The creatures of night had all retired to their daytime homes, while creatures of day, in their confusion, seemed to stay hidden away as well. The forest was entirely silent, save for steady breaths and the grumbling of a stomach. At these hungry sounds, Night was pulled from blankly staring toward where the sun peeked over the horizon just a sliver before disappearing back behind it.

“Good morning, sunshine,” happy words slipped past a wide smile. Having lasted so long already without trouble from Day was an accomplishment itself. Any moment, though, that hidden sun would again try to come back or Day itself would step down and away from its perch, but even that was likely to take time. Day, so bright and pure, was too good to set foot on earth. That intimacy was something only Night had been accustomed to.

“We should get you something to eat before anything else. Then, the day is yours.”

There was something wrong, not just that Night refused to leave peacefully, but that the nighttime hadn’t left disaster in its path and that Night itself was nowhere to be found. Day would have expected more gloating, if Night intended to start a battle. That horrible creature had never been one to be secretive in his sadism.

Attempting to push away darkness had been a painful task. Usually, it was something to be rushed into, as Night would submissively allow for its time to be put to an end and lay dormant until finally able to engulf light. There was surely a plan behind all of it. Night had too much determination to stay and from that will had sprung a power the likes of which Day had never known Night to wield, even in its petty quest for vengeance.

Taking on a mortal form- something he could walk the earth on was something Day had forgotten all about. It’d been long since it found itself turning to something tangible. Much like Night, Day came from nothing. From a swirl of blinding light came the slowly solidifying figure of a man with hair that shined and glowed as though it was the very sun. For a long while, Day only floated just above the ground. With slow, graceful movement, it made its way down empty streets. The poor villagers were right in being scared out of their wits, even if the past few nights hadn’t brought major disaster, Night was never one to be trusted. Wherever Day crossed, it left a path that lit up the streets and trailed it, fading only as the man disappeared from sight.

Brown eyes flaring open at the words, Eyre smiled almost shyly at Night. Though he'd said he believed the man, he'd not truly believed it in his heart of hearts. Looking around the blond man frowned a little not hearing the birds singing, but he supposed it made sense since this was supposed to be Day's time and yet it was still Night.

"I don't know what I want ..." It had been so long since he'd been given a choice. "Could we have some banana bread, and maybe some apple pie?" The warm smell of the fresh baked bread and the juicy taste of apple pie, Eyre missed them both. Though this wasn't usually the time he ate them, when he'd been allowed to, Eyre wanted to eat the pastries so badly he could already taste them. In fact his stomach was already grumbling again, impatient to be filled with the delicious foods.

While wandering about peering trough the streets with her furtive eyes, the healer caught sight of something wonderful. Latching on to the only light she wanted, Aletta scrambled to follow behind. Breaking into a run as she finally saw someone else outside. The healer did her best not to trip on any unseen things as she ran forward to reach out and garb hold of this stranger.

Instead her fears became true. With a yell Aletta fell onto the one she pursued and ended up clinging to the back of his clothing. Embarrassed, she righted herself and bowed her head slightly. "S-sorry, I' m looking for ... I mean that was an accident ... Oh, I don't know what to say!" Blushing furiously she stared at little at the man whose hair looked like it was shining. Aletta knew that couldn't be true though and she was just imaging more light to comfort herself under Night's sky.

A smile did not belong on the face of such a dark creature as Night itself, yet one was planted on his face. Night had never been one to need to retrieve food, but at again hearing the demand of the blonde’s stomach, was prompted to want to find just the mentioned foods as quickly as was possible. The only challenge this little job posed was the digging back into vague memories to remember where apple pie and banana bread were available.

So ready to prove himself, Night was able to quickly drop the prospect of finding a way to find the meal asked of him fairly, as all men should. Instead, with a low whistle, he summoned those dark dogs that had slipped close to the ground again and again during the all the time spent with Eyre.

They seemed particularly excited, rising higher and spreading wider than usual. It was daytime, but they were out at play and begging to spill the blood of any that stepped into their darkness. The shadows were met only with disappointment at finding their purpose in being called was a task simpler than the first that’d been assigned since that blonde appeared. First, they searched for a silly stick, and now they were sent for bread and pie.

“They will get over themselves, eventually,” Night murmured, contentment hadn’t been able to leave his voice, even for the simple comment on the whines of his shadows, “and they will bring your food. I’m certain they like you, although they will not show it.”

Those wretched little… creatures, or whatever they were, that followed dear Night and bit at its heals swept along the ground, not paying any mind to whose feet they surrounded and slid beneath as they covered the village in further darkness. Even the weak light Day radiated was cancelled by them in passing. To think, it was those spineless little minions that sought to serve Night and cause harm to the too innocent little lowlings that inhabited the land.

Sympathy was interrupted by a tug at the loose, white fabrics that had covered him. The unexpected pull came close to sending Day falling back onto the one that had so readily taken a handful of cloth to keep balance. The human form was truly something he loathed- to be so vulnerable and weak. It made him wrinkle his nose, his face only calming when he was delivered an almost amusing, stuttered apology.

“What are you doing out here? Surely, there is nothing that important to be searching for… unless you’re on a quest for death,” apathy was spread thickly on his voice, and his eyes took to wandering into the distance, still in search of Night.

The blushing little human certainly wasn’t Night, that was instantly decided. Her embarrassed manner and the air of fear she gave off made that too clear.

Relaxing completely, Eyre couldn't help but shiver a little as he saw Night's minions. They were like mist given life, vicious looking and obviously thirsting for blood. Huddling closer to the god in human form, the boy sought comfort from him after seeing those he controlled.

"I don't think they like me at all." And that seemed like an understatement to him. Those dog like creatures were frightening beyond reason. Hearing them howl made anyone cower in fear at the thought of the things they might do with those they hunted down and caught.

This man obviously didn't understand in all his self assurance that there were things more important then fearing death. Even frightened Aletta understood that! Wringing her hands nervously she looked up to the star lit sky to try and compost herself. Stuttering in her nervousness was something she always did, and in fact she was certain to do so again.

"Well y-you see ... I'm t-this village's healer. And m-my charge, the sickest one, d-disappeared from his bed. N-no one knows where Eyre is, so I have to look for him!" The silent conviction in her words bellied the fact that Aletta was so obviously afraid of being outside. Eyre's condition had been worsening, and without taking his daily dose of healing who knew how long he had left? Couching up blood, wracking coughs, horrible sleep ... There had to be a way to help the boy but her magic just wasn't strong enough.

Aletta had wished for more power so many times to take his pain away. It wasn't possible though. No more magical ability then that she'd gained at birth would ever be hers.

Night wrapped his arms tighter around the blonde at feeling a shiver. There were times their howls could send a chill down even Night’s spine- in fact, they too often seemed afraid of themselves with that submissive and unsure manner they took on as Night gave commands. Had it not been for Night’s unwavering stare and the way he so boldly could give calm commands, they would have long overtaken the deity in that human body. But, they were reminded time and time again just what power that dark haired man housed, simply by such self-assured manners.

“If they hated you intensely, they would have made a move by now,” Night continued, his hand finding its way back to golden hair, “But, their fear and admiration outweighs any hatred. I wouldn’t be too surprised if they would listen to your orders. Anyone that doesn’t run from them is thought a threat.”

For the most fleeting of moments, Day’s focused scanning paused and careless eyes warmed with a tiny shard of concern. That was why he’d loved the pathetic little humans; they could be so stupid in the sweetest of ways. Why she would even care for someone certain to die was beyond Day. Logically, one would think to preserve the lives of those with the chance to live and pass on life. The lack of reason in her motivations brought a smirk to that bright face. It was just too fascinating, wondering why.

Although watching such a quest could have provided a short bit of entertainment, Day refocused and again took to sweeping his eyes over the distant and dark horizon. Leaving her alone would put an itching annoyance in his mind, a little voice that threated she was likely dead at the hands of vengeful Night, who failed to see beauty in their irrationality.

“You know as well as I that your charge is dead. The last time one has wandered and disappeared at nighttime without being torn or suffocated by that sad creature was so many millennia ago that even I cannot recall such a time. You’re lucky to still have your breath,” trailing off for a moment, Day seemed to spot movement, although it proved to be nothing more than those little shadows again. Night certainly was a gloomy and dangerous time. One could not even trust their own eyes. “There is no time to think of the dead when danger sits so close- but, if I find his body, I promise to bring it to bring back what is left.”

Letting out a sigh, Eyre closed his eyes. There were so many things Night said that he found hard to believe. Each time it was proved true though. "Night, why did you hurt people?" It had always puzzled him, the reason behind the night's hatred of everyone. Night really seemed like a nice person to him, the nicest actually, so he must have had a reason for harming people so ruthlessly.

He just wanted to forget about all the pain his friend had caused to others. Centuries, thousands of years ... For so long people had feared him, hated him, and been hurt by Night. There had to be a reason. The thought kept repeating itself in Eyre's mind over and over again as his brown eyes lifted to watch Night's young seeming face.

Shaking her head vehemently the young woman reached out to grab hold of this man's clothing again. "No! I-I will find h-him." Determination rang trough her voice though Aletta was confused. The way this man was talking, it was like he was saying he was Day! Then again, he glowed. Light shone from his hair and followed his steps. It was undeniable really.

It made a tremendous amount of sense too. "T-take me with you." She had to find Eyre! If she didn't then who would explain what had happened to him to his parents? The dying boy would be in incredible pain by now, wracked by coughs and doing his best to hide it like he always did.

For a long moment, Night was silent, even breathing had taken a temporary pause as thought settled in. Unable to bring himself to meet those soft brown eyes that he’d grown so deeply attached to, Night stared out into the unmoving darkness. The stillness was broken by a tired sigh, as though all at once, the body let go of all life and carried on only as a dull and blank figure, animated by an outside force. The smile he’d eagerly welcomed left as quickly as it had come, taking with it a bit of the lightness of the stars.

The night hadn’t become dangerous, but rather, empty until it looked upon the face of the blonde who’d somehow managed to bring beauty back. Night broke again as with that breath; he’d released a tear he’d intended to keep trapped in eyes too tough to allow such a thing to again show weakness.

“Because they’re selfish and deceptive,” again, he was distant, allowing that tear full pass to slide down his cheek to pretend it didn’t exist at all. “Most of them cannot find happiness, and when someone else takes hold of even the smallest bit, they tear it away, even if they cannot draw joy from what is meant to be another’s light.”

Day broke into violent laughter, rocking back as his head tossed and he threw the chuckles into the air. It came so hard that breathing became a chore until he gasped for air and tears gathered in the corners of his eyes. There was nothing more delicious than such bravery from the weak.

“Fine. Fine. We will find the dead one,” wiping moisture from his eyes, Day finally straightened and forced a response between smaller fits of laughter, “Maybe Night’s heart will be touched by this courage, too, and you can be of help. Tell me, have you noticed any odd occurrences lately? I don’t pay much attention myself.”

Seeing the tear fall made Eyre's feelings plummet, just as Night's words did. It didn't seem like he had seen anything good, not on thing. Not even Aletta was only tried to help everyone, no matter that she was terrified of everything! "Not everyone's like that Night. Haven't you seen any of the good people have done?" Pressing his lips to Night's for the second time, Eyre tried to cheer him up. That smile he'd worn, the night he created, it was all so magical and eased the pain he felt throbbing deep in his chest.

Cough leaping from his throat Eyre let out a sob as he pulled back. He didn't want to stain Night with his blood. Burying his face in the other's neck as the moments of pain stopped, Eyre let out a soft sigh. It was hard to say how much longer he had. The time was shorter now, and he knew it. Without Aletta's healing he hurt so much more. She came by every morning to make sure his day was comfortable, and every supper to do the same for his nights.

Frowning, Aletta crossed her arms at his laughter. Shooting day a stern look the brunette sighed. "Eyre, since Eyre has been happier the night seems so much calmer. I-I can see the stars now. There's l-light now." Or there had been earlier. Shifting nervously the young woman reached out again to hold his sleeve lightly. Huddling close to Day for protection, the blue eyed woman peered around at the hounds shifting trough the village looking for something.

"Why is it so d-dark n-now? P-please m-make the light come back!" Terrified, she closed her eyes for a moment to chase away the sight of those dark shadow creatures. Daytime made them go away. Day hid the shadows, made them be small so nothing could hide in them. There had to be something wrong, otherwise Day would already have done all that.

A hand found its way to rest against the head buried so near as Night rested his chin among that golden hair. In the moment their lips had again met, there was another shift when warm, soft wind returned and stars took on new life in blazing beauty. The change hadn’t been to noticeable with trees in the way, but small openings between their strong arms showed just how crowded the sky was. Those coughs renewed worry in that knowledge that time was limited and soon sands would run out. There was no time to beat around more bushes, but there were few sources of strength when death loomed so near.

“Yes, I have seen good. You’ve reminded me of it,” Night’s words were drawn out long and steady, “Because of that, I do feel remorse. But, I cannot forget the evil they’ve unleashed and the pain they’ve caused. Must we really go on such a depressing topic? I’d much rather learn about you.”

Giggles came to halt at her mention of light as Day’s jaw dropped to hang open in the way of simpletons. Again squinting to look in the distance, he paid no mind to the hands that again took hold of him and the woman who moved closer in fear.

“Day cannot fully form as long as Night is fighting it. Something has changed, Night is determined to stay and cannot be removed without force,” Day finally looked down at the healer, who stood nearer than he’d thought and placed a gentle hand on her back, unsure how to comfort her.

“This sick one, Eyre, how long have you known him? His joy may very well be linked to all of this- could he be Night?”

The young man curled into Night with a shiver. He wasn't quite sure how to answer. Eyre didn't believe his life had been all that interesting, or that there was much to tell about himself. After all, he'd spent most of his time tucked away in safety far away from anything dangerous. "I don't even know where to start ... Because there isn't much to know." Wonderful words, that he had reminded Night of the good in the world. If only there was a way to make sure the other man remembered it once Eyre was no more!

He had to get Aletta to meet his friend. She's understand he was sure! As long as she didn't faint at the sight of Night, thought Eyre with a small laugh. It cheered him up a little remembering the healer and her frightened attitude. Though it did make the boy wonder a little worriedly how she fared during this night during day. She must have been terrified! "What about you? I don't know anything really ..." And there was so much to know!

She was relieved once his laughter stopped, and found the courage to smile a little at the way Day looked. So surprised! Aletta hadn't thought a god could look that way. At his words, the fear returned in full force. With a small whimper the healer moved even closer to Day, if that was even possible. She didn't even notice the feel of a gentle hand against her back. Aletta was too afraid to!

"He's eighteen, and I've known him since he was two. Of course, I was six then ... And didn't know anything about the fact that I can heal. H-he can't p-possibly be N-N-N-Night!" The last sentence was a horrid mess of stutters as she buried her head against Day with the idea that his light might be able to dispel her fears. She was wrong. Aletta was suddenly hit with the smells of a hot summer day and sighed a little. What she wouldn't do for a day like that now!

“Me? I exist for one purpose- to bring the blanket of night and relieve the lands from the harsh sun,” Night quietly began. Again, he’d taken to keeping his eyes on the distant horizon as he seemed to lose himself in infinite memory. “That has been my entire existence. I’ve been a watcher, seeing life go by while those who have such little time extract so much joy from that tiny bit of life they have. There have only been four events in my entire life, and meeting you has been one quarter of them.”

Speaking about himself felt so unnatural. Somehow, Night had managed to be around for as long as anyone had known time to pass, but seemed to collect so little to really want to remember. So few things had sparked that magical little thing, emotion, which was mainly limited to the lucky mortals who didn’t have to squander their reserves and release it in small amounts. Simply thinking of this all put a new frown on Night’s face, although this time the bit of sadness didn’t seem to consume him, as it had earlier when he first told of himself.

To have someone so close was something Day was unused to. Usually, Day was something so wonderfully intangible that the little people he so adored could only look forward to experiencing. That’s what he was meant to be, an experience to bring warmth as an escape to dark misery, not one to be snuggled against. The feel of the healer’s hair brushing against sensitive skin, so unprepared for any further contact, made a shiver rise in Day’s spine as he fought the temptation to pull away and escape any more such pressure by allowing himself to leave that solid state (which he still couldn’t bring himself to feel comfortable in).

Again, the night had changed, calming even further, if that was at all possible. It should have been something that brought relief, to see Night so joyful, but Day’s face could only convey distaste. The balance had been broken. Something was wrong.

“No, of course he isn’t,” Day muttered, most of his attention on the shadows that pulled out of the village with what looked like simple items of food. The mystery had become more impossible. A happy boy and calm nights, certainly there was a link, and now the shadows passing and taking only food, sparing blood.

“Come, healer. We will put an end to this night and find what remains of the boy.” Day pulled away, his feet moving swiftly in the direction the shadows had gone as he became accustomed to walking.

Only four? Lifting his head Eyre glanced at Night with thoughtful brown eyes. It had never crossed his mind to pity the gods, or at least, not to envy them for their long lives. In truth it was an existence that Eyre didn't want, because at least he could feel and live with delight. Even the worst of emotions was better then feeling nothing at all.

"Only four? How old are you?" Question after question filled his mind all of a sudden, and all of them about Night and his life. Of course the frail boy didn't imagine that there were many things he could understand. Still, an emotion so full and bright had slowly been filling his heart and the only way to make it grown even stronger in the amount of time he had was to ask. Ask all he could think of and cling closely to the other man in an attempt to know everything he could and show how he felt without having to say three special words that could lead to the most dreadful of situations.

With a small squeak of dismay Aletta fell into step beside Day as he walked away. Oh what had she done to get herself in such a frightening situation? She was only doing her job after all! Almost against her will she reached out to take hold of Day's sleeve again. He was the only light out here, save for that of the stars and she didn't really trust them.

Eyes moving furtively around, Aletta did her best not to yell and squeak at every new sound in this time of darkness. "M-my name's Aletta. And ... I ... just want to say thank you. Everyday you take some of my fears away with your sunlight. T-today isn't really any different I s-suppose." Except Day wasn't in the skies shining and looking down on everyone. He was right there with her, walking beside her! If the situation hadn't been what it was, Aletta would have been looking upon him in wonder without any word to say.

Right now she was far too distracted by the dangers all around to really notice.

Although they were distant, the distinct movement of his shadows caught Night’s sharp eye. There was a bit of relief in having something to, for a moment, concentrate his eyes on. They’d hung so awkwardly just hovering near the blonde earlier, afraid to actually take another full look.

“Yes, only four. My creation, my first, her death, and you,” a quiet voice again broke the stillness, smoothly as though it slipped out by its own will and not a conscious whim. “That’s how old I am. Old enough for most things that come to pass- wars, famine, death, all pass right over me with no effect. They happen just as night and day. I’ve had enough time to learn that my passion is of little consequence. That’s something for those with short and fast lives.”

As the shadows neared, the brought with them that evilly dull cold and that aura of darkness that somehow, didn't actually darken anything but filled the air with its own heaviness to fill the lungs. It was their way of again showing anger and frustration- of proving that they held more power as long as Night remained human and vulnerably solid. They only grew so restless when threatened.

There was still something distant in day as they first moved together. He paid no mind to the frightened healer as she tagged along and went so far as to again take hold of his loose sleeve. To lose sight of darkness in darkness was too easy and so, light eyes remained concentrated on the barely visible movement, even when that stuttering began again.

"Think nothing of it. I do it just for that purpose," Day placed a gentle arm lightly on her back, still unsure just how to provide comfort to one so horribly plagued by fear. "If you've already figured just what I am, there's no good reason to be afraid anymore, Aletta. Light shall always prevail, you shall get your boy and to keep your own life."

In that brief moment of distraction, Day had allowed the creatures they followed to disappear quickly behind trees. Now they would need to go blindly in hopes for the best. Perhaps it would have been better to have been more drastic in action. If Night found him first and caught him by surprise, returning peace would be a dangerous task, especially to the poor healer who clung so close. On her back, his hand fidgeted out of new found worry.

Night's plight saddened Eyre more then his own ever could. Though his life was brief and filled with sickness he'd still lived. The young man had laughed, loved, cried and felt pain. All of it was a treasure in a way, and worth every moment. Life was so full of wonders when one knew it would end! But for a god ... Everything must have seemed eternally the same though all the people changed.

"Night do you think that perhaps there ... There might be a way to make you happy or to let you feel? It must be terrible, watching everything pass you by without actually being part of it." Being a silent observer to the world sounded like torture. Seeing love, seeing friendship and not being able to find any of your own. Eyre would never have been able to live like that.

The movements of the shadow creatures only elicited a stern look from Eyre. They had no right to treat Night this way. Wasn't he their friend and constant companion?

A look of renewed wonder crossed the young woman's features, wiping away the fear she'd felt so strongly. Leaning into the protection that Light offered, Aletta sighed before pipping up to speak once more. "It would be impossible for me not to have figured out who you are .... Day." Lapsing into silence once more Aletta began tugging her hair.

Each one became stronger then the last as the pair wandered seemingly without destination. Eyre must have been terrified! Or perhaps he'd gone out searching for Night to end his life. In a way she couldn't blame the young man, he'd already suffered so much trough his life.

Finally, a smile found its way to that face of Night- the one that was meant only to be somber and distant. That showing of teeth and stretching of lips transformed his face entirely, as weight fell from his eyes and he looked almost to be a normal, carefree young man. A youth who hadn’t yet known the harsh and bitter sting of loss, to whom life was still a wonder. Even his voice was soaked in this sudden and seemingly unfounded optimism. It was so wonderful and so silly that someone would feel pity.

“You haven’t noticed it yet? All of this, our encounter makes me warm and calm… and happy and even sad,” that joy in his voice held steady. “I’m not a bystander right now, I’m a part of the act and it’s the most wonderfully awful feeling I know.”

Pastries floated near, in a whimsical cloud that still, somehow, seemed tense. Now Night paid no mind to their low growls and moans. They didn’t seem to take kindly to this, as their noise grew louder and a large portion of the single shadow seemed to break off and move into the distance, as though ready to, at last, move on its own accord rather than by Night’s whim; it soon came around in a large circle to fall right back into place.

Day almost felt ready to speed up and allow distance to build as the healer’s steps gained confidence. Her slowly building comfort seemed to be mirrored in Day as his nose hung just a bit lower in the air and he lost just the smallest bit of his earlier overbearing self-approval to melt, not into self-doubt, but simple comfort with the girl.

“So, you know that you’re safe, Aletta.” As they neared a wooded area, Day slowed, pulling the healer ever closer as his searching eyes darted from one unrecognizable shape to another. The nighttime was something he certainly couldn’t bring himself to fully appreciate- it was no wonder people showed clear preference for his own soothing warmth and precious light. “Tell me, healer, is this boy especially near to you, or would you be tromping about for just anyone?”

Joy filled his heart as he looked up with a brilliant smile at Night. Absentmindedly he reached out to grasp a pastry and stuffed it into his mouth. The false burst of health he felt buoyed Eyre's spirits high into the sky.

"Then I'm glad, so glad! I ... think I might love you." Heart fluttering wildly the young man brushed off pastry crumbs before lifting his lips to meet the other man's. A sudden urgency filled Eyre, like he knew he didn't have much time and wanted to savor every moment more then the last. It was fact, hadn't Aletta told him tearfully about his deteriorating condition?

Else he'd never have spoken those words. They held so much meaning! Yet Eyre was sure they were true. He didn't know what he would have done during these last days if he'd not met Night. Moped about, trying to seem cheerful for his parents and Aletta.

Some of her fear returned as they neared the forest. Even so, Aletta was reassured by Day's words. As he pulled her close, the young woman took a moment to breath in the scent of a sunny day. It helped her to be herself, or more herself then she was when everything terrified her.

"He's like my brother ... b-but I would search for any of my patients lost in night." Though perhaps she would already have given up if it wasn't Eyre she searched for. The shadows, they were frightening! Yet Day chased them away, much like he did with her fears.

Out of shock, Night was frozen. Truly there was little mercy in the universe. Those words should have rightfully made him soar, but he could only think to nod lifelessly, forgetting even to respond when lips met once again. He’d thought himself stronger, at least strong enough to handle the truth that time with his bright blonde was limited, but confirmation that feelings may have very well been returned now made it seem so impossible to return to life prior to that night when he’d found that spot of gold searching in looming darkness.

When Night pulled away, that smile had gone along with all of his strength. For the first time in centuries, Night was feeling dreadfully helpless, perhaps one of the worst human feelings that had yet been experienced. It was worse than anger and grief, even, as those happened only when bad events came to pass. The helplessness was for a badly foreshadowed future that neither he nor the Great Day could ever predict. It was the signal that soon anger and grief would rein, but there was so little to be done.

“That makes me happy to hear, and I truly hope that it is so,” Night began slowly, the smile finding its way to his face again when he looked at Eyre, “I just wish that we had enough time together to remove any doubt and lose that ‘I think.’”

After a quick inspection, slow steps began into the woods. It was worse in there than Day had earlier thought. Not only was it dark and gloomy, but odd shadows were thrown this way and that in a way that made Day’s nose wrinkle in distaste.

“Well, that’s very noble of you, now, isn’t it?” Day spoke softly, as if it really was night and he feared waking the animals. At the same time, Day shoved aside a loose branch or two from their path, steadily growing more and more irritated by darkness that had become more ready to about swallow up his glow. Night had to be near, he could feel it in the tickle that ran down his spine and see it in the way it almost seemed as if the darkness had grown stronger, though no more dark.

Shyly the young man looked up at Night with slightly tearful eyes. Why had this happened now, so soon to when his time would pass? Happiness was truly an elusive thing, for it to appear at such an instance. "Who says there won't be enough time? I hope so..." There had to be a way for him to live longer.

Perhaps not waiting till morning to go and meet Night once more had been a bad idea. Aletta would have been able to make sure his day would pass without the gnawing pain in his throat. Or at least, it would have been more bearable. It was only a slight regret in the grand scheme of things. There was nothing the blonde could do about it now. All he could do was hold on to one stubborn hope.

Somehow the darkness seemed even more oppressive then before. Though all her fears faded away to the back of the brunette's mind soon enough. A familiar flash of golden hair in the moonlight caught her eye. Heedless of the danger that might have loomed all too near, the young woman released her hold upon Day to plunge forward with a cry.

"Eyre! What are you thinking? You know that without my healing you'll just die sooner!" The stubborn boy had a good few weeks ahead, and had seemed to want to hold on all the more of late. It had puzzled Aletta so, when before he'd been so indifferent. Now though her eyes moved to the man who held her charge in his arms. A sudden realization crossed her features, followed with overwhelming fear. The shadows danced around him, as if they were part of him. And perhaps they were.

Stumbling back, the young woman fell with a yell and looked back over her shoulder. The ensuing clash of these titans might very well happen soon. Poor Eyre! He'd found his happiness and now it might be taken away.

Just as he’d suspected, Day was resisting the temporary takeover. If only that too proud deity would lend his ear to someone as dark as Night. Too distracted by the lips of his own little sun, Night had ignored the growing feeling of this resistance. Somehow, it’d seemed so easy when there was a wonderful distraction. Before he could say anything, a young woman had leapt from the shadows cast this way and that by a particularly gaudy and bright being.

There was neither time for explanation nor any for diplomacy. Day simply wouldn’t have allowed it as their eyes met for a short second and, without words, something of a war had been declared.

It was much to Day’s annoyance that the healer had run toward the boy. He’d very well intended to strike then and there, while Night was uncharacteristically distracted, but found himself hesitating as the brunette fell into his line of fire. Instead, Day, with a sigh, had to put himself closer still to that awful dark being, still prepared to strike his first attack. From his hands grew what could only be described as a pure and yellow energy, as though he’d held a droplet of light.

If all was as he suspected, the boy was dead and it wouldn’t have mattered whether or not he was struck. But, much to Day’s surprise, the young blonde seemed to have accomplished the impossible and survived his time with Night. At this, Day almost hesitated again, though found a clearing as Night bent to almost look as though he’d prepared to shield the blonde.

The ball was gone in that instant, and, in the same instant, Night had been thrown back with little choice but to release his otherwise firm hold on Eyre. “There is a balance, Night,” Day’s voice boomed and echoed off of nothing, “Not only do you dare break it, but you kidnap that poor boy and endanger his kind healer? It’s known that you’ve no heart, but this is all too much. The peace has been broken.”

Eyre whimpered softly and shivered as Night was ripped away from him by the force of Day's anger. Shaking his head, the young man gathered what strength remained to him to stand and glare at the source of light himself. He was going to die anyway, he only wanted what happiness he could have. For this one thing he was prepared to face Day himself.

Uncharacteristic anger bubbled over Eyre's usually happy features, hardening them with determination. "He didn't kidnap me," rasped Eyre loudly. "I wanted to go with him, I love him." He glanced to Night with a reassuring smile, then to Aletta with the same expression.

Anger returned to the blonde's features and his eyes flashed as he turned to Day once more. Though his limbs trembled a breath stealing cough threatened to manifest itself, the boy forged on. "Let him stay with me until I die, please. Night .... Please stay?" Voice trembling and breaking, he let out a long breath as he let himself fall softly to the ground with pleading eyes.

The scene played out, making Aletta's heart break. Making soft comforting noises, she moved forward to place her hands upon Eyre. A very light, nearly invisible, cool seagreen light emanated from her palms as she eased the pain from her patient. Indecision crossed her features for a few moments before she sighed, and moved to help Eyre so that he nestled comfortably against Night once more. "Take care of him," murmured the brunette softly without fear this time. He cared for Eyre, had tried to protect him from Day, she couldn't rightly fear him after seeing he could care so deeply for someone she considered to be her brother.

Now she stood and brushed herself off before moving to stand before Day with a stern look upon her features. "I think you've done more harm to Eyre with this outburst then anything Night has done." She was fiercely protective of her patients. It was about the only thing that could make her speak out as she did. Soon enough Aletta was back to being a demure little mouse, looking horrified at how she'd addressed herself to a god.

Pain pulsed in his back where Night had been hit and for a moment, all he could do was lay where he’d fallen with wide eyes, his body quivering as it felt the burning sting would overwhelm that weak, human form. The first shot had given Day quite the advantage, as Night could only bring himself to look up as the bright figure seemed to be preparing to do the same thing all over again and cringe as even the idea brought a new wave of pain.

To his surprised relief, the jolt didn’t come. Instead, he heard Eyre’s voice, loudly addressing Day itself. When he pushed himself up to again be seated on the ground, Night a wide smile spread across his face, so it showed even in his eyes as the face of the blonde met his. Again another surprise came as warm, salty tears came trickling down his cheeks and Night was forced to turn away, biting his bottom lip so as not to be seen ready to weep by such an audience.

Eyre was given back to him by the woman who’d just earlier come out calling. With that Night could no longer withhold as a single sob burst out with his frantic nod. “I will not ever allow harm to come to him, I swear on my very existence. I’m not going anywhere.”

Night couldn’t quite bring himself to look up at Day, who stood with his arms crossed. His eyes were still filled with tears and his nose had started to threaten to run. Night took comfort in running his fingers through that blonde hair that he loved so much and knowing that if anything happened again, he’d be ready to return the attacks.

Day stood with his mouth agape, staring in disbelief at the boy that scolded and corrected him so. Had it not been for the break of anger in that comforting smile toward the healer and Night, Day would have been tempted to strike the strength right out of him. Still, his fists trembled with brewing rage as the human figure began to dissolve into light as he continued to prepare for a battle.

Even more frustrating was how the boy, no, the pair tried to tug on his heartstrings, and were just the smallest bit successful, as Day found itself half considering giving up his time, temporarily to allow the two time together. To add insult to all of this, the healer who’d earlier sought his help found the same courage to try and correct him.

“All of the sudden I’m the bad?” Day shouted to no one in particular with a bitter laugh, “Have I been the one plaguing you with monsters and shadows? Have I not helped you to grow your food? And all at once, you meek and petty humans who’ve I’ve humbly served turn against me?” At that point, it was clear he directed the scolding at the healer, almost entirely ignoring Night and the boy.

The brunette quailed under Day's anger, feeling more hurt then she imagined she could. Maybe it was the way Day had so gently placed his hand upon her back earlier, or that he had indeed helped her. Tears quivered at the corner of her eyes at the rebuke sent her way.

A hiccuping sob left her as she moved forward to place a trembling hand on Day's arm. It quivered and shook as she looked pleadingly at the tall man with her green eyes. Aletta didn't know what to say, and feared that nothing but wrong would leave her lips. "Day don't be angry. I love you more then I could say, for always chasing away my fears and protecting me from everything that Night usually brings. Even if his monsters and anger didn't make night a miserable time I would still fear it. I'm always afraid of everything, except you."

She couldn't stop from going on now, not after beginning. "It's just that now I see that Night has a heart too. Even if he frightens me, he makes Eyre happy. He has a right to be happy too ... Everyone does. Can't you see that?" The healer's voice softened, just as her expression did. She wasn't pleading, but rather trying to explain her view of things to the god.

((Can't think of what to put for Eyre. ><))

Night buried his face in that golden hair to hide watery eyes, “Eyre, how can you say such things? It would be selfish to leave me so soon. Please, hold onto that life of yours. If you can, I’ll be loyal to my word. I’ve promised to stay and so stay I will.” Had it not been for the silence, the words would have been lost in the light breeze. That was really all that remained of the night. Even the sky seemed conflicted now. Neither sun nor moon sat in the sky, which was tinted a deep purple that faded into a haze of orange.

It was then that Day stepped away from the healer, taking her words as permission to do what he’d intended. It was slow and quiet as Day moved toward the pair on the ground, half ready to take down the already weakened Night, who seemed content with just being sure the blonde was safe from any strikes. But, instead of an attack, Day crouched beside them, taking Night by the chin to lift its face so the two finally shared and exchanged glances.

“Oh, dear Night, don’t you care how weak this all has made you?” With that, Day wrapped his arms around its counterpart in a close and lingering hug. “Your heart has always been much too big. It’s driven you to be so ugly… and so wonderfully beautiful. But, this won’t work. Please, don’t make me be the one to get rid of him.”

Day tossed another glance back toward Aletta, almost apologetic. It lasted only a second before what looked like pain swept over Day’s face and a bitter Night tried pulling away.