Do you?


Matt knew when two people were in love. Comes with the life of being a bartender. After seeing so many people of all different types, Matt thought he knew it all.

However, when Viel payed him a quick visit, Matt realized he didn't.

"Matt?" The barkeeper looked up, smiling at the newly appointed Messenger for the area.

"Hey Viel! Congratulations on th' Messenger thing!" Viel smiled in thanks, but his eyes were stormy, threatening to reveal the true nature of his visit.

Matt frowned, recognizing the expression, "Woah there cowboy, what's wrong?"

Viel glanced around the bar, little groups of people conversing quietly over drinks, "Not here."

Matt gestured for him to follow him, then called back to a fierce looking gentleman, "Hey Rob, take over the bar or a little!" The gentleman nodded and Matt led Viel to the back room.

"Viel, what's going on? Don't know how to deal with being a Messenger? Need The Talk? Problems with women?" Matt's small humor made Viel smile, but it faded as the last question registered in his mind.

Matt rolled his eyes, "Well son, women are, well, a mystery to us men. Just gotta be forward and direct with 'em."

Viel hesitated a second, "It's... it's not that." He fell silent.

I can trust Matt, right?

Matt raised his eyebrow, "Well then, what about 'em? You obviously have some question in mind."

Viel was silent for a moment.

"There's a woman I'm in love with."

Matt deadpanned, duh.

"But... she's... she's not... human."

Silence.

Matt paused, "Ah, Elise, isn't it."

Viel recoiled a bit, startled at Matt's revelation, "Y-yeah, how'd you know?"

The bartender shrugged, "Not many females nowadays can throw an entire wooden table across the room like she did. Had my suspicions, but I guess they were true."

Viel sighed, "Well, you should know why I'm conflicted then."

Matt rolled his eyes, temporarily reverting to his childhood slang, "Son, if you ain't gonna get her, someone else will. An' I bet she won't accept anyone 'cept you."

Viel stared at him, translating the strange words into proper Runeterrean, "But we're partners in on the Messenger side of business. Something like this could interfere with our runs."

"So?" Matt snorted, "If anything, it'll make you two look after one another even more than you do now. As it is, you two are practically inseparable with the exception of doing Messenger jobs."

Viel spluttered, a weak excuse on his tongue, "But... I don't... I-"

Matt cut him, full parental-father mode on, "But nothing. You've been my supposed son ever since you stopped by here. As a bartender, not many ladies look to me as a partner. I will not see you, in such a high position already, turn down such a high-ranking, nice, and downright strong-willed woman."

Viel was silent for a moment.

"What if she rejects me?" The question was just above an audible whisper.

Matt hesitated. The truth was harsh. 'Course, Matt knew all about rejection, having been turned down on 3 separate occasions. But Viel had no experience, and both of the males knew that Viel's life could very well fall into depression.

In that moment, Matt saw through the mask of indifference that Viel wore.

Viel was in love. And he was so far in love, he couldn't pick another woman if he wanted to.

"Viel."

Viel looked up, staring into Matt's eyes.

"Elise will not turn you down. I know it," Matt said in the most sincere voice he could. He meant it too.

Viel's eyes slowly cleared, realizing what Matt had implied.

Elise loved him back.

Or did she?

Only one way to find out.

Viel nodded to Matt, "I'm gonna go. Thanks for the talk Matt."

Matt gave a mock two-fingered salute, "Good-luck my boy. Go get her."

And then, Viel was gone.


Viel wanted some answers.

As he ran, only one question and statement went through his mind.

I love you.

Do you love me back?

Instincts led him over roof after roof, through windows and over pipe lines.

When his feet finally stopped moving, Viel realized where he had gone.

Elise's hideout.

Elise stood in the doorway of the little hut, leaning against the frame.

She took in his heaving chest and wide eyes. His worn boots, the rustling of his cloak. His dirty, dark hair, his bloody fingernails.

"Well, you look like you just went through hell," Elise commented.

Viel's eyes softened at her voice, "Yeah, I guess I did. Listen, I need to talk to you." His tone turned serious.

Elise joked, "Well, you are right now, aren't you?"

Viel chuckled, the deep, rasping sound of someone who lived on the streets for too long.

"Yeah, I guess I am. But I need to ask you something. Something important."

Elise raised an eyebrow at that, putting her joking manner aside, "Shoot."

Viel collected himself, his whirling mind slotting itself into a neat state. His eyes turned pink. Resolve firmly settled, he said:

"I love you."

Elise's breaths caught in her throat, her calm exterior breaking.

Viel took a breath, "Now the question is..."

"...Do you love me too?"


Red Eyes regarded the man standing before them.

Do you think he is sincere?

The Heart replied, Of course he is.

But we cannot interfere with our runs, the Brain mused.

The Eyes sighed, He's handsome, I'll say that.

The Heart sighed right along with them, Agreed.

Shut it, all of you! Elise scolded, Let me decided for myself.

Her soul stilled.

Elise had no doubt that Viel was sincere. His red-turned-pink eyes confirmed that and his very nature would probably prevent him from lying to her anyway.

They both worked for Kain, acted the same, and their personalities complemented each other.

They would be together for almost every waking hour.

Now, it seemed, the question for her to ask was...


"Will you remain loyal to me?"

Viel replied immediately, "Yes."

And Elise loved him for that.

Elise smiled softly. Not a smirk. Not a grin. Just a gentle smile for Viel. Just for him.

"I love you too, Viel."

Elise beckoned him forward, and Viel stepped forward, hesitant.

"I've haven't hugged someone for a long time-"

"Silly, c'mere already."

They embraced.

"Man! Finally! Thought that would never happen!" A voice came from behind Viel.

Viel jumped away from Elise and spun around, "Yal!"

His sneaky friend had followed him, grinning at him, "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul."

Elise stalked over to him. Her face must've been fierce because Yal paled a bit and took a step back, "Seriously, I won't."

Elise retreated to Viel, his arms automatically encircling her, resting against her stomach.

"But anyway, Viel," Yal was grinning at him again, "Nice job on getting a girl! Some of the other boys were beginning to think you were gay..."

"Bah," Viel rolled his eyes, "Those guys are just weird."

Elise quipped, "Yeah Yal, just your type."

Yal look surprised, then his grin turned back on, "I like her, she's cool."

He winked at Viel, "Well, I best be going so you can have alone time~"

Yal left, leaving the other two red-faced.

Elise glanced to her right, where Viel had gently laid his chin to rest, "You need new friends."

Viel glanced back, "Yeah, I do. But I'll keep you."

Elise smiled, gently easing his arms off her, "C'mon, let's go inside, I'll show some things we can do together."

Viel's eyes widened, the pink burning a little brighter.

Realizing that the statement sounded a little... dirty, she amended, "Watching movies... I meant movies."

He relaxed and nodded, following her inside her hut.


Gonna start moving the story to the main plot, that's why it's going a little faster. As always, feel free to leave comments, concerns, and/or reviews.

On a side note, please check out the author "Matteoarts" (I hope I spelled that right, sorry in advance). He writes some great stories for certain categories and he's really inspired me to keep writing this story.

Until next time, IJM.