Earth and Shadow (read desc)

Necklace of Night

Welp, I just gave my life to a boy I've only known for a few days.
But I mean... He accepts me. He's one of the only people who ACTUALLY accepts me...
And he looked so worried, so concerned... I know that he truly cares for me.
But why?
Why does he care for me?
I mean, I saved his life once or twice, protected him, went on a dragon ride with him, and gave him some pointers on how to fight.
Now that I think about it... Why did *I* do that? Why did I do all that for him, someone I barely know..?
I mean, I sort of know why. It was more of a feeling, I guess. He looked so cute, and he acted so sweet, its hard NOT helping him.
I quickly shook away the thought. Cute?
But its more then just that.
He reminds me so much of Nico its scary. They have the same smile, the same happy manner, and they both accepted who I was regardless of my past, and without a moments hesitation too. And they both genuinely care for me.
I mean, maybe I'm being naïve. Maybe its all an act or something.
...But he's really starting to make me feel a certain way.
I looked at the beautiful rose I now held in my hand. Nico... Rain...
I kissed his cheek.
"Well I love it."
He blushed a lot, going quite pink, and looked away shyly.
"I-I'm glad."
I stretched and yawned. The whole 'Ripping-out-my-soul' thing kind of made me tired, and as I looked out the sun was above the horizon, just beginning to paint the sky with colours.
"Man its already getting late? Welp, I guess that's what happens when you sit around all day."
He giggled a little
"Yeah, You should go to sleep."
"Yeah probably.. Will you be staying here or going back to your own land?"
He hesitated and sighed
"I'll stay this night... But I have to leave tomorrow sadly.."
"Oh.. Why?"
"I'll fade away..."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"W-What do you mean you'll fade away?"
"There's a magic stone that gives me my magic and life.. If I'm too far away from it for a certain amount of time I'll basically die and become a spirit to possess someone in the human world."
I looked away, trying to hide my disappointment. I had finally found a friend, and from what he's saying he won't be able to stay by me.
"Then... I guess I'll have to visit you."
"Yeah.. And I'll send you letters too!" He smiled a bit, trying to stick to the positive. But I wasn't too convinced things would get better.
Then I thought about something.
"Hey, now that I got the whole crystal thing sorted out, I'm fairly sure I can visit you whenever you need me."
"Really?? I mean, that's great."
I smiled.
"yeah, I can't stay away from scratch for too long, but I am pretty sure that giving my crystal shard to you may have overrode my curse, at least somewhat, so I can check in a lot more."
He grinned, excited.
"Yay!"
"Here." I took my crystal and made a black cord out of shadows. I wrapped it around the crystal, tying it, until it was a makeshift necklace. I put it on Rain.
I ruffled his hair.
"That should work, it looks nice too."
He looked down at it and smiled slightly, a bit sad.
"Is something wrong?"
He look up at me again and shook his head.
"No, not at all."
I knew something was wrong, but it would be no use pushing him, so I simply said
"That's good. Well, we'd better head back now. It's getting late."
He nodded. We both got up and started walking back to the house.
I held onto the rose while we walked, and glanced down at it from time to time. Rain hummed a tune as we walked, seeming quite content.
I looked at him, then smiled.
I guess some things can turn for the better after all.