Episode 114: STILL NEW TO THIS

Gabby continued to tease Red for more than thirty minutes. And Red was just there, simply hiding the fact that he felt more bashful than pissed.

He waited till Gabby felt tired enough to resume sleeping. Then the silence quickly overwhelmed him.

He felt peaceful though, well he thought.

He felt calm at first seeing her sleeping face. But that was when his heart completely went nuts.

He tried to move farther away from her, to have himself calm and collected as before but...she looks so...soft and cuddly. Red would be lying if he said he didn't feel the urge to touch her face and squeeze it.

Not that he have never seen her in this state before...but..why...why does he feel this way even though he had already seen her face countless times before?

Tsk.

This is not good.

How can one human, tame him like this? And...make him feel more and more human each passing day?

Red sighed. He knew he shouldn't stay longer now that he had formed unwanted enemies. Yet...he wanted to know why fate enterwined their lives if he was to leave her to be protected by someone else?

Is their meeting, simply...a coincidence?

Or does the heaven wanted something more?

...

Gabby seems to be having a hard time again, groaning in her sleep, while making a frown. Almost as if she can't escape another bad dream.

Red quickly went back to her side, and held her hand. Gently tapping her shoulder to wake her up.

Gabby opens her eyes, tears already present in her eyes.

Frustration showing.

GABBY: When will this curse end?

She whispered in a hush tone.

Red pitied her.

Those eyes...sure are a hotspot for supernatural occurences.

Bad dreams...it was to be expected. Her 'sight', was a curse passed down to her by his own kind.

But seeing her like this, makes Red angry.

That reaper...

How dare he do something so selfish.

The person he was protecting, was first hunted down by Jinko because of his own doing.

GABBY: Hey, are you good? You seem like the one having nightmares.

RED: Uh, huh? Oh well, uh...never mind it.

GABBY: Hey, Red...

RED: What?

GABBY: You're keeping a secret, aren't you?

RED: What? No. I promise. It's nothing.

Red said calmly, wanting to be convincing enough for her to stop minding. However, Gabby had seen enough of her friends' faces to know that Red was lying.

Gabby gave a slight frown.

GABBY: I'm not sleeping until you tell me.

RED: Hey, young lady, you are not obligated to boss me around like this.

She quickly turned her head. Desperate to know.

GABBY: Please tell me! It's frustrating to know that you're comforting me and I'm still being a useless doll who always needs to be kept an eye on! I care about you too, and I...wanted to help you in my own way.

Red's gaze lowered down on his hands...

RED: But...there's nothing you could do.

GABBY: I had the dream again. His face. He was...looking for you.

Red felt shocked. How is she dreaming specific things like that?

Gabby seemed to have picked up the expression on his face.

GABBY: Every year...my eyes get stronger. I don't know if it was a nightmare my mind made up but...your expression says something. That guy...whoever he is...is looking for you and you know that, right? You know, that's why you and Humility always seem to be making that eye contact or something. Tell me, what are you planning? Are you...are you going to go away?

RED: Gabby...

GABBY: Red...I understand your reasons and I'm not mad. I atleast want to set up a birthday party for you. Tomorrow.

RED: Gab, you don't have to.

GABBY: I love you.

Red's eyes froze after hearing her say those words again. He felt a single tear drop on his right eye. While he tried to hold back the others.

No matter how many times she say those words...it always felt like the first time.

GABBY: Please...let me love you.

RED: How many times are we to talk about this? You're...so stubborn.

GABBY: Fine...I get it.

She wipes the tear from his face and smiles sweetly.

GABBY: But...at least let me do something good for you tomorrow.

Red hesitated. Then gave in.

RED: Okay. But...don't say those words again...it makes me feel...guilty.

Gabby smiled.

GABBY: You shouldn't be.

...

Red was about to leave her side when he felt her hand stop him. Holding firmly on his arm.

GABBY: You're leaving soon, so please stay with me as closest as possible for now.

Red wanted not to be too attached to her as it would surely make him miss her more but..can he possibly say 'no' to those eyes of hers?

RED: Fine. But...

GABBY: Not that kind of close. Just...well, you don't need sleep anyways. I just...want you to be near me.

RED: Ah, so...not in the bed, right?

GABBY: Yeah, not in the bed...wait, were you seriosly thinking about me...t-thinking about considering that???

RED: Ah, yeah kinda.

GABBY: Wow...well, for someone who doesn't like my affection, you're something-

RED: I didn't say that I don't want it. I'm just saying that I can't have it.

GABBY: *unearthly screaming intensifies in her head*

RED: You're squealing aren't you?

GABBY: No.

RED: Then why are you smiling?

GABBY: No, I'm not.

RED: Mmm, fine. Whatever you say.

Red quickly leans on the wall, and closes his eyes. Forgetting that Gabby was still holding unto him, resulting to her falling head first to his lap.

RED: Oi!

Gabby's lower half were still on the bed, resulting to a beautiful sight for perverts, and a very awkward one for Red. He shut his eyes close and complained.

RED: The hell were you thinking?!

GABBY: My head...

She eventually falls over completely, making Red more bashful than he already was before.

RED: You seriously clung to me? All that time?

GABBY: You didn't notice? What the hell??

RED: Damn, you're getting heavier.

GABBY: Hey!

RED: I'm not kidding, you should really use some exercise and stuff.

GABBY: It's called being thick.

RED: You're too heavy for your age. Well, actually I'm not surprised. All you did for an exercise was draw. Only your fingers are growing muscles.

GABBY: That's funny, hahahah. You're such a jerk suddenly. It's as if you won't miss me or anything.

RED: I'm just joking. You're such a serious little-

GABBY: What? That cringy bug call again?

RED: Little human.

GABBY: You're...frustrating, you know? But well...

Gabby paused for a moment. Then continued, this time, her voice was calmer.

GABBY: Our lives are more frustrating...I wonder why the hell bad things keep on happening to both of us. We're being punished for nothing. I hope...my child won't be cursed or punished for something he or she... didn't do.

Red tried to smile, and patted her head. He helps her up her bed, while making sure this time, she'd sleep peacefully.

When all went back to normal, he went back to his deep thoughts.

There are many questions in his head.

Who was that man? And just what is their history together?

He surely can't remember doing a thing to him. And he was sure enough that he was born with the red eye.

Is it possible that whoever he was...was just mistakened?

He sure hoped so.

In all honesty, he wanted to...stay with her.

His silence was broken by Gabby's sudden loud snoring.

RED: (Damn that woman sure has...a lot of unusual characteristics...I guess it's a sign that she's having a good dream?)

He smiles however, finding her deep snoring oddly cute and fascinating.

A part of her hair however, was on her mouth. And not wanting her to wake up with sticky hair, he tried to pull them out.

She shifted a bit. But she didn't wake up.

He chuckled softly.

For some, they may find it unattractive or disgusting but...well, for Red. Her flaws makes her more...well, adorable.

He knows a lot about her weaknesses.

She was simply a woman fit for business on the outside.

She can't cook much, only knowing how to cook breakfast and yellow rice. But other than that, she can't cook right. He knows...he knows that she was afraid of peeling potatoes with a knife.

And that she'd scream at the littlest sight of blood if she would ever have one.

He knew she can't sew. And was a sucker at cleaning spotless.

But she knows how to clean...just not as tidy as he can.

What makes her more appealing to him wasn't the fact that she can't do those common things right, but the fact that despite it, she was able to show him that she was appealing and appreciative.

She shows him she cares and loves him by doing the things she's good at, and giving it to him.

Gabby was trying her best to be appreciated even with her flaws. Maybe the reason why she felt unsure of having other guys love her was because of her insecurity. As bubbly as Gabby is on the outside, Red could tell she could be easily hurt and teased.

She doesn't want people who only sees her on the outside. She loves him, because he knows her inside out. He knows her downfalls, and he...was still despite it, in love with her.

He doesn't know the exact words for it, but he just was.

He loves her with all he can, that it pains him to see her begging for his love in return. She was a young woman, craving for his love. And he, was so new to this...that he wasn't sure what to do. A part of him wanted to be selfish, a part wanted to be a reasonable guardian.

They were barely improving.

They lost in both ways.

They can't get rid of each other's feelings.

They can't improve it either.

They were simply stuck, to where they was before.

Two people in love, and hurting because they know it will simply fail.

That one day, one of them would leave.

Red looked at her, his eyes tearing up.

He held her hands. As she snore in the back ground, unaware that Red was breaking that point.

He wanted Humility to erase her memories of him. Perhaps that...would settle things once and for all.

After all, isn't it about making her happy?

For Red, he was used to this pain, this tight feeling in his chest that will never go away. The horror, the blood, he sees it everyday. But Gabby, that's not the life he wanted for her.

Maybe it's just a coincidence. Maybe they're not really meant to stay together. Maybe these bad things that kept happening...maybe they were heaven's message that a human...and a reaper...just couldn't be together.

She was just 20 years old. And so few years left to feel those happiness...to have a good future. But he, he can live for another hundred million years. How can he take her lifetime? How can he take her chance to have a family? To pursue her dreams? To live in peace?

These questions occured to him more than once. And each time, he was given more reasons to leave her.

Now is the final push, a dark fairy, searching for him.

He must do what he can to keep her safe.

Even if it means...hurting himself more.

RED: I'm sorry...