This Story is co-written by my friend peckers1 and I.

Chapter 6

Truthfully? Tonight had been the best sleep Malenia had received in ages, despite the fact that she and her Tarnished had essentially chosen to sleep on the floor. Maybe it had been from the battle early on in the day, or maybe even from the fact that she had her Tarnished resting along with her, It mattered not however. She dreamt peacefully, she dreamt.. Of her Tarnished.

It was wholly unexpected, truly, but not in the least bit unenjoyable. He had grown on her a good bit, after all. How could one not with his rather fine features? Such as his ever impressive determination, his rather.. Appealing physique? And how he was simply so.. Cute? Endearing? She knew not the word to describe it, but he certainly had something special to him with how he presented himself.

She dreamt of the two of them simply.. Laying together, he was snuggly cuddled up to her side. It was simple, it had no other real meanings. and yet it filled her with a certain amount of joy, happiness. Truly, it was a dream she wished would not end. Alas, When she had awoken, she was saddened slightly, knowing it had been nought but a dream. She sighed, before looking down, only to find the expression on her face changing from one of dejection, to one of pure embarrassment. She had found that, while they had slept, her Tarnished had seemingly come to wrap his arm around her, hugging her waist as he lay there.

She was utterly mortified, her face red, similar to when he had first awoken upon her lap. Although, this was fine, was it not? She, after all, was the one to invite him to rest with her. He simply found the most comfortable position to rest in. As much as it had embarrassed her, Malenia supposed it meant little. She pushed the thoughts and feelings of the dream and her Tarnished's unique sleeping position out of her mind as best she could. Although a healthy blush had still remained upon her face as she looked down upon her Tarnished's sleeping form. Her prosthetic hand still lingering where it had when she had fallen asleep. It brushed against his cheek softly, although Malenia could not feel his flesh with the prosthetic, she still took a small amount of some innate pleasure from the act. Without thinking however, she began to move it upwards, closer to his head. Mindlessly, she began to play with his hair, toying with his black locks. As matted and sweaty as they were, it was still at the very least, satisfying. Surely he wouldn't mind anyways, right? She was doing nothing wrong, simply playing with her Tarnished a little.

As if almost by instinct though, her other hand had begun drifting near his head. She stopped herself however, as.. Self indulgent, she had allowed herself to be with her Tarnished, she sadly could not do this. She truly wished she could, however, it was something so tantalizing close, and yet arduously far. For as much as she wanted to touch him, she likely never could. For fear of the rot, even if the chance of it spreading via touch was lower, the chance was still there. Adding onto that, it would likely burn at the point of contact. If she ever was to touch him, not with her prosthetic, but with her proper hand, she would at least need her Tarnished to be properly awake. So he could know what he would be getting into at the very least, or if he would even want to do so to begin with.

She knew that likely, one such as himself would not wish to partake in things such as that with her however. She knew rather well the dangers her rot presented, and how that had pushed any and all away from her out of fear. Save for her dear Miquella. And thus, she resigned herself to simply playing doing as she was, playing with his hair whilst they rested.

After a time however, he began to stir. As he did, she took her hand away so he may rise. Instead however, he simply opened his eyes groggily, looking up at her.

"Good morning, Tarnished." she said to him. "You seem to have slept well la-" she was cut off however, as he simply smiled goofily before hugging her ever tighter with his lone arm. Malenia blushed heavily, unable to properly get any words or sounds out as she felt him squeeze her torso even tighter than he had when he had slept. During the silence however, he looked up to her, a small smile on his lips, and how it truly made her heart skip a beat.

"O' Tarnished." she said, finally managing to get a word out. Her prosthetic slowly drifted back up to his head and began to comb its way through his hair once more. "Whatever shall I do with you?"

He shrugged, before simply laying there with her and enjoying the small moment together. Despite how they had met, she truly had become rather endeared to her Tarnished. Twas simply something clear enough that she could not deny it. And thus, she did not, and simply accepted it. Even if she would not admit as such to her Tarnished in words.

They continued to sit there for what felt like hours, although in reality it had likely only been 15 or so minutes. At last however, her Tarnished had begun to get up. Malenia's hand leaves its spot so that he may do so. As he stood up however, he turned back to her, offering his hand so that she may rise herself. Once more, she was tempted with the use of her proper hand, but abstained, reaching out with her prosthetic instead. Taking his hand in her own, she rises, truly feeling how strong her Tarnished had become, as him lifting her up looked and felt to be near effortless on his part.

He smiled at her softly once more, before going to gather his things. She watched, simply taken aback by a myriad of thoughts and feelings. She truly, truly did enjoy her Tarnished, but… duty must come first, must it not? Any flippant feelings or thoughts, as tantalizing as they may be, have to be secondary… right? It was never truly a debate she had ever had with herself, likely because nothing had warranted as such. Her loyalty to her dear Miquella had always been unwavering, and always shall be. However, this Tarnished had endeared himself to her ever so much, she shouldn't simply throw away any such thoughts when he has done what he has..

The thoughts kept going back and forth without stopping, until however, her Tarnished had come to tap her upon the shoulder. Bringing her out of the haze of thoughts she was caught in. it appeared he was ready to go. She smiled, leaving this internal debate for later, as they now headed to the elevator which would lead them to The Royal Capital.

As the two ascended the lift, Malenia looked once more to her Tarnished. Standing there silently beside her. She did wish to, at the very least, get her mind off of her earlier thoughts. And some conversation, as difficult as it could be at times with her Tarnished's inability to talk, was always welcomed.

"My Tarnished, May I ask a question?" she said to him. seeing him turn his head and nod, she continued on. "If I may, whatever did happen with your throat, to end up as scarred as it is?

Suddenly, he froze, simply stopping where he stood before a small set of steps. Lightly feeling at his throat with his hand.

"Tarnished? Are.. are you alright?" she asked, turning to look at him as he stood there. It was difficult to tell what exactly was going through his mind, although it was clearly something. "Tarnished? Did…something happen? Are you okay?" she asked once more. She had gotten more worried at this point, slowly making her way back to him.

He continued to simply stand there, utterly lost in thoughts, almost oblivious to everything around him. She was worried at this point, reaching out her prosthetic for his shoulder so as to shake him out of it. The moment she did however, his eyes had welled up with tears, and in an instant, he fell to his knees, silently sobbing while grasping at his throat. Malenia knelt down, trying to get down to his level

"M-my Tarnished." she said, looking him in the eyes as best she could, her helmet now on the ground beside them. "I did not m-mean to incite this.. I was s-simply trying to have s-some conversation.." She had begun choking on her words now. Her Tarnished still crying silently before her, his gaze now turned to look directly at her.

"I.." she thought carefully on what to say, not sure exactly where to go with this. "You know.. At this point I d-did not mean to do this, I care for you and your wellbeing.. M-my Tarnished. I wished not to do this. I'm s-sorry I-" she was cut off however, as her Tarnished wrapped his lone arm around her in an embrace. Taken aback by the sudden hug, Malenia simply.. Chose to return the favor, hugging her Tarnished as well. Wrapping both of her arms around him tightly. The fear of rot was at the back of her mind, but she pushed it away, as simply touching him through clothing would likely lead to nothing.

Malenia found herself lightly crying as well, even through her calcified eyes tears would slowly stream out and unto her Tarnished's back. She truly did care for her Tarnished, it seemed as though he trusted her enough to be this vulnerable with her. In what exact way she cared for him she still had trouble understanding, but she knew she did regardless. And so, she hugged him tightly, as he did her. Sad as the moment was, she savored the moment. After a time however, she spoke up again.

"M-my Tarnished.." she choked out, her voice slightly strained from her own crying. "Did.. did the p-people who took Miquella also hurt you?" It was an educated guess, but a guess nonetheless. He could feel his head nod as it still rested upon her back.

"Then.. we will go after them, with doubled fervor." she said, a tone of anger rising within her voice. "Not only for my brother, but for you, my Tarnished."

Upon hearing this, he hugged her even tighter, giving her all the confirmation she needed that what she said had been right. Her Tarnished.. He truly, truly did need her, did he not? It seemed as such. And yet, she did not mind in the slightest that he did, in fact, she welcomed it. She pulled back for a moment, looking him in the eyes once more. Now red and puffy from the tears.

"I promise you, my Tarnished, none will hurt you again, I shall be sure of it. " Upon saying this, she took a hold of his head in her arms, careful to wrap her flesh hand over her prosthetic, so as to not burn him. And then, she pulled him close to her chest once more in a hug.

"I promise, my Tarnished." she said to him once more. She had held him in this position for some time, before she finally let him go. He looked her in the eyes as he did, a sad smile upon his tear-ridden face. She smiled in return, before slowly standing up. She offered her prosthetic to her Tarnished to help him up, however, he shook his head no. instead, he pointed towards her proper hand.

"Are you sure my Tarnished? It may burn.. Or even infect you with the rot.." she prattled on, until her Tarnished nodded his head, understanding the danger and risk that came with it. And so, Malenia reached out her left arm for the first time, offering it to her Tarnished. And so, he reached out, grasping it in his own. He grimaced in pain for a moment, almost making Malenia recoil, so as to not hurt him. He held firm however, and got up. The feeling of his hand in hers was.. Beyond explanation. The warmth, the feeling, it was all new feelings she had never even thought of before. It was magical and enthralling at the same time. All this feeling.. All this happiness, from simply holding the hand of her Tarnished. It made her chuckle a bit, it truly did.

"If you are aware of the risks.. I suppose you may hold it more often then, my Tarnished." and so, he did, he kept holding her hand. And thus, they went into Leyndell, hand in hand. And with a new drive, to both save Miquella, and avenge the Tarnished.

We've got a discord to talk about the story, feel free to drop by.

discord . gg / b8bkCrM9KH (Just remove the spaces from the link.)