In which the depth of Kaden's love for Tessa is shed light upon.

Pairing/s: Tessa Brennan/Kaden Gray

Warning/s: Battle sequences, death

Word Count: 850

'You are my sunshine
My only sunshine'

Tessa was laughing, the sound that caused Kaden's heartbeat to pulse even faster than it always did when he was with her. She was spinning, her dress flying out around her with each twirl.

"Having fun?" Kaden grinned, following his love.

Tessa stopped spinning as Kaden approached. She smiled, her eyes sparkling like sunlight on the ocean's surface. Kaden could get lost in those eyes, he knew it; he's done it before.

"Just a bit," Tessa responded, smirking a bit. Her lips were pink, coated with some fruity Chapstick that Kaden wanted to get a taste of.

He slipped his hands in hers, taking her in.

'You make me happy
When skies are grey'

She was beautiful, so incredibly gorgeous that she could put his own mother to shame. Her long thick dark hair, her crystalline eyes, her soft lips. Everything about her was radiant, from her appearance to her fiery personality.

Ever since they'd met at thirteen, Kaden had been irreversibly in love with Tessa Brennan. He did everything he could to get close to her, and it paid off. They'd built a beautiful friendship, and finally, it has evolved into romance.

Kaden leant down to rest his forehead against Tessa's. They stood there, inches apart, listening to one another's breathing patterns and heartbeats, the songs of one another's soul. Kaden wanted to freeze moments like these and live in them forever, because he knew how short time was for them.

But Tessa made him want to keep going, keep enduring, live a thousand lives without her if it meant having her for eternity. Her love was the ultimate reward, her companionship something Kaden would give the world for.

He pulled away to lean back down, only this time to press his lips to hers, softly, sweetly, as if she might break. She kissed back, and it was always in that moment that Kaden felt the same relief and joy as he smiled into the kiss and pulled her closer.

'You'll never know, dear
How much I love you'

...

But that had been before. Happiness and serenity had turned to war. Each new day brought a new fear, a new danger, a new possibility of destruction. They were running out of time, but as Kaden slashed his sword, his mind was on one thing: Tessa.

The monster disintegrated before his eyes, turning into dust as gold as his blade. Kaden whirled around, taking a ragged breath. "Tessa?" He called.

No reply.

Panic. He surged through the battlefield, searching for his love. She was too far, or too busy, to have heard him. Right? Of course, right. She'd ride in on a tidal wave and save the day, like she always did.

But the Tessa lying in a pool of blood was not his Tessa. Not his strong Tessa, the one who had died and come back and saved the day in under ten minutes. Not his sensitive Tessa, who confessed everything to him and was his confidant.

Kaden felt the world go dark. His sword clattered to the ground, his senses becoming numb. He collapsed beside her, his breathing shallow.

"T-Tessa?" He stammered, his voice catching as sobs began to form.

No answer. Only pale crystalline eyes staring up at a sky they couldn't see.

Kaden felt his throat constrict. She was gone. His Tessa, his laughter, his happiness, his solace, gone. His sunlight. Gone.

He broke down, tears streaming down his face. All his life, Kaden had lost those closest to him. And now, it was proven that he couldn't even protect the woman he loved.

'So please don't take my sunshine away'

...

"Kaden?" A soft voice pierced his mind. "Kaden, wake up."

Kaden's eyes shot up, emerald tinged with red. He sat up bolt straight, looking around and breathing heavily. "Tessa," he croaked. "Where's Tessa?"

"I'm right here," the voice said again, slightly confused but comforting none the less.

Kaden turned, and nearly sobbed in relief at seeing Tessa beside him, her hair swept over her shoulder. Her green eyes were bleary with sleep, but sharp and focused.

"Did you have a nightmare?" She asked, reaching up to rest a hand on his shoulder.

Kaden took a deep breath. She was safe. She was alive. He had been dreaming. He reached up and covered Tessa's hand with his own, turning back and not hesitating as he crashed his lips to hers.

He could feel her surprise, and almost pulled away to apologize, but Tessa kissed back with the same force and sweetness. When he needed air, he broke away, his breathing shaky.

"I love you, Tessa," he breathed. He cupped her cheek in one hand, looking into her eyes. "Please promise me you'll be safe wherever you go." His voice was hoarse as he spoke.

Tessa searched his eyes but nodded, kissing him in response. "I promise."

Kaden basked in the kiss for a little while longer before pulling Tessa into his arms and reclining back down. He kissed the top of her head, her head settled over his heart.

As Tessa fell asleep, Kaden played with her hair, stroked her arm, left gentle kisses on her forehead. He glanced up at the ceiling of their room and found himself whispering with every ounce of sincerity he had,

"Please don't take my sunshine away."