Jason stared down at Seraphina as she slept, the low fire providing just enough light to see her face clearly. Her red hair was tied back in a loose braid but a few loose strands fell in her face. She slept under his long cloak, a pillow bought from the inn under her head.
He was honestly surprised she willingly slept outside with him in his little camp. The inn was much more comfortable than the ground, but she looked as comfortable as could be. She really just looked too soft to have to sleep on the dirt.
He watched as she shifted, her face twisting. He leaned over and grabbed the cloak as it slipped down, tugging it back up over her. She mumbled softly, settling back down as he gently brushed his fingertips along her cheek, faintly feeling the soft skin against the cool leather.
He would've smiled if he could. He would've let his fingers linger more if he could. He would've tasted the food she cooked if he could. He would've held her close to warm her if he could.
But he couldn't. He was a suit of mismatched armor with fragmented memories. He could replace pieces as they wore down or rusted, but he couldn't escape his eventual fate of the magic binding him fading. He would finally die and move on, eventually and for good.
He stared at her as she shifted again and leaned over to add some more pieces of wood to the fire, coaxing it back to life. Magic be damned, he wanted to live for once. he wanted to live and travel with her. He could take a beating from any monster if it meant keeping her safe.
He wanted to stay by her side. Be her twisted knight in armor. Be hers until she got rid of him or he died again. He wanted, for once in his second life, to actually live.