The Knights and the Princess 2

Prologue

I woke up in more pain than I had ever been in before. I didn't know if it was from when I got hit by all those rocks during the earthquake, when I hurt myself running around and trying to find Blue yesterday morning, or if it was from injuries I had already received from days before. Maybe it was just because of all of them. All I knew was that it felt as if people were gripping different parts of my body as hard as they possibly could in an attempt to break it, trying to sink rocks into my skin. My muscles were also incredibly sore and I bet the reason why was because I strained my body too much.

A lot of stuff had happened yesterday-not only to me, but Blue as well, and I had blacked-out more than once. The only comfort I was feeling as I drifted into consciousness was the hand gently running fingers through my hair and ridding it of all tangles, letting the occasional curl bounce up. I groaned, mumbling as I woke, and tried to shift and change position as I realized I was hugging Blue's thigh, my chest resting in his lap. Unfortunately I only succeeded in making what felt like a raging fire course through all the cuts and bruises my body possessed. I went limp almost immediately upon feeling the pain.

Blue's hand paused temporarily as he realized I was awake, only to soon continue what it was doing. There was a squeak, informing me of Ao's presence, and I felt her nuzzle my right hand which was laying lifelessly on the ground. I cringed, hissing and nearly recoiling as an intense sharp pain shot all the way up from my hand and to my shoulder. A whimper unwillingly escaped and I felt completely pathetic due to my inability to move without hurting myself.

"?" Blue looked down at me and tilted his head. He was wearing his mask, the fur attached, and was fully clothed. I could still think clearly for the most part, and the childish part of me was quite relieved he wasn't half-naked anymore.

"It hurts..." I bit out in response in an attempt to explain, and I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to bury my face in his thigh. My voice cracked, quiet and shaky, and it was hard to speak. "E-Everything hurts..." Make it stop. Please, just make it stop. Every bruise, varying from colors of purple to yellow, hurt at the slightest brush of cloth. Even my side was throbbing a little, but it was minuscule compared to everything else I was feeling. But despite it all I found myself curling closer to Blue, craving his comfort and affection.

For a few long moments we remained in silence, Blue not saying anything and merely petting my head as I laid there silently crying. Suddenly the pain hit me at full force as he slid an arm underneath me, lifting me into a sitting position effortlessly while sliding me into his lap. Blue leaned me against his chest and a small whimper escaped me as my head hit his shoulder. I felt him kiss my forehead and, even though I knew I shouldn't be moving as much I was, I found myself burying my face into the curve of his neck near his shoulder.

His left hand rested on my back, his other arm just draped loosely across my lower back. I didn't bother questioning how I ended up using his thigh as a pillow when I woke up; I didn't care. We cuddled in similar positions to this before anyway, so why would it bother me now?

I stopped moving and the pain lessened, though part of my body still ached because I was pressed against him. Even still I welcomed that tiny amount of pain as it mean that I could be near Blue-someone whom I trusted and cared about. I had nothing to fear if he was with me and I knew he wouldn't let anything harm me. He claimed I was "important" to him and selfish as it might be, I wanted to keep clinging to him. Even though it was yesterday it still felt like it was forever ago that I was laying lifeless on the floor, Yona and Yun nothing more than "dangerous" intruders who would hurt us. Blue, despite the emotional turmoil and pain he was in still tried to protect me. He stood between us, keeping Yona and I separated, because he didn't want me to be hurt. At least, not anymore than I was.

But I don't want him to be hurt either... I doubt anyone could physically hurt him, but I was scared of him being more emotionally wounded than he already is. The villagers had hurt him so bad... I just want to shield him from those who would try to harm him. I want to protect him, too, but... I doubt I'm strong enough.

I know I'm definitely missing muscle and I'm not too entirely sure how strong-willed I am. So protecting him was probably impossible. Blue, on the other hand, could probably lift my entire body up with one arm if he wanted. He was quite muscular and was the farthest from fat, and if his weight from when he was crushing me the other day is anything to go by then holy hobgoblins he's packed with muscle. Most of that weight was muscle and he was heavy enough to sprain my ankle! Even if I wanted to there was no way I'd be able to match, or surpass, him in strength. Maybe if I'm lucky I can just talk my way out of situations. I despise violence.

Doesn't mean I don't know that it isn't necessary at times. I don't like it, but I have to live with it. I guess the most I can do is just stand by Blue like I've been doing. It's not like I'm good at anything else.

I held back a sigh and just listened to his heart beat, able to feel it pounding away in his chest. It was calming and reassuring, so I focused on it.

It reminded me that he was alive and here with me, and that this wasn't a dream. It reminded me that we were far far away from the villagers and that he hadn't left me alone. This pain was real... and so was our situation.

~~