Chapter 2
It had been a few days after that, and Sunday was starting to feel the pressure of the assignment he had previously deemed as of less importance compared to his usual duties. Given the fact he had interviewed about thirty people and yet none had made the cut had him rethinking that statement.
Sunday was currently occupying the reception they had on the main entrance of the family's estate, watching in silent annoyance as people talked, the queue to get interviewed unending.
He couldn't help but think about Robin as he let the guy infront of him talk about his unimpressive background. He let the words drift from one ear and out the other as he wondered how his sister was.
Robin was supposedly going to be visiting the orphanage again, having left quite a bit ago to entertain the children with her singing. She had told him they had taken a liking to her, calling her big sis and clinging to her dress, asking for more and more songs everytime she went.
She had told him she had also grown fond of them, therefore it was only natural she'd visit all the time. Sunday wasn't convinced.
The chair across from him was pulled out rather roughly, forcing him to snap out of his daydreaming to glance up, realizing the man from before had probably gotten the hint and walked out.
A new man sat down, muscles evident against his tight suit as he regarded Sunday blankly. The halovians eyes studied him.
He was rather handsome, brown bangs almost hiding a pair of wine red eyes, portals to the man's internal world and to his true nature.
Sunday chose to ignore the way his heart fluttered once he noticed the other's intense gaze was focused on him.
''Name?" He held his hand out, waiting patiently for the biography that would let him know if the man infront of him was what he was looking for.
His hand was gently grabbed, long yet firm fingers holding onto his own as the back of his hand was brought onto rough slightly chapped lips.
''Gallagher.'' The man's voice was pleasant, rough at the edges but filled with a sickeningly sweet tone. Sunday may have found it rather attractive had disgust not been burning his organs from inside out.
A pause, an inhale, and then Sunday jerked his hand backwards as if burnt.
''Why you-'' A sneer left his lips, so unlike him it made him pause, cradling his hand to his chest before he forced his rigid form to take a more relaxed stance. This was unprofessional.
An amused laugh filled the painful silence, making it adamantly clear the taller man was playing with him. An entertaining game of testing how long Sunday would take to crack.
He wouldn't give him that satisfaction.
The halovian took a moment to compose himself, arranging his thoughts in an orderly manner before he opened his mouth to demand the biography again-
''You're easily annoyed, birdie?" The other man cut him off, an action no one had dared before. He was a well respected noble, of course no one would dare interrupt him-
''Your wings are ruffled. I wonder, do they true express your true emotions like the rumours say?" Patience is a virtue, he had to remind himself. Sunday could just barely hold himself back from lunging at the man.
''Curiosity killed the cat.'' He didn't wait for the other to hand him the papers, taking them on his own and silently studying them. Curse him and his impressive skills.
''I wouldn't mind dying if it was by the hand of such a beauty.'' Gallagher hummed with a shrug, tone making it clear he was infact very much serious. Sunday couldn't begin to understand how someone could say something of the sort with such carelessness.
His eyebrows furrowed, annoyance and disgust building up at the back of his thr0at as he tried to keep his voice steady, ''Flattery won't get you far.'' This was getting out of hand.
''As in, it won't get me in your bed?" A smug smirk accompanied the vile words, reminding Sunday that shame wasn't a concept known to all.
He swallowed the urge to kick the man out, fists clenching against the papers he held in his grip. Deep fury threatened to take over his rationality, but that would mean letting Gallagher win.
Sunday wouldn't- no, couldn't let the man have the satisfaction of seeing him lose his cool.
''I'm afraid I don't swing that way.'' He smiled coldly and placed down the papers, getting up with grace he didn't feel yet had in his system given how long he had spent practising absolute perfection in his room. A hand was extended to Gallagher regardless of Sunday's interal voice screaming at him not to.
''Pleased to be working with you from now on, Gallagher.''
The taller man let out a bark of laughter as he got up, Sunday's eyes widening slightly at the abrupt height difference before he forced his face into something apathetic.
Gallagher shook his hand firmly, a teasing smile on his handsome features that were now even closer than before, ''The pleasure's all mine princess.''
A kiss was placed on his hand again.
Sunday resisted the urge to slap him.
-
In all honesty, Sunday fully expected to never have to hear about the new bodyguard, the entire interaction ending up forgotten due to how busy he wind up being the rest of the week.
Perhaps that explained why he was so surprised to hear there was another break in, this time in his sister's changing room. The news leaving him frozen in horror at first, a maid having to hold him up as he tried his best not to throw up in disgust and worry.
Thankfully, Robin wasn't present when it happened, having gotten caught up with a fan that wanted her autograph, so she didn't end up running into the guy.
Thankfully, the guy had gotten caught before he could even make it inside the room, by none other than Gallagher. Gallagher who Sunday felt very mixed feelings towards.
Gallagher, who was now waiting for him inside his office apparently, wishing to speak with him about new security meassures.
Sunday sincerely did not wish to go inside, which was how he found himself attempting to glare holes through the wooden doors that shut his office away from the rest of the world.
A room he liked occupying due to how secluded it was, had now caused nervousness to well up in his stomach. Sunday knew this wasn't about the room.
The headache he was sporting didn't help his unfortunate circumstances at all.
Sunday swallowed down the anxiety that threatened to make his organs burst in favour of actually facing the problem of it all, opening the doors with none of the uncertainty he felt.
As dully expected, Gallagher was perched up on his favourite windowstill, looking blankly down at the garden that Sunday had for view when he wasn't sat on his desk. The other shifted his gaze when Sunday closed the doors behind him though, a mocking smirk on his face, one that had Sunday tensing momentarily.
''Finally here birdie?" Sunday had to pause at the absurd informalness in the other's words, showing zero respect for Sunday's higher status. He was part of a noble family, and to be spoken this way but a mere commoner was nothing short of distasteful.
That didn't stop him for walking a few steps closer though, his voice cold as he regarded the current bane of his existence, ''Aren't you rather bold Mr. Gallagher?" His smile was anything but sincere.
''What? Don't like being seen as an equal, Mr. Sunday?'' The other's mocking voice had Sunday clenched his fists, his fingers digging into his palms even with the gloves he had on. This bastard.
''That's the thing Gallagher.'' Sunday might as well have spat venom with the way he said the taller man's name, stepping impossibly closer as he held Gallagher's gaze, ignoring the sick amusement that swimmed in those beautiful red pools, ''We aren't equals. You'd best remember that.''
The underlying threat wasn't lost on Gallagher, who didn't even bat an eye at Sunday's words, simply raising an eyebrow in a silent question when Sunday pointed to the door behind his shoulder.
''Let's take a walk while we talk, shall we?" It wasn't a question.
It was answered as one though, Gallagher's grin never leaving his face as he got up, marching in long and relaxed strides towards the wooden doors, ''We shall, since you asked so nicely.''
Sunday ignored that.
The two of them ended up taking a walk through the gardens in the backyard, newly bloomed hydrangeans lining the path they occupied, the silence surprisingly pleasant. Sunday knew it had to be broken soon though, the reason behind the walk not forgotten by him.
''Did you know these flowers have many meanings?'' Gallagher's voice startled him, not having expected the other to be the one to start the conversation, his sentence baffling him further.
Sunday glanced curiously at the flowers, unable to refrain from filling his lungs with their refreshing scent, brain taking its time to process the sentence, ''Do they?"
Gallagher nodded, Sunday able to detect the motion only from the corner of his eye, too busy taking in all the different colors of the flowers, ''They do. Every color represents a different meaning.''
He then proceeded to point in the direction of white Hydrageons with his head, ''For example, they represent pride. Fitting of the Family, wouldn't you say?'' The other's rather mocking tone wasn't lost on Sunday.
''In..a way.'' Sunday nodded, fingers nervously findling with the end of his gloves, why was the other telling him all this?
Gallagher slowly came to a stop, eyes staring calmly at Sunday, who had also paused in his steps to stare curiously behind him.
The wind was the only thing that filled the tense silence between the two of them, Sunday's eyes unable to rip themselves away from the sight that Gallagher portrayed as he stood relaxed between red hydrangeas, beautiful flowers that matched the taller's beautiful eyes.
Everything about Gallagher was calm, from his posture to his facial expressions, the other seemed like he couldn't be bothered with anything at all. As if nothing could truly get to him. Sunday knew better though, not because he was similar, but simply because he was observant.
He could see the fire that burned behind those passionate pools of red, the determination and love held behind those eyes evident to the Halovian.
Sunday forgot how beautiful the color could be.
''I thought you'd be different.'' Gallagher's tone hadn't changed at all, matching his apathetic expression as he slowly walked closer to Sunday, leaving barely any space between the two of them as they held each other's gaze.
There wasn't any tension between them anymore, as if they only needed to be closer to one another to finally relax in each other's presence, an observation that greatly confused Sunday.
''Everyone I've met describes you as fake, a doll with no will of its own, forced to be moved by its master. But that's not really the truth is it? I can see the yearning for freedom behind the mask you wear for a face.'' Sunday's chin was grasped in a gentle but firm hold before he could fully process the sentence, his eyes widening in surprise at the sincere curiosity in Gallagher's eyes.
''The perfect son, a charismatic public speaker with great kindness and care for even those more unfortunate than him. A caring older brother with an amazing understanding of politics. Which one of these is the true Sunday I wonder?"
''What nonsense are you spouting?'' Sunday's voice came out exactly the opposite of what he intended it to, his usual firmness now replaced by pure confusion and meekness as he was faced with someone who could truly match his intelligence and analytical thinking. What part of Sunday was the true him? What kind of question was that?
Gallagher's grip wasn't released still, ''I think I already know the answer, birdie. But do you?''
''I don't understand what you mean.'' Sunday finally stepped away, his hands resting behind his back, so Gallagher wouldn't be able to see them clench in irritation, ''I believe you wished to meet with me for an entirely different reason, no?''
''You're wrong.'' Gallagher smirked, placing his hands in his pockets as he kept walking relaxed, ''I didn't come to see you about Robin. Actually, I took care of that myself, thought you wouldn't mind.''
Sunday gawked in surprise, turning to follow after the other in annoyance, having to take longer strides to catch up with the other, curse their height difference!
''What does that even mean!? Who gave you permission to act alo-'' Sunday was abruptly cut off by Gallagher's feet suddenly coming to a stop, the taller man turning around just as quickly.
Sunday braced himself for an unexpected hit when he saw Gallagher reach out to him swiftly, unable to react in time. His eyes slowly blinked open in confusion when it never came.
Instead, he felt the soft flutter of petals against his cheekbone, a gentle caress, not unsimilar to that of a lover.
''What?" Sunday mumbled confused, reaching upwards to gently touch the flower placed behind his ear, a flush decorating his cheek at the amused expression on Gallagher's face. The other's hand had fallen away long ago, yet Sunday could still vividly feel the brush of Gallagher's fingers against his bangs.
''It suits you.'' The taller man hummed softly, voice gentle in a way Sunday hadn't quite heard from the man before, matching the cozy atmosphere that surrounded the two of them. For just a moment, it reminded him of his mother's soft voice.
Sunday's eyebrows furrowed further and he reluctantly lowered his hand, letting it fall back to his side to focus instead on holding eye contact with Gallagher, looking for answers in the other's relaxed eyes.
Gallagher truly looked content with simply admiring him, seemingly not wishing to talk about Robin even though that was supposedly the topic he had come to bother Sunday with. It was weird, how Sunday felt like Gallagher sought him out for him, an unfamiliar flutter in his chest causing nervousness to well up just below his lungs.
''You're weird.'' Sunday mumbled gently, averting his gaze at long last, eyes resting at the pink hydrangeas not too far from them, noting with some interest that the flower that decorated his hair was of the very same color.
He glanced momentarily at Gallagher, swallowing hard in hesitation, ''..What do the pink ones signify?"
Gallagher's face went blank for barely a second before a fond smile spread across his face, Sunday unable to look away from the torrent of warmth that radiated from the other's expression, ''Honestly? They don't mean anything.''
Sunday gawked in bafflement and irritation as Gallagher walked away chuckling, ''What!?"
-
''Shouldn't you be inside?"
Sunday hummed in reply, not bothering to actually answer, eyes refusing to part from the worn out pages of his old diary. Hands fondly running down the yellow pages, tracing over the words with pure affection. It was funny, how he came to feel so strongly for a book he had accompanying him during his worst years.
''Ignoring me?'' Gallagher whistled in amusement, resting his hands on the back of the bench Sunday was occupying, not too far from the Halovian's shoulders, ''What's that?"
''None of your business.'' Sunday replied with no actual bite behind his words, heart beating faster at the deep chuckle he received from none other than the bane of existence.
''Cute.''
Sunday could feel the other's nimble fingers gently playing with a few of his back strands, for once keeping quiet instead of telling him to cut it out. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to the other's playful behaviour after all.
''It's my old diary.'' Sunday's hands kept turning pages every once in a while, careful with the way he handled the old book, dreading causing any accidental damage to it given it's state.
Gallagher raised an eyebrow in silent surprise, sneaking a glance at the contents in curiosity, ''You don't seem like the type.''
And it was the truth, Sunday didn't keep a diary. Not anymore atleast, having grown out of that phase just a few months after being taken in by Gopher Wood. He didn't really remember why he stopped.
''I grew out of it. But I can see why you'd find it uncharacteristic of me.'' He shut his eyes softly when he felt careful brushes against his wings, the tips of gentle fingers tracing tender lines across the ends of the feathers.
''Why did you come to find me?" Sunday eventually asked. He had fully intended to stay in the garden and reminisce for the rest of his afternoon, having wrapped up all his duties for the day and wishing for a singular moment to breathe.
Plus, he was certain the bloodhound would be accompanying his sister to her visit to the orphanage.
''Wanted to see you.'' Gallagher's sincerety was evident in both his tone and his eyes, Sunday looking up at him from over his shoulder in surprise, stifling the butterflies that arose the moment gold met red.
''..what for?"
''For company of course. Is it truly that surprising?" Gallagher's teasing tilt wasn't lost on the Halovian, ''I was thinking we could sneak downtown. You in, birdie?"
Sunday's eyes widen in bewilderment, turning sideways on the bench to keep his neck from straining as he kept eye contact with Gallagher, ''Sneak downtown? Us?"
Gallagher shrugged in reply, leaning his hip against the back of the bench and crossing his arm in obvious glee, deriving pleasure from all the reactions he got out of the other, ''Do you see anyone else here, dove?"
''We shouldn't.'' He shook his head firmly, focusing back on the tear stained pages infront of him with slight annoyance. Wasn't Gallagher aware of the rules?
''Says who?" Sunday gawked at the taller in surprise when he swang his legs over the back of the bench, sitting next to him with his legs spread wide open. Gallagher seemed to favour that position quite a lot.
Sunday had to admit, he had never imagined he'd ever be comfortable with another person in the way he currently was with Gallagher. Had anyone else asked such a thing of him, he'd have lectured them for a week straight.
Yet the offer sounded almost enticing out of the bloodhound's mouth.
''..The rules.'' A weak retort that held no actual belief behind it, as if the speaker lost the will to properly argue.
A boisterous laugh had Sunday snapping his head to the side, breath stolen away by the sight of Gallagher's affectionate smile, directed at him. For the timespan of just about a minute, the world had stopped spinning and the wind had stopped blowing.
Everything was frozen, left to stand still and show no sign of continuing, leaving only the sun to warm Sunday's chest, the flutter of his heart being the only sound that could reach his ears in the loud silence.
The other was absolutely radiant, lighting up Sunday's entire eyesight as he filled the world with colors and feelings previously unknown to the halovian. It was as if Sunday had opened his eyes for the first time in forever, mind no longer a blurred mess born out of lies and deception.
His heart finally filled the space inside his lungs.
''When has that ever stopped impulsiveness?"
Arms wrapped around his waist and he was thrown over a broad shoulder before he could even retort properly.