Brom was only a bit taller than Niah and just slightly less gangly. Who was more awkward? Well, that was a question no one could answer. Of course, the young man always felt like the awkward one. The entire world was watching him and waiting for him to do something embarrassing, so they could laugh at him. No, not out loud, not loud boisterous bellowing that he'd know about, it was the kind of laughing you did with your hand covering your mouth. These days, it felt like every time he turned his back he could just about feel someone pointing at it while telling a joke. Life was out to get Brom Vivar, that was certain. Would it have surprised him to know that every boy his age felt exactly the same way? As it turned out, life and the world couldn't care less about you. He wouldn't learn that for a while yet, though.<br/><br/>"S-" Brom had just begun to say, like a hiss, just as Niah tripped and went down like a bag of hammers chasing some nails. He froze. Why wasn't she making any noise? If there was one thing Niah was not, it was reserved. What should he do?<br/><br/>As often was the case when something like this happened, Brom had just been working up his courage when she had fallen down. The entire day, walking around with Niah, had been a joy... it always was. No matter what they were doing or how much trouble it usually ended up getting Brom into or how she'd laugh at him when he did something dumb. Somehow, her laugh never felt cruel even when it was directed at him. She was his only friend at the estate, though there were plenty other servant's children to play with. Somehow, none of them had that special magic Niah Holden did, to make laughter or silence enjoyable. The silence right now wasn't enjoyable, though, and it was broken by her sniffles. Brom quickly snapped out of it.<br/><br/>He didn't so much rush to her side as he did flow over, a glimpse of some man he'd be someday that didn't trip over his feet or his tongue. Reaching out to touch her was his first impulse, his fingers whispered on her shoulder as light as a feather on cream.<span style="font-style: italic">Some bodyguard,</span>The voice of self-doubt began to speak.<span style="font-style: italic">Couldn't even protect her from a walk in the garden.</span><br/><br/>"Hey, are you alright?" He asked, letting his genuine concern overwhelm everything else. His eyes found her ankle soon after and he winced, just seeing Niah hurt was enough to cause him pain. "You shouldn't walk. Let me carry you back." Brom began to move his arms to pick her up, bridal style.