Protector

bright green eyes

It was a clear, sunny day in the heart of summer, one of those days when staying inside is just not an option, and I was running through the castle grounds, not a care in the world.

"Come on!" came a call.

Rounding a corner, I saw him standing there under the old oak tree, smiling at me with that crooked grin I knew was mirrored on my face. He turned and started to climb, nimbly scaling the branches, disappearing into the leaves. Running to the trunk, I pulled myself up and caught a branch, rushing to follow him. He stopped, nearly at the top and peered down at me, smirking.

"Could you be going any slower?"

Laughing, I reached for a branch just below where he sat perched, but as soon as I grabbed it, I felt it start to give way. As it broke off completely, the world slowed to a crawl.

I was suddenly bombarded a horribly sinking feeling and I watched as the future was ripped away before my eyes, a cry bursting from my lips, gravity claiming me once again. Up above, I saw his shocked face slowly start to get further away.

Was this it?

Could I have so quickly reached the end of my path?
Then, as if a switch had been flicked inside him, his expression changed, and quick as a flash he thrust his hand down to meet mine, grabbing on tight. He held on as though he would never let go.
And then the world sped up again. Heart racing, legs dangling, I was hanging on tight to a single lifeline. Grabbing another branch, I pulled myself up to him. Before I could say anything, he enveloped me in a hug filled with so much unspoken emotions, that I couldn't speak even if I wanted to.

So I didn't. I just rested there, safe in his arms.

When we finally pulled apart, his bright green eyes were filled with tears, and I realized just how much he cared for me.I was bombarded with the realization of how losing him would be like losing half of me. It would be breaking into a thousand tiny pieces and knowing he's not there to put me back together again. And as we sat there together at the top of the old oak tree, I knew Jaron felt the same.

{Thank you guys for reading! Sorry this chapter was so short, as it was a memory. Don't forget to vote and comment so others can read it too! Love you all <3}