As his injuries decreased in stability, Oz's happiness only seemed to increase. He said he looked forward to my daily visit, and the nurses reported that he often asked what time it was, so that he could count the hours or minutes until my return. I made sure to be there at the same time every day, so that there was a certain time he could expect me. On this particular day, Oz was just bursting with sunshine. How could anyone so destined for death be so damned happy all the time?
"Gil~" His voice rang out with a giggle, and he reached out a hand, grasping and ungrasping it playfully. What am I supposed to do with this? Taking his hand, I sat down next to the bed and smiled back at him. He only blinked, staring at my hand. Was I not supposed to take it? When I released my light grip, he quickly protested softly and only politely asked for it back. Obliging, I decided to start some meek conversation. "So," I mumbled, fidgeting lightly with his pinky finger – which he giggled at – and frowning, "have they told you anything about your condition?" He nodded, beaming.
"They told me that I'm going home very soon, Gil-kun!"
My eyes widened. Are they allowed to do that – to lie to a patient like that? I was about to speak the truth when I caught the glance of a nurse standing outside, checking Oz's clipboard on the doorframe. She looked slightly melancholy and only shook her head, moving on to the door next to ours. They aren't lying. He is going home soon. I realized this and mumbled a soft congradulationsto him, looking down at our hands. How could I let this happen? Giving his hand a soft squeeze, I looked back up at the boy with a slightly tearful smile. He beamed back at me, emerald eyes shining – oblivious to my guilt, obviously – and squeezed back.
"You know, you're pretty good-looking."
What a conversation opener. And forward, too. "I, uh... I-I am?" I mumbled, looking at him. He nodded, a mischievious smile coming to his lips. He noticed a change in me. Immediately, it seemed. "Yeah... What's up with your stuttering, Gil~?" The kid's playing games with me! He grinned at me with those sparkling green eyes of his. How odd, I thought. Green eyes and blonde hair. Sort of uncommon. "Huhhh~?" He laughed again, and I laughed, too. Yeah. Uncommon is definitely the word. Every moment, there was a side to Oz Vessalius that was discovered. Whether it was the polite, quiet side or the outgoing, childish side, it was him. And I loved every part of it. "...So, why tell me this?" I asked, trying to remain calm under heavily flushed cheeks. He noticed, as observant as he is. "Whatcha' so red for, Giiill~?" I'm getting about tired of this kid's teasing. "It's hot in here!" I yelled, and I could feel my brow twitching. Annoyance.
Finishing his laughing fit, Oz – who was six years my junior, mind you – leaned forward, totally serious but still holding a devious, yet oddly sexy smirk on his lips. "The reason I'm telling you, Gil-kun..." He grinned, looking directly into my eyes. What? What is it? "...is my own little secret~" I paused, looking back at him while he tried to contain his giggles. "...You little shit," I growled, and he fell into fits of laughter. "you're toying with me." He recovered quickly and looked up at me, frowning a bit. "...Nahh..." He grinned softly, eyes genuine. "I'll tell you the reason I said that, if you really want me to." I raised a brow. "Oh, really?"
He smiled lightly and – I thought I'd never see this – blushed pink, leaning forward and whispering the reason into my ear, earning a few light chills from me. "It's because I think you are, of course," He whispered, giggling a little.