In My Arms Again

[»Míríel«]

Even as Jaedon felt disappointment at her failure something was going on within that she didn't expect. The Neron within had been waiting for the bad to put his guard down. He had been expecting a struggle from the good side right at Jaedon's kiss, he was armored and ready. Neron didn't have the strength at that moment to content with him. So he had waited. Right when the elation poured through his senses he knew the time was right. The black side of him wasn't expecting anything, he thought he had won.

Pushing against the wall he had backed himself against he through himself against the wall before him, letting his wings propel him even harder. It only took one hit. The dark wall crumbled and the green dragon burst through the stones. The fight was not over, it had just begun.

On the outside just as Jaedon finished those words she would have noticed a change in Neron's face. It was as if her froze for a moment, his jaw clenched, the smirk pasted on his face. Then it began to waver. His head bowed and his hands began quivering as they lifted to his head. "No..." It was all he could muster before the good and the bad collided. His form fell to the floor in anguish against the pain within. Tears gathered in his eyes as he lay there, shaking like a child left out in the cold. His face was contorted as he whispered quietly, "I will.. fight... for you." Then he let out a cry and his eyes shifted. "He will die. I will take him." He was quiet for a bit, though it was apparent that he was fighting. Jaedon had never seen him like this before, Damion was the one who witness it last. Sweat beaded on his head and his eyes had a feverish look on them. "Stay away..." Neron didn't want her anywhere near, if he lost there would be no limit to what his other side would do. He would kill her, or die trying.

[saerwen]

Jaedon was taken aback as Neron crumpled to the floor. Neron hadn't given up! He was still going to try to get out. She longed to run up to him and hold him as he practically writhed in the sand, his inner battle causing an obvious physical pain. She wished that she could help him. But his warning was clear. She could not help him now. She had done what she could. She had given him the chance to fight and now she had to hope and pray that could win on his own.

She simply stood there, watching helplessly. As she stood by, she whispered quietly, "Come on, Neron. I can't live without you. I can't do it. I need you to pull through..." It was true. As selfish as it might have seemed, Jaedon had realized ever since Neron had changed that she couldn't live without her true Neron. His darker side had shown her just how much she depended on his love. He was her rock when she was too weak to stand. But it had also shown her that she could stand against anything that she had to. She had so many people around her that would help her. Tarian, Cecily, Damion, and Miriel...They were all there to lend their aid whenever she needed it. It was a comfort to know that she would never be without a friend. But she hoped that if Neron pulled through, she would never be without him again.

[»Míríel«]

The words that left Jadon's mouth seemed to have giving a rally to the good side, and the fight even grew more fierce. The pain and ferocity that took place could not be described by any other than him. It was one of those things one must experience to know. Jaedon might have been able to feel the anguish through her power with the mind, though it would be best for her to block it out. I seemed like hours had passed for Neron, but in reality it had been only minutes.

The battle had been won, and he lay still, his breathing calming. It felt like he had been beaten with a thousand sticks. Every limb he moved was aching and tired. Lifting his hand, which still shook he pressed it against his face. The light, it was to bright. He squinted at the intensity of it. The water, there was water nearby, it sounded like it was from the ocean. Turning his head stiffly to the side he saw a figure. It was black and blurry, like some sort of shadow. "Where am I. Why is it so bloody bright?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon felt her heart stop as well as her breathing as Neron's body became still. It was over, and it was time to discover who had won. She was terrified to move because she could not yet tell what had happened. If Neron had not won, then there would surely be no other way to save him now. The fight had gone to far for one side not to have been completely pushed back. If Neron had lost then there was no doubt in her mind that he was gone for good.

She stayed there until she heard Neron speak. He was squinting and his hand was soon trying to block out the light of the sun. These were no indication to Jaedon, but she could no longer stand still. Come what may, she had to go to Neron. She knelt down beside him, positioning herself so that her body blocked out much of the suns brightest light. She reached up and brushed some of his hair out of his face. A tear rolled down her cheek. There was no darkness in those eyes. She had hope now. Perhaps she really did have Neron back. She would allow herself to hope until further contradicted.

"Neron, are you alright? Please tell me you're alright."

[»Míríel«]

The blob approached and settled down beside him. There was something familiar about the presence of this person. When she blocked the light from him his eyes were allowed to focus. He touch, her voice. He knew this girl, and when his mind slowly began to realize who it was a smile came to his face. It was the purest smile that came to his lips in a long time. reaching out his still shaking hand he wiped the tear away gently. "Could it be?" His hand drifted upwards and pushed her hair to the side, out of her face. HE had forgotten how silky it was and how it curled with a life of its own. "It is." He laughed slightly. "my little witch."

Neron's hand slipped behind her neck. Pulling her towards him he strained forward and kissed her gently. It only lasted for a moment. Resting his forehead against hers he closed his eyes and sighed. "Thank you. You trickery has come to some use." He smirked in a teasing manner, "For once." Then he let out a groan. He had brought himself into a sitting position and now he pulled his palm over his face. "How did this happen? I don't remember." Then he held up his hand, "Please, in simple words. my head hurts."

[saerwen]

Jaedon gave a verbal sigh of relief as he swiped her tear away. Neron, it really was Neron! He was back to normal! Despite his sweet gesture to stop her tears, they just started coming faster. The difference this time was that they were from a very joyful heart. She had never been so happy in her life. She laughed between her tears, unable to keep herself from smiling. For once in her life, she actually loved to hear that terrible pet name. It meant so much more to her now.

Jaedon couldn't believe that after all of that time, all it had taken was a simple kiss on her part. All of that time, all of that worry, all of Neron's pain. They were all solved by a kiss and Neron fighting at just the right moment. And now, Jaedon was able to enjoy this kiss to the fullest extent that she could in the short time. This one was much better because she knew that Neron meant it. He wanted it.

Jaedon stopped crying as she slid her arm around Neron's back to give him a little more support so that he could sit up. She thought for a moment and then summed it up with, "Aeryn unlocked the black dragon, and he has been causing havoc for me until a few moments ago when I kissed you and you somehow did the rest." She was not going to mention that her cheek still throbbed slightly. It didn't matter anymore. She do it all over again and take much worse just because she would know that it all led up to this one point.

She put her hand to the side of his face, "You never cease to amaze me. I thought I'd never get you back." She paused a moment more before kissing him again. She didn't ever want to pull away.

[»Míríel«]

When Jaedon began crying harder he looked at her in confusion. What had he done? Then she laughed, a beautiful laugh. She was happy. It was ok. Everything, for once was ok. He smiled again and let his eyes study her face. It was perfect. He had missed her, deeply, to voice, her look, even her anger, he missed it all. Running his hand through her hair he savored the texture of it. So this is what it felt like to be in love.

When she explained what had happened, Neron was surprised that he didn't feel anger or rage. He had felt enough of that for a day and for once, he felt that it wasn't needed. All he felt was comfort. Still it didn't stop the questions that began crowding his mind. Just as he was about to unleash them all on her ear he was silenced in the best way possible, a kiss. At first he was stiff, he hadn't been expecting it, but it all washed away as he brought his hand behind her head and brought her closer. He kissed her again, as if he never would be able to again. He pulled away for a moment and looked into her eyes deeply. "I love you Jaedon." He smiled softly, " Every wicked inch." It was then that his eyes caught sight of the redness on her cheek. His gaze saddened and he let his hand trace over the mark softly. "I did this to you?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon felt the joy sweeping over her. For some reason, it felt so much sweeter to kiss Neron than it ever had before. She began to think about how people who were in love would talk about how they came to love their mate more and more every day. Jaedon now seemed to understand what they meant. She knew now that she would probably find Neron's affection more and more wonderful every day, just as she would find the man himself more and more amazing.

She blushed deeply after he kissed her again, and even worse when he spoke. She couldn't help but laugh at his little wicked reference. She now saw just how applicable that name really was to herself. She wouldn't ever want him to stop calling her that again, except for the fact that she lost a lot of face every time he said it because she knew she would blush. Oh well, she could sacrifice her pride for him. It was completely worth it.

Jaedon blinked as she realized that Neron was asking about her cheek. She paused for a moment and then shook her head, "It's alright, it doesn't matter now. You weren't yourself." She put her own hand very gently on top of his, pressing it closer to her cheek. It didn't really hurt, in fact, she rather thought it made it feel better.

[»Míríel«]

Neron liked to see color rise to Jaedon's cheeks. IT gave her face color and brightened those beautiful eyes of her. Somehow it made his heart beat faster to know that something he had said had made her happy, and had pleased her. He hoped he never lost that power.

When she mentioned that he wasn't himself he just shook his head. "I was not. But that does not erase my responsibility." Lifting his and her hand off her cheek he leaned in and kissed it gently. Pulling away he brought her hand closer and covered it with his other. "I'm sorry." Neron looked at her then sighed. "Why you love me I'm not sure." He whispered these words as if they were more thoughts then a statement. Marks of tiredness were showing on his face. Even though he was with Jaedon he had a migraine, every movement he made sent an throbbing to his head. Closing his eyes he squeezed her hand softly. IT was nice to just sit and listen to the waves lap against the shore with Jaedon. He didn't feel the need for words or anything, just rest and savor this moment, imprinting it in his head.

[saerwen]

Jaedon closed her eyes and savored the feeling of his lips against her cheek. She really didn't blame him for it, and she never would. She knew that he would never have done something like that. Now days, if anyone was starting their fights, it was her. She just hoped that after this whole ordeal, she might be over that.

She smiled at him as she opened her eyes, "It's alright, Neron. Don't worry about it. I can barely feel it anymore."

When he mentioned not understand why she still loved him, she narrowed her eyes. She then gave him a smile, "Neron, I think I just realized why I love you so much." She paused as she slowly ran her fingers through his hair, "I love you because you don't even realize how amazing you really are. I love you because you love me, someone so worthless and screwed up, I can barely justify even five of the things that I have ever done in my life and have pure intentions at the end. You are the only person in the world that would actually love someone just as wicked as me." She closed her eyes and leaned in and put her forehead against his own.

She pulled away just a little. She could see how tired Neron was. He needed to rest. He had been through enough to put any ordinary person into a mental asylum. Neron was hardly ordinary, but he was hardly invincible either. He needed to take a little while and cool off, recover, and be worry free. With the crashing waves and warm sun, there really wasn't a better place to recuperate in Jaedon's mind.

She gave a slight smile as she kissed Neron again, her hand sliding up to his chest. She gently pushed him down, positioning her own body a little more over top of his so that her weight helped to push him down. When she pulled away, she pushed some of her hair out of the way, a rather impish grin played on her face, her cheeks flaming pink. "Don't try to get up again."

[»Míríel«]

"I'm glad." He said gently. When she explained why she loved him she just got a silly grin on his face and shook his head. "Perhaps, it is because I am just as wicked as you." IT was true, Neron and JAedon both had dark paths looming behind them. They couldn't deny the past they had, nor did they have to. Both were aware of each others faults and mishaps. Now they were satisfied with looking at the bright future. It gleamed with opportunity and was untouched by any stain. Things would be different, Neron could tell.

Jaedon's kiss brought him back from his thoughts. He savored the feeling of her lips against his. As she pushed him down he didn't even try to resist. He smirked at her, " Yes Ma'am." Reaching out he stroked her cheek again as he himself got mischief on his face. "I will obey you....this time." He wished he could keep his eyes open longer, but he couldn't. So he let them close while letting out a content sigh. "After all I can't resist you. You have bewitched me." He pulled her beside him and put his arm around her. "Haven't you?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon laughed softly at him, "You will obey me every time if I have my way." She gave him a nasty smile. It was purely playful, but it showed her utter enjoyment through and through.

She blushed again when Neron pulled her closer. She was glad that his eyes were closed. She smiled as she rested her head on his chest. She could feel the rhythm of his breathing. It was so calming. She was glad that finally, everything was calm. If anything threatened to come out and destroy that peace, she would not hesitate to kill it. She prized this current state of happiness more than anything else at the moment.

"Yes, I'm guilty as charged. I suppose I'll have to keep you now that you know my secret." She smiled as she closed her eyes and snuggled a little closer to him. She was thoroughly convinced now that this was all that she needed for the rest of her life... However long that might be. She opened her eyes with the thought and looked up at Neron. However, instead of disturbing him, she decided to save it for another time. She would forget everything else and be happy.

[»Míríel«]

"Hmm, we will see about that."

As Jaedon rested her head on his chest Neron smiled. It was so peaceful now, the calm after the storm. How beautiful this calm was and how long it had been since he had last had one. The day's built up exhaustion finally was overtaking him. It wouldn't be long until he fell asleep. As she talked to him he just muttered, "Mmmm, I can't argue with that." His voice was blurred slightly with sleep and it wasn't long until he slipped off into the arms of sleep. For once it was welcome and this time he knew he would have a good rest. Perhaps his luck was changing.

THE END!