Astronomy Tower

'But she's ah-, very troubled at the moment.' he admitted, more to himself than anything. Bryn almost felt guilty.

He looked up at Bryn, trying to meet his eyes. "What's wrong? Last time I talked to her, she was happy."

'she's... going insane Teddy, and not in a good way. Someone she loved died, she can't handle it.' tears were forming in the corners of his eyes, turning his head away.

He cupped Bryn's face gently and move it so that he could kiss Bryn's lips. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, resting his forehead against Bryn's.

'Just... give me time Teddy.' he finally opened his eyes, revealing only worry and fear forming in his white irises. 'I can't lose her Teddy, i just can't.' his tone was laden with desperation. Ace was smarter than Bryn could ever imagine to be, if she truly lost it...

well, it wouldn't be good for anyone.

Looking into Bryn's eyes he realised just how much Bryn needed Ace. "Okay, I'm here for you, you know that, right?"

'I know, thank you.' he murmured in response, pressing his lips to Teddy's forehead. 'I'm actually scared Teddy, but i can't show it.'

"You can show me. I want you to be real around me. I want to see the real Bryn, not Bryn with a mask. I will never judge you for who you are. I love you." He kissed Bryn lightly, as if to put physical meaning behind his words.

Bryn took a cautious step back. 'I can't, i physically can't.' he croaked, wiping the tears from his eyes. 'It's not possible.'

"Bryn, you're human, humans need to show emotion. It's not healthy for you to bottle everything up. I don't care if you don't want people to worry about you or not, you can't do that to yourself. You'll end up leaving again before you're supposed to. I don't want to lose you, ever again." His arms felt empty without Bryn in them. He wrapped them around his body. He could feel himself losing control of the emotions that he spoke of.

Damn it, he didn't need to cry at a time like this. Bryn needed him to be strong.

'You're not going to lose me.' he took a step back, edging away. 'But i'm going to lose my family if i don't intervene.'

"Don't let me stop you Bryn. You do what you have to, for your family."

Damn it, why is it that everytime I see him we cuddle, things get lovey dovey and then he ends up backing away from me? Am I doing something wrong?

'Thank you, i'm sorry.' he shook his head, losing his composure fast. Turning swiftly on his heel, he practically ran down the stairs from the Astronomy Tower. Bryn didn't want to admit it, but he was afraid.

"Bye," he mumbled.

As soon as Bryn was out of earshot Teddy lost his composure. He crumbled to the floor and started to weep uncontrolably.

I did do something...

WHY AM I LOSING HIM AGAIN? IS THIS SOME SORT OF PUNISHMENT? WAS IT NOT GOOD ENOUGH THAT I HAD ALREADY LOST HIM THAT YOU HAD TO BRING HIM BACK ONLY TO TAKE HIM AWAY AGAIN? he yelled at something, anything, some deity perhaps. He didn't know, he was frustrated and sad.

No, sad wasn't a good enough word.

He was depressed.

The girl was shivering slightly, rubbing her arms as she stared out across the school's landscape. She was glad the full moon had passed over a week ago, she felt comfortable in her own skin again.

For now.

She threw a dagger into the air, catching it deftly by its hilt on its descent, repeating this motion.

Running up excitedly, I stop when I see Amaya throwing the knifes, but not out of fright, more out of not wishing to break her concentration.

"Hey!"

She barely faltered, letting the blade clatter to the floor before craning her head towards him. 'Chimmy!' she practically strode over to him. 'How's it going?'

"Great! I got somethin' for ya.."

'What is it?' she desperately hoped it wasn't clothes, sending a curious look in his direction.

I pull out a necklace that I 'burrowed' from Knockturn ally. It had her favorite color stone.

'I assume this is on a loan?' she joked, a genuine grin spreading on her face. Ah, it's red too..

"Think the guy's exact words were, 'Hey give that back...', but he didn't say please so.." I smirk mischievously before putting it on her.

Once he was done she wrapped her arms around his waist in a tight hug, murmuring. 'Well, thanks.. i don't usually like gifts, but this is awesome.'

"Thought you'd like that better than the Hand of Glory..." I kiss her cheek.

'Indeed I would've.' she laughed a little, before asking 'Have you really been stealing things all this time?'