I studied the town for a few more minutes as we approached. When we reached an archway that seemed to represent a border between the town and the forest, Gil started talking casually.

" Welcome to Domum. We're going to be staying in my house, which is much farther back, but first I need to talk to my friend in the marketplace." He was looking at a small area with baskets of fruit and other things, such as clothing and livestock, and close to 20 vendors. He walked up to a middle-aged woman and exclaimed " Rosa! How are you?". The woman in general jumped at his loud voice but smiled broadly when she saw him.

" Giiiilbert! I'm doing well, how is my little Prusiano doing~?" She hugged him tight and laughed a pleasantly warm laugh. Her eyes caught me, an emerald green a bit stronger than mine, and she leaned back from him, a grin on her face and a gleam in her eye. " Ohhh, bringing around the young ladies again? Careful, my husband might steal them away with his charm~." Nearly as soon as she said that there was a shout from close behind her. A flash of blonde hair and suddenly Gil ( Gilbert, I guess) was on the ground.

I lurched forward to save him, but stopped myself a couple steps away. Rather than being mauled to death by either an angry husband or jealous ex lover, which I wouldn't have been pleased about, he was being mauled with love by an adult man with stubbly facial hair and a weird voice.

" GIIIIIIIIL~! Where have you been, my friend?! It feels like it's been five months! I missed youuuuu!" The strange man kept rubbing his face all over Gilbert and trying to hug him tightly.

" Calm down, sheesh! It's only been a couple days since I left town, I haven't been on a crusade or anything. Well, sorta." He laughed an odd hissing laugh, probably from lack of air from the blonde on him, then his face grew serious. " Hey, have you guys been taking care of my little guy for me?".

Little guy? Could he possibly have a son?

The blonde man replied "Ah yes, we have kept Gilbird safe, do not worry~." At first it sounded like he said 'GIlbert safe', so I continued to think he had a child (I don't know why it bothered me but it did) until Rosa came over with a small yellow chick in her hand. It gave a little 'tweet' and Gil sprung up, knocking the blonde to the ground, and grinned happily. She carefully placed the bird in his hands and he nuzzled it affectionately.

The blonde man stood, laughing, then walked over to me smoothly, a light smile on his face. " Hey there young lady, how is it a beautiful soul such as yours is tied to a reckless soul such as his?" He asked, smooth as his walk. I stumbled for an answer, trying to calm the bloodrush to my cheeks.

" I, uh, I'm not with him! M-my, I've been taken from a bedroom I was in!" I decided if I told them that he kidnapped me, maybe I could be saved and returned. Back with Roderich.

His brows furrowed in concern and he leaned forward, face very near to mine. " Ohh, you poor young lady! He has taken you from your bedroom, a location of great personal importance, no doubt interrupting some sort of plans you had in there, right?" His smile got less friendly and a little creepy, and I could feel my face heat up again, but not from memory of what went on in there, or the politeness of this blonde man. He was too close, body giving off heat. One hand was on my back, the other on my shoulder. He leaned forward even closer, until all I saw was him looming over me, smirking. " That's it, right? If you're willing to do things in a bedroom that are best uninterrupted, I'm willing-"

I didn't let him finish that offer. My knee had jerked up between his legs, and I watched that slick smirk wipe off his face immediately and be replaced by a combination of pain, disbelief, and rejection. I pushed carefully on his shoulders and he fell backwards, curling up into a human ball.

I glared at him and felt feminine arms wrap around me. For a second I was worried Rosa would attack me, this man was her husband, right? Then I realized the arms around me were shaking with laughter, not fury, and the pleasant laugh had filled the air, along with Gilbert's.

She let go of me then crouched down beside her moaning husband, kissing his forehead. "You should know by now to watch for the knees. Plus, you didn't even tell her your name~. Six out of ten, I'd say." She stood and smiled warmly at me. "I'm sorry you had to do that, he's normally quite polite but when he sees a pretty young lady he can't help himself~." She giggled at my expression. " By the way, his name is Francis, and he is my husband. When he recovers he'll probably introduce himself in full detail."

She walked over to Gilbert, who was laughing still, and kissed his cheek. "It's nice to see you again, little guy. She seems like a good one, don't make her mad~." He nodded and she went back to minding the store, smiling at patrons who were trying to avoid Francis, who was still on the ground. "The poor man, he's suffering a terrible cramp from the flu. Keep your children and young adults away from him for your safety, please~."

Gilbert strode over to me and took my hand, gently pulling me away. I noticed some bags he was balancing in his arm ( the chick had roosted on his head, it was so cute!) but thought nothing unusual of them. " Ready to head home?" He asked, a smile in his voice.

" Sure, Gilbert" I answered laughing. He gave me a funny look and sighed, shaking his head but not letting go of my hand.

Quick update for the win~. Hehe, just saying, Rosa is meant to be fem!Spain. I realize that's probably not the fanon name for her, probably not canon either, but I don't care~. Of course, Francis is France. I couldn't decide between Spamano or Frain but I want all the bad touch trio in there~.Anyways, hope you enjoyed, reviews are loved and will be rewarded when I figure out how. Have a good day/night, and happy Halloween! :D