And the poll results are in! The results were actually a landslide, with more than half of you being in favor of an entire week of All or Nothing updates. You guys must really like this story, so honestly this makes me feel happy.

This chapter, however, does not count for the seven day marathon. I wanted to post the results and then let you know when the marathon will begin. Due to the holidays, however, and my finals, I wanted to let everyone know that the marathon will not begin until at least December 20th. The day might change depending on how busy things become during the holiday season. Just follow my tumblr (bloodofcerberus at tumblr dot com) for updates on writing. I might hold another poll like this again in the future, once we reach another mile marker. (I was going to shoot for 400 follows for this fic, but we've already reached that point by the time this is posted, so I guess another mile stone?)

-::All or Nothing::-

-:Chapter XXI – Straight through Our Hearts:-

He should have been surprised by her reply, he really should have.

But he wasn't. Maybe because of her change of behavior, or maybe because he already knew the answer, but regardless of the reason, he was not surprised.

Leaning back, he watched her for a moment. She watched him too, before Arturia decided to turn the tables, just a little bit.

"And what about you? Why do you not even dedicate any of your time to servitude? You seem more preoccupied with your own needs more than anyone else's."

"That is because the needs of one's self should always prevail before others." Gilgamesh's expression didn't hold any arrogance. He looked as if he were simply stating a matter of fact. Which, in his mind, he was.

Leaning forward now, he held out both his hands, palms up before continuing. "Putting your needs before others' wants is what is called 'self-care.' Putting your wants before others' needs is called 'selfishness.' However there comes the matter of putting your needs before others' needs, and putting your wants before others' wants. Would you call it selfishness or self-care? Or are either really the proper terms for such incidents?"

He pulled back and placed his pants on his lap. "But then there's putting others' wants before your needs. What would you call that? Personally, I would call it utter foolishness, but some view it as being 'selfless.'" Gilgamesh chuckled humorlessly. "There are varying degrees to everything, dear Arturia. There is no 'black-and-white;' there exists a spectrum that we all fall upon. But of course, your question was not over spectrums or selfishness and selflessness. You wish to know why I do not dedicate myself towards serving others."

Smirking, he shrugged. "Simply put, I do not wish to. The plebians of this world are not worth my consideration, lest they prove their worth to me."

Arturia narrowed her eyes in disapproval, but she held her tongue… for now. "Then how would one prove their worth to you? Why weigh the world by worth—"

"Because worth needs to be measured, and I, who understands the true meaning of worth, am the only one truly capable of probably judge and distribute it."

Arturia was quiet, her brow furrowed. Her lips set in a firm line, she finally sighed loudly, pinching the bridge of her nose. It was becoming veeeeerrry difficult for her to hold back, but she promised herself—

"Arturia, if you wish to speak your mind, then do so. I'm growing tired of just asking and answering questions."

The teasing tone of his voice made her throw her promise out of the window. Not bothering to hold back her frustration, she snapped back, "Well I was attempting to be civil but with you continuing to insist on me revealing what I'm really thinking then—"

She paused, hesitating slightly before lowering the fist she had held up, resuming with a much more subdued voice. "I would like to hate you. I would like to think I hold no interest in you, but to say such a thing wouldn't be the truth."

Arturia didn't look at Gilgamesh, but if she had, she would have seen the perplexed look on his face. She continued after a deep breath, "But don't think I have fallen for you. You are still very much an annoyance, and I often find your company tiring; however, I cannot bring myself to outright detest you either. Say what you will, but while your mannerisms never fail to hinder any good faith I have in you, often times when you speak with sincerity, I cannot deny the truth in your words. So, there. That is what I was thinking."

She finally looked up, preparing herself for whatever response he might give her. She could handle whatever ridiculous thing that he could come up with, especially after all this—

"Not exactly the love confession I was expecting."

Arturia wanted to take back every single word she had said just moments ago after that comment.

Irisviel could tell her dear friend was annoyed, but no matter how many times she asked, Arturia would not give her an answer. It was only near midnight when Irisviel passed by Arturia's room did she get a hint.

"Stupid man, why must he be so difficult?!"

Irisviel covered her mouth, preventing a soft laughter that was bubbling inside to rise to the surface. She could relate in some form or another, although Kiritsugu was far more easy-going. She had no idea how Gilgamesh was like, but he seemed like a handful. Not that Arturia couldn't handle it… not without some minor grievances though.

But that was how love worked. You loved one another to the point of hating each other sometimes. Sometimes you wished to hug your significant other. Other times you wanted to strangle them. That was simply the nature of the beast, one Arturia was slowly (hopefully) beginning to learn how to work with.

Apologies for the somewhat shorter chapter. But not to worry, the marathon will start next chapter, and every day afterward will be an update for this fic for seven days straight. So look forward to it!