to·geth·er
/təˈɡeT͟Hər/
into companionship or close association.

  Devin Trunswick had never had friends.

  He met the occasional kind human being who would give him free cookies and shoulder pats, but not once had he had a true friend. So, when he began to lose consciousness and balance as the pain consumed him, he was surprised that the last thing he thought of was the other three- Karmo, Ana, and Tahlia. He hoped they were okay.

  "Devin!"

  Dawson? Devin opened his eyes, but not to the swaying trees and cold river. Instead, he was in the manor, sitting in a chair in the grand parlour. A young Dawson, maybe eight, was running towards him, a goofy grin on his face.

  "What?" Devin responded, voice slightly croaky.

  "We did it!" Dawson sat down beside him, chin resting in his hand.

  Devin's brows furrowed. "Did what?"

  "The puzzle," Dawson chirped. "It's finished."

  "But you did most of it," Devin replied in confusion. "So why say we?"

  Dawson shrugged. "You still helped. Made it go quicker. You deserve credit too."

  Devin raised a brow, but didn't say any more. Then, after a moment, he said, "Good job," and then carried on reading. The memory faded.

 
  He was nine now. Devin could feel the wide grin on his face. He was on horseback, all by himself in the fields. The movements of a horse beneath him were so familiar. It was almost like his body didn't need any orders, it just reacted how it was supposed to.

  He remembered this. It was the first time he'd ever jumped. The fence was getting smaller and smaller behind him, but his smile was still huge. There was no one around but the proud boy and his white stallion.

  That was okay. They didn't need a crowd. They'd done it together. Devin sat back, pulling on the reins until the stallion finally stopped. Then, he bursted out laughing, wrapping his arms tightly around the horse's neck, burying his face in its mane.

  Devin's eyes snapped open, and there they were. The river, the trees, the pain. And the three other kids leaning over him.

  "Geez, you looked dead, Trunswick," Ana said immediately, but he saw the look of worry on her face.

  "I thought I was," Devin managed to gasp out. He sat up, swallowing. He felt weak. Then, he noticed something. It was quiet. "Did.. did you beat them?" He asked. He sounded weak.

  He felt the trickle of cold water down his neck. He shivered. "Yeah," Karmo responded. There was an awkward pause. "You said you."

  Devin nodded.

  "You played a part, Dev."

  "I know."

  "So why "you?"" Karmo raised a brow.

  Devin shrugged. "I just nearly died, cut me some slack."

  Tahlia sharpened suddenly. "That's right," she said, "You nearly died. Don't be an idiot, you brat."

  "By all the Great Beasts, Tahlia, are you worried about me?" Devin laughed, then immediately winced.

  "No," Tahlia stiffened, "I just don't like to lose any assets."

  Devin felt a little warm inside. These three.. they cared about him. Even Tahlia wouldn't let him die. He smiled. He didn't even fight when Ana tugged him towards her, bandages in her other hand.

  "That was a genuine smile," Karmo said quietly. "Terrifying."

can we just live in a pretend world where the fake legend gang actually cares about each other, thanks <3 but anyway i just needed some softness and sorry for being dead for like,, months LOL