Frankenstein had been serving his Master faithfully for (technically) over nine hundred years. So when Raizel suddenly starting acting differently, Frankenstein was the first person to notice.
It had been five days since he'd woken up to see his Master kneeling over him in a puddle of bloody water. That had been strange enough... Master hated getting his clothes dirty.
But ever since that day, Master had seemed oddly... attentive.
Unnoticed by everyone else, Frankenstein had sensed his Master connecting to his mind even more often than usual... He'd even sensed Raizel in his mind during school hours when he was ordinarily focused on other things. It was almost as if Raizel was trying to catch him in the act of thinking something, though he had no idea what...
Master had also been thanking him much more often than was necessary, too... As if Frankenstein didn't already know how grateful his Master was for this chance at a normal life. His Master seemed determined to express to him just how thankful he really was.
Frankenstein told his Master that he didn't require any thanks. Raizel refused to stop.
But that wasn't all. He'd also caught his Master... watching him.
Of course, it wasn't too unusual for his Master to look at him. Raizel had spent quite a few days watching him work in the garden back in Lukedonia, but Frankenstein had figured he'd done that more out of curiosity than anything. But these looks Raizel was giving him now weren't just simple curious glances... they were long, burning stares.
Even now, he could feel Raizel's eyes burning a hole in his back.
What on Earth was he expecting to see?
Frankenstein glanced sideways at Raizel from his work station at the kitchen counter. Dinner tonight was ramyeon yet again, specifically the special concoction he'd cooked up in his laboratory. Raizel had made a point of requesting that specific ramyeon, and there was no way Frankenstein could refuse him.
Sure enough, Master was looking right at him.
Was something wrong? Did he need something? Frankenstein hated thinking that he couldn't properly attend to his Master's needs... But if Master wouldn't tell him what he wanted...
"Is something wrong, Master?"
Raizel shook his head, dark hair falling in his face.
"It's just... you've been looking at me quite a bit lately... I'm not going anywhere, I promise," Frankenstein said gently.
"I know," Master said, so quietly Frankenstein could barely hear him. "I apologize if I've made you uncomfortable."
"Not at all, Master," Frankenstein reassured him. "But if there's something you need, or something you want, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Something... I want?"
Raizel bit his lip and looked away. Frankenstein frowned. So there was something on his mind. He reached out to see if he could touch his Master's consciousness, but Raizel was blocking him out again.
"Is there something you want?" he asked.
No answer. Raizel simply sat there, the very picture of grace and elegance, his hands folded modestly in his lap.
"You know all you have to do is ask," Frankenstein reminded him.
Raizel finally looked back at him, his blood red eyes filled with emotion. What could possibly have his Master feeling so emotional? Had something happened at school?
"Master?"
"Frankenstein... I..."
Before Raizel could finish his sentence, Frankenstein heard the sound of the front door opening. Tao, Takio, and M-21 walked into the living room, chatting amiably. Frankenstein sighed. What bad timing... he was sure he'd just been about to find out why Master had been behaving so strangely.
"Hey, Boss."
"We've got a laboratory special for dinner tonight, huh?" M-21 commented.
"Yes, Master requested it."
"Well, we wouldn't want all our hard work as taste testers to go to waste, now would we?" Tao said happily. "I still can't believe you tricked us into thinking that was something serious..."
"You should have asked," Frankenstein said, putting the finishing touches on his ramyeon creation. "Don't blame your ignorance on me."
"Oh, but you should know, we saw werewolves again," Takio said seriously.
"Werewolves?" Regis asked, poking his head into the kitchen. Seira followed demurely. "You saw werewolves?"
"Two of them," Takio confirmed. "They seemed like they were looking for something. We weren't sure if we should confront them or not, so we let them go for now..."
"Dinner is ready," Frankenstein announced. "Everyone, please take your seats."
Raizel stood up, heading over to his place at the head of the table. M-21 pulled the Master's chair out for him, pushing it back in as he sat down. Frankenstein smiled to himself. It always pleased him to see how much his kids loved his Master, too. Raizel deserved it, after all... Frankenstein took care of them, but Master had saved their lives.
Seira came to assist him in serving up the ramyeon. Of course, Raizel was served first since he liked to wait until the noodles got soggy.
"Aren't you worried, Boss?" Takio continued, undeterred. "There's werewolves lurking around the city..."
Once everyone else had taken their seats, Frankenstein took his own seat in between Raizel and Seira.
"Yes, of course," Frankenstein said simply. Truthfully, he wasn't. Ordinary werewolves weren't much of a threat to him. "But if you need to confront them, my powers should be quite useful to you. My own power impedes regenerative abilities, as you've seen. Werewolves would be quite vulnerable to that."
"Right, but we're still nowhere near as strong as you," Tao pointed out.
"But you have each other. You're the RK-5, aren't you? Raizel's Knights? It should be fine."
"RK-6," Tao corrected him. "You're the Boss."
"Yes, yes," Frankenstein sighed. "I don't recall asking to be caught up in your nonsense, however..."
"Come on, if anyone is Sir Raizel's knight, it's got to be you."
Everyone stared at him to see if he would deny it. A noodle was hanging out of Regis' mouth. Even Raizel was looking at him expectantly.
"Well... Yes... I suppose so..." he relented.
The whole table laughed at how easily he'd given in.
"But... what should we do about the werewolves? What are they looking for?" Tao asked.
"Should we confront them?" M-21 asked seriously.
Frankenstein wasn't listening. He was too busy noticing the pink tinge on Raizel's cheeks.
"Boss? The werewolves?"
He sighed, tearing his eyes off his Master.
Why did this keep happening? It seemed like for every enemy he cut down, two more sprung up to take its place. How was he supposed to keep his Master from using his powers if things like this kept happening?
"What do you want me to say?" he said, his voice stiff. "If you want to confront them, then be my guest. You have my powers now. You're connected to me. If you end up needing my help, I'll know."
"We will both know," Raizel added quietly. "If you are in danger, we will come for you."
Master... I won't let you use up any more of your power.
They all nodded. After that, Frankenstein had insisted they move onto more pleasant topics. Thankfully, the rest of the evening passed peacefully.
Rai didn't need to sleep at night. Frankenstein often insisted that he get a good night's rest, but Rai normally spent his nights out on the porch, gazing at the stars.
Tonight, he was debating telling Frankenstein what he was feeling. Tao, Takio, and M-21 had convinced him that having feelings for his companion wasn't wrong, but Rai still wasn't sure he should confess. Judging by what Frankenstein had said mere hours ago, a confession would certainly make Frankenstein feel required to love him back, even if he didn't truly feel that way.
Rai still didn't want that. He didn't want to force a false love out of his companion.
But then again... Frankenstein had said that all he had to do was ask... And he'd never find out if Frankenstein could love him back if he didn't ask.
Rai sighed to himself. Life had been much less complicated when he'd lived alone. Of course, he wouldn't trade the life he had now for anything, but he wasn't always the best at handling situations that concerned other people.
Maybe being closer to Frankenstein would help him decide what to do.
Rai left the porch, silently passing the bedrooms the kids were staying in, heading straight for Frankenstein's room at the end of the hall. Frankenstein had insisted that Rai take the master bedroom when he'd come home with him, moving himself into the servant's quarters right next door.
He stared at Frankenstein's door. He could sense that his companion was asleep in there, but his sleep was far from peaceful… With a little more probing, Rai could sense the malevolent souls tearing at Frankenstein's mind as he slept.
Why are you the only one to survive? What right do you have to go on living?
You should die, too, monster! MURDERER!
I curse you, Frankenstein… I curse you. You will join us in this hell you created!
Rai felt his stomach clench. He couldn't let Frankenstein go on suffering like this… Without pausing to think about it, he pushed the door open and stepped into Frankenstein's bedroom. It was perfectly neat and clean, just the way Frankenstein liked it… except for the bed where Frankenstein's body lay twisted in the sheets.
Rai padded over to the bed, noting the sweat beading on his companion's forehead… He reached out with his mind, using his power to push back the evil presence in Frankenstein's head. The sinister voices hissed in protest, but they retreated behind the seal. Frankenstein's face relaxed and his hands released their death grip on the blankets.
Though he'd eased Frankenstein's pain, Rai didn't want to leave his side. He supposed he was being selfish again… Wanting things he had no right to.
But maybe… he could have this one thing. Rai reached out a pale hand to push those long blond tresses back from his companion's sweaty forehead.
Master…You're here…
Rai shuddered and pulled his hand back. He suddenly realized he'd never withdrawn from Frankenstein's mind… Did Frankenstein know he was here, even though he was still asleep? It wasn't unusual for their minds to be connected, but Rai normally left him alone while he slept.
Before Rai could untangle his thoughts from Frankenstein's, an image was projected into his mind. A kiss… just a simple, chaste kiss. Rai watched as long, elegant hands cupped his face and Frankenstein's warm mouth covered his own…
Rai shivered in surprise at the unexpected image, accidentally transferring his shock into his companion's mind. Frankenstein's sapphire eyes snapped open and instantly locked onto his. He jolted upright, long blond hair flying everywhere.
"Master!" he wheezed. "What… what are you doing in here?"
Rai glanced away, hoping Frankenstein couldn't see how flushed his cheeks were in the dark.
"Are you all right?" Frankenstein asked, throwing the blankets off so he could get out of bed. "You don't normally wake me like this…"
"You were suffering," Rai said softly. "I could sense the spirits harming you. I only wanted to ease your pain."
Frankenstein frowned, pushing his blond hair out of his face. Rai knew his companion would see through that nonsense… They didn't need to be in close physical proximity for their mental connection to work well. He knew there was no good reason for him to be in Frankenstein's bedroom right now.
Rai sighed and looked up into that handsome face… He'd just seen those lovely lips descending on his own. What he wouldn't give for that to be real… To feel Frankenstein's hands on his cheeks and his silky soft hair spilling over onto his shoulders.
"I was worried," Rai continued. "You were so badly hurt a few days ago… and I wasn't there for you. I don't wish for you to keep your pain from me."
"Master…" Frankenstein said gently. "Since my wounds healed, I wasn't in any real danger of being overpowered. You didn't need to use your power to help me..."
"But…"
"Please," Frankenstein said, bowing his head. "I know it doesn't cost you much of your energy, but still… I didn't pledge my life to you just so you could throw away your future for me."
Rai's heart thumped painfully.
"It's not a waste. I'm the one who caused this… I sealed away your powers for too long."
"And I lived with this darkness for a long time before I met you. I can handle it," Frankenstein said firmly. "I promise."
Rai stared at Frankenstein, wishing more than anything that his companion wasn't so stubborn when it came to accepting help… but he decided to let the subject drop for now.
"All right. I trust you."
"Thank you." Frankenstein paused. "Well… now that I'm awake, can I get you anything?"
What he wanted was for Frankenstein to go back to sleep and get some rest. But maybe his companion was trying to tell him that he didn't want to sleep and slip back into nightmares.
"Perhaps you could sit with me for a little while before the others wake up?" Rai asked. "It's been a long time since we've had tea with just the two of us."
"It has," Frankenstein agreed. "It's always so noisy here with the kids and your friends here all the time…"
"Thank you."
"Of course… just a moment…"
Frankenstein closed his eyes, and his white T-shirt and gray pants disappeared to be replaced with his classic black suit.
"Come, Master…" Frankenstein said, striding over to the door. "I'll make the cookies you like with your tea."
Frankenstein held the door open for him, his head bowed respectfully.
"Frankenstein?"
"Yes, Master?"
Rai wanted to ask about what he'd seen. How long had Frankenstein felt this way about him? Along with fighting the darkness in his mind, had Frankenstein been fighting his own desires, too? Did Frankenstein believe that his affections were just another emotion that he didn't deserve to feel?
Still… Rai couldn't deny that he was pleased by what he'd seen. This meant that his feelings were likely reciprocated by Frankenstein… or at least, he hoped they were.
But when would be a good time to bring it up? Or… should he bring it up at all?
"Master?" Frankenstein repeated, looking concerned.
"My apologies. I was lost in thought."
"Not at all, Sir... but let's go sit out in the living room, hm? We'll be more comfortable there."
"Of course."
Rai followed his loyal companion out into the living room, wishing his heart would stop beating so fast.
Just one kiss... could he ask for that much?
My comments: Rai is a soft boy. No one can tell me otherwise! He needs love and hugs and kisses! (Which his loyal servant/friend is going to provide, of course!)
And in my mind, Rai is definitely the Mom of the house. Frankenstein is the Dad. Mom always has the last word, after all. And what do Dads always say? "Go ask your Mother."
