Author's Note

This was half request (also for Avi), and half mulling over things I would actually like to do to characters (Brady edition). I'm loving these two way too much for not having played Awakening yet (BUT SOON). xD Enjoy~

I was dreaming. I knew I was dreaming because I was sleeping in a tent tonight but above me I could see the stars. My bedroll had disappeared, though I didn't feel much like moving anyway. It was nice to have this reprieve, this beautiful sight above me. But it wasn't real. And as if being aware of that tainted it, the stars went out and I was left in darkness.

At least gimme some company, I grumbled.

Just like that, there he sat beside me. His arms rested on his legs, his hands clasped together, he kept his back to me. Even without his hand in front of it, I couldn't see his face. I stared at the back of his head for about as long as I could stand it, and then looked back up where the stars had been. I willed for them to come back, and instead it gave me the moon. Just a sliver of it. The edges looked near and sharp enough that if I reached out I would cut myself on it. I raised my arm just a little, fingers reaching for the crescent above.

"Don't."

I glanced back to him, my fingers curling away from the moon.

"Don't cry, Brady."

I ain't cryin', I huffed. I didn't even touch the damn thing.

"I don't want you to cry anymore."

Can we get off the subject? I muttered. Go back to your flowery avenger stuff.

"I know things are bad," he said. "But I'm here for you."

I swallowed the knot beginning to well in my throat. Why are ya bein' so serious? Yer makin' me nervous.

He turned around to face me, crawled nearer and tentatively leaned over me. He was staring as his fingers gently combed through my hair, his palms cupping my ears. He leaned farther, far enough that I could feel his breath on my temple. "I'm gonna keep you safe so you don't have to cry anymore."

My eyes closed reflexively as his mouth pressed against my brow, the tip of the scar. Those lips were as cold as his hands and slowly warming against me.

When he pulled away, he knelt back on his heels. I could make out his features now—his bed hair, handsome nose, and a wide-eyed stare that I didn't understand. I propped myself on my elbows to get a better look at him. "Owain?"

His lips parted in a gasp and he dashed out of the tent.