Theme 89: Heartbeat
Disclaimer: I can't believe I have to write this out 100 times…I don't own
Characters: Aran, Laura
A/N: Er…I'm very very sorry for the long wait? *hides*
Quiet days with the Dawn Brigade were rare, and Aran decided to take advantage of this one by sitting near the medical tent and pondering about his rediscovered childhood friend. She really had grown to be quite beautiful…
A healer suddenly appeared from the tent, presumably for a breath of fresh air, and noticed him. "Is something the matter, Aran? You look very—brooding," Laura asked. She gave him an encouraging smile, kneeling down and looking directly into his eyes.
"I, um—er, i-it's nothing, Laura," the soldier stuttered, looking away and blushing.
Laura gently placed her hand on his forehead, noticing his flushed cheeks. "Are you running a fever? You've suddenly become quite flushed, you know."
At the physical contact, Aran began to sweat nervously. "I'm, I'm fine, really!"
"And you're sweating! You mustn't push yourself so hard in training!" Laura lectured, grabbing onto his forearm. "Come to the medical tent, you can rest there."
"N-no! You have…others to tend to!" Aran protested vehemently. The last thing he needed was the object of his affections to hover worriedly over him. He just wanted to be alone to think, for Ashera's sake!
"Oh, nonsense! It's so like you to be thinking of others while you yourself are ailing. It's quite sweet, really!"
"The beds are all full in there!" Aran tried desperately, yanking his arm out of her grip.
Laura glanced into the tent and quickly withdrew her head again. "You're right, the beds are full. You can rest in my bed!" She grabbed his hand and forcefully dragged him to her modest tent. "Oh, look, you're worsening! Your whole face is flushed and sweaty, I better tend to you right away!"
"It's nothing like that, Laura! Please!"
"Shush! You're becoming hysterical," the healer reprimanded, pushing him towards her bed. "Now lie down and tell me what's wrong!" she commanded firmly.
Aran wriggled uncomfortably on top of Laura's bedsheets. "There's nothing that you can fix!" he burst out.
She smiled quite angelically. "I'm sure I can, with the power of the Goddess to help me. Now lie still or I'll tie you down to the bed."
At the thought of this, Aran froze completely, blood draining from one part of his face to another region of his body. Laura took this opportunity to feel for his pulse.
"Just as I expected, your heartbeat is much faster than normal." She peered at his semi-mortified face. "I'm so glad we found each other again so I can look after you! You always help me, so now it's my turn to return the favor. Now will you tell me what's wrong so I can help you?"
Aran lunged upwards and planted a very forceful kiss on her mouth, seizing her face between his hands. He pulled away after a few moments to gauge her reaction.
Shocked, Laura placed a hand on her fire red cheeks. "Oh dear, I think I've caught ill as well."