AN: So this is my first story on here, yay! But anyways, I rated it T because honestly I don't quite know what will happen in further chapters. This chapter is fairly short but I think the next ones will be longer, well I'll try and make them longer. Reviews are always welcome, thanks.

Chapter 1

My Son

He felt his way through the darkness, taking cautious steps forward so if he bumped into anything he wouldn't make too much noise. He was getting better at sneaking around, once he had found this room with no lantern just by feeling where he was. He was proud of himself for that.

He froze as he heard him stir. Once he gave a big huff of breath, the boy continued towards him. The marble was cold under his bare feet and he was grateful when he felt the soft rug beneath his feet. By now his eyes had adjusted to the dark, he found small rays of moonlight shining in through the open window. Occasional soft breezes would blow into the room bringing with it a gentle smell of lavender from the gardens below.

The rays shone on the man's sleeping face. He was lying on his side with his left arm stretched around his head under the faded red pillow. His hair was free of the usual braid he kept it in.

The boy gently places his hand on the man's shoulder, shaking him lightly. The man's dark brown eyes open slowly then blink a few times. They settle on the young boy's own soft eyes.

"Papa?" The boy asks slowly, testing to see if his father was angry that he woke him up. He knows that his father must get up early to meet with the boy's two uncles before they left for war but he just had to see his face. This was the first time his father will leave him with auntie Tamina while he is fighting for the Persian Empire.

"What is it my son?" His voice isn't hinting anything but tenderness, smiling at the sight of his child. He sits up and lifts his son up onto his bed. The boy wraps his arms around his neck in a hug. He hugs his six year old son tightly and then loosens but his son doesn't. "Kas, what's the matter?" He asks again.

Kas takes a deep breath in and releases it, "I had a bad dream again papa." His father starts to soothingly rub his back. "I was running through the sands of Persia while men in black chased after me. They were throwing spikes and knives, like the ones I've seen your soldiers using. One hit me in my back but I kept running, I kept running cause I knew I'd find you and you'd protect me. But another one hit me in my leg and I fell, the men grabbed my feet and started to drag me away." He sniffles. "I screamed for you and then you showed up but you only held your hand to me. I tried to grab it but I couldn't because the men were dragging me away from you and you weren't protecting me!" He wails. Kas cries into his father's chest as the man's strong, warm arms wrapped around his son. His lips were pressed against the top of the boy's head, eyes squeezed shut. He hated seeing Kas like this and not being able to do anything but embrace him.

"Sh, sh, it was just a dream." He says comfortingly. "I'm here." Kas's hug tightens as he continues to cry. He continues to cry for about another minute. "I need you to never forget that I will always protect you no matter what." Kas nods slightly. His breathing slows to almost normal as he rests his head against his father.

"Papa, can I sleep here tonight?" He looks up at the man with hope swimming in his eyes. They are drooping already. This is the last time he'll see them for two months. They always look to the man for protection, hope, answers.

He smiles, "You've softened me my son." Kas smiles up at him and nestles into his father's arms, falling asleep within minutes. He watches his son for as long as he can stay awake until he finally lays his head back and sleeps.