BLD4

(A/N: Hello everyone! Despite the fact that I don't really have a ton of inspiration, I said I'd update so I am. I kind of cut out a part, because I really wanted to get to this thing I have planned. It's going to be hilarious, just you wait.)

Ch.4: Truth

Kalluto and Feitan spent the rest of the afternoon out in the back garden, accompanied by Illumi "for their safety."

Either Illumi knew exactly what was going on, or they had him completely fooled; it could be either. But in case of the latter, the two were still holding hands.

It was clear that Feitan was warming up to human contact. He no longer stiffened up when Kalluto pecked him on the cheek, or had to be urged into holding hands with him. In fact, if Kalluto didn't know any better, he'd say Feitan actually liked him.

"Well he has to like me somewhat." Kalluto reasons, "if he didn't he wouldn't have covered for me in the first place. And this whole shenanigan was his idea! Maybe me in gothic dresses is some sick interest of his. What if he actually liked me, you know, romantically?"

Kalluto steals a glance at the torturer, and fights back a giggle.

"Yeah, like that'd ever happen! He'd marry a painting before he'd marry me!"

Little did Kalluto know, Feitan was having a similar conversation in his own mind…

"This was a horrible idea. I can't keep fooling his brother, it just won't happen. If Illumi doesn't know already, he will soon."

Feitan notices Kalluto's stolen glance and almost sighs.

"I should have just kept my mouth shut. Or said the kid was engaged to Phinks. That would be easier for him. It must suck to be engaged to me. I can't even hold a conversation. Kalluto probably just pities me, that's why he spends time with me. I don't need a Zoldyck's pity! I'm not stupid! I think if full fucking sentences just like everyone else! I'm not some sort of mindless, unintelligent monster who only wants to cause pain! Having a real friend would be fucking fantastic!"

The sigh escapes, quiet and ragged,

"… If only I could tell them that."

"Are you alright Fei?" Kalluto asks, eyes brimming with concern.

"Yes. Thinking about Chain-user." Feitan lies, "Worried."

Kalluto gives his hand a reassuring squeeze, "don't worry! Kuroro-san knows what he's doing! He hasn't gotten us completely annihilated yet, right?"

"If only they knew…"

The garden was full of bright, living plants even though it wasn't yet spring. The air was crisp and cool, and the sun was warm. This sort of day reminded Kalluto of his little garden back on the mountain. He grew mostly poisonous things, but they were growing nonetheless.

In this garden there were rose bushes though, and rhododendron bushes. Four lilac brushes in each compass direction, and a fountain in the center of a hedge maze. Around the maze were four small courtyards, each holding one of the lilac bushes. Around them were Easter lilies, daffodils, and a few Kalluto didn't know.

They wandered through the maze for a while, only in the eastern half. That courtyard had a small statue, depicting some ancient important god of something or another. Kalluto didn't know. Illumi already did, thankfully, and didn't need to ask.

Kalluto crouched down to pick up a small stone from beside the statue. If looked like an uncut Opal, akin to the voice modulator around his neck.

"Feitan, look!" he holds up the stone, "it's an opal, like my choker!"

"Pretty." Feitan replies, looking at the stone thoughtfully, "you want it? I make something with it."

Kalluto smiles widely, "really? I can't wait to see it!"

From the center of the garden, Vanessa's voice calls abruptly, "Rose, Father would like a word with you!"

Kalluto's smile fades, "Coming Vanessa!" he turns to the guys, "I'm sorry, I'll be right back."

Kalluto disappears into the maze, leaving the two men staring at the stone.

"What're you going to make her?" Illumi asks.

"A ring." Feitan replies simply, "Opal's are Rose's favorite."

He eyes the rock closely, looking for exactly the right spots to cut it. He knew it had to be a really beautiful ring, with no flaws to speak of. This whole charade was a "go big or go home" deal; it was all or nothing. Either they keep up long enough to get Illumi off their backs, or risk losing Kalluto altogether. Not like they couldn't replace him; it was more of a pride thing.

The Phantom Troupe and the Zoldyck's had a long-running feud, despite the fact that Kikyo was born in Meteor City. Losing Kalluto would be detrimental.

But that didn't alleviate Feitan's anxiety. He was engaged. To Kalluto Zoldyck. And a mess up here could cost him his life. And he's fucking engaged!

To put it simply, Feitan was very worried. He wasn't exactly the "picture-perfect husband" type. If fact, he was sure he was the last thing from it. Creepy torturer who can't speak in complete sentences and generally hates everyone, how lovely.

The fact that Kalluto was male never really crossed his mind, however. Even if they did have to remain married for whatever reason, Feitan wasn't exactly concerned about that. Considering he never thought he'd be getting married anyway, Feitan never really sat down to think about his sexuality. He always just ended up on the same thought; if he liked someone enough to commit to them, fuck the rest of it.

Feitan liking people is rare at best, he didn't want to limit himself by gender. And besides, gay marriage is legal in most places in their known world, including the continent they were currently residing in.

But alongside that, Feitan didn't really want to commit to someone he didn't love. Since he had so few connections with people, he considered relationships of any type to be precious, sacred even. He could get close to everyone and be a social butterfly, but he chose not to. He only opened up to people he valued, which were really only Kuroro and maybe Phinks at this point. No one else could even be considered close to a friend. And now he was forced to fake a connection with someone he attempted to keep at arm's length at all times.

But if it was so taboo to him, why was it so easy? They had only been at this for a day and a half, at most, so why did he adjust so quickly?

Kalluto was a natural, easily hanging off Feitan's arm and kissing him. It was sickly sweet and almost disgusting to the torturer at first, but within a few hours it felt natural.

In fact, not having his "fiancé" there at that very moment was causing Feitan a bit of stress. And that gave him more stress.

"You've been staring at that rock for a really long time." Illumi blurts, "What's so interesting about it?"

Feitan blinks a few times, "…oh… just thinking about Rose."

An uneasy silence fell over the two, and Illumi turned away.

"Rose, right. A clever little alias I must say. Did you think that up on the spot? I must commend you, at first you had me fooled... so anyway, have you two started plans for the wedding? It is going to happen, right?"

"Oh shit…"

(A/N: LOL cliffy! Hehehe Illumi is getting creepy! I guess the wedding is on! I'll probably update this weekend if possible, but who knows. I just wanna get to the fluff!)