//------------------------------//
// No One But You 
// Story: My Son, My Soldier, My Hero 
// by That_Random_Pony 
//------------------------------//


Ten days later…



Draco rotated his shoulder slowly, Nimani's hand on his shoulder blade as he did so. "Any pain?" She asked. 

"Not at all," Draco chuckled, turning to face her. "Is that it?"

Nimani shook her head and placed a hand over his heart, and the other on the pulse under his neck. She kept still as she felt his heart beat and his pulse throb. "Your vitals are looking normal again," she said. "Alright. One last check. Turn around."

He did so, then stifled a gasp as he felt her hands grasp his shoulders gently. She applied minimal amounts of pressure, her hands running along his muscles. 

"Are you feeling anything?" She asked softly. He noticed how quiet she had become, then cleared his throat and shook his head.

"N-No," he stammered. "It's fine."

Nimani nodded and moved away. "Good… so your body's finally healed," she smiled. "Your energy may need some time to recuperate. It isn't as quick to accumulate, especially after your brawl."

"I noticed," Draco laughed lightly, stretching his arms. Nimani glanced at his form, then quickly averted her gaze. "So… does this mean I can leave?"

With a small sigh, she nodded. "Yes. You don't need to stay here any longer," Nimani told him, looking to the counter as she gathered her mother's herbs and solutions. "Just… speak with your brothers and inform them you'll be going… wherever you're going."

Draco rose a brow as he heard her slightly mellow tone. "You sound a bit down," he said with a slight chuckle. "Is everything alright?"

She turned to him, shaking her head and handing him his blade. "No… but I won't keep you with my own troubles," Nimani coldly stated. "Here. I'll need a moment to gather what I need for my mother. You should be going."

He could hear how she was trying to get him out quickly… almost desperately. Deciding that provoking her was not the best option, Draco sighed and reached for the Daedalak. His hand touched hers, and he froze slightly when he heard her inhale sharply. He couldn't help but notice how… delicate her hands felt. Like silk… and they were small compared to his. Draco was utterly confused as he felt his heart race as he tried to mentally will himself to move his hand, but his body was numb and stiff. 

With a glance down, he realized Nimani was breathing a bit quickly and trying her best to avoid eye contact. But the moment she chanced to look up at him, she regretted it. It was impossible for her to keep her eyes away from his, and it was only now that Draco had a clear view of her cyan eyes. Just like his own, they were cosmic-like… as if he were looking into space. He couldn't tear his gaze away, and he was oblivious to how much closer their faces were getting. Slowly, the flat of the blade pressed into his chest as he moved forward, leaning down as their eyes closed.

Her breath… tickled his nostrils, and teased his lips. Nimani slowly closed her eyes, stepping closer and placing her leg against his as their lips inched closer. Draco's eyes gently closed, and he shivered as he felt the teasing presence of her lips near his own.

But they separated as the door hummed and slid to the side. Draco clumsily dropped the Daedalak to the ground and Nimani spun back to the counter, both of their faces flushed heavily. Agner walked in, looking at the two suspiciously as his little brother fumbled with his own blade.

"Is your balance off?" Agner questioned with a chuckle. 

"I-I just knocked it into my arm," Draco answered quickly, fixing the strap to his chest as he placed his blade on his back. "Is there something you needed?"

"Not exactly," Agner chuckled. "I just wanted to see how your healing was coming along. You look better."

"I feel better," Draco nodded. "Where are the others?"

"Jaqeluu is still recovering some," Agner chuckled sheepishly. "Jerosh is helping Figanti decide how hard he should train you, and Derekosh and Fermot are leaving for the castle to inform your mother of what's happened."

Hearing that his brothers were visiting his mother made him a bit saddened that he still couldn't see her. "Is she… alright?" Draco asked.

Agner placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "She misses you dearly, Reku'un," he sighed. "But she knows you must do this… and she is proud to know that you are doing this for not only them, but for the sake of the galaxies around."

His little brother nodded slowly, moving to his bed and leaning against it. "Thank you, brother. Where will you be going, now?"

Agner shrugged. "Now that your training with us is complete, I'll be stationed on other vessels, or here to help Figanti. I might even leave to help the maturing Signa." He leaned on his spear and shook his head. "Just promise that you will train as hard as you have with us with Uncle."

"I will. I promise," Draco nodded firmly.

Agner returned the gesture and mounted his spear on his back and readied to leave. Before he reached the door, he turned back to his brother and looked at the medallion. "Do this for them, Reku'un… make their eternal rest meaningful."

Draco smiled lightly and nodded. Agner went through the door and left. Before Draco could do anything else, Nimani rushed out afterwards, going down the opposite hall. "Nimani!" 

She didn't slow down as she approached the next door, but Draco ran to catch up with her. As the door slid open, he stood on the threshold and blocked her path.

"Reku'un, move," she ordered softly.

"Nimani, I… I'm sorry," Draco said. "I don't know what—!"

Nimani grabbed him by the collar and kissed his lips. She pulled away reluctantly, sighing as she closed her eyes. "Most Loki'irians only love once in their life," she whispered, her eyes watering. "Very few have more than one love… and even fewer ever love freely." She looked up at him with a longing look in her eye. "I know that I love you, and I know that you could one day love me… but you are to be wed to the Nera'ak… Ember. I'm sorry for what I did… but I know I'll never see you again and I'll never know what love is. So… this is goodbye, Reku'un."

Draco watched as she hurried past the door. She wiped her eyes quickly, and that was all he saw before the doors slid closed. He sighed softly, looking to the panel and hesitating to touch it so he could open the door and go after her. But if he did… he knew, he just knew, that it would mean a whole new slew of complications to his promise to Ember. He loved her, more than anything in the world… but he just met the one being that could never love anyone but him. It made his heart sting, knowing he could keep her from that eternal pain… to keep her from being alone until the day she died. 

But he couldn't turn his back on Ember, and he knew he couldn't live with himself if he deliberately courted Nimani while they were engaged. He made his decision, and his hand moved away from the door and rested at his side.

"Goodbye… Nimani."