Part of me is missing

Chapter 6 - Broken Chains

"Well, if you're an admin again, can't you just, like, teleport us back home then?" Petra asked. Romeo sat up straighter.

"I'd love to be nice and all, but the little bit of the old me really wants to make you all walk home, sorry," Romeo joked, "Also, it's been a while, I'm not sure I remember how."

"Well, that's something I need to be honest," Jesse said, standing up, "I haven't even been able to properly stand up in weeks!"

"Then it's settled, we're walking," Xara said, walking ahead of the group.

Everyone followed her except for Romeo and Jesse. The group didn't take much mind to them staying behind. The two stood there in silence for a few moments. Jesse hadn't looked at Romeo since he stood up, but when she did, she yelped and jumped back.

"Everything alright, Jesse?" Romeo asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good. You're just really tall," Jesse replied. Romeo shrugged and went to catch up to the group. Jesse followed him.

~~

Back home, Lukas and Radar were dealing with some unwanted guests. Cassie and that admin were back, going on about how Lukas was 'next on their list'. It didn't make any sense.

"Listen, what do you want!?" Lukas huffed, "What list are you referring to!?"

Cassie pulled out her axe, glowing with its enchantments.

~~

The group was walking back and Romeo was hovering above them. Jesse was getting exhausted after being forced to sit 24/7 and being fed very little, and Romeo noticed. She was starting to fall behind everyone.

"Jesse? Are you alright?" Romeo asked.

"I'm fine," Jesse said, heaving lightly.

"No, you're not," Romeo said, putting his feet back on the ground.

"No! I'm... fine," Jesse said, stopping. She put her hand on her thigh to catch her breath. Romeo shook his head and scooped her up bridal style.

"You need to rest, Jesse. The group doesn't want to stop at all, so I'll do what I can to help you," Romeo said the smaller woman in his arms. Jesse opened her mouth to protest but closed it when she realized that she had nothing to say.

A few minutes of walking later and Romeo looked down at the woman he was holding. She was fast asleep. Romeo waved his wrist a bit, causing the group to go silent.

"Romeo," Xara whisper shouted, "what the fu-"

"Shh," Romeo snapped, "She's asleep."

The group looked at the woman in his arms and nodded. They continued to whisper in order to not wake up the young woman. Romeo ended up floating on his back with Jesse resting on his chest. He used the cape that was a part of his uniform to cover her a bit. He played with her hair while she slept.

"Well look at you," Xara said, "Actually caring about people!"

Romeo shrugged and went back to twirling a blonde streak in Jesse's tangled hair. Her eyes shifted, but she didn't wake. Jesse squirmed a bit, seemingly shaken. Romeo furrowed his brow.

"Jesse? Jesse!?" Romeo murmured, trying to wake her. Jesse opened her eyes and looked around frantically. Jesse was breathing heavily.

"Wha-?" Jesse blurted, "What happened? What's going on!?"

"Jesse, are you alright?" Romeo asked, setting the smaller woman on the ground, "Did something happen?"

"N-nothing, I think I just had a vivid nightmare again," Jesse mumbled.