𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿

It's been sixty years since Eiji left for Japan, then later found out that Ash had been stabbed by Lao. At first, it felt like everything was moving so fast that he couldn't keep up. From the time he heard of the news to the plane ride back to NYC. It had all just felt like a blur, that not even to this day he heard remember it all.

    Though it was true that Eiji couldn't remember every single detail, he could however still feel the emotions he felt in those very moments. Everything was still very much alive within him. Sadness, anger, regret, and guilt, all of it stayed with him for years. Even now as Eiji laid in his hospital bed, he could feel what his younger self felt.

He truly felt somewhat stupid and even pitied himself for it. Eiji met his soulmate at a young age, his soulmate died, and then he was never able to move on from him all these years later. And now he's in his 80's, no children or grandchildren to leave his memory with, all alone in a hospital room.

The man wasn't getting any younger and soon the sickness that came with old age caught up to him. He felt exhausted every day and couldn't find the strength to eat a decent meal. Weeks passed and he felt weaker than normal. He stood up and his legs finally gave out, thankfully he had one of those life-alert buttons and pressed it. When the paramedics showed up he was rushed to the hospital.

Ever since then, he had been here and from the looks of it he wasn't checking out any time soon. Eiji knew his time on Earth was limited but of course, he felt like the end would never come. Nonetheless, he had everything sorted out, his will, the deed to his house, and the ownership of his photos would be passed to a photography company. It was if he was preparing for his own funeral.

The day slowly transcended into the night and Eiji felt more tired than ever. Lately, he had been thinking about Ash a lot more. The blonde had begun appearing in his dreams again. He always wore the outfit Eiji last saw him in, and a smile never left his face in their encounters. Maybe it was because he was dying but Eiji felt comforted by seeing Ash somehow. He could never truly stop wishing to the blonde.

Midnight rolled around and Eiji was in a deep slumber. The same dream playing in his mind as it had yesterday night. It always started with Eiji stopping just before entering the plane he would take to Japan. A sudden feeling coming over him as he started to drop everything and run out of the airport. His feet carried him to a familiar place and time slowed down as he saw him.

Ash sat on the steps of the New York Public library, seemingly in deep thought until he noticed Eiji staring at him. Suddenly his face lite up and he ran towards Eiji, trapping him in a big hug. People passing by stared but neither of them cared. They were just glad to be in each other's arms again.

    "Ash," Eiji sobbed into his shoulder. "I had a horrible dream that you were stabbed and died- and you bleed everywhere. I missed you so much." His voice cracked as he explained what had happened to Ash. The blonde said nothing and just held onto Eiji tighter as the older let out his emotions.

    "Please Ash," his voice hitched. "Come with me to Japan. I can't live without you. I want us to be together, to grow old and die together. Please let's just be happy." Eiji gradually got louder with each word, pouring every moment of regret and sadness he felt into his words. But Ash pulled back.

    "I can't Eiji," his words hurt more than anything. "I'm gone. You need to accept that I'm gone. Don't cry over me anymore. We'll be together soon." Ash's face melted into a sorrowful expression. Eiji shook his head, "No! I'll never forget about you." He gripped Ash's coat and pulled him closer. His hands trembled as his grip tightened. Eiji thought if he held on tight enough, Ash wouldn't leave him this time. But it was all in vain.

    Soon Ash's face started to become blurry. His body started to disappear as Eiji tried to hold onto him, not wanting him to go. Once Ash was gone everything else faded as well. The library, the streets filled with people, even Eiji. And as soon as his vision was engulfed in darkness and he woke up. Panting slightly, he tried to sit upright and somehow managed. He looked at the clock, 3:26 it read.

    It was dark, his dream hadn't lasted long before it awoke him from another night of sleep. The man felt incredibly tired yet the sleepiness had worn off. And so, he stayed awake, waiting from the sun to rise as another would begin anew. "Eiji," a voice called out from nowhere yet Eiji immediately recognized it. "Ash?" He called out.

    The curtains flew open, illuminating the hospital room with the bright moonlight. Eiji winced at the sudden light before his eyes widen at the sight. Ash stood in the doorway, he wore the clothes he had on the first day they met. His eyes were sad yet his lips had a small smile plastered on them. "Ash!" Eiji jumped up and ran to him. "How are you here?" He asked as he frantically touched the boy to see if he was actually real.

    A wave of relief came over him as he felt the blonde's warm hands. Ash didn't say anything but only pointed directly behind Eiji. The black-haired boy was confused but didn't argue and looked behind him. He jumped at the scene that played before him.

    It was him laying on a hospital bed while several nurses and doctors rushed over to him. His heart monitor was flatlining and one of the nurses brought a crash cart in order to resuscitate him. The doctor held the defibrillators to his chest and sent bolts of electricity through his body. The nurse checked his pulse yet it was still unclear and thus another bolt of electricity was sent through him.

    This went on until the doctor finally called it, "time of death 4:15." Servers nurses were cleared out and only two remained to assess his dead body. Eiji just stood there and watch as they redressed him and put a sheet or blanket over his head as they do to people in the movies. Not long after they left Eiji took a step towards his corpse. Was he really dead? He didn't know. For all, he knew it could be another dream.

    "It's real," Ash spoke out. Eiji's head whipped around and he asked, "how do you know?" All the blonde did was send him a reassuring smile. "I would know. After I took my last breath I could see myself on the chair. I was confused but everything just made sense. But because I was still in shock I stayed much longer then I should have. I saw you and I just knew I couldn't leave you." Ash confessed.

    "So you've been waiting for me?" The dark-haired male hesitantly asked. "More or less," Ash said, somewhat embarrassed. Eiji brightly smiled. "I've been waiting for you to Ash." The blonde blushed slightly, "don't say those types of things." He muttered. "I can't help it," Eiji laughed. Their eyes met and a euphoric feeling came over them. It had been so long since they've seen each other and now they've finally reunited.

    "Ash," Eiji began, determined to speak his mind this time. "Let's live together forever this time. I want to spend all of my time with you to make up for the time I spent without you." Ash couldn't help but smile and the older's confession. "I want to be with you too. Even if it's in another life."

    Eiji took Ash's hand and suddenly everything felt alright. All those feelings of anguish disappeared and were replaced with happiness and peace. Ash let him outside the hospital room and down to the main lobby. They approached the door and Eiji noticed he couldn't see the outside but a bright light. Was it heaven? He couldn't help but ask himself. Whatever it was, he was just glad that Ash was with him.

    They paused at the door for a moment, Ash held the door handle and looked at Eiji. "Are you ready?" He asked. Eiji paused for a moment and thought. After a few moments, he reached for the door handle and placed his hand on Ash's. "Yes," he answered. The blonde smiled, a smile that was so genuine it reached his eyes. The two pushed the door together and let the light engulf them. A warm sensation spreading over their bodies.

    "Ash?"

    "Yes, Eiji?"

    "I love you."

    "I love you too."

[ Hello! This is a special chapter written by Sora hope you enjoyed it! ]