He couldn't feel his own body. Maybe the pain was too much, and this was his body's mercy. He couldn't hear anything, either. But he could see her over the heads of the Blackguard that surrounded him. She was watching, crying openly, golden eyes shining desperately. He gazed at her mutely, pleading with her to understand, to just leave so she wouldn't have to see. And when the tongues of flame dancing on the bark of the tree began to leap around his body, he mouthed a silent goodbye, closed his eyes, and died.
He was hovering in the corner again, watching her. He wanted her to be loved, wanted her to be happy. How hard could that be? That green-eyed one seemed gentle enough. If only the boy could love her as much as he himself loved her. It wouldn't be a struggle, not too much, to give away a piece of his soul, so the boy could see...

"Who's this? Are you cheating on Bobbee?" Lance asked warily when he stepped into the lounge. Josh was engrossed in some sci-fi program, a girl curled up at his side.
"No. This is my friend, who possibly suffers from narcolepsy. She also has possessive octopus tendencies."
Lance sat down on the other end of the couch. The Invisible Man was on. He eyed the girl curiously. "I see."
Josh glanced down at her. "She wakes up occasionally." He tapped her shoulder. "Asia, sweetie, I have to get ready for my date with Bobbee."
Lance blinked when the girl sat up and opened her eyes. She patted Josh on the arm and flashed a smile that was almost sympathetic.
"Have fun, Joshua."
He nodded. "Thanks."
Lance arched an eyebrow at the sound of Josh's full name - no one got away with calling him that, not even his mother. He turned his attention back to the show. Josh watched this series almost religiously, every Friday night, having someone in the crew tape it should he be otherwise engaged. It was funny, though, funny.
He jumped when he felt weight on his knees. Looking down, the girl had somehow managed to turn herself around on the couch and rest her head on his knee without him noticing. She was sleeping soundly, and not drooling...He shrugged and decided to just keep an eye on her.

"Hey Lance, who's the chick?" Joey asked, poking his head through the doorway half an hour later.
Lance looked down and was startled to find that she was now sprawled fully across his lap. He blushed. "Um, she's a friend of Josh's. He said she's narcoleptic."
Joey snickered. "Right." He winked lewdly and vanished.

The sequel to Dragonheart was now playing, and Lance was laughing at the antics of the drugged monk.
This time it was Chris who sauntered into the room, bearing a bag of Doritos. "Awww, isn't that sweet?" he cooed teasingly.
Lance glared, then looked down, helplessly. She was curled up right against his side, having maneuvered herself under one of his arms, and was resting her head on his chest.
Josh burst into the room, looking tired and a little sad. He glanced at his younger friend. "Did she wake up at all?"
"Nope. How do you wake her up? I tried tapping her shoulder a few times, but it never actually worked," Lance replied. He tapped her shoulder, hard, but she merely mewled in protest and snuggled closer.
Chris was chomping on his Doritos while he watched, amused.
"Like I said, she channels a possessive octopus," Josh remarked candidly.
She sat up suddenly, blinking, and Lance saw that she had golden eyes. She smiled at him. "Thanks. You're really warm and soft."
Chris burst out laughing when she gave the blushing young man a quick kiss on the cheek.
"'Bye Josh," she said as she sashayed out of the room.
Lance stared, green eyes wide. Chris was howling with laughter by then.

In the corner, he smiled. This boy would be good for her.