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“Ray, it’s fine.” Gavin gives him a reassuring smile. “I won’t think differently of you”

“I......would not mind being by your side.” He hesitates, licking his lips. “Rule with you - that sort of thing. I did love you, even when you were mad with the crown’s power and even before that so the thought isn’t a recent one. I’ve had it before.” Ray feels his cheeks grow even warmer, ducks his head. “See? Silly.”

“Hmm? Oh, continue. Please.” He gives his full attention to Ray, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. “We’re the only people here, anyways.”

“I don’t want to sound silly.” He feels his cheeks heat up and he looks away, lips twitching. “You’ll laugh, I bet.”

“Geoff should have given a warning,” Ray tells him, sitting down beside him. He picks at a few blades of grass, glances at him. “You.....You mentioned you wanted me as queen. I don’t want that but I wouldn’t mind being by your side - I’m already there, you know that, but....” He trails off and shuts his mouth. “It’s stupid, forget I said anything.”

“You’re right,” He admits it quietly, blinking at him. “I don’t know......I don’t know if I helped enough. There were so many things that have happened, how could I have helped you be better?” Ray takes the rose, though, and lets out a sigh. “I don’t think I could leave you or be on my own - I’m with you, Gavin. For however long our lives continue.”

“It was the crown…” Gavin grabs his crown and throws it on the ground. “It made me go bloody mental.” He sighs, knowing he must’ve hurt Ray. “Again, I’m sorry.”

“You should have let me know.” He says - quietly, sadly. “It.....It was frightening to see the difference in you. I didn’t know what to do or how to help. Some days, I thought I had done something.”

“Are you?” He asks quietly, staying close to him. “Lately you’ve been.....different. Some things you do you show no remorse for and then occasionally you do. It’s confusing and I just don’t understand what is going on.” He takes a deep breath. “Please, will you tell me what’s wrong?”

The king cups Rays cheeks and kisses him. The kiss is sloppy and rough, also slightly salty from the tears. He tries to hold Ray closer, to feel that he is there. “Okay” He whispers against Rays lips.

The reassurance has him relaxing, blinking away his own tears that threaten to spill. Ray leans into him a bit, shaky exhale escaping. “Then let’s go.” He says finally, giving his hand a squeeze. “Leave it all behind - leave them behind. I don’t know what I’d do if.....” He trails off, mouth shutting as he just looks at him. “Lead the way.”

“They’re dead! They’re dead, okay?” Tears start streaming down his cheeks. “We can never go back!” He pulls Ray into a hug and listens to the dynamite explode in the background. “W-We can never go back”

And just like that, those hopes shatter - he can only stare at Gavin, all wide-eyed with surprise. He doesn’t even resist the hug, doesn’t even return it either. “Dead?” He repeats faintly, a lump in his throat. “How did they......” Ray looks at Gavin, probably the only one he has left - and he’ll probably always have him, too. “Take me away from here, please.” 

“We’re leaving them behind?” It’s easy to keep up with Gavin, but a part of him wants to stop and talk about this. “We can’t--Gavin! They’re our friends!” He chances a look back, hopes that they’re safe and that they know how to leave - hopes they’re still alive. “Gav.....”

His eyes narrow for a moment, a glance from him to the outside and back again. “Leaving those people to die?” The Guards are quick to follow Gavin’s order and he sighs, because Gods, he knows he’ll go with him anywhere. “Where will we go?”

He licks his lips, tempted to lean in and kiss him again. He doesn’t, though, stares down at their hands. “Despite what’s been happening,” He says quietly. “With you, between us, I still feel the same. But that doesn’t change what I’ve said before.” Ray sighs, looking at him again. “What will happen now? With you, with the rest of the land.....”