Impossible

14

Samuel ran his fingers through Joshua's hair, secretly delighted to be able to feel the sensation again, as they lay in a replica of Joshua's bed at home.

Joshua has explained the nature of the castle, how it had formed without him wanting to, around the throne, about the statues, how it was still forming, and how he despised it. The other boy thought it was very much like him to hate this so, and how much he had missed his opinionated friend. Friend? He had no idea what to call him now.

"I missed you," Joshua whispered out, unable to turn to look at Samuel, "It's been so long... Centuries. Every day I feared I would forget your face. I feared I would never see you again... I..." He trailed off, unsure of how to express his longing into words.

They had stayed up long throughout the night, hardly saying anything, hardly needing to, simply revelling in the other's company again. They had not slept; Joshua hardly did, he could never anymore, he simply fell into a trance like state, and he had long ago accepted that this was to be the closest he would get to slumber.

"I missed you, I could never forget you," Samuel replied, his voice echoing in the silence. He continued to run his hand through his hair, and the other held tighter to the freckles boy's hand. "And as long as I remember you, you will remember me. That I swear."

Joshua's cheeks lit up gently. He missed how smooth Samuel was with his words, the way he talked sounded so poetic and charming, he could always blindly trust him and believe every word that tumbled out of his mouth.

He gently pressed his face further into Samuel's chest, overjoyed to be in his company again. He wanted to stay like this forever, forever with him.

"Don't you have work to do?" The other boy whispered out, afraid of losing him again, afraid of having to move and give up what they already had.

"I've done that shit every day straight since I got here. I feel as though I deserve a rest."

Samuel laugher slightly at his friend. His friend? His lover.

"Besides, it's not like the souls will know." Joshua added.

"They won't?"

"No. Souls have no perception of time. The souls I'm dealing are at least 200 years old, and they have no idea. I'm sure it only felt like yesterday you died" Joshua mumbles sleepily. He doubted Samuel actually realised how long it has been.

"Oh... I felt every second you were gone Josh, and it hurt me just as much." Samuel said, though Joshua was sure he was just saying that.

He turned to look up at him, his Sam, and Samuel pulled him gently onto him, so he was lying on his chest.

He ran his fingers slowly over the freckled boys jaw, before cupping his cheek. "I promise you no one will hurt you anymore."

"Times change Sam, people like us... They like people like us now, they celebrate them."

"Oh?"

"Mhmm, it's widely accepted by most. You could even get married in most places."

"Oh? And is that something you'd want?" Samuel teased him gently, grinning like a fool in love. He supposed that's what he was. He was a fool, a fool so deeply in love.

"Does it matter? We'll be together forever anyway."

Samuel smiled at that. He quite liked that idea.

Joshua leaned in, softly kissing Samuel. It had been so long since he'd kissed him, so long since he'd held him, so long since that night. That night he'd loved so much.

"I love you." He whispered, breaking the kiss.

"I love you more."

"Impossible."