forum The Siren and the Chimera (with @Dances_with_Shadows)

Started April 12, 2019 by @PrettyLittlePyro

tune

”I’m fine, honestly,” she said tiredly.

"Well, guard duty is boring and I'm hungry. You mind grabbing some snacks and hanging out with this old goat?"

She gave a tired laugh. ”I guess. But be warned: I may not be the best company.”

"I'm a goat–neither am I." He wrenched another patch of grass from the ground and looked over the lake as he chewed.

Tempest leaned back. Her eyes aches to close, but she wouldn’t let them.

"You seem tired. Take a nap, Tempest," he ordered softly, looking at the cabin as if he could see her.

”I can’t,” she replied. ”Every time I close my eyes I see them.”

He mentally frowned in concern. "Levi, take my shift for a few minutes," he said to his brother, then headed over to the cabin to check on Tempest.

Tempest stared at the ceiling. Kenzie had fallen back asleep a while ago.

Lance was soon next to Tempest, somehow knowing where she'd be. He softly called her name.

She glanced over at him. “You should really be hanging out with someone else,” she said softly.

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I would rather be with you right now than standing guard." He knew something was eating at her, and he didn't want to leave her alone with her thoughts.

“Why?” She asked, even as she snuggled into his side.

"I want to make sure you're not alone with your thoughts of whatever you're thinking about," he answered, turning his head to kiss the top of her head. "It's not good."

“It’s true,” she admitted quietly. She clung to him, fighting back tears.

He moved so he was in front of her, hands cupping her face lightly, thumbs gently running circles over her skin. His eyes were open and understanding, silently telling her he would listen and not judge.

She closed her eyes. If she looked into his, so warm and understanding, she would start to cry. And she couldn’t do that. She’d cried enough.
“I was fighting a kraken with them,” she said softly. “And Aquarius turned to me, about to say something, and then just… flew into the air. He shot straight to Poseidon, and…” she stopped, fighting back tears. “I could have saved him.”

He silently folded her into his arms and held her, lost for words that would fit this situation. So he just opted for his presence and embrace, resting his head on top of hers.

She choked out a sob and lay her head on his chest, holding him close.

He ran his hand up and down her back, murmuring simple reassurances to her in Ancient Greek. They really were general as could be applied to most situations, but he didn't know what else to do.

Soon, Tempest fell asleep.

He scooped her up bridal style and brought her to an empty room. He then carefully set her into the bed and covered her with a blanket. Once done with that, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, Tempest, " he said softly.

Tempest had dreams. Those horrible kinds that make you relive every bad moment of you life, the kinda that leave you screaming before you can wake up.

Thanks to their bond, he got flickers of what she was dreaming about. He pursed his lips and stayed by her side, thinking of what he could do to help her.

She woke suddenly with a start, a scream at tre tip of her tongue. She gasped, sweat dripping from her face.