opened. People rose row by row to say their final goodbyes. Elliot squirmed in the back row, but as his row's turn neared he pondered staying in his seat. His father had. With a grimace Elliot watched the rest of the people go up.

Finally, Elliot, Leo, Gilbert, and the Vessalius family walked up to the platform and next to Vanessa's coffin.

If the heir hadn't known better, he would've guessed the girl died from natural causes. Heart attack, or something. She wore a dark purple dress that had long, lacey sleeves and a high button up neck that covered her death wounds. The plum hue of her dress contrasted nicely with the white coffin and white décor. Elliot whispered a farewell, and was pulled to the back of the room.

Elliot pushed himself to pay attention. His eyes kept leaving the priest against his will, surveying the people around him. Some rubbed their eyes, others sniffled. He even caught the Rainsworth girl dab around her eyes. But Elliot couldn't bring himself to tears, though he felt like doing so. The whole situation seemed alien to him, even though this was his third time attending a sibling-related-death-event.

With an irritated sigh he looked at the decorations and wondered who the bloody hell picked them. First, why all white? White was such a pure and innocent color, and Vanessa had been so vastly murdered. And there was too much of it. Elliot was almost positive he wouldn't be the only one walking away with a headache.

With nothing more to complain about, Elliot tuned back in with everyone else. He bowed his head along with the others around him, eyes closed, "Beloved, sleep. Thy conflicts now are past, and thou art crowned at last. . ." The priest's voice trailed off and he called them back.

The blonde wondered if someone had requested a short prayer. His family was no where close to religious, and Elliot personally didn't worship a God religiously, though he believed, and Vanessa had been an atheist. He remembered how Hymns had, for some reason, especially annoyed her. Probably because they were the longest and took the most effort to remember.

Out of his daze, Elliot noticed people standing and starting conversations again. "What's happening?" He asked to no one in particular.

Oz smirked, a bit sadly. "Figures you weren't listening. The service is over now, and we are going outside for the burial."

The Nightray followed behind Oz and Gilbert with the noirette at his side. He couldn't help but noticed how Oz kept brushing his hand against Gilbert's or how when they bumped into each other the contact lasted longer than it would usually.

Before he could ask, he was forced to stop around his sisters (now closet) casket that hovered on a machine over a hole in the ground. Last words were asked for. No one stepped forward. The machine creaked as it was cranked lower into the ground, released the casket safely into the earth, and came back to the surface. People started leaving then, and Elliot grabbed the sleeve of Leo's jacket and pulled him along after him.

He stopped suddenly and turned around. "Gilbert? Are you coming . . . home, tonight?" He felt awkward asking, but he admitted to himself he'd missed his adopted brother. Said person looked to his master, then back at his younger brother.

"Yeah. We're coming now." Elliot nodded once and started back towards the carriage that awaited him and his servant.

Elliot sat awkwardly on the couch across from Gilbert and Oz, waiting for Leo to come in with tea for them all.

"So," Gilbert broke the silence. "You and Leo are . . .?" He averted his eyes to oz, then back to Elliot.

"Together?" He finished for his brother, who nodded once. A look of disbelief and cheer crossed Oz's features. "Oh. Yeah, we are." He blushed and turned his face away from them. As if on cue, Leo came in with a tray of tea and tea cups which he set on the table. Elliot pulled the raven haired boy down close to him.

"So, we're even now." Elliot took a sip of his tea.

"Huh?" Gilbert blinked.

"I know about you and Oz, you know about Leo and I. We're even."

"How did you . . . ?"

"Honestly, it wasn't that hard to figure out." He nodded towards Oz, who'd slumped on the couch and placed his head on Gilbert's chest.

Oz laughed and looked up at Gilbert, intertwining his fingers in the black locks and pulling their lips together. Leo and Elliot averted their eyes around the room, landing them anywhere but on each other and the two in front of them. After three excruciating long minutes, Elliot cleared his throat. Oz broke away with a sigh.

"Anyway, what were we talking about?"

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After writing this, I really hate even thinking about funerals xP I'm sorry it was so long ^^ but, funerals are not short, and it's not like Elliot can just walk out. Yaoi next chapter! X3 I hope you enjoyed the short lived Gil x Oz..