Part of my "Tales of Romance" series. I have also posted the one I wrote for Zaveid titled "Work Relationships". You guys should check it out c:


Promise


Yuri Lowell is brazen, lazy, messy, and frequently gets in trouble with the law enforcers. It's easy to lump him in with the common hoodlum. Considering how many times he has ended up in jail, it's not entirely far-fetched to do so. But despite all the rules and laws he has broken, she knows that he means well, that he is an honourable and kind man. She's seen him help an old woman carry her heavy belongings as she climbs a steep flight of stairs, help a young boy find his mother who has lost her amongst the crowded marketplace, catch a pickpocket who almost steals the wallet of a distracted woman...

He helps people in little ways, never asking for a reward and simply giving them a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder before going about to his business once again.

She has always admired him for such deeds, especially since it is rare to encounter such a selfless person. However, it is due to such selfless acts that has her worrying over him constantly.

There are many times he comes home, sporting a wound or two from a fight with someone. She is accustomed to such sight, considering how back when they were younger, he would always get into fights with Flynn. But his fights with Flynn are nothing compared to the ones he has been getting himself into lately. Swords or guns are involved — real weapons — instead of human fists.

But he would simply shrug it off as she looks at him with worry, with concern. She never makes a comment about it as she wordlessly patches him up even as he complains about how she should be more gentle with a wounded man or how she bandaged him up too tight. But she knows better than anyone else that he only acts that way to distract her, to assure her that he's all right and that there is nothing to be worried about.

Yet her worry persists as the wounds and bruises grow worse every time he comes back and she fears that someday, he may never come back.

She pauses her bandaging his left shoulder whose wound she has closed with her blastia earlier. Silently, she leans her head on his uninjured shoulder and she feels him go still at her sudden close proximity but does not move or push her away. Soon, she feels his rough, calloused hand hold the back of her head and pulls her closer, his breath fanning her neck.

"I'm fine," he assures her with the barest of whispers. "I'll never leave you."

"...Is that a promise?" She asks, her tone uncertain, afraid.

His other hand moves to hold her waist to give her a proper hug and she leans in on him.

"I promise."

End.