A/N: I seriously really suck. I said last chapter that I would update soon and it's what, like a month later? Oh well. I'm sorry to anyone who was excited about this. I'm not abandoning it and I never plan to. In fact, I even have the next chapter written (and I think you'll like it)!
Two weeks had passed since the last incident. Gilbert could feel that his mental state was becoming unstable. How does one cope with invincibility?
The thought haunted him, lingering at the back of his skull, constantly leeching his attention. It didn't help that lately he didn't have any distractions, since Alice and Oz were still recuperating. And he couldn't shake the feeling that Oz was somehow... distant. Or at least more distant than usual.
Gil bit his lip, white teeth settling into pale pink flesh threateningly as he tried to recall the last time he'd even spent time with his master. Two weeks ago. Ever since then he'd noticed Oz spending every waking moment with that infuriating rabbit. Could he be imagining that it seemed they were closer than ever now, now that Oz for whatever reason was avoiding him?
He couldn't imagine another time when the two of them had been distant. When they were little, or rather little together, they were practically joined at the hip. It almost seemed like Oz was afraid of keeping away for too long. If they weren't interacting, they were at least in the same room. Gil felt his constant presence was somehow comforting to his master, and if that's how it was then he was more than happy to simply sit in silence.
But now he felt like a bother. It made sense that Oz would prefer someone closer to his age. After all, his mind and body were still developing.
Mind... Gil shook his head. He was sure Oz's mind was as developed as his own, if not even more so. He was wise beyond his years, especially now that those emerald eyes had dulled just a bit as a result of the Abyss. But he was naïve, inexperienced, and still emotionally childish.
Gil promised he'd be by his side forever, but if he wasn't needed...
It took two drops of blood to land on his porcelain hand for Gil to notice he'd torn his bottom lip with his teeth. He blinked in surprise, dreadful thoughts turning to curious ones. He waited a moment, then licked along the wound to feel the cut fully healed. Fascinated, he stuck his lip between his teeth again, this time intentionally applying pressure. His eyes widened in anticipation as he pressed down, the pain reaching a peak when the skin reached its limit and this time more droplets of crimson blood dripped down his chin. It wasn't the pain he was fascinated with, but rather the rate of healing.
Shaken by his morbid curiosity, he used the inside of his coat sleeve to collect the blood, then grabbed his hat and set out for a smoke.
Oz plopped himself down on the couch, loosening his tie and unbuttoning the first button on his shirt. He sighed, relaxing into the cushions, allowing his fatigued muscles to crumble and ache with rest. He closed his eyes, resting his head on the top of the cushion behind him. He felt the couch dip, and then barely a delay before he felt a light weight on his shoulder and arm.
He smiled. If this training was taking a toll on him, then it was definitely taking a toll on Alice. Her weight was reassuring and he fought the heaviness that creeped into the muscles of his eyes.
He started this training almost immediately after the fight. At first, Sharon and Break resisted his efforts, planning to lock him in his room until his injuries were healed. But, with some... persuasion, or rather persistence (Oz's picklocking skills came in handy) at odd times of the day and night finally won Break over. Oz was sure though that if Break hadn't wanted to help him he would've tried harder to shake him off.
But the training was relentless. Break started out teaching him one-handed sword movements (he was glad he was right handed, although his bruised left side still slowed down his movements immensely) since as a noble he had basic fencing training. The goal was to start him out with a style of fighting he was comfortable with before moving on to gun training.
He was sore, more sore than he'd ever been in his life. Despite the rapid movements of his body and the lack of rest he was getting, his wounds were healing in less time than he'd anticipated. Or maybe the rest of his body was just as sore and the pain was now inconsequential.
On top of the training, Sharon insisted he spend more time with Alice. At first he was puzzled, didn't he spend most of his time with Alice anyway? But she'd explained that in order to strengthen their combined combat they needed to "resonate." He wasn't sure what the dreamy look she had when she said that implied, but he agreed and so did Alice. So they spent more time together much to Alice's delight. It reminded him of the days he used to play with Ada, and even more so as Alice's childish personality further revealed itself.
It was only dinnertime now, the afternoon sun still beaming deep reds and oranges over the porcelain dishware and silver cutlery. His eyelids drooped in resistance to the light and he could feel his consciousness leaving him as soft snores reverberated down his arm.
His face scrunched when he heard the turn of the doorknob to the room and he jumped, his eyes bursting open with new-found energy. He guiltily scratched the back of his head when Alice jumped as well, frowning, but as soon as Sharon and Break entered the room she jumped off the couch with a beaming smile on her face. Gil was right behind them, one hand on his hat before he slipped it off and hung it on a hook by the door. He stared at it thoughtfully for half a moment before coupling it with his trenchcoat. He turned, about to make his way to the table when he caught Oz's gaze.
Oz blinked, not realizing he'd been staring. His cheeks pinked lightly and he ignored them, settling on a wide grin before picking up his protesting muscles and hiding his pain well.
He'd noticed that lately things had been... tense with Gil. Gil didn't know about his training, which was vital. It went without saying that it would make Gil sick with worry, which he'd been enough of over the injuries alone. Plus he knew that his servant was feeling inadequate, as if his injuries in the last fight were Gil's fault. If he told him that he was training to protect himself, he couldn't bear to think of the painful look he'd receive.
Plus, spending time with Alice cut his time with Gil over half, since the two of them never got along. And not to mention the slight awkwardness left over from when he'd been eavesdropping on Gil and Break's conversation...
Oz sat at the table as Break and Gil worked on passing out food for the group. He smiled as Alice reached behind Gil's back and grabbed a piece of roast beef from under his arm as he leaned over to fill Oz's tea.
"Baka usagi! That isn't yours!" A fight ensued, as always.
Gil acted the same as ever, but ever since that conversation something felt... off. Oz shifted a bit in his chair as he used the fight as an excuse to observe his servant.
He'd never put much thought into Gil's love life. He was handsome, ridiculously so, and it was no surprise that girls flocked to him. So of course he'd had numerous girlfriends, right? Isn't that what Break meant when he mentioned comparing... he blinked, shaking his head to nip that thought in the bud. A flush creeped its way up his neck but he quickly suppressed it by focusing on his food that had somehow materialized on his plate while he spaced out.
But his stomach felt tight despite the deadly amount of physical training he'd done earlier. Did Gil... currently have a girlfriend? He contemplated it, but it wouldn't make sense. Or was Gil just good at sneaking out at opportune times to see her? After all, he was twenty-four and he'd had ten years to build up a relationship. Many nobles, as Gil now was, were married at this age.
Gil never showed much interest in girls when he was younger, but that might have been due to Oz's teasing and relentless questioning about various girls they knew.
Somehow it made him nauseous to think that Gil had an entirely different life outside of Oz. What a selfish thought, Oz scowled inwardly at himself, of course he has a life outside of me. He even has his own apartment.
He focused once again on his food. He must've been staring. But no one seemed to notice. Break and Gil were locked in a heated conversation about Pandora's plans to regain control over the entrances to the Abyss. Sharon and Alice were in their own world, Sharon having laid out an illustrated book for them both to swoon over.
He turned his gaze outside, noting the birds bathing in a birdbath in the garden, marking the start of spring. He suddenly wanted to be outside, feeling restless jitters work themselves up his overused legs. The day was at its most vibrant and he felt suffocated indoors, admiring its brilliance from afar.
He quickly scarfed down his meat, picked at his potatoes, then stood up, hoping not to draw too much attention.
"Excuse me," he said quietly, but no one paid him any mind. Just as he wanted. He needed a moment alone.
He slipped out into the hallway, re-buttoned his shirt and re-situated his tie so he'd be presentable, then made his way out the back door to the garden.
The air was fresh, slightly chilled as it drew goosebumps down his bare arms. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, and he was suddenly reminded of a simpler time during his childhood when he spent almost every day outside.
But now he was training to kill. It was hard to remember that sometimes in all his excitement to gain physical prowess, but ultimately, he was trying to murder chains and cast their masters to the Abyss. Not to mention to protect himself against the Baskervilles...
Is this what it felt like for Gil? Is this what he wanted to keep Oz away from?
But he was alone. He didn't have anyone but Break and a brother he doesn't even remember.
Or did he? He really knew nothing about Gil's time with the Nightrays. He'd just assumed from bits of conversation that he was a loner, shy, introverted, just as always. The lack of knowledge was more than unsettling.
He made his way through the winding trail of the gardens, passing through a courtyard and then an archway of shrubbery. Eventually he made it to a koi pond and he smiled, squatting down to watch. He glanced out over the pond and noticed he wasn't the only one watching the koi.
He smiled, standing up carefully so as not to scare the creature and tiptoed around to the other side.
"Hello there," he said, settling himself beside the petite black cat, reaching a hand out to reassure it. It retracted its paw from its positioning over the water, evidently trying to catch itself dinner, and sniffed his finger. Immediately it rubbed its cheek against his hand and he smiled, reaching both hands down to pick it up. It was young and inquisitive, and when he picked it up it sniffed his nose and its whiskers tickled his cheeks and he laughed.
"Do you have a name?" He asked, lifting its tail and determining its sex to be male.
He smiled wickedly. "I shall call you Raven."
The cat licked his hand in response. He didn't know if the Rainsworth family would take kindly to a cat in their home, but why would that stop him? He opened his vest, placing the cat in his pocket, his raven paws hanging over the edge. He seemed perfectly content in his new perch.
It sent a warm feeling through his otherwise uneasy chest and he was instantly attached to this new source of comfort.
"Come on, I'll take you in and find you something to eat... Raven." He smiled again at the irony of the name.
"Eek!"
As expected, upon meeting up with Gil in the hallway he immediately froze up, backed up several steps and shrieked.
Just like old times.
"Is that – that a -"
"A cat? Why yes, it is, Gi-ru~." He grinned, taking a step forward, only for Gil to take a step backward. "Do you want to pet him?"
"Wha – no!" He took another step backward.
"O-Oz." Gil said, trying to sound threatening.
Oz pouted, "Well that's too bad. Let's go, Raven."
Gil blinked, startled. Oz never called him Raven. Which meant -
"You named him Raven?" He stared, exasperated.
"Nn." Oz confirmed, that grin reaching almost from ear to ear. Then he continued walking, in search of supplies for his new pet.
"Oz!" He paused, turning back. When he got no reply, he prompted, "Yeah? Gil?"
"I-It's nothing." Oz stared a moment, but his mind was elsewhere and thus he set off again on his earlier course.
Gil watched Oz's back until he rounded the corner of the hallway, subconsciously holding his breath and only releasing it when he was out of sight.
"I miss you," was what he wanted to say. But of course he'd never say that to Oz.
Oz slept peacefully those following nights with Raven curled up in his neck while he slept. Alice and Sharon had been ecstatic about a new pet and he now donned a "masculine" blue bow around his neck, complete with a little bell to let them know where he was.
Unfortunately, this made Gil more distant than ever. He now favored the balcony or the hallway whenever Oz and Raven were together in a room, which was more often than not.
Oz woke up early one morning, dressing in preparation for training. He could already feel the difference in his muscles. His biceps especially had become lightly toned and he swore he could see the beginnings of abs beneath his shirt. His leg movements were much more agile and his lungs didn't burn as quickly as they used to. Today he would finally pick up a gun.
"Ohaiyo, Break-san!" Oz called as he reached the training room, but instead he found Alice curled up, sleeping against the doorframe. He reached down and ruffled her hair and she groaned a bit in her sleep.
Alice didn't need to be at these training sessions, since they were mostly for Oz. But she decided on her own that she couldn't be beaten by him. Oz had sighed and relented, allowing her to train with him as if it were a competition.
After about ten minutes of waiting, just when Oz was starting to become sleepy again, he suddenly heard in his ear, "Oz," and shrieked, backing away from Break and Emily. He was suddenly not as excited about training today.
"Oh, look at that, Emily, it seems all our training has been for null if one could simply sneak up behind our little brat."
"Eh? Who are you calling a brat?!" Alice jumped up and stood between Oz and Break defensively, her hands on her hips and a pout on her lips. "He's not a brat, he's my manservant!"
"Well then I regret to inform you that your manservant is a brat. Right, Emily?"
"Right!"
"Could we get started?" Oz said, smiling uncomfortably and feeling rather impatient.
"Eager, are we?" Break turned around and seemed to be fumbling with something. When he turned around, he was holding a pistol and a holster.
He spent the next ten minutes explaining the basics of shooting the gun, most of which Oz already knew, but the majority of the day consisted of Oz working on his aim. The sense of accomplishment he felt was spectacular, since by now he was hitting almost every target. His issue lied with the recoil and he groaned, frustrated, when he was once again knocked back and unable to aim straight.
Even the occasional "You can do it, Oz!"'s Alice was shouting were losing their strength. It seemed hopeless. He now had a much bigger appreciation for Gil's shooting accuracy.
"Let's quit for today." Break offered, or rather ordered, since he was already packing up.
"Let me keep trying. I almost got it." He aimed toward a post, but his hand was shaking from over exertion.
He sighed, giving up, thanking Break despite the condescending look he was now receiving. He flipped the safety mechanism on, then handed it to the older man.
He turned to leave, Alice in tow, "Hey Oz," Break said, "don't burn yourself out, brat. You'll have plenty of help in combat."
Oz knew what he was referring to. But this training was so he could protect himself and thus the people around him would stop getting hurt for his sake.
He smiled his usual grin, turning around, "I-"
Break was gone. How does he do that?
A/N: I love kitties.