Brady called out as he woke up from another nightmare. His body was drenched in sweat and his heart was pounding against his chest.
"That's it. I'm not gettin any sleep tonight!"
He threw the covers off and left the tent.
"Maybe if I lay under the stars I'll get some shut eye."
He made his way out of camp when he spotted a shadow out of the corner of his eye. Of course it made him jump out of his skin. Should he warn everyone? Of course it could be nothing and he would have another embarrassment to add to the list. He tried to be useful and fight on the battlefield but he was in the hurt ward more than he was fighting.
"I'll check it out first before I cry wolf."
Brady snuck after the shadow and followed it far into the field. The shadow stopped and began making strange movements. This apparition was doing some sort of death dance that would curse everyone.
"I must do something!"
The figure was dancing gracefully and Brady himself started to become under the shadow's spell.
"Stop you fiend!" Brady sighed after hearing him shout such a ridiculous thing. "I've been hanging around Owain too long…..Nevermind that. Show yourself!"
The figure started to run away and Brady chased after it but of course his foot tripped over nothing and he twisted his ankle.
"Oh the pain! I've been hit."
The shadow stopped. "Curse you, Brady."
Brady recognized the voice. "Inigo? Is that you?"
The clouds moved to let the moonlight shine on the shadow and sure enough it was Inigo.
"What were you doing just now? Were you dancing!?"
"I didn't want anyone to know, but I guess you will tell everyone now. Ladies man Inigo will now be made fun of because he likes to dance."
Brady smirked deviously. "First of all, no one thinks you're a ladies man." His face softened. "Second, I know how it feels to be the butt of the joke so I wouldn't do that."
Inigo lit up. "Truly?"
Brady nodded. "Now help me up!"
Inigo reached for him and propped him up.
"Put your arm around me."
Brady flushed but quickly hid his embarrassment with a wise crack. "Oh Inigo, this is so sudden."
"Cut the crap, Brady. Do you want my help or not?"
They both laughed.
"You know, you really aren't that bad. I promise I'll stop making fun of you when you cry."
Brady leaned against him. His ankle was really starting to hurt.
"Ummm Inigo. The pain is really getting bad. I think it might be broken. Could we sit down or something?"
"Sure thing." Inigo gently put him down and sat next to him.
Brady was kind of nervous. He had never been so close to someone without a reason to. He didn't really have many friends at camp. His scar scared all the girls and the guys made fun of how sensitive he was. Noire was the only one he had a strong friendship with. He cleared his throat to break the awkward silence.
"Inigo? Why do you hide your dancing? I know it's hard to believe but I think people would like and understand you more if you told people. I feel closer to you now that I know. The ladies man front is all just an act to hide the real you."
Inigo smiled. "Thanks for the kind words but I don't think I'm ready. I'm actually super shy. I try to make everyone happy with my silly antics. I guess I didn't know it annoyed everyone until recently."
Brady sighed. "That isn't what I meant."
"I know, but I can see it in everyone's eyes. My wish is to uplift everyone with my dancing and to be just as fierce a fighter."
An idea popped into Brady's head but he might be coming on too strong.
"Do you think you would practice better with music?"
Inigo looked like he was thinking hard. "I don't know. I guess that would help me."
Brady twiddled his fingers nervously. "I was just thinkin maybe I could play the violin while you danced? We could tell everyone you were helping me train in combat."
Inigo moved in closer. "I've got an even better idea. You play while I dance and then afterwards I'll actually train you in fighting as well. It would be fun. Plus you could stand to learn some flirting skills from me too."
"I don't know about that last part. I'm all for everything else."
Inigo made a fist in triumph. "It is settled. Operation secret friendship is a go."
Brady squinted sheepishly. "You've been hanging out with Owain too."
They both laughed.
"I look forward to it." Brady said quietly. Maybe Inigo could teach him something about love as well?
They both laid back and drifted off to sleep.
