And I'd give up forever to touch you.

Soren watched Ike from the other side of the room. The blue-haired General was floundering helplessly for words while talking with the noble Duchess Something-or-Other. The mage nearly smiled as Ike excused himself and wandered back to his tactician.

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow.

"Soren..." Ike muttered, his voice betraying a hint of eagerness to leave. Soren nodded and lead the way back to the small room they shared. It was natural, sharing a room with Ike. They always had back at the Mercenary Fort, due to a lack of space everyone (except Greil) shared a room with someone else.

Soren opened the door to their room. It was compact and held two beds that were about a foot and a half apart. Ike's bed was messy, but Soren did his best to keep the rest of the room clean. He contained a chuckle as Ike pulled his boots off and fell onto his bed.
"Hey, Soren." He asked, turning his head to look at the mage, "Can we go over tomorrow's plan?"
"You mean for the Bandit Raid?"
"Yeah, that." Soren dug around in his bag for the map and sat down at the small desk.

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be.
And I don't want to go home right now.

Soren felt his heart pound faster as Ike leaned over him to veiw the map. The way his hand would touch Soren's as he asked about different strategies, ideas. Questioning everything but Soren's judgment. That, he placed absolute confidence in.

And all I can taste is this moment.

When had this started happening. When had Ike's carefree nature gotten to the branded mage? When had Soren's little heart start pumping harder the moment the his commander walked into the room. What was this warmth crawling inside of him at Ike's once meaningless touches. His mouth felt stuffed with cotton as Ike ruffled his long black hair.

And all I can breathe is your light

Ike's hug crushed the breath from Soren's body.
"You're the best tactician ever, Soren," he said excitedly, I'm certain we'll crush them. Soren smiled for once, knowing Ike couldn't see him. The commander smelt like leather and iron. With just a hint of the fresh bread and roasted meat they had had for lunch. It was warm and relaxing and the mage felt nearly at piece.

When sooner of later its over.

Ike broke the hug, probably worried that Soren was getting uncomfortable and wandered back to his bed.
"Soren..."
"Yes, Ike?"
"I want you to stay here while we deal with the bandits." Ike's voice was heavy with sleep, "I'm not going to risk you getting hurt out there. Titania, Oscar, Boyd, Shinon and I can handle things."
"No."
"Soren."
"Ike..."
"No." The commander's voice was masterful, if sleepy, "Not." he yawned, "risking it."

I just don't want to miss you tonight.

Soren waited until he was sure Ike was asleep. He rose like a shadow from his bed and walked over to Ike's bedside. The blue-haired youth slept on his back, one arm haphazardly under his head, mouth partially open. Soren smiled softly and kissed Ike's sleeping forehead. Upon reflection, he wasn't sure why he did it. Or why it seemed to calm him down. But it did, surprisingly well actually. His heart beat a little slower, and he returned to his bed, waiting for sleep.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

He was branded. The child of a Goldoan and a human who had acted against the wishes of the Goddess. He had lied his whole life, claiming to be a spirit charmer. He had lied, to everyone but Ike. Ike, who accepted him. Ike, who made him whole. Ike, whom he seemed to be developing feelings for.

The next morning, when Ike and the others left to fight, Soren was forced to remain home. He watched, with a cold and angry glare as women kissed Ike's cheeks and bid him farewell. He nodded curtly as he was given a hug and told "relax Soren, we'll be home this evening."
"Be safe." The mage said, trying not to let Ike see the concern in his eyes. Let Ike think he was angry, not afraid.

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming

Soren sat in his room. Which normally seemed so comfortable and now seemed so empty. That idiot Ike. What if he got hurt out there? They hadn't taken a healer. Ike was so bad about vulneraries...Ike was... Ike was...

Or the moment of truth in your lies

He lay back on his bed, allowing his angry mask to fall. Ike was his everything. Ike was the reason for waking and sleeping, for eating and drinking. Ike was the reason he was brilliant, because if he wasn't Ike could get hurt.

When everything feels like the movies,
yeah you bleed just to know you're alive.

It was dusk and the sun was setting. Ike wasn't home yet. Elincia was panicking. Soren waited at the gates with Rolf and Mist who were both worried as well. He ignored the children, reading his book and pretending he wasn't watching the road. But he watched the road with an intensity over the pages. Ike was fine, he told himself, Ike was fine because the boy was stupid honest and had said he would return. The thought did little to comfort him.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

He could hear the whispers behind him. "Oh, look at that. The tactician even came out of his hole to wait for the heroes." Soren ignored them. The sound of horses grew louder, and then he saw them. Ike was riding back with the rest. A weight felt lifted off Soren's little chest.
"Welcome home." He said curtly, fighting a smile off his face. Ike beamed at him.
"Perfect plan as ever." He laughed, scooping the mage into his arms. Soren felt a blush rise as his lungs were crushed.
"IKE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! PUT ME DOWN!" He shouted. The other people around stared at him. He heard Shinon say something to the effect of "It can talk??"

He was carried into the room they shared. Ike set him down and unwrapped his arm. Soren scowled, Ike was bleeding badly.
"You're injured." the mage said, hoping his face didn't show half the concern he felt. Normally blood was fine but, Ike's blood made him want to scream, to hug the commander and make the wound go away. He wanted to find the bastard who did this and teach them what it means to suffer.
"Um...can you fix it?" Ike asked, his smile a goofy half-apologetic crescent. Soren nodded and pulled out a heal staff.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Ike flexed his arm with a laugh when Soren finished. The mage raised one eyebrow in question. Ike stood up, a full head taller than his best friend and pulled Soren in to a soft hug. He smelt like sun and sweat and leather. Soren, didn't move, didn't hug back, but smiled.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Ike broke the embrace and met Soren's red eyes with his blue ones.
"You were worried." he said with smile.
"You're my commander." Soren said, cursing the rosy tint he KNEW was showing up on his ice-pale face.

I just want you to know who I am.

Soren looked at Ike. He took a deep breath and turned, back to the commander as he put his heal staff neatly in its place.

I just want you to know who I am.

He wasn't prepared for the arms that slid around his waist, pulling him into another hug. He wasn't ready to feel Ike breath in the scent of his hair.
"You smell nice, Soren."

I just want you to know who I am.

The staff clattered to the floor as Ike kissed the top of Soren's head. His cheeks burned red, Ike's arms tightened their hold around his waist.
"I worry about you, too." The commander whispered.

Song Credits:

Iris-The Goo Goo Dolls

I do not own Fire Emblem, the characters or the song. Much thanks to my Editor-in-Chief and Best friend Kore-Kun.