Panting heavily, Dimentio limped out of the training room, holding his broken right arm. Sweat and blood poured down his face, his eyes glowing with pain. He could still hear his father downstairs, shouting and talking to himself.

It was like every day Lucifer would get more and more aggressive and demanding for results. Longer training sessions, the usage of more intense spells, training until he could no longer feel his own body. Even by Lucifer's standers, this was extreme.

Dimentio grunted in pain, closing the door behind him and sat down against it. Dimentio cast a healing spell, the blood on his body vanishing and the pain in his arm numbing. Soon, the agonizing pain was gone, but Dimentio knew that his arm wasn't completely healed. Though his healing powers could heal any person he chose in a matter of seconds, depending on how injured they were, his own body took a lot more time to react to healing magic. Little cuts a bruises weren't a big deal, but broken limbs and gashes were another story. His arm should heal by the end of the day, but he would have to make sure no one found out.

Especially Timpani.

Finding the strength to get up, Dimentio stood and teleported out of Lucifer's office. He appeared back in the forest, feeling a sense of security sweep over him. With his muscles relaxing, he sat down against a tree and closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the river. His breathing relaxed as he allowed his mind to wonder.

And wondering to the darkest of places, for each of his thoughts were about getting rid of his abusive father. Each fantasy was more violent and dark than the last, though a small smile made its way to Dimentio's unconscious face.

But eventually, he drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

"...Dimentio! Dimentio, wake up! Oh please wake up!"

A soft, gentle female voice entered Dimentio's ears. The voice was very pleasant, making Dimentio feel more and more relaxed.

"Dimentio!"

"...Hm?"

Dimentio slowly opened his eyes to see Timpani sitting next to him. Great fear was in her eyes, her face incredibly pale. Dimentio blinked, his mind progressing the scene.

"...Lady Timpani?" he said sleepily.

Timpani let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank God you are alright!" she exclaimed. "You wouldn't wake up no matter what I did!"

"How long was I out?" Dimentio asked, sitting up.

His right arm, he noticed, started to gain some feeling but was still not completely healed. But thankfully, Timpani hadn't yet noticed it yet.

"I don't know, I was on my way to see Blumiere and I found you here," Timpani said.

Her eyes were filled with concerned.

"I hope nothing bad happened. You looked like you were in so much pain."

Dimentio gave a forced laugh. "I'm fine, my lady. Just very tired from training, nothing new."

There was a short silence.

"...Though Lucifer hasn't trained you so hard to make you want to take a nap in the forest before."

Timpani crossed her arms.

"What happened, Dimentio?"

Dimentio smiled.

"I won't lie and say that my father hasn't made training harder since those fires have appeared," he said calmly. "But it is not anything I can't handle. I can withstand it."

Timpani raised an eyebrow, looking completely unconvinced. But instead of pushing the subject, like she usually would, she just let out a heavy sigh and said, "Even after all this time, you still want to hide the pain away from me?"

Dimentio blinked. "W-what? Why would I-"

"Don't bother to deny it, Dimentio!" Timpani exclaimed, cutting him off. "Do you think I'm that blind? I've known you all my life, Dimentio! I can tell when something is wrong with you. Just like you can with me."

She turned her gaze to the river.

"I don't understand why you feel like you can't come to me for help, I don't get why you feel like you have to be invincible twenty-four seven! But...I hope you do realize that I do worry about you, and even more when you try to pretend everything is alright."

She met his gaze.

"Even if it is something that I can't fully help you with, do know that I am always here for you. No matter what."

Timpani then stood up and stretched her arms.

"We better go see Blumiere before he thinks we've abandoned him," she said, her voice slowly gaining back its cheerfulness. "Though, I can go by myself, since your right arm and all."

Dimentio's eyes widened.

He quickly stood up in response, holding his right arm tightly so that it didn't move out of place too much.

"No, I'm not letting you go alone if I can help it," Dimentio said, sounding a bit snappish. "I still don't fully trust Blumiere, especially to be alone with you."

Timpani rolled her eyes.

"If you two would just put your differences aside, I'm sure you guys would be great friends."

Dimentio gave a slightly harsh laugh.

"Ha! Me, befriend a member of the Tribe of Darkness? My lady, I'm afraid that is one thing I will never do."

For I only healed him in the first place was because you asked! If it was up to me, I would have killed him already!

Timpani's eyes flashed a bit. "You didn't have to be so harsh about it..."

She then started her way back to the cottage.

Dimentio watched her go for a minute, seeming a bit puzzled. He then let out a heavy sigh and quickly caught up to her.

"However..." Dimentio said in a low voice. "I...do appreciate your concern about my well-being, like a mother caring for her dying child..."

He paused a moment, his heart starting to race.

"...You have no idea how much you help me, my lady. I don't know how life would be if I never knew you. Though I may not come to you directly, as there are things that I have to face alone, know that you are the best thing to ever happen to me. Ever."

Timpani stared at Dimentio for a long moment. Slowly, she gave a small smile.

"Then that makes two of us."

She moved a bit closer and took a hold of Dimentio's right arm, seeing how limp it was. Dimentio noticed that fear quickly flashed in her eyes, but she was able to hide most of it.

"Though I know you will not like it," Timpani stated firmly. "I'm still going to have Blumiere have a look at this. Your magic may be powerful, but even the greatest of magicians need a healing once and awhile."

"My lady, I appreciate the offer, but I don't think-"

"Don't care. You are going get healed and that is final!"

Timpani's grip on his arm was gentle, and yet tight enough to make sure he didn't try to get away. Dimentio let out a heavy sigh, knowing that there was nothing to change Timpani's mind.

And though the thought of being helped by a member of the dark tribe made him feel disgusted, the fact that Timpani was so worried about him made the situation bearable. But Dimentio couldn't help but wonder...

Why was there such intense fear in her eyes?