Disclaimer: We all know this now so… I don’t have to say it for this time right…? Right…?

… Don’t hurt me Symphonia fans! –runs-

Unlike the other two previous shots, this has spoilers past Akzeriuth scenes and pretty much the whole game… so… Just a warning…

---

It was silent.

Too silent for the likes of him.

“Luke! Are you listening to me?”

Luke fon Fabre usually listened to his companions and their opinions on what they had to say (after he left the past behind at least). But there were just times where he would tune out and stare off into space. This just happened to be one of those times.

He blinked; his emerald eyes met the chilling, azure ones. He rubbed the back of his head, and couldn’t help but grin a little.

“S-Sorry Tear… Could you repeat that again…?”
“… Ugh…”

The woman in front of him sighed, as her hands on her hips moved to support her head. She leaned onto the palm, as she turned away from the young man and sighed heavily. Luke nervously chuckled, as his arm fell to his side. This reminded him of the time where he saw his friends and the world of Auldrant through the eyes of Asch – the original Luke fon Fabre.

“…You really are an idiot…”
“Hey! I’m not--”
“… Never mind. As I was saying before, the river should be nearby.”

She stated, before she started down the path again, and left Luke standing there. The Swordsman blinked once more, before he chased after her.

“Hey! Tear, wait up!”

---

He caught up after almost tripping over two tree roots and running into bushes full of thorns. He scratched his head, as he turned to Tear who was knelt down next to the river bank.

”T-That was harsh you know!”
“Yes, but you need to learn when to listen to others.”
”I-I know I know… … I’m sorry.”

He rubbed his ear, and winced at the cold remark by the Fonic Hymnist. He watched her in silence, as she gathered water. He reflected back on the journey that he had started (or more like, he was forced to start). The time when him and Tear were blown all the way to Tataroo Valley, to the time where he first met Jade and Anise, than to when he sunk Akzeriuth, and than finding out Master Van’s intentions with the world…

Master Van… Or more like, Tear’s brother, Vandesdelca.

“Tear… A-Are you fine… with fighting Master Van…?”

He quietly asked, his hand clenched in a fist as his eyes lingered on the Oracle Soldier. She was quiet at first, as she retrieved the water that the party needed to live on. Her azure eyes shut, as she thought about an answer.

“Yes. We had this conversation already didn’t we? As my role as Van’s sister, I must end his life…”

She paused, as she drew in the canteen and capped it. She stood up – finished with every one’s water supply (except for the extra one she left back at camp just incase Natalia needed it). She turned to Luke, and gave him a small smile.

“Remember, our goal and Van’s goal aren’t the same.”
“B-But… Maybe if we…”
“It’s alright, Luke. Thank you for your concern.”
“Tear!”

She had already passed him when she thanked him, it made Luke start to think she was acting tough again. He snatched up her wrist, which made her look back at him, with a cold, hard gaze.

“Wait… Listen to me for a moment… Aren’t you scared…? I-It’s your brother we're facing...”
“I-I know… But there’s nothing else we can do…”
“There has to be something, damnit!”

He cursed loudly, as he held onto Tear’s wrist tightly. She gave a soft smile, and gently pried him off of her. She started down the path back to camp once more.

“We’ve been through all of this already, its okay Luke.”
“Tear… I’ll always be here for you.”
“…?”

At that moment, she turned around to figure out what he was getting at – just to be met in a full embrace. His arms grasped around her figure tightly, and his head was buried in her shoulder. She wasn’t sure what to do from here, but she closed her eyes, and awkwardly gave him a hug back.

They stood in silence, before Tear broke away.

“…You idiot, of course. And… I’ll be here for you.”

She mumbled, and gave him one last smile.

“Now, let’s go back. I’m worried about Natalia.”

She left him once more. Luke stood there, in a mix of shock of what he had done, and than what she had done back. That was, until it hit him.

“Hey! Don’t call me an idiot!”

---

When Tear (and Luke who fell behind again) arrived back in camp, the fire burned brightly. It was a lot bigger than it had been when they left.

The Fonic Hymnist took a quick look around as she placed the water supply on the ground. Natalia was fast asleep in her sleeping bag similar to earlier, but a more content smile on her face. Anise was also asleep against a tree and Guy was also asleep against another tree, which was near Natalia... Jade looked up from the fire.

“Oh, you two finally returned.”
“I’m sorry, Colonel.”
“It’s alright, they all were asleep. I’m surprised a pack of hungry wolves didn’t come and eat Natalia and Guy while they are sleeping.”

She crouched down and took out the supplies that were required to cook tonight’s dinner. She sighed at the Colonel’s words, it would be quite a tragedy if a pack of wolves actually came and ravaged the camp.

“I’m guessing that they don’t want dinner, more for me than.”

Luke had picked this moment to join in the chat, as he sat near the fire. He crossed his legs, and gave a quick glance over at the sleeping figures of his friends.

“Don’t be selfish like that Luke, or you may get more of the share when Natalia cooks.”

Tear sighed as Luke was prepared to yell at the Colonel. She was glad that he decided against so, or he would have an angry puppeteer all over him. Instead, he started a ‘quiet’, bickering fight with Jade.

She sighed once more as she prepared tonight’s dinner, but one thought crossed her mind. A smile grazed her features, as she gazed up at the moon.

Maybe stranded in a forest with this band of people wasn’t so bad.

A/N: Wow, Last shot.

I'm angry at myself because I struggled with this one and it isn't very fluffy in my opinion... xP

I suck at writing LukexTear... (Random GuyxNatalia fan: Go back to writing GuyxNatalia!)

Haha... I think I will... -coughs-

But uh... yeah... I'll just accept those flaming rocks from every one and such... -is pwned- x.x

Uhm... YAY I ACTUALLY FINISHED SOMETHING! xD

Well.. Until next time! (Picup's next time being either an update of SoM if she feels up to it, or her new one shot that /may/ be AschxNoelle... THE DRAMA -shot'd-)

Before I dash out, I want to thank Fox of Anubis (FoA!) for beta-ing it and stuff.. Thanks Man! -runs out now-