….

Sixteen

Ghetsis woke up suddenly as the light came through the windows he sighed in irritation he moved sluggishly as he tried to rememeber what happened before. He felt a little more drained than he normally did.

"Look who finally woke up."

He jumped off the bed swiveling he glared at Colress who grinned.

"Okay see that's why I'm here you get so jumpy after a breakdown, you have to watch that you just know how many Grunts would love to betray you the moment they found you when you were weakened."

He sighed heavily turning to go in his drawer to grab a cigar.

"How are you feeling?"

"Why? Did I kill someone or something?"

"You could have but you were stopped, you really scared off Touko."

He turned and glanced at him.

"Where'd she go?"

"Calm down she's just in her room." he said quickly watching his gaze.

"Well she shouldn't be, she should be in here."

"I don't think she's going to want to move in here it's not very home-y and you did attack a Grunt over nothing."

"I doubt it was over nothing."

Colress stood to show him the camera feed from the day before he frowned as Colress shrugged he went to the bathroom to clean up. He was feeling heated already just thinking of another touching her but he was a little more controlled today. Mostly because he knew nothing happened.

"What should I do?"

"I don't know let her cool off alright? You guys were doing alright but you hadn't spent enough time with her that she would just brush it off, right?"

Ghetsis frowned, needing a drink.

"Right..I have work to do anyways."

"Really no fight? I'm surprised."

"I think I've taken enough advice from you haven't I?"

"Maybe." he wondered how long he would be able to follow advice if he was sure it was his choice to stay away he wouldn't get angry and assume Touko was avoiding him.

Even if it was for his own good.

…...

As a week passed and the snow finally came the only thing that stood out was the back and forth between Ghetsis and Touko. One avoiding the other and visa versa, Grunts assumed she was angry for Paul though the women thought he was angry at her for being angry for Paul. There was just enough free time to wonder how it was going to end. It wasn't doing much for his nerves, he didn't get drunk he kept Colress's words in his mind, he couldn't lose control. It wore him out more every time, he settled on walking around the area he paused seeing Paul out brushing Zebstrika they were fond of him and bit at his sleeve trying to convince him to give one more attention than another. Ghetsis cleared his throat.

"Yeah?"

He looked over when he didn't say anything and jumped.

"Sir!...Sorry."

He held up his hand.

"Relax I wanted to apologize for snapping I've been under more stress than I care to show you Grunts."

Paul stared at him in disbelief then rubbed his neck nervously, even though he decided to apologize Ghetsis stood proud same frown, stern expression. As though he'd crush you just to keep it between the two of you should he ever do something decent. It was unnerving, like accepting a cupcake from a Beedrill.

"Oh uh that's okay Sir, I accept it but I understand, just looking over there was no positive spin on a man on top of your fiancee. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."

He only nodded.

"Sir if I may.."

"I suppose you want compensation?"

"No no that medicine your daughter gave me worked wonders just some one armed work I can handle that..."

Ghetsis raised an eyebrow, he supposed the thought of him near his daughter should frustrate him but he was long since used to the idea of her dating. He worried about her and her siblings much more constantly than it seemed but he had at least gotten past the protective father stage.

"So what is it?"

"I was just trying to be nice because she said she was lonely, she's not used to being alone for so long, I think she really would have been glad to spend time with anyone. Maybe that should be you.."

Ghetsis frowned, though not really out of agitation, perhaps a little toward himself for not thinking about that. Though after his break down his mood was a bit softer to fix that.

"Of course she has mentioned her many friends, I'll look into that, as you were." he turned on his heel leaving Paul to wonder if he'd really take what he said into consideration.

Zebstrika nipped at him to get his attention back to more important matters...as far as they were concerned.

…..

It took another week, Touko had limited views mostly of an old at ease smile, but not much else she was sitting on the ground staring out the window. Concordia made a few more stops by to see her but it seemed the family mostly got together at Ghetsis's word she would like to go out with all of them again. Hearing a knock on the door she chewed on her lip sensing him she noticed when he passed by her room though he always just left her alone.

She stood up to go to the door, he stared down she wore a fuzzy pink sweater he was sure was once Concordia's paired with a black skirt it was warm enough in her room for one. He felt a rush of desire he supposed that was to be expected he hadn't seen her in a while though he wanted to he wore a heavy black cape she chewed on her lip. He didn't really like the way her gaze shifted nervously like she was questioning if she should have opened the door at all.

It wasn't like she had just forgotten what he admitted to as far as his crimes were concerned...she'd spent an hour damning herself for not caring thinking that he only went after people that mixed wrong with him. He didn't torture innocents...anyone who did know him knew what they were getting into. She didn't even know if that was really the right way to look at it if she already lost her mind and was just giving him a pass well...she couldn't think on much beyond that.

It wasn't entirely just about her friends, yes she was sure she was mentally damaged and was accepting what she could. Though it was different it wasn't just her rationalizing she sensed it, he wasn't like that he didn't go after anyone just because he didn't get off on murder...but she didn't know all the facts. That was where acceptance came in.

"I have a meeting today, I'm getting ready to leave but I had something for you, if you'll take it."

She cocked her head.

"Sure..."

"Teddiursa.."

She looked down as his cape shifted her mouth fell as he poked his head out a big red bow around his neck he yawned as Ghetsis handed him to her.

"He's for you, to uh...keep you company my kids will be here but I know they fall into their old habits and keep to their rooms. They'll warm up more as time goes on but now you won't be...alone."

She blushed as he grabbed at her hair fascinated by the strawberry scent of her shampoo. Ghetsis flinched a bit as she squealed to squeeze the little bear...though the little one didn't seem to mind.

He jumped as she launched herself against his chest.

"Thank you!"

He blushed and cleared his throat as he only briefly patted her back caught off guard by her show of gratitude.

"...Uh you're welcome...look I'm sorry you saw that side of me when you weren't meant to but you..uh don't need to be afraid of me, I'll see you later."

"...It's okay...I saw Paul was fine, have a good meeting."

She watched him go before looking down at Teddiursa who happily played with her hair she shook her head...no he wasn't completely evil but that didn't mean he wasn't stained.

It was a matter of...well how much that really mattered to her.

Thinking of what she'd lost in her memories she wanted to know if that side of her would have just let that go...staying on the bright side.

Was that really good or not, she had to think if she cared at all.

…...