"Stop twitching Ike." Soren commanded, looking at his commander and best friend.
"I can't help it." the blue-haired youth griped. "I don't even want to BE here." The sage sighed and leaned up against the wall, kicking the door shut with his leather-clad heel.
"I know, Ike. But this is your Duty as the leader of the Greil Mercanaries and as the General of the Crimean army." Soren explained, closing his red eyes. He didn't want to be there either, people stared at the mark on his forehead and his crimson eyes.
"Hey" They'd whisper, "Is he a Goldoan?" and Soren would have to do his best to ignore them. Granted, people were hard to ignore once they figured out what he was and started throwing insults and glares at him. He would endure, it was his duty to endure.
"I can't wait to go home." Ike moaned, falling back on his bed like an irate child. Soren supressed a giggle. Ike was the only person who could make him smile, let alone giggle like a school-child. But then again, it had always been that way. Even as children, the blue-haired boy would go to great pains to make his shadowy friend grin. "I'm not going." Ike spoke from the bed, crossing his arms over his chest, "I'm not going to go make an idiot of myself. Let Geoffrey have the credit, let Titania or Kieran take the praise, I am terrified."
"Of what?" Soren asked, walking over to the bedside to look at his friend. A faint smile crossed the mage's lips as he gazed at the stubborn young hero on the bed. Then, giving a teacher-esc sigh, he sat down on the bedside, back towards his best friend. "Seriously, what do you have to be afraid of?"
"I don't like addressing large crowds..." Soren laughed, well, it was a Soren-laugh. Meaning a small sound escaped his nearly smiling lips.
"You talk to the company before every mission."
"That's different." Ike groaned, "I know all of you! Personally!" Soren laughed a little more. Ike opened his eyes and looked at the mage. "What's so funny?" he asked, his tone accusative.
"Nothing Ike...ha ha ha..." Soren covered his mouth with his hand, "You could just pretend we're the only people in the audience."
"You mean...you won't be up there with me?" Ike asked, quietly.
"Of course not." the dark-haired youth said with a bit of a sigh. The commander narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. Then, with lightning reflexes, he grabbed Soren and pulled him into the bed beside him.
"Hey!" Shouted the surprised boy. Ike smiled and pulled the wizard into a hug,
"Soren, you dummy. I can't face the Crimean people alone. You're what gives me the guts to talk to our friends." With that, Ike put two fingers under Soren's chin and looked into the crimson eyes he had so long trusted. Soren blushed slightly, staring into Ike's eyes, the general's hand on his face. Ike reached up with the other hand and gently brushed Soren's bangs from his face, revealing the mark on the mage's forehead.
"Ike..." Soren attempted to ask. Then, soft cool lips made contact with the mark. "Ike...you..."
"Soren..." Ike pulled away and moved down the mage's face, putting his lips softly against his friend's.
"Commander Ike!" Came a loud voice, easily recognizable as that of Geoffrey. "Princess Elincia wishes to speak with you."
"Alright, I'm on my way." Ike said, his voice strong. He looked back at Soren.
"Sorry...I...don't know why I did that..." he stumbled through his words, like a child caught in the cookie jar. Soren smiled despite himself,
"You'll do fine Ike." The commander beamed,
"You'll be here when I get back right?"
"Of Course."