*crying* You guys are so nice to me! You're so supportive of everything I do, and everything I suggest and what not.

A special shout out to GG for writing the sweetest review ever! I think you should get an account and try the contest. Don't worry about English not being your mother language, I live in one of the most diverse places in the world, I've grown accustomed to people with English as their second or third language, speak slightly differently. I would totally understand if you did try, and some things were spelled differently or things like that. But from what I can see you speak English quite well!

On a different note, CONTEST DETAILS WILL BE IN MY BIO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN!

Father/son relationships will be added in, however they might not be prioritized, but they will appear in the story at some point, as I have like 6 chapters already planned out and what not.

I may try to write double one shots today if I have time, but with soccer in the morning I'm pretty wiped.

Now, FINALLY I CAN WRITE ONE OF MY OTPS AGAIN!

I do not own Bakugan or these songs!

~Dakota

Chapter 10

Painkiller

Shadow x Mylene

Ice that cracked, and melted into endless tears.

A look that would kill, turned into a look that had been killed.

A sharp voice brought down to a mere whimper.

She would carry herself on, putting her mask on, fooling all the ones around her. It was so easy to cover it all up, to tell no one what was wrong. She could go into her room at night, and let her barriers fall to pieces at her feet.

It was easier that way.

A sharp glance, that softened easily upon looking at one single person.

A cackling laugh that made her look away, turned into a soft sigh.

A single brush of skin, turned into a want, a need to hold her closer, and comfort her.

He would watch her closely, seeing past the mask, that she thought fooled everyone. It was easier for him to act the way he did, and be rude, then to try to comfort her. It was only at night, when he sat on the other side of her door, to listen, that he let himself feel broken inside.

It was easier that way.

"Mylene!? Mylene wake up!" The voice echoed in her foggy mind, a faint light, leading her back up into darkness. She recognized the voice, but not the emotion it held. It was one that she did not normally associate with the voice. It seemed to be desperation. But why?

Her eyelashes fluttered, as she struggled to open her eyes. She felt pressure on her hand, but didn't have the energy to pull away. Slowly, the world came into focus, and she saw Shadow Prove, of all people, sitting at her bedside, looking like he had just seen Zenoheld naked. "Shadow...?"

A soft sigh escaped his lips at the sound of the girl's voice. "Yes. It's me Mylene. I'm so glad you're awake."

Mylene's eyebrows furrowed at that statement. Shadow... Cared? She would've normally asked him, but her lips wouldn't form the words. She didn't want to scare him away. Not when he was already so close. "What... What happened?"

"I found you passed out in the hallway. When was the last time you ate?"

This wasn't like Shadow. Shadow should have been hanging from the ceiling, and cackling about something.

Mylene had never seen this side of Shadow Prove.

"Mylene?"

Mylene shook her head, not realizing he had asked her a question. "Huh?"

"When was the last time you ate?" Shadow asked again, weirdly patient.

Again, Mylene furrowed her eyebrows. When had she eaten last? She didn't know. It seemed to have been forever ago. "I don't remember."

Mylene suddenly gasped, as everything came back to her. The letter. The picture. She shot to her feet, running to her dresser, rummaging, searching for where she had tried to hide it.

Shadow watched, in a shocked silence, as Mylene shakily brought out a letter. "Can I trust you with this Shadow?" She whispered, meeting his eyes, seeming broken. He nodded, and she gently placed the note in his hand, along with the picture. Shadow gently lifted the photo, staring at the two people in it. A younger version of Mylene, short hair still there, but eyes made of sapphires, instead of ice. In her arms was a child, of maybe four or five. She looked similar to Mylene, but with much longer hair. They looked so happy.

Shadow placed the picture beside him, opening the note that he held. He skimmed it, red eyes flickering over the words, processing exactly what they said. He looked up at Mylene, who was focused on the ground beneath her feet. Tears slid down her pale cheeks, and she whimpered softly.

Shadow wouldn't have it. He couldn't see her like this.

In a flash, he was at her side, tilting her chin up with one hand, and wiping her tears with the other. His touch was so gentle, it made Mylene's cheeks gain a pink hue.

"I know what you're thinking Mylene. It isn't your fault." Shadow took a deep breath, forcing a lump down into his throat. "I'm here for you, any time you need me."

She nodded, not able to say anything. Her throat felt constricted, her baby sister was gone. Shadow pulled her close, knowing what she needed, and he was willing, he was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel better.

So she cried, needing this release. He was all she had now.

And he vowed to make it all better for her.

It was all he could do. All he could do was let her cry now, and watch her hide it later.

But he would always be here when she needed him. Always.

He intertwined their fingers gently, not sure if she would reject the gesture. Instead, her grip tightened on his hand. "Shadow..."

"Hmm?" He answered, closing his eyes.

"Thank you."

He looked at her, red eyes completely serious. "Anything for you Mylene. I love you."

Her eyes widened, then a real smile graced her lips. "I love you too."

And he kept on holding her.

Well umm... *cries cause otp*

Anyways, as I said before contest details will be in my bio.

Review thoughts, and suggestions for pairings, and couples.

~Dakota