Genre: Game

Category: Fire Emblem

Summary: Okay so, I have a mild fear of spiders. Which is why I try to avoid directly fighting baels. [JoshuaArtur]

Disclaimer: Sadly, I only own the game cartridge DX

Warnings: Shounen-ai goodness :D

Notes: Hey, look; something NOT Guilty Gear related! Well, it's my first attempt at a Fire Emblem fanfic, and I decided to base it off the first FE game I ever played—Sacred Stones. We really need more of this pairing… X3 There's nothing else I really need to say, other than: if you don't like shounen-ai, turn away. (Two warnings now). That said, here we go!


It had nearly been a week ago that the army had left Jehanna behind, barely escaping with our hearts still beating and our limbs intact. Princess Eirika and Prince Ephraim both agreed to risk going back to the Tower of Valni in order to drive off the dark creatures that lurked within its floors. With our enemies only growing stronger, a bit of training wouldn't hurt. (But for a few members of our party, well, they just needed an excuse to go kill things for the fun of it. One such example, without a doubt, is Dozla.) The whole 'Ghost Ship' thing hadn't cleared yet, so we were stuck with the overland route once again.

It was early afternoon and we made camp at Teraz Plateau for the night, staying at the stronghold where we had met up with Prince Innes and Gerik's mercenary band a while back. Everyone was tired from the journey, since we did not pass through the mountains like last time, and gratefully indulged in their break. I had decided to go outside. The day was nice and clear, but I had overhead Rennac saying that he sensed a fog rolling in. (I knew thieves and rogues can see well in fogs, but I never thought they could actually sense them coming. I guess you learn something everyday after all.)

I found a tree near the steps leading up to our shelter. I was very fond of climbing them in my youth, before I left my home for the temple. I jumped up and grabbed hold of a low branch, before I hoisted myself up into it. I decided to go a bit higher and soon climbed onto the branch above the first one. The view of the plateau was nice from here and it brought back a sense of nostalgia. But I won't go into that—story for another time. I leaned back against the trunk and looked up at the sky, letting my mind wander. I tried not to think of the terrible things that had happened so far during the course of the war, or the future mishaps that would possibly occur later on. I closed my eyes.

"So here you are!"

I yelped in surprise and lost my balance. I tried to grab the branch, but my fingers only managed to brush against the wood before I crashed into the ground on my side. Groaning, I sat up, my entire right side aching from the fall. The purple-haired host of the startling voice giggled with amusement.

"Lute, will you please stop doing that? You've already frightened about a decade or so off my remaining life as it was." I said, giving her my best attempt at a glare. Sadly, it proved not to be very intimidating, for she merely smiled at the gesture.

"Oh come now, Artur! One would think you'd have gotten used to it by now, since the two of us had joined this rag-tag army in the early stages of this war." She said, pointing a finger three times to emphasize whatever point she was making, "Why, what if I had been a Grado soldier? Or maybe a Revenant? What then, Artur?"

I sighed in defeat. Trying to convince Lute was like trying to get Ross to become a Pegasus knight. In other words: no way in the name of Latona was that ever going to happen. You would probably have had an easier time trying to defeat Valter, Caellach and their troops with your bare hands. (Mind you, that would have been very helpful back in Jehanna.) So, with the battle lost, I decided to humor my companion.

"Is there a reason, O' Great One, why you grace me with your presence?" Lute rolled her eyes, catching the sarcasm

"Haha, Artur, very funny." She said, "But yes. I was asked to deliver something to you."

I raised an eyebrow as she gave me the book she had been holding onto. It was a new magic tome, "Who is it from?"

"Prince Joshua. He was planning to give it to you himself, but Princess L'Arachel dragged him off to a war council to discuss some things."

"I see…" Flipping through the pages, I recognized the spells to be that of a Shine tome. It would explain why the exterior looked nicer than my usual Lightning. As I was doing so, I saw something drop from between the pages from the corner of my eye. Lute picked it up and glanced at it before I got it from her.

"It looked like a letter. Go read it, Artur." My mage companion told me, walking around so she can read it over my shoulder. I looked back at her uncomfortably. For all I know, this could be something personal that was intended for me alone. She rolled her eyes when she saw my expression and gestured me to carry on. My attention turned back to the letter:

Artur,

Thank you for your time in helping me train. I noticed that your last tome shriveled up in the previous battle (sorry about that, by the way) so I got you a new one when we passed by a shop. Hopefully, this one will last a bit longer and will help knock out more opponents.

I can feel Lute grinning teasingly over my shoulder, "Looks like someone has an admirer!"

"Don't be ridiculous. It's just a gesture of thanks." I said, trying to look unabashed to her statement. That was hard to do when a very noticeable pink color started to appear across my cheeks. Apparently, she noticed it and her grin grew wider.

"If you say so." Lute said in an almost sing-song voice before leaving. I waited until she was completely out of sight before I let go of a held breath. An admirer, huh? If only.

You see, I was the one that liked Joshua; not the other way around. I can't really remember when this infatuation of mine started—maybe it was when he had first talked to me in the battlefield. I found it quite peculiar, his little taste for gambling, that is. But he was still a kind person—looking out for me in battle, making sure I didn't overdo it after we finished our "training" sessions. He was also a pleasant person to talk to, if he wasn't busy making "small" wagers with others. (Though it was amusing to see him lose against Princess L'Arachel time and time again.) Not to mention he's quite—and yes, I do admit it—handsome. I coughed into my fist, trying to suppress another blush that threatened to appear at the thought of the older swordsman. Come on, Artur, you can do it.

I gave up after a minute or so. Looking ahead, I saw the first signs of the fog quickly covering the landscape. I guess I should be going back to the fortress. I got up with the tome in hand and brushed the dust and dirt off my white robes before carefully making my way back. Now was one of the times I wished I had a thief's eyesight. I sighed; no use complaining. Suddenly, a noise ripped through the silence.

This time, I was absolutely certain that it wasn't Lute.

I held the new tome up against my chest, waiting a moment. Nothing came. After a second's hesitation, I started to briskly walk back to where the fortress was. I smiled to myself when I spotted its large shadow. However, my smile disappeared when I saw what lay ahead in front of me.

A large, furry monstrosity with five malicious eyes and eight legs that looked very threatening. Also known to the common man (at least one who's somewhat educated in the myths of our ancestry) as a Bael.

Okay, so I have a mild fear of spiders. Which is why I try to avoid directly combating Baels. Because, in retrospect, Baels are just the same as spiders, only larger, deadlier, and more mutated. And usually, they are the ones who do the stomping, not us.

It's not directly in front of the steps leading to camp… So maybe if I backed away slowly…

The Bael suddenly jerked its head in my direction. My eye twitched—don't move, Artur! It senses fear! I can see its eyes locked onto my position, but it didn't seem to do anything. I took a small step to my left.

…And instantly regretted it…

"KRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" it roared before skittering its way to me. I flipped my tome open and started chanting the mantra as it was still on the move.

"Sanctus Lux lucis, tribuo mihi vires!"

A burst of light came from my outstretched hand and surged towards the overgrown spider, which was already no more than three or so meters away from me. Its movement was halted, fortunately, as the spell took action and the light exploded into beautiful circle patterns upon impact. The creature shrieked in pain, but was not defeated just yet. Well, that's not good. The hairs on its body bristled upwards in anger as it came for me again.

I backed away, trying to put some distance between us. However, I stumbled back and fell, accidentally letting go of the Shine tome. I reached quickly and grabbed it just as a large ominous shadow fell over me. My hand placed limply on the cover of the tome, I turned my head back to come face to face with the Bael. I could easily use the chance to use another spell, but my stupid phobia won't allow me. So there I was, paralyzed with fear and eyes closed, waiting to meet my end a la poison talons. (And my guess was, it won't be a quick and painless death, either.)

A battle cry resonated in the air followed by the sound of metal ripping through flesh. My eyes opened and I was immediately graced with the sight of my fear neatly sliced open in front of me, a large pool of blood and small bits of I-don't-want-to-even-know-what collecting on the ground. It was rather disgusting, but somehow, at the same time, relieving.

A click of a sheathed blade got me out of my thoughts. Not wanting to bother whoever saved me, (there were many sword wielders in our group, after all) I pushed myself off the ground, only to find a pair of strong yet slender arms helping me on my feet.

"Are you okay, Artur?"

Lo and behold, the Tempest Prince himself comes to my rescue. My plight might as well be written into a romance novel or something.

"I'm fine, Joshua. Just frazzled, is all." I replied, picking up the fallen tome. Now that the main threat is gone, I started to walk towards the shadow that is the fortress. Joshua followed, catching up to walk beside me.

"What happened?" he asked, "I heard a roar and came out just when a light flashed. By the time I got here, you were frozen like someone caught in a Fimbulvetr spell."

"Ah…Well…" I tried to come up with an excuse. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough for his keen perception.

"Were you scared?"

I tinged a very light pink from embarrassment. Who wouldn't; it was a pathetic thing to be afraid of. Besides, we'd all been fighting the things since they first appeared. Not wanting to lie to him (like I could in the first place), I settled for a timid nod. He gave me an understanding look and didn't bring it up again.

When we had returned safely within the walls of our overnight shelter, Gerik had called for the redhead prince. He nodded, telling him he was coming before turning to me. I bowed my head in a respectful farewell sort of manner. He just gave an amused smile before ruffling my hair intimately and running off. I smiled a bit at the gesture, but it soon faded as I walked back to the room I shared with said redhead.

I sat on the bed, feeling my body sink into the fluffy haven. I couldn't help but think about you-know-who. (Then again, there never seemed to be a time anymore when I wasn't thinking about him.) After what happened at Jehanna Hall with his mother… It must be hard to cope while fighting a war. He looks alright, but I truly wonder… No one can get over grief this quickly; it wasn't possible. I wished that there was something I could do. Hold him in my arms and-No, bad Artur, bad; stop thinking like that!

"Ah, why must it torture me so!?" I shouted to no one in particular, raising my hands as I fell back to lie down. Sadly, I accidentally hit my head on the headboard of the bed while doing so, "Ow!"

…Today just wasn't my day.

Suddenly, Ross opened the door, "We're under attack!"

My whining can wait until later. Hopefully this fight will keep me distracted from thinking about a certain desert prince. I rushed out with Ross, still holding onto my Shine tome. (I'm surprised I hadn't let it go.) Looking outside, I'm very pleased that the fog has passed and all enemies were in clear view. All units were flooding out into the battlefield, to combat the dark creatures. Ross turned to me and grinned, "Come on; let's show 'em who's boss!"

"Yes, let's go!"

-x-x-x-x-

"Fulsi!" My upper body was pushed back slightly at the force of the spell, its power still unfamiliar to me. The Revenant roared and lunged at me, attempting to harm me in some way before it died. I moved away and it fell over, a simple inanimate corpse. I looked at it for a brief moment before running off again, trying to find other enemies that need to be dealt with.

I spotted an archer Wight riding a ballistae, trying to shoot down Princess Tana. I immediately unleashed the Shine spell, and—with just one blow—the bones crumbled and the steel bow dropped onto the grass with a thud.

"Thanks, Artur!" I hear her yell from above. I nodded before continuing around. I encountered Mogalls, some Gargoyles, more Wights, and the occasional Gwyllgi as I circled around the fortress. They all met the same fate the Revenant and Wight did earlier. It seemed as if the routing of these enemies was nearly done. All we needed to do now was to defeat the leader. I spotted a Bael from far away and felt myself twitch. Payback time. I made a hasty dash towards the giant evil hell spawn, ready to take it down.

"Sanctus Lux lucis, tribuo mihi vires!" The light swiftly shot through the air and collided with the thorax of said giant evil hell spawn. (Ironic that I should know the body parts of the arachnid.) It cried out, taken by surprise. Its legs started to move, turning itself around to face me. However, I wouldn't give it a chance.

"Fulsi!" The second beam of light shot and hit its mark and seared through the creature's body. Not as clean a cut as the ones Joshua made, but it did the job… Shoot, so much for not thinking about him. I briefly shook all thoughts of him out of my head and focused on the task at hand.

I ran to the north, where the houses used to be before the entire plateau was overrun by the dark beings. (Also near the place where Prince Innes had dealt some serious damage to that Carcinian councilmember before.) Everyone was busy with their own share of monsters and healing allies. (We're lucky that Sister Natasha and Princess L'Arachel are mounted; they'll be able to go around easier.) I neared the gates leading up to the formerly populated area before I spotted Sir Cormag flying over from behind in my direction.

"Joshua!" I heard someone yell out. Wait, what!?

My head snapped to my right. I was greeted by the sight of a much larger giant evil hell spawn (Also known as an Elder Bael. It was probably the leader.) and a former redheaded mercenary trying to combat it. Swaying gracefully, he disappeared from my line of vision and was replaced by giant streaks of wind at the sheer speed of his attack. I marveled at the maneuver. But my eyes widened with fear as I saw the sword shatter into metallic splinters. What was worst was the Elder Bael was still standing, ready to strike. I ran as fast as I could, chanting the mantra quickly without tripping over my words. Before long, I found myself pushing Joshua aside and casting the spell.

I felt an abrupt and painful force stab into my abdomen. It hurt, and I can already feel my body going numb from the poison it held. (Mind you, I didn't know it had poison. Though the numbness did help me feel less pain as I was sent back a good distance.) But even so, I'm not letting it gain the victory, "-mihi…vires!"

The light hit the Elder Bael at the eyes. I smirked, as it used up its last breath to fill the air with its dying screech. I heard my Shine tome fall to the ground, my arm falling limply at my sides. My eyes unfocused and everything suddenly blurred. Soon, I saw blurs of blue and white, with the occasional green at the sides. (I realized that I had fallen on my back.) I felt my eyes closing, and all the commotion of battle just went away.

The last thing I saw was red.

And then, nothing.

-x-x-x-x-

When I woke up, I saw the stone-gray ceiling of the fortress. Tilting my head up, I saw that the room was empty (save for myself). I never really liked being in bed for longer than I needed to, so I forced myself to sit up despite the ache that pulsed throughout my body. I tried to recall what had happened before I lost consciousness. The only thing I could gather was that blur of red.

…Joshua, perhaps?

I blushed instantaneously at the thought of him hovering over me and—Damn it, stop thinking like that, Artur! I took a deep breath and painfully stood up. My legs were still recovering from the numbness of the poison, but it didn't bother me much. I needed to go outside. I needed to talk to someone. And I know just the one to talk to.

But before that…

I crouched down at the foot of the bed and slipped my arms under the wooden frame. I felt around the floor—By the Stones, where was it? Feeling the cold of steel, I carefully pulled out a sword. (A Killing Edge, to be exact.) I had found it on our way back here from Jehanna, just lying next to a fallen soldier. It still seemed very new, so I brought it with me in case a certain myrmidon's sword broke. (Which it did during that last battle, surprisingly. Coincidence much?) I didn't want to waste any time, so I gently placed the Edge atop his bed and left before anyone could come inside.

Night was falling slowly. I brought my tome with me though, just in case. I went to great lengths to try and keep myself unnoticed by my comrades. It was very hard, considering that I could barely walk quickly enough without my limping hindering my steps. But, somehow, I managed to get by unseen. (Thank you, Holy Latona; I'm pretty sure this happened by your blessings.) I made my way to where the mounts were. The pegasi were resting soundly, their white wings folded inwards. I passed quietly, not wanting to disturb them. I found the one I was looking for isolated from the others.

"Hey there, Genarog."

His head perked up at my voice and made a sort of greeting sound. I walked over and placed a cold hand on his snout, smiling. His eyes held a look of concern and confusion as he nudged what I now realized was my bare upper half (save for my torso, which was covered with bandages). My face tinged a rosy pink yet again—honestly, I can't fathom how I wasn't able to notice my lack of clothing. Genarog huffed through his nose in seeming laughter.

"Yes, yes, I realize you find this humorous, but please stop laughing at me." I can still see the amusement in his eyes, but I sighed and let it go, "Well… Do you mind if I talk to you for a bit?"

He gave me a nod (as far as wyvern body language goes). I petted his head in thanks. Genarog closed his eyes and leaned into my touch, happily accepting the gesture. A few moments passed in silence. Genarog nudged me again, as if he was asking, "Well?"

I felt my face take on a thoughtful look, "I don't suppose you've been in love with a female wyvern, have you?" He did nothing but stare at me as if I had sprouted another limb. I smiled sheepishly, "I thought not…"

It was then that I had thought of something, "…Male wyvern then?"

Now he just outright glared at me, no questions asked, "Okay, okay; I was just making sure…" I told him, not wanting to annoy the creature. It seemed to pacify him, as the leer died away in his eyes. But I can tell he was getting slightly impatient.

"…I like someone… As in, more than a friend or a comrade-in-arms; that type of deal. But there's a bit of a dilemma with that…" I trailed off and looked to the side. Genarog's lifted his head and rubbed his snout against my cheek, urging me to continue, "For one thing, the person I like is… well, of upper class. And he's male. So that pretty much decides that I have no chance. I mean, I'm a monk. The temple and the Divine One surely must be against such a union…"

I sighed, "But I can't stop thinking about him! He's always on my mind, no matter how much I try to dismiss thoughts regarding him… I just don't know what I should do."

My reptilian companion made a sympathetic sound and rubbed his head against me again, comfortingly. I smiled and petted his head once more, "Thank you for listening to me, Genarog. I knew I chose the right one to talk to."

"Artur! There you are!"

I yelped again, whipping myself around to face the person who called me. Why is it that people always sneak up on me like that?

"J…Joshua…" I stuttered as said prince was walking my way. There goes my plan to go back to the fort quietly.

"I was looking everywhere for you! Gods, do you have any idea how worried I was!?" His raised voice, his angered expression—it scared me and made me feel horrible inside. I always try to stay within everyone's good graces, because another fear I have is when people yell at me. (Raising one's voice to get my attention is different from being right in front of me, screaming. Very different.)

All I could manage was to avert my gaze downwards at my feet, shakily apologizing. I couldn't look at him. Not while he was like this.

From behind me, I heard Genarog growl. Still keeping my head down, I looked back to see my wyvern friend glaring at the (obviously displeased) object of my affections. The corners of my mouth twitched upwards into a small and weak smile as I mouthed off, "It's okay, really…" With a final huff, Genarog lowered his head and closed his eyes, going to sleep. (At least, I think he did.)

Joshua sighed, "I didn't mean to yell like that. It's just… Damn, you really scared me, you know? I thought someone snuck in and took you."

"I'm sorry…" I said again, finally looking up. His expression softened as he patted my shoulder lightly.

"Just don't go running off like that again, alright? Look at you—you're half clothed during the middle of the night. What in blazes are you doing out here anyway?"

Holding my hands behind my back, I tilted my head over to the well-I-assume-he's-sleeping Genarog, "I just needed to get my thoughts straightened out."

He raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so you don't tell me, but you tell an oversized reptile?"

A startling low growl came from behind. That answers my question. The redhead raised his hands in defense, "Hey, hey, no offense; you're strong and I respect that. No need to get touchy."

Genarog grumbled a bit before he grew silent yet again. I had the urge to chuckle, but kept it to myself. Otherwise, Joshua would give me that funny look. (And it's hard to stop laughing at it when you see it. Take my word for it.) He turned back to me, "So. Care to tell your good old buddy Joshua what's been bothering you lately?"

I should've expected him to catch onto this like he did with my phobia. I bit the inside of my lower lip and looked down again, out of nervousness. I'm not sure I'm ready to tell anyone else, even if I could leave out the name. He gave me a pointed look and said my name with a demanding tone. And when he says things like that, it means he'll never leave you alone about it.

"…I'm in love with someone I shouldn't be." I finally answered, although hesitantly

"Chastity vows, I'm assuming?"

"No… Not really… But…"

"But…?"

"I… The one I like is male…"

There was silence. It felt like it lasted forever. (What is with me and saying things that could come out of a romance novel? I know I'm in love, but…) And then,

"So?"

…That wasn't the reaction I had in mind, actually, "Pardon?"

"So you like someone who is of the same gender as you. He has to be someone special if he's got your eye. So, what's the problem?"

I gave him a look. The 'did-you-honestly-just-say-that?' look, "Joshua, it's not that simple—"

"Artur, I know you're obscuring details, but either way, it shouldn't really matter." He said, interrupting me. He closed his eyes in thought as he continued on, "You're a nice person. Really, you are. You need to stick by what you feel. That's why you and me are fighting this war; because this threat needs to be stopped—that's what we feel. It's the same with this. If you truly feel that you love someone, no one else has the right to tell you that you can't love that person because it's somehow "wrong." I find that to be absolutely ridiculous and frankly, I just toss it all into the eastern wind."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Why eastern?"

"Doesn't matter. Point is, if you love the person, you shouldn't have any doubts about pursuing that person." He said, waving it off with one hand, while the other was nestled in his hip. Opening his eyes, he gave me one of the most sincere smiles I've seen him wear, "You have the courage to tell him; I know you do. Hell, what you did out there earlier was pretty amazing."

Nodding vigorously, I said, "Well, I had to do something! I wasn't about to lose a friend because of one fear!"

Still smiling, he placed both hands on my shoulders, "And if you have the courage to beat one fear, you have the courage to beat them all. It's simply a matter of rising up to the challenge. Also, if they hurt you in any way, just come to me, alright? I'll make sure they get taken care of."

I made a face of disapproval, "You don't have to go so far as to resort to violence…"

Chuckling, Joshua ruffled my hair, "You're a really good person. The guy should be lucky to have gotten your attention."

"Thank you…" was all I could manage. I wish I could have said more; the talk he gave me was really encouraging. Too bad he might regret giving it to me when I finally decide to tell him. Oh well; I managed to make it through the conversation without him bothering me about who it was.

"Okay! Now that that's all settled, how about a bet?" he said cheerily, taking out a gold coin from his pocket.

"At this hour?" I asked him incredulously. He smirked back at me, tossing the coin in the air with the flick of his thumb and then catching it.

"I had to chase after you when night was falling, when you were supposed to be in bed. The least you could do is humor me by accepting a small wager."

Unbelievable. I guess you can't really take the gambling out of his system for more than a few hours, "Fine… What are the terms?"

"If you win, I'll carry you back, so we can get to our beddings quicker." He said, playing with the coin. I nodded, signaling him to continue, "But if I win, you have to tell me who exactly caught your eye."

…I knew there had to be a catch, "You can't be serious…"

"I'm quite serious, and you've already agreed so there's no backing out now." Joshua showed me the gold coin so I can verify that he wasn't cheating (like he had in the past), "Now make your call. Heads or tails?"

I can't believe this… But I have half a chance of making it out so, "Heads."

"Atta boy!" he said, tossing the coin in the air again. He caught it with the same hand and turned it over, placing it on the back of his other hand. I looked at the coin.

Tails.

Why does this not surprise me? My eyes looked up, to see the redhead prince savoring his triumph. Sometimes, I get very envious of his luck, "So, Artur, who's the lucky man that stole your heart?"

I'm not ready for this! "Er…"

"A deal's a deal, Artur. You gotta tell me." I gulped. How should I approach this? I barely even had time to think before I felt something hit my back hard, causing me to fall forward, right on top of the source of my girlish feelings and random phrases that seem to be taken from romance novels.

To make matters worst, our lips made contact. In other words, I kissed him. (Although unintentionally, it still counted as one.) My mind stopped working at that moment. Then, after a good three seconds, I realized what exactly I was doing and pulled away.

At least, I tried to.

Before I could get off of him and start my babbling string of apologies, I felt his hand behind my head, pushing me back down before he captured my lips again. Wait, since when was this an outcome?

I suddenly felt something moist against my lips, and instinctively gasped, which in turn allowing said moist object (which I realized to be Joshua's tongue) to invade the inside of my mouth. At that point, all logic was tossed into the eastern wind (as he put it) and I didn't care anymore. All I cared about was that it felt good and I wanted more. I pressed myself against his form as he wrapped one arm around my waist and continued to explore my mouth.

It didn't last long, though—a low growl brought us back to reality.

We pulled away from each other and turned our heads to look at Genarog, whose eyes were wide open and staring at us with a questioning look. Red-faced, I lifted myself off of Joshua. I couldn't help but start spurting the beginnings of apologies as he got up.

"Artur." His voice was enough to make me cease my babbling immediately. He looked at me for a few seconds before smirking, "You still didn't tell me who it was."

My face heated more than it already was. My head tilted downwards and my body stood erect with embarrassment, "Um… you?"

He went over to me and leaned over so his face was directly in front of mine. Still smirking, he whispered, "Good" before catching my lips again. I was still somewhat incredulous to it, but simply settled for leaning into it. Might as well take it for all its worth.

Joshua pushed me against a tree a moment later and broke apart from me. I was about to say something until he quickly started to leave a trail of butterfly kisses down my neck. (By the Stones, it felt so good.) He whispered three words into my skin—those three words I've always wanted to hear since I first met him.

"J…Jo…shua…"

Another noise made him pause. Joshua lifted his head and sighed, "Come on, Artur; let's get back to the fort. Your wyvern friend's getting impatient."

I smiled sheepishly as he took my hand and started to lead me back. I turned around to Genarog, "I'll see you tomorrow, Genarog; I hope you get some rest."

Genarog nodded and closed his eyes. This time, he really did fall asleep.

"By the way, that sword on my bed…"

Oh, right, "The one that broke was your last one, right? I found it while we were passing by Hamill Canyon and thought I should hang onto it, just in case…"

I saw him smile and felt his fingers slip between my own, "Thanks."

-x-x-x-x-

The next morning, I found myself in that same tree branch, looking over the greenery. Everything was quiet, and I sighed, feeling at peace.

"Artur!!"

"Aaahh!" Once again, I fell out of the tree and made friends with the ground below. I sat myself up, "Lute!"

She shook her head, "Well, if you don't like falling out of trees, I suggest you don't climb them."

I got up, dusting my robes. It's not like I could help climbing them; it's been a habit of mine, "Was there something you needed?"

"Nothing in particular. Just wondering if you were up there." She replied nonchalantly. I sighed. Leave it to Lute to use me as her main source of entertainment. Although, I did hear that she attacked the Grado shaman, Knoll, some short time ago, "Anyway, now that I've found my answer, I'll be taking leave of you now."

With that, she walked away. I crossed my arms; sometimes that girl truly confuses me.

I heard a rustle of leaves from above as a mess of red hair hidden underneath a hat poked out from the tree top, "What was that all about?"

"Nothing important. She just wanted to scare me." Joshua chuckles with amusement as he drops down from his post in the tree.

"Are you okay, though? After yesterday, I don't think you're ready to be falling out of tree branches any time soon."

"I'm fine, really. But don't you have a meeting to attend to?" I asked, the thought suddenly crossing my mind. He looked up at the sky in mock thought.

"Hmmm… That can wait." Rushing up to me, my redhead prince slid his arms around my waist and held me close, "Besides, I'd rather spend my free time with you."

I smiled and leaned up to kiss him, but…

"Hey!" We turned to see Cormag, waving in the distance. Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone's bent on interrupting anything intimate that goes on between us? "Come on! We're gonna be heading for Port Kiris soon!"

"We'll be right there!" Joshua yelled. The wyvern rider rushed away to go alert everyone else. He sighed, "Looks like we should head back, hm?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"Don't worry; you'll get another chance." I pouted for a moment until he gave me a quick kiss to the forehead. (Then I broke out into a smile.)

The two of us then started to run back to the fortress, hand in hand.

Alright, I'm done! I'm thinking of doing two more chapters: one in Joshua's point of view, and another with the whole incident that spark Artur's arachnophobia. What do you guys think?

Anyway, please don't flame me! I warned you twice in the beginning of the fic (And even before that, in the summary) that this was going to be shounen-ai. And even so, if you didn't like it, please keep those negative thoughts to yourself. Thank you :D