Hetalian Protectors

Malfunction

We both started to laugh as I jokingly flicked some water at her from its container, making her squeal, "Arthur that's cold!"

We continued like that for a long while, the time passing by like lightning.

*****

Kyoko's POV: It took me a while to notice, the subtle changes in his behavior being expertly hidden, but I eventually caught on to the way he'd flinch away from me on some occasions. How he'd put a few feet of distance between himself and the storage room. The way I caught him staring at me when he thought I wasn't looking. Arthur had always been secretive, but this was different. It was something focused toward me.

The worst part about it was his eyes. It was almost as if all the confidence and light had vanished, leaving behind only a tired and old man. When he looked at me I felt his eyes searching me, trying to frantically determine something unseen. Every time he looked that way I felt my heart lurch and my chest constrict. I couldn't understand why he acted this way.

I asked Francis and Alfred but neither of them knew anything, Alfred insisting that he was just being his normal moody self. Francis seemed a little more concerned but after looking into it he came back stating it was nothing. I wanted to believe him, but as Arthur's behavior continued I found it harder to hold faith. I wanted to know what had happened. I wanted to know what I'd done.

"Kyo... Kyoko? Hey-" I jumped, the sudden voice, my thoughts scattering.

"Whoa!" Feet catching against one another, I felt gravity start pulling me forward. The wooden floor rushed towards my face and I scrunched my eyes shut, bracing myself for the hit whilst stretching out my arms to catch myself. The feeling I was waiting for never came however, replaced with a strong grip around my waist. Yanked backwards, I landed on something soft, and I assumed it was the person's lap.

Blushing, I winced, gasping as sharp pains ran up my legs. It had been almost four weeks since the small rebellion, yet there were times, such as this one, where the now phantom injuries would act up and send burning pains throughout my body. I had been forced to use crutches and eventually a cane for the first two weeks, and I had hated every minute. It reminded me too much of Scarlett though, who always claimed to feel weary and ancient, priding herself on her extensive collection of staffs and walking sticks.

"Kyoko, are you alright?!" I froze at Arthur's voice and felt my face grow hotter, making sure that I was turned so that he couldn't see my face. To be honest, I had also been trying to keep my distance from him as well. Mostly because of the whole him having to change me incident. My mind always went so far left with the whole idea. His gentle hands moving my pants off, fingers trailing down my skin...

NO! NO NO NO NO NO...

I shook my head desperately, fighting away the images that surfaced in my mind. Now is not the time! Focus!

His arms tightened around me and I heard him talking to me in an increasingly concerned voice. I tried to draw my attention back to him, reaching out to grab the rough fabric of his khaki pants, giving myself something to hold onto. "I'm okay, you just spooked me."

He sighed before letting me go, gently pushing me up, keeping my hand in his as he stood as well. His hand was calloused, a thin scar running the short distance between his thumb and wrist. My hand in comparison was still pretty smooth, though I too had plenty of scars and rough spots.

I eventually looked up, becoming startled as my eyes connected with his vibrant green ones. It was almost as if they had gotten their spark back, his gaze passionate with an emotion unknown to me. I was drawn in, and time seemed to stop, his warmth traveling through me from where we held onto each other. We both leaned in, his lips separating as he went to whisper something in my ear. Then...