Notes: I apologize; I have been very busy with school x.x I appreciate all the comments/support etc. I also apologize if I didn't answer comments etc. TuT I think...it's a little too late to respond but rest assured that they made me very happy and surprised :O
Chapter 10: Question
Add found Elsword with a blank stare reading Ain's book. Well at least he thought he was reading but he never seemed to turn the pages. Add debated whether or not to bring up his question now. Maybe later. He picked up his leather jacket and headed out to his date.
-/-/-
"You seem to be absentminded," Eve commented as she sipped her cup of tea. Her beige silvery hair cascaded down her shoulder.
"Huh? Oh..." Add mumbled. He stared out into the ocean. Maybe he should just skip the question and head for the source.
Eve was beginning to get irritated. "Add, look at me." Add turned his head slow. He stared at Eve's cute pink bow that she attached to her hair. He just wasn't feeling it today. Eve took out a black microchip and slid it across the table. "A gift, from me. It contains the data of the latest AI soldier we plan to produce."
Add picked up and twirled the chip in between his fingers. "...Thanks..." There were rumors that Eve's corporation, the Nemesis corporation, were experimenting on live humans by making them part cyborgs. There was no proof, however. "...Then...it's my turn." Add reached into his pocket and felt the soft felt box. He hesitated and let go. Instead, he leaned over the table and kissed her. Before, Eve would have slapped him but now she just blushed, huffed, and averted her eyes. Add didn't laugh at her reaction like he always did. Instead he got up and got ready to go. "Sorry, I have something to do. I'll make it up to you some other time." Eve stared at him in confusion as he left.
-/-/-
Add sat across Elsword.
"Did you used to work for Chung?" Add straight out asked.
Elsword's eyes were still blank. It wasn't until a few seconds that the book in his hands slipped and he stared dumbfounded at Add. A few seconds more and fear crossed his face. "I-I'm sorry! I'll leave! Don't imprison me! Please don't hurt me!" Elsword cried as he huddled on the couch.
"Relax, dammit! I just asked you a simple question. Did you work for him or not?"
Elsword had tears in his eyes as he nodded. "H-He's not a bad guy though! He just has family problems and—"
"Bullshit." Add's tone rose as he got up and gripped Elsword's wrist. Elsword winced as Add pulled up his shirt to reveal the scars that marred Elsword's skin. "Just because he fucking has problems doesn't mean that it's all dandy that he takes it out on you."
"Ahh...I..." Elsword trembled in Add's grip unable to get any more words out. He cried right then and there, terrified of everything of that moment.
'How could I think for a moment that this kid was sane,' Add thought. He averted his eyes and unleashed his grip. He patted Elsword's head and sighed. "Shh...Everything is gonna be okay. I'm not angry at you. I won't kick you out either."
Elsword glanced up to see Add looking the other way and blushing. "...R-really?"
"Really." Add sat down next to him and forced Elsword's head onto his shoulder. "...I was angry, but not at you. When I see things happen to people like this, I can't help to feel frustrated and furious because I know all too well myself how it feels."
Add was warm and comforting, a feeling Elsword had longed to experience again like the last time. Quiet tears still flowed from his eyes as he tugged on Add's shirt with ginger fingers. His eyes fell half lidded as he remembered the exact same feeling from Ain. His love escalated and it took all he had to restrain himself from looking up and giving Add a light kiss upon his cheek. Add loved someone else and that someone else was better and going to help Add. A painful ache racked Elsword's heart. Ain was gone. He had to accept that. Add wasn't Ain. He also had to accept that. Add...loved someone else...and that too...although painful, he had to accept as well.
The memories of his past life were paralyzed as he stayed within this soft comfort. They all seemed far away.
"...I won't ask any more for now. But...whenever you feel like, tell me more of your past. I...would like to know you better if you don't mind. Naturally I'll do the same. After all..." Add trailed off and decided not to continue the sentence. Add stood up to Elsword's disappointment. "...I didn't have a good date today. Eve gave me something interesting but...at this moment it's not really any use to me. I was thinking it was a good time to seal the deal. Will you help me?"
Elsword wiped his tears and beamed. "Of course, boss."