*****

Post 3

Soren ignored the fact that he woke up in Ike's arms for the umpteenth time the next morning. He figured that the bluenette just needed to hold on to something while he slept, so the spell caster accepted it without question.

They woke up early the next morning and set off on their horses, Soren always riding just a short distance behind his commander, admiring him from afar. They set up camp, and settled in by sundown.

Ike sat around the fire, a separate log from the archsage. "Hey, Soren? He asked, looking over at his friend.

"Hmm?" Soren replied.

"Does it bother you that we've been cuddling, or having any close contact?" the mercenary asked, twiddling with his fingers.

The spell caster could tell by Ike's posture that he was nervous, which was odd. Usually, the commander acted on impulse and rarely looked back upon his actions for further inspection.

"No, it doesn't bother me. It's something that you do, and you've never bothered me... You're the only person who doesn't get on my nerves," he assured.

"Oh, well that's good to know," Ike said, becoming a little more relaxed. "I would never want to make you feel vulnerable, or insecure. I'm your protector."

Ike stood from his log and walked over to where Soren was seated and sat. He leaned his head back, the muscles visibly flexing under his open tunic. "I love the stars...the mystery hidden within them. I suppose I could stay all night, just gazing into their blazing centers." he continued. "What do you think about them? You probably don't like dwelling upon them, seeking hope, or saying wishes, when you know damn well they won't ever come true."

Soren just chuckled and leaned his head ever so slightly into Ike's shoulder, gazing up at the heavens with him. "I do... When I'm not too busy with a book, I watch the stars. Astrology plays a large role in magic... as for wishes... well..."

Mine already came true.

"Figures, magic is loaded with all sorts of crap, no offense to you." Ike stated, allowing his companion to lean on him. "I use to wish for my mom to come back...and then when my father passed, I wished for both of them to return and that Mist and I would live...," Ike paused. "I've never been more scared in my life."

Ike's emotions through his youth had been masked over by a serious look, and a determined mind. He had never before revealed so much to one person.

Soren's crimson eyes captured the firelight as Ike's crystal blue held the stars. "You've never asked for much... You've always just done what you thought was right.... One of your wishes came true. You are here now, and Mist is healthy, no doubt with a child on the way. You did everything you could, and I see your father in you everyday. You are his equal, if not his superior," the archsage assured, placing a hand in the crook of the swordsman's arm.

Ike looked down at Soren smiling, his eyes grown softer than their usual cold. "I've tried to make him proud, and lead the company. I've drove my body to its limits fighting in his honor. There isn't a day that goes by, that I don't wish for him to still be here."

Soren admired the commander's features as he delved into his emotions. He had never seen truer beauty than how Ike spoke and looked right at that moment.

Ike was silent for a moment, before patting the archsage's hand. "Thank you Soren, for being an open ear when I need one. You are my best friend and always will be. "

Ike kissed the top of Soren's hair, and stood up.

The wind master stood as well, and joined the hero in their tent. Dressing in front of each other was something that couldn't be avoided, and both had grown used to it.

As Ike lay down, Soren scooted into his embrace, figuring he would only end up that way by morning. Ike saw no need to push Soren away. Wrapping his arm around the dark-haired youth, he drifted off into a peaceful sleep the stars glowing above them, full with unclaimed wishes waiting to be made.

*****

Cool water relieved burning flesh as Soren soaked his sunburned hands in a nearby river. The desert had been larger and hotter than expected, but the important matter was that Ike had survived... at least in Soren's eyes.

His hands would heal with time; he only hoped that Ike's shoulders wouldn't scar. He had warned the mercenary to keep his shirt on, but the bluenette had proven to be his stubborn self.

"How are your hands," Ike asked, deeply concerned, treading into the water to cool down his blistered back.

"I'll be fine. You know how frail I am," the spell caster replied, dipping his hands back into the relief of the water.

Ike waded closer and lightly took his companion's scorched hands into his own. He gently kissed each one before raising his head and lightly brushing his lips against the tactician's.

Surprised, Soren's lips parted, granting Ike a quick entry. He explored for only a moment before parting.

Ike smiled. "I've kissed the ever so withdrawn archsage. What does he say to it?"

Soren's cheeks burned hotter than his sunburn. His mouth gaped like a freshly caught fish as he floundered for words. Ike chuckled to himself, never before seeing his friend this flustered.

With a heavy sigh, the archsage grabbed the commander's face and planted a kiss of his own on Ike's chapped lips. As he pulled away, he breathed, "Sorry, I had to get that out."

Ike was just as surprised as Soren had been a few moments ago. Seeing his friend initiate any such contact seemed absurd and foreign to him.

When Ike came to his senses, he addressed Soren. "Wow, I've never known you to act like that, respond by impulse. But still the same, I liked it."

Soren blushed again, making the pink of his cheeks flare up again, not only because of Ike's comment, but of a certain disturbance beneath his robes.