bodyguard & red string au psl

[belovedscars]

[Gil had been in desperate need of a job for a while, but things seemed to finally be looking up. He'd had his misgivings about the suggestion his old mentor Break had given him. It sounded too good to be true. Be the personal bodyguard for one person and get paid very generously. There had to be a catch. There always was.

...Then Vincent had assured him that it was fine, he shouldn't be relying on someone like Xerxes Break anyway. He could find Gil a job where he worked and Gil decided the catch didn't matter.

He stands in front of the closed door, nervous and sleep deprived. He made an effort to clean himself up and look more professional, but there's no hiding the exhaustion in his eyes. He has no idea what kind of person his employer is, only his name. He supposes it makes no difference. He takes a deep breath, knocks to warn his employer, and steps inside.]

Mr. Vessalius...? I'm Gilbert Nightray. It's nice-- to...meet you?

Comments

[satisfice]

Yup! With my sister, Ada.

[When you grow up with an adorable little sister like he has, you pretty much just let her do whatever. Even if that means sitting down to join her in her tea parties with her soft toys. But also, while he has some tutors, he still has some free time, usually on the weekends or evenings.]

What about you? What do you like?

[belovedscars]

[That makes more sense. Oz must be a doting older brother. Gil can't say the same for himself. Every attempt he makes seems to backfire. He doesn't understand his siblings.

He doesn't have a high opinion of Oz's father, but he's glad Oz has his sister.]

What do I like? [He looks surprised by the question and has to give it thought.] ...I guess I like cooking for others. And-- [He's quick to stop speaking, looking down at the floor. He can't mention he enjoys knitting and cleaning. That would be embarrassing!]

[satisfice]

Cooking? I volunteer to be a taste tester!

[Oz offers, raising a hand and grinning. He did have a weakness for sweets. For delicious food. He doesn't think to read into the way the other trails off afterwards. Maybe Gil was just considering, didn't have so many hobbies? Some people worked way too hard and too long hours.]

[belovedscars]

It's probably nothing like you're used to.

[Gil likes to splurge a little on fresh ingredients, but he doesn't have the years of training or supplies available to the kitchen staff. Best to not get Oz's hopes up. He looks down, almost self-conscious about it.]

[satisfice]

I'm sure it won't be all that bad. You're probably a better cook than me. I can do some basic, easy stuff, but mostly it's the cooks who take care of meals. So, at most, I just make myself a snack sometimes.

[Oz says, not really that ashamed in admitting it. He's just not really been taught that sort of thing. Hasn't had the chance to really learn. Not when his lessons focus on more preparing him as the heir. Oz chuckles, a hand to Gil's back in some sort of reassurance.]