This will be my first fanfic, so please no hate. critiques are fine, but be nice!

cover image credit goes to Eliyora, voice actress/player of Faerthurin

words in italics are thoughts

"Tiring. What a perfect way to describe these meetings." The words echo in the nearly empty council chambers as Jalerom sits with his forehead on the table. "Nah, maybe frustrating fits better."

It's been almost a month since Jeminya was taken, and progress with the council has come to a standstill. Rose left a week ago to help Arden in Nassa. Sure Amber and Ivan are helping with cleanup alongside Oin, but those two are in the "lovey-dovey stage" of their new relationship. While it's sweet and cute(how can it not be with those two?), it's not very helpful. thankfully Oin is there to keep them on task. And Faerthurin...

Jalerom gives a small,sad smile. Fae has been cooped up in that basement "room" researching a way to get their dear friend back from hell. The only time she has come out was for meals and once to deliver the spell to help the young dragon couple.

*Speaking of food,* Jae wonders as he leaves the room, *I didn't see Fae at breakfast this morning.* Looking back he eyes a small loaf of bread on the table and snags it.

Heading down the long flights of stairs to the basement, he shudders. He's tried to avoid coming down here as much as possible. The feel of that room still gives him the "heebie-jeebies". He never told the others this, but he accidently read more of the warden's journal than he intended, and lets just say it painted a not so pretty picture in his brain. But still, he smiles, the thought of seeing fae makes it worth it. With him trying to get directian up and running again, and her studying, they haven't had much time to be together, much less go on that date he asked her for.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Jae is greeted by none other than the feathered fiend landing on his head.

"hey there Lucid," Jalerom breaks off a piece of bread for him, "how's fae?"

Suddenly they hear a loud crash, startling them both. Lucid snatches the chunk of bread and flies off toward the sound.

"Fae? is everything alri..." Jae enters the room and sees Fae huddled in the corner, scattered books, scrolls, and paper littering the ground. His ears pick up the sound of quiet sobbing. Concerned, he kneels on the floor in front of her. "Fae? Whats wrong?"

She lifts her head from her arms and he sees her face clearly even in the dim light. Her pale cheeks are stained with tears, there are bags under her tired violet eyes, yet still he thinks she is the most beautiful creature he has ever seen.

"I can't do it." she whispers.

"huh?" Jae says, confused.

"I CAN"T DO IT! I CAN"T FIGURE THIS OUT!" she cries, "It's been nearly a month and I still have no clue on how to save Jeminya!"

Jae places his hands on her shoulders. "Hey, it's okay, we all knew it would take some time to find a way to her. We just need to keep trying."

She looks away. "No, it's not okay! The longer it takes to get there, the longer she is in there suffering from who knows what!" she sobs.

"Am I... am I just not smart enough?"

Jae pulls her into a tight hug. "Don't you ever say that! You are the most smartest, most beautiful, and talented woman I've ever known. Don't you ever doubt that."

She gives a small giggle. "Most smartest? Seriously?"

"Hey! It worked didn't it?" he grins

Faerthurin pulls back and wipes the tears away. "Thanks."

Jalerom lets go and sits next to her. "Anytime. By the way, when was the last time you ate? I didn't see you this morning."

Fae pauses. "I... I don't know." Jae pulls out the bread. "Then it's a good thing I brought this! It's no heroes feast, but it should do for now." He splits it and hands her the much bigger piece. They proceed to eat in relatively comfortable silence, watching the little menace peck away at his own chunk of bread.

Fae looks down and away. "Hey Jalerom?" He looks over as he finishes his small meal. "Yeah?"

Her cheeks pink a little "Do... do you really think I'm beautiful?

Jae blushes, and smiles softly. "Of course. I don't think there's anyone more beautiful in all of Alatastica. Don't tell Ziadrel or her mother this but, I bet you could even give angels a run for their money." She smiles, blushing slightly.

He stands "Now, it's time you got some rest."

Fae begins to protest "But my research.."

"Will still be here when you wake. You can't learn anything new when you're tired. Now come on." He holds out his hand for her. She huffs, but grasps his hand "Fine, you win." Jae helps her to her feet, and she immediately stumbles into him.

"Told ya." "Shut it you."

Jalerom gently leads over to the large bed, glad he managed to convince some dragons to bring it down. Gods knows she would not have been able to make it up all those stairs in this state. She settles in, and feeling a little brave, Jae gives her a quick kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well, Fae."

He turns to leave, but stops dead in his tracks as her hand grips his wrist. "Wait, don't go!"

"What is it?" he asks. She blushes "Will you... stay with me? Please?"

Jae is stunned *Is she serious?* "A-Are you sure?"

She nods "I don't want to be alone right now."

Jae's gaze softens with understanding. "Okay." He moves around to the other side of the bed and climbs in, making sure to leave a good few inches between them. Faerthurin quickly falls asleep, comforted by Jalerom's presence. A few minutes pass, and Jae hears her start to mumble in her sleep. "No, please! Don't leave me! Jem, Jae..." She mutters, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

*Is she having a nightmare?* Jae turns toward her and very lightly strokes her hair. "It's okay, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Suddenly she turns over and wraps her arms around him tight, snuggling into his chest as if he was a pillow. Immediately she relaxes and smiles. Jae however, stiffens in surprise, his face redder than a teifling. *Crap, what do I do? Oh gods, if she wakes up and sees us like this, she might think I did something!* He starts to panic, trying to think of a way out of his, when he hears her say one last thing that stuns him.

"...lo..ve...yo..u..Jae.."

*Did she.. just say she, loves me?* Slowly, he too relaxes seeing her smile, and wraps his arms around her. *Well, if she's happy, I think I'll take whatever hell she'll give me tomorrow.* Lucid, now finished with his meal, flies over and lands on the bedpost, giving Jalerom a very evil glare. Jae looks up, sees the nuisance about to protest, and shushes him. "shh, be quiet! She needs this right now. You can peck me all you want in the morning, but for now let her rest." he whispers. Lucid looks down at his mistress sleeping peacefully, and reluctantly nods before flying off to his roost.

Jae looks back at Fae's lovely face and brushes some of her hair out of her eyes. "You stubborn bookworm, what am I going to do with you?" he whispers, and settles in to sleep. "I love you too, my sweet Rin."