The Last Thing We'll Do

Chapter Eight: Brother, My Brother

I don't own Baccano!

"You'd think he's the one having the baby," Claire said, exasperated, as he failed his arms in the air and slammed them down on the table. "I mean, I get the kid still doesn't trust me, but he could at least pretend to be happy about it. What do you think? You're the smart one."

Luck shrugged. His lips were unmoving but always seemed to smile, except when the light hit his face a certain way and he looked scarier than Hell. Even when he spoke, his face remained calm, his lips barely seemed to move, and his voice was as melodic as a sad sailor's song. Despite his true age and apparent age, Luck was full of history. "Maybe you're taking things the wrong way." He said simply.

Claire stared at Luck with a flabbergasted expression. Luck shrugged again.

"Perhaps he has a bit of the Stockholm Syndrome." Luck stated, and for a moment it looked like he was amused. Luck rested his elbow on the table and cupped his chin with his hand. "If you are the incarcerator, then he would be the victim. He's grown accustomed to you, and now this baby is threatening to break the bonds. Czes probably doesn't like it." The youngest Gandor brother explained flatly.

"Wait a tick." Claire replied, touching his temple with his forefinger. "You're tellin' me that Czes is…"

"Jealous. Yes." Luck finished for the seemingly dumbfounded and animated redhead.

"Naw. Look Luck, Czes isn't like that. He's as cold and calculating as you. Besides, I'm pretty sure he still wants my balls on a plaque." Claire sighed.

There was a brief moment of silence before Luck chuckled, but only the slightest bit. "Claire, I doubt it." He finally said. His molten bronze eyes seemed to smile with amusement as Claire scowled like a child. "You forget that he doesn't age." Luck explained. "That means really, he still has the mind of a boy. They become easily attached to everything, and frightened at anything that intimidates them. He's just about as immature as you are."

"Hey! Wait a minute Luck! You're calling me immature!" Claire boomed in response and folded his arms across his chest, a pout plastered on his face. "That isn't a correct or nice statement!" The two stared at each other for a long time. A veil of silence so thick, it was palpable. But suddenly the two laughed. They understood each other like brothers, and Claire accepted who he was with utter bliss.

"Anyways Claire, remember that man you took out for me a month ago?" Luck said, taking out a wad of bills and began to count out an unbelievable sum. "His friends are wandering our turf again. I'm looking for a reliable man to do the job." Luck looked up at Claire and winked.

But the famed assassin shook his head, and waved his hand in front of his face. "If I'm going to be a father, I'm going to have to get rid of Vino." He explained, in all seriousness.

Luck's perpetual faint smile grew for a slight second and his eyes light up, "Now that's very responsible Claire. Why the change, if I may ask?"

Claire shrugged. "I don't know…" He answered, cautiously. "But I think it's got something to do with Czes."

Luck bgan put away the wad of cash. It was hard to tell if he was pleased or not… that faint smile created the perfect poker-face. Then, Luck paused, halfway to putting the money away in his pocket. "You're going to have to get a real job. It's not going to be easy." Luck counted out the bills until Claire's eyes grew wide. "Congratulations, brother." Luck Gandor said, this time a genuine smile on his pale lips. He handed Claire the money and added, "You really love that kid, don't you?"

Sorry for the wait my friends. But I hope it was worth it. This is the second to last chapter. That's right chapter 9 is the last. Thank you soo much for your comments. Please keep them coming. No flame, only constructive criticism and love.