Disclaimer: I do not own nor claim to own this franchise or any of its characters.

Author Note: This should have been done days ago. It was Christmas and now Fairy Day week what is a poor fanfic writer gonna do? I am sorry you had to wait so long for this reveal which is probably isn't worth the wait. But the hidden secret buried in the unexpected twist mixed in the obvious reveal is much worth the wait I assure you.

Immobilized Rose

"Oh is it usually black?" Placido asks me.

"No." I reply with a deafening silence coating the room.

"So you're strange in mind and body?"

"Yes I suppose so."

My humor is gone, this man has me where it hurts and yet he remains polite. Quite a strange relationship, if it can be called that, we have.

"Like me?" He asks.

Placido's bronze legs gleam and I want to lick them just to end the conversation.

"Yes but I am even more strange in body than you."

"What's wrong, why's it black?"

"Because my blood isn't blood it's oil. My face isn't mine. I borrowed it and made it work with gears and clock work just like your lovely legs."

Placido tugs his legs under himself. I smile and touch his face.

"You stole a face?"

"You could say that."

"Who does that?"

"I do. I stole it from a man named Bruno, eyes and all. Mine was damaged beyond repair and he didn't need his anymore."

"I feel sick."

He lurches and vomits on the floor. I look into his rose red eyes and see the terror in there. He looks back into mine and I suppose he sees nothing but cruelty as it is what he wants to see. I rub his face some more to calm him. The white haired man purrs and leans into me.

"Now we train." I say after a bit.

"You just told me you stole a face and you want me to freaking train?! What the hell is wrong with you?" Placido pouts.

I smile again.

"Other than I had the guts to steal a face?"

"Oh God it's still gross."

"Uh-huh. Come please princess."

"What is that my nickname?"

"No. Your nickname is Rose."

He frowns at that but follows anyway. His bronze legs still without any covering.

"Placido-San your boots." I mention after we walk some feet away from the door.

He runs back to get them. I walk in to see him zipping them up frantically.

"You can not wear them sometimes though but I will be the only one there, alright?" I ask.

Placido nods and runs out, trips over himself and throws that delightful body to the ground. Even the slaves laugh. I extend a hand to the partial clock work and he grabs it. I glare at Aki and she takes the laughing blonde man away.

"You have other people from Italingland?" Placido asks.

"Yes, I have slaves but you aren't a slave." I reassure him.

I continue holding his hand until he throws it off. I walk down the corridors before coming to a room with two large wooden doors. I fling them open with abandon and walk inside. Placido trails behind me with his usual beaming smile. I take out a sword and flip it to face him before thrusting ever so slightly. He freaks out and before I know it has the sword by the blade and his heel against my throat.

"I see you have more skill than I thought." I grin.

He sneers and gets off.

"Those heels are sharp." I continue. "Good weapons but sadly you can't walk in them very well. Perhaps I will have Aki teach you how to walk in them better so you may use them in battle."

"Whatever." He replies.

"Pick any sword you like." I say.

He reaches for the broadsword immediately.

"Except that one." I finish.

Placido drops it and reaches look up to see that the rest are of Japanese make. He grabs the Tsurugi and swings it around a bit.

"Now that is a sword for swinging. You should stab as well but we'll work on that." I grin.

He thrusts it towards my face.

"Consider this a stab."

I nod and he lets it hang. He's much more competent then he seems. Maybe it is just the heels but now he seems competent in those. What happened?

"If you are so good then why did you lose our fight?" I inquire.

He thinks a bit before saying anything.

"Because I just got my legs." Placido replies.

"Just got them huh? Guess you're a fast learner."

"I am."

"So you could have killed me at any moment then?"

"Yeah but…"

"But what Placido-San?"

"I-Your guards would have been all over me and they would have killed me in seconds that's why shut up."

"Being defensive and cold will earn you nothing but my love, adoration and curiosity."

"Just shut up! I don't want any of your feelings!"

"And why not?"

"Because they make you weak and if I return them then I am weak!"

"Sometimes weakness is good Placido-San."

"Don't call me that!"

He lifts the sword again.

"No need for violence my Rose, keep the blade down."

Placido trembles before lowering the sword again.

"Antimony please don't try to make me feel."

He drops the blade completely and sinks to the floor. I walk up beside him and kiss his forehead.

"I can not agree to that Placido-San. It is my only wish to make you feel, to make your clockwork heart tick in time with the beating of mine."

He frowns and punches me. Reaching up to the oil mixed with blood I feel tears come to my dead eyes. He doesn't even know how much I love him does he? I love him more than I have loved anything, anyone else. He's so rude and so angry and it makes me love him even more.

"Then I want nothing to do with you." Placido sneers before leaving me sitting here.

Yuusei walks in and puts a hand against my shoulder.

"Are you alright sir?" He asks.

"Yes." I reply.

I cover my face with my hands so he doesn't see the oil.

"What's that black liquid?" He asks regardless of my tatics.

"Oil." I reply.

"Don't tell me why."

Yuusei reaches for my face and I abruptly stand up and leave for Placido's room. The rose is frowning in a corner. I grab his neck and force him down.

"What!" He snaps.

"I love you." I reply with false tears running down my false cheeks.

"I can't stand that!" He replies with a scream.

I press down on his neck and he gasps for air.

"You love me too!" I scream as I take his breath away.

"I have only known you a mere two days! I like you!" He shrieks as I press down yet again.

I release him. The white haired man lies there with his neck red and face blue and I see the glisten of tears in his eyes and on his cheeks. I reach up a hand and wipe the wetness from him. He doesn't even acknowledge me.

"I'm sorry." I say.

He blinks and using his hoarse voice whispers,

"Please don't do this again."

I stroke his hair.

"Strangle you or something else?"

"Make me cry. I don't want to feel anything for you."

That snapping is the sound of my sanity and my heart breaking in unison. I grab the chain and bind him again before leaving the room and the rose doesn't even speak.