Laurance had known The High Prince of O'khasis for a while, they met when they were mere children. His mother and brothers, had visited the orphanage Laurance had lived in. Queen Zianna wanted to show her boys, that life was glamorous. That they were the lucky ones. She also wanted them, to be inspired to help the needy of their kingdom, especially the children.

The eldest and youngest son, were saddened to learn that children actually lived the way he did. The middle, just didn't care. Laurance had been unlucky to be placed, in an orphanage in the slums of O'khasis. The worst one in the entire city. He was lucky enough if he was able to sleep in one of the few beds at night.

As time went on, the queen and two of her sons came back for more visits. Often bringing gifts and snacks with them. Laurance got the know The High Prince, Garroth, the future king. A friendship blossomed between the two, one that inspired Laurance to do something with his life. Growing up in an orphanage in the slums it was expected that one day he'd become a criminal. He was inspired to prove them wrong, and became a guard for the royal family.

And so he did, become a guard for the royal family. Specifically, he became Prince Garroth's own personal guard. The perks of being friends with a prince.

~ ~ ~

Leaning up against the doorway, Laurance eyed Garroth as he paced around his room. He appeared as if he was bothered by something, normally he was after he had a meeting with his father. But today, he could sense that this was different. Garroth's entire body was shaking, a nervous sweat slipping down his face.

"Prince Gar-" He was cut off by Garroth. "I told you, when were alone you can just call me Garroth." He states, flatly. Getting to know him through the years, Laurance knew how much he hated being a prince. The strict set of rules he had to follow, what was expected of him, the list goes on. He especially hated that he'd never live a normal life, that he'd never had to work for what he wanted. Instead, everything was handed to him on a silver platter.

Garroth had mentioned on multiple occasions, that when they were alone he'd like to just be referred as Garroth - not Prince Garroth. And that he wished to be treated like a regular person. Laurance usually tried to oblige, but in guard training in was drilled into his head that he was too call the royal family by their titles.

"Sorry - Garroth, what's bothering you?" He corrected, stepping deeper into the room. Garroth had finally stopped pacing, and turned towards Laurance.

"Father said that I'm to get married." Garroth responds, a deep sadness laced in his voice. Laurance knew this day was to come. The royal were to never marry for love, but for more power. Usually parents picked out who their child was to marry.

Folding his arms over his chest, Laurance sighed. "You knew this was going to happen."

"I did. But, I wasn't thinking it'd happen this soon. Maybe a few years down the road, I'm only sixteen after all... " He brushes a hand through his sandy blonde hair, sitting down on his bed.

"Do you know who you're going to marry?"

"Yeah - Nicole, Princess of Scaleswind." Laurance raised a brow, he'd had met her a few times when her family came to the palace for visits. She seemed nice... He never bothered getting to know her, despite Garroth have been forced to spend time with her.

"You two seem like you'll be a perfect pair." Laurance states, going over to sit down next to Garroth.

Garroth leans his head down onto his shoulder, "why don't you seemed bothered by any of this?" Truth was - he is bothered by it. But, he had no choice but to agree with the marriage. He had no choice in the matter, for Garroth to marry someone or not. He was a mere guard, a servant to the prince.

If anyone found out what blossomed between him and Garroth, Laurance would sure be the one to get punished. He'd end up on the front lines in the military, most likely dead within a year. He reached out, taking Garroth's hand and running a thumb over his palm. "I have to be okay with this." After all, he knew it was going to happen one day. Garroth was a prince after all, Laurance was just his guard. "There's nothing we can do, after all." He squeezed Garroth's hand.

Laurance liked to think he could stop his heart from falling for Garroth, but he only found himself falling harder. His heart knew what it wanted, but could never properly have.

"How do you feel deep down inside?" Garroth questions, placing his free hand onto Laurance's cheek and turning his head to face him. To Laurance, it seemed as if Garroth might be planning something.

"Deep down, I'm hurt." Though, he's always been hurt prepping for this day. "And I wish it wasn't happening, but again, there is nothing we can do about it." Laurance wishes there was, but there isn't. He's just going to have to sit on the sidelines and support Garroth's future marriage with Nicole.

"What if there was something we could do about it?"

Laurance raises a brow. "What do you mean?"

"We could runaway."

Laurance's mouth nearly drops to the floor at Garroth's suggestion. If Garroth, suddenly went missing the entire palace would entire a frenzy, every single guard would be sent out to look of him. And they would find him - they found Vylad, when he had disappeared for a few days. There was no possible way for them, to run. They'd just be found and torn away from each other.

"That's insane Garroth. We'd never get away with it, they'd find you." With those words, a smirk played across Garroth's lips.

"Not if they think I'm dead."

"And how do you plan to get them to think you're dead?"

"My dear Laurance, you're just going to have to wait and find that out."

~ ~ ~

It was a mysterious illness, that took Garroth's life. Palace doctors did whatever they could to try and save his life, but nothing worked. Laurance sat back watching, the entire thing. His body growing cold, as he watched Garroth take his last breath. Even though he knew it wasn't real, just a potion they got from a witch. One that would 'kill' Garroth. It still felt real.

When it was time for the funeral, Laurance cried real tears. Just as everyone around him did, they're beloved future king gone. Zane now given the title, Laurance could see the evil smirk on his lips as he as he paid his respects to his older brother.

If only Laurance hadn't been so selfish and had stopped Garroth from taking the potion, the future of O'khasis would still look bright. Instead, now it looked dark and bleak. It scared him to learn what the future of O'khasis would hold.

But he couldn't care about that now. He had to get Garroth out of O'khasis as soon as possible.

The blond was still knocked out, as they rode through the dark streets. Laurance had his arms around Garroth, keeping him falling off the horse, as he gripped onto the strap, that guided the horse where to go.

It wasn't long till they were out of the city, and Garroth was beginning to stir. His eyes starting to flutter open slowly, he leaned up against Laurance. "Morning sleepy head." Laurance leaned down to whisper in his year. He was starting to think he was going to have to kiss his prince in order to wake him.

"Are we out of O'khasis?" Garroth asks, his voice still weak.

"Yeah we're out, and heading towards Phoenix Drop now. It'll probably take a few days to get there though." Phoenix Drop was a rumored safe place, for those on the run. A small village where it was perfect to hide out. A perfect place to stare a life together. Hopefully they wouldn't be found out there.

They had just made it past Falcon Claw, when the decided to make camp. Stopping near a small creek bed, both boys slid off the horse. Garroth nearly falling, as he still had to get used to his legs again after have been unconscious due to the potion, quickly Laurance prevented that.

"There won't be a next time." He promised, O'khasis believed he was dead, there was no need to return now.

"Good." Laurance breaths, leaning in and pressing his forehead to Garroth's. "Now my prince, shall we share a sleeping bag?"

"W-What?" Garroth's cheeks flushed a deep red color.

Laurance smirked. "I'm only kidding, unless you actually want too." Leaning forward, he brushes his lips light against Garroth's before capturing his lips in a gentle kiss. Laurance smiled against Garroth's lips, happy he could finally do this. He wanted to kiss him so bad, when he confessed his feelings for him. But, it'd be wrong to do that. Garroth's first kiss was meant for his future bride, but now, since things had changed and they ran away. Laurance could finally have it.

"We should rest now, our journey to our future is going to be a long one." Laurance states, as he pulls away once again resting his forehead against Garroth's.

"But, we'll be there soon."

~ 

I've been dying to write some Garrance ( that isn't sin; I MEAN WHAT??? ), so I finally did! And I gotta say, I'm happy with this, even though it took me nearly all day to write. ;a;

ANYWAYS I HOPED YOU ENJOYED!! :3

- MAR