Requested by: Aemiz
Genre: Fluffyyyy.
Rating: K+
Pairing: ColetteXKratos
Prompt: There was no prompt! Gasp!

Actually, it was fun writing this! Keep the requests comin'!

Colette turned onto her side for what felt like the hundredth time that night.

They had just completed the second seal, and the Chosen was another step closer to becoming an Angel and another step closer to the Regeneration of Sylvarant. In truth, she should feel elated at the prospect.

But, it seemed this was another part of the sacrifice Colette had not been expecting- now, it seemed like she couldn't sleep. It was almost as bad as not being able to eat anymore. No, worse. Worse, because nights seemed endless now.

Colette, finally giving up, pushed herself upright, blonde hair falling messily around her shoulders instead of hanging straight like it usually did. She thought she could at least stare at the fire for a little while.

But as Colette turned to do this, her blue eyes suddenly focused on Kratos, who was sitting a few feet away, facing slightly away from her and staring morosely at the flames. Colette blinked, then decided she might as well let him know she was awake.

Scooting closer, Colette was about to open her mouth when Kratos gave her a vaguely irritated look over his shoulder.

"Chosen. What are you doing?"

Colette nearly flinched at the tone Kratos used, but she remembered that he was like this with everyone, so she faked an apologetic laugh.

"I...I couldn't sleep." she admitted.

Kratos didn't say anything for a second, and Colette considered repeating herself, then,

"The sun will be up in a few hours." Kratos told her, not looking at her. "You should try to rest."

Colette bit her lip. Kratos did not repeat himself, but instead merely returned to gazing at the fire. Colette felt a sudden surge of loneliness at that moment, and also affection. Didn't Kratos get tired?

"Kratos..." Colette tried again, not quite whispering. "If you want...I'll keep watch for a little while."

This caught his attention. He turned fully around and shot her a somewhat scornful look from underneath his auburn bangs. There was look in his eyes that seemed familiar to Colette, but she couldn't work out what it was.

Was it pity?

"No, it's my responsibility to be the night watch."

Colette's eyes filled with tears. Partly out of self-pity, and the sheer desperation she felt to reach out. All these secrets she held from everyone...there weren't many more she could cope with.

"Please." Colette whispered, "Can I at least...stay up with you?"

Kratos looked at her for a moment, careful to stay impassive.

"Fine."

Wordlessly, Colette crawled over to Kratos, and silently he pulled her close to him, allowing the blonde to rest her head against him. Kratos was not sure why, exactly, he was permitting or much less encouraging the contact.
But she was so naive and fragile and hopeful. In reality, Colette was just a way for Sylvarant to buy some time before another inevitable decline.

Maybe that was why he found himself running his fingers lazily through her hair, the strands of golden blonde shining in the firelight.

Colette's eyes slid shut, and although she didn't drift off like she had hoped, when she next opened her eyes, the night seemed to have simply melted away.