Gil leaves a ball to have a smoke and has an unpleasant encounter with his adopted brother. A crack in Ernest's arrogant act reveals there might be more going on at the Nightray house than Gil thought, a dark forgotten family secret behind those ebony walls.

Characters: Gil, Ernest, Vanessa,

Author's Note: I finally write what I've always wanted to write…a Nightray fanfic! ^_^

Chapter 1

"God I need a smoke."

Gil scurried out of the ball room, brushing clumsily past many party guests. A hand stopped him.

"Where do you think you're going?" Whispered a harsh feminine voice.

Gil sighed and rolled his eyes, trying to tug free from his foster sister's iron grasp, "Relax Vanessa, I'm only stepping out for a moment."

Her delicate eyebrows knitted together, "You'd better not be smoking again."

Gil tensed, trying to hide his embarrassment, "I'm just taking a small break. You know how much I hate these sorts of events."

Vanessa's blue eyes narrowed as she released Gil, "Fine. Just be back soon. Even an anti-social mopey person like you has to socialize a little."

Gil made a beeline for the door. Vanessa frowned, watching closely as her adoptive brother fled the ball room. "If I catch him smoking again, I'll kill him."

After finally reaching a balcony, Gil pulled out a hidden cigarette and lit it up.

He cursed himself a little for his weakness; he had promised Vanessa he would try to quit. The harsh strong raven haired woman was one of the only people who tried to look out for him, protecting him from their older brothers and nagging him about his unhealthy habits. Despite his older age, he had always feared her when they were younger. Her fiery temper and sharp tongue made her a difficult person to get close to, but Elliot's persistent friendliness towards him and Vincent pulled Vanessa closer to them and eventually lead to her accepting them as siblings.

As he exhaled, Gil heard footsteps approaching him.

"Well well, so this where you're hiding." A familiar voice sneered.

Gil gritted his teeth, cursing the figure which now stood next to him mocking him with a sickening grin.

"Tch. How disappointing, didn't you promise Nessa you would quit?"

Gil's muscles tensed, as he let out a prolonged breath.

Ernest Nightray has never been his favourite person. Ever since he had arrived, Ernest had done everything in his power to have him expelled and humiliated. Everything from beating them for the smallest mistake to spitting in their champagne glasses when he thought no one was looking; nothing was too low for him. Vindictive and petty, those two words suited him the most.

"Aw what's the matter did I strike a nerve? Why did you even promise her that, when you know you're too weak to do anything properly? After all you're nothing but a gutter rat."

Gil snapped back, "At least I don't beat children."

A scene of their shared childhood flashed through their minds, Ernest raising his hand to a young Gil.

Gil cursed his giving in to Ernest's goading but felt a creeping satisfaction seeing the ashen haired man's resentful expression. Gil turned away, his golden eyes drifting over to the night time view as he felt Ernest's glare piercing into his back.

Ernest sneered, "Don't lecture me about morality, gutter rat."

He decided to ignore Ernest, letting out a deep breath. Ernest wrinkled his nose at the cigarette smoke clouds as he leaned against the marble balcony.

The child said nothing, he barely flinched when Ernest beat him, but his eyes stayed locked with Ernest's. Those eyes, how Ernest hated those blank golden eyes.

Ernest bit his lip, "Curse him. That freak never even flinched. It's like he wasn't even looking at me." What Ernest hated the most was being ignored. A childish desire for attention, which likely stemmed from the coldness of the Nightray family and his own personal baggage. Things he would rather not ever think about, things that made him feel worthless and dirty. Feeling his stomach begin to knot, Ernest shook off these thoughts, focusing on the distant city lights.

Only small lanterns flickered nearby, illuminating small patches of thick green leaves and closed flower buds. Located far from the city, the manor was surrounded with neatly trimmed hedges and grass. Between these hedges were an assortment of gardens filled with different plants and trees.

"You know the other gutter rat is going to come looking for you."

Gil let out a slow deliberate breath blowing more smoke into the air. Ernest gritted his teeth, fanning the smoke away with his hand, "You should go back and at least pretend to be normal, like him."

Gil leaned against the balcony, ignoring Ernest. From experience, he knew that it was probably best not to engage the older Nightray.

He along with Vanessa and Elliot had inherited their father's infamous temper and would therefore not hesitate to strike you down, be it verbally or physically. Gil didn't need the drama. Not now, when he'd finally gotten some peace.

Away from Vincent's constant unsettling presence at his side and the hostile glares of the other nobles including his adopted siblings. Away from the persistent anxiety which plagued his thoughts and riddled his body with pains that kept him awake for hours sometimes. Away from his thoughts of Oz, his beloved master who he was enduring this for. Enduring the abuse of the Nightray family and fear of Raven's dark talons and piercing eyes. He was determined to ensure he would contract the Raven. But despite his unwavering devotion, he wanted one moment to be human. Just a moment, where he could let go of everything, And he wasn't going to let Ernest ruin it.

Ernest's sudden closeness unsettled him, his lips lingering close to Gil's. "Hey, do you really think you can ignore me, gutter rat?" A strong alcoholic smell mixed with the tobacco smell.

Gil reddened as he felt Ernest's chest press up against his, closing the small gap between them. Smirking widely, Ernest placed his left hand on Gil's chest. Their eyes locked, Ernest's hand slowly ran down his chest, his fingers deliberately tracing the creases of his shirt. Gil stiffened, his body growing hot as he noticed Ernest lean closer, their lips almost touching.

Gil ground his teeth together trying to keep his cool, ignoring the strange chill that went down his body, "Ernest, how much have you had to drink?" Ernest's blue eyes were glazed over.

A look of indignation flashed across his adopted brother's face. Then his mouth formed a strange smile.

"Haha..haha..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ernest's shoulders shook with maniacal laughter.

Gil jumped at the sudden sound, pulling away quickly. The laughter sent a chill down his spine,

"You have been nothing but trouble since Father brought you into this house. You even tricked Elliot into being friends with you…and Vanessa." Snorted Ernest.

Gil narrowed his eyes, he was used to the useless lectures Ernest and Claude spewed in their anger against him and Vincent, "Not again…"

"Why would Father even think about adopting the likes of you."

"Just shut up."

"Trash like you shouldn't even be allowed near the family Chain Raven much less to contract it."

"Tch."

Ernest raised his voice, "Do you hear me gutter rat! You're so useless I swear you can't even take care of your own trash brother."

Gil's eyes shone with anger.

That was it.

In a quick fluid movement, Gil grabbed Ernest's shirt. His eyes darkened, "Leave Vincent out of this."

His grip on Ernest grew tighter. Jerking his arm, Ernest tried to pull away, "You don't care about him even though he's your own brother."

Gil frowned, there was something strange about his adopted brother's manner. Ernest's pale blue eyes were filled with disgust and anger.

He snarled, "Tch. And Elliot says I'm the bad brother for hating you and Vincent."

Gil's golden eyes narrowed and he released Ernest. Turning to face the balcony, he lit another cigarette, "Just leave."

The blonde man smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt, pausing to give Gil a cold glare.

Gil raised his voice, "Are you FUCKING deaf?"

Ernest flinched, Gil's tone became dangerous. The younger Nightray never used this kind of language.

Ernest scoffed, returning to his usual cocky demeanor, "Fine." A strange smile formed on his face.

"Good night Gilbert."

Just trying to get some background stuff out of the way. Maybe I'm moving a little too fast …or too slow.