Cervato - Girl On Fire (Part 1 of Cervato's Saga)

Brave

His hand was warm in hers as they walked together towards her office late into the evening. Side by side, the couple walked together in silence. Cervato slowed her pace for Atreyu, in consideration of his injuries, before they finally had arrived at their destination. As Cervato shut the door behind them, her fingers secured the lock in place, ensuring that they would not be interrupted.

Her smile was small but genuine as she moved to take a seat on one of Arvanna's plush loveseat couches. "Let's sit over here. More room and...I'm secretly jealous of these." She admitted with a laugh as she patted the cushioned seat next to her. Atreyu soon joined her with his own smile displayed. "Who wouldn't?" He replied. Cervato moved closer to her husband, shoulders touching as both her hands sought to hold one of his. The same warmth was held between her palms and she remained quiet for a time, studying his hand in her own.

She loved so many things about the man by her side. So much that would be impossible to count in her entire lifetime. The silence currently between the pair wasn't insufferable or suffocating, but like a veil being placed over both of them of understanding and contentment. The simple act of being alone together caused her heart to swell with emotions and memories.

"How are you feeling, Atreyu?" She'd asked this many times that afternoon, enough to warrant scolding. Her fingers explored the back of his hand as her eyes were currently focused on examining it while waiting for his reply.

"Better than before. Still sore over what happened though." He admitted with some semblance of the grumbled answer he always gave her after each time she asked. It was a matter of pride more than physical pain.

"I know. I'm sorry. I just worry about you..." Her voice trailed off as she continued to hold his hand in her lap.

"What you wanted to talk about....wasn't about my injury though." His insight into what she was really thinking without even asking never ceased to amaze the woman. This observation caused her to glance up and stare into his piercing blue gaze.

"You're right. Though I do care about what happened to you. What I wanted to talk about was..." Fear. She was losing her nerve again, just like the previous night when they had taken a stroll in a small park within Divinity's Reach. "....was about what Dave said." Last evening, she had explained about how Dave, the medical assistant always stationed in the Accord's HQ, had taken her blood sample, testing for clues as to her heart's condition. Atreyu watched her and said nothing, allowing Cervato to continue to speak.

"He said...." This time her voice did fail her. How could she possibly say this to him? Was she really going to hide this from the man she loved most? The memory of Atreyu cradling her form in his arms in the dusty old house within Ebonhawke came back at full force. Leading of course to the confrontation over a year later after their marriage in a corner of the Crown Pavilion. The occasional thought would sneak up on her at times where she would find herself captivated by his profile and these memories would flood her mind. "I'm afraid." She whispered out. Her gaze faltered as it fell back to his hand resting upon her thigh, clutched tightly by hers. Tears were threatening to fall suddenly and she felt like running.

"Cervato?" Atreyu appeared confused and concerned as he shifted on the loveseat. There. That was it. His voice. His presence. Her body stopped trembling before she even noticed as her now determined gaze found his.

"Whenever you are ready to ask, I will say yes." Cervato said to Atreyu as they were walking together towards the Gate Hub Plaza within Lion's Arch to go back to Divnity's Reach. He stopped at her words, a perplexed look on his face then. Every single time he had asked, she always said yes, but fate kept tearing them apart. Cervato walked a few steps ahead of him, pivoting to stand immediately in front of the shifting asura gate and looking upon him with a warm expression. "And if you should ever want a child, I promise to give you one." Atreyu's eyes had immediately opened up wider at her statement before she disappeared through the gate with one step backwards. As she appeared in Divinity's Reach, she had even surprised herself with those words and was thankful that it had taken Atreyu several moments longer to make it through the gate so she could regain her composure.

Atreyu's family had been viciously torn apart so long ago. There were days she wished she could have known him then. To be someone to help him through the struggles of losing a loving mother and father. To deal with the pain of betrayal from his brother and other siblings. There were many times she'd catch Atreyu lost in his own world, as if reliving those moments from his childhood. Despite all of this, Atreyu had become a kind and chivalrous man who would always help people in need. He was able to find the ability to smile and laugh with others. Cervato understood he held an inner strength that surpassed anyone she had ever come to know in her lifetime. That was why she truly wished she could always bring him happiness. For Atreyu had suffered enough. She wanted to be the one to bring that light and joy to his world.

Both of them had been kneeling in front of the statue of Balthazar in Orr. The land, despite still plagued by Risen, was in it's own way beautiful. Cervato had fulfilled her wish of being able to visit the Temple of Balthazar in the desolate land with her love. She had asked him to pray with her. And as she bowed her head, she silently asked for the strength to remain by his side forever. That their fates would never part again. That she could always shelter and protect him from any dangers that may threaten their lives once more. When she opened her eyes, she found him watching her and he had asked...

Cervato picked up his hand and pressed it tightly with both of hers against her abdomen.

Today, she would be brave. For him.  For herself.  For their child.