a/n: loved these books. but first there's been changes to things as you'll see if you read this. that's because this was intended for a creative writing story (haha i know fail.) and so i decided to change this up so they flowed better. forgive those parts and just pretend that that was how it really went in the books ;]

Gar whispered, a soft breath of silent words weaving from his supple lips like a sacred spell from Barl herself. Asher had to strain to hear the barely audible utterance of words that so faintly slid from Gar. He sighed, something within his chest tightening as he gazed upon Gar's smooth face, a face seemingly etched from the clearest marble. A pain foreign to the prince was plastered over his alluring face, once bright blue eyes that shone happily, healthily, now were dull and tortured, plagued by grief and threatening to spill tears. A permanent reminder of what Asher dared not mention. He allowed his expression to contort, sympathy painting his usually hard exterior as he took the few steps that would bring them to near touching.

As his arm brushed Gar's, an accidental contact, their crystal glass of restraint was broken. Bludgeoned to pieces, Gar's professional emotions became naught as he threw himself into Asher, grasping and grappling madly against the others hard chest and firm shoulders as if climbing a mountain. Continuing to claw and not betraying the urge to hold he managed to ascend right into the warm lips of the only person, still alive, that he could trust with his life. One small whimper later and salty rivers cascaded down the slopes of his cheeks, rinsing off his chin with no sound, unlike the roaring rivers that surrounded the kingdom. The kingdom he was now sworn to protect with his life.

Gar shuddered at the thought, he was expected to die for this kingdom just as his dear father, lovely mother, and bratty but fair sister had days ago. The task at hand seemed daunting and the weight of his losses seemed to pull him down and bind him like the chains that bound a condemned man before he was trialed and executed. At least that mans death was swift, a quick swing of the axe and it was all over. But not for Gar, no, he was condemned to a different fate, a fate that involved wielding a vicious magic. He sniffled at the thought and sobbed some more, pulling away from Asher and burying his red blotted face into the others chest. He was pathetic, couldn't even face his duties properly without fearing what the kingdom thought, what his dearest mother and father would've thought. His whole family was gone, thrown from their carriage. Their bloody corpses mangled and gruesome, the grass beneath them stained red with flecks of bodily fluid and bone making them an open canvass of death, maybe even murder.

Gar was alone if it not be for Asher, still silently standing with him, dark hair streaked shadows across his forehead and deep brown eyes looking so menacing in the dusk light. Above all else a carefully placed arm snaking around the princes slim waist ensured protection, promised vigilance and reminded him that he wasn't alone. At least, not yet. Allowing a uncertain smile to warm his features Gar licked his lips, faintly tasting beer, he chuckled before grasping Asher's hand, twining their fingers together in what Gar could only describe as intimacy.

"Thank you," he murmured into Asher's lips, subdued and calmed for the time being.

"No need to say thank you I reckon." Asher replied, voice the same rough tone as always. "I'm just helpin' you, and yer helpin' me."

Gar smiled and Asher couldn't help but smile back. This was the Gar he knew, the one that smiled, even when the stakes were high and the kingdom demanded more than he could give.

This was the Gar he loved.

/end

reviews are loved.. though i dunno how many people will be reading this.