But I die, without you!

(A/N: Yet again, this one is Tamora Pierce- if you guys have actually been trying to read these, I love you forever. Some of these- like this one, will be matched with TG/STD equivalents. For now, though, enjoy the random fluff.)

The letter was held with hands that trembled. The hands were long and lean, scarred from years of combat. They were seasoned hands, and still the letter's words caused them to shake. Evin Larse dropped the letter to his desk, grief in his typically good-natured face. The letter remained where he had let it fall, no longer needing to read the words to know them. They had been etched into his heart by some careless scribe.

"Group Leader Larse.
I regret to inform you that a young lady of your aquaintance, Group Leader Fisher, and her Rider group were attacked. Fisher and two others survived. Fisher is currently in the care of Healers. If at all possible, come with the utmost haste."

The words killed him, every time that he thought about it. He was a Group Leader, and as such he knew that he couldn't simply walk away from his men. They needed him here, and so did his Commander. Yet, Evin the man couldn't let Miri go without being there. How could someone let their lover die alone, if they could help it? Evin had loved Miri's little upturned nose, her heavily dusted freckles, and her sea-green eyes for as long as he had known them. Her role in his life was irreplaceable.

He pushed away from the desk, marching down the hall until he found Buriram Tourakom. Commander Buri was not known for her gentleness, nor for being kind in moments of high stress and high tension as she was, now. Not to mention, her own love was at war himself. It couldn't be easy. Yet Evin approached her, and cleared his throat. The woman turned, lifting her dark gaze up to him.
"I request permission to join the remnant of the Seventh Riders."
"Permission denied. I need you here, Larse. Your men need you here."

Tears filled his eyes, and as his heart broke he knew that he had to choose Miri over duty- despite the fact that she'd probably have taken his head off for doing so. Knowing that she might not survive to do such a thing spurred him on even more.
"Miri needs me more, Buri."

The dark eyes softened, and she nodded towards to door.
"Go. I want you back as soon as you can be pulled from her side."

In other words as soon as she was dead.

Evin had never ridden so hard in his life, nearly killing his horse in the attempt to reach Miri that much sooner. It seemed to have worked, since he arrived far more quickly than he should have. He left his mare near Miri's, and stormed into the Healer's tent. He moved to Miri's side, looking down at her with confusion. She looked perfectly fine to him. When he pointed this out to a Healer, he was informed that she had been healed, but she persisted in staying in her coma.

Evin waved the nurse away, taking Miri's hand.
"Miri, you can't leave me now. Come on, Miri."
He kissed her hand gently, and held it to his face. Still there was nothing. Evin sat with her, knowing that she was eating or drinking nothing, and that soon her body would shut down. He fell asleep that night with his head on her bed.

Gentle hands ran through his hair, and Evin stirred slowly, sitting up to see who was presuming to touch him. His gaze met sea green eyes, and a small smirk beneath an upturned nose that was covered with freckles. He leaned over, kissing Miri soundly, before sitting back.
"Wha-"
"I was waiting for you." She interupted softly.

She pulled Evin down to kiss her once more.