Chapter 3: Through it All

Violet was watching Bryce chase Staravia around trying to get his DS. She laughed as Staravia flew circles around her. As she looked up into the sky, she noticed it get dark…abnormally dark. Staravia flew in between Bryce and her when a huge lightning bolt struck the bird as it fell to the ground. Bryce and Violet ran towards it and met at the same time. Violet watched in horror as its aura faded…into nothing.

"What happened?" Bryce yelled over the thunder and wind. Before Violet could answer, a crimson stain appeared on his chest and a silver blade pierced his skin. Violet let out a blood curdling scream…

…which more than woke all three of them up. Staravia flew up and straight into a wall. Bryce nearly fell out of the bed. He turned the light on and noticed Violet trembling in fear. He moved in to give her a big hug, but she beat him to it, grabbing him and embracing him tightly before crying loudly.

*It must have been a nightmare.* Bryce thought. He quietly motioned for Staravia to go back to sleep. He set Violet on his lap, rocking her back and forth slowly.

"It's okay Violet. It was just a nightmare." He softly said, kissing her forehead. As she continued to cry on his shoulders, he softly hummed her favorite song. Slowly, she began to stop shaking and crying. Bryce held her at arm's length before pulling her into another hug. "You okay?" He asked.

She nodded slowly. "That's never happened before…what was that?"

"A nightmare. They're caused by not enough sleep or distress from a new environment. It's just like a dream though; none of it is real." He softly said. "You wanna talk about it?"

"It was horrible; you don't want to hear it." Violet said timidly.

"Violet, it's my job to protect and care for you. If it'll help, I'll listen."

She sighed before telling him about Staravia being electrocuted and him being stabbed. At the end of it, she did feel better.

"That's my greatest fear…losing you. It's the one thing I can't afford." She sobbed. Bryce continued to hold her. "I know. It's mine as well. You're my best friend, my soul mate, and my true love. I'd give my life for you, no question. I'll never let you fall, I promise. I'll be with you through everything because I know someone like you only comes once in a life time. I'll always be there for you Violet…always." He smiled.

Violet looked up into his sapphire eyes…and in that moment, she knew he was being completely honest with her. Bryce would always watch over her and keep her safe. He truly was her guardian. She pressed her muzzle against his lips, kissing him passionately. While Bryce was surprised, he returned the affection happily. Breaking apart, he said "We should go back to sleep." Violet looked apprehensive.

"Don't worry, I know a way to help. Just concentrate on what you want to dream about and nothing else." Bryce laid Violet under the sheets so they were facing each other. "I promise you'll be safe. Everyone has nightmares at some point. Sometimes a nightmare is where you learn a lot about yourself."

Violet lovingly smiled at him. "Thanks." She looked into his eyes again before Bryce turned the light off again. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her snout under his chin. Nothing could have made her happier than knowing for sure that Bryce would never leave her…ever. There was no way she would leave him either. After all the pain and suffering he endured alone, he deserved to be love and be loved. Slowly, Violet drifted off to sleep again.

In the morning, Bryce woke up to see Violet asleep with a big smile on her face. He admired her blue fur radiate in the sunlight as she awoke, yawning and showing her fangs. She looked at Bryce before laughing happily, pulling him into a hug. "It worked!" She beamed, her blue tail wagging happily. Bryce returned the embrace. "Good!" Violet quietly walked into the bathroom so she wouldn't wake Staravia up. Bryce watched her walk away before he realize he was staring at her butt as her tail was still wagging.

Violet giggled. "I know you were checking me out that time, and don't deny it."

Bryce turned a huge shade of red. He didn't realize it, but he was checking her out, and wasn't being subtle at all. Little did he know Violet took her time getting to the bathroom on purpose. He stammered out. "I-I…okay, yeah I was." She shot him a look that was a mixture of "Naughty" and "I love you too" before closing the bathroom door. It was all Bryce could do not to burst out laughing. The whole thing was funny to him.

*I ought to tease her sometime.* He chuckled. *Too bad I'm not attractive at all. I really don't deserve her. She's the most beautiful girl ever.*

Bryce always felt like he wasn't good enough for her. He couldn't give as much as she could, even though he wanted to. He wanted to be closer to her than he was now. Of course, he'd never do THAT with her. It was as if someone set a bar that was impossible to reach. When would he ever feel like he was worth something? Right now, he was just a love struck teenager who was broke. Then he remembered the dream. What if that was real? He told Violet dreams and nightmares weren't real, but wishes were. Geno had brought him here…

Violet emerged from the bathroom, still drying herself off. Quickly, he turned his DS on to act like wasn't thinking the entire time.

"I know you were thinking the whole time." Violet said. "I just wish I could entertain myself as well as you."

Bryce walked towards the bathroom. As he met Violet halfway, he held her with one hand in a small dip, kissing her passionately. "What was that for?" Violet asked, surprised but pleased.

He shrugged. "Did I need a reason?"

She giggled as she finished drying off and Bryce closed the bathroom door. After he turned the shower on and waited it for it to warm up, he sat with his back against the door, silently crying.

*…because I love you Violet, and I'd do anything for you.*

Author's Notes: Before anyone asks, NO they won't. This is rated T, not M (some people only read Romance for the "intense" parts). If you truly love someone, you connect in several ways. It felt weird writing this, but only because I checked to see how long it was and it was already over 1,000 words. The first part of this only had 1 or 2 parts over 1,000 and now it's even easier than it was before. I really like having an artistic vent and writing this (and I hope you all enjoy reading it too). You guys are a VERY big support in my life, even if you don't realize it, so I'd like to really thank you so much for the encouragement and support. Read and Review, and I'll see 'ya soon! :D