A friend lost, not forgotten + Gilbert [COMPLETE]

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

It had been on his mind since he knew he would be going to Archadia. And… even that was a lie, as it had been since everything had been pieced together those years ago. But it became that much more biting, needles at his shoulders and the back of his brain. Some level of discomfort and anxiety only heightened since he arrived.

He would catch himself craning his neck whenever he came upon crowds or was on the street. Always he ended up being on the lookout, both unconsciously and with very definite purpose, for that shock of white hair. Rose-colored eyes he swore he would be able to see blocks away. And yet each time he began to quicken his pace in excitement it had turned out for naught. An elderly person-a white cap. Nothing.

That thought process he’d had for years, a mixture of his optimistic nature and the tendency to try and ignore or push away anything unsettling. Surely he was taken on for a full contract. His coloring was so unique, so beautiful in a mysterious sort of otherworldly way. That personality could take some getting used to for some, but certainly it wouldn’t be that hard! He was fun. Energetic. Loud and lively once you got him into it. Somewhere warm and nice, he was set up nice. Able to adventure and do whatever he wanted. That’s what he deserved and thus that was what he got in Antonio’s mind. Even still… he searched. He peered around people at street corners and watched through windows of stores he spent time in. Whenever he passed by the entrance… the tug was that much harder. Pulling him in ever more each day. Maybe, just maybe…

No, no. He wasn’t down there. He was somewhere happy, somewhere safe. Antonio could accept not seeing him again if he knew that was the case. But-there wasn’t any certainty to that. There had been no kind of contact or even a bare rumor for years. He was pretty certain through his travels he had never caught anything relating to an albino mutant. Or albinos at all that weren’t animals, like the ever popular albino rabbits. But not a human, not his rosey-eyed Gilbert. And would he ever be able to forgive himself if he later found he had been down there, or nearby, and he hadn’t gone looking for him? The friend of his childhood, even if it had been a short while, that ever so often came into his mind. Some laugh or shared joke. Some wisp of memory every time he looked at something related to him.

It was when he’d found himself a more permanent place to stay that Antonio finally did it. There was no longer any reason not to. If he wasn’t there, then alright. At least he knew.

For all that he had learned and begun to become aware of there was still an apparent shock in him when he went down. That blasted bare feeling in his chest, a tightness in his throat. That… it was very much a reality. Someone he’d never witnessed himself, only heard of and internalized in passing. Mutants were in the Underground. Well yeah, everyone knew that. That’s where they went once they were older, waiting to be bought. Maybe he’d thought that meant getting to lounge all day, plenty of entertainment of comfort. At first he’d thought he had gone to the wrong area. That he’d somehow ended up in the prison. The fact that he’d entered and explained himself shortly at a front desk, something being said by the worker there about reviewing his possible purchase and some information about an eventual auction, made it abundantly clear that that was note the case.

This was how it was. Cells. Cells and bars and cold and auctions and-

“Gilbert?!” Like every single image he’d half-chased out of the corner of his eye around town had been coalesced into a single form that was clear and definite in his vision, there was a head of, though it be a vague since of knowing, familiar pale hair.

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Somehow he had ended up in a cell all alone. It really didn't happen that often. Gilbert got stuck with baits a lot, probably because he didn't harass the poor things. But by some great misfortune, he had been alone in his cell for the past two days. Usually that would have driven him batty, as well as everyone around him because he would take up randomly talking (as in yelling) to them. This time though, this time he was uncharacteristically quiet. It wasn't a sad quiet, per se. A bittersweet quiet was probably the best way to describe it.

He had been put in this cell after his last fight. After his last fight he had spoken with Alfred, that strange and broken mystery that he couldn't help but trust, and somehow managed to get him to promise to get Ludwig out in some shape or form. His baby brother who hadn't been free from the clutches of the government since he was only eleven. His baby brother who hadn't seen the sun in the past two years. Even it was just a short contract, even that short amount of time for Ludwig to be able to breathe some fresh air and feel the sun on his face would mean the world. Gilbert wasn't stupid, he knew his brother loved him dearly, but also knew Ludwig was still jealous that Gilbert had been able to go out on several contracts over the years. It was an understandable jealously too. Who could possibly want to buy mouthy Gilbert over polite Ludwig, let alone several different people on different occasions? (At least, that was Gilbert's reasoning. He had never actually discussed the topic with his brother.) But now Ludwig was going to get out and Gilbert couldn't be happier.

So he spent his last couple of days lying in his bed, imagining all of the fun things Ludwig could do when he got to go outside. Alfred would find a decent person to buy Ludwig, Gilbert was sure of it. He knew people would criticize him for his seemingly blind trust in Alfred, but he knew the kid had shown him sides not many people got to see. It was a two-way trust street between them, he was sure of it. And so the decent person Alfred got to buy Ludwig would let his little brother have fun reading books and cooking or, hell, even cleaning if that was what Ludwig decided he wanted to do. Maybe this person would have dogs. Oh man, would Ludwig ever love that. He had always loved dogs, for as long as Gilbert could remember, but their parents hadn't been big on the idea of pets, so Ludwig only got to play with the neighborhood dogs every once and a while. How great would it be if he got to live with some dogs for a while.

Thoughts of cute furry puppies and his brother's smile danced in his mind when he heard someone call his name. It wasn't a barking order from a guard, nor a questioning call for his attention for another cell, and it definitely wasn't an excited cry of a friend coming to room with him. It was a cry of surprise and a touch of joy, but also full of doubt and… sorrow, perhaps? He sat up, curious as to who was calling to him in such a strange way.

The world stopped. Time slowed down. Gilbert could hear his heart beat, hear it as it began to pound faster and faster, yet all in slow motion. He blinked, once, twice, trying to clear his vision of the illusion he was seeing. He couldn't breathe, definitely couldn't breathe. His lungs burned with the need for oxygen, but he simply couldn't take in that gasp of air. He felt cold, honest to god cold. It was a feeling he rarely experience, to the point it was foreign. He didn't experience cold as a temperature. It was a feeling that coursed through his veins and made his head spin in times of overwhelming emotions he couldn't begin to comprehend.

Then the world crashed on top of him as it began to move again. He gasped for breath as he leaped off his bed and backed into the furthest corner from the barred cell door. The cold running through him made him tremble, in fear, in sorrow, in joy, he did not know. The trembling made it hard to stay standing, so he slid down against the wall to sit in his corner, pointing at the apparition on the other side of the bars. "Y-you can't be here."

This man didn't belong in the dark halls of the Underground. His beautiful sun-kissed skin looked unnatural in the dim artificial lighting. Those shining green eyes, so full of joy and wonder had seen things. Even now they were seeing things they never should. This was supposed to be a smiling, laughing boy so full of innocence and excitement, one that should never step foot in a hell like the Underground. But he was here. Why was he here. Why was he here to see Gilbert in all his shame.

His mind flooded with memories of before everything went to shit, memories he had tried so hard to forget. His two best friends in the world before Hamish and Mathias helped him into his new role in the world. It hurt to even think of their names, let alone what they had meant to him. But one of them was here now. There was no doubt, even though Gilbert had not seen him for over ten years and thought he would never see him again. This could be no one other than Antonio.

In his darkest moods, Gilbert would wonder what his long forgotten friends had thought when they discovered he was a mutant. It wasn't all too hard to imagine, honestly. Gilbert knew what kind of environments they had been brought up in. Antonio's entire family was devoutly Catholic and he whole heartedly followed their beliefs. Catholics were not known for being accepting of mutants, not even in the slightest. Just the few off-hand comments from Antonio in their conversations over the years made it obvious Antonio saw mutants as completely inferior and nothing close to human. The last friend of their trio… Gilbert refused to think of his name. He wasn't standing before him, he could continue to refuse his existence… (Though it was a hard feat to ignore the existence of that pretty blond boy that had grown up so ruggedly handsome and powerful. It was impossible to go to the outside world and not notice that man's face and position of power even higher than his strict and cruel father. A father known for being cruel to his mutant slaves.)

Gilbert had considered telling his friends the truth when his powers started developing. He needed support and kind words from people that cared about him, but there were so few. He couldn't burden his little brother with his worries and fears. He couldn't risk his friends betraying him, because there surely would be no other option for two boys raised the proper way. Yet there were so many emails Gilbert had started, even more he thought about starting, asking his friends for their trust and help.

'Francis, Antonio, I don't know what to do. I've never been so afraid before, not even that time we managed to have a scary movie night together. I think, well, maybe, I don't know, I might be a mutant. I don't want to go away. I like my home with Ludwig and my library where I can email you guys. I like being able to run around in the woods in my neighborhood whenever I want. I don't think I'll like going to some boarding school with a bunch of freaks. I don't want to be taught how to be a slave… But I'm so scared of hurting someone. I'm dangerous, aren't I? Isn't that why I need to go to that school, but under someone else's control? I might hurt someone. Might hurt Ludwig. I don't know what's happening to me, why it has to happen to me. I don't know what you guys can do, but I just need someone to talk to about this…'

He never sent it. Had never typed past the first sentence before he deleted it and left the library. Sometimes he would get emails from his friends, but couldn't reply without starting to plea for help. The urge was too strong to give away his secret, try to ask them for help, so he never replied.

'Francis, Antonio, I'm getting really good at controlling my powers. I can make ice and snow, but I know how to make it disappear now. I really don't think I could ever be much of a danger to anyone. If I kept practicing soon I bet I'll have total control of this strange ability and it will only work when I want it to. So there's no reason for me to have to go anywhere, right? If I just keep this hidden no one will have to know and I can stay with Ludwig and even start talking to you guys again! I really miss you guys, but I don't know how to talk to you anymore. I'm afraid just replying will somehow give me away and you guys will know. I don't know what you will do if you know… I'm afraid to know what you guys would do…'

His mental emails to his friends were comforting, in some way. They allowed him to gather his thoughts, assess his situation and see the progress he was making. The mental emails were like a journal to him, confiding in his friends to himself. It made sense, in a way. Real emails from his friends came less and less as they began to give up on replies from Gilbert. He was always to tempted to reply, let them know he was still alive and well and missing them. He never did.

He always wished he had typed up all his mental emails to Antonio and Francis. Maybe kept them in a folder for the fated day he would be caught. He hadn't thought that far ahead. In the way only the ignorant young could think, he thought himself invincible. He could get away with hiding himself forever. Maybe he could have lasted longer if Ludwig hadn't been a mutant as well and taken. It would have been nice if he had a folder of letters to Antonio and Francis that he could have sent to them before he followed Ludwig to hell. Maybe they wouldn't hate him as much if they had been able to hear he was a mutant from his own mouth, rather than finding out through the grapevine, because they would eventually find out in some way.

They probably cursed his name when they found out. Hated him for not trusting them with his secret. Hated him even more being being a mutant. Said good riddance to that freak of nature they had the misfortune of ever calling a friend. They erased him from their minds to never spare a second thought to again. That was how it was supposed to play out and Gilbert was pleased with that scenario. He wanted them to hate him, it made his guilt so much easier to bear. If they hated him, he wouldn't have hurt them. So why. Why was Antonio here and destroying the comforts of his thoughts that had kept him going all these years?

Gilbert realized he needed to say something. He couldn't see through the tears in his eyes, but he remembered his old friend. Surely Antonio was put-off by Gilbert's reaction, right? His thoughts were a jumbled mess, he wasn't sure what was real anymore. Did Antonio not hate him as he had thought? Why would he be here now? He couldn't think of any logical explanations. There were none. His mouth opened and words spilled out before he could think of what to say.

His voice was airy and quick, but did not waver. "How are you here? You shouldn't be here. You should have forgotten about me and hated me and never seen me again." He choked on a teary gasp and had to take a moment to compose himself. "I don't understand. I don't-" He couldn't keep his composure and bit the inside of his cheek as he spit out the words, "I don't understand why you are here!"

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Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo

made by MISSO on IOF

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

On many occasion Antonio Carriedo may seem dumb, slow to respond by his frequent pauses to comprehend the information being presented to him. It could be the need to internalize it for a moment. Perhaps just his appreciation of whatever was being said.

This moment, however, was a different case and situation all its own.

“Y-you can’t be here.”

“You shouldn’t be here.”

A twisted cry of pain, of shame and a heart cracking at its edge. “I don’t understand why you are here!”

As if he’d been physically hit with a blast, a fist, Antonio feels his feet betray him and take a half step back at the impact of it. The immediate crash of emotions coming from Gilbert and hitting against him to take him up in the current. Swirling into his own darkness that could only add to the intensity of it.

The guilt, the worry, the hope-it all coalesced in that instant as shards pricking into his heart. Testing his resolve and his mind to see how he would react in this moment. The kind of choice that could change everything.

His friend, his best friend despite their short time together in a cold cell. His already white skin holding a sort of sickly pallor in this environment-sicker than his color. Red eyes he’d awed at so long ago brimming and flowing with tears, each shedding another layer of differing proportions and emotions on Antonio himself. Somewhere in him he had always been too optimistic, too hopeful with anything and everything. But he supposed Gilbert received the brunt of it. The wildest, most naïve, hopes. That the rooms were comfortable, accommodating and warm. That auctions were some kind of joke or something private. That people were basically good and able to see this type of person and be compelled to give him the happiness and comfort he so desperately needed, deserved.

And instead… it was this. A cell. For what could have been years. And Antonio… the entire time he had not known. Been completely oblivious and unaware of the life of his friend. Each time he passed his thoughts he told himself he was fine, happy.

The images he’d made of Gil hardly resembled the man before him now. Gasping harsh breaths and red, red eyes of tears.

He wanted-he wanted so bad to reach out to him. He could, he could just-

“Ah-” The steps forward he’d taken at that moment, when the thought and the urge hit him head on, had taken Antonio rushing towards the bars until his knee and opposite toe smacked against metal, clanging loudly.

That was what broke it.

“Gilbert, Gilbert I’m sorry please. Please don’t cry.” The hesitance, wariness and uncertainty that had kept him from responding before. His momentary war of emotion waged in aghast silence. It shattered in an instant behind the force of his worry for his friend. “I came to find you. I’d come to this city and I knew, I’d heard, about what was here and I couldn’t not. I was sure, so sure you’d be long gone, happy and safe and okay but-I needed to know for sure. But you’re not. You’re-You’re here.”

What little social aptitude he’d gained seemed to be leaving him. At the back of his mind Antonio cursed himself, knowing in this situation mentioning a different, happier life was cruel of him. Too cruel. “I missed you.” But he just couldn’t stop. The words unspoken, they were just piling out one right after the other in a quick and harried manner, full of worry and little regard for where they were. “When you stopped writing I thought-we thought you had gotten busy with school. Maybe new friends. Moved and couldn’t get to a computer. Something. Then-well, we pieced it together, what happened. It seemed the only logical one after everything else was ruled out and we tried to look into it.”

There was a kind of desperation in his quick speech. In his tone. The anxiety he’d felt pressing at his sides for so long. “Were you okay, were you getting sun burned. Were you hiding your rosy eyes again. How tall were you, did you ever grow out of that funny loud laugh. Did you finally see the glory of tomatoes since everyone says your tastes mature when you get older. What were you doing, were you having fun. Were you safe.”

Breathe, he needed to breathe. A hand clenched in front of him as his shoulders rose and fell in slowly shallowing breaths. “ I was worried. I missed you. And I always… I always hoped. So when I had the chance… I would never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.” And yes, it was painful, ridden with guilt to see Gilbert like this. Living this kind of life, for however long or short it may have been. But Antonio already knew he could never once regret. Not his looking for Gilbert. Not his making sure he was alive somewhere, getting to see him even here.

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While Antonio gave no immediate reply, Gilbert managed to clear his vision and finally get a good look of Antonio's expression. He didn't look angry, which gave him an inkling of hope. If his reaction to Gilbert's outburst was anger, it would be safe to assume he hated him, right? So what did no anger mean? Was it right to think Antonio looked upset? Gilbert considered speaking up again, maybe trying to be a little more composed as he question what Antonio was doing here. But then the man ran into the barred door, the sound resounded through the halls.

Gilbert recoiled from the sound, even though there was no chance of Antonio getting past them. God he felt pathetic, but Antonio's sudden appearance ripped open old wounds he thought were buried deep enough to never hurt again. But that wasn't possible. He didn't deal with his problems and concerns; just ignored them and pushed them further in the recesses of his mind till they no longer bothered him. It made it all the more painful when he had to face long forgotten problems. It left him raw and open, unable to put up his usual walls.

"Gilbert, Gilbert I’m sorry please. Please don’t cry. I came to find you. I’d come to this city and I knew, I’d heard, about what was here and I couldn’t not. I was sure, so sure you’d be long gone, happy and safe and okay but-I needed to know for sure. But you’re not. You’re-You’re here.”

He couldn't help but snort. Antonio would be ignorant enough to believe that. That was so Antonio to hope for the best. So hopelessly optimistic no matter the situation. Gilbert pulled his knees into his chest and crossed his arms to hide his slight smile in them. He felt so scared, but Antonio was still so Antonio despite the years.

“I missed you. When you stopped writing I thought-we thought you had gotten busy with school. Maybe new friends. Moved and couldn’t get to a computer. Something. Then-well, we pieced it together, what happened. It seemed the only logical one after everything else was ruled out and we tried to look into it.”

And back to feeling like shit. Emotions were a goddamn roller coaster. He hated them. Of course Antonio and Francis had been worried, been concerned when he dropped off the face of the planet. They were best friends. They had each others' backs through the years, as much as long distance friends could at least. They relied on each other, but Gilbert had broken the circle of trust by pushing them away. He hurt them and made them worry, yet Antonio was still here because for some reason after all these years he still cared about Gilbert? It was too good to be true.

"Were you okay, were you getting sun burned. Were you hiding your rosy eyes again. How tall were you, did you ever grow out of that funny loud laugh. Did you finally see the glory of tomatoes since everyone says your tastes mature when you get older. What were you doing, were you having fun. Were you safe. I was worried. I missed you. And I always… I always hoped. So when I had the chance… I would never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.”

Was it possible to hate himself any more than this? Gilbert sighed. Okay he had his cry. He wasn't allowed to cry anymore, because all of this was his fault. If he had just put a little faith in his friends all these years ago, maybe all this pain now could have been avoided. This was just like when he had hurt Ludwig by distancing himself from him. Damn Antonio looked so broken. Antonio of all people should only even be smiling. "Hey, hey, An-" Saying his name was a lot harder than saying it, but dammit his moment of weakness was over. "Antonio, calm down, jeez. You're going to catch the guards' attention and they wouldn't be amused with this scene."

He laughed, like he always did while trying to lighten the mood. His body still felt too weak to actually stand up and make it across the small cell, so Gilbert allowed so physical weakness to keep his mental strength. He froze the floor and slid across the cell to bump up against the bars next to Antonio. He craned his neck to see down the hall. So far there were no guards in sight. It wasn't as if Hamish was in this hall, so they had no reason to really worry, yet. As long as they didn't get too loud, they should be fine for now. But man, were the mutants in the surrounding cells ever curious.

"But hey, look I'm not crying anymore, see?" He pointed to his smile and relatively dry eyes. "I was just really surprised, like really surprised, man. I thought I was seeing ghosts or something! No reason to be so worried about Gilbert here. This gig ain't so bad. Not like I had much going for me before the whole mutant thing, know? And I've gotten out and around a lot! So, come on deep breaths, you can calm down."

Words: 879

Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo

made by MISSO on IOF

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Why was Gilbert trying to calm him down now? It made Antonio laugh, a quick release of air as he rubbed at one eye after everything. What kind of friend would he be in this situation if he started crying too? Already Gilbert was pulling the too awesome for you card by rolling right into trying to get Antonio, the one on the other side of the bars, to calm down. It didn’t help that he had essentially forgotten the existence or presence of guards. He had told himself to be conscientious going in, but the moment he went down into the holding cells he’d become too wrapped up in peering into every nook to try and find his friend.

When, in an instant, the floor gained a coat of ice Antonio blinked in momentary shock and wonder. Blinking away the scene as if to assure himself it was in fact happening. It couldn’t be that cold that-oh. Right. Mutant. Powers. That… was a part of the whole thing too.

Perhaps once or twice he’d wondered at what kind of abilities Gilbert would have. But he was a bit surprised at how little it had crossed in his mind. There was never any level of fear about whether he would be violent, able to hurt him like so many people seemed to associate with the sorts of things mutants could do. Nor did he seem entirely important to him. In a way, it could be because that would be acknowledging that Gilbert was different than the person he knew. Or that he would change and be something entirely new with these new possibilities. And honestly… part of the reason for Antonio’s long turmoil over the matter had been that he couldn’t bring himself to be scared of Gilbert at the thought. Or, after a lot of thought, that he could really be all that different than the Gilbert he knew.

It was a bit naïve, yes, to think that he wouldn’t have changed. Over time people do have experiences, problems, moments of maturing. Antonio knew he wasn’t quite who he’d used to be. And he was aware that Gilbert could very easily also have gone through a lot to morph him into someone, if only a little, dissimilar from the loud albino he’d pushed into a pool as kids.

But he was naïve. Always idiotic and optimistic, hoping long into the nights and the years for the best. So even knowing all of that he bent down then, kneeling in front of where Gilbert had slid over on ice he had no doubt created with his powers – ironic, Antonio would definitely comment on that later – and smiled at him. Didn’t have much going for him… ha. “I missed you, rosey eyes.” He said again, with no hesitation reaching through the bars to gently rub a thumb along a pale cheek under said splash of color. How could he ever forget those? He laughed a litte, “There’s so much snow here, I bet if you hid with just a few flowers you could blend right in and play the perfect game of hide and seek. You’d fit with the snow and the flowers.”

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For a moment, Gilbert feared Antonio would turn him away at the last second. It was still a possibility, right? Maybe all he needed was a reassurance that Gilbert didn't hate him before he turned tail and left. In the deepest recesses of his emotions, Gilbert slightly hoped Antonio would just leave now. It would make not caring again so much easier if he didn't have the time to be reacquainted with this smiling, lovable idiot. Antonio, of course, did the opposite and knelt across from Gilbert. "I missed you, rosy eyes." He reached out and Gilbert immediately flinched back. Through the years he had gotten better about people touching him and not immediately shying away, but contact across the bars was never a good thing. This was Antonio, though, so Gilbert forced himself to stay put while a calloused thumb caressed his cheeks, which were starting to flush a light pink. Some things really did never change. Antonio had always been a touchy-feely guy with no concept of personal boundaries or what could be considered embarrassing to someone else. "There's so much snow here, I bet if you hid with just a few flowers you could blend right in and play the perfect game of hide and seek! You'd fit with the snow and the flowers."

Gilbert snorted, yet to pull away from Antonio's touch, maybe even leaned into it. He was weak to physical displays of affection and Antonio was a comforting sort of warm. "Well, I actually recently had a contract at some ski resort. Got tasked with keeping some of the kids entertained and, let me tell you, I was the master of hide and seek when we played outside." The key to getting through this encounter was playing up the good points of the years. He just had to make Antonio not worry about him and hopefully he would just leave. Gilbert refused to think about the possible outcomes of Antonio meeting with him. That would only lead to disappointment, which he strived so hard to avoid.

"But, yeah, you probably noticed the ice thing." Gilbert held his hand up between them and ice crystals formed before their eyes into a small tomato. "Making things cold isn't really in high demand around here, but when I do get bought out it's pretty entertaining. Like last time I got to make tons of ice sculptures and play-castles and stuff. Even when I'm not, I get to practice making cool shit. And Ludwig's here. Nice and cozy." Was it ever hard to force that lie through his teeth with some semblance of a smile. But maybe, just maybe, Antonio could hopefully fall for it and maybe get out before he made any promises he couldn't keep.

Words: 459

Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo

made by MISSO on IOF

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

It hadn’t gone unnoticed, Gilbert’s immediate flinching away response to Antonio’s touch. It had taken him a fair while to notice it when they were younger in all of the Spaniards innocent obliviousness, but Gilbert had had that tendency to shy away from contact initially. But just as he had then Antonio still pressed on. It could be described as being pushy, disregarding Gilbert’s obvious discomfort. It was a bit on the rude said, there was no denying that. When Gilbert allowed it, though, even leaned into it… Antonio smiled just a little bigger, both in thanks and in happiness.

Gilbert being hired to entertain kids – Antonio snorted through his nose at that. “Sounds pretty believable, for you.” It was just like Gil to use the powers he had for the enjoyment of children, even more so that he be specifically sought for that. Antonio was sure those kids had the best of times getting to play with someone like Gilbert. He knew he would have.

The smile only gave way for a moment, breaking into a face of high-browed awe upon the sight of ice crystallizing and forming itself into – a tomato! An unconscious laugh, completely natural and huffed out in amusement. Then he brought his hand down, gently touching it with the top of his finger before his grin broadened out again. “That’s really neat though.” Of a more offhanded remark under his breath, childish curiosity fascinated by the beloved shape made in ice. It also certainly showed a control over such things, at least it seemed that way to Antonio. What Gilbert said alluded to that as well, something to be proud of in Antonio’s eyes. Even if… Gilbert seemed to be filling the silence with positive chatter and too bright smiles, once that made Antonio a little suspicious. Perhaps it would be too much to question him at a time like this, too soon. Not exactly the best place to do it either, although it wasn’t as if he could do it anywhere else at that point in time. “I’m glad,” he said softly. All he could do was play along, as much as it pained him to be doing it all over again, as he had his entire life. Playing along without question…

“We did for a while, but,” Antonio began, “Francis and I ended up not really keeping up with each other maybe a few years after you stopped. When I saw him here of all places I was so surprised! I asked him if he’d seen you, knew where you were, if you were okay. So he was able to give me a pass down here to look for you. I’m not sure what I would have done if I didn’t manage to get here that way. Maybe tried something else, ha.” Perhaps some business client would have been able to get him the same thing, with a bit of hinting that he wanted to try and find a specific kind of mutant for whatever reason.

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Gilbert hadn't realized he was worried about how Antonio would react to his power until the relief hit. It was one thing to come look for an old friend with the knowledge he was a mutant. It was another to be faced with that mutation head on. Antonio didn't miss a beat, the second the ice crystals began to form his eyes widened in wonder. That was how most everyone responded at the sight of his powers. They were beautiful to watch work and created even more beautiful works. He liked the delight Antonio expressed over the ice sculpture, so he decided to make more. He set the tomato on the other side of the bars next to Antonio and started playing with a handful of snow as he thought of what to make next.

Whether Antonio was just playing along or genuinely believed his lies, Gilbert appreciated not being called out. He set an ice chick next to the tomato and crossed his arms across his knees to listen to Antonio. “We did for a while, but, Francis and I ended up not really keeping up with each other maybe a few years after you stopped. When I saw him here of all places I was so surprised! I asked him if he’d seen you, knew where you were, if you were okay. So he was able to give me a pass down here to look for you. I’m not sure what I would have done if I didn’t manage to get here that way. Maybe tried something else, ha.” Damn. He had really hoped Francis wouldn't come up.

When he had been able to go out on contracts and get updates on the world, he saw Francis's rise to power. He couldn't help but wonder what the attorney general thought about his long lost friend. Gilbert never blamed him for not seeing him. He wouldn't want to see himself if the roles were reversed. But Antonio had seen Francis? Had asked him about Gilbert? What had Francis said about him? Had he discouraged Antonio from coming down to see him? Why would he give Antonio that pass if he not once in all these years tried to see Gilbert… But he couldn't let these questions surface. Antonio may not hate him, but it was very likely Francis did and just gave Antonio the pass to please him. He didn't want to know the answer to that.

So he made another sculpture, this time a cute little bunny. "Well I'm glad you guys got to catch up and I got a visit out of it too. So, how have you been? What have you been up to? Did you go out and explore the world like you always said you would? What are you doing in this shithole now? Are you here for a business trip or something? Any pretty ladies on your arm at home?"

Words: 487

Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo

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[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Following his own short speech of sharing Antonio had picked up the second little sculpture. He turned the ice chick over in his hand, inspecting the details in his usual curiosity and wonder, the kind children often had towards the world. He smoothed his thumb along the side and his forefinger along the back. The chilled, uninterrupted surface felt more like marble than the usual square ice he was used to. How did Antonio manage all of this, he wondered. A lot of practice? Innate artistic talent? Antonio supposed it could be both, although he wondered just how artistic Gilbert was. He paused, snorted at himself and decided against bringing that up.

Still running his thumb along the edge of the ice, he looked up when Gilbert spoke. Ah – it would turn to him. Gilbert had said his peace, however truthful that had been, and Antonio had brought it, however partially and shared with Francis, onto himself. This should have been expected.

Antonio laughed and returned his gaze to the chick. It wasn’t as if he was ashamed of what had happened with his family, the shift in power. It was what it was. But he didn’t feel all that comfortable with bringing up his own slight misfortunes to Gilbert in this of all places. It would only be cheap. Besides, he’d long accepted the change. In many ways it appeared as if it benefited him. Now he wouldn’t be stuck in an office in one place, as a company president. Instead with the job of representative he could move around and meet as many people as he pleased. It seemed a lot more like the type of thing he would enjoy. The only thing that really bothered him about the whole situation was the shame his own parents felt in getting their family into it all. They could have easily made themselves outcasts in society, having secretly put money into what was a largely unpopular business. One that Antonio…

“Mm, I’ve been around.” He laughed, “fortunately I get to travel a lot for work, which is why I’m here. But things are going so well with people here that it looks I’ll end up sticking around for a while. I bought an apartment, at least. Well, that and a shop but.” That had been on the unexpected side. Look for an apartment, end up with a business. Sounded about right for someone like him.

“Ff,” he sounded, air through his teeth pressed into his lower lip. A snort, shake of his head when he looked up again.

“No lady, though. I guess moving around as much as I do wouldn’t help with that whole thing, haha. Or the fact that the favorite phrase of the entire female race, at least towards me, tends to be,” he rolls his eyes dramatically, a faux exasperated expression paired with the following ‘female’ toned voice, “grow up.”

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The chick seemed to be popular, since Antonio had yet to put it down. Gilbert grinned to himself as he got to work making a handful of chicks of varying sizes. “Mm, I’ve been around. Fortunately I get to travel a lot for work, which is why I’m here. But things are going so well with people here that it looks I’ll end up sticking around for a while. I bought an apartment, at least. Well, that and a shop but.” It was hard to keep a smile with that revelation.

So Antonio was sticking around for a while? Gilbert didn't let himself think about possible 'what if's of what the future may hold. It was fine to speculate and regret the possibilities of the past because there was no way to change anything. They were just hopeless thoughts of a better present. But thinking about what his future might hold could only lead to disappointment. Just because Antonio was going to stay in the city for a while didn't mean he was going to try to buy Gilbert out. Not once had he said anything to suggest that, but Gilbert just couldn't push the thought away. It was too easy to imagine spending time with his old friend outside of these dark halls. They would lounge about on Antonio's couch and get to know each other again, and it would be an easy task. They could laugh and joke around, maybe Gilbert would even help Antonio with his new shop… But was it really right to consider these things when his friends in the Underground wouldn't be with him? Antonio was an old friend, sure, but Hamish and Mathias had been with him through all of this hell. He could never desert them to have a happy life with a distant friend from his previous life. Oh how he hoped Antonio would not bring up the idea of getting Gilbert out.

He set his handful of chicks down around the bunny. “No lady, though. I guess moving around as much as I do wouldn’t help with that whole thing, haha. Or the fact that the favorite phrase of the entire female race, at least towards me, tends to be, grow up.” Gilbert snorted and quickly covered his mouth with his hands as he burst into laughter. That was so pathetic, but believable. As much as Gilbert liked the idea of his friend happy and settled down with some kind lady, the fact that Antonio had zero game was all the better.

“Well maybe you’ll get lucky around here,” Gilbert offered when he got his laughter under control. “I bet these hardened Arcadia chicks would love a childish ray of sunshine to brighten their day.” The idea just got him laughing again. Antonio on the arm of some giant, muscular blonde lady. He would pay to see that. “Nah, but really, what kind of shop did you open up? Got a nice place to stay? I bet you’re hating this weather as much as you did when we were kids. Staying warm, at least, I hope. Do you have any pets?” Gilbert couldn’t stop the flow of questions. He wanted to know everything about Antonio, wanted to have the perfect image of his life on the outside to cheer himself on dreary days.

Words: 553

Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo

made by MISSO on IOF

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

In seeing that his acting had indeed earned him some laughter on Gilbert’s part, real snorts hidden behind his hand, Antonio smiled. He giggled a little under his breath himself with his soft grin. Much better. If he managed to make Gilbert laugh then there could never be any reason to regret this visit or doubt he’d done the right thing. Already he’d been glad just to see him and to know.

As much as the naïve optimism of his youth that Antonio retained… it was not what it had once been. Had he been who he was as a child Antonio never would have even questioned his thoughts and hopes. Of course Gilbert was fine. There was no point in even checking to make sure, because that had to be how it was! That sort of stupid confidence that went along with such utter ignorance of any world other than his own. Anything outside of his immediate circle and knowledge was so completely unknown to him. And once that had been broken – something of his usual dumb confidence was lost. As if there was always that faint worry and questioning if anything was allowed to sit longer than a few moments. He was still given to reacting quickly without thought, that he had yet to get rid of. But if he was unable to act on it immediately, had it in him for a while… he wasn’t quite as sure as he would have been before.

There would be no way of him knowing for sure unless he looked for Gilbert himself. Otherwise he would never be rid of that doubt towards his own hopes. And, in the end, they had been proven wrong. Gilbert wasn’t out and happy. He was here.

Taking the bunny and newly formed chicks, Antonio shifted back just enough to have them in front of him and Gilbert. He circled them round, slid them on the floor much like a child would with tiny cars and toys. He even gently nudged the noses of the bunny and a chick together. That made him grin. But he’d found him. And that was something to be thankful for.

“Hardened chicks, huh?” Antonio snorted, holding one of the little ice birds up. He brought it down again and leaned back in a sigh. “Shop, shop. See, when I do have luck with women, it’s sweet old ladies. I walked by this flower shop in town that had a sign about a going out of business sale. I go in to ask about it, since it looked so nice, and get to talking with the owner. She’s retiring and going to live with her daughter and couldn’t find anyone that wanted to take it over for her. So here I am just looking for an apartment, and I end up with a flower shop with rooms above it to live in! I’m gonna be lonely with so much empty room, I’m sure I’ll end up with some kind of company.”

Antonio shook his head. Even he was still somewhat appalled by the whole situation of landing himself something like that. “I’ve been to a lot of places to get a little more used to this kind of weather. At least I thought I had.” He snorted, shook his head, “not quite the same level though.”

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Gilbert watched Antonio's every move with a small smile. Just the simple act of innocently playing with the little sculptures was so out of place and refreshing. He picked up the bunny and one of the chicks and started building an ice ball around them, separating them in different chambers within the ball. Antonio would like to keep these, no doubt.

“Shop, shop. See, when I do have luck with women, it’s sweet old ladies. I walked by this flower shop in town that had a sign about a going out of business sale. I go in to ask about it, since it looked so nice, and get to talking with the owner. She’s retiring and going to live with her daughter and couldn’t find anyone that wanted to take it over for her. So here I am just looking for an apartment, and I end up with a flower shop with rooms above it to live in! I’m gonna be lonely with so much empty room, I’m sure I’ll end up with some kind of company.” Antonio was exactly the kind of guy to end up with unlikely roommates. He was cheerful and outgoing, so Gilbert wasn't worried about him being lonely long. But man, a flower shop. That was adorable and perfect for this smiling idiot. Surrounded by flowers and helping people pick out the perfect bouquet for their dates, yup Antonio was going to shine at that.

“I’ve been to a lot of places to get a littlemore used to this kind of weather. At least I thought I had. Not quite the same level though.” Unsurprisingly, the weather still wasn't agreeable with the Spaniard, considering his affinity for all things warm. And yet here was to stay with his little flower shop.

Gilbert snorted and held out the ice ball. "Well I wish you the best of luck, Antonio. I'm sure you'll get used to the weather sooner or later. Anyways, I put the rabbit and a chick in this. The ball will keep them frozen for a couple hours, so you have plenty of time to get them to a freezer to admire for a while. Oh- actually!" He grinned with excitement as an idea occurred to him. A few of the remaining chicks dissolved into powered snow that spiraled into Gilbert's hand. The particles danced together and formed an ice rose. "A flower for the shop, right?" He encased the rose in a ball of its own and held it out as well. "Gifts for you!"

Footsteps echoed down the hall. Shit. Gilbert made the still standing sculptures dissipate into the air and shoved the ice balls into Antonio's hands. He jumped to his feet and backed away from the bars. Great, it was the Nose Boyfriends. "Hey guys! Just showing this cool dude my frostastic skills! I think he's really interested. What'd you say, dude? A niece's birthday? I'm great with kids, don't you agree Hook Nose?"

"Oh shut up, Beilschmidt," Hook Nose growled before looking down to Antonio. "We're feeding soon, if you're done with your viewing we can escort you out."

Gilbert fell back onto his cot and gave Antonio a small wave. "Enjoy my icy creations!"

Words: 573

Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo

made by MISSO on IOF

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

If it hadn’t of been for the almost timed appearance of the guards following, Antonio would have protested the sort of parting way that Gilbert spoke. Wish him the best of luck? That was something you said to someone you didn’t think you’d see for a long time, if at all. Did Gilbert really think they wouldn’t see each other again? Maybe he couldn’t blamed for that kind of thought process, considering his situation and how long it had been since their last meeting, but it still made Antonio feel unsettled. He more than expected to, he planned on it.

Further credence was given to what Gilbert was thinking about the whole thing when he gave Antonio things akin to parting gifts. Two ice spheres, clear enough to be able to see the faintly white shapes of a chick and a bunny, and then a rose in the other, encased within. They were beautiful, no doubt about it. Antonio was sure he would find some sort of way to showcase the rose in the store, the other a bit more close and private.

Hardly could Antonio even respond by the time the guards had appeared and Gilbert had moved back, so casual of a movement. The moment was broken and he just went along with it, as did the guards in Gilbert’s lie, while Antonio was the only one left behind in his slow confusion.

Right… this wasn’t a time he could say he had come looking for his friend. That he’d come just for that, to talk to him. There had to be some sort of excuse and lie, didn’t there? That he needed a use for him. Like going to a store to window shop before you decided what you really wanted to spend your money on. Reviewing your options before you made your decision. As if he was just looking around for a car or an investment, not… not a friend. He looked down at the intricate pieces of ice in his hands. A friend that could do this, but a friend nonetheless. Gilbert had known all of that and followed right along with it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Ha… to him, and to everyone else, it probably was.

Careful of his two gifts in his hands, Antonio stood. He gave the two guards a polite smile and nod. “Thank you.”

It might have lessened, his smile. Been sad and perhaps on the disappointed side for their reunion being cut short. But… when Antonio looked back to Gilbert in his cell then, lying back on his cot, his expression softened. “See you, rosy eyes.”

As he left Antonio thought it may have been a cruel almost promise to part on that note. Too intimate and stupidly hopeful as he often was. That did not, however, mean that he did not intend to put as much as he could into keeping it. In fact as he was escorted along the long halls and back to the surface where he could check out he was sure of it.

There was no way he was going that long without seeing Gilbert again. He wasn’t sure how he could manage to meet again, and it would be wrong to say he wasn’t hesitant about saying he would do the obvious and buy him. That concept came with it a shroud of uncertain anxiety at this early stage. All that was perfectly known was that he wanted to not let them be parted again. Now that he knew where he was there just wasn’t any other way he could allow it to go on as it had. To be in the same city and have that knowledge – even the oblivious Spaniard that always tried to live in the moment rather than worry about anything else, he couldn’t see himself being able to live like that.

Besides. From pushing him into a pool to meeting him again despite everything, it was Antonio’s job to prove Gilbert wrong.

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