Soren looks scared to see me cry and I try to hide my face from him. But he holds me close, just like I did for him. I just had no idea he could be like this. It makes me forget all my trouble. I need to stay strong for Soren. He needs me. I take a long breath, trying to pull myself together. I need to just toughen up and keep going.

Soren lets me go and sheepishly backs away, standing awkwardly and shifting his weight from one foot to the other. I’ve noticed he does this thing when he’s stressed or nervous, he rocks back and forth.

Soren has lots of little quirks like that, and even in the short time I’ve known him, they’ve grown on me. He does this really endearing little thing when he’s shy, he scrunches up his eyes. And when he has something to say he starts biting his nails. And of course as I’ve unfortunately discovered he wets himself when he’s really scared. But even that I can live with.

I finally stand up and leave the cockpit, and almost fall over when my cramped legs buckle under me. Soren is right there to catch me, and he holds me up.

“I’m fine.” I tell him, but he doesn’t let go of me. He brings me to the back room and sits me on the bed.

“Petra?” He asks in a small voice, “I think you should sleep.”

“You do?” I mumble, mind fuzzy. Soren nods so I flop back onto the bed, no energy left. Instantly I feel my exhaustion taking over. I’m hardly aware of Soren putting the blanket over me and sitting down on the end of the bed.