This is the first in a series of Serra romance drabbles. Like the Priscilla series, these are stand-alone stories bound by nothing other than Serra. :)

*

Contrary to what people assumed, Erk did not hate Serra.

He complained about her, of course. Her personality, her habits, her way of getting under people's skin. Some days, she was so difficult it was easier to tell himself he did hate her.

"Erk! You're supposed to be guarding me, not chatting it up with that idiot swordsman!" she barked. "I swear, if it wasn't for me you'd be long gone from this outfit with the way you-"

"I'm sorry, Guy," he sighed. "The demoness is demanding my undivided attention yet again." Always demanding, always jealous, so childish, how he ever put up with-

"Erk!"

But then there were good days. The days where her presence was a source of comfort, even a lifesaver.

"Watch out!" The ball of her staff connected with the enemy's head, his body hitting the floor moments later. "Erk, you really should be more careful," she scolded. "Are you all right?"

He laughed sheepishly.

"I was so focused on my target I didn't see what was coming up behind me," he said. "Don't tell me Lord Hector finally got sick of you and sent you out to the front lines!"

"Actually, he refused to let me go, but I knew you were in trouble so I did anyway!" she chirped. It was just like her to do what she felt was right, not caring what others said, but the fact that she'd done it for his sake touched him...

"Don't leave my side, okay?"

And then, there were the days he found himself wanting to be near her.

"Serra?"

Today was one of them.

"Erk! How sweet of you to seek me out this morning!" she squealed.

"Would you...like to go for a walk with me?" he asked, his face turning as red as his cloak.

She smiled, took his arm, and he realized with a certain dread that he was falling for her.