♛♢♣♡♠♛

Ever since the first day he brought picture books, Elliot had been spending a lot of time reading stories for Dark-Hair. It was enjoyable. Dark-Hair was a fun guy, though he never talked. His expressions were various and comical, alluring Elliot in.

That day was not any different. Elliot was in the library, rummaging through bookshelves to find several interesting easy-to-read fictions. Well, it was not as easy as it sounded. The library had always been full of literature and scientific books—not much of children books. He wondered if his predecessors hated kid’s books in general.

While he was engrossed in his search, footsteps approached him from behind. He did not notice the other person’s presence until someone called out to him.

“Elliot?”

He jolted, spinning around as though he had been caught red-handed on a hideous crime. He found Henrique—as surprised as Elliot—standing behind him. “Oh—Father,” Elliot bowed politely.

“It is rare to see you here, my son,” Henrique greeted with a hearty smile.

“I suppose so,” Elliot chuckled. “Perhaps, it is strange to find me here, no?”

“I’d admit,” Henrique replied the banter. He sauntered next to his son, scanning the bookshelf for himself.

Elliot tilted his head up, looking at his own Father. There was a question he wanted to ask for a while, but he was not sure whether he should ask it or not. In the end, he decided to. “Father, may I ask something?” he asked.

Henrique pulled his hand that was about to reach for a book. He swiveled his attention to his son. “Go on, my son.”

“Where... was the Duchess of Pacem?” his voice hesitant. “She didn’t come to the last dinner.”

Part of Henrique was caught off guard by the question, but part of him realized that there was no need to hide. “She was... dead,” Henrique said sternly. “She has been dead for years now.”

It was not the answer Elliot expected—he choked on his own words. His face turned pale on guilt.

Henrique, though, did not seem to mind. “It was no one’s fault, Elliot,” he assured. “Valerie—died when she gave birth to Lorey. Poor Lorey himself died a day after.”

Elliot’s darkened gaze dropped. It felt like he was wrong to question that. “I’m sorry...”

“It is what it is,” Henrique assured. “Valerie was a lovely person. Her death hit George harder than expected.”

Elliot said nothing more. He felt that anything he said would make the atmosphere worse.

Henrique—noticing the heavy guilt from the question—decided to change the topic. “Whatever are you doing today?”

“Oh, I... plan to greet the hostage again, Father,” Elliot admitted.

“The boy, is it?”

“Yes.”

Henrique frowned, thinking deeply about something. “I suppose I shall ask anyway,” he stated, finally. “What do you plan to do to the captive, young man?”

“Oh, I’m—” Elliot startled. He was not prepared for that question. He was genuinely enjoying Dark-Hair’s company that he forgot his initial plan.

“I assume that you are to extract information out of that boy, no?” Henrique chipped in. “For example, of who sent the poor boy to end your existence.”

“Indeed, Father,” Elliot tried to speak naturally as to not look suspicious. “The boy has yet to say a word, but I shall find a way to make him talk.”

Henrique nodded though his expression showed uncertainty. He seemed to not believe Elliot’s capability in this matter, but he let the young man off the hook. Perhaps, it was right to feel doubt—as the young man himself seemed to have no plan in hand.

Well, it was a good reminder for Elliot to move forward. His mind considered a few options on how to advance. In the end, he decided one stupid option that he thought would be useful.

♛♢♣♡♠♛

When Elliot arrived, Dark-Hair was leaning at the wall, looking outside the window. He looked vulnerable, causing the urge to protect him swelled inside Elliot—he did not know from what and why, but he knew he wanted Dark-Hair safe and sound.

Elliot sat down at another edge of Dark-Hair’s bed. “I don’t bring any book, so there’s no bedtime stories, I guess.”

Dark-Hair averted his attention towards the other boy, giving nothing away through the void of his expression.

“This has been in my mind for long, but—why are you avoiding me?” Elliot asked, his hand reaching and touching Dark-Hair’s hair.

Dark-Hair flinched at the affection. The way Elliot touched him was so comforting, making him realized how lonely and vulnerable he was. And how disgusting he was. Out of disconcert, Dark-Hair slapped Elliot’s hand away.

Elliot was in no way surprised, as though he expected Dark-Hair to react to his small touch. Elliot was rather amused with how fast Dark-Hair’s reaction was. “How are you?” Elliot greeted with familiarity as usual.

Dark-Hair still would not answer.

Elliot ambled away and sat down on his stool. “It’s been days already and you still haven’t talk to me,” he stated. “I really want to have that much patience, but you know. Also, I have other things to do.”

With that, Elliot stood up, ready to leave.

Dark-Hair thought it meant Elliot would stop coming. And he was right. Elliot would stop visiting him from now on. Dark-Hair was relieved—not that he would be freed, but at least, there was no longer any nuisance.

But then he realized he was going to be alone again. Elliot was the only person who was not afraid of him—while he should have been the one most aware of him, he was practically defenseless. Elliot was the only one who would stay for hours, talking about himself without having any response. Dark-Hair did not have to respond any of Elliot’s words and he loved it. He loved to listen to Elliot’s one-sided conversation. He, unknowingly, found joy in the time they spent together.

He did not want it to end, but he would not give in. He was prideful.

Elliot caught a glimpse of loneliness in Dark-Hair’s eyes. That was what he wanted—he wanted Dark-Hair to miss him, maybe stopping him from leaving. But once Dark-Hair’s eyes turned into gleamed in pride, Elliot sighed. He still had the chance, but not now. He would give a little bit of time for the Dark-Hair, waiting for him to open his heart.

So, he left for real this time.

Coincidentally, Charlotte was already in front of the room, arms crossed in front of her chest. She smirked in amusement as Elliot got out of the room.

“Finally giving up?” she mocked in satisfaction.

Elliot shrugged, looking a little too amused. “No,” he said smugly. “It’s only starting.”

♛♢♣♡♠♛