Tricks and Treats

[Connor Harrison]

The creeping fear of being alone again started to pull at him; with Taeli leaving, his one rock after all this mess, he would be once more alone but without the ego and self-righteous attitude. He nodded, and soon found himself hugging her back. Not fighting it, or acting tough or cocky, but genuinely embracing her and not wanting to let go.

"I’ll do my best," he whispered back, not talking loud for there was no need.

It was a comment that escaped his lips and a new found fear in him born out of the fact Taeli was always right, and that her words chilled him. Being alone was enough of a test.

"Please be careful. I can’t do this without you."

Eyes focused on nothing, over her shoulder, her hair tickling his nose, he began to feel like he was shedding his emotional armour.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Connor Harrison"]

"I won't be leaving your life anytime soon," Taeli whispered back before pulling away a little bit. It was true, she was not not going to something silly like a massive battle for survival and glory get in the way of helping Connor. She had other things to do with her time than dying or getting injured.

"Be the man I know you can be, and you should be able to get past everything that is being set up for you," she said. "Just ... be on the other side of the comm when I call you with the next location ... please ..."

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor nodded, as if obeying a commend and cupped her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

"I shall be waiting. You make sure you don’t forget about me on this adventure."

He wanted to add that he would be here to help, but right now he would do nothing but hinder. She was strong, wise and capable enough to fend for herself, but it seemed to be a distorted dream coming to life. Everyone he felt close to was ripped away in the end – was this the turn of Taeli and a final puncture through Connor’s heart?

"Go give ‘em hell," he said, a reassuring wink following.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]