Xiao Zhan's POV:

What is he doing here?

Eli is a Ghost Supreme?

How...?

"If you all don't mind," moving away from the group he walks into our kitchen only to open the pot placed on the counter and peep inside, "even though this smells a little different, can I eat? Haven't had today's breakfast!" Watching him salivate, Xie Lian is the first one to jump and invite him, "Sure. Why don't you take a seat I'll serve you a bowl?"

"Please make it three. I am super hungry." With a shy smile he takes his previously vacant seat when Hua Cheng rolling his eyes comments, "When are you never? Everytime we meet you're always hungry!"

Tapping on the table with my knuckles I call for his attention, "When did you change?"

Raising his eyes towards me Eli looks perplexed, "Change? What change?"

"Don't act oblivious! Have you always been a human or are you a ghost? What are you? Is Yibo aware or for that matter of fact even Seiji?" Just then Xie Lian places three bowls in front of Eli, or should I address him as Black Water?

With gusto Eli digs in only to stop for a second, widening his eyes he seeks Hua Cheng's, but without another word he gulps down the entire content. "Mr. Xiao, I am a ghost from their realm." Pointing towards Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, Eli continues, "As you're aware by now I am a Ghost Supreme revered as Black Water, but my birth name is He Xuan. Many are ignorant of that name except Hua Cheng. No, Boss and Mr. S aren't aware of my true identity. Not that I never wanted to reveal, but before this I didn't find it necessary to divulge this information." With a shrug he continues eating and we all stare at the man in front of us.

"Where is Wang Yibo, Xiao Zhan?" At Wei Wuxian's enquiry I smile sadly, "He's a bit unwell. Requested him to sleep a little more, but should be joining us soon though." Just then we hear an exuberant greeting followed by Oreo's squeal "Eli!"

With a grin he gets up in time to catch Oreo jumping into his arms. Kissing her cheeks she giggles when a shocked Seiji who walks in from behind questions, "What are you doing?"

Without much thought to his flirtatious words Eli teases Seiji, "Not you!"

A gasp is heard and we whip our heads towards GG, "Oh My!"

Fuck.

"Eli!" Seiji growls and GG whacks his chest, "Be nice." Taking a step forward she raises her hand for Eli to shake, "How have you been, Eli?"

"Not as beautiful as you ma'am." Is GG blushing? Wow, this is new. I should learn some tricks from him.

Turning her gaze towards the rest of us she bestows them with a smile, "Haven't met any of you children before. Hello, I am GG and that's my granddaughter, Akemi whom we call Oreo. That's my son Seiji." I can never get over the fact that she always refers Seiji as her son and not son-in-law.

"Children?" Hua Cheng beside me whispers for my ears, "Who is she calling children? Shall I inform her of our true age?" I smirk at his words and he lifts his chin subtly.

"Eli, I have left my toy in car. Can you help me get them?"

"Sure munchkin. How about you lead the way and I'll follow." With another sweet giggle Oreo jumps down and taking a step closer to Seiji, it does not go unnoticed by us when Eli leans super close and whispers, "Keys please?" Definite flirting. Biting my lips to stop my grin we all watch Seiji fumbling for them and handing it over. Nudging my arms GG winks and I shake my head.

Ghost Supreme and Seiji? Not bad!

Once they leave GG and Seiji join us at the table and soon I introduce everyone and reveal the reason for each of them to be present here. In the end the room was plunged into silence as GG subtly wipes her tears and Seiji clutches his head.

"So you're God?" She enquires looking at Xie Lian and he nods. "You're a Ghost?" This time it is directed towards Hua Cheng and he lifts his chin. "You're a Diabolical King and" trailing her eyes towards Lan Wangji she points out, "you're normal?"

Wei Wuxian being himself winks, "Oh he's my husband. So are those two, and the man who took your granddaughter out to get her toy is also a ghost."

"Wow!" GG exclaims.

"The fuck?" Seiji curses and covers his mouth, "So he isn't human? Wait none of you are?" His gaze finds mine and enquires, "What about you?"

Me?

"Well that's up for debate!" At Wei Wuxian's comment I frown but before I could ask any further question, GG beats me to it, "So you're telling me that all of you present here are going to save Akio's life?"

"Yes." This time it is Xie Lian who answers, "We'll find a way to gave him, Grandma."

We were back to an awkward silence when Wei Wuxian suddenly enquires, "GG, are you married?"

Woah! What?

"Why are you asking me this question, child?"

"No particular reason other than Lan Zhan's uncle is single. You'd be perfect for him. Don't worry he's handsome, all these Lan men are. Your personality will be best suited for him!"

My ears couldn't belive this path of inference. Here we were just talking about saving lives and Wei Wuxian is busy playing matchmaker.

"Lan Zhan, don't you think GG would be perfect for Uncle Lan Qiren?" At his question Lan Wangji calmly answers, "Hm."

A laughter bubbles from GG's lips and I immediately observe Wei Wuxian relax. So he's trying to cheer everyone in this room.

"Oh! Hey! Everyone's here." With a small bow Akio walks into the dining room.

"Where is Sizhui?" Wei Wuxian enquires and Akio's ears redden, "He's sleeping."

Being naughty?

Cocking my head to the side I realise he's all dressed with a backpack and question, "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, to submit my final thesis." His voice is laced with pain but sporting a strong smile he picks up an apple, "I'll see you all this evening."

Before I could offer him my service, Eli walks in and places his arms around Akio's shoulders, "Let me drop you then. It's on my way." With a nod Akio bids us a warm day and leaves with Eli.

Akio.

Akio's POV:

"Are you alright?" Eli enquires softly as he parks his bike outside my university and I nod. What else could I do? Let him know that my heart is tearing into pieces or that every breath I take is becoming laborious.

"Hey, you need anything let me know alright?"

"Eli."

"Hm?"

I heard their conversation with GG and Seiji. I knew who he is. Like Hua Cheng, Xie Lian, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, he too is a soul who is fighting to give me a second chance of life. How can I ever repay their kindness? Each of them will be sacrificing their lives for me! Am I even worth it?

"I'll soon bring Mac and Blake for a drink at Red's." With a fake grin I wink, "Don't tell on me alright?" We both knew that I would never be able to step into Red's. He nods gently and I wave him goodbye. I wouldn't live past 18 years to ever step into Red. Never.

Traversing through the vast expanse of this University, probably for the last time I am taking in the opulence around me. Each step makes my heart burn with pain. My soul won't be able to feel this beauty ever again. My soul would forever just be a student and nothing more. I would not even see my own graduation ceremony.

Knocking at Ms. Troy's door, I smile when she gestures me in. Oh how Blake, Mac and I have made fun of her voice. Taking a deep breath I place my thesis on her desk and she raises her eyebrows in surprise. "Mr. Wang, for the very first time you're early in submitting your assignment." Picking up my thesis she goes through it and minute later a small smile plays on her lips, "Well done."

Her words pain me. Controlling my emotions I nod and bow, "Thank you for everything, Ms. Troy. I would like to sincerely apologise if we have inconvenienced you or any other faculty. Please think of it as my immaturity and forgive me."

"Are you alright Mr. Wang?"

No.

"Yes, Ms. Troy."

"Very well. Have a safe day, Mr. Wang." With another bow I leave and walk towards my library. Moving towards the last section where I knew no one would be present, my back meets against the rack and I slide down onto the ground to cry out. Finally.

Taking out a pen and piece of paper, I write my heart out to my boys.

Dear Mac and Blake,

Don't be surprised with the word 'Dear', by the time you receive this letter, you'd know why I used this annotation.

Have I ever expressed my gratitude towards you two? Never right! If I had, you'd have beaten my ass and you both know how dear that is to me.

Don't laugh.

I love you guys. There I said it. I won't say it again.

Let me start by apologising that everytime I said 'I am going on a vacation with BooBoo, I lied. I was in hospital getting treatment for my heart. Why did I lie? Because I never wanted to see any sympathy in your eyes. You guys are my family. Watching Yibo cry for me is enough.

I wish we had more time. I wish we could have clicked pictures of our graduation ceremony. I wish we could have gone to Hollywood and met the entire starcast of Marvel. Hey, even if I am not around you both need to go and that's my order. I want you to meet everyone, click pictures, show them mine and tell those guys what a fan Akio is!

Are you crying? Fuck. Dare not cry!

By the way, recently I have realised that for the world superheroes might not exist but for me they do. They might not be Iron Man, Thor or Captain America but they are far beyond all that.

They are the best.

I have met them. They are 7 in total. They're fighting for me, my life! One is my brother and Xiao Zhan.

Guys, after my life please try and visit BooBoo if you can, tell him how much he meant to me, tell him to keep smiling and if he is still hasn't accepted or is oblivious towards Zhan Zhan's heart, then push him or whack him one from me. He deserves it. As for you two, don't shed too much tears. Y'all know I hate melodrama.

Mac, take my Xbox.

Blake, take my Play Station.

But promise me you'll exchange and won't fight. As for my Marvel collections, don't touch. I am warning you! They're mine. Do hide my porn books from BooBoo, I don't want him knowing how corrupted I am.

I'll miss you two. I wish to have had one opportunity to introduce you both to Sizhui, but maybe that won't be possible.

When you both finally come of age to drink 'legally' think of me just once, understood? Go to Red. Yibo, Eli and Seiji will be there to take care of you. Don't drink without supervision.

Lastly, if you can, go and meet my mother and tell her, 'Akio forgives you.' I don't wish to leave this world with regrets. I can't forgive others, but her, I think I can.

So that's it.

Thank you for everything.

Your,
Mad Marvel Friend,
Akio.

"Where are you guys?" I enquire via phone and they inform me that they're at Basketball court. My each step weighs on me. Watching their beautiful smile made my non existent tears appear again.

"Hey! I thought you won't be coming today!" At Blake's smile I nod, "True, but came to submit my assignment."

"Woah! So soon?" That was Mac. "Yup." Taking his hand in mine I place that envelope. "What's this?"

"Don't open them today. In next few days you'll get a call from BooBoo. Open this then, alright. Promise me?"

"Why are you acting so weird Akio?" As Mac questions I grin, "Come on. It's for luck. Only when BooBoo calls you're supposed to open this."

"Alright. Alright. We promise." Unable to take in the pain I pull them for a hug and pat each of their backs.

"Akio?"

"Hey?"

Taking a deep breath I plaster a fake smile again, "I am fine. I am fine."

Taking few steps backward I look at the court where players were waiting for them, "Go. Win the homecoming game. I'll be cheering for you!"

Pocketing the letter they give me a salute and walk away only to turn back and shout, "We love you too Akio." Shaking my head I laugh and watch them leave.

This is probably the last time I'll be seeing them.

Take care guys!

Trudging outside the campus I smile at Seiji who is waiting for me. Getting into his car he drives me back home, "Thank you for coming and picking me up."

"Shut up. You know I love you."

Yes I do.

Just as we reach home and parks the car, I hold his wrist, "Here." Handing over two letters to him I smile, "When I leave give this to Yibo and Zhan." He knew the intricacies of my words and nods. "Nothing will happen to you, Akio. We're all here."

I salute and leave. Walking back to the room, my heart is glad to find it empty cause soon my vision starts to fade and last thought that resonates within me is to meet my family and Sizhui one last time.