I gaze upon the young boy with great concern. His face is pale as he lays there with a blanket over him. Reaching out, I feel the coldness of his skin. He must've lost a lot of blood. His mouth is nothing but a straight, emotionless line. His eyes are shut with restraint.
Almost all of my comrades hover around Domonic. Many wear faces of concern. Some wear faces of disgust. He is Nohrian, so they've all expected the worst, but I profusely swayed their judgement for now at least. He is my brother. He is a child. Nobody wants to have to bury a child. I grasp his one cold hand with both of mine. Ever so faintly, I feel a slow, steady pulse.
"I think he's going to be okay," I say, smiling with relief. I almost laugh, and it feels good to experience joy again. My joy will peak once Domonic returns to us, smiling like a little boy should. Garon will suffer for snatching his and everybody else's happiness. I stand, still grinning, and hesitantly let go of my little brother's hand. He will be okay…
Not long ago, I craved companionship. Now I'm not so sure. Right now, I yearn for isolation. I need to be alone with my thoughts. I need to process yesterday's events and formulate a retaliation. When nothing comes to mind, I slam my fists angrily onto the small wooden table in front of me, sending my book of tactics into the air. I can't be alone. I need to communicate with my troops. I need a plan I clearly lack, and that fact alone is enough to make me pull every strand of hair out of my head.
I take a deep breath and head out into the mess hall to brew a cup of tea. I will relax and shower before heading off to sleep to think.
As usual, I sleep restlessly. The memories will come back and transform into nightmares, torturing me at will. I envision Camilla lying on the ground, as I prioritize a little boy I barely know before her. They both mean so much to me, but I can't spare everyone. Decisions are not my strong suit.
As I hear faint footsteps echo in the hallway, I bolt upright, immediately alert. I jump out of bed and scramble for my Yato, but it's nowhere to be found. Panic rises in my chest, tightening around my throat in an instant.
"Corrin…" a tiny voice shrouded in darkness croaks weakly. As the moonlight falls upon his face, I melt with relief. I also freeze with despair. Domonic is alive and breathing, but he shouldn't be up moving around. His eyes are baggy and swollen and his voice is scratchy, but there's a certain sort of spring in his step. He is free.
"Domonic," I say, exhaling deeply. What are you doing up? You're in no condition to move around."
"I know," he replies sadly, eyeing the ground like a reprimanded child. "I just needed to move around a bit. And I brought you this." He holds out my Yato, struggling slightly with its weight.
A warm smile creeps into my lips. "Thank you," I beam, and I mean it. "Where was it?"
"Outside the women's bathing tent," he says blatantly. "I didn't go in, though."
I laugh, overwhelmed with bliss by his sense of humor, and the fact that he is alive. I managed to spare a life. I take my Yato and stow it away in a safe place, taking Domonic into my arms. I'm careful not to disturb the gash in his back. When my fingers graze the wound, I try not to think about it. The guilt is unbearable.
Seeing that Domonic isn't going to stop adventuring any time soon, I lay him down beside me where's warm. Now I can keep an eye on him and not feel incredibly guilty for leaving him alone in a room with nothing but one measly blanket.
"It isn't… your fault…" Domonic stutters, closing his eyes. His teeth are gnashed and his eyes are shut harshly, mewling gently. As my embrace tightens around him, his mewling evolves into a sobbing fit. This is likely the first time he's ever felt a warm embrace. Felt loved and welcomed.
As he curls up defenselessly in my warmth, I ruffle his hair affectionately. "Everything is going to be okay now," I croon gently. "I won't let anyone else hurt you." I try to believe in my word, fiercely hoping that I can stay true to it. Without thinking, I make a vow that it will become a reality.
