Okay so it's just past midnight, I'm being a sappy as well as angsty little fuck, and I can't sleep lol Sooooo, here's a quick one-shot and I hope y'all enjoy it!

One thing that not everyone understands that's an effect of any war is the trauma that comes along with it.

I wasn't in this battle for as long as Jim or Toby were, but I had my fair share of traumas and side-effects from it after. Hell, I couldn't even look into a mirror for weeks after being possessed by Morgana. Fearing that my face would twist into the menacing smile once more against my wishes.

I heard Jim weep softly into my shoulder as I just combed my fingers in his hair gently. Trying my best to soothe him in his sudden swing of emotions.

But if anyone had the worst of it, it would be Jim. Our personal little Atlas.

"It's okay." I talked softly as I felt his fingers curl and grasp at my sweater with a tight grip. His sobs still coming as I knew the dream he must have had wasn't helping him. "You're okay."

This would occur at times. His mind would suddenly just become his worst enemy. Reminding him of all he lost. Of all the bloodshed and horrors he had witnessed. All the friends and family he had gathered and watched die before him all coming back to haunt him in the worst way.

He pulled back suddenly as he looked up toward me. His bright blue eyes were rather dull as the redness of them showed just how hard the poor thing was crying about it all.

"I'm-." The boy swallowed hard as I cupped both sides of his face with my hands. "I'm trying." He sniffed as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. "I really am." I felt a sudden sharp pain hit my chest as I rubbed my thumbs over the tops of his cheeks.

"I know you are, love." I lean forward and placed a quick kiss on his forehead before pulling back to give him a reassuring look. "I know."

I know there wasn't much I could do for him here besides be here, but I wish I could do more. Or say things that he would believe in at the very least. I know if I said everything would be okay, he would doubt it. He was the trollhunter. The new wielder of Excalibur. Nothing was ever okay for him or at least, not for a long time. There was always a calm before the storm. Every time that we were okay, something was bound to come and ruin it.

But there was always one thing that was always going for us.

"I'm right here." I pulled him close and guided him so his face was in my shoulder once more. "I'm not going anywhere." His sobs were softer as I rubbed careful circles into his back.

There were always a few things that calmed him more than anything. Telling him that I'm here was always one thing. Especially after nightmares that he refused to speak of. I just came to the census that he must have dreamed of me dying or something along those lines when that occurred. There's was one more thing though that always seemed to soothe him the most in these moments.

"I love you." I spoke softly as I muttered the words against the side of his head. He took a deep breath against me for e moment before releasing it softly.

"Love you too." His voice was a little broken as he spoke, but I could tell he meant his words. They were straight to the point as it was obvious he didn't trust his voice or himself all too much, but it was just fine to me. Still meant the same. I listened closely to his breathing for a moment as it evened out slowly before speaking once more.

"Wanna talk about it?" I waited patiently for him to gather himself as I just continued to rub gentle circles into his back.

"Maybe later." His voice was soft as I felt him bury his face further into my shoulder. "Can we just be like this?" I smiled at his question as I just wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"Of course, Jim. We can stay like this for as long as you want." He gave a gentle hum in reply as his grip softened on my sweater before his arms wrapped around me as well. His voice was barely above a whisper once more.

"I love you." I smiled softly at him as I leaned my head against his.

When it comes to wars, there are always scars that will never heal. Traumas that will haunt you for the rest of your life, most likely. But one thing that is always certain in the end,

"I love you too."

You may feel like it, but you're never alone.