Disclaimer is the same.  If you don't know it, look at Part 1 again.

**Miklotov**

('m lonely without you…)

It was quite an interesting read, being a twist on the usual "princess being rescued by her prince" type of story. Though I love to read, nothing could compare to sparring, midday rides out into the country, or Camus's Grassland tales. Being with someone, especially Camus, made everything seem more livelier. Camus could make the lines of a book live and dance, and with his imagery I could actually dream that I was part of the book. Though it seems that he is still coaching his squad right now… I heard the doorknob turn slightly and my heartbeat jumped a bit. Maybe he was coming back…

(I wish you were the one coming through that door…)

Unfortunately it was only Tuta, the small kid who was Huan's assistant. He walked in with his usual bounce, unusually excited to help people, but I couldn't help but sigh. Of course Camus was still teaching his class. It was much more important than me.

(I wish you were the one touching me, holding me…)

Tuta was carrying a bunch of fresh clothes that Yoshino had washed. Helping me out the bed, he took off the bandages and inspected them. He looked at me with a smile, which meant they were in good condition. Then a nurse stopped by with a tub of water. With a wet cloth he wiped the wounds clean and reapplied a new layer of medicine. With that taken care of, he helped me dress in my usual gear of blue knight clothes, even though I had resigned. It smelled pleasantly of the fresh soap smell that I enjoyed much. Then with that all done, he helped me steady myself onto my feet, and holding my right hand, walked with me towards my room.

(But I don't want to be a burden…)

I think Tuta understood my determination to walk on my own with his touch almost nonexistent. We probably made the oddest pair, my tall and bulky stature against his short and chubby one. He was a cute kid, though, and I wondered if one day I would have a son of my own. But then I haven't even thought romantically, not even when I was going through puberty. First on my mind would always be my knighthood, and now that I had resigned, my duty as a member of the North Window army.

(I can do this on my own…)

We had reached the staircase finally. It was hard to lift my leg and push myself up, but I insisted on doing it without any help. Progress was slow, and I had to take a rest between each step. Tuta smiled encouragingly at me, which I appreciated. He stood behind me, in case I ever lost my balance. I don't think he expected to actually support my body weight but to keep me from tumbling down the staircase. I was two-thirds of the way up. Five more, four more, three more, two more, one more…

(And you can be proud of me…)

I had made it to the top. Staring down, I noticed how little distance I had actually traversed, but the success was still a success. I was proud of myself, and Camus, who was now standing at the bottom of the staircase, smiled at me. I felt warm inside, and then suddenly embarrassed. He quickly went up the staircase and patted me on the back with his left hand. In his right hand was the book he lent me.

(You can walk with me without regret…)

I told him how I totally forgot about it and he said he didn't mind. He had stopped by the infirmary anyway, hoping to catch me when he saw my empty bed. He said how he almost panicked in thinking that I would do something drastic as try to escape or something. I laughed, and told him that I would have waited for him so that we could be accomplices in crime. I finally realized what I said when he had his mouth open in surprise. Wow, knowing how serious I usually was, a joke wasn't normal for me. He joked with me and put a hand to my forehead. Of course it was normal temperature, but I still blushed a bit red anyway.

(Though I would never regret a moment with you…)

As we inched towards my room, he held my hand so warmly and tenderly that it melded with mine, joining us as one. Fortunately no one was in the hall, or they would have noticed a bit of a red tinge upon my cheeks. I knew I wasn't hot at all, so it had to be something else. Was I starting to like Camus in that way? What was that way? I didn't even know how to explain my relationship with him anymore. I think it was starting to pass friendship, maybe even pass best friends. Though he didn't seem to mind a bit holding my hand, caressing my cheeks, or walking down slower than a snail down the hallway.

(You do so much for me…)

We stopped in front of his door. I hadn't really noticed where I was going because for once I had been lost in my thoughts. We didn't say anything for a while, just stared at each other. Then he did the strangest thing.

(So what can I do for you?)

He gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was a little awkward, having his fingers grip the back of my neck and pull my head towards his. It almost seemed a bit romantic, what he had just done, but it was over too soon. As he released me, I took one of his hands and directed it across my lips.

(If you're happy then I am too…)

He smiled at me. Then after a moment of silence, he bade me farewell. Though not before asking me to eat lunch with him. Of course I accepted his offer.

(I would do anything for you…)