from ' trip down memory lane ' - still accepting ! !
a memory from when nod was nineteen .
" NOD , BEHIND YOU ! ! "
the sounds of retreat from the opposing side had nearly drowned out the desperate cries of his friend . the brunette , who had nearly entirely let his guard down , shot a sudden elbow behind him into the groin of his attacker , delivering a final blow with a kick to the boggan , already weakened from the battle that they had surrendered to only seconds earlier .
a satisfied smile , turning to face the man who had just helped nod narrowily avoid certain death - or at least a really nasty concussion . silas , the soldier in question , was jogging over - his face expressing nothing more than raw worry .
" are you okay ? ! " silas gasped , a hand grabbing his peers shoulder with a trembling grip . his fingers pressed into the back of nods neck , attempting to keep the brunette still long enough to study him for any serious injuries . nod , on the other hand , laughed as he waved his friends arm into a more relaxed state , shaking his head .
" i'm fine , silas ! geez , you're starting to sound like ronin with tara , " the maverick mused . the blonde across from him let out a relenting sigh , before taking the hand that was behind his friend and using it to smack the backside of nods head , muttering an ' asshole ' under his breath .
a call from their commander ushered the young men forward , along with everyone else in the squad that had been dispatched to infiltrate the village that was under attack . nod took a moment to smile at the jinn who were peering out of their hiding places , teary-eyed reunions uniting the seperated kin . however , something felt . . absent . as if something was out of place .
a frown fell on nod's face , waiting for a moment for the feeling to dissipate . . but it didn't .
silas glanced over his shoulder , calling out a " hey , you coming ? "
" yeah , yeah . . just . . just give me a minute , " he replied , waving a hand dismissively in the blondes direction .
nod stepped deeper into the village , offering a gentle smile to the jinn who were throwing their gratitude at him . however , his ability to soak up the praise was inhibited by the hollow feeling in him . he continued to push through the edge of the village , until he found himself in a deep thrush , the grass towering over his frame .
seconds turned into minutes , and nod found himself much farther away than he had anticipated . he knew that he was in for a scolding when he finally returned , caked in mud and blood from the battle . 'don't wander away from the group , nod ' , or ' you could've given us a heart attack , nod , ' or ' stop hitting on that rose and get back to work , nod , ' - stupid shit .
just when the leafman was about to retreat , however , his thoughts were interrupted by a bout of tiny squeals . they came from someone who was clearly far younger , their voice barely able to gather any attention from a flock of birds who were nesting just a few yards above . nod stopped dead in his tracks , listening once again for the muted cry .
' . . he . . lp . . '
nod broke into a full on sprint , his heart suddenly beating violently in his chest . he didn't understand why , but those tiny cries for help ignited in a determination in him that he didn't know was possible . his sword was drawn , his armor still disheveled from the previous battle , leaping over any obstacles in his way as he gained speed . hang in there , he was almost there , hold on just a little long -
. . - er .
perched by a patch of weeds at the base of the tree kneeled a small mushroom jinn , clearly having have just sprouted . he was wringing his hands together in a nervous fashion , glancing around frantically . it was clear by the quiver in his voice that he was doing his best to keep himself together - but the fear of the impending night was taking over .
" hey . . hey , it's okay , " nod called out , doing his best to keep his voice steady and hushed . the mushroom let out a gasp , quickly turning towards the source of the noise . he stiffened in on himself , eyes darting nervously towards the sword that nod was brandishing . the soldier quickly caught on , however , sheathing the weapon with an apologetic chuckle .
" oh ! sorry , don't - don't worry about that , " he mused , kneeling down onto one of his knees to better face the jinn - even though he didn't approach him . he didn't want to scare the young boy away , he knew first hand how intimidating the leafmen could be in their armor .
" who . . who are you , " the jinn trembled out , eyes shifting warily over nod to examine him .
" i'm nod ! " the soldier replied cheerfully , forearm resting on his leg , " what's your name ? "
" waylen . . "
" well , waylen ~ - what are you doing all the way out here ? "
the jinn seemed taken aback by the question for a brief moment , before guilt overtook his expression , gaze shifting to the ground . " i . . i ran away , " he confessed , voice meek .
. . i don't blame you .
" . . waylen . . look at me , it's okay . " nod coaxed , his head lowering to attempt to catch the gaze of waylen in order to offer him a genuine , comforting smile . " you were scared , i would have done the same thing ! "
" no you wouldn't have . . you're a . . a weedman ! " thanks . " you're not scared of anything ! "
wrong name aside , nod laughed , " you don't think i don't want to run away when i have the boggans after me ? those guys are so . . " nod made a contorted gesture as he searched for the right words , in which waylen laughed .
" gross ! ! " he finished triumphantly , voice laced with giggles . nod joined in the amusement , nodding eagerly .
" exactly ! but , i don't , because i know i have people who . . who love me . and will take care of me . "
nod offered a hand to the mushroom , " just like your family will for you . "
despite the faded laughter , a ghost of a smile remained on waylen's mouth . he glanced towards nod's hand slowly before drifting upwards to the leafmans sturdy gaze , returning the gesture with a enthusiastic , firm nod of his own . the jinn took his hand , and berated nod with questions as the two headed towards his village once more .
" thank you ! ! " came the exasperated cry of a worried mother , scooping her son into her arms . nod didn't have much to say , for once . all he could do was smile tenderly at the moment , offer a dip of his head , and head back to the base .
it was weird - the entire encounter . it was almost as if nod saw himself in the young jinn boy , reliving a memory that he had buried a long time ago .
. . if only he could have said those same things to himself .
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