TBATE: A Hero's Return

I Need You

Tessia took a deep breath as she stood outside. She just needed to cool down. She'd been talking to so many people today, she just wanted a chance to take a break and find some peace of mind.

And to calm herself before she could face Arthur again.

She was fully aware that he had been in the ballroom. There was no way she could have missed him, so bright and so gorgeous. She'd seen the admiring glances that a lot of men, and mostly women, sent his way.

But she'd been so filled with pride for her efforts that she'd forgotten his existence. This was growth, she thought with amusement. She'd been able to dismiss him from her mind as she'd enjoyed her success and work. She, stubborn Tessia, had accomplished the task her grandfather hoped she would be able to do. It had made her happy enough to forget the existence of the love of her life.

Tessia was proud of herself. She'd been able to get Darvus's older brother to convince Darv to provide more support for the soldiers' family fund. She would be able to go home to Elenoir feeling she had done some good in the world.

She felt the sudden prickle in her consciousness and gave a low laugh.

Growth, indeed. She realized that Arthur had left the other lances in their discussion and had followed her outside.

Tessia could feel her heart beating faster. They were alone, she realized. She felt a sudden wave of anxiety flow through her. She'd lost the safety of the crowd, the protective embrace of knowing what to do when she was around other people. She always floundered when she was around Arthur, especially when it was just the two of them. She was keenly aware that it was night, and they were under the stars, outside on a balcony. The romance of it was too much to bear.

She didn't turn around but felt him walking towards her. She wanted to fall back on her nervous tick, to focus her breath as she tapped her index fingers together, but she resisted. Maybe she'll do it after she is done talking to him, she suddenly thought with a smile. Then she laughed at herself for being so stupid. He probably had no thought of romance whatsoever in his mind.

Okay, he was just a friend. They were just going to chat.

Just talking. With a friend.

Who she'd been in love with for years.

Tessia finally turned around and watched as he approached her slowly.

Growth, hah! she thought with sudden alarm as she felt herself getting warmer the closer he got to her. That growth sure was short-lived! She willed herself not to panic, to calm down.

She kept her eyes on him, watching him walk towards her, fighting to keep her composure even as her heart pounded and drank in her first sight of him in months.

God, Tessia loved how he looked in that form-fitting lance uniform, his cape floating gracefully in the low wind. It fit him well, emphasizing the way he moved with more precision and smoothness. When you've managed to save the world when you were only twenty years old, you just gain confidence in your abilities, she guessed.

It showed. At nearly twenty-two, Arthur walked with ease and comfort, strides long, arms swinging casually at his sides, face forward as if he was always marching towards his next goal. He vibrated with a certain energy as if he knew he was capable of doing anything and everything he set his mind to. His humble desire to keep his family safe led him to constantly push himself beyond his physical limits, even long after he all but guaranteed their happiness and safety.

But she'd always found him handsome and her fingers itched to skim over his body and feel those lean muscles under her skin. To run her hands through his luscious locks of auburn hair. One of these days...