Saving Soul

"Cold" Anja murmured. "That's all"

"Let me find you another blanket then," said Adair, looking around. He knew the extra blankets were around here somewhere.

"no..." Anja murmured. "I'm fine."

"Cold is not fine," Adair replied, finally finding the blankets and putting on over her. "That better?"

"... Yes" Anja murmured. "But you don't have to be so nice to me... I know I don't deserve it"

"This wasn't your fault," Adair answered, sitting down next to her. "We're the ones that dragged you into this."

"you didn't really drag me into anything." Anja mumbled. "I have the worst luck. Everything bad always happens to me. Especially around heroes. If it wasn't you it would have been something else."

"Either way it's not your fault then," replied Adair. "So stop blaming yourself for it."

Anja shrugged. "Who else is there?"

(He needs to get all lovey. Or at least ask what other bad luck she's had with heroes.)

"How about those other Heroes?" Adair suggested. He wondered if he should tell Anja about her little sleep walk-and-talk episode.

Anja shrugged. "Killed my village. Wanted to arrest us. Nearly got me killed over my summons. Wanted to arrest me. You. Your brother."

"You forgot to include the other family members there too," Adair replied half-humorously, half-sadly.

Daniel. What were they going to do about Daniel? If he could be saved...

"Anyway, sounds like it's mostly their fault to me."

"But my actions led to it anyway." Anja replied.

"That's not..." Adair began, before pausing. "You shouldn't...let yourself be used."

Anja snorted. "What do you know. I don't let anything." She snapped, curling into a ball. His remark had hit home, reopening every mental scar that she had acquired since she was 13.

Now you've done it, Adair thought to himself. "I'm sorry Anja."

He lifted her up and held her in his arms, not saying anything else. His tongue caused him nothing but trouble lately.

Anja sniffled pathetically, tears rolling down her cheeks. She let her head rest against his chest. "I don't do it on purpose." She whispered.

"I don't say stupid things on purpose either," said Adair, kissing the top of her head. "I'm just...stupid like that."

Anja pulled the blanket up over her chin and curled her head into his chest. She sniffled again.

Adair pulled her closer as he planted more smooches on her head. "It's alright, it's alright."

Anja closed her eyes and just let him. She was so tired, and so comfortable, she just drifted off without realizing.

When Anja had fallen asleep Adair rested his head on top of hers. Soon he began to drift off as well.

Anja soon began to talk softly in her sleep. None of it was understandable.

"Mmm?" Adair hummed drowsily at the sound of her murmuring voice. "Shh..." he replied, nuzzling her hair lightly.

Anja grumbled softly, but fell still.