Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Heroes: Tear of Vermillion, obviously.

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Douglas sat in silence atop the stone wall that bordered Valkd. His legs were crossed, and his eyes were heavy. With his sword resting in his arms it almost looked like a little kid clutching a toy.

"Douglas, I thought you were keeping watch."

The sudden voice was like a shock as Douglas clumsily fell off the wall. Sitting up, he blushed and laughed idiotically.

"Hahaha! I was keeping watch, silly."

Rutice looked annoyed, standing in front of him with her arms crossed. "It didn't look like it. You're an idiot…"

A stern look crossed Douglas's features.

"Hey, hey. I was tired, I fell asleep. No need to get angry. I'm an adult, I can handle anything that happens," he said angrily.

Rutice shrugged.

"Whatever…," she muttered, beginning to walk away. Douglas's hard features began to soften with worry.

That's funny…Rutice isn't the type to anger easily…I wonder if something happened, he thought, deciding to secretly follow her.

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Back in the Inn, Avin was letting all of his emotions go, everything that was bottled up since Mile and Eimelle's disappearance.

"A-Avin, are you okay!" Mile asked. He had never seen his friend like this before. It wasn't like hard-ass Avin to melt in his arms.

Avin clutched tightly to Mile's sweat-soaked cotton shirt, silent tears began falling down the sides of his face.

"F-first Eimelle was taken…then I thought…you were dead…it all happened so fast…," he said, voice choking up.

Mile wanted to say something comforting, but all that came out of it was a grin. Soon, Avin noticed that Mile was laughing. He looked up, confused.

"A-Avin… I never thought I would be able to see this side of you!" he said between laughs. Avin's eyes were wide with shock.

"Mile! Don't you think you should be doing something else besides laughing at me?"

Mile continued to laugh, which made Avin angry.

"Well fine! I don't want your dumb sympathy anyways!" he snorted, crossing his arms and looking away.

The laughing stopped, and Avin felt something fall onto his shoulders. It was Mile's hands, causing Avin to look back at him.

"That's the Avin I know," he said, smiling warmly.

Avin grinned, but was suddenly pushed off the bed. He looked at Mile angrily from on the floor.

"Stay off my bed, you little pervert," Mile said tucking himself back in.

Avin pouted.

"Excuse me, that was my bed before I hauled your lazy-ass back to town."

Mile snored.

"Hey! Don't pretend your sleeping!"

Mile snored again.

"Cut it out!"

Mile snored again, but immediately regretted it when Avin pounced angrily on top of him.

"Get out of my bed, you unappreciative little bastard!" he shouted, wrestling Mile off the bed.

Figuring he would loose the fight, Mile began moaning in 'pain'. Avin jumped off.

"Mile! I'm sorry, are you okay?" he asked, suddenly feeling sorry. Something hard slammed into his stomach, causing him to double over.

"You…little…faker…don't kick me!" he gasped.

Mile laughed.

"That's what you get for hurting a poor, wounded friend."

"Pssh…whatever."

Mile sat up and grabbed Avin's under-shirt. He tugged lightly.

"Sleep over here…," he said, hinting to the open spot next to him. The bed was obviously big enough for two people.

Avin sighed, falling into the spot next to Mile.

"Whatever you want, Mr. Injured," he muttered. That got him a punch on the shoulder.

When Avin didn't respond, Mile looked over his shoulder to see what was wrong.

Avin was sound asleep.

Mile laughed, turning back around and closing his eyes.

"Big idiot…," he joked.

You know…I missed you too, Avin…

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Rutice sat on a small bench in the center of town. By this time the sun was beginning to peek over the city's wall. Blue and silver flowers were cluttered around parts of the bench, dripping wet from midnight's dew. Once the sun hit the drops of silver, the entire flower seemed to light up.

Douglas peeked at Rutice from behind a stairwell. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks as the flowers glittered around her.

I never knew how beautiful she was…why hadn't I noticed this earlier? he thought, irritated. A sudden thought of his former classmate shot through his mind, causing him to shake his head like a wet dog.

"No no no no no! I cant think of any girl in that way besides her…speaking of that, I wonder when I will see her again…," he said to himself, causing Rutice to direct her attention towards him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, emotionless.

Douglass walked out towards the bench and sat next to her.

"Why were you so angry?"

"I wasn't angry."

"Yes you were."

"No I wasn't."

"Yes, you were."

Rutice looked down. "More embarrassed than angry…"

Douglas stared at her.

"Did something happen?" he asked, not looking away. Her face seemed twisted with irritation.

"Nothing I wish to talk about," she replied, sitting back and closing her eyes in the new-morning sunlight.

Douglas sighed and sat back as well.

"What ever you say. I'll get it out of you, in time."

Rutice laughed. "I'm sure you will…"

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Avin groaned, turning around in his sleep. With a thud, he landed face-first on the hardwood floor.

Oww…

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Wow, I've written two chapters today. That's a record, considering how lazy I am.

Thank you again to all those who keep up with Loyal and give me reviews!

R&R, please!

-Catta