Disclaimer- I don't own Black Cat- as much as I wish I did... In fact, I don't think I own anything. 'Runs off to take inventory.'
Thinking Back:
Chapter 1- Quiescent
Train
"You always take care of me, Sven…"
Then I left. I didn't know if I would survive. Creed's a tough opponent- there was no way I was going to come out of that fight completely intact. I lived, though - I can see another day, another moment of emotion hidden beneath friendly banter. Now, I wonder if perhaps my heart said something my mouth couldn't; just what were those words supposed to mean?
Cats don't always land on their feet, Sven, and I'm falling. I'm in love, but you always belong to someone else…
We met up in Elsida. You were fresh from the IBI, and I had just abandoned Chronos. I have to admit, your 'Gentleman's Code' struck me as a bit odd; ridiculously funny, actually. Now look at me: I'm defending the weak and living as a healthy stray. Saya definitely started this transformation, but you've made me what I am.
Ah, Saya… I miss her quite a bit. I wish she had a proper grave. Lloyd is always in the same spot, always waiting for you. Creed simply burned her body and scattered the ashes to the wind. She loved to travel the world, but I don't think she wanted the wind to carry her. For once, I wish she could simply be a quiescent being.
Your 'partner' may be dead, but I suspect you never lost him. His name doesn't come up very often, and that in itself is a telltale sign. No one wants to remember such a consuming, tearing pain; the feeling of loss at the death of a loved one. I don't think you would have told me where you had been.
I bothered you for information. "Where did you go? Were you meeting a girlfriend?" Am I going to be replaced? I could never say that, I didn't know what I meant. I'm closer now. We didn't want to share our pasts, even now you don't know much about Saya. As little as you wanted to share I absorbed immediately. You know what they say, 'Curiosity killed the cat.'
The first time you talked about him, it had been a full year since we had met. It seemed almost romantic in that dimly lit room: your voice cracking, me unable to do anything but watch. If I hadn't asked where you'd disappeared off to I doubt you ever would have even mentioned him. After that, you told me everything.
Tiny droplets of water glistened in the candlelight- your eye is beautiful. I wonder if Lloyd's was too. By the end, you were in tears; I guess everyone needs to share their burdens.
Was it then that I began my tumble?
I knew. I knew that you had loved him - perhaps as a friend, perhaps as more. It's strange to think of your co-worker with another guy. There were feelings and emotions associated with this that I had never felt before. They resembled in passing my affection for Saya, but nothing was ever this strong. Maybe this was where the awkwardness stemmed from.
That first visit turned out to be the most recent in a long string of teary eyed, confessional apologies. As I waited, I recalled our first meeting - even if you were drunk, I could tell there was something about you. Something that made you worthy to be partner with, something that made you dangerous. Perhaps it was pain. But until you decide to tell me the details, I'll be waiting.
Has it been a year already? A year since I lost Saya, a year since I found you? I guess it really has.
She was one-of-a-kind. As hard as I've tried, I can only find one person who even remotely resembles her: Rins. She's outgoing, loud, and a good friend, though Saya was no thief. She also didn't ramble on about nothing for half an hour straight.
A full half-hour of good food, I might add.
It was true; I was on a date with Rins. Pretty hypocritical after those wandering 'Sven Thoughts.' This is not by choice- come on, there was food involved! How many times a year do you get a completely free meal, no strings attached? All I had to do was show up, listen to a friend for a while and eat. Speaking of which, maybe I should start listening…
"It's been a long time since I've had a meal like this!"
Maybe going from complete-mouth-stuffing silence to shouting was a bad idea, but hey, I am who I am. Now at least, before Saya, I'm sure I wouldn't be sitting here. Hell, I'm sure I'd be dead. Rins was looking at me like I'm an idiot. No, like I'm insane - she already thinks I'm an idiot.
A conversation would be nice. Any way to lighten the mood, ease the uncomfortable silence. She, of all people, didn't need to know I had been brooding over Sven. Out of options, I proceed to watch the waiters and customers around me. The couple behind us talk about the newest designs in diamonds. Wait, I have an idea!
"You're buying, right?" I figure that maybe I should check again. You can never be too sure with Rinslet the Legendary Thief.
"Of course. We haven't seen each other since Elsida… Relax. Eat!"
"Rins… you're all right. You knew I was having a hard time and you came here to help— no strings attached." Crap, it's that look. I can see it coming…
Thinking back, now that I'm walking back, maybe lunch was a bad idea. Dust twisted in my path, my scuffing shoes creating clouds. I could just see Sven's reaction. It will probably involve a lot of arm waving, and maybe, no, surely some yelling.
Now that I reflect on it, at least Rins paid. Sven would be way more upset if I had accepted, and still spent money. Wait, now I owe that— that… "GAK!" Let's hope this favor pays off whatever she wants, for my sake.
"My Svenny-baby is gonna be upset…" Wait, his Svenny-baby?! Since when did Sven belong to the Black Cat?
"Well, this cat has no master; maybe he should have a pet." Did I say that out loud?
This was going to be a long night.
A/N: Cookies for anyone who can figure out what song I was listening to when I wrote this. : ) I'm hoping to make this a chapter fic (I have up to chapter 4 written), but I need concrit! I know there aren't many TxS shippers out there so I'm not sure how this will go. No flaming please!