A Thief and His Angel- Part III

Character(s): Julian, Lena, Rickard, and others of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon.

Rating: T

Summary: The War of Shadows has reached an end, and with it, Marth's army is no longer needed. Everyone must carve out a new place in this time of peace, except for one thief. There's only one place for him to go.

Timeline: Immediately following the final battle in Shadow Dragon

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.

He had rose before the sun, packed his tent, and stored his belongings long before anyone else in the camp had even awoken. He could have snuck out on his own, left, without so much as being noticed at all and been halfway to the nearest town by now. He could have gotten away, too far to call back, and much too far to be retrieved. He could have been gone.

But, as he had finished securing the Altean tent, and packing the few weapons that were light enough for travel, he had stopped. He hadn't stopped breathing, or even thinking… He'd simply just stopped. He waited, and watched, as others rose from slumber and began to pack up their own tents, consuming quick meals before they were called to move again by their prince. It wasn't something Julian needed to be a spectator for. He should have gone, much earlier, and have been rid of the responsibility- the weight- that he had as one of the Altean soldiers. Nothing was preventing him from leaving, nothing, except for himself. When he had tried to leave, to pack early and just get as far away as possible, something had kept him grounded. And the feeling had kept him from marching off, over the horizon, to a destination only his feet could decide.

For a moment, he couldn't pinpoint it. It was a feeling inside of him that was unknown to the thief. It gnawed viciously at his heart, pulling strong. And he couldn't figure out what it was until he thought about it, until he brought up her face. Until… Until he realized that when he thought of Lena all he could think was the look of sheer disappointment she'd given him the day before. That had been the last time she had looked upon him. And if he left without a goodbye, it would be the last look she'd ever give him. He'd make sure of it. And with that image in mind, he realized what was keeping him: guilt.

He couldn't leave with her being upset at him, or at the least, without offering an apology. She deserved better, better than some lame excuse from him, but he'd offer one anyway. And ease the guilt, appeasing his own selfishness by looking upon Lena one more time as well. It wasn't right of him to want to see her again, seeing as he should just make it easier on everyone and just vanish. However, he felt desperate. Never before had he ever felt kinship to an alcoholic, but he regretted the jests he'd made at a few men in the past that had little control of their liquor. He could sympathize now. It was difficult to give up what you'd become indulgent on.

So he waited, for the sun to rise, for everyone to wake up, for a moment to speak, and for Lena. He lingered and he caught sight of her soon enough. She had risen rather early as well, reciting her morning prayers before breakfast. She had eaten with her brooding brother, the Pegasus sisters, and Rickard who would occasionally send him fleeting glances as though willing him to come and join them. Julian had stayed his distance though, sitting in the shade of someone else's tent and wait for morning meals to be eaten.

He had watched Lena finish, and knew that there would be no better time to talk. She was relatively alone, cleaning out her tent and packing her staffs for travel. She appeared happy. Her nosey brother wasn't very far away, saddling his own horse, but he wasn't guarding over her at the moment either. It was an open opportunity. Yet, he couldn't make himself approach her- not right away. He watched her struggle to secure her tent for a few seconds before he could uproot himself. He paced over to her, his heart pounding in his dry mouth as he came up unnoticed behind her.

"Let me help you with that." He announced, sounding braver than he felt. Although, his 'bravery' wouldn't allow him to let his gaze linger on Lena for more than a mere moment.

Lena jumped at his sudden arrival, but she didn't stop him as his callused hands began wrapping up her tent canvas. "Oh, Julian. Thank you."

Julian nodded, but remained unapproachable as he immersed himself on packing the tent. Unfortunately though, he was very talented in such labor and quickly bundled the tent for travel. Lena had stayed by his side to watch his work, saying nothing, but the moment he finished his distraction was gone- burned up as quickly as though it has been hit with one Merric's fire spells.

He finished with the tent and placed it down, building the courage to face Lena. He expected scorn, a confused expression, some kind of signal that hinted that he was not wanted in her presence. However, she only looked at her as she always had- with care. Julian couldn't almost believe it, but hid the flicker of happiness, realizing it was only cruel for himself to get hopeful.

"I'm finished." He stated simply, his mouth unexplainably dry. She nodded at his work and stepped closer to him to look at it herself. She seemed pleased, for she only stole a glance at it before returning to look at his face.

"Yes, thank you, Julian. That was very kind." She said, simply. He expected her to continue her packing and sorting, leave his moment of charity behind, and prepare her own leave. But, she did nothing of the sort and stood attentive, almost waiting, for him to say something.

She is waiting for you to say something, Julian. He thought to himself. Say something, anything!

He hadn't expected her to want to hear from him. He thought she would still be upset with him, but after a moment to think on it, he knew he had been truly foolish. Lena never held a grudge at anyone. Not even him, apparently. Now he owed her an apology.

He found his words again after a few moments of awkward silence for both of them. "Lena… I'm sorry. I was a fool yesterday. My words wounded you, and… I don't want any lingering anger between us…" Julian said, leaving out the 'before we part…' that he wished to add. The words seemed to linger in the air implied though as Lena wrinkled her nose at his sentiment.

Without any kind of prompting from him, Lena's delicate hands reached out and took one of his own. He would have wretched away, kept her perfection away from him, but the shock of the action and the feeling of her skin under his loosely held fingers caused him pause. "Julian," she started, her soft brown eyes searching his face. "I'm sorry." Her phrase was simple, calm and sincere as ever. Yet, par usual, her words stole any feasible response Julian could have given.

S-She's sorry!? Julian mentally stuttered in a panic. Why the hell would she think any of this is her fault?!

Julian, about to more eloquently express his own inner thoughts, was cut off by Lena's small voice again. Her hand still held his in a small cradle, forming a bridge between the gap of space that Julian had purposefully kept. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that before," she continued, softly. Genuine distress seemed to roll off her in waves as she griped his hand harder, trying to communicate her sincerity through her touch, despite the fact Julian could hear it clearly through her words.

Julian tossed aside her apology, playing it up like it was no big deal. "Ah, no problem. It's nothing I didn't deserve." Her words hadn't stung, only surprised him. He had never heard such kind words directed at him before, and the fact that she was so damn sincere about them scared him because they gave him hope- something he didn't allow himself much of anymore.

A pregnant pause settled between them as Lena's lips slipped into a rare frown. She shook her head back and forth with jarring speed, looking as though she were denying she had kicked a puppy or something equally repulsive. "No, you didn't." Her head stopped moving, and the familiar pity crept back up into her eyes as she took a sigh before starting again. "I-I shouldn't have said those things to you. I understand that not everyone trusts you around here, Julian. I-I w-well, I can see that." Her eyes darted to the left for a moment, almost like she wished to pick someone out from the encampment to blame for their lack of faith in Julian; however, Julian knew it would be impossible to point the blame at all of them for the distrust. "I, just, I wanted to…" Lena's eyes met his again, confident, assured for a moment, very un-Lena like. He'd seen caring Lena, calm Lena, and definitely flustered Lena… but this confident Lena was new. He couldn't deny that he didn't like it. "I wanted to make sure that you did not think that's how everyone thought of you. Because, I don't."

The admission was strong, and it left the thief staggering for a moment in confusion. He knew Lena generally cared for him, he had saved her life and all, but to go as far and trust him…. And to carry such a flag as to defend him? Very few had ever done that, and it had been a very long time since anyone had at all. "Why not?" He croaked out, forcing himself to ask. He didn't want to know the answer, didn't want to know the truth- he didn't want rejection. Yet, at the same time, he wanted an answer. Any answer to his question. Something over nothing.

Lena looked surprised for a moment at his question, not having expected it, but a moment later her features smoothed out and became uplifted. "Why? Because you are a good man, Julian. I have known that the moment you helped me out of that cell in the Soothsire's mountains, or when you offered to go back alone to get my healing staff only because I asked it of you, or when you joined Marth's army to help put a stop to this war. I've seen your valor this whole time, and even if others haven't yet, they will."

Because you're a good man. Never in his life had anyone said those words about him. Ever. Not to say that he'd never been called anything before- boy, scoundrel, villain, coward, fool- he been named all of those before. A good man? The idea of that label for him was almost laughable to Julian. Yet, there was Lena, with her open smile and calming touch, saying these exact words to him. The last thing he'd ever want to do was laugh at her when she was this sincere. And even he- the boy, scoundrel, villain, coward, fool- couldn't tell her she was wrong because she was the first to ever say something like that to him, and he didn't want to break the illusion.

I'm not a good man. Julian thought to him, desperately. I'm not…. But she thinks I am. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to try and be one? He had pretty much kept his nose clean since he had joined Marth's army, trying to cut himself off cold turkey to try and impress Lena. He hadn't stolen anything from anybody on their side, he hadn't outright lied, hadn't swindled… but, in a way, it had only been an act to try and get Lena's attention, since the beginning, he hadn't been sincere. Yet, he had slipped into a habit of this good guy act, and it was growing on him. Could he keep it up? He didn't know, but the sudden urge to try consumed him.

He looked down to her delicate hands and he lightly squeezed back, if only to secure the hold more. To keep up this being a good guy act, I'll need her. Julian realized this, knowing all the promises of leaving her behind and letting her move on without him were forfeit because she sure didn't seem ready to get rid of him and… he didn't want to leave.

He smiled brightly, and brought Lena's hands up with his to eye level. She looked at him curiously at his action, but did nothing to stop him. With his mind made up, he bowed down slightly- not mockingly, but not overly genuine either- and smirked up at her. "You have good faith in a foolish man, my dear Lena." He brought one of her hands up to his face, and his lips hovered over her delicate skin. He had seen many men provide a rescued damsel a courteous peck on the hand, and even though Julian never thought he himself would ever show such manners, he graced Lena with one and then looked up to her face. "But, I suppose I can continue to prove myself to you, if you'd be willing to let me accompany you to where ever you're going?"

Lena's face flushed, slightly. "Oh, Julian, stop teasing…. You don't have-" Julian's insides churned painfully at her words, knowing if she said them that she would be as good as sending him away from her because he wouldn't go against her wishes. He interrupted her, not allowing her finish the sentence.

"I'm not teasing," He said, sincerely. "I believe I've become a sort of bodyguard to you over the last couple of week, Miss Lena, and I would hate it have to come rescue you again if you happened to get yourself captured." He smirked again, but Lena didn't fall for the bait and react- she never did. "So, will you let me accompany you?"

Silence filled the air for a moment after he asked, and Julian held his breath. He had never wanted a response so badly before. Lena's soft features didn't change to confusion and disgust though, so hope welled up inside Julian.

Julian's worries were dispelled with a quick nod from Lena, paired with one of her glowing smiles. "Yes, of course, Julian. I would love that." It wasn't a profession of undying love or happiness to him, but at the phrase Julian's heart leapt with delight. Lena, his own God given angel, was letting him come with her- to be with her. He couldn't ask for more.

Well, he could, actually, because as a bright smile lighted his face he leaned in and shorted the gap between them so he stood next to her. He didn't tower over her, but he was a good foot taller. At the sudden proximity, Lena blushed, but he wasn't pushed aside. He leaned down and got closer to her, lips coming close to brush up against her. This all occurred in less than a few seconds, and Julian knew he should stop, but Lena didn't move away, or flinch, or show any signs of discomfort, so he remained rooted. And then he did what he'd wanted to do since he'd first laid eyes on her.

He stole a kiss.

It wasn't passionate, long-lasting, or even what he'd prefer. It was just a light feathery kiss upon the lips, lasting no longer than the peck on her hand had. In truth, he shouldn't have done it. She was a cleric- pure, innocent, and blameless. He barely had the right to look upon her, let alone, kiss her, but for the longest time he'd tried to imagine what her lips felt like and if they were as soft as he imagined. They were, but it didn't make his action right.

After a moment of realizing how rash his actions were, he stepped back from her, becoming just as flushed as she was. He hadn't meant that, but stealing was a hard habit to break as a thief. He was still weak in that regards.

"I-I, umh, sorry, that was…." He put up his hands in front of him, shaking his head. "I shouldn't have done that."

Lena's cheeks were a brightly shaded, from embarrassment, Julian guessed. But a moment later, she let loose a nervous giggle. "N-No, it's, um. It's fine. I'm not upset."

Julian nodded and turned, attempting to recompose himself to something other than the flustered school boy he was presenting to her. Once the heat on his face had died down, he turned back to Lena, not reaching out to her again and trying to change the subject hoping he hadn't ruined anything by his selfish action.

"So, when are you planning to leave?" He asked, avoiding the previous situation. Lena settled down as well at the question, still smiling.

"Soon, I suppose. We must wait for Matthias to finish his preparations." Julian's smile wavered for a moment at the thought of Lena's brother, who as far as Julian had known had been watching them. The red head looked to where the other had been sitting before, but the spot he had been was thankfully vacant.

No doubt he didn't see any of that, otherwise, I'd be dealing with another one of his tantrums. Julian smirked as he banished any further thought of the annoying horse man from his mind.

"Pity we must wait," Julian replied. "Don't suppose we could just leave him?" Lena's eyes twinkled at the comment and one of her fingers came to her cheek in fake contemplation.

"I suppose we could, but then we would probably have to bring Rickard along wouldn't we?" Julian laughed at her words and her bout of wit, and shook his head. He had had a good morning today, without Rickard's teasing tongue, no need to go and ruin it.

"No, no, of course not. I suppose then we must find your brother." Lena nodded and then suddenly grabbed his hand. She immediately turned and led the way from the spot they stood, most likely in search for her missing brother, but Julian paid no mind to their steps or the fact that he was following behind her. He just took comfort in the weight of his hand in hers, and relished in the closeness that was so utterly new, and so utterly right. If she guided him anywhere like this, he'd follow.

Because, Lena was his angel, and he would always follow her.

A/N: Please review? A fav? Drop me a line? I like human interaction, even via the internet. ;)