So they crossed the river, ending up here, a field of yellow lilies, everything alive and warm. But that warmth never reached Viktor's eyes. He would never feel that way again. And that was the truth Jayce always avoided. He was afraid that he would never really have Viktor back. So he pretended not to see and continued talking, laughing, taking care of Viktor like he always did.
"Maybe we can find a house up there V" Jayce pointed to the hill
"Jayce" Viktor's voice was hoarse "I think you should go up there and check while I'm rummaging around here for something edible for you"
"That won't happen V. I won't let you leave me. You might trip or hurt yourself" Jayce moved closer and pulled the blanket back to wrap tightly around Viktor.
"I can't feel cold or pain Jayce" Viktor said as he watched Jayce wrap him in a blanket.
Jayce paused for a second and then put his hand on Viktor's cheek "They'll be back V, just like you do now. You're back with me" Jayce stared into Viktor's eyes
Viktor didn't answer, nor did he avoid Jayce's touch. He let Jayce take whatever he wanted from him as a way to feel alive. But he didn't. Viktor died in that room when the bomb fell "You think there's a house there? Jayce" Viktor looked at the hill behind Jayce
"Who knows. But at least I still have faith in my luck" Jayce chuckled and took Viktor's hand.
They walked slowly, enjoying the scenery and picking some fruit, cherries from the trees and bushes along the way.
"They look a little different than the ones I've seen" Jayce examined the purple apple in his hand. "Is it an apple? The leaves are definitely from an apple tree but it's a bit suspicious"
"I can test it for you first Jayce. If it's poison, I'll let you know" Viktor reached out to take the apple from Jayce's hand but Jayce was faster than Viktor.
"And let you suffer with poison?. No way V"
"I can't sense Jayce"
And silence fell over the place. Viktor stood still and looked at Jayce with those golden eyes. Jayce sighed heavily, his eyes burden with emotion and looked away from Viktor's lifeless eyes. After a few minutes, Jayce spoke again "Please don't say that V"
"It's the truth"
"It's just temporary"
"How can you be so sure Jayce?" Viktor's voice was calm "I know what I am"
Jayce's hand gripped the apple as if he was about to tear it with the force of his grip. Silence fell again. Before Viktor was about to reach for the apple in Jayce's hand and try it, a squirrel appeared and ate the apple on the grass that fell from Jayce's grip. They both looked at the squirrel eating and saw that it was enjoying the food.
"The squirrel seems to like it, and it doesn't seem to be in shock from the poison anymore" Jayce's voice was a bit cheerful "See V, there's always another way" He looked into Viktor's eyes with a gentle look. "So let's hope for you Viktor" He touched their foreheads together and gently stroked Viktor's hair.
Viktor close his eyes and sigh. They continue their journey