Yes! It’s another chapter!
Disclaimer/Notes: See an earlier chapter, I’ve said them many times already.

Chapter 7

Finally, Ash left Lance alone, went to his room, and cried himself to sleep.

Why am I so *useless*?

< Because you’re a stupid child! I can’t believe you’re my son! >

Ash had had enough of his stupid father’s advice. * GET OUT OF MY HEAD! *

Amazingly, the man obeyed. With a loud *thump* and a group of purple smoky butterflies, the man vanished.

Ash sighed in relief. * Finally! Was that really Father? Grr… *

But why did he care so much about Lance?

“Am I in ‘love’ with him? Can’t be…”

he was just ashamed and guilty! Lance had tried so hard to help, but he had lost the Angel Tear and now Lane was going to die!

NOOOOO!

“Hahahahaha, what a fool.”

“Hehehehe, I can’t believe he fell for it!”

Two men were laughing in a bar.

“Baka, the Angel Tear can’t just vanish.”

“Too bad he didn’t realize what really happened to it.”

“What an idiot.”

“I know. As soon as the guardian dies, we take over the kingdom.”

They clinked glasses.

It was cold and freezing and… different. Ash was watching the clock tick by, feeling hopeless.

Two days had passed since the incident.

Lance still had at least a week, but still… it rankled in his spirit how horrible he truly was. Truth hurts after all, in some cases.

He was fading. Literally. He was turning pale and almost going transparent during times. Ash didn’t’ want a ghost haunting him!

But he had to do something!

Lance was sitting quietly in a chair, compiling a set of notes for Ash. He looked up when the heir – prince entered.

“My lord.”

“Lance, what are you doing?”

“Here.” Lance handed him a detailed list. “Allies, enemies, treaties, pokemon population density, tax levels…”

“Lance, I-!”

“Yes?”

“I’m so *useless*! Everyone knows I’m not meant to be king, since you’re running the show, but now I can’t even save your life! How can I even hope to run a kingdom?” Tears streamed down his face in frustration.

Lance gently hugged him awkwardly, even though he needed comfort more.

Please help me…

Ash finally stopped crying. “Lance… just in case, can I…”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Ash kissed him.

Lance shivered. * How did he… * Abruptly, with a tinkling noise, the magic bindings shattered. Lance breathed in a deep breath of air gratefully.

“You’re not dead?”

“Not in any more danger of dying.” Lance smirked, as Ash hugged him tightly. “But how did you know you had to kiss me to break the spell?” * Maybe he’s smarter than I gave him credit for? *

“I didn’t.” Ash blushed.

“You… didn’t?” After a few seconds, crimson suffused Lance’s face as he caught the implications. “Then… you like me?”

“I think so – Lance, I guess I just never realized how much I needed you until you were almost dead. I mean, you’re the person running this country, not me…”

Lance silently nodded.

“So you can’t die! I’m useless without you!”

“Really?”
“Really.” Ash smiled. “Come on, Lance. We both know I’m telling the truth. Just… teach me now. I’m not going to be a kid forever. I promise.”

Gold met gold and this time, there was no backlash. “Very well, Ash. Let’s begin.”

End Fic

Completed 12/3/04

Phantomness: Screw the romance, there’s a bit of fluffy slash implication but that’s all. Anyways, I had fun writing it!
Pika-chan: *Hands authoress mug of raspberry tea*

Phantomness: ^-^