Counting Stars

She stumbled across the battle field. Her eyes closed tightly, her fists clenched, she did not want to see the scattered bodies.

Her long, blood-stained hair stuck to her face. There was dirt smudged across her face. She had been through a lot. The war had tired her out, it had stolen a part of her. 

"Lulu?"

She heard the name echo across the field. She knew that voice. She knew it all too well.

"Don't", desperately trying to raise her gun, she said "don't you dare... call me that." Her breath was short.

"Lulu you're bleeding! You can barely stand."

"Stay away from me Drake. This is a war. We're supposed to fight". Louisa's voice was shaky, but she stayed firm. A tear rolled down her face.

"Rest. Don't fight me." Drake stepped closer. Gently, he placed one hand on the gun she was holding, lowering it. With his other hand he pulled her close. "Even the enemy can have some sympathy."

She didn't resist, because she knew the truth: she trusted him.

A long time she wanted to deny it, wanted to deny that Louisa trusts an enemy general. But that's not what it was. When they are together, she's not Louisa, she's not soldier 104. She is his Lulu. Nothing else matters in the world.

Drake was bandaging up her wounds when he said: "Lulu, why are we still fighting? Look around us-"

She didn't dare look.

"-everyone is dead.... why don't we just run?" he finished.

"Why should we run? Where else should we go... I have nothing left." she replied bitterly.

"You have me."

"Is that enough...?"

"You love me. You said it yourself. Is that not enough?" He was frustrated and confused. He wanted this war to end, but he wouldn't end it without her.

"I do love you, and I don't deny it. But Drake... it's like counting the stars... pointless. "

All she wanted was to cry now.

A moment of silence. 

"It's also pointless to count freckles," he started slowly "...but I know you have 24 on the edge of your right hand." A light smile crossed his face.

She looked up in shock, with glistening eyes. There was a glow in his look.

"You mean-", Louisa started.

"I do. Come on. You don't have to be alone, let us do this together." He stood, and offered his hand.

She smiled. Reaching out, she took it.