A/N: Even though a review is nice, I still love to write no matter what the feedback. It's my passion, my hobby, my way of expressing myself. Review, don't review, whatever. It's your choice like how it is mine to keep writing…

Expression

"Vincent!" Malon shouted once again. She was inside his room, his perpetual dark room. The room itself was built with no windows and thick walls. A perfect place to keep one's self in slumber, well suited to the rock known as Vincent. She could see his tall form within the white sheets, sprawled out on the bed. Soft snores came from his direction and occasional turn of the body. Malon sighed and walked over and violently shook him.

"Ah! Cobras!" Vincent said as he sat up in bed. He panted and looked over to Malon. He instantly clamed down, "Whew… no cobras. Close call. Is there something wrong?"

"Its time for work," Malon said flatly. "So, off your behind and gets some breakfast before it gets cold." Malon stormed out of the room without glancing back at Vincent.

"I think I'm in love…" Vincent said mockingly. He admired Malon's strict regime and independency. He pulled the covers and got out of bed. He walked over to his small line of clothing and placed his fist under his chin. "Now, what should I wear today? Not like I have a choice anyways. I have to remind myself to buy more things while at the market."

Malon sat down at the breakfast table, the same one that she and Vincent had dinner on last night. Malon thought back to kiss he had given her. It was an outburst of Vincent's emotions and feelings toward her. But Malon didn't want to accept that it was a gift he gave her as a passion. She knew that no man could ever really like her. Every one of them preferred a pureblooded Hylian who possessed the uniform hair of the sun and eyes that derived from water. Malon felt that her own blood was mixed with something and her fiery hair proved it to her. She gave up on her knight a long time ago.

She heard the locking noise of a doorknob and looked over to see Vincent exiting his room. He wore the same smile that could've brightened a mass and his scarlet features riveted the room in warmth. He walked over to the table and sat down on the chair nearest Malon. He casually helped himself to breakfast but the Malon noticed the weariness in his eyes. He yawned, making sure he covered his mouth, and cracked his neck.

"Sleep well?" Malon asked.

"Yeah, for whatever time I was asleep. Malon, its early, really early. The sun is not even up!" Vincent said. He sighed, "I'm just not a morning person." He took a bite of the fired eggs. He chewed and swallowed. "Is everything you make comparable to the sweet ambrosia of the Gods? I don't think my tongue can handle the bliss."

Malon smiled, "My cooking isn't that great. You can tell me what you really think?"

"Fine, it's the sweet nectar that the Goddesses feast on. Stop selling yourself short because this is to die for," Vincent said. "I don't know how you do it but once again Malon, you are a culinary master."

Malon looked down, "Thank you, Vincent."

"Care to tell me what's on the agenda?" Vincent asked.

Malon looked up, "For you, Vincent, I want you to milk the cows, go into the cucco pen and-"

"No!" Vincent said. "Anything but cuccos. Please, I'd rather take the cobra."

Malon laughed. "What is it with you and cuccos and cobras? When did cobras even get into the matter? Anyways, you're going to get the eggs from those birds, Vincent. No ifs, ands, or buts."

"Anything else?" Vincent asked, sighing in defeat.

"I want you to help me with the caring of the horses," Malon added. "No problem with horses right?"

Vincent shook his head. He gulped down more eggs and bacon. He took a deep breath and stood up from the breakfast table. He pushed his seat back into the table, "I ought to get started. I'll see you later then Malon." Vincent disappeared through the door to do his chores.

Malon sighed. Vincent was a radically different person than she was accustomed to. He was a bit eccentric, somewhat physical and passionate, and a redhead like her. Malon looked over to the window at the side to see Vincent already with a pail and rubbing his hands together vigorously. It dawned on her that he cared enough about the cows to milk them without cold hands. She kept him in her sight until he disappeared into the barn. She then thought about what would her father think. Would he like Vincent? Was he really good enough to replace Ingo?

"Easy, girl," Vincent said in response to the cow's moos. With his red eyes focused on keeping the stream of milk constant, Vincent was working hard. After the pail was filled he took it to group with the rest of the ones he filled and took an empty one. The barn he worked in smelled exactly like the animals that inhabited it. Hay was everywhere and clung to everything, including Vincent. As he pulled straw out of his hair, he didn't notice the barn door open.

"What do ya think your doing, boy?" said a burly voice.

Vincent turned around to face the mustached face of Ingo. Vincent rolled his eyes and looked away as Ingo's alcohol rich breath hit his nostrils. He took a deep breath and turned his head back to Ingo.

"I'm pretty sure I'm working," Vincent said. "Something you ought to be doing."

"You're the asshole who took my job," Ingo spat.

"No… I'm pretty sure there was a position available when I got to this ranch," Vincent replied. "If you'll excuse me, I do have work to do. We can't all be lucky and drink all day."

"Ya only got the damn job by swooning that lil' wench," Ingo said.

Vincent's eyes narrowed, "I'd watch my mouth if I were you. There are some things that you ought to keep to yourself." Vincent turned around but Ingo span him back to face him.

"I wudn't done," Ingo said.

"Yes, you are," Vincent said, his tone becoming severe. His red eyes filled with untamed fire and turned around. "Just get the hell out of here or else… Cliché I know, but I mean it. You can say all you want about me, but the next time I hear you bad mouth Malon, I'll make sure you'll regret it."

Ingo mumbled something under his breath and left Vincent in the barn. Vincent took a deep breath and took back the pail. "There are some people worth protecting, to protect from the inhumane assholes of society." Vincent opened the barn door and walked toward the cucco coop. Still deep in his own thoughts, he didn't hear the voice of his boss.

Malon tapped Vincent on the shoulder. Vincent turned around and faced Malon. "Vincent, are you all right? You're in front of the cuccos and your not freaking out."

"Oh, right… those nasty buggers. But, there's nothing wrong Malon. You can always count on that. Is there something you wanted?" Vincent asked.

"I just thought you might've wanted help with the cuccos," Malon said. "You were near petrified yesterday but you seem really cool and calm right now."

"Me cool and calm? Never thought I'd see the day," Vincent said. "Thanks for offering but you probably have a lot of work to do and I wouldn't want to delay you. Don't worry about me, just go back to your work."

"Figures, he'd rather be alone than with me," Malon thought. "Are you sure?"

"As much as I would love to have a beautiful woman help me, its still better for me and its isn't time efficient. I have to face these bad boys alone sooner or later."

"Time management? He's a little corporate and industrial."

"I'm not a little boy, as you said have stated before. I can handle this my self," Vincent said. "You already call the shots, why not let this one time be my moment to shine?"

Malon smiled, "Okay Vincent, you convinced me. Remember that I still need your help for the horse."

"Truly noted," Vincent said. He took Malon's hand into his, "I'm really grateful for the offer Malon, don't get me wrong. But, as a guy, I'd rather face these beasts by myself."

Malon's face flushed red. She looked down, "You just… want to prove that you aren't afraid of a little bird? That's… hilarious but… Can you let me go?"

"Oh, sorry," Vincent said, releasing Malon. He stared at the shy redhead and felt guilty. He wasn't sure what he was doing but Vincent didn't think he did anything wrong. But there she was, a fragile flower that can easily be hurt. He noted that he could not be so expressive with her. "I should protect her from myself…"

Malon looked up into Vincent's scarlet eyes. They looked troubled. "Are you sure nothings wrong?"

Vincent shook his head, "Not at all. I'm just a little preoccupied preparing myself to face these poultry."

Malon laughed, "Go get the big, bad birds Vincent."

"On it," Vincent said, opening the coop and rushing in.

( . ) -----------\

"Last feedbag filled," Vincent said. "That didn't take as much time as the first time."

"Only because you're getting used to it," Malon said. "And I was actually helping you."

"And I thought that was a bonus," Vincent said. The two stood outside the barn and were making their way to the fenced coral. The sun was beginning to fall under the horizon as they finished the last of the chores. "So glad that the day's almost done."

"Me too," Malon said. "Vincent, are you sad that you're going to have to the same thing day in and day out? I don't want you to complain about it."

"I already expected to," Vincent replied. "And as long as your going to be here doing the same, then I'm all for it. This isn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Malon watched as Vincent pulled out a golden pocket watch from within his coat. He flipped it open and looked at the time. Malon's eye widened in shock, "Vincent, what time is it!"

"It nearing six now," Vincent replied. "I'm surprised that night hasn't fallen yet. Back where I'm from-."

"Look, I have to go start dinner," Malon interrupted. "You lead the horses back in the barn and give them the feedbags. Remember to wait for them to finish and take them off." Malon took off to the ranch house, leaving Vincent alone.

Vincent did as he was told and led all of the horses into the stables and fitted them with their feedbags. He sighed as he waited for the horses to stop eating. He leaned against the open barn door and looked over to the ranch house. Through the kitchen window, he saw Malon at the counter. Vincent smiled a little and kicked up some dirt. He couldn't help but find Malon sexy in her little apron.

"I'm finding it harder and harder to keep up with my self. Something about her is changing me. I don't know what it is… Sure, she's beautiful and independent but how many women I know are the same? Maybe… nah, it can't be. I mean, well, snap out of it Vincent. You're talking to yourself. Finally, the damn horses stopped eating."

Vincent finished the rest of his chores and closed the barn doors. Night was embracing the sky over Hyrule and was tucking it in for bed. In the cool darkness, Vincent looked over to Malon who was sitting herself down to a comfortable dinner. Vincent looked down. "I shouldn't bother her now. I ought to give her some space." Vincent pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time. Taking a deep breath, he returned it back to its resting place and put his hands in his pockets. He walked around the coral and seated himself under the tree at the far end. Vincent looked up into the twinkling stars that were appearing. Each one held a dream in the eyes of people everywhere in Hyrule.

The noise of grass being stepped on caught Vincent's attention and he turned his head. He saw Malon walking up to him with a bowl in her hands. She sat down next to Vincent and handed him the bowl. She smoothed out her skirt and looked at him, "I brought you some dinner. How come you came out here?"

"Where's my spoon?" Vincent said. Malon smiled a little as she forgot to give him the utensil in her hands. He took it from her and ate a spoonful. He swallowed, "I don't know. I figured you might have wanted a bit of space."

"Well, I kind of did but still…" Malon said. "What are you doing out here anyways?"

"Nothing really, just staring up at the stars," Vincent answered. "The sky is the limit to all our dreams right?"

"What is your dream Vincent?" Malon asked.

"Is sort of silly," Vincent retorted.

"Oh come on," Malon pleaded. "I'm the only one here. I promise I wont laugh."

"Fine," Vincent sighed. "I want to be strong enough so I can protect people, sort of like a super man. Anyways, I just want to do all that I can to save people from the insecurities and animosities in this world, a shield for them. And… this is my romantic fantasy. I want to find the one girl that I truly love and shield her entirely from all evils. I want to be her knight. A knight in rusty armor, golden armor, sacred armor-."

"Shining armor?" Malon gulped.

"Whatever armor… I just want to do that," Vincent said. He got up, "Great dinner Malon, its was terrific. We should be getting inside now."

Malon nodded. Vincent offered his hand and Malon took it to get up. She brushed the dirt off her skirt and found Vincent smiling. "What, what is it?"

"Nothing, just thought back to when you wore your apron. You just looked cute in it, that's all."

"Oh… um, thanks?" Malon said.

"How about you, Malon? Are you going to share your dream?" Vincent inquired. "I did go through all the trouble in telling you mine. Are you going to do the same?"

Malon looked away, "I want a kni-…" She stopped herself when she realized how compatible their dreams actually were. Malon looked at Vincent who raised his eyebrow in confusion. "I mean, I want to spend a night living like a queen would. Its seems so superficial compared to yours."

"Well, I'm not one to judge. Its your dream," Vincent said. "I hope you live it out one day."

"I hope so too," Malon said softly.

A/N: Stupid Final Fantasy XII, taking up all my time.