Sorry about not updating for a while; I haven't been able to come up with anything worth posting and inspiration seems to be running, screaming from me.

But I'd like to thank REHart for their story 'Oh, The Good Ol' Days' for inspiring me to write this. I owe you!

Disclaimer: I assure you, I'm not Darren Shan.

It was early morning in the mountain and the Games Hall was empty apart from a few vampires; Darren and Gavner were playing around on the bars while Vanez stood on the side-lines, watching with an amused smile on his face. Larten was sat further back, on another set of bars, absently watching his friends and fingering the leather band that was tied around his wrist. Returning to the mountain – and seeing all of his old friends again – had given the vampire a lot to think about and, as he was so caught up in his thoughts, he didn't realise that someone was standing behind him until he felt a pair of hands press down on his shoulders; he jumped and tilted his head back to see who it was.

"Morning!" Arra said rather brightly, smiling down at him. He smiled back and followed her movements as she sat down next to him, "Don't you feel like being sociable today?" She questioned, brushing a few random strands of hair away from her eyes. Larten gave her a confused look and she rolled her eyes, "You're not with them." She waved a hand towards the others.

"Oh, no, I was just thinking..." He trailed off and pulled his sleeve down over the leather band, hoping that she wouldn't notice; but of course she did and grabbed his wrist, "What are you hiding, huh?"Pushing his sleeve back up his arm, she saw the leather band, and her expression turned from playful to somewhat more serious.

"You still have that old thing?" Arra asked a little unnecessarily, as she was looking right at the answer. Larten nodded and moved his arm so it wasn't lying in such an awkward angle in her hands, "And you still wear it?"

"Yes. I never take it off." He answered a little defensively, imagining that whatever she would say next would be poking fun at him. But it wasn't, and she surprised him by tracing a finger over the band, speaking softly, "I figured that you would have gotten rid of it. You know, like after we..."

"After I left, you mean." He finished for her and she grinned sheepishly up at him, "No, I kept it. I like it and it reminds me of you."

"That isn't a good thing, you know." She laughed, letting go of his arm and standing.

"To me it is."He said quietly, looking down at the ground. She hesitated a moment before leaning down and quickly kissing his cheek; he looked up and she flashed him an affectionate smile before walking away over to Vanez. Larten grinned and tapped the leather band, thinking happily how charm bracelets never lose their charm.

So, yeah. There you go. Sorry it was so short, but it's better then nothing, right?

Let me know what you thought.