Aahh, how can I say this without looking like an idiot? Well, if any of you are watching my profile, you'll notice I posted a new fanfic and have been updating that only for the past month. Yeah, sorry about that. I have a friend who really likes the story, so I kinda got distracted from this one.
It's also a lot easier writing for a story that your friend likes. If I knew anyone (more personally) that I could discuss Fate with, I would have an easier time writing for this. Plus, with me basically boycotting UBW until Heaven's Feel comes out, I never literally no inspiration coming.
But this story isn't dead. I've just been busy. Anyway, onto the chapter!
Kinsdura – It is actually easier. It gives me a time frame to get a chapter done, so I don't have to think, "DUE DATE DUE DATE SHIT!"
Dreams and Fantasy – Here. dA is only for sneak peeks for future chapters. But I'm also working on the Ao3 version, which has some stuff added in and changed Saber's name to Arturia for narrative purposes. Still working on that version, though, so only the first chapter is up. Buut once I get to certain points, things I'd gloss over on here will be lengthened in that one (wink wink nudge nudge).
Chibi313 – I know a lot of people who love coffee. I can't stand it. So I sympathize with Gilgy.
AlterRedgrave – Who knows? I might bring drunk!Arty back! And with her friend, drunk!Gilgy! And we'll find out what the "bullet train" was in this chapter. ;)
Alice – Oh, just admit it. You're just tsundere for me~
Toya-chan – A plot would be here if someone doesn't screw up and make themselves look like idiots. As for sites, I'm on deviantArt under BloodofCerberus and Archive of Our Own under ThatDastardCerberus. On dA I only post previews and deleted fics. Ao3 is where I put explicit stuff. As for a hint to the "she," well… Look up King Arthur's legend. There's only one "she" that seems to have "issues" with Arty.
Mirakura – YES! FALL PREY TO MY CLIFFHANGERS! MUAWAHAAHAHA!
Shaaniqua – But October is here now! I've actually not seen the remake yet. I want the dub and the Heaven's Feel movie! And to reply to your comment… "Arty, you got a lot of explainin' to do!"
Altria Pendoragon – Sure you can ask. I'm very much female! :D And damn proud of it, too!
Redbeanbun – You should check out Fate/Historia. It's like, my most favoritest Gilgy/Arty fic to date. And if you hate my cliffhangers, Historia's even worse. :D
Myuhan – But you see, Gilgy and Arty are both secretly tsunderes and too damn prideful. You know that old saying? "The taller they are, the harder they fall." I've never been called author-san before… :D I kinda like it!
Marquise de Nile – Shirou will have… an interesting reaction, to say the least. But that won't happen for some time now. :D
A big thanks to my anon-reviewers and reviewers over on Ao3! Your reviews keep this story alive! And just-a-lamp, I'm so sorry this took forever, but it's here, finally! Enjoy, and please review!
-::All or Nothing::-
-:Chapter XII – Sleeping Dragons:-
"Well?" Gilgamesh's tone sounded low and impatient, his red eyes narrowing slightly.
Saber's mind was scrambling. She'd rather not remember last night, actually. And while she didn't remember every detail, she did remember enough. Such as her emotions; anger at Gilgamesh, anger at herself, smug when she downed her eighth shot, bubbly and relaxed… And then…
A blush burns across her face as she remembered her interaction with Gilgamesh; bits and pieces, mind you, but she did remember, nevertheless. She remembered seeing him sitting on his fancy motorcycle, looking pissed. She remembered running up to him and hugging him. She remembered being placed on the motorcycle and them driving off together.
Her memory blanks at this point, but she's certain that he took her somewhere, and then she…
She groaned aloud, covering her face with her hands. She hoped Gilgamesh wouldn't put two and two together, but, then again, knowing him, he's probably laughing about it and thinking she's such a prude. Nothing would be more embarrassing than him taking advantage of a mistake, a stupid mistake, she made. She can't let that happen!
Before he was given the chance to comment, she practically shouted, "My head hurts. I can't think." While not necessarily truthful, her statement wasn't necessarily a lie either. Simply a tactical diversion she hoped he would fall for. After all, he might be an asshole, but he wasn't completely heartless, right?
She didn't move as Gilgamesh got up from his seat, walking to the bedside. Through her fingers, she saw him pick up two small tablets, still sealed in their packaging, and a glass of water. He held out the tablets to her casually. "Take two. They're Advil."
Looking at the packets, she saw the label and nodded. Taking the two pills and downing the glass of water in one swipe, she finally let out a sigh and flopped back against the pillows. She was just about ready to fall asleep again when Gilgamesh pulled her out with a demand;
"Aren't you going to answer my question?"
Squinting back at him, as he was still standing by the night stand, she grumbled a quick, "No," before rolling over. She continued with, "My head hurts. It's too bright, and my throat is dry. Give me ten minutes."
She heard him exhale loudly. "Very well. I will give you time to collect your thoughts. Once you are ready to talk, I'll be in the living room." He left shortly thereafter, but not without looking at her sternly, his red eyes scanning her body before finally looking away.
Saber didn't want to think about her actions the night before. She didn't want to think at all. Her head really did hurt, and the embarrassment from what she could readily recall was too much to bear in this state.
Sleep, she needed sleep.
Xxxx
Saber only slept for five minutes before she felt this horrible urge in her gut. Leaping out of the bed, she ran into the bathroom and hurled loudly. She continued vomiting for who knows how long, yet she did notice that someone had pulled her hair back a little after she began, and this person continued to do so while she wheezed and heaved dry coughs.
Groaning, Saber could only gripe the toilet seat, disgusted with herself all over again. She didn't want to be reminded of what she did last night, but now, everything was in full display, the sickness finally leaving her drained and disgruntled.
Behind her, she felt the hands holding her hair back move. One moved from her hair to her shoulder, steading her, while the other disappeared, only to reappear in front of her, holding a towel to her face. She let go of the porcelain seat to take the towel, wiping her mouth and face clean. Slowly, the hand on her shoulder eased her back against the chest of her rescuer, allowing her to relax up against him.
Looking up through half closed eyes, Saber couldn't exactly say she was surprised to see Gilgamesh was the one holding her, as he was the only other person here, as far as she knew, and yet she was surprised he bothered to come at all.
She decided to voice her confusion at that moment. "Why are you here?" she managed to rasp. He snorted and rolled his eyes, looking away from her.
"Perhaps this is a novel concept to one such as yourself, but do you have any idea what sort of reputation Japan has with women? I suppose I don't need to go into the details of what could have happened if someone raped you, let alone drugging you when your guard was down."
She blinked, eyes wide. "Wait… you were worried about me?"
His eyes snapped back to look directly into hers. "Surely you jest? Of course I was concerned with your wellbeing. You're the daughter as a business tycoon. The danger you can run into are far higher than an average denizen. Your father entrusted me with your safety when we agreed on the engagement."
He said it like it was common knowledge. He made it sound like it was the obvious answer. Yet that wasn't the answer she was expecting. Somehow, she was glad it was; she didn't want things to become complicated. Gilgamesh felt nothing towards her, just as she did. That kiss was nothing more than a fluke—
"Why the sudden interest in my opinion of you?" She looked up, seeing him smirk down at her. "Are you finally realizing your folly? That you cannot resist me any longer—"
"Of course not!" Saber moved too quickly away from him, and she immediately regretted it, a wave of nausea overcoming her again. She felt Gilgamesh reach out and grasp both shoulders. She groaned, holding her forehead. Gilgamesh chuckled in turn.
"It was merely a joke, Arturia," he stated simply. "At least I know your lack of humor has remained in tact."
"Gee, thanks." Shaking her head, Saber grasped Gilgamesh's wrists, removing them from her shoulders. "I would appreciate it if we could return to the bedroom. I'm still not feeling well."
"Very well."
Moving together, with Gilgamesh supporting Saber, they made their way back to the bedroom. Once she was under the covers, safe and sound, Gilgamesh pointed at the waste bin by her head. "Use that if you need to throw up. If you need me, just call."
And once again, she was left alone, to her own thoughts.
Xxxx
Gilgamesh was really doing too much.
At least he thought so. This was just the woman he was engaged to; this wasn't a woman he truly cared for. After all, they had just had a fight the other day, and last night he had rushed to make sure she didn't get trouble or hurt herself. That sort of action he had easily explained away, as it only made sense that he take care of her. He did have a reputation to keep, and no good would come from just letting the girl he was dating get into trouble.
Why he was treating her so well now, well, that was because he wanted to make sure nothing was wrong. He was certain now that no drugs had been slipped in her drink, that she had only been drunk that night. After he had an all clear from a doctor he had called, who would be arriving in thirty minutes, he would take her home and continue on with his day, as if nothing happened.
But something did happen. The mark was still on Saber's neck, taunting him. He had enjoyed that little make-out session, no matter how much he tried to reason it away. He wanted more, craved more. He even had to go the bathroom to take care of business. A rather embarrassing fleet, but at least it taken care of, for the moment.
Little did the golden haired man know, his companion was feeling the same kind of confusion. Saber had no idea why she had been compelled to kiss Gilgamesh, even in her drunken state. She had gotten drunk once before at the Emiya house, and she had never bothered trying to kiss Shirou, despite the obvious crush the teenager had on her.
She wasn't going to admit she did find Gilgamesh physically attractive. At least aloud. Her eyes had literally been all over him during their pool date, and it was a fact she was rather ashamed of. She had never bothered giving a man a look-over, no matter how attractive he was.
So why was Gilgamesh the exception? Did the alcohol somehow transfer her hatred of him into some kind of weird attraction? And that strange dream she had before Gilgamesh woke her up. What was the deal with that?
Liquor, she thought. It does strange things to your mind. That was the only thing that made sense to her. It was the only thing that she allowed to make sense. Because there was no way she was developing feelings. It was impossible. Gilgamesh was an egotistical bastard, and he always would be. If everything went to plan, her bet will pay off, and she can kiss this entire debacle good bye.
Xxxx
The drive back to her place was filled with awkward silence. After Saber had been checked out by a doctor Gilgamesh personally hired, he told her to get dressed, as he was taking her home. Her family was still out, so she was relieved to be getting home before anyone noticed.
Plus, the primary reason why Saber was so quiet was due to finding out about the hickey on her neck.
It had happened suddenly, when the doctor left. The doctor had just briefly mentioned the bruise to her, and she had looked at Gilgamesh, searching for a reaction. He seemed to busying himself looking everywhere but her.
Once alone, Saber had raged at him, demanding to know why she had a hickey. "How could you? You-yu bastard, you better explain this!"
"If you recalled," Gilgamesh had begun, placing a hand on his hip, "you were drunk and were laying on the couch. You kissed me out of the blue."
"That doesn't matter," Saber had snapped back. "This hickey isn't on your neck! It's on mine! Which means you, fully sober, gave a drunk girl a hickey!"
"I apologize."
Saber had blinked. "Wh-what?"
Clicking his tongue, Gilgamesh spoke louder. "I said I apologize. It was my fault entirely. There is no excuse for taking advantage of you."
Saber took a step back. "Alright," she breathed slowly, "who are you and what did you do with Gilgamesh?"
"Are you serious?" Gilgamesh ran both hands through his hair, groaning. "I apologize to you, and you act like I've been replaced with a doppelgänger?"
"Of course!" she retorted. "How often does Gilgamesh Shepherd apologize willingly?"
"Do you even know me?" he snapped. "Because I can assure you, I am more human than you give me credit for. And what about you, Miss Pendragon? Is the great Arturia capable of admitting she was foolish, or are you just not capable of making mistakes?"
"Oho, turning it back at me, aren't you? Well, I can certainly assure you, I am very capable of acknowledging my errs. Unlike a certain someone, whose ego might as well be Jupitar!"
After that, the two had refused to speak to each other. With just head moments and gestures, they had gone to Gilgamesh's motorcycle and made their way back to her residence, with Arturia holding onto his shoulders, lost in silence.
It was during this silence that Arturia realized, maybe a little too late that he might have had something. She really didn't know him, despite all her sleuthing. She might know Gilgamesh from the front page gossip magazines and business letters, but she didn't know anything about Gilgamesh the person. And if there was something that her friend Irisviel drilled into her head, it was to never make assumptions about people you didn't know at all.
Gilgamesh stopped the bike at the front gate. Saber didn't slide off immediately, which prompted Gilgamesh to turn and look at her.
Their faces were so close. She now saw the bags underneath his eyes, dark rims that seemed to tarnish his flawless face. Guilt gripped her heart; she really didn't know him.
"What's wrong?" he asked her when she didn't speak. "Are you feeling ill, still?"
She shook her head. How was she going to word this? "No, not quite."
"Oh?"
Biting her lip, she took a breath before speaking again. "I… am sorry."
Now it was his turn to look shocked. "Pardon?" he asked, mouth agape.
"I said," she repeated, rising her voice, "I am sorry. I was… I was wrong. Or rather, I… made a terrible mistake. I acted without thinking, and I caused you a great deal of trouble for it. So, thank you."
He harrumphed. "You needn't thank me. I was only doing what was expected."
"Still," Saber insisted, "you didn't have to go so far. So again, thank you. I do appreciate it."
"Do you appreciate the hickey?" Now he was smirking again, making Saber's face heat up.
"I-I," she stuttered, but she was stopped with Gilgamesh's rich laughter.
"Enough, I was only joking." However, some life managed to return to his face. "And you're welcome. Perhaps you can repay me with a more proper kiss the next time we meet?"
"In your dreams," she grumbled immediately, causing him to laugh again. She slid off, but paused in front of him. He looked at her curiously, a golden eyebrow arched at her determined facial expression.
Standing straight and tall, and speaking a little too loud for her liking, Saber asked, "Would you please go with me out to eat! I would very much appreciate it!" She bowed suddenly, hiding her bright red face.
There was only silence, which wrecked havoc on her already shocked nerves. She glanced up through her bangs, hoping she wasn't looking like a fool. She was surprised to see Gilgamesh covering his mouth, his shoulders shaking hard as he desperately tried to contain his laughter.
She was about to snap at him, standing up, fists curled up into tiny balls, when Gilgamesh got off his motorcycle. She craned her head up to meet his gaze, never faltering, despite the heat only intensifying with every passing second. Here she was attempting to make this bet somewhat bearable, to truly get to know Gilgamesh before the year's length was over.
Gilgamesh leaned forward, towards her face, grasping her chin with his index finger a thumb. Then, he dipped down, brushing his lips against her. It was surprisingly tender and relaxed, chaste even, in comparison to the heated exchange they had last night.
When his tongue slyly slipped out between his parted lips and licked her bottom lip, Saber automatically stiffened. And yet Gilgamesh pulled away after that, his gaze burning, the only sign that he was, without a doubt, enjoying this in a different way.
"I'll see you then." Without another word, he got onto his motorcycle and drove off, leaving Saber staring blankly at the spot where she last saw her, her face still burning.
What on earth did she get herself into?
xxxx
"Really, now?" Enkidu hummed thoughtfully. "I can't imagine you upsetting your boyfriend. What exactly happened?"
"Well…" Saber hesitated, looking down at her Earl Grey tea. The whole incident was still fresh in her mind, despite it now being a week (and one rather surprisingly pleasant date) later. She had thought about talking about it with Enkidu, who seemed to know how to deal with Gilgamesh's type extremely well. Apparently, Enkidu had a friend much like Gilgamesh, so anything Saber had a problem, she freely discussed with Enkidu.
Honestly, she was never all that good at making friends, and if she somehow did manage to, it only after a long time of interacting with the individual. But Enkidu seemed to be an exception. He was friendly, outgoing, and an all-and-all nice guy. Mostly. Saber found it rather assuming that Enkidu also shared a bit of an ego, although Enkidu had an easier time hiding it than Gilgamesh did.
After explaining everything she was willing to admit (as she excluded the story about the make-out session and the resulting hickey), Enkidu began to ask questions, having waited the entire time until she was finished with her story.
"I acted foolishly. I went to a bar by myself and managed to get drunk." She shook her head. "It was stupid, and reckless, so I agree with what he said. But…" She ran a hand through her blond locks. "What I don't understand is why he was so concerned. Honestly, he confuses me so much. At times I think he doesn't actually care about me as a person, and then a moment later, he's so considerate and thoughtful. I don't get it."
"Normally that's the feeling we men get towards you women," Enkidu joked, his gray eyes sparkling with mirth. Saber snorted, rolling her green eyes. "Seriously, Enkidu. Is this just a thing I need to accept, or am I just reading into this too much?"
Enkidu shrugged. "Honestly, it just takes time. My friend's a lot like that. He's difficult to understand, but that's only because he wanted to make it difficult. He's not exactly a trusting individual, I'll have you know."
"Uhhh," she groaned, slamming her forehead against the table. "My head's hurting all over again."
"That does tend to happen," Enkidu said, chuckling. He took a drink from his smoothie, his facial expression suddenly thoughtful. "Did you two by any chance do anything intimate? It doesn't have to be sex; just something only boyfriends and girlfriends do."
"N-no!" Saber snapped her head back up immediately, her face red. "We didn't! Gilgamesh and I didn't do anything!"
There was silence in the café, everyone turning their gaze towards the duo sitting next to the window. Saber realized how loud her voice had gotten, causing her to groan and cover her tomato red face in embarrassment. 'Just kill me and end the torment already,' she thought, making herself smaller.
Enkidu didn't say anything. Both his green eyebrows were arched up, his eyes wide, a blank, confused look on his face. Finally, after he blinked for a few seconds, he asked, "I'm sorry, but did you say your boyfriend's name was…"
"Gilgamesh," she replied, holding off his last name. "I'm sorry for never stating his name. He—I just didn't want to get too personal."
"No, no, that's fine." He looked outside absently, a pained yet thoughtful look on his face.
Saber noticed the look, concerned. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, nothing at all." He turned to her, smiling too wide a smile. "Well, if you want my opinion, I think he's just having difficulties in how he views you now. Something has changed between the two you, and he's having trouble adjusting. Does that make sense?"
"I suppose so…" she stated, nodding, watching Enkidu carefully. He placed his hands on the table and stood up. "Well, I gotta go, unfortunately. Let me know how things are settling next week, alright?"
"Sure…" Saber couldn't help but get this feeling something was amiss. Enkidu gathered his things and turned to leave. He stopped to look at her, winking, before leaving a very confused and worried Saber behind.