DEVON
Quietly, I left Shea's house and snuck up to the back of my house. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and made my way to the front door. Liam was standing by the front door, forehead resting against the wall. I twisted the door knob and pulled the door backwards. The creaking sound snapped him out of whatever daze he was in. He looked up and I let out a gasp when I saw his puffy and blood shot eyes.
"Liam-"
He moved away from the wall, frowning slightly.
"I didn't hear you drive in"
"That's because I didn't drive in. Come on in" I said, opening the door wider. He walked in and I shut the door behind him.
"Can I get you anything?" I asked.
"There's no need for that" he said, letting out a shaky breath.
"Liam, what's wrong?" I asked. He sighed, rubbing his left eye.
"This morning... I-uh... I received a call from a hospital. My mother-- she'd been hospitalized"
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She had a stroke"
"Oh, Liam" I said, holding his shaky hands.
"I went to the hospital and I was with her in the ward when she began to flat line. She's gone, Dev" he croaked, more tears rolling down his pale cheeks. Liam was a mess, a broken mess.
I embraced him, letting him fall apart in my arms. The perfect and organized Liam Davenport was gone. "I'm so sorry, Liam. You don't deserve this" I said. Few minutes ago, I'd been so ready to break things off with him. But I couldn't do that at the moment, especially since he was mourning. I felt really bad for him.
"I wish this was just a bad dream" he croaked.
"I'm so sorry you lost her. But on the bright side, she's finally resting. Rita was a beautiful soul. Even though she's gone. She's right here" I said, placing my hand on his chest where his heart was beating frantically.
"In your heart" I whispered. "Thank you" he croaked and I forced out a smile. I've always sucked at comforting people.
By the time he'd stopped crying, he was exhausted.
"I-I have to go" he rasped, rising to his feet.
"When's the funeral?" I asked.
"I don't know yet. I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that my mum is gone" he sighed.
"It's okay, Liam. Take your time. When you decide what day she would be buried, let me know. I want to be there for you" I said and he nodded.
"Thank you, Dev" he said. I watched him leave my house and get into his car. He drove away soon enough. I heaved a sigh and shut the door. Then, I sat down on the couch, rubbing my temples. I just hoped that I wasn't stuck in between.
***
SHEA
It's been two days since I got discharged from the hospital. Devon hasn't come around since then. I wondered if I did anything wrong. I was lying on my bed, eyes closed. My head was pounding hard and it was getting really annoying. My phone rang out and I groaned. With my eyes still closed, I reached out and grabbed my phone. I picked the call and brought it close to my ear.
"Shea? You haven't been picking my calls. What the hell happened?" Liam asked. "Sorry about that, I've tried to call you several times but I couldn't reach you"
"Did something happen?"
"I got attacked by some people. I'm pretty banged up and I'm afraid, I can't go to work for now" I said.
"I didn't know about that. I'm really sorry. How're you feeling?" Liam asked.
"A little worse for wear but I'll live" I said. "Oh, okay"
"Is there something you need to tell me?" I asked. He sighed "My mum died two days ago" he said.
"I'm so sorry about that, Liam" I said. "It's fine. I was hoping you would take my place at the office, but since you aren't up for it... Nevermind"
The line went dead. I stared at my phone. He'd sounded really upset. Maybe that was because of his recent loss. I got out of bed and picked up my journal. I walked into the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea. Sitting on a stool in the kitchen, I began to read my journal. It was really weird because it didn't feel like I was reading about Theo and Devon. Everything felt weirdly familiar.
As I walked into the sitting room, something caught my eye. A golden ring with an inscription of two doves on it. It was Devon's. I remember seeing it on her finger. She must've forgotten it here two days ago. I picked it up but then, my vision started to blur. My knees buckled and I sank to the ground. My aching ribs hitting the floor. I let out a groan. My eyes slipped close and I found myself fading fast.
"Hello?!" I call out, glancing around the empty field. Not a single soul is in sight. Confused and worried, I begin to make my way beyond the vast fields. I let out a gasp when I see it. It's a really colorful waterfall. It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. The cool breeze ruffles my clothes and my hair. I shiver, goose bumps appearing on my pale skin. I move closer, realizing that the air is growing colder.The waterfall is branching into four rivers. Absolutely breathtaking. Even though I've never seen anything like this, it feels so familiar and there's this ache in my heart."What's that?" A voice says to me. That voice is very familiar. It's mine. But, I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything just now."What's that?" the voice asks again. I turn to look beside me and is shocked to see the long haired and golden eyed, Theo. He looks at me, eyes burning like golden flames."I-I don't know" I say. "You're wrong, Shea"
My eyes widen. He knows my name. What the hell? "Watch"
Right before my eyes, the colorful waterfall becomes the color of blood. The rivers are turning crimson too. "Your people needs you, Shea" he says.
"I don't understand. What people? I barely know who I am" I say.
"Again, you're wrong. I am you and you are me"
I stare at him, bewildered.
"It's time for you to remember" He places his right hand on my chest, his eyes burning brighter. Pain explodes deep inside me and it becomes so hard to breathe."You are Daeron Zrēlyen, the rightful king of the four lands. Claim your throne and save your people from the calamity that is to befall them"
My eyes shot open, a groan escaping my lips as waves of pain engulfed my body. It hurt so bad and it was hard to concentrate. I gasped for air when more pain hit me. Was I really getting my memories back? Why does it hurt so bad? These thoughts came to my mind while I struggled with the pain.
*****
DEVON
I was having lunch in my kitchen when my phone rang. Groaning, I picked the call. It was Shea.
"Dev-" he gasped. "Shea, what's wrong?" I asked, rising to my feet."I-I don't know what's happening to me..."
"Shea, where are you?" I asked. He let out a pained cry and I gasped, panic invading my senses.
"I'm home. It hurts-- I can't breathe" he gasped.
"Hold on, Shea. I'm on my way" I said, hurrying out of the house.
"Keep talking to me-- Maybe, it won't hurt this bad" he whispered.
"I'm on my way. You're okay. Just breathe. Keep breathing" I said.
I rushed into the front porch of his apartment and pushed the door in. It creaked open and I rushed into his room. He was curled up on the floor, deathly pale as violent tremors ran through him, shaking him to the core.
"Shea!" I cried, rushing to his side. He was gasping for breath, blood oozing out of his nostrils.
"I think you should go to the hospital, Shea" I said, brushing his unruly hair out of his eyes. He groaned, shaking his head weakly.
"Just stay with me" he mumbled, his eyes fluttering close.
...
Shea lay curled up on my side with his head on my lap. I grabbed a tissue paper and began to wipe the blood from his nose. His shirt was stained with blood. He slowly opened his eyes, tears filling his green eyes.
"Devon" he said, holding my hand. "How're you feeling, Shea?" I asked. He frowned slightly and let out a sigh.
"Don't call me that" he muttered. I raised a brow, watching him carefully. He sat up slowly and took off his blood stained shirt. His muscular abs and pecs were in full display. Something else caught my attention though. The rune below his collar bone. He traced the rune with his finger as he stared in front of him.
"I've always wondered how I got this tattoo but now I realize that it's not just any tattoo. It's a rune connecting us to each other" he said, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You.... you remember" I breathed. "I do. I remember all of it. I remember dying. Your brother was right, I did cheat death again. Even though I'm human now, I'm still alive. That's why we couldn't fight off our feelings for each other" he said, his thumb gently stroking my cheek with tears flowing down his cheeks.
"Now that I know who I am, I feel complete. Especially since you're here with me" he said, brushing my hair out of my eyes.
"Theo" I breathed as he leaned closer. My eyes fluttered close as our lips met in a toe curling kiss. I could feel the tingles all the way to my toes.
"You have no idea how much I missed you" I said, resting my forehead against his forehead. He smiled.
"I missed you subconsciously. Even though I didn't remember you, I yearned for you" he said and my heart fluttered.
"I love you, Theo. I never stopped loving you" I said.
"I love you so much" he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. Happy tears made their way down my cheeks as we basked in each other's warmth.