A/N: Has nothing to do with the actual plot. Just a writing exercise.
The days were warm with the sun shining right above. The birds were flying in loops and chirping and the leaves on the branches of the trees were swaying as the wind blew a cool gasp of air. There was a waterfall near since there is a large body of water and you can hear the soothing sound of it. Ashton and Luke knew each other for a long time yet it wasn't until now when they started becoming closer friends. They both discussed taking a walk earlier this day near Merzog. Merzog is a unique location, there were no ruins, no buildings or anything. It's kept out of touch and taken care of.
Ashton stopped near a river, his reflection showed back his face and the clothing he wore. Luke soon noticed that Ashton had stopped walking by him and had headed close to the river. He walked over. Looking at him, wondering what's got his attention then looking at the river, seeing stones at the bottom. The water is clear and could see anything from underneath it. "Ashton?" Luke says as he tries to gain back his attention. He failed so he said something that might get him to look up. "King Ashton?" Just as Luke had thought, Ashton's head snapped upwards to see Luke had joined him.
"Oh, right. We should get going before anyone back at the castle notices were gone." Ashton turned back to the river one more time and started to walk back on the path. Luke face bunched up in confusion wondering why he had been staring at the river in sudden interest. He walked over to Ashton, where he was waiting for Luke. It was quiet and awkward at first before Luke got the confidence to speak up. There was no reason to be nervous, for he is a king as well but having the presence of King Ashton is a bit nerve-wracking.
Some say he's gotten more serious with the way he's talked. Ever since his whole family had been murdered by a bunch of raiders. No one saw it coming so there wasn't anything anyone could do. With him being the last one of his family, he was crowned king very early. Usually, when someone gets him angry, he talks firmly and aggressively during private meetings. When he's left alone, he doesn't utter a single word.
Luke and Ashton have been allies and always companied each other during battles and brought in their men who are willing to fight. Ashton just seemed to keep wanting to attack others who aren't with him and Luke had enough of it so he nicely got him to agree with him on going on a walk by Merzog. "Had something bothered you?" He paused as he side glanced at Ashton who bowed his head in the process. "Pardon me for asking. I know it's not my place to ask--"
"No! It's alright and in fact, something is bothering me," Ashton looked up to see the river in view for a good minute before speaking again. "My family and I used to come here on the weekends when my mother wasn't all too busy when we were young of course. It's hard for me to come back here. Yes, it is a beautiful location but sometimes I'd hear the laughter of my sibling and the voice of my mother as if it were an ordinary day."
Luke was saddened at the thought as he watched Ashton relive old memories. "I'm sorry." Is all he said. Ashton shook his head and turned back to Luke and smiled. "I told you, It's alright. Those were years ago, just memories that are in the past. We spent too much time here, let's be off." Ashton held out his hand for Luke to hold onto. He was not sure at first, seeing it was strange for the king to be acting this way until he gave in and curled his fingers in Ashton's hand.
"We've known each other for years now and seeing the real you act in a different way, fascinates me." Luke brought up. Ashton snorted at the statement. "What? Me? What made you like someone like me? There's nothing fascinating about me, I've lost everything and on top of that, I'm nowhere near perfect if you couldn't tell." Luke quietly chuckled to himself and shakes his head. "You're right," Ashton then loosened his grip on Luke's hand but Luke doesn't let go, only tightens and reassures Ashton that that's not what he meant. "You're nothing close to being perfect and that's what fascinates me. I've asked you to come on this walk with me because you need to let go of what makes you angry, going off into battle without a proper discussion stresses everyone out. You need to know what your people need." Ashton rubs his thumb against Luke's palm and bits the inside of his cheek, unsure of what to say.
"Is that right?" He finally said. Luke nods with a small reply of "Yes." knowing that Ashton had not seen his gesture. Ashton sighs, "I haven't cared enough for what my people needed most. I've been too careless and you're right, I release my anger out on others, Thank you for reminding me." Luke nudged his shoulder and smiled which then Ashton soon returned and suddenly started to drop down making Luke frown in worry. "Something wrong?" He asks. Ashton lets go of his hand and said. "There's something else bothering me."
"What is it...?"
"You," Ashton looks over at Luke to see him backing away to give him some space. Ashton laughs and grabs onto Luke's forearm, shaking his head. "You are always on my mind. You're my everyday thought when I wake up in the morning. We've never talked before and I want to get to know you...badly."
"You're flattering me, King Ashton. Perhaps when we're alone together, we can then get to know each other." Luke smirks and Ashton removes his hand on his forearm.
A/N: Part I
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
