Chapter 10: Depression
Gabriel was kinda weirded out by his chosen course of action. Though, it must have been because of how frustrated he was. Diabel's actions were illogical and his reasoning was flawed. Why pin pressure on the party with a majority vote, and then go without the guy that had the no-deaths plan? He often wondered about many things, but he could hardly bear thinking about this. He still couldn't save everyone like he originally wanted to, and that made him feel... incomplete. He didn't know how to react and right now he just wanted to sit down and start crying to himself. But still... Diabel would still be dead and the now unconscious Kirito lay on his shoulder, and he was was alone without support. Walking through the 'after-dungeon' of sorts. So he continued to walk.
"I shouldn't really talk... I made a dumb split-second decision either way. Considering how I spent nearly a month looking for my little brother only to send him off to go and level up after about a month of looking for him." He tried taking his mind off of the death of another human being. "Maybe it's just the fact that I think he'll die if he comes on these adventures of life or death with me... but should I care how he feels about the matter or should I just make him not care and ensure his safety... but wait, what if he gets depressed and ends up jumping?" He voice got more concerned with every passing word and his anxiety levels were increasing. He let out a sigh. "No. He can't do that he doesn't have the ability to be depressed." Gabriel mumbled, in a half-hearted effort to reassure himself.
Shuffle
He jumped with fright as he heard the noise, coming from his left. Then he hated himself for forgetting about Kirito. "So you're awake?" Gabriel forced a nervous smile. A false gesture to ensure that the fact he jumped won't be or wasn't witnessed by some other-worldly eyes... he was just being paranoid... wasn't he?
Kirito groaned in response to his partner-in-crime's question
"Well... how are you feeling?" Gabriel asked, his voice sounded shaky.
"I'm dead... why does it matter?" Kirito asked, he groaned even harder.
Gabriel resisted the urge to start chuckling at this statement. Then he chuckled because of what he was about to say. "You're not dead... you just fainted in combat. I saved your life and we're heading to the next floor.
His body falls even more limp and heavier than it was than it was unconscious. "Why... are you always so frank... I feel... sick..." Kirito grumbled, he sounded somewhat embarrassed but also... there was a hint of sadness in his voice.
Gabriel grinned deviantly and adjusted his hold on Kirito. "Just because..." He chuckled.
Kirito gripped the fabric of Gabriel's outfit as he nearly fell off of his shoulder. "Whatever..." He mumbled, his voice sounded a little brighter than before.
"I'm going to guess that you don't feel like walking." Gabriel smirked.
"No." Kirito mumbled.
"I'm fine with that." Gabriel stated and continued to walk at a casual pace. "You're lighter than my scythe anyways..." He stated, and opened his inventory to check if he had anything to eat. He was starting to get hungry. And maybe it would get rid of the last of his anxiety.
Kirito sighed and let his arms hang, he watched them move back and forth with each movement to pass the time.
"Hey Kirito."
"Hm?"
"You mind if I ask you something?"
He could hear the sudden change in Kirito's voice. "Sure." The black-haired boy tried to hide his own curiosity behind his self-pity and depression.
"When we get out of this place. I would like to meet you in the real world." Gabriel mumbled, his voice dropped several tones.
Kirito didn't take the shock lightly, he rolled off of Gabriel shoulder and vomited on the stone-floor. He held up a finger telling Gabriel to wait for a moment. He just crossed his arms and waited. "You know... that's a pretty mean response to give somebody... especially to a person who took a sword directly through the chest just to save your life." Gabriel muttered.
"Sorry... I was... I was just surprised." Kirito got back to his feet and his light-grey eyes seemed to glow with a newfound sense of joy. It made Gabriel smile.
"Ah!" Kirito said and covered his eyes.
"What?"
"You smiled."
"I did what?" Gabriel asked, and looked at him with a passive expression, all emotion was completely gone in the blink of an eye. He was pretty good at that.
"You know..."
"No I don't." Gabriel stated, jammed his hands into his pockets and started walking quickly towards the exit, he felt his cheeks get warmer with embarrassment. He let his emotions take over... he hated it.
Kirito struggled to keep up. "Oh come on... you didn't even know what I was going to say." Kirito sighed.
"You're such a softy... my little sister could make you cry." Kirito laughed, and Gabriel looked like he just took a blow to the cheek.
He didn't turn his head but he did pull his balaclava up as he continued to walk. "Y-you've got it wrong." He seemed to whisper to himself. Like no louder words would come out. He tried to deny it. "Damn it!" He growled and slammed a fist against the wall. He sulked quietly... after about an hour of walking he finally glanced at Kirito. "I got you something." He grumbled and brought up his inventory, then offered to trade with Kirito. He accepted.
So Gabriel handed over the outfit and sword he got for killing the boss. "It was meant to be yours." Gabriel mumbled dismissively as he accepted the trade and Kirito insta-equipped the new items. The armor looked glorious and Gabriel offered an awestruck thumbs up.
"..." Kirito's eyes were sparkling like... moonstones and he turned his head towards Gabriel. The look frightened him, then Kirito lunged at him.
"ARRRRGH!" Gabriel screamed and ran for the exit.
A/N: Lol.
