The end is here... ish :(     

This is the last chapter of this crazy journey that had loads of bumps along the way but somehow I soldiered through and will actually be able to finish it.  

There will be an epilogue coming soon by PTX :-P 

Just a few thanks to some lovely people: Thanks to Deanne for pushing me to keep this story going, Eve for dealing with my whining, neediness, and constant deleting, Lia for her incredible ideas and Sarah for being my bestie :)  

Also shout out to the creator of this lovely fan art - WhoAmIE28   - I put a little contrast on it just so you could see the incredible detail of it.  The original and also the amazing art they did for my story Lacrimosa will have links posted in the comments below. Thanks again!!! 

So here ya go...   (sorry its really long)

~

Oryn spun around again as she watched herself in the mirror. Avriel had gifted her a pretty little night dress, a shimmery snow white that complimented her lavender hair. She was still getting used to the human clothes he had purchased for her, but this one was her favorite. The fabric slid along her skin, soft like the flower petals of her own world. When she spun around the skirt would flare and ripple like water. It was beautiful.

She stopped mid spin, the bottom of her dress twisting around her a bit before falling back into place. She turned to the door as Avriel came through it, dabbing at his hair with a towel. When he saw her in her new nightgown he couldn't help but smile. 

"You're so beautiful. You look like a princess or maybe an angel."

She smiled, gold eyes rimmed with a deep golden brown as she looked over her shirtless mate.

"Thank you, Avriel. I am not, but that is alright. Look how pretty it is." She spun once again but Avi suddenly turned away from her with a deep blush.

"Do you not like it?" She tilted her head as she halted mid rotation again.

Avi took a deep breath to calm himself. He'd known he was just asking for trouble when he'd purchased the thing, but he'd also known she would love it so he tempted fate and now he would have to really dig deep to remain a gentleman. "It's not that I don't like it, I like it... maybe too much. It's just that... when you spin like that it.. shows... a lot of... um... you. "

"Oh." Her voice was quiet, almost mournful as she let his words sink in. "I am sorry I do not please you." 

"What?" He turned to look at her in disbelief. "No, no that's not what I meant at all."

Those gorgeous eyes blinked at him, her lips turned downward.

The sadness radiating off of her melted his heart and he moved forward to pull her into his arms. "I didn't mean you aren't perfect and beautiful and everything I've ever wanted." He pulled back enough to look into her eyes.

"I do not think I understand." Her fingers reached up to touch the still angry gash across his shoulder. 

"Are you in pain?"

"Not really but don't change the subject. You know I love you, right?" 

She gave a short nod. "Yes. You tell me often."

"And you know I think you're gorgeous?" He kissed her forehead, sliding his fingers through her hair.

"You tell me that as well." Her lips lifted a little.

He smiled at her, still amazed that this woman could love someone like him. When she gave him a small smile in return his own just grew.

"But if your words are true, then why do you not want me?"

"Oryn, I've never wanted anything more than I want you. I just mean that I love you and I don't want to take advantage of you."

"I am not a child, Avriel! You cannot take advantage of what is gladly offered."

"I know you're not. I just don't want to overstep your boundaries. I respect you too much for that."

She smiled, an amused twinkle in her eye. "You are my bond mate Avriel. There are no boundaries between us. I am yours and you are mine."

"The most amazing words I've ever heard." He felt her smile against the lips he pressed to hers, hands resting low on her waist. He knew his restraint was slipping, but after her words he couldn't bring himself to really fight her magnetic pull.

It was he that pulled away to catch his breath, but it was her that decided to steal it away again.

"May I stay here with you, Avriel?" 

"Well I kind of just assumed we'd share this room. I mean there's another guest room if you wanted but..."

She giggled. "I meant here in your world. I want to stay here with you." 

His smile fell just a bit, the shock of her words rendering him mostly speechless. "You mean..."

She misunderstood his reaction again and hung her head. "It was a foolish question. Forgive me"

"Oryn, look at me, please?"

She lifted her eyes to meet his misty green.

"You are the most incredible thing that's ever happened to me. I know I say that all the time but it's true. I know it would be really hard for you, learning all of these new things and being away from your world and your friends and your family. I'm just trying to comprehend and accept that someone as unworthy as me could ever deserve someone as perfect and beautiful and compassionate.. and strong.. as you." He wanted to look away as tears slid down his cheeks, but he just couldn't.

Well there goes the mood.

She reached up to wipe the tears, her gaze a bit dreamy as she stared up at the man she loved. She was still a little afraid of what the future would hold for them, but as long as he held her in his arms she knew it would all be just fine.

"You are strange, Avriel, but I do not mind. You make me happy and I like making you happy. You are a good man, honest and selfless. You always make me smile when I am sad. You hold me when I am frightened and tell me it will be alright in the end. You help me find my way when I am lost or confused. You take care of me. I love you. My heart belongs with you. Wherever you are is where I belong."

He leaned down to meet their lips once again, lifting his hand to her jaw to tilt her to the right angle as he was much more eager. His free arm snaked around her waist to pull her in close against him. Her body was soft against his and she melted into him, fingers sliding over his bare chest. It was so tempting to take what she was so keen to offer, and his walls were crumbling quickly, but it was at that moment they were interrupted by a rambunctious pudgey dancing around Avi's legs a bit before plopping her butt down on his feet and staring up at them.

He chuckled as he looked down at the baby dragon. "My life is perfect."

Oryn giggled and looked down before smiling at the human before her.

Avi looked into those golden eyes and knew he was done for. "Sarah, you know I love you but I think we need to find you somewhere else to sleep.

____

"I like mimosas." Mitch grinned and took the glass Scott offered. 

"Pools smell funny." Oryn looked at the water shimmering in the sunlight.

"It's probably the chlorine. I think it kills bacteria? Y'know... I don't think I've ever had people over that didn't want anything to do with the pool."

"I didn't think you'd ever had people over." Avi smirked as he came up behind Oryn and wrapped his arms around her.

"Your sun is much too bright." Orion complained, slinking back and sticking to the shaded areas near the house.

"Are you sure you are well, Orion?" Mitchell inquired, head tilted slightly as he regarded the squinting fae.

"Just ready to go home." He grumbled.

"Speaking of going home, I am going to run to mine and grab some clothes and things. I won't be gone long and I'll grab lunch on the way back."

"Don't forget the group of vegetarians. I know it won't be easy for you to avoid meat, Mr. Barbeque." Scott smirked.

Avi sighed but aimed a middle finger Scott's way. "Will you be ok?" He turned his eyes back to Oryn. 

"I will be fine, Avriel. You worry far too much."

He smiled and gave her a quick peck on the lips before heading out, laughing to himself when he heard Scott trying to explain to Mitch what Avi's gesture had meant.

~

"So how exactly are we planning to get 2 fae and a dragon back to the Philippines ?" Scott asked, sitting in the grass next to the chair Mitch was sipping on his drink in.

"I do not think it wise to send them back that way." Mitch looked at Oryn. 

"We can handle ourselves." Orion interjected.

"Could we try to reopen the veil your father closed? If all three of us try together?" Oryn inquired, lifting Sarah up into her arms.

"If we could do that then we would not have made the journey in the first place." Orion said, moving back further into the shade and leaning against the wall. 

"Perhaps the magic keeping it sealed is weaker on this side. If we could just weaken it enough it may work." Oryn's attention was diverted again as a bumble bee buzzed around her head before flying off. Sarah jumped from her arms to chase after it.

"It will hurt nothing to try, but I fear Orion may be right." Mitch frowned. "We may have to find another way." 

"Does Sarah have to go?" Scott pouted a bit as he watched the golden creature running around the yard.

Mitch grinned and ran his fingers through his love's hair. "You have a lot of space, but a fully grown dragon would hardly be easy to hide.

Scott's shoulders sagged as he realized he'd have to say goodbye to the creature he'd grown so attached to. 

Mitch ran his fingernails lightly along Scott's scalp. "She will be happy with the other dragons."

"I know." Scott whispered, lips still pursed in a sad pout.

They sat in silence, Oryn blowing dandelion seeds while Sarah chased them as they were scattered in the wind.

"I should go change. It's getting hot and these PJ pants are not helping." Scott pushed up from the ground and Mitch got to his feet as well. 

"I will come with you." He smiled, following his love inside. He just sat back on the bed and watched Scott change, appreciating once again the mate he'd been gifted.

Once changed Scott turned to him with a smile. "Enjoy the view?" 

Mitch grinned, head tilted just slightly to the side. "I love you."

Scott took his hand and tugged him up to his feet. "I love you so much. I can't wait to wake up every morning, open my eyes and see you next to me."

"I lost my watch that you gave me. I am sorry." 

"It's fine. It just gives me an excuse to buy you a new one. I'm just a little bit excited to take you shopping. I like buying things for people I love."

Mitch shook his head, his giddiness still making him a little light headed. "On the topic of gifts, I have something of yours." He pulled from Scott's arms and retrieved the dagger that had been tossed aside carelessly the night before. He held it out, laid across the palm of his hands. 

Scott reached out and wrapped his fingers around the pearlescent handle, but found himself momentarily unable to move, a white light filling the room to the point of white out. He wanted to close his eyes to block it out but he couldn't and it was only when the light faded that he was able to move again.

When he was able to see again he got a good look at his loves terrified face. Mitch pulled his hands away from the dagger as if it were on fire, leaving it in Scott's hands.

"What was that?" 

"The bond. I still feel it?" Mitch whispered out almost to himself. "What color are my eyes?"

"Gold?" Scott raised an eyebrow, still not sure what the heck was going on.

The relief on that beautiful face was short lived as he perked up and ran out of the bedroom door.

"Mitch!?"

He chased after him, realizing as he got closer to the back door he could hear Oryn calling his name.

As they rounded the corner he nearly barrelled into Mitch as he'd come to a stop. 

"Wait here. If there is danger I want you inside where it is safe."

"No way. I'm going with you." He argued.

"Please. Just stay here." 

"I have this if something bad happens." He held up the dagger and Mitch just shrunk back a bit.

"Put that down. I do not know what happened and it may be dangerous." 

Scott put it on the counter next to him and backed away from it. "Fine."

"Stay here." 

He rolled his eyes as Mitch walked out the door. He waited maybe 2 minutes before the curiousity got the best of him and he went to investigate.

~

"Are we sure it is a veil?" Oryn stared at the empty space in the far corner of the yard, a shimmering sheet of magic only barely visible to the fae. 

"It looks like a veil. The magic feels like that of a veil. Where did this come from?" Orion turned to the perplexed prince by his side, still squinting in the harsh sunlight.

"I do not know. It happened when... " he tried to think of an explanation that Orion wouldn't question too much. "Scott and I touched. There was a flash of light and then I heard you calling for me."

"Bond magic is much more powerful than unbonded. You are much more powerful than other fae as well. Were you thinking of home?" Oryn guessed.

"Not that I recall. Perhaps. We do not even know that it leads to Illyria. It could lead to anywhere."

"Of course it leads to Illyria. If it was born of your magic then it leads home. We should go now." Orion turned to Oryn.

"It is too dangerous to assume, Orion." Mitch turned to him.

"Are you ok, man? You look a little gray." Scott addressed Orion as he wandered over, much to Mitch's chagrin.

"I will be fine once we leave this place. I will go first to make sure it is alright." 

He took a step towards the veil but was stopped by Mitch. "We need to be sure. We will figure out a way."

Orion shook his head, shielding his eyes as the sun came from behind a cloud. "You are being foolish! We did what you asked. We found your human and our task is done. Do whatever you wish, but Oryn and I are going home." 

"Wait." Oryn stood between he and the veil and Mitch reached out to take her hand just in case Orion freaked and tried to push her through.

"We need to go home!"

"Can I speak with Mitchell alone? I need to speak with him. Privately." She was nervous but she wouldn't back down.

"Oryn." Orion began another protest but she quickly cut it short. 

"Alone, Orion. Go."

He huffed, teeth clenched and his irises darkening to black. He turned without another word and walked back into the house.

Oryn shifted her gaze to Scott who just looked confused or surprised at their spat. 

"Sorry, I'm going." He sighed a bit and met Mitch's gaze for just a moment before turning and following the angry fae back inside.

When they were gone Oryn turned to her best friend with a small smile.

"Mitchell..." She didn't know where to start. The decision had already been made and the knowledge that he would be there with her only made it that much easier. Still, she would miss her home and her family and other friends. She would miss the creatures that always kept her company, the beauty of Illyria.

"I know. You want to stay." He didn't sound very happy about it, but she knew he was just worried for her.

"I do. I am. He is my everything, my Avriel. I do not think I would be able to bear it if I had to leave him. I do not want to." 

Mitch smiled and squeezed her hand just a bit. "You are a strong fae, stubborn and capable. You will be fine and no matter what happens I will always be here for you."

She hugged him, throwing her arms wildly around him as Avi had done to her so many times.

Mitch chuckled and held her close. "I cannot wait to see your face when you have ice cream for the first time." 

She giggled and squeezed him tight. "We are going to be ok, Mitchell. Everything is going to be wonderful. I just know it." She frowned. "Now I just have to tell Orion."

But Orion had already heard.

----

"I was beginning to think you went back to the Philippines you took so long. You missed the fireworks." Scott laughed as he took the carryout bags from Avi. 

"Traffic was brutal.. and so was my refrigerator." He made a face and laughed before carrying his bag upstairs to the guest room.

Scott put the bags of food on the island in the kitchen and began pulling out the containers. He glanced up at Orion who was standing on the opposite side of the bar, tense and unmoved. He couldn't really see his face, but he could sense something wasn't right. Maybe he really was sick.

"Do you want another bottle of water?" He asked but didn't receive and answer. "Orion?" Still nothing.

"Suit yourself." He mumbled and moved to the cabinet to pull out some plates.

Avi was all smiles as he bounced down the stairs, taking two at a time. He headed for the back door, but Orion was blocking his way.

"Hey, everything alright?" He raised an eyebrow, not realizing until it was too late that something was different. Orion's eyes had blacked out completely and he turned that void-like gaze to Avi.

He didn't see it coming, as the fae moved at inhuman speeds. The blade was so sharp that it sliced into him with barely a sting and he felt more as if he'd inhaled smoke than been stabbed. It wasn't he that made a noise to alert anyone, it was the fae who had attacked him. 

As he fell to his knees, the pain suddenly catching up and burning through him, Orion's mouth opened in a scream of agony and black mist began to pour out of him.

"AVI!" Scott had barely seen it happen and by the time his brain caught up it was far too late. He hadn't even made it over to his friend before Mitch and Oryn were barrelling through the door.

Orion collapsed, body convulsing on the floor as the mist began to dissipate, the black fading from his eyes ... and then he was still.

"AVRIEL!" Oryn was by his side, catching him as he fell sideways and laying him flat on his back. "No!"

"What happened!?" Mitch's eyes were wide as he looked up at Scott, kneeling beside Orion's still form.

"I don't know! Orion seemed sick so I offered him more water but he didn't answer. The next thing I know Avi's coming downstairs and Orion must have grabbed the dagger I left on the counter and turned around and stabbed him." 

Oryn's eyes were a flashing mix of gold and silver trimmed in red. She tried every bit of magic she could to ease Avi's pain, but nothing seemed to work.

"You will be fine. We will save you." She ran her trembling fingers over his face. 

"I'm calling 911." Scott grabbed his phone and dialed.

Mitch was busy trying to figure out what was wrong with Orion, but it didn't take him long to realize the night mare that had injured him had planted a seed of darkness and the poison had run its course. It's deed was done and now it was gone. 

Orion would be perfectly fine.

Avi on the other hand...

"I'll be alright." The injured man tried to assure the panicked female, but tears just slid from her eyes anyway.

"I do not have another healing potion!"

"They'll take me to the hospital. Doctor's can help." 

"Please don't leave me. I love you." Her fingers ran through his loose hair.

"Listen to you using contractions like a pro. Don't worry... I'm not going anywhere, beautiful." He reached up to touch her face, but sudden pain halted his movement.

When he let out a cry of pain Oryn looked to Mitch for help. He didn't know what to do and just stood there, helpless and afraid for his friend.

"Take it out! Its on fire!" Avi arched, spine curving right off of the floor. He tried to get his hands to cooperate so he could get it out himself, but they just wouldn't.

"They said not to!" Scott interrupted, still on the phone. "You could bleed out!" 

"Avriel." Oryn whimpered out, the horror of watching her love endure such agony tore her apart and she couldn't take it anymore.

When another tortured wail bellowed out of him, she wrapped her fingers around the handle and pulled. A sudden burst of magic catapulted her backwards into the opposite wall

"ORYN!" Mitch ran to her side.

Avi tried to catch his breath as the pain receded back to a not quite but almost bearable level. "Oryn...." He whispered out, trying to shift so he could see her, but the pain was just too much.

Scott hurried over and tossed the phone to the side, ripping off his own shirt and balling it up ready to press against the wound. He was surprised when he lifted Avi's shirt that it wasn't bleeding anymore but the skin looked black and charred. He nearly threw up but just hung up the phone, not sure how he was going to explain that to the paramedics.

"Stay with me, Av. Just breathe. Help will be here soon." He didn't know what to do so he just sat there staring. 

Oryn groaned as she sat up and Mitch gently unwrapped her fingers from the dagger's handle and set it aside. "Are you alright?"

She frowned and opened her eyes, sending Mitch's heart into his stomach. Gone were the golden eyes that symbolized her bond, and a pinkish red greeted him instead, only a narrow ring of silver circled the dark of her pupil. "Oh, Oryn..." He breathed out, his own heart breaking for her.

"Where are we?" She blinked up at him. 

"We are in Scott's home. We are in the human world."

"What!? Why? How did we get here?"

"Just think. Try to remember." He encouraged, hoping it was just a temporary loss of memory, but knowing it could be much worse.

"My head hurts" She blinked a few times. "You jumped. You were broken. I was going to find your Scott and bring him back to you." 

"And you did. You found Scott and you brought him back to me. You saved me."

She smiled. "I am glad. Why are we here if you are alright now?" 

Her smile faded when she saw her brother laid out on the floor and she quickly scrambled over to his side. "Orion!"

He groaned a little, eyes fluttering open just barely. "Oryn?" 

Her eyes zeroed in on Scott, black beginning to swirl. "What did you do to him?" Her stance shifted from weak to warrior in the span of a second, but Mitch was quick to move between them.

"He did nothing! This is Scott. My Scott. My bond mate." He tried to reason with her, but she seemed so confused and frightened.

"Then what happened to Orion?" 

"I was at fault." Orion sat up, guilt written all over his face and blaring in his eyes.

"It was night mare poison. You were not yourself." Mitchell reasoned. 

"You are kind to try and assuage my guilt, but we both know that night mares only magnify the dark desires already inside."

Avi whispered her name and she tilted her head towards him.

"Is that another human?"

"He is your-" Mitch cut off and looked at Scott, neither knowing how to handle the situation. "He is Scott's friend. He is our friend."

"What happened to her?" Orion looked to Mitch for an explanation.

"Her memories are gone. The dagger you use to stab Avi ..." He trailed off, not knowing how much he should say around the already confused girl.

"I am so sorry, Oryn." Orion hung his head. "I did not want you to bond to him, but this... "

"What do you mean?"

"Scott, I hear sirens." Mitch interrupted. 

"The ambulance. You three... upstairs. Don't come out until you hear me leave. I have to figure out a story about this.. and I don't have enough brain power to explain you guys too. And get Sarah."

"Come. We must go." Mitch helped Orion to his feet before going out the door and returning with the confused little dragon. 

"Can we go home now?" Oryn asked, a bit overwhelmed and frightened.

"Oryn...." Avi whispered again. "Are you... alright?"

She shrank back a bit, curious yet wary.

"She's fine, Av. Let's worry about you right now, okay?" Scott pocketed the phone he'd tossed aside in the craziness and tried to somehow come up with a story to explain not only the weird wound but also the multiple healing bruises and battle wounds he still carried.

"But..."

Scott looked to Mitch to get them upstairs. The ambulance was close and they didn't have much time even he could hear the sirens by then.

"Oryn..." Avi turned his head as the fae passed him. "I love you."

Her eyes widened and looked away from him, moving closer to her brother. Orion wrapped an arm around her, one look at the wounded man on the floor sending his guilt into overdrive. He wanted to apologize again but Mitchell rushed them all up the stairs and into the room Avi and Oryn had been staying in.

It was only a few minutes later that Avi had been taken away.

And the house was quiet.

~

When Scott returned from the hospital hours later it was to a single fae instead of three.

"Orion tested the veil. It comes out in the woods at the edge of Illyria. Oryn was frightened and did not understand what was happening so I thought it best to let them go. 

Scott wanted to cry. He couldn't imagine how Avi was going react. He wasn't sure how he was going to break that news without falling apart himself.

"Is Avi going to be alright?" 

"Yeah. They rushed him into surgery but according to the doc everything went ok. His family is there now but it'll be awhile before he wakes up and they aren't super happy with me right now. I mean their son disappears for months and the next time they see him he's 'fallen on a hot knife'. It was all I could come up with..."

"One day I'll ask you to explain all of that a little more, but for now I do not think I could even comprehend." 

"We'll watch Grey's Anatomy one day. You'll get so grossed out."

Mitch didn't even crack a smile. "I wanted to tell Oryn the truth, but I just could not find the words. I cannot imagine losing that part of me... of us." 

"I can. It was the worst time of my life. It was lonely, confusing.. painful. Just... all around horrible. At least my pain was my own fault. Can't you just bring her memories back like she did for me?" He asked hopefully, pulling Mitch against him, needing to hold him to chase away the memories of loneliness and longing.

"No. I tried after you left but even with Orion and I both attempting, we made no progress at all. The dagger is ancient magic, as old as the bonds themselves. I am not sure that anything would be able to restore her memories. Maybe if she were to fall in love with him again? Bond magic is probably the most powerful magic there is, but even that may not work. "

"So it was the dagger. Why would it do that?"

"It is meant for the royal family. If a royal's mate is compromised before they can produce an heir, the dagger is meant to break their bond so that they may find another to continue the bloodline." 

"Wait. Then why would you give it to me? Were you-"

Mitch didn't even let him finish. "No. I was not going to use it that way. It also is used for protection. It protects the one who holds it from any attack that is born of magic. I gave it to you for protection and also to uphold tradition." 

Scott nodded in understanding. "Wait, where is it now? You didn't touch it did you?"

"It is here, I wrapped it in a shirt from your floor and hid it away." 

"Don't touch it again, ok?" He wrapped Mitch up even tighter and the other boy laughed just a bit as he was squished into warmth.

"Scott, I am not going anywhere. I am right here and we are together." 

"I just... I can't imagine. I mean... if Orion had stabbed me instead. If you suddenly couldn't remember me? That would destroy me. It would kill me."

"No magic is stronger than our bond. I do not care how ancient it is, our love would overcome. I will always be yours. Nothing can come between us... not even being in separate worlds." 

"I'm sure Oryn thought the same thing."

Mitch frowned. "At least some thread of the bond must remain. There is still silver in her eyes, if only a little. Not even the dagger could completely break it. Perhaps that is why it takes the memories, because not even it can completely sever a bond." 

"Does that mean there's hope that maybe they can be together again?"

Mitch shook his head and buried his face in Scott's chest for just a moment before speaking. "It is not fair. She does not deserve this fate. She will never remember what it is like to love him, to be loved by him."

Scott held him tighter as he heard the tears in his loves voice.

"But he will and I don't know that he'll ever get over it." He kissed the top of Mitch's head, not even ashamed that he himself was crying. "I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Sarah." 

Mitch laughed and pulled back to look at him. "We will visit her soon. She is no further than your own back yard."

Scott forced a half smile. "Yeah but I'm gonna miss her being around. At least she appreciated my cooking efforts. She loved bacon, even if I did burn it."

"I am sure she will miss you too, Scott."

"Promise you'll never go through the veil without me? I don't want us to be separated like that. I can't lose you ever again." 

Mitch nodded. "I promise."

"We're gonna be okay." 

"We will be better than okay. We are going to be happy and in love and together.. always."

"Sounds perfect." 

They clung to one another, finding solace in the warmth of their bond. No matter what the world would throw at them they would figure it out and no matter what they would do it together.

_

"My father is growing more curious by the day. He dare not ask, but I know he wonders who it is I gave my heart to."

Scott tightened his hold and the fae rolled a bit closer into his side "I bet he'll never guess."

They both laughed as they lay beneath the stars as they'd done so many times before.

"You know, I wish my eyes could turn gold too. Is that a thing? Do you think maybe some day I'll turn all fae like because you love me?" 

Mitch's reaction was adorable as he scrunched his nose, his eyes squeezed tight as he laughed. "I don't have much to go on, but I'm guessing not. Although gold would suit you very well, I'm quite partial to their beautiful blue. "

Scott pouted a bit but his smile still fought to return and Mitch propped up to kiss him before laying back down.

"Promise you'll never do summer camp again." 

"It was only a week. Did you miss me that much?" Scott looked down at him, amusement still lining the corners of his eyes.

"More than you know. I always miss you when we're apart. I always will."

"One day we won't have to be apart like this. I can buy a house and we won't have to worry about my parents. We can sleep in a bed instead of out here. I won't have to do stupid things like summer camp because my parents want me to be more social." 

"Did you think of me?"

"What kind of question is that? You know I did. I thought of you literally every second of every day. Every night I sang our song and knew you were thinking of me too." Scott smiled and shifted to roll on top of him. "I'll always miss you when you're not by my side. Always."

"Somewhere out there.. if love can see us through.." Mitch sang as he stared up into his loves eyes.

Scott stared right back and continued where Mitch paused. "Then we'll be together. Somewhere out there..." he leaned to give him a quick kiss.. "out where dreams..." and another... "come true." 

They smiled against each other's lips before the kiss was deepened. After a few moments lost in each other Mitch pushed him away and pointed at the sky. "Scott look it's starting."

Scott looked up over his shoulder as a few shooting stars cut across the sky. He lay back on the blanket next to the only man he'd ever love and pulled him snugly into his arms. "Make a wish Mitchy."

"Why? I have everything I could ever want."

"And you call me sappy." Still he softened at the words, kissing the top of Mitch's head as they watched the wonder of the heaven's above.

Scott made his own silent wish that they would be together forever, but in the back of his mind he knew that they would be. Nothing could ever tear them apart. 

~~

"I love you, Scott."

"I love you too, Mitchie. Always."