Wun Rei Reflects: stand alone

It was late and the only light in the room was a candle.  The storm outside was in its third hour and it didn't seem like it would be stopping any time soon.  Wun-rei, the momoto who'd learned how to use the human art of kung fu to aide him in his struggle, watched over his slumbering partner.

 

Sometimes it surprised him, how this fiery little girl, no, young woman, was the owner of his book.  But after training and fighting with her for as long as they had, he couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

 

Of course, there were more personal reasons he enjoyed having Li-ann by his side.  Things he knew she was aware of, but they seldom mentioned.  It was a conscious choice, one bred out of fear that their enemies would use it against them.  Still, there were moments, like this quiet one now, where Wun-rei would let his heart be open and his mind entertain the thought of a long future together.

 

Wun-rei had no idea how much longer the battle for king would last.  Selfishly, he wished it would go on forever, so that he would get to stay with Li-ann.  He had no idea what would happen if he became king, whether or not Li-ann would want, or even could, come with him.  He wondered if it came down to him and someone noble, like Zatch, if he could simply forfeit and be allowed to return to Earth.

 

Li-ann had risked her life to see him freed, to be with him again.  She defied her father to do what was right, to be with the one she cared for.  The one she loved.

 

The first time she'd whispered it to him, she thought he was a sleep, he couldn't believe his ears but was afraid of startling her so he laid as still as he could.

 

The second time had been after the end of a grueling battle that had injured them both.  There'd been an explosion and she'd thought he had fallen.  He held her shaking form as she fought tears, confessing her feelings through sniffles and hiccups.  She'd looked up at him when he hadn't responded; terrified that he didn't feel the same way.  Though he wasn't able to yet say the words, his smile had reassured her he felt the same.

 

With mixed feelings on both their parts, their relationship hadn't progressed much beyond that.  The constant threat of danger from both other momotos and Li-ann's criminal father.  Still, they'd managed to find comfort when they needed it and some things that had been awkward made a little more sense now.

 

Lightning lit the room in an eerie glow and thunder shook the window.  The small room was drafty and the candle was blown out once again.  Sighing out of his musings, Wun-rei stood and went to re-light it but stopped when he heard Li-ann stir.  He glanced back to the bed and noticed her shivering under the thin blanket.  Deciding it was too late to be sitting in the dark and that any threat from the outside was more from the weather causing Li-ann to get a cold, Wun-rei changed direction and headed for the small bed.

 

Laying down against Li-ann's back and putting his arm around her, Wun-rei gave the warmth of his body to the woman that warmed his heart.  Almost instantly, she stopped shivering and lay peacefully dreaming.  Wun-rei allowed his eyes to close and join her in slumber.