Gabby was waiting, when a summon reached the spiritual grounds and signals Qida to return her back to the mortal realm. The purple reaper gladly complies. Picking her hand and smiling at her, relieved that Red and her friend was okay and ready to see her again.
She feels glad, yet a bit sad her first human company in a long while is saying goodbye. Even so, she felt thankful she was tasked to keep her safe for a while. Listening to her felt...nice, like she was also as alive and full of colors like her.
QIDA: I wish I'd see you again sometime, it's refreshing to see someone like you around here. But I honestly am worried of how you are feeling, for a human, seeing us might have been a...nightmare.
Gabby wanted to say something, to confirm it but then the chance she'll get offended crossed her mind. She was nice. So she only pursed her lips and smiled.
She shook her head, unable to express herself fully. She loves the supernaturals, well, those who aren't trying to kill her. But she must admit, it was kinda hellish since she got involved with them.
Her mind went back to Murasaki, she felt like crying. Fear struck her spine like needles and she immediately felt the need to comfort him. How badly has his injuries gotten? She keeps feeling anxious of what her friend could have felt. The trauma she felt before rushed to her mind like a streak of lighting, no way Murasaki should feel that way too.
She never enjoyed her experiences, not once. She had just been telling herself that those were bitter dreams, she swallowed the pain, but knowing that her friend had gotten...in trouble because of her, she can't stand even the thought of him shaking like a puppy.
When she returned, she feels tears flood down her eyes as she saw the slightly wounded Murasaki. With Red standing beside him.
She,half relieved and hurt, quickly ran towards Murasaki and squeezed him into a hug. Slightly forgetting of the risk that she might worsen his wounds.
MURASAKI: Sorry for worrying you.
She didn't respond. She was still buried on her best friend's chest. Worried sick before, it was great to finally have him back, she felt a bit of the weight on her chest slightly lift.
GABBY: I...I...
MURASAKI: Don't be sad. It's still your day today.
GABBY: But what if I lost you?
MURASAKI: Pfff, me? Nah, you won't. Promise.
She continued to squeeze him, thanking the heavens that this wasn't a dream, that he really is okay.
GABBY: You gave me a heart attack.
MURASAKI: Not my fault.
Murasaki heard a snicker from her. He only smiles, genuinely touched that his friend was very concerned.
Red however, felt uneasy.
He should be happy, he thought.
And well, he's trying.
He's really trying.
It shouldn't be about him. It never should.
So as hurt as he was, he tried to smile for them.
...
(Jan. 6)
Office day. Everyone happily greeted her and even gave her some gifts.
A strawberry cake was placed on her table, baloons attached on her chair. With a bunch of birthday cards and anime figurines.
Jerico of course, gave her chocolates and a movie disc of a new released western film. He knows she appreciates it.
Gabby smiles, her heart touched.
She thought it'd be over but when she got home, Murasaki gave her a call and told her that he wanted to make her happy one last time for her 20th bday.
She chuckles to herself, saying just how lucky she was to have had been surrounded by thoughtful friends.
Gabby walked to her room, then prepared her tired and worn out self.
When she came out, it only took some good ten minutes for Murasaki to come.
MURASAKI: Sup Gab.
GABBY: Hi MJ. How's your injuries?
MURASAKI: Psh, forget about that.
GABBY: Well how can I? It was just yesterday.
MURASAKI: I'm fine, promise.
When Gabby calmed down, he sat on her couch and began to play with his guitar, strumming with his fingers a beautiful melody.
She felt very flattered.
Surely the sound almost, almost made her feel lost in space.
Red came back from his dues, his summon coming back to him, only for him to be greeted by a painful portrait of two people lost in each other's eyes.
The music was very sweet, very heart fluterring, he wished he was the one playing it.
His heart crushed at every note, knowing he won't be able to do what Murasaki does.
Then when he thought nothing would be more painful than that, Murasaki began to sing.
His voice, though he didn't want to admit, was pure, sweet, enchanting.
That's what girls want, right?
Gabby mentioned some times of how much she loves men with beautiful voices, moreso if they actually know how to play instruments. It's what she calls, 'charming', and 'flattering', making girls feel like princesses.
He was about to walk further when Gabby noticed his presence, she wanted to call him but he signalled with his hands to stay back, his eyes telling her it's okay...and it's better if Murasaki don't know he was there.
Sad as she was she agreed not to tell MJ. Who was still singing to her, her favorite song.
Gabby was still worried about how Red would feel, but then she remembered that it doesn't matter, the only job she has right now is to forget about the feelings she had for the Reaper.
If one of them manages to forget their feelings for one, it would be easy for the other to move on.
She needs to focus on her goals in life.
When Murasaki saw how sad her eyes looked, he thinks of a way to cheer her up.
Which involves him being creative.
MURASAKI: What if I made you a song?
Gabby's eyes grew wide at his suggestion. She thought it's a bit too much.
GABBY: A song, huh?
MURASAKI: Yeah, made just for you.
GABBY: I...wow...well, if you say so.
She turns scarlet red, hiding her face from him formed by deep embarrassment.
GABBY: But isn't making a song, like...kinda hard?
MURASAKI: So?
GABBY: What do you mean so? I mean...Damn that would be hard.
MURASAKI: Nah. I don't really care, so long as it would make you smile.
GABBY: Heh. But don't overwork yourself, okay?
MURASAKI: Sure won't.
Murasaki yawns. Which reminded Gabby of how
late it was already. He looked tired too, so even if she wanted his company, (human company keeps her sanity from slipping away because of how weird her life had just been), she knew that he needs rest the most.
GABBY: Oh, and it's getting kinda late don't you think?
MURASAKI: Oh yeah sure, sure. I'm going now. See ya around, Gab.
GABBY: See you around.
MURASAKI: Wait...aren't you forgetting something?
GABBY: Oh!
Gabby leaned and kisses him on the forehead as a thank you. For her, it was an act of love between two friends, but for Murasaki, it was hope.
GABBY: Thank you very much.
She said, still flushed from earlier.
The amount of effort Murasaki pours into making her happy is just insane. She hopes she could have done the same.
Murasaki touches his forehead and apparently blushed.
MURASAKI: I wish it was on another part but...eh, we'd come to that.
GABBY: Silly, you know how I feel about you.
MURASAKI: Pff, one day, you'll eat those words.
Gabby smiles then pats him on the back.
Murasaki grins then kisses the top of her head.
He didn't look back and just simply waved, leaving her again with Red alone.
She feels more like confused because of the fast beating of her heart.
But it was nothing compared to the nervousness and fear that she might have hurt Red. Who was there all along. She can't deny that her feelings for him were still superior, however, if this thing continues on, who knows?
...
Red noticed her red cheeks as the hazel eyed man walked out of the room, carrying his blue guitar with him.
He sighed then sat on the floor, unable to bear the frustration any longer.
Gabby pokes him on the cheek, to his surprise and eventually opened his eyes in annoyance.
GABBY: Are you this tired from your collecting souls and bluah bluah bluah?
RED: Yeah, yeah. Now go to sleep.
GABBY: Hm. Okay. Grumpy face.
RED: What? I am not grumpy.
GABBY: Uh, yeah you are.
RED: No I am not. Stop messing around.
GABBY: Hm, if you say so. Bye then.
RED: Yeah, yeah, whatever.
Gabby smiles at him, and by the look on her face, he was unable to remain still in jealosy.
He extends his hand to pat her hair.
GABBY: I'm 20 years old, you know. And you're 18. It's awkward.
RED: I'm 18 physically. I'm 178 exactly.
GABBY: ...
RED: Heheh, at least I'm hot for a guy more than a hundred years old.
GABBY: O...kay?
RED: Hehe, good night birthday girl.
GABBY: Good night.
...
Red felt gloomy that night, his heart shattering, to the point Humility felt worried about him and thought he needs him to be summoned.
HUMILITY: Oh, there you are. We...we just finished sealing another demon today. We almost lost two reapers. I'm sorry if...
RED: No. I'm sorry. Sorry if I...bother you a lot.
HUMILITY: Hah, it's okay.
RED: How's Harry?
HUMILITY: On the spirit realm. Talking to Foxxy about a lot of things, Foxxy looks like she could bare his blaberrings, good for her.
RED: And how about you?
HUMILITY: Don't mind me. I'm fine. I'm...fine, and wait...don't make this thing about me. It's about you, remember?
RED: No.I just noticed that most of our conversations are about me, or her, or...ya know, protecting her? I want this to be about you.
HUMILITY: Well, I think it's fine because you really need it.
RED: I can handle this. So...how's the demons?
HUMILITY: My demons metaphorically or the demons I just sealed?
RED: Oh, sorry. I mean the demons you...uh, wait let me rephrase that. Your demon-sealing activity or whatever.
HUMILITY: Need to practice your sentence there, my dear friend.
RED: Yeah, yeah, I suck. So just get on with it.
HUMILITY: Well, we have a few scary near-void experiences you know. It was very...frightening at times. A demon that's half the strength of Lilith, according to Madamme anyways, was still a pretty scary fight. We almost lost, and we were already a lot of white reapers handling it, what if we came faced to faced with Lilith herself, right?
RED: You're so amazing still you know? That's a high level demon if it took that much number of white reapers. I feel amazed that you guys always come out victorious. White reapers are awesome.
HUMILITY: You know...
RED: Hm?
HUMILITY: You're pretty amazing yourself.
RED: Pf, no need to flatter me.
HUMILITY: No, I am not flattering you. I'm telling the truth.
RED: I can't even sing her a song.
HUMILITY: Hahahah!
RED: Why?
HUMILITY: You're still thinking about her.
RED: Oh, sh*t, I am.
HUMILITY: What's with wanting to sing anyways?
RED: Nothing.
HUMILITY: If you want to learn how, there's nothing wrong with that.
RED: Dude, I swear Lucifer will come crawling from hell if I sing.
HUMILITY: That's a scary exageration I almost don't want you to sing but Red, just try it. There's nothing wrong with that.
RED: Nah.
HUMILITY: Come on.
RED: There's no point.
HUMILITY: If you actually manage to sing a song, I'll give you a favor.
RED: What is that?
HUMILITY: I remembered the first year of your reaper duty, you always wanted to experience playing with my whip. Maybe I can...
RED: No way, you're serious?
HUMILITY: Yep!
RED: Damn I want to sing now!
HUMILITY: Just...don't bring Lucifer crawling from hell, okay? I don't think I still got energy left to handle another demon.