One Step at a Time... KOTLC One-shots

One (Tiana)

   The night was silent except for the occasional cricket chirps and the soft sound of a trickling brook near the blanket. The stars covered the sky in a way that made Biana Vacker feel both small and infinite at once. She leaned back on her elbow, her glittering teal dress catching the moonlight as she glazed up.

"You didn't have to follow me, you know," she said, turning her head slightly to glance at Tam, who sat a few feet away. His usual black outfit made him look like a shadow come to life, his silver bangs glowing faintly in the moonlight.

"I didn't follow you. I just...needed air." He whispered so softly it was barely audible. 

Biana smiled knowingly. "Sure, Tammy." 

He groaned, though there was no real annoyance in his tone. He fiddled with a blade of grass, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on the ground. Biana could see the tension in his shoulders, the weight he always carried. It had been a rough mission--The Neverseen had gotten too close. Far too close. 

"You okay?" she asked gently."

"I'm fine."

"Tam."

 Tam sighed, finally lifting his gaze to meet hers. His silvery blue eyes were stormy, and for a moment, Biana's breath hitched. 

"You could have been hurt," he said, his voice sharp but soft, like he was trying to keep it together.

"But I wasn't." She sat up, scooching closer to him. "I'm fine, Linh's fine, the team's fine. We did our job." 

"I should have done more," He said, his hands curling into fists. "If I had been faster with my shadows--"

"You did everything you could." 

He didn't respond, his gaze flitting back to the grass.

Biana tilted her head, watching him for a second before a mischievous grin spread across her face. "You know, brooding doesn't suit you." 

He blinked, startled. "What?"

"Don't get me wrong, it's kinda your thing," she continued, scooching even closer to him, so close their shoulders almost touched. "But  you should smile more. It's...nice."

Tam looked at her like she'd suggested to adopting a gorgodon. "You think I should smile more?"

"Uh-huh." She said, leaning back and resting her weight on her hands. "You've got a good smile. Not that I see it often."

He scoffed, but there was a faint blush creeping up his neck. 

"And anyway," she added, her voice softer now, "it's okay to have bad days, Tam. But don't let them make you forget how amazing you are. You're one of the strongest, smartest, most loyal person I've ever met."

He stared at her, stuttered into silence.

"Not to mention incredibly stubborn," she added with a teasing grin, trying to lighten the mood.

That earned her the faintest twitch of a smile. 

"There it is!" she said triumphantly, grinning at him.

Tam rolled his eyes, but the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease. He leaned back beside her, letting out a long breath. 

"Thanks," he said after a moment, his voice so quiet she almost missed it. 

"Any time, Tammy." She replied, nudging him playfully, and this time, he didn't even bother to correct her. 

They sat in a comfortable silence after that, the stars overhead and the worries of the day fading into the background. And for the first time in a while, both felt like maybe--just maybe--they weren't alone in this darkness. 

          

                        (YAY!! What'd you think, reader? I think this scene is really nice, but then again, I am the author, though I hope I'm not bias. Welp, hope you enjoyed it! Byeee!)
         --TianaSokeefe42