A/N: Ty! You said no more Gaignun! What is he doing here?!
Ok, ok, let me explain. XD
Gaignun is in here b/c we have to say goodbye to him right? I mean it would be kind of weird if he just suddenly disappeared into thin air...actually I don't think the Albedists would care all that much... Well anyway, my point is that we have to say goodbye to him. Basically we're doing that this chapter, saying goodbye to Gaignun and saying hello to Albedo.
Yes I said saying hello to Albedo, so you should all be happy. XD No Gaignun/Jr. love. It's not twisted enough for this story.
Warning: This chapter is ridiculously long. Like seriously ridiculously long for it to be so empty. XD Does that make sense? Didn't think so. We all know I have a thing for making sure minor characters are there. Sorry. ^^; I'll make up for it next chapter.
I do not own Xenosaga or its characters if I had there would have been a lot more brotherly love XD
"It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You realize the only thing that's changed is you." -Benjamin Button
Abnormally Attracted To Sin
Chapter 4
Homecoming
"He's touching him."
Albedo remained silent, ignoring the voice and the laugh unhidden in the words.
"Hey, he's touching him."
Albedo closed his eyes behind his white mask and inhaled sharply.
"Hey, hey! You listening to me?" Albedo didn't shrug off the hand on his shoulder or release the breath he held either as Virgil leaned in from behind to whisper "He's touching him."
Albedo knew that Gaignun was touching Jr. He could see it. The contact was innocent and would not have bothered him at all beyond a small twinge of jealousy if the undertones playing at the edges of Virgil's voice had not been alluding to something entirely different.
"You know," Virgil continued, grinning viciously behind his mask. Oh this was fun. He'd discovered a way to unravel Albedo's newly obtained calm. It was stupid of him, he knew, but Virgil had found the red control button and he just couldn't resist.
"I bet he gets to touch him all the time. And you know what else? He lets him. He just stands there and lets him touch him."
Fury was building angrily inside Albedo at every word. It rippled like boiling water in his veins seeking a way to burst through damming skin. His muscles and stance remained relaxed, however. From the outside he seemed perfectly calm as the raw anger coiled tighter and tighter inside him, ready to snap. It finally did with a painful broken force when Virgil whispered, "I think he likes it."
Virgil's mask was ripped from his scarred face just in time for Albedo's fist to land against it. The force was enough to send the Blue Testament staggering backwards a few steps. He didn't have time to think of a counter let alone defense as another blow to his stomach knocked the air out of his lungs and sent him doubled over. He coughed and wheezed against pain on unsteady feet until said feet were knocked out from under him. A foot slammed harshly into his neck and stayed there, pressed against his throat. He choked and glared up at his attacker. Albedo smiled maliciously down and him, his eyes a sickening parody of compassion.
"Now I'm touching you, Addict. Any objections?" Albedo asked. Virgil was snarl was animalistic and threatening in reply.
"I see. How very bold of me, I mistook your playful banter for flirtation. Though I will admit that I don't see much of a protest." Albedo bent down in a strange way, keeping his foot against Virgil's throat. "In fact I think you are enjoying this. Yes, I think we both are."
A shift in the space around him made Albedo look up in time to see Virgil's gnosis. The beast hovered over its master protectively, its round body twitching slightly. The gnosis growled in a way that mirrored Virgil's ealier sound and took a swipe at him, missing by mere inches. Albedo jumped back a bit, the smile still on his face. Virgil grinned back. Albedo might have knocked him down but Virgil had caused him to snap. He'd won. Albedo scoffed at the gnosis.
"Reinforcements." He observed condescendingly. "You neglected to mention that this was a double date, Addict."
Virgil's grin shifted into a smirk. His stance became cocky as he crossed his arms. He didn't say anything, instead raising a hand and beckoning Albedo to come. The White Testament was more than happy to oblige. The space around him began to vibrate softly at first, sending small rumbling waves through the ground beneath him. The waves spread and twisted, becoming more and more violent until the everything around them was nothing more than a swirling mass of shifting space. A piercing sound screamed through the waves and Albedo's features twisted into pure evil. Before he could introduce his "date" a smooth, commanding voice cut through the madness.
"Albedo."
Both Testaments looked over.
"Virgil," The voice said, just as sternly.
They both frowned. Virgil's monster vanished as well as the shaking space threatening to materialize around them. The Red Testament frowned at them behind his mask.
"You are wasting time."
Virgil made a face and crossed his arms. "Wasting time? What the hell are we supposed to be doing?"
"Scientia is on the move."
Virgil shrugged and sighed, "Isn't that more reason for him to send you?"
Kevin's voice was hard when he responded. "You are going, Virgil. Distract them for a while, but do not reveal yourself to her."
"How long is 'a while'?" Virgil groaned, already nauseous at the idea of having to spend time with Voyager.
"Until you are given orders otherwise," Kevin replied. Virgil rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. The mask Albedo had so gracefully ripped from his face disguised him again. He looked at Kevin and pointed to it in an annoyed fashion to indicate his compliance.
"Out," he said and then he was gone.
Kevin nodded to himself, satisfied. His eyes slid over to Albedo's retreating figure.
"Albedo."
The White Testament stopped. "Lust?"
Kevin ignored the name. "...Where are you going?"
Albedo raised a hand to grip the bird-like mask. He looked down at it as if studying it for a moment before chuckling lightly to himself.
"It has been such a long time..." he said to himself more than Kevin. The mask in his hand molded itself into the shape of a smooth, white masquerade mask. It was perfect in its porcelain sheen. Scarlet thread work wove its way along the edges to form into intricate rose petals. He sighed sadly and placed it back onto his face, tying the silk around his head. He looked back towards the Red Testament. Kevin wasn't sure what to make of the look on his face. It seemed to contradict itself, contrast in the set of his lips and the light in his eyes. The mask hid it too well. Albedo tilted his head a little, showing in a similar yet completely dissimilar way that Virgil had his compliance. He turned then and continued his interrupted walk. On his way out he spoke quietly over his shoulder, "I am going home."
It was a simple and plain fact. Completely obvious really and it hadn't taken long to figure out. Purple eyes narrowed angrily, lips pulled back into a snarl, that low angry growl whenever he got too close.
Alby didn't like Gaignun.
And Jr. found that quite hilarious.
"Hey Gaignun," He said, "Put your hand right here."
"No, not after the last time."
"Aw, please? Please, just one more time."
"I'm glad you're getting a kick out of this."
"Me too. Come on, one more time. One more time. It'll make me feel better."
"You are fine."
"Gaignun! You're making me sick. No, I mean it. Don't roll your eyes at me. I think I'm feeling a little light-headed. In fact if I stare at that wall over there long enough it opens up and a bright light comes shining in complete with a really pretty angelic choir."
Gaignun laughed and shook his head. "Jr., you can't be serious."
Jr. shrugged at that. "You're right I don't know how to be but that's not the topic right now. Please?"
Gaignun glanced over at the puppy curled in Jr.'s lap. Alby glared up at him, eyes wide with warning and ears flat against his skull. He sighed, couldn't believe he would do this again after he had already been bitten but leaned over to touch Jr.'s shoulder anyway. The tiny animal leaped forward but Jr. caught him, laughing as he squirmed and barked at Gaignun.
"I've never seen him act that way towards anybody. You must be a bad person, Gaignun. Is that what it is? Gaignun trying to kill me little guy?"
A sinking feeling arrived in the pit of his stomach at Jr.'s words. He managed to shove it aside and said in a controlled voice, "I would never do anything like that, Jr. You're more likely to kill yourself than I."
"Hah, ain't that the truth! See there, Alby? Nothing to worry about and besides you're going to have to be nice to Gaignun. He lives here or...rather...there," Jr. said, motioning slightly towards the door were the girls sat, waiting for them. Gaignun caught the double meaning in his words and gave him a quick shove while Jr. laughed and held back his guard dog.
"Jr. enough. If you want to leave let's go now or I will walk back to the counter and talk a nurse into making your discharge papers disappear."
"Not like you'd have a hard time..." he murmured.
He carefully put the puppy beside him on the bed and slid down, frowning a little at the pain that he hadn't been completely lying about. Without the medicine in his veins the dull painful throbbing was back, ensuring that he wouldn't be very patient today. Not that he was ever chock-full of virtue to begin with...
Gaignun nodded, dismissing Jr.'s mumbled statement and left the room to give his brother privacy.
After a little while and Jr.-sized tirade later (apparently over his missing earring that had never actually been missing to begin with) the four of them made their way out of the hospital.
"Jr.," Gaignun had said on their way out, amusement in his voice. "You're not doing a very good job of hiding Alby."
Jr. looked up at the younger man and Gaignun almost laughed aloud at the white puppy curled up in the folds of his jacket. Shelley smiled too, able to see a small white ear from his collar. Mary covered her mouth with a hand and giggled.
"Lil' Master," she whispered, bending down, "I can carry him for ya'."
"It's fine," Jr. said, "No one can tell and Alby missed me."
Jr. wondered if the Alby could understand him because the puppy let out a playful bark at that sentence, drawing unwanted attention in the hallway. Everyone around them froze, looking suspiciously at them. Gaignun shook his head while Mary giggled and Shelley gave a quiet laugh.
Jr. sighed, waving a hand at Gaignun to silence him before he could say anything.
I'll take care of this, he sent.
He looked around before deciding on a nurse in particular who was eyeing him. He strode over to her, his arms crossed, eyes on the floor.
"Ma'am," Jr. started, his brow furrowing as if what he had to say was very serious business, "I am in no way hiding an animal in my coat, I assure you."
The nurse smiled fondly down at him. He raised his eyes to her, expecting a response when Alby barked again. Jr. froze and coughed into his fist to muffle the sound but the nurse raised an eyebrow at him playfully while the others snickered softly behind him.
"No, no really! Look I know what this sounds like but I just have a really bad--"
Jr. held up his arms in a defensive gesture but doing so caused his hold on Alby to slip and the puppy fell lightly out of his jacket and onto the floor.
"Uh..."
The staff laughed at him and the nurse who he had been addressing placed her hands on her hips.
Jr. scooped Alby up and shook his head, "It's Mary's fault! She brought him in here."
"Lil' Master!" Mary scolded. Jr. winced.
"Fine, it was Shelley."
"Little Master."
"Ok, ok," Jr. admitted. "It was my dad. I was trying to protect Gaignun so he wouldn't get into trouble."
Gaignun's face met his palm in disbelief as Jr. continued on with his story.
"But see, it was only to make me feel better because Alby is allowed in the Durandal's infirmary and...Please don't arrest my dad! He was just trying to help!"
Mary walked over and grabbed hold of one of Jr.'s wrists with a sharp jerk. A frown that was border-lining on a smile was painted on her pretty lips as she began to tug him back down the hallway. Jr. pretended to struggle and fight but allowed Mary finally lead him out the doors of the hospital.
Shelley rubbed her master's shoulder sympathetically, doing a very good job of hiding her own amusement.
"Well at least he didn't say anything about my being a 'man whore'," Gaignun muttered.
"Master Gaignun, we should leave. It would be unfortunate for you to arrive late to Fifth Jerusalem."
Gaignun nodded and removed his hand from his face. He moved away from Shelley toward the nurse to explain his son's (and apparently his) behavior but she merely shook her head.
"It's the least we can do after all of what happened, Master Gaignun," her face turned serious then at the mention of the unexplained ruination of Jr.'s hospital room. "We are terribly sorry."
Gaignun gave her a polite smile, "No, don't worry. We seem to attract that sort of attention. He is safe and that is all that matters."
He gave her a small bow in thanks that made her blush slightly before turning around, taking Shelley's arm in his and walking toward the noise outside the hospital he knew was coming from his "older" brother.
"Do you really have to go, Master Gaignun?" Mary whined, wrapping her fists in his suit as if she were a begging child. He smiled softly and nodded.
"You know I do, Mary."
Mary frowned and Gaignun, deciding he didn't like that look on her pretty face, placed a kiss on her forehead.
"I'll be home as soon as I can."
Mary pouted and wrapped her arms around his neck to give him one final hug before taking a few steps back so that her sister could say goodbye.
"It saddens me to see you leave, Master Gaignun," Shelley whispered, drawing a finger along his jawline, her eyes following the motion. She looked up at him with a coy smile before planting her lips against his. "Please try not to forget about us, Master," she whispered as she pulled away.
"Oh, I won't anytime soon" he assured with a grin.
She smiled back and pulled away to stand beside her sister. Without the girls blocking his line of vision his eyes fell on his brother. Jr. gave him an expectant look and crossed his arms.
"What," Gaignun asked, raising an eyebrow, "No hug?"
Jr. smirked at him, "I've seen your hugs and I don't think I want any part of them."
Gaignun nodded and turned toward his departure flight.
"Jr...," He sighed, knowing that nothing he could say would get Jr. to admit that he needed help.
"Take care of yourself. It is a little pathetic that the younger brother has to watch over the older."
"It is," He answered.
"You are going to see the Durandal's doctor every day for the next month, understand me?"
Jr. rolled his eyes, "Yes father. Anything else?"
"Absolutely no alcohol."
Jr. face dropped at that. "That's not fair!"
"That is, until I get back. Don't think that you can try to sneak any either. By the time you get home the entire crew - and yes I do mean the entire crew: Realians, humans, droids, employees - and even the Elsa will be banning your consumption. Don't think, either, that the Foundation will suddenly become a new source. I have informed all of the bars not to give you anything no matter how cute or charming you appear to be. I do mind, I will find out, and they will face the consequences."
Jr. glared defiantly at him, letting Gaignun know he was not happy and that he would find some sort of alcohol if only to spite him. The younger of the two knew that this was the best way to keep him from getting as much as he usually would in his absence. He certainly didn't need any while he was still healing but if he happened to find anything it would only be a bottle or two and that was much less than he would have been able to obtain otherwise. Gaignun didn't flinch under Jr.'s glare, knowing it was the best thing even if Jr. wanted to be stubborn and childish.
"Behave," he said. His voice firm and authoritative, but he let the faintest traces of a smile touch the corners of his lips,"And stay safe."
Jr. knew Gaignun was worried about him but this was ridiculous. He pouted a little, crossed his arms again and sighed. Well he didn't want them to part on such a sour note. He decided to give his little brother a break even though he obviously wasn't going to give him any leeway.
"I guess I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
Gaignun's smile fully formed then, Jr.'s words giving him a little relief. He nodded and continued to make his way to the shuttle.
Jr. should have went straight to his room to relax. He should have informed the Durandal's doctor that he was back, maybe even gotten a check-up. There wasn't really much one could do for a concussion but take it easy and rest, though it probably wouldn't hurt to make sure it didn't get any worse. That's what Gaignun would have wanted him to do. Jr. didn't like any of those ideas, however, and decided it was time to pay chaos a visit. He'd been without his other Makarov too long.
"Hey there, Little Master," Captain Matthews said from his seat.
"Little Master!" Hammer was the first to jump out of his seat and rush to him. Tony glanced backward over his shoulder before lifting himself out of his own seat.
"Hey guys," Jr. said, grinning at them. "Seem a little lazy today. Don't you have somewhere to be? Scarp to salvage? You know, Captain, you'll never pay us back this way."
Captain Matthews muttered something and pulled on the bridge of his hat.
"Glad to see you're alive," he grumbled.
"Yeah," Hammer added, "We were worried sick, you know?"
"So what's wrong with you," Tony asked as he made his way to stand beside Hammer. "chaos said you had a concussion or something."
"Yeah but it's no big deal. The hospital wanted to keep me there but I wanted to go back to the Durandal," Jr. shrugged, "Can't really do much for one besides keep tabs on it to make sure my brain's not rotting away."
"We tried to visit you," Hammer said, a hint of apology in his voice."They wouldn't let us in."
That surprised Jr. and the boy frowned, "Why?
"We weren't family," Tony snorted, brushing blond bangs away from his eyes.
"You weren't...Well wait a minute! They let a skinny brown boy in there before you two? Compared to chaos, you guys could be my brothers."
They both grinned at his comment.
"chaos was on some sort of emergency contact or something. I wasn't really paying attention. All I know is that I wasn't allowed in and neither was Hammer."
Jr. sighed tiredly and looked around the room, realizing that the "skinny brown boy" he had just mentioned wasn't at his usual spot.
"Where is chaos anyway?"
"In the men's cabin. He was pretty tired after the whole hospital thing so he went to sleep."
"Without--" Jr. stopped himself. He wasn't sure if the captain knew about chaos and Tony. Matthews might not like the idea of his crew screwing around on him, thinking they might be too easily distracted. Not that it would have mattered anyway. Jr. could force Matthews to get over it and Matthews probably owed chaos just as much as he owed Gaignun and Jr. even if it didn't amount in money. He might still give Tony a rough time and that could cause problems. Jr. just decided to keep the jeers to himself until he knew otherwise.
"Without...giving up my gun? Did you see where he put it?"
Tony seemed grateful so maybe his earlier assumption was right.
"No but he probably still has it on him."
"Hey Little Master," Captain Matthews said from his seat. "What happened in that hospital anyway? Heard there was some sort of assassination attempt. chaos came back pretty beat up."
"Not sure," Jr. lied, turning to head for the men's cabin and get out before he caught himself slipping up on something, "We're looking into it, but like I said it wasn't a big deal."
He waved off the matter, a smile on his face as he said goodbye and reminded them playfully of their debt.
When he entered the men's cabin he found chaos asleep on one of the beds. He walked over as quietly as he could, trying to decide the best way to wake him up. Finally, after considering all the possibilities he pulled out his gun.
"I'm awake, Jr."
'Of course,' he thought, unhappy that his fun was over before it had started. He walked towards the bed his friend was lying in and leaned against a wall. chaos let loose a breath as he turned over to look up at Jr.
"Well, well," Jr. started, crossing his arms. "What is such a pretty boy like you doing in here all by yourself?"
chaos laughed, "Sleeping. You should be doing the same."
"I would be," Jr. said, waving his gun, "If I could have my other gun."
"Gaignun didn't say that you could have it back," chaos pointed out sleepily.
"You're right he didn't. I did. Give it here."
chaos shook his head.
"chaos, please?"
"Will you promise," he started, carefully reaching around Jr. to pull on a glove. "to rest if I give it to you?"
Jr. nodded and backed up so that chaos could have more room to move around. chaos had a weird thing about not letting anyone touch his bare skin. Jr. had never figured out what the reason was behind that. He'd just decided it wasn't any of his business which was sort of strange seeing as how he usually blurted out questions whenever he felt the need. He was so busy wondering why he had never asked that he didn't notice when chaos finally stopped fumbling around his torn clothing to hand him the other Makarov.
"Sleep," chaos reminded him before handing over the weapon.
"Yeah, yeah. I will I promise. It's almost night anyway," Jr. grabbed his gun before chaos could change his mind and shoved it into his pocked. "Though I don't want you and Gaignun to expect me to lay around all day everyday. I want to get back to work tomorrow."
chaos smiled, "Fair enough."
He sat back down onto his bed, running an ungloved hand through his silver hair.
"Hey chaos, I didn't hurt you too bad did I?"
"No Jr., don't worry. I am fine," he said reassuringly. "Did someone tell you otherwise?"
Jr. shook his head, "No, you just look tired."
"I am that," chaos sighed, "But other than that no."
"Then I will get out of here so that you can sleep, buddy. Thanks for disobeying Gaignun. It's getting a lot easier to persuade you, you know?"
chaos nodded, "Yes and that is starting to worry me. Before you know it I'll be just as enthusasitic about your dangerous stunts as Tony and Hammer. Then who will protect you?"
"I can take care of myself!" Jr. defended. He decided now would be a good time to stomp away but paused for a moment and said over his shoulder. "Thanks for not telling them I went crazy."
"What they don't know won't hurt them," he answered simply.
"Thanks," he said again. "For that I won't tell Tony that you were flirting with me."
He heard the boy sigh behind him, "Thank you, Jr." he replied sounding completely grateful and if Jr. hadn't known him so well he wouldn't have noticed the playful sarcasm in it.
Word that Jr. was on the Durandal must have spread rapidly because the moment he left the Elsa and stepped foot onto the Durandal's dock it was packed with people. The silence was nearly palpable as they turned to stare at him. He flashed them all a mischievous grin.
"Hey guys," he waved.
The silence was broken as four 100-series ran to him.
"Little Master!" They cried in unison, wrapping arms around him gently.
"We were so worried, Little Master!"
"Are you ok, Little Master?"
"We missed you, Little Master!"
"Can we get you anything, Little Master?"
"Heh, thought I'd died, huh? No I'm alright, don't worry about getting me anything."
He untangled himself from them and took a few steps back to give himself room.
"Though girls," he started, giving them his most winning smile. Time to see just how loyal to Gaignun's word everyone was. "I've been feeling a little down today so I was wondering if..."
They all shook their heads, knowing where his question was leading.
"Sorry, Little Master. We are not allowed to give you alcohol of any kind."
Jr. sighed, his smile gone. "Well it was worth a shot."
"We're very sorry, Little Master. We would but it is Master Gaignun's orders."
"I understand," he said, trying his pitiful look. They all giggled at him quietly.
"No, Little Master."
"Man you girls are smart," he laughed, playfully running a hand through platinum blue hair. "Well if you are done seeing through me I think I'll go to my room now."
His words caused another round of giggles that changed instantly to blushes and dazed smiles when he winked and waved them goodbye, making his way through other worried employees.
After talking to everyone and explaining that yes he was indeed fine and that he would really like some alcohol (just to see if someone would give in) he made it to his room and plopped down onto his bed with a relaxed sigh. That sigh quickly formed into a groan as his headache from earlier began to bother him again. For a brief moment he considered going to the Durandal's doctor but decided the bed was too comfortable. It was so comfortable in fact that he almost fell asleep there but a strange scratching noise and a whimper from the other side of his door made him push himself up. He walked over to it and pressed a button. It slid open to reveal Alby sitting patiently, wagging his tail. He barked up at Jr. and stood up on his back legs, signaling for Jr. to pick him up.
Jr. bent down and took the small puppy into his arms.
"You are spoiled rotten," he said absently.
He fell backwards onto his bed, the puppy still in his arms. He sighed again.
"Listen," he said to the white ball of fur on his chest. "If you are going to sleep in here with me you can't hog the whole bed. I mean you are this little," Jr. made a motion with his thumb and forefinger to make his point clear. "You do not need this whole bed."
Alby tilted his head curiously at Jr.'s fingers before licking the tips of them. Jr. shook his head. It wasn't as if the animal understood him so why was he wasting breath on him? He scratched behind an ear and the puppy relaxed against his form, apparently tired as well. He relaxed into the mattress of his large bed and tried to ignore the dull throb of the headache against his skull.
It was strange to him how much more relaxed and comfortable he was here. In the confines of the Durandal everything seemed warm and cozy. No matter what happened he had this place, his sanctuary, his home. Even if the whole world went to hell he could slide behind the doors of his warship and know that he could find some sort of respite behind its walls.
"Psh. Now that made a lot of sense."
He wondered silently if maybe there was something wrong with him, then laughed at the thought. Gaignun's worry must have been getting to him.
"You asked for him, Jr."
Why did everyone think him crazy now? It was just a dream. People had nightmares all the time. It only made sense that he would too in his weakened state. He placed a hand over his right chest. He was used to it now, the silence, the emptiness. It was a strange sort of hole, a gaping abyss that anyone looking at him should have been able to see with just a quick glance. He could feel it too. Every time memory would crawl its way into his mind, every time a familar sight or color would pull up nostalgia it would create the dull throbbing pain of memory. A different kind of pain than the one in his head. It felt deeper, more dangerous somehow as if it was slowly consuming him. He hated it. He frowned and shook his head a little, trying to stop an oncoming of said pain right now. He pressed down on his chest absently as if to make sure that his fingers wouldn't slip into the hole his second heart had once lived in. Maybe painkillers weren't such a bad idea after all. If they knocked him out then he could ignore both pains. He sighed, trying to bring back the wonderful feeling of being within the walls of his Durandal. It wasn't working as well as medication would have but he was finally able to relax enough to close his eyes. He stretched a little and, too lazy to get out of his clothes, drifted off to sleep.
Albedo had always thought that notions of destiny and fate were meaningless words formed by the tongue and voiced by humans in an attempt to shrug off the inevitable or praise a life-changing experience that had benefited them greatly; a way of confirming that not everything they had done had been in vain and perhaps life had a mysterious method of repaying wrong-doings or a defeated acceptance of their helplessness to the occurances around them.
Albedo had always thought such an idea pathetic and weak. He shaped his destiny. He created the world in an image he wanted. His movements caused things to happen because he had willed it. His will, his movements, acts, washed over people and forced them under its wake. His was stronger, better than anyone else. He wasn't a failure, he was perfection and under his power lesser being crumbled. He shaped his existance. His world. Albedo's will was powerful and he was so very good at effecting and influencing the will of others, weaving his way through a person's volition to make his wants into actual happenings. He made lives. He destroyed lives. If it weren't for him people simply wouldn't exist.
He grinned at that last thought. A little presumptious on his part, wasn't it?
Because of that belief it had been hard for him to realize the many faults it had. Even as a Testament - even under the command of the very being that held the ripples and strings that formed Fate in his very hands- it was still hard.
Albedo didn't like the idea of being controlled, of having his entire movements set in stone. He could stop for a few moments and take the time to try and foil the ripples but he knew in the end somehow that would work against him; even his sneaky route to avoid Destiny's path would have been planned-out and documented.
He looked down at Jr.'s sleeping figure. His footsteps were muffled against the carpet of Jr.'s room, lost somewhere in the sound of the boy's breathing. A lovely sound, Albedo decided, pausing to listen to him. Just the same as he'd remembered. His eyes ran the short length of Jr.'s body, pausing on the pile of white fur. He hadn't changed at all; in appearance in attitude, the only thing that had changed was Albedo. Albedo's eyes fell on Jr.'s hand, resting on his chest, on his empty side. Albedo's features softened as he made his way over to his twin. Why wouldn't Jr. just admit it?
"Do you think..." he whispered gently, reaching out carefully towards him with a clawed glove. "That you will ever be able to forgive me, Rubedo?"
This was not the way he had wished for their renunion to take place. His palm flattened over Jr.'s hand, the square of revealed skin touching his. Albedo sighed at the feeling. He even felt the same. The only thing different was Albedo's absence. He admitted that he hadn't expected for it to have affected Jr. this much. It brought him a twisted sort of pleasure to know that Jr. cared so much about him even though he tried to hide it. That was going to make things so much harder.
"Bursting through the front doors with hatred and animosity was not how I wished to return home."
He wasn't exactly sure how he had expected their reunion to play out but he was certain that it shouldn't have been this way. He just wanted to see Jr. so much.
"Though I must admit...the beauty in this structure is so very tempting."
Hah! Tempting? Tempting didn't even begin to describe it. Albedo removed his hand from Jr.'s reluctantly. He turned his attention to the small, already fading scar on his forehead from the wreck he had been in.
"How do you consume my very being?" Albedo asked, painfully. "Devour me, break me, shatter me, destroy me and I will relish every second, every instant of my ruin. If it is you causing such ruination, Rubedo."
Albedo wasn't sure if it was worth it. Suddenly he felt like going back to Wilhelm and telling him that he had changed his mind. He couldn't go through with it. He didn't want to put Jr. through more pain.
"I am a monster, aren't I, Rubedo? And you are the savior, that is, if you find me worth salvation."
No. He needed this. He needed Jr. to admit that he missed him, that he loved him. It was selfish, he knew but...he just couldn't help himself. Jr. awakened things within him, things even before U-DO had infected him and maybe, just maybe, if Jr. could admit how he really felt Albedo could show him that he was more than just this monster.
"So let us begin then. Let us get on with this twisted fairytale. I think we'll play our parts very well. Stunning beauty and despicable monster, Belle and Beast."
Albedo was done deciding. He knew what he wanted. He stared at the spot under Jr.'s hand, the empty spot where his heart once resided. Albedo was tired of standing on the front porch. It was time to come inside.
"Would you welcome me home..." he asked quietly, running his thumb over Jr.'s bottom lip. "Rubedo?"
A/N: Wow this chapter was a whole lot of nothing, huh? XD I'm sure you're all upset with how long it has taken to finally get there but we're going to get started with this whole nightmarish thing next chapter.
The quote from this chapter might seem a little weird but I was watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button while trying to think of a fitting quote and Brad Pitt just said it and I grabbed it. Seriously fell over myself trying to scribble it down. XD I'm not sure if it fits as well as other past quotes but I liked it.
Hm...well I think that's all. It's finally over. You can go. CX
Reviews are my muse so inspire it up people.
