Disclaimer: I do not know Fire Emblem, the Fire Emblem character, or even Nintendo. I own nothing! I wished I owned a multi-million corporation…That would be sweet…

Nightly Troubles

"Come now, ya landlubbers, hurry up and board. We're setting sail right away!" Fargus yelled at us, motioning for us to get our asses in gear. Not like it's easy though, especially when you've got as many traveling as we have. How many do we have anyway? Thirty? Forty? I've lost count at this point.

I trudge past him, heading towards mine and Eliwood's cabin. We had to get up at dawn to please Fargus, and as far as I'm concerned, that's way to damn early. I need a few more hours before I even attempt to do anything.

Just as I am about to drift into sleep, a large crash resonates through the wall, followed by a string of curses…

Great…I would be right next to Matthew and Guy. It would seem that the thief is in one of his moods again. Guess I won't be getting to rest anytime soon…

Might as well find some other way to pass the time…

I pull myself out of the small bed, heading for the door. A walk is really the only thing I'm up to doing right now. Before I can actually get anywhere though, I hear an ear splitting scream followed by a pink blur.

"Lord Hector!" I wince as Serra grabs onto my arm. I never could understand how she could get that high pitched, and even worse, why she chose to do so at every given moment.

"…What do you want?" I growl at her. The last thing I want right now is her company. She's already starting to give me a headache.

"You're so thoughtful, Lord Hector! Always fulfilling my needs!" It still amazes me how she can manage to be so oblivious to everything.

"Unless you have a reason for hanging on to my arm then go away!" I didn't mean to sound so harsh, but at least she may get the point.

"Hmph! Fine! If you don't want my attention, then I'll give it someone more deserving!" She screams at me before she storms off…

I'll have to apologize to her…later. But for now, I have other things on my mind...

Like the dream... At least, I hope it's nothing more than a dream...

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I continue walking. The deck, yes. The deck sounds nice right about now. The fresh air will really do me some good. But hopefully no one else is there, I would really rather be alone right now...Unless he's there.

I ascend the last step, right away feeling the cool wind against my face. The seems desolate enough here, just a few deckhands that seem to be turning in for the night. Good, so I am alone. I work my way over to the railing, allowing myself to lean against it. I wipe away the few water drops that are splashing up into my face, giving up when they keep getting replaced.

"Hector? What are you doing out here?" He comes over, joining me on the edge of the ship.

"Nothing much. Just thinking." I glance at him, noticing that his gaze is fixated on the star filled sky.

"Really? About what?"

"Nothing really." I lie, hoping that it was believable. He doesn't respond, so I guess it's safe to assume that he's fine with the answer. "What are you looking at?" I ask, noticing that he's still staring up.

"The stars. There's just something about them...I don't know what exactly, but they make me feel at peace." He finishes with a yawn, leaning back against the rail.

"If you're tired then you should turn in, El."

"Yes, I suppose you're right. Good night, Hector." I suppress a laugh, realizing just how tired he is. He either didn't notice or didn't care that I called him that. Why does he insist on pushing himself so?

"Good night." I reply as he begins to leave, heading down below to the quarters. I watch his movements, lacking there usual refined rhythmic step that he always possessed. It was weird seeing him walk that way. In fact, I could only think of one other time that he had done that.

Flashback

The fire still burned brightly, even though most of us had already left the area. Everyone had come to pay their respects, but felt they didn't have the right to remain for so long. Other than the two of us, Lyn had been the last to leave, placing a hand on Eliwood's shoulder in a silent attempt at comfort. The last remants of the body had disappeared long ago, but still we couldn't break our gaze away from the fire. After what seemed like an eternity, I final spoke, my voice shattering the silence, even though it was no more than a whisper...

"Eliwood..." He ignored me, still staring. I could see the hurt on his face, and it was taking all of his effort to hold back the tears. Seeing this, I move closer to him, copying Lyn's earlier actions. "I'm so sorry."

"I couldn't save him." He whispered, still not moving his eyes. "He was right there, and I couldn't do anything...If only I had gotten there sooner..."

"Eliwood..." I grasp both his shoulders, forcing him to look directly into my eyes. "It's not your fault. You did everything you could have done...It's not your fault." Not being able to take it anymore, the tears begin to fall down his face. He buries himself in my shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. I wrap my arms around him, stroking his back lightly. His legs give out, and I drop with him, allowing him to continue crying on my shoulder.

We remain that way for a while, until Eliwood's crying dies down silent sobs, the only sound the occassional hiccup. He finally pulls himself away, and slowly staggers to his feet, beginning to walk away.

"Eliwood, where - ?

"I need to be alone right now." He interrupts, continuing to walk. I could tell by his walk that he was hurting inside. I do nothing more than watch, waiting until he is out of my view. I turn back to the fire, which is nothing more than a flicker. Putting it out, I head back to the camp.

End Flashback

Yes. Something has to be bothering Eliwood. I'll have to force it out of him later though, unless he's still awake...

I'll have to check on that.

I move away from the railing, heading towards the stairs. I move as silently as possible, not wanting to wake up the others. I finally make it to my room, and slowly open the door, just in case he is asleep.

And I'm right. He is. I can't help but smile at him though. The covers have been spewn around him, with his legs dangling off the bed. He's lying half on his stomache, and half on his side. I slowly move towards him, deciding to put him properly on the bed, lest he be stiff and sore in the morning.

I gently turn him onto his back, also lifting his legs back on the bed. I chuckle to myself as he mumbles something incoherent. Pulling the covers back onto him, I realize that the small amount of moonlight his reflecting off of his face just right, making him glow. I move my face over to his, lowering it down slowly. I press my lips onto his, and I feel his lips open slightly.

This is just too tempting...

I slide my tongue into his mouth, rubbing it along his gums and tongue for about a minute. I pull it out though as he starts to stir. I don't want to wake him up, not when he's so beautiful when sleeping. Luckily, he doesn't awaken, but his lips part into a soft smile.

"...Hector." I hear him mumble, before turning over.

"Night, love." I drop onto my own bed, quickly drifting into sleep.