Summer Scramble; Chrom and Ricken

[starswing]

Ricken: Hey, Chrom! Wait up!
Chrom: What is it, Ricken?
Ricken: You've got sand on your shoulder guard. Here, let me brush it off.
Chrom: Oh, I see. Thank you, Ricken. All done?
Ricken: Yep, just like new! Say, can I see your sword?
Chrom: All right, but just for a second. I'm kind of using it at the moment.
Ricken: ... I knew it. See here? That's rust. Let me give it a quick polish...
Chrom: Look, Ricken, I'm very grateful, but this isn't exactly the best timing... In any case, why the sudden concern? What's this about?
Ricken: Well, you know how I look up to you and want to be like you when I get older, right? I figure if I help you out with odd jobs here and there, we might end up forming a bond! And the closer we get, the better I can understand what it takes to be like you.
Chrom: Er, I see... But, Ricken, I'm not sure brushing sand off me in the midst of battle is the best way--
Ricken: Oh, but it totally IS! And I'll prove it! I'm going to keep it up, no matter what!
Chrom: *Sigh* If you insist. But can I at least have my sword back?
Ricken: Oh, right. Here you go. Now let's go fight! And don't you worry about sand anymore!

Part Two

Ricken: *Pant, pant*
Chrom: Ricken, are you all right?
Ricken: *Gasp* Oh, yep! Definitely! Never been better! Just sticking close and watching your back, like I said I would!
Chrom: You sure you're not overdoing it? It's much hotter here than in Ylisse. And trudging through this sand is hard work, even without full battle gear. I don't want you to wear yourself out trying to keep up with me.
Ricken: I'm okay, I swear! Completely fine. I... I'm going to stick with you no matter what... Even if the battle goes on and on... and on... and you move... so fast... I'm gonna... stick... Unnngh...
Chrom: Ricken!
Ricken: ... Huh? Oh, man! Did I pass out? I'm really sorry, Chrom...
Chrom: No need to apologize. You just need to remember that you're still young. There are limits to how far you can push yourself-- physically AND mentally...
Ricken: Curses...
Chrom: Not what you wanted to hear, I know.
Ricken: No. Not really.
Chrom: Look, I know this is hard, especially coming from someone you look up to. But you have to accept the fact that you're too young to do everything you want to. You have to take things one step at a time. You can't rush things. After all, knowing your limitations is an important part of becoming a man.
Ricken: So you're saying I should just accept the fact that I'm still a kid...
Chrom: I am. But don't worry-- you're here because you're already strong for your age. And you're only going to get stronger. You just have to be patient. Anyway, you can go on fighting at my side, but only if you try not to overdo it. Deal?
Ricken: ... Okay, deal!
Chrom: Good. Now, you ready to get back to it? We've got some brigands to deal with.
Ricken: Yeah. Th-thanks, Chrom. I won't let you down!
Chrom: Attaboy!
Ricken: H-hey! Hands off the hair! If you want to tousle something, get a lapdog! Yeesh. I may be a kid, but I still have my pride, you know...
Chrom: Ha ha! Sounds like you've fully recovered. All right, Ricken-- I'm counting on you!
Ricken: Right!