Chapter Text
"Who's that..?"
It wasn't really a question directed towards Shirou, if anything, it was a testimony of surprise - genuine curiosity and astonishment clouding the voice.
And Shirou was well aware why.
The man, who paid them barely a glance, was gorgeous.
Quite an understatement in his eyes, but Rin seemed to share the thought. Golden spun hair, flawless skin, and ruby eyes...Such a being - could not be human, right?
" Maybe someone overseas?"
Maybe...but his presence alone was far too overbearing.
Powerful and demanding, yet he couldn't detect any magic.
Not that he was capable of such things, but he liked to think his abilities grew...to some degree.
" Tohsaka, do you think he's a...?"
" Servant?" She finished, never breaking her stare.
Usually, she was a woman of etiquette, the Tohsaka household demanded as much, but the blonde did not seem to care.
On the contrary, he seemed to invite them to stare, openly diverting his attention to the street sign in front of him, never indicating he noticed them.
It could be a trap.
Perhaps, one of the Masters was organizing a magic spell at this very moment and yet the scenery didn't strike her as such.
It was odd.
Judging from Shirou's dumbfounded expression he felt the same way, though, the way his pupils moved was odd as well.
Everything about this was odd .
" Emiya-kun, we should head home now."
Silence .
Instead, he was drop-dead focused on staring.
" Emiya-kun...?"
A blink, a second followed - but his gaze never wavered.
" Emiya-kun!"
The sputtering mess following suit was almost adorable, were their situation not so serious.
It was dangerous to get so immersed in one thing, they must keep their guard up...this war was too cruel for small mistakes.
" He's cute..."
She nearly could not believe her own ears.
'Cute?!' so THAT's what this was about?!
Shirou was not asserting the situation, but was rather CHECKING the guy out?!
Sure, the blonde was pretty, but seriously?!
This had to be a joke...
To think her partner was such a simple-minded teenager...
" D-Did I say that out loud?"
" You did."
If looks could kill, Shirou would most definitely be dead by now.
---
The sky was tinted bloodred...just like that day.
The day his world fell, causing a new one to rise.
The gut-wrenching smell of burning flesh was unforgettable and though he was so young, he remembered the very pain grasping his body.
Funnily enough, after a while - he simply grew numb.
Pain or joy, he doubted he could have felt it.
He was just numb.
That's all.
But, there were no screams of agony here, nor was his world ablaze.
The sky was simply red.
A normal student would have been amazed by such a rare sunset.
For a moment, Shirou wondered if he fell asleep after class.
After all, the room was empty.
The school was quiet.
Too quiet.
Maybe, his body was still exhausted from fighting Caste-
" Emiya-kun."
The familiar voice of Tohsaka rang, making him turn his head.
'Crap, did I fall asleep during an expedition or something?!'
But, instead, she seemed...pleased.
Utter bliss mirrored her face.
" Emiya-kun..."
It wasn't a whisper, nor a sigh...but more of a moan?
" Tohsak-"
For such a small frame, she for sure was able to slam him against the wall, not granting him a moment before kissing him.
"?!"
He wasn't quite sure on how to react.
Though, the lips kissing him were so soft, immaculately silky - while the frame on top of him was warm and light.
So easy to hold...
But.
As the person on top of him retracted, it was not blue eyes that ensued - rather, crimson orbs, framed by golden locks.
And once more, his world fell apart.
---
" Shirou?"
His body felt heavy, heavier than usual.
The weight of drowsiness pushed him down, but the light penetrating his eyelids was too ambitious for further rest.
" Are you feeling ill, Master?"
" S..aber?"
His vision returned pathetically slow - but, as short-tempered as he was, he did not wait.
And as always, immediate regret followed suit.
" Master!" With a steady hand, Saber guided him upwards- never showing a speck of pity...which he was grateful for.
More than anything, he hated being a burden or a charity-case.
" Shirou, I'll be preparing with Sakura breakfast. Do not worry about us and get yourself ready for the morning."
" Are you su-."
" I insist."
Seeing her unwavering face, he doubted he had a say in this matter.
So - rather than forcing a pointless argument, he thanked her with a nod and slowly dragged himself towards the bathroom, occasionally bumping against a wall or shelf.
Only in times like these, did he truly notice the size of the Emiya household.
Without Fuji-nee and Sakura, this grand place would feel too empty.
Unbearably cold...and empty.
Usually, his mornings held a maintainable routine, prepare breakfast, pack lunch and go to school - surprises were rare, very rare - however, glancing down proved this was anything but his typical morning.
He had a boner.
To think, simply kissing that stranger in a dream, would cause such a dilemma...
The blush creeping upon his cheeks was swifter than Saber's strike.
---
His weak body was infuriating.
Though, should he really blame his body for this?
Perhaps, blaming his inferiority to Rin - on something out of his control was merely an excuse to console himself.
But, it didn't redirect his self-anger.
More than anything, Shirou Emiya loathed the fact he survived that day.
So many people died - perished in despair without any hope of survival.
Innocent lives were claimed...and yet he was chosen to survive.
He wondered why.
With a sigh, Shirou leaned on to the railing - closing his eyes as a gust of wind traveled through the empty streets.
He shouldn't be staying here, not alone at least.
Berserker or Lancer were still roaming freely and someone as inexperienced as him was easy prey.
But, he needed this.
A moment of clarity - a moment to gather his thoughts and worries.
Concerns he couldn't bear to share with anyone, not even with those closest to him.
" Well aren't you a pathetic sight?"
What?
An amused laugh followed as the, before, hidden figure emerged from the shadows - causing the high schooler to choke on his spit.
" You are..."
"I am...?" The blonde teased.
Well, Shirou didn't know.
These past days have been filled with mystery after mystery and to be honest, he was sick of it. Tired of being left in the dark, but what could he do?
In the grand scheme of things, he was merely a fragment of a mage and a broken human.
He was nothing compared to Tohsaka and his strength was nowhere near Saber's.
But, giving up was not an option.
He had a dream to fulfill, didn't he?
" So you are that Mongrel's child, hmm?"
'Kiritsugu?'
" I wonder why that wicked priest is so interested in you..." The other's voice was silky, with every syllable - a shiver traveled through Shirou's bones and he couldn't help but stare.
From afar the stranger was gorgeous...and from up close, he was enchanting.
Ruby eyes - tinted in a strange glow, a glow which seemed to hold the mysteries of the universe in them...and golden hair - brighter than the stars.
He was not human, was he?
Maybe, this was just another dream.
" But, in the end, I suppose you are just a teenager." There was a knowing smirk plastered on the blonde's face, he knew how charmed Shirou was.
It didn't take a genius to know.
Such an enamored look could only mean one thing.
" Hmmm, there is nothing interesting about you." The stranger took a step forward, closing the already tiny gap between them.
" Your magical capabilities are below average and your knowledge about the Holy Grail is pathetic."
He was close.
So close, Shirou could feel his breath hitting his face.
" And from what my sorry excuse of a Master told me, you are incredibly foolish."
Was it sad, that despite the other's degrading words, Shirou took a moment to gaze at those soft lips?
They really did...appear as soft as in his dream.
" Right, you are not even listening, Mongrel."
" W-Well..."
Truly, Shirou did try to listen but...
It was hard.
The person standing in front of him might as well be a Succubus.
" Were I not in such a good mood tonight, you would be more than dead, Mongrel."
'Dead?'
" Y-You are my enemy, then?" At that, the blonde took a step back.
Whether it was from Shirou's sheer naivety or foolishness was unknown, but he seemed amused.
Too amused.
" That depends if you see me as your King, Mongrel."
'King?'
So he was a servant then.
At least one mystery was lifted tonight.
" Though, having a servant who wishes to fuck his King would be quite problematic, don't you think?"
And for a second time that week, Shirou passed out.
---
He was bored.
So bored in fact, Gilgamesh opted to nap to pass the time.
Soon, their siege for the grail was planned but time seemed slower than ever and with nothing to do, it truly was close to torture.
'That Mongrel is probably still unconscious, too...'
He was not concerned about the human - it would be degrading to be! - but, he was a form of entertainment.
Entertainment he so desperately needed.
Never had an enemy lusted so openly for his body and Gilgamesh could not deny the rush it brought.
Well, was it merely lust...?
Not that it mattered, the Mongrel was charmed - that's all there was to it.
But, the more he thought of him, the more interesting he appeared.
He could tell - this was a dangerous path to tread, but the urge to satisfy his curiosity was greater than staying vigilant.
And satisfying his own needs, was always his priority, no?
Hmph, either way, there was more to the human than what met the eye.
Before he revealed himself, the human's presence was almost ominous.
Dark and brooding - dare he say, like a demonic beast's.
A beast plagued by hatred and unfulfilled wishes.
A beast that craved destruction and calamity.
A beast that would commit unthinkable things.
Though, it was odd.
Didn't Kirei say, 'Emiya Shirou's wish was to become a Hero of Justice'?
A man who would cleanse this wicked world of its sins?
So why, was his presence so broken?
Filled with so much darkness?
Maybe, curiosity is indeed going to kill the cat, but Gilgamesh was intrigued now.
Too captivated to simply let this opportunity go to waste.