Barbatos's heart

Part 7: Mood Swings

Barbatos nervously made his way over to Elaina. He sat down on the edge of the couch, as far away as he could, refusing to look at her. She noticed his hesitations and was curious. "Barbatos, you seem nervous. Are you okay?" He looked toward her and nodded. 'Not the talkative type, I guess'. She moved closer to him, he seemed to tense up a bit but stayed put. "I'm sorry I ran into you," she said shyly. "I was waving goodbye to Luke and by the time I turned around it was too late." She explained.

Barbatos looked confused. He thought he had run into her. He had spaced out thinking about her after all. 'Who's fault was it? Still his.' He sighed. "What's wrong," Elaina asked. "Nothing" he tittered. "I just... I also wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I could have stopped the collision if I had been more focused on my job." He opened up. "It's okay. Everyone has off days. It's nothing to stress over". She assured him.

Something snapped in him "I don't." He said annoyed. "I'm sorry?" Elaina asked. "I don't have off days..." His brows furrowed in anger. He got up from the couch and stormed out the door. He was angry at her 'how dare she, who does she think she is, she doesn't know me' he scowled.

Elaina just looked at the door in confusion. "What did I do!?" She yelled down the hall but there was no point. He was gone. 'what is up with him? moody much?' she thought to herself. "Well, so much for that" she sighed. Maybe she needed to take a new approach to get to know him. She would have to ask for help from the brothers or Diavolo later, but she certainly wasn't giving up.

Barbatos closed the door to his room softly. He was confused. 'What's going on with me? Why snap like that?' He was scared. This wasn't normal. That wasn't him. He felt bad. Had he hurt her? Why was he flip-flopping like this? He's okay one minute, and then he's not okay the next. He wanted to apologize but he was scared he would blow up on her again. She didn't deserve that. No one did... He sighed, picked himself up off the bed, and made his way back to the suite Elaina was in.

He knocked on the door. "Come in!" She chimed. He opened the door to find her back in her dress, Asmo was with her fixing up her hair (it was up now) and touching up her make-up. She seemed happy still. The smile didn't leave her face as he emerged from the other side of the door. "Barbatos, Welcome back! Look!" She exclaimed as she swirled around in her dress. "Looks like new!" She gleamed. A small smirk spread on Barbatos's face. He was happy that he didn't dampen her spirits.

Elaina whispered something in Asmo's ear. He smiled and excused himself from the room and took the maid with him, leaving her and Barbatos alone. "I-" they both started at the same time. Elaina gestured to Barbatos to go first. "I'm sorry, f-for snapping at you like that. I haven't... been myself tonight." He blushed and sighed. Elaina sat down on the couch they had sat on earlier and gestured for Barbatos to come over, again.

This time when he came over she grabbed his hand to make sure he sat closer. When she grabbed him a shock went through her and gave her goosebumps. Barbatos felt it too. His heart felt like it had stopped for a minute, but he suppressed his feelings. He can't let them show. Not now, not here. "Barbatos, sit, please. I need to ask you something." Elaina broke the silence. "Of course, my lady, what is it?" He asked. "First, please do not call me 'My lady', just Elaina. Second Asmo and were talking..." Barbatos's fist clenched when he heard her say that. 'what has he told her? Did she get information out of him?' "He said that you seemed off. That you usually weren't so clumsy. He wanted to know if you were alright and if I knew what was going on. I told him I didn't, but I'm curious... You seem sweet and friendly. A little nervous, but then you get angry at me. Do you not like me?"

Barbatos looked at her with a mix of emotions. He didn't know what gave her the right to pry into his business so he was angry but at the same time, it was nice that she cared so he was happy. He needed to get his emotions in check. "You're right" he sighed, finally deciding to open up. "I am usually more dignified. I'm just stressed. This party was sprung on me suddenly." He lied. He paused for a moment, fixing his cuff link, trying to busy himself to avoid her gaze. "I am just tired. That's all. I do not dislike you, however, I also do not know if I like you either." That was true... He didn't know what was going on with his emotions.

His words stung Elaina a little. She had thought he felt the same thing she did when they met, but she guessed he didn't. "I do not know you well enough to make that decision. Not yet." That gave her a twinkle of hope. "So... then, I guess we'll have to see each other more often". He smiled. Elaina squealed and hugged him tightly. The contact made Barbatos feel like he was going to melt. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad for him to follow his heart... As unused as it had been for so long.