Hello!

This pairing hasn't had a chapter in a while, so I thought I'd write for them again. Enjoy! As a side note, I don't have Fates yet, but I will write for it as soon as I do. On the topic of other games, I'll be starting some FE7 pairings in a few chapters.

Special thanks to Alucard1995 for a favourite and a follow, and Anarken Mad Bancho King for following.

Next week- some Tiki and Olivia!

Onwards!

Chapter 35

"There! Head for that house!" Brady yelled, gesturing towards a shell of a house, the inhabitants long gone. Severa sprinted faster, putting as much distance as she could between herself and the Risen chasing them.

She barged the door open, scrambling inside. Kjelle was close behind her, followed by Noire. Finally, the cleric limped in, slamming the door behind him and leaning against it as the Risen tried to claw their way in.

"Grab a table or somethin'!" He yelled. Spurred into action, Severa hauled a table over to the door. Brady stepped out of the way as she rammed the makeshift barricade against the entrance.

Finally, a moment of safety. The tall cleric looked around.

"Anyone hurt? Anythin'?" He breathed a sigh of relief as everyone shook their head. "Still got that bag?"

Severa held up the small leather pouch that contained Sable and Vert, two of the five crucial Gemstones. She always made sure she had a tight grip on it.

"It's getting dark." Kjelle remarked suddenly. "What's the plan?" She turned to the mercenary.

"Everyone needs some rest." Severa decided. "Noire and Brady, can you take first watch? Make sure those Risen don't break in. We'll see if we can find a bed or two."

The rest of the house was as dilapidated as the outside. Everything- from the furniture to the curtains- was in a state of disrepair and neglect. Eventually, Kjelle found a bed.

"Just one?" Severa sighed.

"Problem?" The blonde knight stepped close to her and gently slipped her arms around the girl's shoulders.

"Course not." Severa replied, giving her girlfriend a quick peck. "I was thinking of Noire and Brady. They're still pretty awkward around each other."

"I'm sure they'll figure something out. Stop worrying about every little thing." Kjelle reassured. "C'mon. Let's try and get some sleep."

As the knight slowly pulled herself out of her armour, Severa searched fruitlessly for some blankets. She turned to the other girl and shrugged. The only thing on the bed already was a grey rag that was barely large enough for the mattress.

The two of them clambered in, pulling what little sheets there were around themselves. As they lay there, Kjelle reminded herself that it could be worse. In the past, their journey to retrieve the Gemstones and avoid the Risen had led them to try and sleep in forests, ditches and even beaches or riverbanks.

Severa shivered.

"Cold?"

"Freezing." She nodded. Gently, the taller knight wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. The mercenary sighed with appreciation. It was bizarre. Severa had been the unanimous leader for the entire trip, her fiery demeanour and iron will keeping the whole group going when everything seemed hopeless.

But right now... Kjelle mused, worried. ...She looks so vulnerable.

"You okay?" She asked. "You don't look so great."

Severa looked up at her. Eventually, reluctantly, she spoke.

"It... It's just... I'm worried." She confessed. "Scared out of my mind. You... You guys chose me as the leader of this team. I'm terrified that I'll mess up. That I'll do something wrong and... And someone will get hurt... Or killed..." She trailed off. Kjelle slowly combed her fingers through the mercenary's long hair.

"We'll be fine. I promise. All of us can fight- and fight well." She said softly. "You don't need to worry."

"I know, I know, but..." Severa pressed closer to the knight. "I'm terrified. More and more Risen are showing up every day. I... I've never told anyone else this, but... They scare me."

"This isn't like you." Kjelle said eventually. "What happened to the old Severa? The one who wasn't afraid of anything? Who yelled at everyone else if they even thought of giving up?"

The mercenary smiled slightly.

"Thanks, Kjelle." She yawned. "I promise I won't ever break down like that until Grima's gone. I'll stay strong, just like you want."

"Now come on. Get some rest; you look exhausted."

Still smiling, Severa closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep.